#john walker slander

“I don’t give a damn if Dr. Raynor is processing his taxes,” you cut in sharply. “He shouldn’t have been arrested in the first place.”

The woman’s eyes dart toward the hallway as the door finally creaks open. Bucky steps out in handcuffs, flanked by two officers and the infamous Dr. Raynor herself.

You push off the counter, anger boiling low and hot. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Raynor doesn’t even look fazed. “He missed his mandatory session.”

“He missed it because you scheduled it at the same time as his mission debrief,” you snap. “What was he supposed to do, leave Sam in the middle of—what do you call it—government-sanctioned chaos?”

Raynor gives you the patronizing look of someone who has read too many psychology textbooks and forgotten how to be human. “He’s a flight risk—”

You step closer, voice low and firm. “He’s a person, not a parole case. You don’t get to humiliate him because it makes you feel in control.”

Bucky’s eyes flicker up to you. There’s gratitude there—shy, quiet—but behind it, exhaustion. You soften, just for him, reaching out to brush your fingers over his metal wrist before glaring back at Raynor.

“Uncuff him,” you demand.

The guard looks hesitant, but one glance from Bucky’s glacial expression has the cuffs clicking loose. You take his hand immediately, flesh meeting cool vibranium, and tilt your chin up.

“Let’s go, soldier.”

Outside, the late afternoon air feels too sharp, like the city itself knows how close you are to snapping. Bucky’s still silent beside you, shoulders drawn tight beneath his leather jacket, jaw grinding.

“Y’know,” you mutter, “I get that you’re trying to ‘make amends,’ but next time someone slaps cuffs on you for breathing wrong, maybe call me first before I have to threaten a federal therapist.”

His lips twitch. “Didn’t want to get you in trouble.”

“Bucky,” you deadpan, “you are my trouble.”

He smirks faintly, the first sign of life since you saw him dragged out of the precinct. You squeeze his hand, about to tease him again—

—and then you see him.

John Walker.

Standing near a parked black SUV, smug grin plastered across his face, shield strapped to his arm like it’s part of his damn ego.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” you hiss under your breath.

Bucky immediately tenses, a low growl working its way out of his throat. “Don’t,” he mutters.

You arch a brow. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t engage.”

You roll your eyes. “I’m not the one who engages, baby. I’m the one who finishes.”

Walker spots you both and saunters over like he owns the sidewalk. “Barnes! There you are. Was just about to check if you needed a ride back to your babysitter.”

You step forward before Bucky can answer. “He’s got one, thanks. And unless your job description includes harassing civilians, you can go crawl back to whatever PR department’s trying to make you likeable.”

Walker’s grin falters, and Bucky’s lip twitches in quiet amusement. But then Walker looks between you and Bucky, eyes narrowing.

“Girlfriend, huh?” he says, tone just a shade too condescending. “Guess even ex-assassins can land a date these days.”

Bucky’s hand tightens in yours. “You need to walk away,” he warns, voice low, controlled.

But Walker’s the kind of man who doesn’t understand warnings until they come with consequences.

He steps closer. “Relax, pal. You’re on thin ice already. Don’t make it worse—”

“Thin ice?” you echo, incredulous. “You threw him in jail for missing a therapy session. Meanwhile, your entire personality is built on stealing another man’s shield. You’re lucky you’re not in cuffs.”

Walker’s smile turns sharp. “Careful, sweetheart. You don’t want to—”

“Finish that sentence,” you cut in, eyes flashing. “I dare you.”

That’s when it happens.

Bucky moves first, stepping between you and Walker with a hard shove. “Back. Off.”

Walker, never the bigger man, shoves back. It’s childish, testosterone and pride in full display, but before Bucky can retort—Walker swings.

You don’t think. You just move.

Instinct, pure and fast—you jump in front of Bucky, arms up, voice halfway through shouting his name when Walker’s fist connects.

The world tilts. Pain blooms across your cheek, sharp and immediate. You stumble back, hand flying to your face, eyes wide.

Everything goes quiet after that.

