Persephone's Symphony

Prologue | Hades

"Barnes, you're on protection detail."

He must be dreaming— he must have fallen asleep with the tv on again. That's been happening a lot lately; he's trying to catch up on normal life. On all the shows and movies and music he's missed throughout the years. He's trying to catch up. Or maybe he's just trying to drown out the silence. It doesn't matter why, to be honest, all that matters is that he is asleep and what he is hearing and seeing are the workings of a bad dream. There was a marathon last night. Yeah, there was. Movies— a few of them. Something about bodyguards. He's just dreaming about the movies.

Right?

Wrong.

"You're to make sure she is secured at all times during the next three days— do not leave Miss Y/l/n's side under any circumstances. Understood?"

Bucky blinks twice, his brows creasing as he stares down his commander, a stubby, burly man with beady eyes. It's a trial run— he can't say no. He wants to, he just can't afford to. Not if he wants a job. Still, he sees no reason for this to be on him. He's a soldier— a good one. A dangerous one. Watching over little girls isn't in his job description. He's a fighter— a monster.

"I need an affirmative, Barnes."

He bites back a scowl. He's not trying to get demoted, he knows he's on thin ice. But, like, isn't there anyone else? Hell— Wilson is right next to him! Surely he's better. He's charming, at least. A flirt. He would be perfect! Wilson would keep her safe. So would he— maybe. Definitely from the threat. From himself, though— well, three days is a long time to avoid sleeping. Even for him.

"Barnes!"

Damnit.

"Understood, sir."

Wilson's amused chuckles sound from beside him, his hand landing like a ton of bricks on Bucky's shoulder. Bucky contemplates the repercussions of punching the smug bastard in the middle of a briefing. It can't be more than a pay dock. He isn't making that much anyway, it wouldn't be a huge loss. It would be worth it to wipe that grin off his face. But, no, he can't. He'll have to do it later.

"Someone's on babysitting duty." Wilson snickers, pressing his fist to his mouth to hide his goading from the commander. "Remember Barnes; no candy after seven."

"Shut up, Wilson." He grunts back, just barely stopping his metal arm from flying out and smacking him— from squashing him like the bug he is.

"Think she has a bedtime?"

"Think you could shut up?"

Wilson flexes his fingers, holding them up slightly. Just enough as to not get caught ignoring the briefing but also enough to make sure Bucky notices. "Woah—" he says under his breath, that stupid smirk still heavy in his tone— "someone's touchy today."

"It's a bad decision and you know it." He says it simply— gruffly— it is the truth after all. He's dangerous.

Wilson's face softens, the glee filtering from his tone. "You'll be fine, Buck."

Bucky doesn't answer, he just clenches his jaw. He doesn't want to have another conversation about this. You're a good person. You didn't mean to do it. It's not your fault. It might not be his fault but he still did it. He still feels it. That makes him bad— if not morally than at least physically. He's a liability.

"Y/n Y/l/n—" Bucky focuses back on the commander; he may as well learn what he needs to do— "the twenty-five year old heir to the biggest communications technology manufacturing companies in the world. They do dealings with a range of chief institutions including our own White House—"