"A hero that doesn't exist..."

"Well I am the one, A bullet hole, In your fist..."

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky grinned appreciatively as she pulled out the baking tray, leaving the balance in the cupboard unchanged.  “Score one to you.”  He commented with a chuckle, leaning back against the cupboards, mug of coffee in one hand,, relaxed in the warmth and easy companionship in the kitchen.  

The talk of the mission that Skye was going to go out on was one that made him shake his head slightly in amusement.  “Y’know, I do sometimes wonder what the hell it says about the kinda lives that we lead that I’m not even surprised anymore when there are things like unrecognised languages in ancient temples, alien dogs and fuck knows what else…”  

At her comment about the cookie cutters he couldn’t help leaning forward slightly to look at them all as she began cutting out the shapes.  “Can’t believe they’ve made cookie cutters of us all…weird damn world we live in.”  

He nodded.  “Yeah, you do need to meet Nat, and she wants to meet you.  I’ve told her about you…guess it’s just a pain in the ass that you two are always missin’ each other.”  He couldn’t help the slight smile he got as he thought about Natasha.  “Gotta admit she amazes me on a regular basis, but then she’d just tell me I’m biased.”  He knew damn well that Natasha would like Skye, would appreciate her, the fire in her.  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Skye smiled before shaking her head. “My life has always been weird. I have no idea about my past, I have been kicked around foster home to foster home, and I finally landed in SHIELD. I feel like I didn’t really live until I worked with SHIELD.” Putting the cookies into the oven, she moved to sit on the counter across from Bucky. Swallowing the last bit of her coffee, she put it down beside her and smiled.

“I can. I mean, have you seen you guys in action? It’s amazing. I think the world is disappointed that SHIELD has sort of scattered. They have no idea the power we have though. It’s not like we’re really gone.” She picked up the one shaped like Bucky, then the one shaped like Nat and gave a devilish grin. Tossing them over to him, she crossed her legs and laughed softly. “So, you and Nat want your cookie cutter counterparts?”

Watching the grin on his face, she rolled her eyes. “You’ve gotta be the cutest assassin in the world. Natasha must feel like she’s been spoiled rotten to have you, Bucky. You’re head over heels.” It was nice to see, and Skye felt good, knowing that they had one another. It was an important facet to who he was as a person, at least the Bucky she knew.

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky nodded.  “True, you haven’t had it easy, doll.”  And he knew that her past hadn’t been easy, knew what it was like not to really know where you came from and who you were.  It wasn’t a comfortable feeling.  He watched as Skye sat on the opposite counter, finishing her coffee, noting the way that she was relaxed and at home in his and Nat’s apartment, glad that someone else could be that way around them.  

He hitched one shoulder in a shrug.  “I guess.  We just do what we were made to y’know?  But I get your point.  I think though, that actually it’s better in many ways that people don’t realise the power that SHIELD still has.  Personally I think that it’s better if it’s more underground, if there is that potential for plausible deniability.  It gives more options when it comes to strange shit that needs dealing with, gives more room to manoeuvre when it comes to dealing with threats if you aren’t a publicly acknowledged institution.”  He thought back to the Red Room, to Hydra, to the way that they moved in the shadows, the way that their powers could be so much further reaching than anybody realised.  He paused for a second then looked at Skye.  “But on the other hand, that does mean that there is more potential for things to become warped, for ideologies to fall by the wayside and things to become exactly what they began fighting against.”  

He shook his head as though ridding himself of the thoughts of SHIELD and caught the cutters that she tossed to him glancing at the cookie cutter counterparts with a grin.  “Sure.  Why the hell not...I don’t have a problem with eating Nat...”  He smirked and looked at her for a second before looking back at the oven where the cookies were baking, the aroma beginning to fill the kitchen.  They were slowly turning a beautiful golden brown and they smelled incredible.  

Skye’s comment made him laugh and stare at her. “Cute?”  He shook his head.  “That’s a new one on me.  Fuck...”  He laughed again as he thought about it, about being described that way, something that seemed so incongruous, but definitely amusing.  “I don’t know.  She’s got a lot to put up with being with me.  I’m lucky to have her and I know it.  But yeah, I’ll definitely admit to bein’ head over heels with her.  She’s something else that’s for sure.”  

[dr-betty-ross]

Long Time Coming || Bucky & Betty

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky got out of the shower, towelling himself off before quickly pulling on dry, clean clothes from his bag.  It had been a good sparring session with Natasha, something that had been tough but fun, both of them pushing each other hard.  He pulled his still damp hair back into a sloppy bun then heard the sound of his phone buzzing.  He pulled his jacket from his bag, reaching into the pocket to pull out his phone, finding a message there from Betty.  

Hey Bucky, want to get lunch near that little café about a block from the tower. I haven’t seen you in a while and would love to catch up. My treat~

ER

He knew it had been a while since they had had a chance to get together, both of them busy on different projects, doing different things.  He typed back a swift reply.  

Sounds good to me.  When do you want to meet?  And I’m pretty sure that this one’s on me.  JB 

He slipped on his jacket and pulled on his boots, picking up his bag before grabbing his cap out of his locker, sticking it on and heading for the door.  Even as he was leaving the room his phone buzzed once again.  

I’ll be there in about twenty minutes, see you then.

ER  

Bucky put his phone away once again, heading out of the gym area and the locker room, knowing he had enough time to collect a few bits from the armory that he wanted to take back to his and Natasha’s apartment.  It didn’t take long and he was soon out on the street, going towards the cafe that Betty had suggested.  

The breeze was bitterly cold and snow piled grey and slushy at the side of the street, but the sky at least was bright and clear, even as the wind tried to cut through his jacket.  He disappeared into the crowd on the sidewalk, just another face among many, a nameless member of the seething population.  It was amusing in a way, that they had no idea, didn’t care that they had an assassin moving amongst them, wondered what they would say if they did.  But it was easy, so very easy to just blend into them all, become a part of the constant movement and motion that was the life and the heartbeat of the city that he loved.  

As he entered the cafe he was hit by the warmth there, closing the door behind him, swiftly surveying the scene, noting Betty there with her back to the door.  He crossed the space, coming up behind her, dropping his hands lightly onto her shoulders.  “Hey doll.”  

[dr-betty-ross]

Betty had just sat her water down when she felt hands dropping lightly on her shoulder. Her rational side told her it was probably Bucky but the fighter side had her reaching up to grab at the wrist. Prepared to call the other forth to flip the person because heavens know she could not do it herself. That is, until his words registered. It was Bucky, thank god. She carefully loosened her grip, sliding her hands down to rest over his in a mock hug. “Bucky…” she dipped her head back to grin at him. “you startled me silly.” Though really what did that say about her that she had come about five seconds from flipping someone touching her on the soldier.

She squeezed his hands before gesturing to the seat in front of her tipping her head back down. Her neck had gotten too used to being the other way for it to be comfortable. “Saved ya a seat. I would have ordered something for you but I didn’t know what you wanted drink wise.” She glanced around for the waitress from before, shrugging when she could not find the other. It was rather busy here but it was lunch time. “Well she should be back for our orders and with menus and what not.” And that time could not come sooner, her stomach was starting to remind her why eating was an important habit.

