𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒. ( 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 ) ✓

xxiii. ENEMIES (PART II)

You bounced your feet on the solid ground of the containment room you were in, anxiously waiting for someone to let you out of the crammed space. Your eyes shot up, hearing the door of the facility open but your face fell when you saw Steve.

"Could I please speak to Bucky?"

"He doesn't want to speak to you."

"What have I done wrong?"

As a simple response, Steve drops your file in front of you. The folder reveals masses of cases that have been regarded as murder in your name.

"Hear me out, Steve. I'm a vigilante - I help people. None of this is wrong."

Steve opens his mouth to form a rebuttal to your statement but is interrupted by a voice from the doorway.

"Let me talk to her." Bucky states, approaching your confined cell.

You can't help but let out a relieved sigh and small smile yet Bucky does not seem to share the feeling. "Don't think this means I'm siding with you or something. I'm here for information."

Bucky's tone is so cold that it makes your expression fall immediately. You assume that this is the voice he uses on all the other criminals. Because that's what you were to him. A criminal.

"Bucky, please."

"I don't want to hear it."

"Hear what? The truth?"

"I don't care about the truth. I care that you kept this from me." Bucky shouts, leaving you in stunned silence. You'd never heard Bucky be so loud and aggressive before. If there was one thing Bucky promised you, it's that he would always make you feel safe. You were not sure he still believed in that.

"You know that I haven't done anything wrong. I kept this from you because I didn't know how you'd react. I thought you'd think I was a monster."

"I would never think that about you, I love you."

"Oh really? You love me so much that you don't want to believe me? You love me so much that you let them lock me up? You love me so much that you actually think I pose a threat to you?"

Bucky's eyes are glossy with tears, very much like yours. "Let her out." Bucky's hoarse voice sounds into the comms that the rest of the team are listening in.

"Buck, are you sure?" Steve's voice sounds back through the speakers. Bucky simply nods at the camera and the noise of the electronic door unlocking is heard. You, however, don't move from your place.

"I'm sorry, doll." Bucky smiles, crouching beside you in your now opened cell. You pull him down to sit beside you and rest your head on his chest as he slings his arm around your waist.

"I'm sorry I kept it a secret."

"The only reason you're being locked up is because I was so worried that none of it was real. That you didn't love me and you were using me for something criminal." Bucky's tone is mocking of himself but your eyes don't leave his for a second.

"I would never do that to you."

Bucky presses his lips to your forehead and you grow comfortable at the soft, warmth of them.

"You gotta admit, this is pretty cool. Maybe we can train together."

"No way am I training with you, Buck."

"I'll go easy on you, doll, I promise."

"I was thinking I'd have to go easy on you."

And a collective sound of laughter is heard over the speaker from the Avengers.