Walker’s face drains of color, realization slamming into him too late. “Oh—shit—I didn’t—”

Bucky’s already gone.

One heartbeat, two—and then he’s on Walker like a storm breaking open. The metallic ring of his arm echoes as it catches the light mid-swing.

“You hit her?” Bucky snarls, grabbing Walker by the vest and slamming him into the side of the SUV. “You hit her?”

Walker tries to speak, but Bucky’s metal hand is already wrapped around his throat, not enough to crush—but enough to remind him he could.

“I didn’t—Barnes, I didn’t mean to—”

“Don’t you dare say my name.”

His voice drops an octave, dark and dangerous. “You think wearing that shield makes you a hero? You don’t even understand what it means. Steve would’ve dropped you on your ass for breathing wrong—let alone laying a hand on her.”

Walker chokes, eyes darting toward you. “Call him off—”

You step closer, still holding your cheek, voice shaking but furious. “If I do, you’re lucky he only breaks your pride.”

Bucky looks at you then, eyes blazing, breath coming hard. But the second he sees your face—the swelling, the forming bruise—something in him snaps back.

He releases Walker like he’s touching something filthy. Walker coughs, stumbling to the pavement, and Bucky’s already at your side.

“Hey, hey, doll,” he murmurs, hands cupping your face with heartbreaking gentleness. “You okay? Did he—?”

“I’m fine,” you say, though your voice cracks. “You didn’t have to—”

“Yes, I did.” His tone leaves no room for argument.

Sirens wail faintly down the street—someone must’ve called it in—and Walker staggers upright, rubbing his throat, glaring but smart enough not to open his mouth again.

Bucky turns just enough to snarl, “You come near her again, and that shield won’t protect you.”

Then his hand finds yours again, guiding you away from the mess, from the flashing lights, from the man who doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air.

By the time you’re back at Sam’s safehouse, your cheek is throbbing, and Bucky’s pacing like a caged animal.

“Buck,” you whisper, touching his arm.

He stops. Turns. His eyes are still wild. “He hit you.”

“He hit me because I jumped in front of you,” you remind softly. “And you scared him enough that he won’t ever try that again.”

He swallows hard, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter. Should’ve seen it coming.”

You step closer, sliding your fingers up his chest, grounding him. “What matters is that you didn’t lose control. You chose to stop. That’s what makes you different, baby.”

Bucky exhales slowly, the tension finally bleeding from his shoulders. His forehead drops against yours.

“Still gonna break his nose next time,” he mutters.

You smile faintly. “I won’t stop you.”

His lips find your bruised cheek in a featherlight kiss, reverent, remorseful. “Nobody touches what’s mine.”

Your pulse stutters, heart tumbling in your chest. “Then you better keep me close, Barnes.”

"And then boom," You continue, "Just like that, it goes right back to the way it used to be. To them," You gesture your hand to the doors, pointing out the peoples.

"At least Karli's doin' something." Sam finishes, making you nod along in agreement. Karli might have been a supremacist, but she was still a kid who wanted to set things right. You and Sam could get behind that.

"You really think her ends justify her means?"Bucky's eyes flicker between you and Sam. "Then she's no different than him or anybody else we've fought."

"She's different," Sam bid, "She's not motivated by the same things."

You turn your head to look at Zemo, who walked in with a tray in his grasp, balancing a teapot and four small teacups.

"That little girl," Bucky recounts, glaring daggers into the baron as he set the tray down. "What'd she tell you?"

Zemo doesn't answer at first, his focus on keeping the teapot steady whilst trying to pour each of you a cup. His eyes drag up, looking at Bucky and Sam before landing on you. Sighing in defeat, he placed the teapot down. "The funeral is this afternoon,"

"You know the Dora's coming after you any minute." Bucky teases as Zemo swallows thickly. "In fact, they're probably lurking outside right now. Keep taking."

"Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli. Hmm..." Zemo scoffs, shaking his head as he picks up a piping cup of tea. "I prefer to keep my leverage."

