the soul thief ↬ b. barnes

just like him

Three days had past at the tower, and Tessa began to remember more and more. The memories were cloudy, and came only in bits and pieces. Tess still didn't trust anyone, and would try to kill Tony as soon as he stepped into the room, so she was still confined to her glass prison.

Bruce was the person she seemed most calm with, so the doctor would bring Tessa her meals and water. Everyday, he'd read her details about her life, and slowly but surely, they developed a complicated little friendship.

Bucky, instead of going to see Tessa when she was awake, would wait until the security cameras in the cell showed that she was sleeping. He'd creep into the room, not making a noise, and sit there and watch her breathe. It was a little creepy, but he was fascinated by her. The needle punctures littering her neck, the way her brown hair seemed perfect in those two braids, but mostly, her metal arm.

He was intrigued at the prospect that this young girl was just like him. That she had suffered like he had, that she had trained like he had, that she had killed like he had. It had happened under different circumstances, yes, but overall, they were the same person.

———-

Once again, Bucky had watched the cameras until Tessa fell asleep, then crept into the room. He watched her for half an hour, watching transfixed how her brows were furrowed even in sleep, until she started to stir.

Bucky leapt out of his chair and started towards the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. He had almost made it, but a quiet, "Hey," made him stop.

Bucky turned slowly, until he was facing the assassin. She was no longer sleeping, obviously, and was now standing on her feet, eyes trained on Bucky.

"What were you doing?" Tessa asked.

Bucky shifted awkwardly, running a hand through his hair.

"Uh, nothing. I was just, checking up on you," he replied. "I'm, uh, I'm Buck—"

"I know who you are," Tessa interrupted. "You're James Barnes. You're my mission. I was ordered to kill you."

A look of distress flittered across her face, before returning to its usual emotionless state. This was the first sign of real emotion that Tessa had shown since she had arrived, apart from the anger in her eyes when looking at Tony and the sadness and pain when hearing about Jackson.

Bucky could remember feeling the same emotion when he had rescued Steve, and began his life in the run. He remembered how scared he had been, feeling that if the government authorities who were looking for him didn't kill him, then Hydra would. Bucky knew the price of failure while working for Hydra. It was high.

"Don't worry," Bucky said, his voice gentle, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."