Catch Me If You Can | Winter Soldier x reader |

CHAPTER 21

Soft and tender hands enveloped around yours, fitting together like a perfect puzzle, wrapping itself like a smooth and well-done Christmas present. Warmth radiated off the child's feeble skin. Its heartbeat pulsated through its limbs to your finger. You were crestfallen. You felt like a torrent of aliveness was stripped from you. Like a part of your identity was taken away from who you were. You never suspected something like this to occur but when the day came to give up the child, you began to endure the symptoms of separation. While placing the child in his crib, you began to realize that you were doing the right thing.

He was safe.

He was loved.

And most importantly, he was home.

"We have to go now," Mason informed the party, seeing that time was slipping at a haste pace. Ethan resumed fluctuating the security codes to permit the Ambassadors to get outside the multimillionaire mansion when the time was right. The two others, which included of Rahul and Bucky, were on their toes, alert as they watched the doorway.

Every aspect of the mission was going effortlessly till you had that retard cliché moment where you realized you didn't want to let go of the kid. Even in the morning, you tried to forget your mission in the evening was to give the kid up. It helped with the anxiety you got when you left something you loved. And now standing there, you were confronted by the emotions you shoved aside for the past few days.

"Alright, there's our cue. We've gotta go now." Ethan said, closing down his laptop. The security cameras were down, and it was there was a bracket of time for the exit to be done in.

The young men were already scrambling through the window when the news spread, but you remained bridged over the crib with your fingers intertwined with the infant's as he would not let go. Your heart was clenching, pleading for you not to let go of the child you'd spent days to protect.

Barnes watched your face, how your eyes were softened and your cheeks, for unknown reasons, were tinted red. He was not entirely sure whether or not he enjoyed this side of you, but in moments of comfort, if this face is what you showed, he'd feel content. "We should leave," he whispered to you as he joined your side.

"Yeah— yeah, just a little longer," you objected, returning your gaze to the frail petite thing.

You both stood there in utter silence for a few minutes longer before he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, in a friendly manner. "Let's go."

You, again, stood silently, thoughts running through your mind before heaving a bitter sigh.

You were going to miss that little crying shïthead. No matter how much you tried. But hey, at least you had Twinkle Toes to see in diapers.

✮✮✮

"I understand ma'am, this is a difficult time for you and your family, but if you'd let us see the room again, we'd get closer to finding your son..." Rogers winced at the woman's weeping, finding it hard to differentiate whether he was heartbroken by her despair or annoyed by her high-pitched voice.

"You all have been saying the same crap for nearly a month now! What makes this time any more different?" The man in the suit said, holding his wife attempting to sooth her. He was clearly infuriated by the avenger's surprise visit, clearly unimpressed by their claims and promises of solving the case.

"Well, you see, sir..." Banner began to elaborate, having an apprehensive shake in his voice as he spoke. "The locals have discovered a small connection between a recent case and the disappearance of your son. Since you have left the room untouched, we believe we can find a piece of evidence that can lead us to where he is."