“So how have you been?” Betty asked, grinning sheepishly. “And let me start with I’m sorry for being out of contact so long.” Even if she had been busy Bucky was special to her. She should always be able to make time for him. He was always there when she needed or wanted him. Unless he was on vacation with Natasha, but she would never try to pull him away from Natasha. That was an idea. She hadn’t seen the other woman since the start of the whole Rescuers situation. Maybe she would message the other for a training session or something.

“How is Natasha? How was your honey moon?” She chuckled. “How’s life in general I guess?”

[howlingwintercommando]

He felt the way that she tensed, jumping at the touch, didn’t fail to register the way that her hands closed over his wrists, gripping tight before she suddenly relaxed, her hands sliding over his in an affectionate gesture as she looked back over at him.  He gave her an apologetic look as he sat down opposite her, appreciating her choice of table as he did.  “Sorry doll.  Shouldn’t have done that to you.”  

Bucky studied her as she spoke, keeping a general tab on what was happening around them, the cafe busy, a hum of conversation in the background, a shifting mass of humanity, set on their own business, paying no real attention to anyone else around them.  It was warm in there, the scent of coffee and baked goods hanging in the air, the atmosphere relaxed.  “That’s fine, she’ll be round when she gets round.”  

The sheepish grin from Betty made him laugh and he shook his head.  “You’re sorry, I’m sorry, we’re as bad as each other.  Guess we’ve just been caught up in our own shit recently.  Gotta admit it’s been fairly busy.  But I should have been better at meetin’ up with you.”  Because he knew very well that although she would call on him if she needed him, or he really hoped that she would, there was nothing like just being able to get together, to catch up without anything going down.  She was a friend, someone he felt close to, someone he truly cared about and that was something that was important.  

“Nat’s fine.  Honeymoon was nice, we took some time out in Paris which was...good.  Time to just relax and be a normal couple I guess.”  He shrugged and thought back over everything that had gone on, over the things that had happened since they’d last been together.  “Nat’s fine by the way.  Life in general, busy, hectic.  All that shit with the aliens and Strucker was fun as you know... then there was... well my mission went south in a bad way just before Christmas and Nat rescued my ass so...that was...well we’re both still here so there was that.”  He met her gaze with a slight smile.  

“More interestingly, what about you?  How’s life, what’s been goin’ on with you? Work, personal life, whatever you want to let me know about?”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

He shrugged.  “Company I can manage.”  He moved to sit on the sideboard, leaning back against the kitchen cupboard, watching her as she worked, the motions she was going through familiar, ones that he’d seen his ma, Steve’s ma, his sister, watched them all making them, remembering days when he was a kid waiting to lick the bowl when they’d been baking.  It made a reminiscent smile rise to his lips.  

Her question made him pay attention again, realising how far he’d been wandering and he shook his head.  “Heard of her, but never met her.  What kind of files?”  He frowned slightly, considering the idea of the mission that she had ahead of her.  It sounded bizarre, off the beaten path, and that he had come to accept tended to lead to a shitstorm of one kind or another.  “And yeah, you know I’m up for your company, or giving you mine when we’re both around.  So when you come home, if I’m not out anywhere, we can just meet up.”  

Bucky pointed towards the low cupboard next to the oven.  “Pans are in that one, bottom shelf for the baking pans.  Don’t touch the third pan on the left by the way.  Well you can, it ain’t gonna kill ya, but there’s a gun there and it’s a bitch to get ‘em balanced like that again according to Nat.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Skye shrugged a moment as she carefully took a pan from the lower cupboard, somehow managing to leave the gun carefully balanced. “We’re not sure. Kamala seemed to recognize the language, so we’re taking her as a sort of linguist. Not to mention that she’s good back up. She has this magic dog or something? I think it might be alien.” Putting the cookies on the pan, she put the oven on to pre-heat. Rolling out the rest of the dough, she grinned and laughed to herself.

“I hope you like the cookie cutters. They’re the Avengers series that have you. They had everyone, I had to get them.” She grinned and laughed for a moment before she commented again. “I’ll have to take you up on that. And maybe I can meet Natasha. I’ve heard amazing things about her, you know.” Skye didn’t want to mention she was slightly afraid of the Russian born SHIELD agent. The woman was a legend, and she was known for being both ruthless and devastating in her mission. 

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky grinned appreciatively as she pulled out the baking tray, leaving the balance in the cupboard unchanged.  “Score one to you.”  He commented with a chuckle, leaning back against the cupboards, mug of coffee in one hand,, relaxed in the warmth and easy companionship in the kitchen.  

The talk of the mission that Skye was going to go out on was one that made him shake his head slightly in amusement.  “Y’know, I do sometimes wonder what the hell it says about the kinda lives that we lead that I’m not even surprised anymore when there are things like unrecognised languages in ancient temples, alien dogs and fuck knows what else...”  

At her comment about the cookie cutters he couldn’t help leaning forward slightly to look at them all as she began cutting out the shapes.  “Can’t believe they’ve made cookie cutters of us all...weird damn world we live in.”  

He nodded.  “Yeah, you do need to meet Nat, and she wants to meet you.  I’ve told her about you...guess it’s just a pain in the ass that you two are always missin’ each other.”  He couldn’t help the slight smile he got as he thought about Natasha.  “Gotta admit she amazes me on a regular basis, but then she’d just tell me I’m biased.”  He knew damn well that Natasha would like Skye, would appreciate her, the fire in her.  

[howlingwintercommando]

Most wonderful time of the year | Natasha and Bucky

[howlingwintercommando]

The plane ride passed in a blur.  

He knew that he was talking to Natasha, knew at the time what he was saying, but it was getting steadily harder to concentrate, to focus on what she was saying in return.  He could see the tight look in her expression, the way that there was a frowning concern in her eyes that belied her lighthearted teasing that he returned as much as he could, the distraction a welcome one, keeping him there with her, stopping him slipping away.  

“Nat?”  He hated the way his voice cracked over her name.  

“Still here.”  

“If I pass out, what are you gonna do to me?  ‘Cos I don’t think that’s far off now...”  

“Kick your ass from here to Siberia and back.  Do you really need to ask?”  Her words held a hard edge, but the way that she moved closer, her fingers running through his hair in a tender gesture as with her other had she curled her fingers round his told another story.  

A slight laugh escaped him and he shifted slightly, head resting against the side of the aircraft.  “Fucked then aren’t I?”  

“Succinctly put.”  

The landing was unpleasant, the trip to the medical lab even more so.  Actually being there was what put him most on edge however, made him feel as though his skin was crawling, a sensation of dread seeping through him mixed with resignation and fear, something that he knew was entirely unfounded, that where he was was nothing like where he had been.  And yet the feelings continued, were enough to make him fall silent completely, enough to make him force himself to just focus on Natasha, keep her as his mainstay as she stood watch.  

