TIME STAMP: PRESENT
"I don't need to be motored every ten seconds, James."
"If you didn't, why wouldn't you tell me what was happening? I nearly shouted at Sam so he would tell me what was going on." Bucky raised an eyebrow, watching Sam reciprocate.
"Not nearly. You did shout at me until I told you what was going on." Sam added, causing Bucky to roll his eyes.
"Which side are you on, again?"
"Are you married old couple done?" Kai asked, sitting up on the bed. "I'm alright, can we please go and continue to celebrate your birthday?"
Sam sighed as he observed Bucky, who looked unsettled after learning that Kai was gradually losing her powers since joining the Thunderbolts. Although Kai sensed something was off, she couldn't quite comprehend it. All she felt was that something or someone was coming for her, but that didn't scare her, however, her concern for James often drove her to make unreasonable decisions.
"How was it with Steve?" Kai asked low, feeling guilty that she couldn't go through with the spell for a longer time so Bucky enjoyed hearing his friend's voice.
"Baby. Please. I know that tone." He started, breaking the space between them by sitting across the bed. "You shouldn't even have done it, considering how fragile your magic currently is. Before you complain, I'm not saying that you are fragile, you're far away from it, honestly – with or without powers."
"I just asked a simple question." Kai grumbled a bit, knowing that he meant well. Once it hit her, she suddenly felt like a kid who had done wrong. "I tried to hold on for a little longer, I even had Sam try to help me, but I just wasn't capable., and he didn't want to collaborate."
"I don't have a particular interest in 1) getting kicked by your boyfriend because you got hurt and 2) seeing you get hurt." Sam frowned, leaning against the closet.
"Katherine," Bucky whispered, placing a hand on her cheek. "I know you haven't, but I've done my peace with what happened with Steve a long time ago. He still knows me well enough to apologize once and go straight to my priority: you. All I care about right now is your safety, fuck the rest. If I have to go to war with anyone who tried to hurt you, I will. Sam knows I'm not kidding."
"He is not kidding. It's almost annoying how he's not kidding."
"Sam." Bucky complained which made Kai smile a bit.
Unfortunately, that smile didn't last long as her lower lip began to tremble. At first, she tried to keep it together, but when her eyes met James's and she saw his small pout, she broke down just as he pulled her into his arms.
"What's going on, my love?" He whispered, trying to calm his lover down.
"I've done bad things, James. They might be catching up with me. We don't know if that's happening but if it is, you and Sam need to get away and-"
"You're right, we don't know if that's what's happening but we're not going to back down on you. We've all done bad things, honey. Whatever it is, I got you, alright?"
"We got you." Sam corrected his friend, sharing a smile after. It's Captain America and his sidekick to the rescue, right?" He joked, making Kai chuckle. "I'm gonna get you some water, I'll be right back."
"I hate him." Bucky whispered.
"No, you don't."
Bucky pressed their foreheads together, gently caressing his lover's face before placing a soft kiss on her lips. He murmured words of affirmation, and even though he could see in her eyes that she struggled to fully believe him, he didn't stop until Sam returned.
"We have a small problem," Sam started, holding the glass of water close to him before handing it to Bucky. "The thunderbolts are on the news." He said, glancing at Kai. "Someone leaked your group and some of your ... not so pacific missions, so now, the whole government is looking for you."
"What are you talking about? Isn't Valentina part of the government? Why are they after us?" Bucky asked confused as Kai understood.
"She is, but ... the thing is, apparently she is sort of on some questionable terms with them." Sam added as Kai took a deep breath.
"Sam, what the hell are you talking about?"
"I put a contract kill on Valentina." Kai said, standing up. When there was nothing but shock, she continued. "I thought I was protecting us." She admitted, unable to look at either of them. "I know she's connected to whatever is happening and I thought you wanted out of the thunderbolts until you said those nice things about them, and I couldn't break the contract."
"What the fuck!" Sam and Bucky exclaimed at the same time.
"I thought it had gone away but apparently..."
"We're, once again, being chased by the government." Bucky exhaled, drinking that glass of water that was originally for Kai.
"James, I'm so sorry, I-"
"Just-" He started but couldn't finish as stress ran through his whole body. "Not now."
"We need a plan, and we need it quickly." Sam mumbled.
"I have on but you're not going to love it." Kai's famous words.
YOU ARE READING
ineffable memories / / bucky barnes
Fanfictionkai has been around for many centuries, while james has only been around for one, yet their paths have constantly cross. when kai is recruited by valentina, she isn't aware that the whole universe will be at risk because of her secrets.