Bucky pushes off the couch, standing to his feet, prowling his way to the baron. You share a knowing look with Sam as if you both knew what was about to go down. As soon as Bucky was face to face with Zemo, he rips the glass out of his hands and sends it flying, leaving the glass to shatter against the wall.

"You wanna see what someone can do with leverage?" Bucky snapped, his eyes boring into Zemo's.

"Take it easy," Sam interrupts, standing from the couch to place a hand on Bucky, trying to keep him from ripping Zemo's head off. You shook your head, brushing your hair back with your fingers. And I thought I had anger issues.

"Don't engage him. He's just gonna extort you and do that stupid head tilt thing." Sam comments as Zemo tilted his head. He frowned softly, fixing his head once Sam had mentioned it. "Let me make a call," Sam mumbles, going to walk into the other room as he smacked Bucky's shoulder.

"You want some cherry blossom tea?" Zemo asks, fear coming up his throat as Bucky continued staring him down before flickering his eyes to you.

"No, you go ahead," He nods, looking back at Zemo before walking away.

As soon as he was out of sight, Zemo exhaled a heavy breath, swallowing the fear back down.

"Don't mind him, Z," You grunt, fixing your position on the couch before leaning forward to grab yourself a cup of cherry blossom tea. "He's not pissed at you, he's pissed at me." You explain, taking a light sip, as to not burn your tongue.

Zemo cracks his neck, hiking down his collar before looking over at you, his expression full of curiosity. "Z?" He mutters, almost smiling at the nickname you had given him.

"Yeah, Zemo sounds like an asshole. Z isn't...Z is an old friend from college who used to party hard, but now he's a dad, and he has bills to pay, but when we call him Z, it makes him feel good." You chuckle, shrugging as you took another sip, "This is good, by the way," You add, gesturing to the cup of tea.

"Thank you. It's an old family recipe," Zemo beams, grabbing himself another cup as he took a seat beside you. "I'll give it to you. If you want, of course."

"I'd appreciate that," You answered, smiling softly as you looked down at the bright red liquid in your cup.

"What happened between you and James?" Zemo inquired, breaking the silence as his face twisted into curiosity before softening his features. "If you don't mind me asking,"

You inhaled deeply, cradling the mug in your grasp as your eyes met Zemo's. "Uhmm..." You hummed, pondering the right words to explain the situation as well as how you were feeling.

"If you don't want to relive that, I would not blame you," Zemo assures, taking of sip from his cup as well. "Remembering things that hurt you can be very damaging to your mental health, but confronting them can also make you stronger, in a sense."

You look at Zemo, watching him as he looked off into the distance, almost as if he remembered something that hurt him. Helmut Zemo was not a bad person, he did bad things, but that didn't make him a monster. He had lost his family because of Ultron and, you knew he blamed the Avengers, which is why you didn't question his motives. You would have done the same.

"I'm sorry about your family, Z," You sigh, tearing your eyes away from the side of his face. "If I'd of known-"

"Don't apologize, Y/N. Nothing could have stopped it. I know that now." He whispers, still staring ahead. "Whatever James did, I'm sure he did it for a reason. I'm not saying this to make you forgive him, but letting go of grudges is healthy."

"I'd never thought I'd hear that from you," You joke, chuckling softly as you playfully elbowed the man beside you. "But, thank you. I know I said I would kill you but, dare that I admit...you're kinda growing on me."

Zemo turned to look at you, raising his glass for a toast. "To not killing each other,"

"I'll drink to that," You grinned, tapping your glass against his.

"Karli Morgenthau is too dangerous to be pulling this shit!" John Walker fumes, footsteps stomping down the street with Lemar hot on his trail. He was sporting red, white, and blue from head to toe, looking even more ridiculous from the last time you saw him.

"Ah!" Bucky exclaims, clearly irritated already. "How'd you find us now?!"

The five of you were heading for Donya's funeral when Lemar and John had spotted the bunch from a distance, and it didn't take much for them to stop you in your footing.

"Come on, man." Lemar scoffs, shaking his head. "You really think three Avengers can walk around Latvia without drawing attention?"

