Marvel Imagines

Bucky Barnes - Protector Part 4

They managed to catch a cab and within moments they were lost amongst the hustle and bustle of the New York night life.

"Where are you two headin'?" The Cabby asked.

"Brooklyn, please." Bucky said as calmly as he could. "To the Magic Carpet Motel."

"Hey ah, are you sure there pal?" The cab driver clarified, "That's not exactly the kind of place you should be taking a young lady."

"I'm quite sure, thank you." Bucky said and Lark shot him a questioning glance, but he ignored her. "Would you mind terribly putting up the privacy window so that my friend and I might talk." He asked and the cabby nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, of course. My favourite late night talk show's just wrapping up now anyways." He smiled and flicked a switch, causing a tinted window of glass to rise up between the front seats and the back.

Lark was focused on breathing and trying not to think about the scene they'd just left. She was becoming more and more aware of her many small injuries as the numbness that hung over her started to dissipate.

Bucky pulled out a flip phone from his pocket and pulled up the contact list, containing only one untitled number. He dialled and put the phone up to his ear, tapping on his leg impatiently as he waited for someone to pick up.

"Steve?" He asked when someone finally picked up.

Lark listened intently as Bucky confided in the man on the other side of the phone.

"I know I'm not supposed to call," He snapped, rolling his eyes, "and I wouldn't have if it wasn't an emergency." He explained and paused as Lark heard a raised voice on the other line.

Then Bucky responded calmly, "Yes, she's safe. We're in a cab heading south, but Steve, how the hell did they know where to look for us?" Bucky demanded an explanation.

He seemed all too unimpressed with whatever explanation he was being fed.

"No." He interrupted defiantly, "We already tried this your way and they found us like sitting ducks in that damn hotel." He said with an edge of anger creeping into his tone, "I'm doing this on my own now. We'll lay low for the rest of the night then head out of the city first thing in the morning." There was a long silence, and Bucky rubbed his temples as Steve tried to reason with him.

"I have to go." He interrupted. "I'll call you when I can." He abruptly hung up the phone and rubbed his hand over his scruff, closing his eyes as he tried desperately to come up with a plan.

"Are we gonna be okay?" Lark asked timidly, as she pulled at the hem of her sweater.

Bucky looked over and saw how scared she still was. He noticed the small river of blood that had trickled down her neck, and stained the collar of her sweater. He reached over and tilted her chin up to get a better look, but the moment that he touched her, she flinch and retreated.

Bucky pulled back and raised his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry." He apologized and Lark struggled to slow her breathing again.

"No, it's okay. I'm just jumpy." She said and closed her eyes, focusing on deep breaths.

"That's completely fair." He assured her and waited until she had regained composure, "Can I get a better look at your neck?" he asked before hand this time and she glanced up at him shyly, but nodded.

Bucky moved her hair aside and gently turned her chin to face him, so he could get a full view of her neck. She tilted her chin up and winced silently as the movement strained the fresh cut. Bucky leaned down and tilted his head so he could get a closer and Lark pulled away just a tiny bit as he came closer, before forcibly calming herself and holding still again. Bucky backed off and gave her a minute before looking closer.