Tony reached down, slowly and stiffly as to not create any noise. After all the man hunting him down wasn't just any old soldier. He managed to pick up his com from the floor in almost silence. Almost.
"Exactly how long are you planning to hide from me huh Tony?" the voice demanded.
He didn't want to believe it was who he thought it was. He sat, wracked with fear. He now had no way of communicating with Natasha, his other teammates or even JARVIS. Without his suit what was he to stand against this soldier? Certainly not a genius billionaire playboy philanthropist. No. That was the side of Tony that he wanted the world to know and praise. But that was Iron Man. The man cowering in fear in a dark corner from a man that was sent by his ex best friend to "get rid of him". This was Tony Stark. Not as tough as everyone had held out for him to be. And in that moment, not as smart either.
Then he made a mistake. He took the com out of his ear, giving up on it, but he missed catching it in his hand and or fell, breaking to the floor. This man probably didn't know the difference between "get rid of him" and "just kill him". This man was just who he's suspected, Bucky Barnes.
Bucky fucking Barnes.
"Shit" he thought, but even he knew he couldn't hide forever. He'd have to face up to him eventually. So that's what his plan was. After all when it came to plans, Tony only really ever had one ready, attack. But in this situation that didn't really seem like the smartest option. He took in one heavy breath and stood up slowly, shaking. He was fucking terrified but no way was he going to show it. After all he had to keep up with his massive ass of a personality.
"Finally you choose to give in, good that makes what I have to do a whole lot easier for us both" he growled, almost eagerly walking towards him.
"Yeah" he snarled back "you're probably looking forward to a good fight after doting in your precious boyfriend for so long".
The winter soldier just laughed at him in return and walked right up to Tony until they were mere inches apart, face to face. Tony barely had any time to register what was coming for him before the brunette had swung his fist towards his cheek and another square in his nose. The shorter man yelped in pain but he wouldn't back down. He wouldn't be seen as weak.
"Did.. did Steve send you to kill me then? what a swell guy" he snarled back but immediately regretted it as Bucky had sent a kick to his shins, causing him to fall straight onto his back amongst the debris of rock and shattered glass. As he was about to stand he found himself held down by a strong boot pressed against his chest. He squinted and caught his breath, opening his eyes just enough to see the soldier right above him.
"So this thing" he pressed his hand against the arc reactor and Tony froze in a complete mix of shock and fear.
"Steve told me this is the only thing that's keeping you alive, that's pretty neat, mind if I take a closer look?"
With one swift movement he'd pulled it straight out of the socket and sat down next Tony admiring it.Tony couldn't stop himself from breathing heavily and he could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead plastering his hair to it.
"We all thought you were a nice person even me but" he choked out "I guess we were all wrong I just wish Steve could see.." he was interrupted by the curtains shaking in the wind and a sound of helicopters buzzing from outside.
"Well shit I guess that's my cue to leave then and we were having such a nice chat" he stood up slowly, turning to look at Tony cold and pale on the floor.
"I might just keep this as a memento of our fun time together"
And with that he'd jumped out the back window just as Natasha and other members of SHIELD forced entry into the building."Tony fuck!" Natasha called out to him, hoping for a snarky reply to know he was alright.
"You really t..took your time didn't you... Bucky took the ar..arc reactor shit.."
There it was.
"Tony stay with me okay, JARVIS will get Pepper here in one of the helicopters with a spare asap,
seeing as she's the only person you trust with that stuff.. just hold on okay""I'm trying here" he moaned as the beads of sweat had spread and soon he was an almost feverish mess on the floor.
"Come on Pepper. Come on JARVIS. Please".
YOU ARE READING
Who's your best friend now?
FanfictionTony Stark and Steve Rogers were, despite arguing a lot, best of friends. But what happens when a certain other soldier gets in the way?