Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 94 - Bookmarks and Butterflies

"Customs," you say angrily. "They're stuck at customs!"

"It's really not a big-,"

"Don't tell me it's not a big deal, Steve," you spit, glaring at the blonde-haired man standing awkwardly in the kitchen. "Experimental Stark technology was just shipped to Wakanda, to a place that doesn't exist, with absolutely no context.  The Spectres have people everywhere and I don't know who works for Asmodai. As soon as they hear even a whisper about this, he'll know exactly where we are!"

"Y/n, calm down. T'Challa said-,"

"You didn't hear Clint on the phone, Steve," you seethe, too angry and impassioned to be willing to listen to his objections. "Clint said we're safe here. But not for long. We need every second we can get to find Asmodai before he finds us!"

"We've been here for almost two months," Steve says calmly. "Assuming Asmodai has been looking for you the entire time, a few more days likely won't make a difference."

"Days?" you question. "Steve, they took Mikolaj over six hours ago. Do you have any idea what I can do to someone in six hours? What they can do with six hours? He doesn't have days. We need find something and move. Now."

A quiet huff that might be mistaken for a laugh sounds from behind you. You turn to glare at James, who sits quietly as he observes the back-and-forth between you and Steve.

"You have something to add?" you challenge, arching a dangerous brow.

James' gaze flits between you and Steve as he stares intently. He takes in Steve - shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, but calm. Then he watches you. His eyes linger over your chest, taking rapid breaths. And they hover over your trembling hands.

"We ain't runnin' anymore," he speaks, voice soft but coarse. "We're huntin'. You're headed for a fight, princess," he says nonchalantly after a moment, leaning back further into the couch. "So you need to calm down."

Indignation flares up in your chest like dragon's breath, spilling in smoky tendrils from your nose, your mouth, your ears as your vision goes red. But before you can snap, James stands and holds out his hand.

"C'mere," he grunts. "Need your help with something. It'll only take a minute."

You scoff, shaking your heading disbelief. "You know what?" you say. "No. Fuck you, Barnes. And fuck you too, Rogers. If neither of you are going to do something, I am."

"And just what exactly are you going to do?" James challenges.

"I don't know," you exhale. "But I have to try and do something!"

"Y/n, we have," Steve pleads. "While you and Buck were tracking down your braces, Shuri and I-,"

"Do you know where he is?" you interrupt sharply. "Do you have any information on Asmodai at all, Steve?"

"Well, no, but-,"

"Then you haven't done jack shit," you seethe.

"And how far exactly do you think you're gonna get all by yourself, sugar?" James chimes in. "You got no leads."

"Exactly," you seethe. "I'm gonna go find one."

"How are you planning to do that?" he asks.

"Not by sitting around," you spit. You push the wheels of your chair around and head for the door, but manage only a few turns before James' fingers are wrapped around your wrist, holding you in place. Defiant, your gaze cuts to his in an angry glare.

But the gaze he fixes you with in return is gentle. Knowing. Understanding.

"You got war rage, sugar," James says gently, locking eyes with yours as he brushes a piece of fallen hair from your face. "Seen it before. In my men." Your heart slams against your chest, each breath threatening to break through your sternum. And the blood in your ears is so loud you can barely hear yourself think over all the noise. "Listen to me," James says, stepping closer. "The old man needs you. And he needs you focused."