It all blurred into one the following hours as he allowed them to sedate him, to deal with the worst that Hydra had dished out, knowing that Natasha was there and wasn’t going anywhere, wouldn’t allow anything to happen without her consent, without her knowing exactly what they were doing.  It was a trust in her that he held that she held in return.  

When he came round again it was in one of the medical bay beds with Natasha still in her mission gear, sat on a chair next to him, legs stretched out long, feet crossed up on the side of the bed.  “You’re awake then.”  

“Seems so.”  He blinked and shook his head, taking a slow, experimental breath before giving her a frank look, pulling himself together.  “We goin’ home?”  

“That sounds like a question but it’s not a question is it?”  There was a familiar hint of amusement in her voice as she spoke.  

“Nope.  It ain’t.”  He drew in another slow breath, reaching across to untape the IV line from the back of his hand, slowly and carefully pulling it out, ignoring the trickle of blood that followed and the way the solution dripped onto the covers of the bed in a way that made Natasha roll her eyes at him.  “It’s time to get the fuck outta here.  M’not gonna keel over...and...”  

“I know.  You can’t stay here.  I get it.  You know that I do.  Which means that I’m taking you home, but when I do, I’m in charge when we get there.  Got it?”

He chuckled softly and nodded, giving her a half smile. “Yeah.  I got it doll.”  

[dr-betty-ross]

Long Time Coming || Bucky & Betty

Betty tapped her fingers against the casing of her phone, staring out the window. The sky was staring to darken like there was going to be snow. Something she did not really want to deal with especially since it reminded her of dark days at the artic. But it was reminding her of something else she had been meaning to do. Before everything explode anyway. She picked up her phone, sending out a quick text before getting up to gather her things. Even if he said no, she could still eat.

Hey Bucky, want to get lunch near that little café about a block from the tower. I haven’t seen you in a while and would love to catch up. My treat~

ER

She slid on her dark purple winter coat, looking at the phone screen when it buzzed. That was another thing that made her sad working at Stark Industries. They really did not want you to have your phone on you and if you did they prefer it be on vibrate so as not to startle anyone else. Waste of time really but the pay was good. Her eyes scanned over the response, grinning at it. She would have a lunch date after all.

I’ll be there in about twenty minutes, see you then.

ER

Betty pushed her way out of R&D, heading towards the bustling streets where everyone else was trying to get to their lunch dates. She took a bit of comfort in the noise, in how she was entirely unimportant in the grand scheme of things. It was nice to have so many people pass by and not a single one know what she had done. Especially since that day was slowly coming up once again. Her face dipped lower in her collar before moving back up again. This wasn’t the time for such thoughts. She was going to see Bucky after all and he deserved a smile if nothing else.

She pushed open the doors to the café, choosing a table that was closer to the wall but she could still see the windows and the door. It was hard but she was slowly learning which places would make a person more comfortable when they lived the life of an agent. She sat down in the seat with her back facing the door, ordering a water while she waited. He would be here soon.

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky got out of the shower, towelling himself off before quickly pulling on dry, clean clothes from his bag.  It had been a good sparring session with Natasha, something that had been tough but fun, both of them pushing each other hard.  He pulled his still damp hair back into a sloppy bun then heard the sound of his phone buzzing.  He pulled his jacket from his bag, reaching into the pocket to pull out his phone, finding a message there from Betty.  

Hey Bucky, want to get lunch near that little café about a block from the tower. I haven’t seen you in a while and would love to catch up. My treat~

ER

He knew it had been a while since they had had a chance to get together, both of them busy on different projects, doing different things.  He typed back a swift reply.  

Sounds good to me.  When do you want to meet?  And I’m pretty sure that this one’s on me.  JB 

He slipped on his jacket and pulled on his boots, picking up his bag before grabbing his cap out of his locker, sticking it on and heading for the door.  Even as he was leaving the room his phone buzzed once again.  

I’ll be there in about twenty minutes, see you then.

ER  

Bucky put his phone away once again, heading out of the gym area and the locker room, knowing he had enough time to collect a few bits from the armory that he wanted to take back to his and Natasha’s apartment.  It didn’t take long and he was soon out on the street, going towards the cafe that Betty had suggested.  

The breeze was bitterly cold and snow piled grey and slushy at the side of the street, but the sky at least was bright and clear, even as the wind tried to cut through his jacket.  He disappeared into the crowd on the sidewalk, just another face among many, a nameless member of the seething population.  It was amusing in a way, that they had no idea, didn’t care that they had an assassin moving amongst them, wondered what they would say if they did.  But it was easy, so very easy to just blend into them all, become a part of the constant movement and motion that was the life and the heartbeat of the city that he loved.  

As he entered the cafe he was hit by the warmth there, closing the door behind him, swiftly surveying the scene, noting Betty there with her back to the door.  He crossed the space, coming up behind her, dropping his hands lightly onto her shoulders.  “Hey doll.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky watched for a moment as she went through to the kitchen and headed through after her seeing her pat the counter with a slight smile, leaning back against it, arms crossed.  “You don’t gotta worry, doll.”  

He turned round at her question, reaching up into one of the top cupboards, taking out a bag of flour, feeling a flicker of aggravation at the pulling sensation in his side again as he put it down.  “Flour we got.”  He settled back again, leaning against the counter, just finding stillness as he waited for her to collect her coffee.  The sound of the television was a faint noise in the background, the scent of coffee and the cookie dough hanging in the air.  He gave her a slight smile as she came back in nodding as she spoke, hating once again the fact that she’d been through that, despite knowing that it was just one of the risks of their job.  

“Yeah.  Yeah well.  You get to know exactly how much you can take, but even so…it doesn’t get any easier.”  He thought about the explosion, the building collapse, the torture that had followed before Natasha had come onto the scene like a vengeful fury, dealing out death, the scene one of carnage as she had fought for him.  He shrugged.  “Enough years of it and you got fodder for nightmares of memories that you don’t even want to deal with in the light of day.”  His mind flicked to memories of his first moments that he could remember with Hydra, screaming agony, blood, bright lights on a metal table until he’d passed out.  Then waking, still beneath bright lights, confused, alone, with no idea of who he was or where he was, looking up to see his hands, one flesh, one metal, faces surrounding him…  

He pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the room again, back on Skye.  “It sucks doll, but it all seems to be part and parcel of what we do.  So, what do you need me to do here then?  You’re in charge in the kitchen here.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Skye didn’t like the tone in his voice, the way he seemed to be stuck in his head. Before she could comment, he asked her about the kitchen. With a grin, she put a bunch of strange cookie cutters on the counter. “You don’t have to do anything except for being here with me. All I need is company…” Smiling, she set to work rolling out the dough on the flour covered counter. Once satisfied it was the correct depth, she started using the cookie cutters. 

“I have a mission to go on soon. I hope you are gonna be up for more company when I get back. It’s gonna be weird. There were these old files about this temple in San Juan that Phil and I are going to investigate with Miss Marvel… Don’t know if you’ve met her. Kamala Khan? Where are your pans?” She looked around a moment, trying to pick where a pair of married assassins would put their baking trays.

