Special Touch Part: Three

Chapter Twenty-One

He whispered something as you bent down to heal Valerie before it got too difficult and a moment later, Natasha shot Jimmy straight through his head.

But he whispered something.

You felt weak as Valerie coughed, sitting up with wild eyes, and looking to you for an explanation, but you couldn't give her one in that moment as Ollie's whines echoed in your ears from where he had been locked in the bathroom, your senses overridden.

Cory stayed frozen and Natasha helped Valerie up, not even bothering to keep her gun at the ready because you both knew there was no way in hell either of you would shoot your son. You nodded to Natasha, silently telling her to get Valerie the hell out of dodge as Cory's hands twitched, his empty eyes staring blankly down at the floor.

She got her outside and you knew she was going to personally drive her home because before she left, she slipped you a pistol, just in case.

It'd never get there, but you might need the threat.

You were sitting on the floor, supporting yourself on the palm of your hand as your legs were off to the side, and you never let your eyes off the trembling boy. Tears fell from his eyes and with how silent the room was, even Ollie had stopped making noise, you could've sworn you heard the small drops as they hit the tiles.

He was struggling, internally fighting the onset of trigger words inherited by Bucky as he was only half super soldier, and his other half was fighting with all it had to squash any possibility of submitting to the orders etched into his mind. Something you never even thought of as inheritable, but with everything this world has thrown at you, you shouldn't be surprised.

He was visibly sweating, starting to release small whimpers even with his mouth closed, and his chin was to his chest. His eyes squeezed shut as more tears fell and your heart ached for him, it did, but you knew better than to make any more movement than you already have since he was given those words.

Words that you saw turn Bucky Barnes upside, a killing machine with great thighs, and he wasn't himself, just a mindless machine that took orders from those who gave commands. But the one who instigated all of this laid lifeless on the floor, blood still freshly coming from the bullet hole in between his eyes.

But you sat completely still, watching and waiting for the inevitable.

To see what side of him would win.

Because you were familiar with your powers, but this was so wildly out of your scope, anything could come from this, and you couldn't help but to wonder if Bucky hadn't switched it to become his dad, if he would've been better off right now.

"Mm." He struggled to speak, whimpering immediately after as he clenched his fists, and it's probably only been ten minutes, but it felt like days.

The agony of seeing your child in pain is something no parent should ever have to experience.

"Cory?" You whispered brokenly, your own tears starting to fall, and you knew it wasn't a wise choice to speak right now, but you couldn't help it.

"Mm...Mom," He choked out, his eyes still shut tight, and he was gasping like he was having a hard time breathing, "Is...is that y-you?"

"Yeah, Co, I'm right here." You smiled shakily even though he couldn't see it and you ever so slowly got up to stand.

"Sc-cared." He whimpered, taking in a sharp breath, and then clamping his mouth shut like he didn't plan on trying to speak again for a while.

You inched your way over to him, heart pounding in your ears, and your breathing was shallow at best. You needed to calm down, but you weren't sure if you could.

He let out the smallest sob, his face red and blotchy, and that was the moment you couldn't resist grabbing him into a hug, just needing to hold him.

But it was definitely the wrong move because his hand immediately went to your neck and he swept you down in one quick move, holding you to the floor with his hand squeezing around you. You clawed at his hand, gasping for breath, and he still couldn't meet your eyes, like he was fighting it, but he was almost powerless.

You pushed him off the same time he seemed to break out long enough to release you, but then he was out of the kitchen and running outside. You went after him, scooping the gun Natasha gave you off the floor where you had left it, and going outside to find an empty street.

"Cory!" You shouted, your voice hoarse, and you went onto the sidewalk, looking both ways frantically, "Cory!"

You ignored the looks you were given as your hands went on top of your head in a panic of disbelief, but you just kept looking around everywhere like you'd suddenly spot the red tee shirt he was wearing or the blue jeans contrasting to his white sneakers. Or even his messy dark hair as the blonde had faded completely with his age.

You didn't though.