pairing James B. Barnes x avenger!reader
warnings/tags hurt/comfort, hydra, torture, use of y/n, avengers!reader, fem!reader, avenger!bucky, angst, fluff, soft!bucky
summary you and Bucky are assigned as a team together on a mission. You thought you were just friends, maybe flirty friends. But when something happens, bucky seems to care much more than ‘just friends’.
a/n I know this is xreader but I gave you specific powers, Your superhero name is ‘Black cat’ and you have the ability to shapeshift into a black cat and a black panther along with having retractable claws. Ok love u
The sound of the quinjet’s engines rumbled through the air as it cut through the darkening sky. The low vibration settled through your bones. The team was spread out around the quinjet, all watching Steve and waiting for his instruction. Steve stood in the center, his hands on the console, standing like a disappointed dad. The team was restless but listening, staring at the holographic map displayed above the console.
Steve began his speech. “Alright, listen up,” his voice was sharp with a sort of calmness to it. “We split into four teams. We hit fast and hit clean. We don’t give them time to react.”
You sat wedged between the wall and Bucky on the benches, fumbling with your fingers. Bucky’s arm lightly brushed your shoulder, offering a quiet comfort without even trying to.
Steve continued directing the team.
“Sam, you’re with me. East wing.”
“Tony, Wanda, you take North.”
Wanda stared straight ahead, slightly nodding, while Tony just smirked.
Clint spun one of his arrows between his fingers before speaking up. “Date night, Romanoff?”
Nat just shook her head with the faintest hint of a smile. Steve then turned to you and Bucky.
Bucky didn’t say anything, but his demeanor shifted slightly, almost looking more at ease. You nudged his arm and he turned to you.
“Guess you’re stuck with me.”
Bucky let out a slight smile before becoming serious again. “Stay close.”
The team watched the interaction with mixed reactions. Sam leaned toward Steve. “Five bucks they start dating.”
Steve just shook his head and you looked up, narrowing your eyes at Sam. “I can hear you, bird brain.”
Bucky ignored all of it, still staring straight ahead, slightly toward the ground. You reached over and took his flesh hand between your fingers. Bucky didn’t pull away.
The quinjet landed a mile out. From there, it was all dark trees and foliage. The HYDRA base stood ahead, half-hidden in rocks and steel. The team split up quickly into their respective groups, each peeling off toward their entry points.
Bucky moved first, naturally slipping into the leading position. You followed close behind, light on your feet, claws out and ready. Every few seconds, Bucky’s gaze flickered back to you.
You caught his eyes once. “I’m fine.”
Two guards rounded a corner, and before you could make a move, Bucky raised his rifle and shot both down with precision. You gave him a nod of approval before he continued forward.
Bucky placed himself between you and every enemy, not letting you get a single chance to throw one of your knives unless necessary. It had become instinct, something he didn’t question or try to hide. You noticed anyway, meaning to say something about being able to handle yourself, but never getting the right chance.
You and Bucky cleared two more rooms before finding it, a large steel room with cabinets and shelves of files covering the walls. In the center sat a console filled with obvious plans and names that could help take HYDRA down once and for all.
Your eyes lit up slightly as you moved toward the console. Bucky stayed near the door, keeping watch. As you looked around, you spoke up.
“This is big, experiments, locations… this could take them d-”
You were cut off by a metallic clanging sound. Both you and Bucky froze as metal doors slammed down over the exits. Bucky ran to the door and slammed his metal fist into it once before realizing it wouldn’t budge.
You tried your comms, pressing it once, only to hear static. A crackling voice filled the room.
The Russian accent was thick and deliberate. You looked at Bucky and saw him frozen in a way that had nothing to do with the mission.
Bucky growled, “What do you want?”
A soft chuckle echoed through the speakers. “We’ve been waiting for this. We’ve been studying you, watching you…”
Bucky said nothing. The silence stretched.
“We tried to bring our prized possession back. But you… you are no longer loyal.”
Your stomach dropped. You looked back at Bucky and, for the first time, you saw something in his eyes, a flicker of fear.
“Especially now that those words are gone.”
Bucky’s head snapped up toward the speakers. “How do you-”
“We have eyes everywhere, Soldat. You should have been more careful. Especially with your… attachments.”
“Like the pretty little dove in the room with you.”
Bucky’s expression darkened instantly. Then, a hiss. White mist began pouring into the room from the ceiling. Bucky reacted instantly, moving to your side and covering your mouth and nose with his glove as you grabbed his arm.
The voice chuckled again. “Don’t be silly. It has no effect on enhanced individuals.”
It felt as though something was forced down your throat. You jerked as tingling spread through your body, followed by a burning in your throat. You coughed hard. Your legs felt like jelly.
You dropped to the floor, and Bucky caught you before your knees hit the concrete.
“As for those without that special serum…”
You began shaking, feeling as though all the air had been stolen from your lungs. You clawed at your throat, feeling like you were underwater. Bucky lowered you, your head resting in his lap.
“Breathe, doll. It’s okay, just breathe.”
You would normally have teased him for the nickname, but you had no thought for that now. Pain spread through your body, your veins feeling like they were on fire. You squirmed in his arms, fingers weakly clutching his suit as you tried to pull in air that wouldn’t come.
“It’s okay, doll. Just stay with me.”
A shock of fire tore through your body and you jolted, crying out in pain. Bucky looked around wildly, searching for anything, anything that could help.
The voice came once more. “Hail Hydra.”
Your body arched as you shook violently, a strangled scream tearing from your throat. Your hearing faded in and out as you saw Bucky’s lips moving, though you could barely understand him. Minutes dragged on. The pain worsened. Your breathing and cries weakened.
Tears streamed down your face as your vision blurred. A loud bang echoed as the door was forced open.
The team rushed in, Steve leading them. “What happened?!”
Bucky didn’t look away from you as he answered sharply, “They gassed her.”
Tony swore under his breath. “We need to move, Bruce might be able to-”
Bucky didn’t let him finish. He picked you up and ran.
The quinjet felt too small, too chaotic, too loud. Bucky gently placed you on the medical table. Bruce immediately stepped in, asking what happened. Steve answered while Bucky held your hand.
“Unknown gas. Doesn’t effect super soldiers.”
Bucky stepped back to give Bruce space, but you gasped and reached blindly for him, crying out. He immediately returned, taking your hand again and whispering soft reassurances.
Bruce pulled out a large needle. “I may be able to extract it from her lungs, but it’ll hurt.”
Steve looked at Bucky, then back at Bruce. “She’s already in pain. Do it.”
Steve motioned for Bucky and him to hold you down. Bucky held your hands, kissing your knuckles and brushing your hair back. Steve held your legs steady as Bruce plunged the needle into your chest.
You let out a scream before everything went black.
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