[howlingwintercommando]

He shrugged.  “Company I can manage.”  He moved to sit on the sideboard, leaning back against the kitchen cupboard, watching her as she worked, the motions she was going through familiar, ones that he’d seen his ma, Steve’s ma, his sister, watched them all making them, remembering days when he was a kid waiting to lick the bowl when they’d been baking.  It made a reminiscent smile rise to his lips.  

Her question made him pay attention again, realising how far he’d been wandering and he shook his head.  “Heard of her, but never met her.  What kind of files?”  He frowned slightly, considering the idea of the mission that she had ahead of her.  It sounded bizarre, off the beaten path, and that he had come to accept tended to lead to a shitstorm of one kind or another.  “And yeah, you know I’m up for your company, or giving you mine when we’re both around.  So when you come home, if I’m not out anywhere, we can just meet up.”  

Bucky pointed towards the low cupboard next to the oven.  “Pans are in that one, bottom shelf for the baking pans.  Don’t touch the third pan on the left by the way.  Well you can, it ain’t gonna kill ya, but there’s a gun there and it’s a bitch to get ‘em balanced like that again according to Nat.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky smiled at that.  “Cookies sound pretty damn good too.  Movie, cookies, Christmas present, thanks.  You’ve definitely perked today up that’s for sure.”   He watched as she investigated the present that he’d given her, smiling at the surprised and pleased expression on her face as she checked it out.  “Trust me, I’d rather you never need to use it either.  But it’s there if you need it.”  He let out a huff of laughter at her comment and shook his head slightly.  “You’re one of the few who tends to say that.  But I’ll take it.”  He knew he still had too much blood on his hands, too much death to be considered ‘good’, to be thought of as anything more than what he was.  A killer and an assassin.  

“It’s no bad thing, I know.  Hell it comes in useful knowing other languages.  Only thing that catches me out at times is the fact that I don’t necessarily know that I know it until I hear it.  It’s useful though for work.  Something that they gave me and Nat that we can use at least.”  He picked up his mug of coffee, taking a drink, grimacing at the fact it had gone cold before just drinking it down as he considered Skye’s question.  

He knew that he looked like shit, and he couldn’t blame her for calling him on it.  “Yeah.  Just didn’t sleep last night…shit’s been a bit rough since the Christmas mission.  Sleep ain’t always that easy to come by after that kinda shit.”  He shrugged and gave her a half smile. “Things will sort out.  A night without sleep ain’t gonna kill me.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Skye smiled and shrugged before taking the baking materials and moving to the kitchen. Patting the counter, she stretched before washing her hands. “Well, here’s hoping better sleep comes. It might not kill you but it worries your friend here.” Moving back to the cookies, she took a plastic bag full of cold dough from the bag before putting it on the counter.

“Do you guys have flour? It will make it easier to roll out and make the cookies.” She moved back to the living room, long enough to pick up her mug of coffee, taking a sip. It was warm, sweet, slightly nutty. It was one of her favorites. “I had trouble sleeping too, you know. After getting shot…” She shrugged, thinking about the pain that had blasted through her when she had been injured so severely. “I guess even if you can take that kind of punishment, it still gets to you.”

Which got her to thinking. If the serum that Coulson had given her was supposed to make her do strange things, why hadn’t it happened? Was it waiting to affect her, or was she immune? And if she was immune, why?

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky watched for a moment as she went through to the kitchen and headed through after her seeing her pat the counter with a slight smile, leaning back against it, arms crossed.  “You don’t gotta worry, doll.”  

He turned round at her question, reaching up into one of the top cupboards, taking out a bag of flour, feeling a flicker of aggravation at the pulling sensation in his side again as he put it down.  “Flour we got.”  He settled back again, leaning against the counter, just finding stillness as he waited for her to collect her coffee.  The sound of the television was a faint noise in the background, the scent of coffee and the cookie dough hanging in the air.  He gave her a slight smile as she came back in nodding as she spoke, hating once again the fact that she’d been through that, despite knowing that it was just one of the risks of their job.  

“Yeah.  Yeah well.  You get to know exactly how much you can take, but even so...it doesn’t get any easier.”  He thought about the explosion, the building collapse, the torture that had followed before Natasha had come onto the scene like a vengeful fury, dealing out death, the scene one of carnage as she had fought for him.  He shrugged.  “Enough years of it and you got fodder for nightmares of memories that you don’t even want to deal with in the light of day.”  His mind flicked to memories of his first moments that he could remember with Hydra, screaming agony, blood, bright lights on a metal table until he’d passed out.  Then waking, still beneath bright lights, confused, alone, with no idea of who he was or where he was, looking up to see his hands, one flesh, one metal, faces surrounding him...  

He pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the room again, back on Skye.  “It sucks doll, but it all seems to be part and parcel of what we do.  So, what do you need me to do here then?  You’re in charge in the kitchen here.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky nodded.  “Yeah well, shit happens.  And yeah, yeah I’m good, nothin’ to worry about.”  He replied, thinking back to that time, to what Natasha had done for him, to the final moments coming home, the relief of being back in their own apartment after everything that had happened, after thinking for a while that that was going to be it, that he was going to die down there deep beneath the Russian wilderness, or would be taken in and used by Hydra once again.  

He took the bag with a smile, opening it to find a printed ticket inside, handmade and that piqued his curiosity further as he flipped it over to read the details on the other side.  This ticket is good for one cake of the recipient’s choice.  It can be claimed at any time (assuming that the giver is in the country).  Use your imagination then enjoy!   He grinned broadly at that.  “I gotta say, that is the first time anyone has ever got me that.  It’s perfect, thanks doll, definitely appreciated.”  

Bucky chuckled and went across to the shelves that had a small set of drawers beneath them, crouching down to delve into one of the drawers where he pulled out a small black rectangle that he brought back to Skye.  It was small enough to fit into the palm of her hand and he passed it over with a slight smile.  “Yeah I know I didn’t have to get you anything but I wanted to, so suck it up and accept it.”  He was grinning as he spoke, taking any sting out of the words.  “It’s… well it’s a get the fuck outta dodge kinda present.  It’s in two parts.  The first part is a gas grenade.  Press that button in the centre to arm it, slide the top piece off the bottom, and it’s easy as hell to do, takes just a split second, then throw the fucker.  It’ll explode and release a cloud of gas that you do not want to be breathing in.  So just hold your breath and get moving.  It’ll buy you time because it’ll knock out anyone who breathes it in.  The remaining piece of it is a burner phone.  I’ve programmed a few numbers into it for you, flip it over, you can see the screen there, and… well… call in the cavalry y’know?  I’ve put in mine, Nat’s and Coulson’s numbers so far.  You put in whoever else you think you need.  Nat’s used one like this before and said it can be damn useful when you’re out of options.”   And that was a huge part of it.  A need, a drive to protect and take care of those he claimed as his own, those who accepted him as friends or family, or both.  He couldn’t help it, it was just something that was a part of him, always had been.  Whether it was his sister, Steve, the Commandos, Natasha, whoever it had been through the years, he would always do what he could to protect them.  

