As y/n is interrogated by Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff, memories of her life as the Ruby Raven start resurfacing. She used to work hand in hand with the Winter Soldier. Except she knows there's more to that, more to him, and she's determined to...
"We can't look back for nothin' Take what you need say your goodbyes I gave you everything And it's a beautiful crime"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
--2016--
"We're not tying him up." Steve seems surprised about my protestation but what does he want me to say ? Sure, let's make sure James can't move when he wakes up ! As if I'd agree to that.
"What if the Winter Soldier wakes up, y/n ?" His voice sounds harsh but I know he's as hurt as I am. "Do you want him to try to kill you again ?"
"I- No. Fine. But let's block his metal arm and that only. He'll be harmless."
We finally got to an isolated place where S.H.I.E.L.D. won't be able to see us and we managed to block Bucky's arm in what looks like a giant vice. Once he's sat as comfortably as possible, Steve and I leave Sam to watch him. We need to have a serious talk.
"What are we gonna do ?" I ask when we're alone. "I don't want to leave him too S.H.I.E.L.D. Not after what happened with...whoever that guy was."
"We won't do that."
"Then what ? It's not like there's a lot of places we can go to. We're in Europe, for God's sake, we can't even fly back to America unnoticed."
"Then we won't go back there. I think... I think we should stay in the shadows for a while. You know, long enough for the situation to settle."
"We have to help him, Steve. There has to be a way... What happened today, it can't happen anymore. What if we can't get him to snap out of Winter Soldier state ?"
"Don't. You've done it in the past and I know you can do it again."
"Hey Cap !" Sam's voice makes us both look in his direction. He signs us to follow him which can only mean one thing : he's awake. I almost run to the room where we left him. I carefully kneel before James and call his name.
"James ?"
I lay my hand on his cheek, hoping it'll make him feel safe. I can feel my heart pounding harder than usual in my chest, both scared and excited. Please be yourself. Please don't try to kill me. He coughs a little before he slowly lifts his eyes to my level.
"Y/n ?"
"Yes, oh god, yes." I sigh in relief and wrap my arms around his neck. His free arm holds me tight against him and I finally allow myself to cry. "Don't you dare scaring me like that again. I thought you'd die, for God's sake."
"S-sorry."
"Don't be. I know it's not your fault, James. You hear me ? It wasn't you."
"I- I know. Could you..." He sighs and moves his mouth closer to my ear so only I can hear him. "My name is Bucky. Please."
