𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇 | 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬¹

Unbreakable Bonds

I walked with my head held high, even as T'Challa approached, his presence a mix of authority and concern. Moments later, the police arrived, their movements cautious, yet emboldened by the gathering of superhumans around them. With careful but firm hands, they bound my wrists, forcing me to shift back into my human form. A grimace crossed my face; this form felt so vulnerable, so fragile compared to the power I truly possessed.

Despite the restraints, I refused to let go of my resolve. I stayed close to Steve and Bucky, my pack, my anchor, determined not to let the authorities or anyone else separate us. Together, we were taken away, side by side, a silent testament to our shared strength and loyalty. My heart simmered with defiance as we moved forward, ready to face whatever came next.

Natasha strode over, her expression a storm of frustration and concern. "I thought we told you to stay out of this," she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to cut through the chaos around us. Her eyes, a piercing shade of green, narrowed as they locked onto mine, searching for any hint of remorse.

I held my ground, my head held high like a banner of defiance. Ignoring her reprimand, I slipped between Steve and Bucky, feeling the warmth of their presence bolster my resolve. I wasn't about to apologize for being here. Loyalty wasn't just a choice for me; it was an instinct woven into the very fabric of my being, a bond as unbreakable as the metal in Bucky's arm.

As we stood there, the tension crackling in the air like the remnants of a thunderstorm, Natasha's gaze lingered on me—a mix of exasperation and understanding flickering in her eyes. I could sense the weight of her unspoken words, the silent acknowledgment that my place was among them, no matter the risks.

"Don't you see? This isn't just a fight," she added, her voice softening slightly, almost pleading. "It's a war."

I could feel a simmering resolve building inside me, a fire that refused to be extinguished. "Then let's face it together," I replied, my voice steady, echoing the determination in my heart. The world around us faded for a moment, leaving just the three of us—an unyielding trio ready to confront whatever came next.

As the police approached, their presence a reminder of the stakes at hand, I tightened my grip on my companions. They were my pack, my family, and together we would navigate the storm ahead, unbroken and unafraid.

We were ushered into a stark, sterile room that felt more like a tomb than a holding area. The harsh fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting sharp shadows that danced across the cold, gray walls. My heart raced as they led Bucky away, securing him in a glass cage at the far end, an unsettling prison that seemed to echo with memories of his past torment.

Our eyes locked across the distance—his gaze heavy with resignation, a silent admission of the battles he'd fought and lost. Mine burned with a fierce, unyielding defiance, a flame that refused to be snuffed out. A low hiss escaped my lips, a primal sound born from the anger simmering just beneath the surface. It felt so profoundly wrong to see him confined like this, as if he were nothing more than an animal, stripped of his humanity and bound by the chains of someone else's control.

I refused to let despair take root. My heart thudded in my chest, a steady drumbeat of resolve. I stood my ground, a silent vow etched in my mind: this would not be the end. I would find a way to fight back, to break down these barriers, and to remind Bucky—and myself—that we were more than the cages they tried to put us in. Together, we would rise again.

Tony approached, his expression a mix of smugness and sadness, his eyes searching mine. "Kira," he sighed, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily between us.

I felt a rush of emotions at the sight of him. He always had a way of putting on a brave face, but I could see through the mask. "I'm fine," I replied, though the words felt like ashes in my mouth. I was far from fine, but I couldn't let him see my vulnerability—not now, not when Bucky was in that cage.

"Are you?" he asked, his voice low, concern creeping into his tone. "Because it doesn't look like it. You're a storm waiting to break."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I'm here for them, Tony. I won't let them go through this alone."

"Together, right?" he said, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "We'll figure this out. We always do."

"Do we?" I shot back, my frustration bubbling over. "What if this time, we don't? What if we're too late?"

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Kira, listen. You're stronger than you think. We all are. You just have to believe that we can fight this—together."

I hesitated, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "Together... but at what cost? Bucky's not just some mission. He's my family."

"I know," Tony replied, his expression softening. "And family doesn't walk away. We face this head-on. You have to trust me."

I looked at him, searching his face for any sign of the bravado he usually wore. "I want to, but it feels like we're losing him all over again."

"Then we fight harder," he said, determination igniting in his eyes. "We don't give up. Not now, not ever."

I nodded slowly, the simmering anger coiling into a steely resolve. "For Bucky, then. We'll show them what family really means."

A small man with bland hair approached, clipboard in hand, his demeanor clinical. "I'm here to evaluate Barnes," he said, glancing between me and Tony. "Not to break up the reunion or anything, but we're getting a psychiatrist in to evaluate Barnes. It should be done for you too, Ms. Kira."

I raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "A psychiatrist? For what? Because I'm a little too loyal for your comfort?" I shot back, my frustration bubbling over.

The man shifted uncomfortably, but he maintained his professionalism. "It's standard procedure, especially after the kind of trauma you've both experienced."

"Trauma?" I echoed, my voice rising. "Is that what you call it? This is about control—yours, not ours."

Tony placed a hand on my shoulder, his gaze steady. "Kira, let them do their job. It's not the worst thing, and it might help."

But I was already too wound up, my instincts flaring. I wasn't sure I could trust anyone outside my circle, especially not now.

I took a deep breath through my nose, trying to steady the rising tide of my emotions. That's when I felt a hand on the small of my back. I turned to look and found Steve's piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, his gaze steady and reassuring amidst the chaos.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice a grounding force in the turmoil. "It's going to be okay. We'll get through this together."

I could see the determination in his eyes, a reflection of the strength I relied on so much. I nodded slowly, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease just a bit. With him and Bucky by my side, I felt a flicker of hope.

I tilted my head defiantly, a hint of my old spirit returning. "Fine, but as long as I'm in the same room as Mr. Barnes, you may do whatever you like," I stated firmly, crossing my arms over my chest.

The small man blinked, clearly taken aback by my determination, but he nodded, realizing that trying to separate us wasn't an option. "Understood," he replied, scribbling something on his clipboard.

Tony shot me a proud smile, while Steve's gaze softened with approval. "That's the spirit," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.

Bucky, still locked away in the glass cage, seemed to relax slightly at my words. I could feel our bond, the unspoken promise that no matter what happened, we'd face it together.