He looked at the DVD case and nodded.  “Haven’t seen it, or heard of it, but it ain’t like my pop culture references are always up to date.  And sure I’m up for it.  Sounds like just the thing.  Cheesy ass sci fi movie, coffee and chilling out?  Ain’t the kinda thing I’m gonna complain about.”  He picked it up and opened it, getting up again to go and put it on before going back to the couch, settling down with a sigh.  “And for the record?  I got no idea if I know Japanese or not.  Guess now’s as good a time as any to find out.”  

It was, in his view, good that she’d turned up, had come round.  She looked as though she was relaxing, comfortable in the space, and he’d been glad of the distraction, pulling him out of the place he’d been in, tired as hell after a shitty night and feeling unsettled and on edge.  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Skye grinned as he opened his gift, watching the way humor lit his eye. It was a good look. “I know it’s not cake, but I brought stuff for a small batch of cookies. Cinnamon sugar. Sweet, but a little spicy. Not like heat spice.” As Bucky moved to get her present, she looked at him in surprise before grinning wider. As he explained the present, she looked down at it, examining it as she would any other new ‘toy’ from SHIELD. 

“This is… This is awesome, Bucky, thank you. Honestly, I hope I don’t have to use it.” She’d rather have it as a back up than to actually have to use it, because that means chances are she won’t make it out alive. “You’re a good guy. I’m glad to have you on my side.” Smiling, she moved over to the TV and put the DVD into the slot. Settling back onto the couch, she shrugged.

“It’s not bad to know so many languages. I understand Chinese, even if I can’t speak it. And don’t get me started on computer language. I’m fluent in that too.” She settled back into the couch and looked over to Bucky before speaking again. “You’re on edge right now… Are you doing ok?” 

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky smiled at that.  “Cookies sound pretty damn good too.  Movie, cookies, Christmas present, thanks.  You’ve definitely perked today up that’s for sure.”   He watched as she investigated the present that he’d given her, smiling at the surprised and pleased expression on her face as she checked it out.  “Trust me, I’d rather you never need to use it either.  But it’s there if you need it.”  He let out a huff of laughter at her comment and shook his head slightly.  “You’re one of the few who tends to say that.  But I’ll take it.”  He knew he still had too much blood on his hands, too much death to be considered ‘good’, to be thought of as anything more than what he was.  A killer and an assassin.  

“It’s no bad thing, I know.  Hell it comes in useful knowing other languages.  Only thing that catches me out at times is the fact that I don’t necessarily know that I know it until I hear it.  It’s useful though for work.  Something that they gave me and Nat that we can use at least.”  He picked up his mug of coffee, taking a drink, grimacing at the fact it had gone cold before just drinking it down as he considered Skye’s question.  

He knew that he looked like shit, and he couldn’t blame her for calling him on it.  “Yeah.  Just didn’t sleep last night...shit’s been a bit rough since the Christmas mission.  Sleep ain’t always that easy to come by after that kinda shit.”  He shrugged and gave her a half smile. “Things will sort out.  A night without sleep ain’t gonna kill me.”  

[howlingwintercommando]

Most wonderful time of the year | Natasha and Bucky

[howlingwintercommando]

As the door opened and Natasha came in he felt at first a flash of shock, followed by the thought that it was a hallucination, that it was something that his mind had conjured up.  Except everyone else there saw her too, those who had held him, had decided to reclaim him, had tortured him, they saw her too.  

For only a brief time though.  

Her first shots were made with calm precision and he saw the savage smile that came to her face with a measure of satisfaction as she went to work.  

It was beautiful.  

Even where he was, in the situation that he was in he could appreciate that, could appreciate the way that she made killing into an artform, the way she flowed, the way that she was swift, precise, drawing them in to a deadly dance.  He didn’t know how she had got there, didn’t know how she had found him, but she had, she had found him and she was there, saving him, taking down the enemy with brutal efficiency and grace.  

There was sudden silence.  

She stood for a moment, head bowed amidst the carnage that she had wreaked before she turned and moved over to him, wordlessly freeing him from the bonds that had held him down, her face unreadable.  He knew though from that alone just how hard it had hit her, just how afraid she had been and he knew that was something that she would not admit to, not straight away, not until that edge had gone, she would hold it in until they were home and they were safe.  

Slowly he pushed himself up, sitting on the edge of the table, the world spinning for a few seconds before he felt her hands on his shoulders, focused on her face in front of him.  He could see the way that her eyes were gleaming, over bright and she swallowed before she shook her head.  

“You idiot.”  Her voice was not much more than a murmur but still somehow her words were crystal clear.  “You absolute idiot, James...”  

And then she was kissing him, her hands coming to cup his face, the kiss fierce and needy and he instinctively reached out, pulling her in closer.  “Natasha...”  Her name was pulled from him and he could hear the way that his voice cracked over her name, throat raw as he spoke.  He knew that he was a sliver away from passing out, but he couldn’t find it in him to care at that moment, the overwhelming relief flooding through him taking away that thought, that feeling.

“We need to get home.”  And there was her no nonsense tone once again, covering up emotion, stuffing it down until they had time for it, until they could deal with what they had both just been through.  First there were practicalities to be dealt with, like getting out of there.  “Can you make it out to the surface? I can get the pilot to bring the plane back round and pick us up.” 

He swallowed and nodded, standing up, feeling the world swim around him once again, fingers gripping the edge of the table as he forced himself to stay awake, stay there in the room.  “Yeah, yeah I got this, doll.”  He moved forward a pace, sheer force of will the only thing keeping him upright as he felt her arm go round him, his arm round her shoulders as they headed out for the surface.  It was getting harder and harder to stay focused, to push the pain aside as they went.  He vaguely registered Natasha communicating with the pilot, calling him in to pick them up.  

Then somehow they were at the top of the steps leading out to the night outside, clear sky above, icy air biting and vicious, the snow deep and powdery around them.  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

He nodded, giving her a few moments to get rid of a few layers and get comfortable.  The temperature outside had plummeted and he and Natasha had made sure that their apartment was nice and warm, a cosy haven away from the wintry weather outside.  “Yeah…wasn’t the best way to spend Christmas but…we got home alive so…”  He broke off with a slight shake of his head, shrugging off the memories of that complete fuckup of a mess that that particular mission had been.  “It went to shit.”  He said with an almost apologetic look at Skye.  

Bucky watched as she headed to the couch for a moment, following her over, leaning over the back of the couch looking at the movies that she’d brought with her.  “You less on edge now doll?”  He asked.  “Because you know that I’m here if you ever need to talk to someone, right?”  And that was the thing, if she needed him, he’d be there.  It was just the way that things were.  She was a friend, a younger sister, someone that he cared about.  

