BODYGUARD ★ BUCKY BARNES

ONE

❝ I am there, waiting, watching, keeping to the shadows. But when you need me I will step out of the shadows and protect what's mine ❞

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Unknown

A bodyguard? A hot bodyguard. But a bodyguard? "I don't need a babysitter" Journey frowned, crossing her arms and looking at Fury with angry eyes. "The hell is this? I'm dealing with a lovesick idiot not a homicidal maniac! I don--"

"In all fairness, we don't know if he's a homicidal maniac or not" James pointed out, "and never call me a babysitter again."

His words had a harsh edge to them and it was eery, scary even. However Journey opted to ignore it and roll her eyes. Well, she tried anyway. "So what do you want me to call you, a nanny?" she sassed.

A low noise emitted from his throat and it sounded like a growl of frustration, making a smirk stretch onto Journey's plump lips. Bingo. James' blue eyes glared over to Fury and he clenched and unclenched his glove covered left fist.

"I didn't sign up to deal with little girls with attitude problems" James told his boss who kept his usual do I look like I care expression. "Well that sounds like a personal problem. In case you forgot, you work for me. So you signed up for whatever the hell I sign you up for."

Journey snickered and preceded to cough, trying her hardest to cover it up. She liked the man, he was amusing. He did, however, seem like the type to retire the second he got the chance. James pursed his lips and looked over to her, analysing her features. She was beautiful. Her hair falling around her shoulders and her green eyes-- she caught his attention physically.

Her attitude however, made him want to rip his hair out from his head. The way her green eyes glowed with mischief as she stared into his blue ones drove him insane. Ten minutes with her and he was already wanting to leave. Journey found pleasure in irritating him, the way his right eye twitched slightly in irritation and how his jaw subtly clenched.

Nick rolled his eye and let out an exasperated sigh, "Barnes. You know the procedure. Follow it thoroughly. We can't lose Stark's following" he said firmly. The tension he witnessed was awful but he knew no one would be better for the job.

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"How did it go?" Tony asked as he saw Nick approaching. He had been writhing in anxiety the entire time the three were in the room. Nick pursed his lips and grabbed a glass of whiskey as he sat across from his long time friend.

Taking the whole glass back in one try, he set it down with a clink and rubbed his forehead. "I don't think we have to worry about the stalker killing her as much as Bucky doing it. She definitely has your fire" Fury hummed, Happy nodding in agreement in the background. He had practically helped raise Journey and good God was she as equally difficult and stubborn as Tony.

"That's good to know, though. You really think Tin Man can help her? Keep her safe?" Tony asked as he tapped his fingers on the table beside him. Fury's gaze softened, knowing the exact circumstance Tony was thinking of. He watched as Tony ran a hand down his face and then through his hair, knee bouncing up and down.

"Tony you were one of the first members of the association. You know I would make sure she had the best protection. Barnes is still... recovering from what happened on the last project" Nick told him, attempting to assure his friend.

Tony's gaze shifted to the photograph on the wall, growing sadder and sadder by the second. "We're all still recovering" he whispered as he analysed his friend's picture from a distance. "Do you think if maybe I was there--"

"Stark don't." Fury warned, sitting up straighter. "There was nothing anyone could've done. He made his own choice going back in, don't beat yourself up with maybes. You'll drive yourself crazy asking yourself why."

"I go crazy every time I see a single reminder, Nick. Every night when I close my eyes I picture it. All I have now are maybes."

The silence that overtook the room was loud, unspoken words being exchanged throughout the dimly lit place. Memories playing back in each of their minds and the pits in all of their stomachs. Even Happy's.

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"What can you tell me about the man who's stalking you?" Bucky asked for the thousandth time, two seconds away from throwing himself out the window. "Other than the fact he was hot."

"His name was Jason Black-- but my Dad said the name was an alias. No one could find him anywhere. On any platform. All the phones he used to call me were burner cells-- you already know this, though" Journey frowned, attitude turning serious which was a rare sight for her.

  "He was a little shorter than you, dark hair and dark eyes. Really charming at first but I knew it wouldn't work. He had offered to walk me home and I declined. He got mad and shoved me and so I told him to stay the hell away. Then I got the phone calls" Journey explained, moving her hair to the side as she then fiddled with her thumbs.

  Bucky's gaze softened momentarily, but it didn't last long. "On the phone calls he apologised, right? Saying it wouldn't happen again" he recited, Journey nodding to confirm his words.

  "To give him one more chance. I said no clearly and the phone calls became more consistent. Then they stopped and I opened my door to see a photo of me stabbed to it with a knife. I thought it was maybe a prank but when I got home my apartment was covered in photos of me. Like paparazzi shots but they weren't" she told him before taking in a deep breath.

  "Then I look over to my kitchen and there's a note taped to my fridge that said I hope I like the gift. My favourite dessert was on the counter and I knew something was really wrong. The pictures, the cake I never told him about-- it had been going on way longer than I thought. So I called my Dad, Dad called Fury and Fury called you. Sadly."

  Bucky smirked and leaned back in the chair, "I hope you end up liking me because I'm moving in. This'll be fun, Roomie. But on a serious note I'll be your shadow. Behind you, beside you. Anywhere you go I go. I have an oath I took so I'm going to do my job and if you cooperated it'd help a lot."

  "I can't make any promises."