Bucky's Anchor

Chapter 29 - Shattered Bonds

I had barely helped Bucky to his feet when I heard the heavy footsteps approaching. I turned, my heart sinking as Tony Stark strode into the room, his face a mask of fury. Behind him, the whirring and clanking of his Iron Man suit assembling around him echoed off the cold walls, each piece locking into place with a finality that made my blood run cold.

"Tony," Steve began, stepping forward, his voice edged with a mixture of caution and urgency. "Listen—"

But Tony wasn't listening. His gaze was locked onto Bucky, his eyes blazing with a mixture of rage and anguish. "You killed my mother," he said, his voice low and seething. It wasn't a question. It was a verdict.

Bucky stiffened beside me, his body tense, as if bracing for a blow he knew was coming. I tightened my grip on his arm, willing him to stay grounded, but I could feel the weight of Tony's words crashing into him like a tidal wave.

"Tony, he wasn't in control," Steve interjected, his tone pleading. "You have to understand, it wasn't him—"

"I don't care!" Tony roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. He raised his arm, and the repulsor in his palm hummed with energy. "I watched it! I saw him do it!"

My heart pounded in my chest. I knew I was out of my depth here. This was a storm of grief and fury that neither Steve nor I could easily calm. I glanced at Bucky, who was staring at the floor, his face contorted with a mix of guilt and self-loathing.

"Tony, please," I said, stepping forward slightly. "This isn't the way."

Tony's eyes snapped to me, and for a moment, I saw the raw pain behind his anger. "Stay out of this, Emily," he snapped. "You have no idea what he took from me."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I wanted to say more, to tell Tony that I understood, that I knew what it was like to lose people, to have a piece of your heart ripped away. But the words stuck in my throat. In this moment, nothing I could say would reach him. His grief was a living, breathing thing, consuming every rational thought.

"Move," Tony ordered, his voice hard and unyielding. His suit whirred, the targeting systems locking onto Bucky.

Bucky didn't move, didn't even look up. He just stood there, accepting, as if he believed he deserved whatever was coming. My heart broke at the sight. He wasn't even going to defend himself.

"Tony," Steve said again, moving in front of Bucky, shielding him with his body. "I know this hurts, but killing him won't bring them back. You know that."

Tony's face twisted, and I saw the conflict in his eyes, the war between his anger and his conscience. For a brief second, I thought Steve might be getting through to him. But then Tony shook his head, his expression hardening into one of resolve.

"He has to pay," Tony said, his voice chillingly calm. "You're protecting a murderer, Steve."

I watched as Steve's face fell, his eyes filled with a sorrow that mirrored my own. "Then you leave me no choice," he said quietly.

The next moment was a blur. Tony lunged, his thrusters roaring to life as he aimed a punch at Steve. Steve blocked it with his shield, the impact sending a shockwave through the room. I stumbled back, my hands flying up to shield my face from the debris.

"No!" I screamed, watching in horror as they clashed, the room turning into a battlefield of metal and fury. Bucky moved to join the fray, but I grabbed his arm, my voice desperate. "Bucky, don't!"

He glanced at me, his eyes hollow, and for a split second, I saw the internal struggle, the desire to protect but also the belief that maybe he deserved this fight. But Tony wasn't giving him time to decide. He redirected his attack towards Bucky, firing a blast that sent Bucky crashing into the wall.