Soul Stealer ~ (A Bucky Barnes Love Story)

Who's In Your Head?

I tapped my bare foot against the cold tile in time with the music thumping loudly in my ears. It was well past midnight which meant everyone except Tony was fast asleep. Hunger pains had driven me from the warmth of my bed. I'd tossed and turned for almost half an hour before throwing off the covers and making my way to the communal kitchen.

We'd returned to the Avenger's compound otherwise known as home a little over a week ago. Almost as soon as we returned my father and Tony received a call that had them both frowning then subsequently sequestering themselves alone in a conference room for the better part of the week. I was mildly curious what would cause both Captain America and Iron Man's faces to pale dramatically, but I had my own problems. Manly, navigating my complicated relationship with a former brainwashed assassin and dodging difficult questions resulting from the mission in therapy.

The moment the Prince of Wakanda zoomed off with his scary bodyguard I was hauled into Bucky's arms and squeezed within an inch of my life. The relief I felt flowing through the bond was equal parts his and mine. It felt nice to be held by him.

It felt safe.

It felt like home.

Our moment was shattered by an ill-timed, inappropriate comment wielded by none other than Tony Stark. I brushed it off as Tony being Tony, but Bucky brushed it off by trying to kill him. By the time Steve managed to drag the two apart we were loaded on the quinjet and well on our way home. Ever since Bucky kept an annoying amount of what could only be called respectable distance between us despite my best efforts.

It was pissing me off.

I licked the jelly off the knife, spinning around in a circle while shaking my hips. Holding the knife to my mouth I sang off key to the Jonas Brothers music screeching in my ears. "Who's in your bed? Wrapped in your arms, while I ain't sleeping."

Suddenly the lights went out and I froze, pulling the earbuds out one at a time and setting them on the counter.

"Jarvis?"

The AI didn't answer and I felt the hairs on my arm stand up. Instinctively I let my power loose, letting it expand rapidly through the compound, looking for anything or anyone out of place. I felt nothing concerning, no extra souls, everyone was where they should be.

I crept slowly towards the hall, my ears straining to hear something, anything, that might tell me what the hell was going on. I didn't understand how Jarvis did what he did, but I knew enough to realize if he wasn't answering either Tony was doing some unannounced maintenance, or the proverbial shit was about to hit the proverbial fan.

The hallway was dark and empty which only made my nerves worse. Hopefully I could make my way to Bucky's room before the boogie man tried to murder me.

Taking a deep breath I reached for the bond between us. He was still in a dreamless sleep, the bond muted on his end. I kept my end sealed, reluctant to interrupt his, for once, peaceful sleep.

I thought about reaching for my father, but before I could someone rounded the corner at the far end of the hallway. I stopped, readying my power to defend myself if necessary, but it was like there was no one there.

"What the..."

I trailed off as the person lumbered forward, their heavy footsteps a stark contrast to the quiet hallway.

"Evelyn Sarah Carter. Do not move. By order of the Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross, you are hereby under arrest."

The monotone voice hit me like a physical punch as my brain scrambled to process the situation. It was a robot. I couldn't feel its soul because it didn't have one. If it didn't have a soul I couldn't "do my thing" which meant once again Bucky was right and that really fucking sucked.