He straightened up, hand absently going to his side for a second feeling the remaining ache there as he did.  He still had half a mug of coffee left on the table and what was in the pot he knew was hot.  It was the work of only a few moments to fetch another mug of coffee for Skye before he went and joined her on the couch, putting the mug of coffee down on the table in front of her.  “I did get you a gift y’know.  Just…well didn’t have a chance to wrap it before Christmas, and I gotta be honest, afterwards?  Kinda didn’t get round to it…but I got it here.  Ain’t much, more practical than anything else…you want that before we stick a movie on?”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Skye frowned a moment and looked over to where Bucky had been shrugging. “I’m sorry it went to shit. Are you doing better?” She watched as he joined her and smiled, handing him the small gift bag, a dark blue bag with a bright red tag. “This is for you. The tall one is for you and Natasha. A wedding present. And the box is for Natasha for Christmas.” She smiled wider and laughed before pulling her legs up on the couch beside her.

“I don’t understand what it is or was, but I’m ok now.” She watched the momentary stiffening as Bucky straightened up, following with her eyes out to the kitchen and back to the living room. Taking the coffee, she inhaled and smiled before holding it cupped in both hands. The warmth radiated through her, making her relax deeper into the comfortable couch Bucky and Natasha owned.

“You didn’t have to get me anything, you know!” She grinned and laughed for a moment before shrugging and looking to the movies she brought, putting one on the table. “If you’ve never seen this, you’ve never lived. It’s called Parasite Eve. It’s in Japanese, so we’ll have to read subtitles… Unless you understand Japanese, and I don’t. But it’s based on a book and there are video games based on this book and it’s cheesy as hell but it’s good. You up for it?” She couldn’t help but be happy, feeling safe and comfortable in this place. It was strange, but she appreciated Bucky for who he was to her now, the brother she never got to experience. He had this habit of being a grouch, sure, but he was a good guy for getting out of a slump with.

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky nodded.  “Yeah well, shit happens.  And yeah, yeah I’m good, nothin’ to worry about.”  He replied, thinking back to that time, to what Natasha had done for him, to the final moments coming home, the relief of being back in their own apartment after everything that had happened, after thinking for a while that that was going to be it, that he was going to die down there deep beneath the Russian wilderness, or would be taken in and used by Hydra once again.  

He took the bag with a smile, opening it to find a printed ticket inside, handmade and that piqued his curiosity further as he flipped it over to read the details on the other side.  This ticket is good for one cake of the recipient’s choice.  It can be claimed at any time (assuming that the giver is in the country).  Use your imagination then enjoy!   He grinned broadly at that.  “I gotta say, that is the first time anyone has ever got me that.  It’s perfect, thanks doll, definitely appreciated.”  

Bucky chuckled and went across to the shelves that had a small set of drawers beneath them, crouching down to delve into one of the drawers where he pulled out a small black rectangle that he brought back to Skye.  It was small enough to fit into the palm of her hand and he passed it over with a slight smile.  “Yeah I know I didn’t have to get you anything but I wanted to, so suck it up and accept it.”  He was grinning as he spoke, taking any sting out of the words.  “It’s... well it’s a get the fuck outta dodge kinda present.  It’s in two parts.  The first part is a gas grenade.  Press that button in the centre to arm it, slide the top piece off the bottom, and it’s easy as hell to do, takes just a split second, then throw the fucker.  It’ll explode and release a cloud of gas that you do not want to be breathing in.  So just hold your breath and get moving.  It’ll buy you time because it’ll knock out anyone who breathes it in.  The remaining piece of it is a burner phone.  I’ve programmed a few numbers into it for you, flip it over, you can see the screen there, and... well... call in the cavalry y’know?  I’ve put in mine, Nat’s and Coulson’s numbers so far.  You put in whoever else you think you need.  Nat’s used one like this before and said it can be damn useful when you’re out of options.”   And that was a huge part of it.  A need, a drive to protect and take care of those he claimed as his own, those who accepted him as friends or family, or both.  He couldn’t help it, it was just something that was a part of him, always had been.  Whether it was his sister, Steve, the Commandos, Natasha, whoever it had been through the years, he would always do what he could to protect them.  

He looked at the DVD case and nodded.  “Haven’t seen it, or heard of it, but it ain’t like my pop culture references are always up to date.  And sure I’m up for it.  Sounds like just the thing.  Cheesy ass sci fi movie, coffee and chilling out?  Ain’t the kinda thing I’m gonna complain about.”  He picked it up and opened it, getting up again to go and put it on before going back to the couch, settling down with a sigh.  “And for the record?  I got no idea if I know Japanese or not.  Guess now’s as good a time as any to find out.”  

It was, in his view, good that she’d turned up, had come round.  She looked as though she was relaxing, comfortable in the space, and he’d been glad of the distraction, pulling him out of the place he’d been in, tired as hell after a shitty night and feeling unsettled and on edge.  

[civilwarcpt]

Buckynat [x] suggest by @lostinastainedglassdaydream

“just do me justice…and make sure all the girls are crying”

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

[howlingwintercommando]

The sound of a knock at the door made Bucky look up, instinctively reaching underneath the cushion beneath his head for the knife he knew was there.  He’d been sprawled out on the couch, half-heartedly watching a documentary after a sleepless night and the sound of the door had startled him into full alertness.  The sound of the voice that followed however made him let go of the knife, relaxing as he did.  

He got up and went to the door, opening it to see Skye stood there in the hallway beyond, coat and scarf off, cheeks still pink from the freezing cold outside.  There was a bag on the floor by her feet and he stepped back, holding the door open for her.  “C’mon in.”  

As he spoke he moved away, back into the lounge again, hearing her footsteps as she followed him in.  He pushed a few stray locks of hair away from his face, glancing back to her again.  “Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, by the way.  How was it?”  

It had been a while since they had had contact, longer since they’d actually met up in person.  He’d generally kept tabs on her as he did with the rest of the people he called his friends, just a reassurance they were alive at least, but they hadn’t had a chance to really catch up.  “You want a hot drink?  Freezin’ out there by the looks of it.”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Closing the door behind her, Skye put her coat and scarf on the coat rack and put her bag on the table. She looked over to the TV and laughe to herself. “Same to you, Bucky. I missed you guys. Heard you had a Christmas mission. Shit way to spend your first Christmas married.” She moved over to slide her boots off, she put them in a corner, where a pair of Bucky’s sneakers were. 

“Christmas was quiet. And New Years was intense. I was on edge for some stupid reason.” She yawned, stretched, and took off her cap and gloves, shoving them into the pocket of her coat. “A warm drink sounds damn good. It’s truly cold.” She moved to settled on the couch, pulling out a couple of wrapped gifts. One was a long box in red paper, with a small silver bow, the other a small gift bag, and the last was a tall, skinny gift bag.

“I brought as many Science Fiction movies as I could find. They’re classics. You’re still into sci fi, right?”

[howlingwintercommando]

He nodded, giving her a few moments to get rid of a few layers and get comfortable.  The temperature outside had plummeted and he and Natasha had made sure that their apartment was nice and warm, a cosy haven away from the wintry weather outside.  “Yeah...wasn’t the best way to spend Christmas but...we got home alive so...”  He broke off with a slight shake of his head, shrugging off the memories of that complete fuckup of a mess that that particular mission had been.  “It went to shit.”  He said with an almost apologetic look at Skye.  

