Open Wounds - A Bucky Barnes Soulmate AU

Chapter Twelve

A month passed. You'd had several more dates with Bucky while managing to avoid discussing your past or his. You'd seen more of Wade than ever as he attempted to ingratiate himself with your teammates. And you hadn't spoken to Fury since the day you discovered your empty apartment. You found it oddly peaceful. Though to be fair that might have more to do with the fact you no longer worked for SHIELD than the absence of your favorite cyclops.

You were currently on your second mission as an Avenger though it was your first with Bucky. Steve paired the two of you up and you were clearing your assigned section of the Hydra base. So far you had encountered very little resistance.

"How you doing, doll?" Bucky asked in your earpiece as you swept one of the labs.

You rolled your eyes thankful he was in another room. "Same as I was doing three minutes ago, Barnes."

He made a noise of disgust. Most likely because you'd used his last name. He hated it almost as much as you hated his hovering. Steve was going to have to split the two of you up next time or you might shoot your soulmate yourself.

"This room's clear," you told him. "I'll take the one at the end of the hall then we can meet up with the others."

"Okay. I'm almost done here. Be careful."

You didn't bother to respond. You'd been doing this a long time and knew how to take care of yourself without the reminder.

You tried the handle to find the room locked. After placing a small explosive on the door, you backed up slightly before detonating it. A quiet pop and a bit of smoke and you had access. You crouched and pushed the door open. Silenced shots zipped over your head and you grinned. Finally some action.

You pulled back, placing your back against the wall. Twisting to take a quick look into the room you counted the hostiles you could see. Shit, they apparently all decided to group in this room. There had to be a reason for that.

"Barnes."

"Coulson."

You shook your head even as your lips curved into a small smile. "I've got at least eight hostiles in the room but it's a big ass room so I'm sure I missed some."

"I'll be right there. Wait for me."

You didn't respond to that. He could catch up when he got here.

"Damn it," he hissed in annoyance with your silence. "I'll be there in less than a minute. Just stay put."

As soon as Bucky stepped into the hallway to join you, you took another quick look in the room to pinpoint your first targets. You spun into the room keeping your head down as you went. Two quick shots put down both men. You crouched behind a conveniently placed stack of containers.

Bucky entered the room in much the same manner though he took the time to scowl at you as he joined you behind your cover. You peeked out to plan your next shots only to have him jerk you backward. "Keep your head down," he snapped.

"Fuck off." You popped your head out to take three shots in quick succession before returning to your cover. When you moved to do it again, Bucky pulled you down then took two shots of his own.

Before you could contemplate pushing your soulmate into the line of fire, bullets sprayed the front of the containers you hid behind. You closed your eyes picturing the layout of the room. You pulled one of the explosives from your belt and activated it before tossing it into the room where it would be the most effective. It detonated two seconds later and you moved from cover to take out the rest of the enemy while they were disoriented from the explosion.