Mine (Bucky Barnes)

Twenty-Five

I've had this chapter ready to go for a minute... hope you enjoy the double upload this week! I may or may not already have the next chapter practically written, as well... <3 Artie

I also want to note, we will be switching their names in this chapter! We've finally met Bucky!

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Malo and Zaštitnik gathered as many supplies as they could. There wasn't much in the outhouse she was abandoned in, but a few extra bags of random equipment, guns, ammo, and medical supplies were stuffed into the trunk of the car they'd taken to the Triskelion. Malo wanted to just take that car, but Zaštitnik shut her down immediately.

"It's too easy to trace. Every Hydra vehicle has a tracker and they could find us in an instant. We need to get a different vehicle and get us as far away as possible before they can gather and regroup."

"Regroup? What do you mean?" Malo stopped walking, much to her lover's chagrin. He let out a heavy sigh, one hand running through his dark hair as he turned to face her.

"We don't have the time to get into the details, but from what I understand, Hydra has been forced into the underground. Pierce has been killed."

The deadpan way he delivered the news was the opposite way Malo felt. Her heart raced, breathing increased. Her mind went blank as she stared at the Winter Soldier.

Pierce was dead? The head of Hydra has been cut off?

They were free.

"Hey, come on. We need to go, miere. Before any stragglers see us. Even if they're not Hydra, I'm wanted by the government. Come on, sugar."

He tugged on Malo's hand, urging her forward again. She trailed after him in an almost trance-like state. With her poor vision (and dusty glasses) it was easy for her to ignore the rubble of the former SHIELD but secretly Hydra headquarters. Zaštitnik remained in front of Malo, checking that the coast was clear before heading towards a tall parking structure across the street from the Triskelion. They stopped behind a bush near the entrance.

"Stay here. I'm going to get a car."

"Wait!" Malo whisper-shouted. He paused, not used to her speaking to him like that. "Your arm. It's too noticeable. I can go grab the car and meet you here."

His eyebrow raised in amusement, something she'd grown fond of over the years. "Didn't know you knew how to hotwire a car."

She shrugged. "Chances are someone heard the same crashes I did and ran, leaving their things behind. Give me five minutes and if I'm not back, come after me."

As she started to move forward, his hand gripped hers tightly. She knew what he was trying to convey through that look. He was telling her to be careful. She smiled softly before stepping away again, their hands slowly dropping down once they could no longer touch. It was difficult to ignore the fire she missed from where his skin had touched hers.

Malo raced through the first, then second levels of the car park. A few people were still running out in a panic. She took advantage of that and 'accidentally' bumped into someone, just hard enough to slip their keys out of their hand without them knowing. She waited until the woman left the garage before attempting to match the keys with the vehicle.

"What the hell is this?" she mumbled to herself. Cars seemed to work with buttons, now. Last she recalled, keys just needed to be inserted into the ignition and turned. It didn't take long for her to figure it out, and she took off to the garage entrance. The soldier remained hidden, but spotted her immediately.

"Get in the passenger seat. I'll drive," he ordered as he whipped open the driver's side door. She knew better than to argue, and climbed over to the passenger side.