Not That Lucky

#26: There Are No Strings On Me

Vincent let his eyes trace the room and they landed on the twins who stood off to the side whispering to one another. They were just kids, a boy with dyed white hair and a girl with glowing red hands. Vincent had no idea what the fuck Strucker did to them, but there was an anger in their eyes that he didn't understand.

"We will send them back in bags." Strucker snapped. Vincent rolled his eyes and went to cross his arms. His elbow was healed enough that he didn't need the full brace, but the German hooked him up with a smaller brace that still shot out fire and added an extra 'umph' to his punches. "No surrender!"

The room of soldiers chorused the words loudly. Strucker grabbed his number one scientist and then drifted over to where he was. He said quietly, under his breath, "It's time to surrender." Vincent scoffed and Strucker shot him a glare. "We are outnumbered, and my research is too important to try and protect this stronghold. I am too close to give up now."

"Send out the twins." The scientist emphasized. "They can handle this."

"It's too soon. They are not ready." Strucker replied.

The two began to argue and when Vincent tore his eyes away from them they landed on the twins who were slipping out of a door behind where they stood. The white-haired boy caught his eye and briefly froze. Vincent smirked and gave the kid a wink and nod. He nodded back once and slipped out with his sister.

It took a minute before the two other men to notice the twins had disappeared. Vincent pushed off the wall and grinned, "Looks like they made the decision for you, Kraut."

Strucker cursed in German then glared at the scientist, "Delete everything. Now."

"Even the—"

"Everything!" Strucker shoved him back. The scientist scrambled away to get the job done and Vincent just soaked in the chaotic atmosphere in the room. He loved train wrecks like this. So much fun to watch. The only thing he liked more was causing them. Strucker pointed at him, "You will make sure I get out of here."

Vincent narrowed his eyes with a shrug, "And why would I do that? I can slip out easy while the Avengers fuck you up."

"If you want the little Bradshaw—" Strucker growled, "—then you will get me out of here alive and free."

Vincent cursed in aggravation, "Fine. Grab your things. If you're not ready in ten minutes I'm leaving without you."

Strucker ran off and Vincent pulled out his phone to call his ride. He was starting to wonder if this deal was even worth it. He was a patient guy. The Avengers were smothering Small Fry and it left him very little options to move in. They wouldn't do that forever though. As soon as his little brother stopped being a shithead, they'd give her a little freedom and that's when he could make his move. But, he'd give the nazi one more shot. Just one more.

__________

Clint ran from one tree to another with a groan. The last explosion had been a hair too close and slammed him into the tree he had been next to. Good news was his ribs weren't broken. He was just ready to be home. These missions were way less fun when he wasn't allowed to talk during them. There was still one bunker left firing on the group, but it wouldn't be around for much longer. He grumbled under his breath and notched another arrow.

He waited for the gunfire to pause and then whipped around the tree to fire the arrow. He pulled back and waited for the explosion. And waited. And waited? Clint lifted his hand to test his hearing aids. They obviously still worked, but why hadn't he heard the bunker explode?