epiphany || bucky barnes

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

2014. WASHINGTON DC.

My feet touched down onto the pavement below me. The metallic thud of footsteps across a dented car roof told me what I needed to hear when it came to the soldier being by my side, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Soldier?" I asked.

"What?" He whispered, turning to me.

"Focus on the mission this time, alright?"

He rolled his eyes at those words,  a coy smile playing on my lips underneath my mask. I stepped over the pieces of metal from the bus crash, brushing some dust from my uniform.  A soft hum slipped from my lips. 

The soldier fired from his rocket launcher at a  police car coming to assess the scene.  My eyes narrowed slightly as it veered off to the side, exploding into a ball of flames. I couldn't help but glance over at his metal hand reloading the weapon, clearing my throat, and blinking away any... off-topic thoughts.

It had been a while since either of us had made a move on each other. Admittedly, I wanted him to show just how bad it's been killing him, but he's been too engrossed with work and missions that we've barely been able to see each other. 

To be quite honest, the tension's been killing me too. Especially with my father in control of HYDRA after our target blew up the whole SHIELD headquarters in New Jersey. That, more than anything, fueled me with the most rage.

A civilian attempted to halt the two of us, but my hand was faster. I fired a single bullet into his chest, pushing him to the ground as his body formed a pool of thick red blood. I didn't feel the need to give it any second thought.

The soldier glanced over. "I hear something."

Before I could ask where I heard the soft droning of a woman's voice behind a car. She was repeating herself as if she were on the radio talking to someone. Maybe our target. A shiver flew up my spine. Something about this wasn't right.

"You should keep your guard up," I whispered as he knelt down.

"I will." He unhooked a small metallic bomb from his holster, pressing the red button on the front before rolling it under the car.

I stepped back slightly,  my hand wandering to grab his instinctively. He aimed his gun, ready to shoot as the bomb exploded,  but no screams or remains were anywhere to be found. My eyes widened as I felt a presence behind me. A woman jumped onto Bucky's shoulders, with a tight and thin metal wire to wrap around his neck.

"You bitch!" I screamed, jumping on top of another car and smacking her across the back of the head with the hilt of my gun. 

Her grip on the wire loosened just enough for the soldier to pummel her into the hood of another car, smashing the windows. I attempted to shoot her, but all my shots were just an inch short.

The woman threw a small electric disk at the soldier's arm. It attached itself, electrocuting the metal. He grunted in pain, his step faltering as his gun fell loosely in his grip. I ripped the disk from the metal as fast as my fingers would allow me, though my mind was racing with unwanted and fearful thoughts. Someone that harmed him, angered me.

My hands gripped onto the railing of an abandoned apartment, jumping down and landing against the hood of another car. I managed to take as long of strides as I could to keep up with her, unlatching my titanium staff from my back holster. I pressed the button against the front of the staff, the sharpened blade protruding out both ends. 

"Pandora!" The soldier called out to me from afar, though by now I didn't want to listen.

The woman knelt down behind a car as if she was safe. I would be the one to make sure she wasn't.  I swung my legs over the obstacle separating us, plowing the blade into her shoulder.  A sharp gasp emitted from her lips, her fingers going to cover the fresh wound as blood soaked her shirt.