TOETCS+OS OneShots

TOETCS 120- A Line Crossed

Bucky Barnes

My life is made up of lines that I follow- guidelines if you will. They serve an important part of my life that I hold in my hand like a tethered rope wrapped around my hand. Several threads represent many things spun around to create an unbreakable hold no one can cut: Threads representing my feelings, thoughts, boundaries, family, memories, future dreams, events, and important notes I have filed away for later. Everything you can find out about me is spun and made up in the lifeline I hold onto and though I knew no one could cut in indestructible cable, I never thought too far into the fact that someone could cross this line. I've been living my life so parallel, I forgot perpendicular exists and there are no rules to that. Any angle is an entry point to the parallel lines I hold onto that are all in order and now that someone has crossed them, I will pull on the rope until it is taunt and make whoever stepped over me trip and fall as a reminder not to cross my boundaries.

And that is exactly what Michelle did.

During dinner in Louisiana, everything was going great. I was napping on the couch with my doll when I woke up to your grumbling belly but also one of my favorite nephews who apparently went on a scavenger hunt to find me and I have to admit, his determination to find a supposed missing person was admirable. I'll never have to worry if someone goes missing because I know Aj could track them down like he tracked me.

This is obviously a joke.

Anyways, dinner was going surprisingly well aside from tanning oil being slammed on the table thanks to Sam who was cackling at how white my ass is. I don't know what he wants me to do. Do I lay on the roof of the tower ass naked and get my asshole and dick to a tan? I don't have time for that. What I do have time for is when Michelle comes through the door. Not a big deal, she just gets on my nerves like no one's business, however, when Cass starts yelling and screaming, that is when I begin to lose my patience especially when he calls his uncle Steven and almost calls me James. I get that it's my name but it's a name my father called me and a name from my past. A name only I am comfortable with a few people speaking except for when I have work duties or any God that believes real names are more proper and fancier than nicknames.

Either way, the whole situation pissed me off.

"Steve." Sam speaks in a commanding tone after Cass starts to stomp around the table and everyone justifiably believes he will swing on Michelle so Steve steps forward and prevents the little enraged kid from doing anything he couldn't

"Come here, Cass." Steve reaches down and grabs Cass' wrists to pull them up to his chest, lifting him off his feet that immediately start kicking lightly against Steve's shins that have seen more damage than a few tantrum kicks- and I am not saying losing your temper is a bad thing, it can be but Cass is so trapped inside his own anger and mind, he looks like he is throwing an actual fit when all his mind is trying to do is survive and regulate his emotions and energy

"Let me go!" Cass screams violently while kicking and shaking in his uncle's super soldier strength to get out of his unbreakable hold that will not loosen for anything at all and I am glad because if he does, he will find himself in my arms and I know that is not what he wants which is why he is not kicking as hard

Even when he is screaming and pissed off, he is still smart.

"Unball your fists, Cass." Steve says softly and walks over to the stairs, offering some verbal comfort to the kid who seems to ignore it one second but break down the next and that signals his body's exhaustion and his mental resistance finally snapping and giving up but at least he will have a good nap after this

"I wasn't going to hit her!" Cass grunts through his sharp words. "Argh! I wouldn't waste a punch on that low class bitch!" He thrashes against Steve's body and I see you press your lips in a line, obviously trying not to crack a smile I shamelessly smirk at only because Cass' humor is one of my favorite things about Louisiana