Subject X (Winter Soldier X Reader)

28

Bucky's POV

September 2nd, 2024

Sam and I were walking back from the grocery store with the few ingredients that Sarah had forgotten to get in order to make dinner. The sun set on the ocean, cascading in beautiful colors along the water that sparkled like diamonds.

Visiting Sam and his family made me feel normal again, like nothing from my past had ever happened. I spend my time with the children on the docks and even learning how to sail. It's been, refreshing.

"I don't know why Sarah never makes a damn list." Sam grumbled under his breath, struggling to hold the lumpy brown paper sack. I chuckled, shaking my head at my friend.
"Maybe we should have taken the car." I joked, shouldering him gently as we walked.

"Alright Barnes, you're the one with the metal arm, why aren't you carrying this?" Sam dramatically heaved the rather lightweight paper sack over into my arms. We both shared a laugh in response.

The walk back to Sam's Sisters house was a short one, but somehow it felt incredibly long. I couldn't shake this feeling in my stomach. Maybe it was just me, the fear within me and the underlying need to constantly be aware of my surroundings. I brushed off the feeling, trying to relax into the evening walk but my ears were ringing and Sam's random rambling had become quickly muffled. Why couldn't I shake this feeling? I haven't felt this way in a long time, why now?

"Hey Robo-Soldier!"
I came back into my reality, out of the depths of my mind with Sam shouting in my face. I raised my eyebrows in surprise as his sudden raise in voice.
"What?"

"Have you been listening to a thing I said?" Sam asked me sassily, causing me to feel a bit bashful.

"No, I'm sorry. I can't shake this feeling, like we're being watched." I admitted, taking this time to really observe my surroundings, looking at the various small buildings and the shadowy crevices in the dusky light. The sun had nearly disappeared over the water horizon, the sky getting darker fast.

Sam shook his head with a laugh. "I'm captain America and you're the man with a metal arm, surely somebody is looking at us." His attempt at a joke suddenly set me over the edge, now getting slightly upset with my friend.

"Im serious Sam. I think we're being followed."

It was as thought it were scripted. There was a sweet spot where it was dark enough outside that the streetlights didn't come on, limiting our view. I heard the familiar whiz of a weapon flying through the air. My instincts were quick, catching it centimeters before it hit my head. The blade was black, long and coming to a fine point at the end. It almost looked... familiar.

There wasn't enough time to react to the familiar feeling of the weapon in my hands. From out of the shadow of the alley, I was jumped. Strong legs wrapped around my neck which were then twisted, throwing me onto the hard ground. I groaned in pain for a minute, seeing the shadowy figure crouching in the dark. Their face was masked, dressed head to toe in black stealth gear. They pulled a small bar, flicking it open until it became a long staff with pointed spear heads on either end. The person swung it around and above their head, beginning their advancement at me.

I was quick to react, the Dora Milaje taught me well in the art of defending an attacker using a spear. We backed up out of the shadows of the alley, into the lights of the setting sun. I dodged swings left and right before finally grabbing the end of the staff with my metal arm, pausing the attack mid attempt. I could see the person's face now, feminine features and stature were evident. The only showing part of her face was captivating {e/c} eyes. She raised an eyebrow and winked, throwing me off for just a moment while she used her force to push forward. The blade of the spear grazed my cheek, stinging my face.