Bucky watched as she headed to the couch for a moment, following her over, leaning over the back of the couch looking at the movies that she’d brought with her.  “You less on edge now doll?”  He asked.  “Because you know that I’m here if you ever need to talk to someone, right?”  And that was the thing, if she needed him, he’d be there.  It was just the way that things were.  She was a friend, a younger sister, someone that he cared about.  

He straightened up, hand absently going to his side for a second feeling the remaining ache there as he did.  He still had half a mug of coffee left on the table and what was in the pot he knew was hot.  It was the work of only a few moments to fetch another mug of coffee for Skye before he went and joined her on the couch, putting the mug of coffee down on the table in front of her.  “I did get you a gift y’know.  Just...well didn’t have a chance to wrap it before Christmas, and I gotta be honest, afterwards?  Kinda didn’t get round to it...but I got it here.  Ain’t much, more practical than anything else...you want that before we stick a movie on?”  

[nina-queenof-mourning]

Post Mission Blues || Bucky & Skye || 1/5/15

Skye looked down at her phone, the address she had been given to see a dear friend of hers. Knocking on the door, she spoke quietly. “Bucky, it’s Skye. I come bearing gifts. And Movies.” She grinned to herself before looking around the hall. Their apartment was well watched, cameras keeping an eye on the hall around them and their front door. She expected nothing less. 

“I’d rather not let your presents go to waste.” She smiled, shifting from one foot to the other, she put her bag down for a moment before gently shrugging out of her coat and scarf. It was nice, warm in the hallway, so the jacket was finally over kill. 

[howlingwintercommando]

The sound of a knock at the door made Bucky look up, instinctively reaching underneath the cushion beneath his head for the knife he knew was there.  He’d been sprawled out on the couch, half-heartedly watching a documentary after a sleepless night and the sound of the door had startled him into full alertness.  The sound of the voice that followed however made him let go of the knife, relaxing as he did.  

He got up and went to the door, opening it to see Skye stood there in the hallway beyond, coat and scarf off, cheeks still pink from the freezing cold outside.  There was a bag on the floor by her feet and he stepped back, holding the door open for her.  “C’mon in.”  

As he spoke he moved away, back into the lounge again, hearing her footsteps as she followed him in.  He pushed a few stray locks of hair away from his face, glancing back to her again.  “Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, by the way.  How was it?”  

It had been a while since they had had contact, longer since they’d actually met up in person.  He’d generally kept tabs on her as he did with the rest of the people he called his friends, just a reassurance they were alive at least, but they hadn’t had a chance to really catch up.  “You want a hot drink?  Freezin’ out there by the looks of it.”  

[howlingwintercommando]

Most wonderful time of the year | Natasha and Bucky

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky paused, leaning against the wall of the stairway, feeling steadily more lightheaded, shaking his head slightly, trying to find focus again.  He swore under his breath, wondering how long he had left, cursing the whole situation quietly as he drew in a couple of slow breaths, waiting for the world to stop feeling as though it was slipping away.  He could feel the sticky, hot sensation of blood beneath his tac gear against his skin and he frowned, pressing a hand to his side, hissing softly at the sensation.  

He pulled himself together, carrying on downwards, following the stairway that took him deep beneath the ruins of the base.  He paused now and again on the way down, listening hard, trying to get a sense of whether there was anyone else around, and if there was, at least an idea of numbers.  He held a gun in his left hand, moving silently as he went, pushing onwards.  He hadn’t reached his limits, knew that he was still functional enough.  

As he reached the bottom of the stairwell he was assailed by a series of scents that he recognised, ones that almost made him recoil there and then.  The unmistakable smells of antiseptic, of chemicals and disinfectants.  It was the scent of their research laboratories, the smell of their medical facilities, it was the stuff of memory and nightmare and he stopped dead for a couple of seconds as he surveyed the short hallway before him, a door at the end under which bright light showed.  There were no other exits, just that one door.  And as any chance of escape from where he had come from was nonexistent he knew that the only way that he could go was forward, could only press onwards and trust his gut feeling that told him there was a secondary way out of there, that those he’d seen descend through the trap door before him were not simply incarcerating themselves below the ground.  

He waited by the door, listening to try and gauge how many, if any, people were in the room beyond.  He could pick out a couple of low voices, although not exactly what they were saying.  He took a moment, shaking his head again, trying to get through the fogginess that was making it hard to concentrate, to think.  

He made a mental inventory of what weaponry he still had on his person, unimpressed by the list once he had finished.  It wasn’t great, but it would have to suffice.  He could almost imagine Natasha’s voice in his head: Well it looks like you’ll just have to get creative doesn’t it?  

It was the work of a moment to grasp the handle to the door, tearing it back, moving through.  There was no time for hesitation, no time to reconsider.  His only advantage was the element of surprise.  Beyond that, he was at the mercy of whatever lay on the other side of the doors.  

Bright lights on gleaming white tile.  A series of scientists talking in urgent low tones to the suited men that he had followed.  A sudden silence broken by the sound of gunshots followed by sprays of blood as his first bullets hit home. That was the advantage gone.  

Alarms sounded.  

Below ground base alerted.  

Booted feet running down corridors.  

A laugh as his world went black.  

[howlingwintercommando]

Sharper in Winter | Bucky, Sharon, Remy, Sam, Rhodey, Strucker

[howlingwintercommando]

 He heard Strucker’s instruction not to let them leave, knew that it was inevitable that he would command that.  There was no way that they would want to let any of them go alive.  He’d expected no less.  Strucker’s shot went wildly awry as Rhodey fired at the ceiling.  

Bucky stared as the rubble came cascading down revealing exactly what was happening.  He’d seen the footage from New York, had seen what had come through the portal that had been opened then.  That it was happening now, again, seemed almost ludicrous, and yet it was.  He looked back to their enemies in the room.  

He saw Strucker take aim at him, heard the cold words, the tone of voice one that struck home far more than he would have liked to admit, the words still more so, taking him back in an instant to when that’s all he’d been.  Their asset.  Not human.  Just a weapon to be used.  A split second was all it took, more instinct than anything more, as Strucker raised to fire, even as he was speaking Bucky moved, enough that the shot missed by a fraction.  

The words burned into his mind but he listened instead to Steve’s instructions, forcing a slight laugh at the message from Natasha.  “Roger that.  Haven’t been shot yet.”  

He glanced to the rest of the team.  “Orders are through.  Secure Strucker, take him down.  We’ll take out the guards then we need to get outside asap and work as backup for the teams out there.”  

[justatrainingexercise]

Go time.

And it was almost as though they had practiced this; Sharon cut off Strucker’s next order for HYDRA to evacuate, then set about securing him as Remy and Rhodey covered Sam so he could shut down the machine. Unfortunately, Sam’s next report was that the machine was off, which didn’t bode particularly well…

“Hey, Sam, not to be that guy, but the portal’s still there.”

