Melioration ~ James Buchanan Barnes

O18 ~ Love?

'I told you I meant it.' You softly say, your mind trying to understand what you're feeling for this man. He's your asset, your soldier that you have spent one hot night with in a strange realm because you had a magical weapon. A weapon you don't have anymore, despite everything you did. 

His look seems to soften and for the first time that you've known him, he... smiles? Yes, he is smiling. It's a genuine but small smile but you feel your heart skipping a beat. What is happening to you? This feeling is something you've never thought you would experience again when joining Hydra. They repel love. It's sad, but true. And you thought you would be one of them because of your past with Shield. You wanted nothing to do with the good side anymore and last time you checked, love is good. 

'How about we.. uhm.. get to my place?' You ask, slowly twirling a strand of your hair around your finger. He just stares at you, not really knowing if you're serious or not so you just take it as a "yes" and pull him with you by his hand. 

But where have you landed exactly? It's not like you had time to choose a location besides earth in general. It looks like the States but which one? 

You manage to pull a car over and ask him for a ride and where you are. He is talking about Brooklyn and you are ready to shoot yourself. Out of all places.. 'Could you give us a ride to the airport?' You ask and he nods, allowing you to step into his car. You and Bucky both take a seat in the back. You let out a sigh while getting a hand through your hair. 

'Brooklyn?' Bucky mumbles under his breath and you can't help but nod. It seems like his memories are starting to come back. 'I'm from Brooklyn.' He then says, turning to look you in the eyes. 'That's right.' You say, shooting him a small smile. 'Steve's from Brooklyn.' You nod but turn your gaze away from him. You feel a storm coming.

'Can't I see him? I want to see him!' You sigh and ask the driver to just go towards New York city, where he was originally heading to. 'Fine.' He smiles at you, pleased to see that you want to give him some things too instead of just taking from him. 

'But-' You want to say something else to him but you wisely shut your mouth. The thing you wanted to say will only make him laugh at you and he will never take you seriously ever again. 

He reaches for your chin and gently grabs it to then pull your face towards his, forcing you to look up into his eyes. Ever since you said you liked him back, he is not afraid you're going to hurt him anymore if he does certain things. Like touching you. 

'But what?' You try to shake it off but he sees right through that, seeming to stare right into your soul until you spill what you actually wanted to tell him. 

'But don't leave me for them.' You close your eyes and rip your face free from his grip to then stare out of the window and watching the landscape rushing by. You try hard to blink away some tears but fail as some roll down your cheek and land on the back of your hand. You don't want to feel like this. You never signed up for it to begin with! And fear is starting to form inside you for Hydra. You don't have the Scepter anymore, you're powerless. 

And you're guessing Hydra already knows you're not on their side anymore. You are gone way too long already, you slept with your asset and now you're falling in love with him as well and that is going to make Hydra shudder when they find out. And above all, you haven't put Bucky back on ice which is protocol. But then something hits you. You take off the belt with that tiny red button that could be the death of Bucky and you reach for his vest, peeling the camera out of it. 

'Why wasn't I be more careful about this? They must have seen everything!' You open the window and toss both items outside. You watch how cars are demolishing it and it gives you a slight feeling of relief. Although you know that it won't last long. 

'Oh..' He only mumbles and you can tell that he is also slightly panicking. He knows how ruthless Hydra can be when it comes to breaking rules. 'It's going to be a very short visit, Buck. I think we should be running for our lives.' He nods, agreeing with you but also kind of promising you not to leave you for the Avengers. 

The driver hasn't said a word ever since you stepped into his car and he has heard everything. That is for sure so which side is he on? On Hydra's, or the good side? Or is he just a random guy who doesn't even know about the existence of the organizations? 

'Excuse me, sir?' The man looks at you through the rearview mirror, a nervous look on his features and tiny pearls of sweat on his forehead. 'How many of that did you hear?' He shrugs and shakes his head. 'Hydra who?' He only asks and that is exactly the answer you want to hear. 'You don't work for them, do you?' He shakes his head again. 'I don't. I swear I don't!' He is afraid you might hurt him or kill him. He knows you two are into some shady things. But he is just a random guy who tried to be friendly when picking you up from the side of the road.