Sweet Like Arsenic (B. Barnes) ✔

23 | screens

   With the Winter Soldier at my side, I returned to the surveillance centre, ignoring Leon's furious glares in our direction. It only took a few minutes for him to burst into my peripheral view and start berating me for my decision of allowing the Soldier on the mission. I zoned him out, deciding to watch my brother and Lilith in Milan through the computer screens.

   They appeared like any other lovestruck couple on vacation, strolling hand in hand down the cobbled streets of Milan, taking pictures with pigeons, sharing a gelato... these were the things that I would never be able to do, let alone with a friend or even a loved one.

The couple blended in with other tourists perfectly, with Lilith in a striped sundress and sunglasses, and Casper's face hidden by a "I LOVE ITALY" hat.

   Leon stopped yelling at me and nodded in the direction of the screen.

"Are they sightseeing?" His words were laced with what seemed like disgust.

"Looks like it to me,"

Leon said nothing for a few minutes, glaring hard at Lilith and Casper, as if the couple could sense his anger through the screen.

"Leo," I warned, making sure that Bucky was behind me so if Leon decided to strike someone I would take the blunt of the blow, "Step away from the screen."

Leo ignored me.

I turned the computer off, watching the screen turn black before continuing, "Sentiment, anger—or any emotion for that matter— shouldn't affect our performance. You're back in the game as well, remember?"

"Don't use my words against me, Donatella."

"I'm sorry, but you really need to get your shit together. My friend is trapped in his own fucking body, but you don't see me moping about it all day, do you?"

Leo nodded reluctantly. "I'm sorry. Please excuse me for a second." He darted out of the surveillance centre, and I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding in.

I turned over to the Winter Soldier. "Ignore Leo, he's having a bad day."

Noticing the Soldier's indifference to my words, I paused, not knowing if I should continue or not. I decided to continue. The soldier stared at the now turned-off screen, his jaw clenched.

"I don't know if you care or even are allowed to care, but long story short, Lilith ran off with my brother, Casper, but Leo had—or has—a crush on her... or maybe they were dating, I don't know. I really shouldn't gossip, though."

The Soldier nodded, emotionless. If only he was Bucky, then I could pour my heart out and he could reassure me and make me feel better... if he wasn't mad at me for running from him.

   I sighed, missing Bucky. "Can you... say something? I feel like I'm talking to a wall."

   The Winter Soldier stay silent. After gruelling moments of silence, I snapped, yanking his metal arm so he looked me in the eyes. "James Buchanan Barnes, you will answer me!"

   It was like something had finally ignited inside the cold statute called the Winter Soldier. His eyes seemed to truly awaken, flicking between me and the room he was in.

   "Donatella," Bucky breathed, his voice so rough I was certain that it was going to break.

My legs went weak and I slumped into the chair behind me. I couldn't move for a second. My chest was caving in.

   Just as simple as that, Bucky was back—I could sense it in his eyes. I didn't need to knock him out, nor did I need to find the notebook I'd stolen for Bucky's deactivation words. It was strange, but he was back, and that was all that mattered.

"Donatella," Bucky breathed, his words so smooth, so comforting.

I smiled, not knowing what to say to him. "Hi," I whispered, afraid to do anything more.

Chuckling, Bucky's eyes softened and reached his hands to hold my shoulders. I could feel the cool metal of his left hand through my shirt, a reassuring feeling. I wanted to drown myself in his familiar scent. I sighed in content, rubbing his back gently.

"Dona, what happened?" Bucky asked into my hair. "Did I hurt you? Did I...are you alright?"

I nodded into his chest. "You didn't hurt me, you never would. I'm fine—I just really, really miss you. I'm so sorry for running."

"It's okay, I understand why you did that." Bucky paused before tensing in my arms. "Dona, the cameras... they're everywhere. We shouldn't be doing this."

I let go of him reluctantly just as a set of light footsteps came from outside, getting louder.

"We're at the Hydra headquarters in London. You came to find me. That's all that you need to know." I said under my breath.

The door beeped. Whoever was outside was now scanning his hand for entry. "Can you pretend—"

He nodded, cutting me off.

"I'm sorry," I mouthed as Leo walked in, his eyes red from crying.

He looked at Bucky and I. "What were you doing while I was outside?"

"Doesn't matter." I walked towards him until I was a step away from him. He tilted his head to look at me. His eyes were beginning to water.

"Do you want a hug?"

Leo nodded, relaxing his shoulders. I held him just as Bucky had a second ago. "I'm really sorry about Lilith."

"I'm over it," Leo said, even thought the both of us knew that he was lying. He released himself from the embrace, but his hands lingered on my shoulders. "Thanks for caring, but no hugs at work."

I turned to look at Bucky behind me, smiling softly.

< A/N >
HOLY SHIT WHEN I STARTED WRITING I DIDN'T EXPECT MY BABY BUCKY TO COME BACK BUT HE DID AND I AM SHOOK AND I THINK MY WHOLE STORY OUTLINE HAS TO CHANGE A BIT BUT IT WAS 100% WORTH IT. PS: Can I get 5 votes for
an early update? Thanks!!!