Jim paused to deck the nearest HYDRA guy – he couldn’t unleash too much firepower in this small a space without risking friendly fire – and switched to the private comm line with Tony and Pepper.

“I’m sure you’re seeing what I’m seeing, and we can’t seem to get it to go away,” he said, glancing back to check on Sam’s progress with the machine. He was about to warn one of them in particular about not flying anywhere near that thing without him, but he was interrupted by something large, heavy, and vicious landing on his back. He ended up swearing instead, and gee, wouldn’t that put Tony at ease –

“Shit,” he hissed again. Another hostile landed in front of him.

And it was a fucking alien.

[avengers-mansionnpc]

No. No. His men were not equipped for this, and he could only begin to imagine what may come pouring through this damned portal, and there was word of more Avengers outside, corralling his soldiers, dammit, dammit –

<<Our mission has failed – >>

Too soon, the woman was closing in, and before he could officially order an evacuation, he was engaged in combat with her. Hand-to-hand combat wasn’t his strong suit, however, and he was just on the verge of being overthrown when diabolic salvation fell from the sky. Hailing extraterrestials may not have been Strucker’s objective, but if this was what he had to work with, work with it he would, especially since the portal itself was likely all the beacon his men needed to evacuate.

<<Destroy the machine!>> he yelled at his nearest men, even as more alien monsters rained down around them. <<Do not let them leave with this technology!>>

He turned back to the intruders and began to empty the remainder of the clip at the woman who attacked him and the man who was tinkering with his machine. He would not let them leave with his work, even if it hadn’t quite turned out as he’d planned.

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky took a glance round the room, listening to Steve’s check in over the comms.  The fact that the portal wasn’t shutting down even though Sam had made the call that the machine was off was a hitch that wasn’t going to make life any easier, but they had their orders and were working well as a team.  

"Sharon, Remy, we take down the remaining agents.  Rhodey, Sam, stash any that are left alive in the side room.  We need to get this room cleared and get our asses out there.  Rescuers are on their way to work on gettin’ this portal shut down so we’re workin’ backup for the Avengers outside.”  Any that survived would be useful at least for questioning and locked down so that they were at least no longer a threat.  There were bigger, more alien problems at hand.   

“Fucking aliens.”  He muttered under his breath.  “Who the fuck thinks bringing aliens to the party’s a good idea?”  He wondered vaguely if it had felt that surreal to the Avengers in New York when the chitauri had invaded.  Despite having visited Asgard, and hell that had been a whole other kinda weird, it felt different having aliens invading his home planet.  

The team, although they’d been thrown together was flowing in a way that made him smile to himself, even as they cleared the room and headed outside to where the fray was in full swing.

[howlingwintercommando]

Most wonderful time of the year | Natasha and Bucky

[howlingwintercommando]

The air stank of explosives, of smoke, of concrete dust, the bitter taint of ash on his tongue.  Bucky coughed, wincing at the pain it caused.  He blinked, shifting slightly to get a read on where he was, how much space he had, what kind of shape he was in.  

He swallowed, tasting the metallic tang of blood as he paused.  Still functional.  Mentally he ran through the situation.  The blast had forced him forwards, sending him into the side of the room, and the resulting destruction had left him with what amounted to a crawl space around him, something that he could map out easily as he pulled a small flashlight from his belt.  

Getting out though was something that he was not looking forward to.  He had been in the lowest level of the compound which meant that the likelihood of scanners picking up on life signs were extremely limited.  It also meant that digging his own way out simply wasn’t a viable option while the blast had knocked out the comm link he’d had.  

He shifted again, gritting his teeth as he did, rubbing his right hand over his face, thankful for the mask and goggles that had protected him from the worst of the dust and debris.   “She’s gonna fuckin’ kill me...” He muttered under his breath.  

There was, he knew, only so much oxygen which meant that staying put was certain death.  The only option left as a potential opening was the trapdoor where the target and his associates had disappeared.  He moved again, re-positioning himself as best he could and started to systematically move chunks of debris to widen the space to allow him access to further into the room, joining air pockets and spaces together, pausing as he did to make sure that he wasn’t going to cause a further cave in.  It was slow, laborious work, and he could feel sweat mingling with blood, stinging as it trickled across his skin, could feel his body screaming at him as he pushed onwards.  

When he felt the metal edges of the trapdoor he felt an overwhelming relief, fingers raw from tugging at the concrete and debris.  He reached out, digging the metal fingers of his left hand into the buckled edge of the metal, taking as deep a breath as he could before he wrenched it hard, tearing it open, leaving a yawning hole, and a sudden rush of cold air that was like an elixir after the close, stinking air that he’d been surrounded by.  

Without hesitating he wriggled forward until he could drop down through the hole, feet finding the stone stairway, lit by sickly neon lights beneath.  He began making his way down, feeling an absolute determination to get out of there, to find his way home once again.  

[howlingwintercommando]

Most wonderful time of the year | Natasha and Bucky

[howlingwintercommando]

Bucky paused, crouching down a short distance from the base, using a dip in the terrain to conceal his presence.  

It felt off.  

He let out a slow breath, frowning as he tallied the guards once again, his gaze running across the scene, searching for something that was out of place, something that hinted at it not being all that it seemed.  There was nothing that gave any indication that there was anything wrong.  He paused for another couple of beats before moving in closer, waiting again as he surveyed the area once more.  

There was no reason to pull back save for gut instinct.  He frowned and bit the inside of his lip before querying it with the mission handler.  The response was a curt negative to any further intelligence and an order to wait while they ran a few checks on the original information.  

He felt his phone vibrate against his side, someone leaving a message.  With a sigh he pulled it out, briefly checking who it was from.  

Steve.  

Who knew that he and Natasha were on a mission which meant that it could only be something vital, something that needed to be heard.  The message was brief and to the point but it felt like a punch in the gut.  “Jesus Stevie...”  He breathed softly, knowing just how much Peggy had meant to him.  He cursed softly under his breath, typing out a quick message.  

Shit, punk...I’m sorry.  She was a good woman, but you know that.  Let me know if you need anything.  Should hopefully be back tomorrow latest.  I don’t know what to say, not really, except whatever you need, you got it okay?  

He hit send and shoved his phone away again, pushing back those thoughts, dragging his head back into the mission as he got the go ahead to proceed once more.  

There was no more time to think about anything external to the mission, not Steve, not Natasha, none of it.  He dispatched the guards on the gates, knowing that it was from that point just a matter of getting through there and surviving.  

The world shrank down in those moments as he moved through the base, a cacophony of noise and motion, everything hyper-real, crystal cut clarity that made it seem as if everything had slowed down.  It was what he had been made for, and what he knew he did well.  He followed down into the depths of the base, ignoring the alarms that were going off, time was of the essence to get to the target, and the man who had come to join him. 

As he reached the epicentre of the building he wrenched the door open to see the target and three other suited men disappearing through a trapdoor built into the floor.  

In that split second there was an almighty explosion, rumbling through the building, a bright flash of light, of fire and flame as the building came down.