Fire starter (Ana X Bucky)

26

(Ana POV)

They were coming for me again...

After James brought me breakfast, we sat me down to talk about his conversation with Steve. I tried not to stress out too much. It was not healthy for the baby. It was too early, I could still lose it. James held my hand the entire time. Gently speaking to me and reassuring they would do anything to keep me safe. I wish that would help, but I didn't want anyone getting hurt because of me. My mother already died that way. 

I couldn't help but think of James getting taken by HYDRA again. It tore me apart. James must have noticed the change in me, he softly pulled me into a gentle hug. He ran his hand up and down my back giving me kisses into my hair. I pressed my face into his chest, breathing in his scent. It has never changed, but for some reason now I found it more comforting than ever.

"What are we going to do?" I breath out through soft tears. I didn't want him to let me go. I know it wasn't right. He's Steve's best friend. But my mind was in a million pieces. I needed to know what was next but I needed him more. He didn't let me go as he spoke. I could feel him slightly trembling against me. He was scared, but was he scared for me or for himself?

"Steve is coming up with a plan, I have to tell the rest of the team. We need to make sure we are not suspicious around the SHIELD agents when they are here." I nod understanding that the agents could have very well been the ones that got the information on Steve and James's therapist. "For now, I'm not going anywhere." He held me tighter in his arms as I squeezed him too, thankful he didn't want to leave me.

We held each other for a while, scared of what was to come. Part of me wanted to kiss him. Wanted to forget all the things that keep us apart. If something were to happen to him and I didn't tell him how I felt for him...

A knock on the door thankfully broke my thoughts. I was on the verge of crying again.

"Buck, it's me" Steve's voice came through the door, dull and muffled. James let me go slowly. He held my face in his hands looking into my eyes. He was making sure I was okay. I nodded letting him know I can handle being around Steve right now. There were more important things than his persistence in trying to get me back.

"Come in" James said as he stood up taking steps away from me. I felt cold and lonely the second he did. Fear creeping into my skin without him by my side. Something I never felt with Steve. I never expected to feel so lonely being only a few feet away from him. I tried not to look at him like my breath left me when he did.

Steve walked in, closing the door behind him. He stopped shocked to see me sitting on the bed still in pajamas. His face showed he didn't expect me to still be in here. I gave him a soft smile before looking at James, who seemed uncomfortable in the situation.

"He told me." I simply stated trying to get his head back into the conversation that needed to be had. 

"I shouldn't be near you" He whispered looking down.

"I'm pregnant with your child. It would be more suspicious if you never came to check on it." I didn't know why I was comforting him. I knew it made James feel terrible but Steve needed to know his baby was safe and okay.

"I suppose, thank you." He looked at my stomach then my eyes before clearing his throat. He turned to James to talk. "You should tell the rest of the team. Tony and Vision have already found two HYDRA agents in the building under cover as SHIELD. We aren't going to do anything until we clear the rest of the agents."

"Who are they?" I asked concerned they may be people I have considered friends.

"One lab tech that worked with Bruce and one security officer." Steve barely looked in my direction when he mentioned them.