"No more keeping us in the dark!" John demands, jogging down the steps as they made their way over to you. "You could start by telling us why you broke him out of prison!" He motioned to Zemo.

"He did that himself," Buck answers, "Technically,"

"This better be an unbelievable explan-" John starts, going right for the winter soldier.

"Hey," You intervene, stepping out from behind Bucky to block John. "Back off, Walker," You warn, searching his eyes through that stupid mask as you pushed him back softly with your glove-clad hand. "Things could get real messy real fast,"

John takes a step back, exhaling through his nose to calm himself down. Bucky felt slightly taken at how brisk you were to defend him, even if it was as simple as telling John to back off. He took that as a small victory between the two of you.

"Yeah," Sam added, his frown deeper than you'd ever seen it while he looked at John. "Take it easy before things get weird."

"I know where Karli is," Zemo finally spoke up, stepping out to lead the way but not before getting immobilized by John. "Well...?" John inquires, keeping his hand on Zemo's chest. "Where?"

"All we know is, it's a memorial," Sam breathes, clearly not in the mood to explain further. Now he was starting to get the fustration you and Bucky had felt for the man. "So, we're gonna intercept her there."

Zemo grabs John's hand, removing it from his chest as he pushed past to continue leading the way.

"That means civilians. High-risk casualties" Lemar points out, looking to John with worry clouding his features.

"All right," John nods along in agreement, "Good, we'll move in fast and take her by surprise."

"No," Sam grunted, jogging closer to catch up with John. "I wanna talk to her alone."

"I'm not losing her again."

"Look, the person closest to her died, she's vulnerable. If there's any time to reason with her, it's now." Sam explains, hoping that it would make sense to John.

"What?" He frowns, "No, wait, No!" John jogs up ahead, running in front of Zemo and Bucky to make sense of the situation. "Stop, okay?" He snaps, placing his hands in front to keep you at bay. "I think we're way past reasoning with her unless you forgot that she blew up a building with people still in it."

"Sam," Lemar adds, looking to the falcon, "You walk in there cold, she could kill you."

"If I go in hot and the OP goes wrong, more people will die," Sam interjects, sending you an annoyed look. Oh, do I feel his pain.

"You're gonna let him do this?" John asks, his eyes on Bucky as he motioned to Sam. "You're gonna let your partner walk into a room with a super-soldier alone?"

Bucky's gaze hardened as he moved it away from Zemo to look at John. "Sam's dealt with worse. And he's not my partner."

"What about you, Y/N?" John asks, making your ears perk at your name being called. You stare at him. "You okay with letting Sam walk in alone?"

"First off, fake Cap," You comment, holding up your finger to silence him, "Sam is a grown-ass man. I don't tell him what to do. Secondly..." You tried not to smile as you took in the nasty scowl John gave you at your use of his nickname. You had struck a nerve. "He used to counsel soldiers with trauma. This is right in his wheelhouse,"

"Yeah," John gripes, gritting his teeth to hold back the anger. "I know. And I know those soldiers, which is why I know this is a bad idea,"

"Wait, John," Lemar murmured, looking up from the ground. "If he can talk her down, it might be worth a try."

John sighs heavily, looking at the four of you as he closed his eyes in defeat. "Fine!" He said firmly, "We'll deal with you later," He points at Zemo.

"I'm sure it will all come to an agreeable conclusion." Zemo nods, holding his hands up in defense. "My associate is just up ahead," He notes, leading the way as he picked up the pace to meet the little girl from earlier.

"Fake cap?" Bucky whispered, playfully elbowing your side.

"Don't," You grumble, waving your hand in dismissal. "I'm not in the mood."

"Really?" Zemo sighs, glancing down at the handcuffs that John put on him, along with attaching them to a water heater.

"You got ten minutes, Wilson." John insists, "Then we're doing things my way," And Sam heads inside to meet with Karli.

You had agreed to wait on the outside with Bucky and Zemo, but you never agreed with having to deal with fake Cap and Lemar. You had nothing against Lemar since he seemed to be the more rational one out of the duo. Maybe he should've been Captain America.

"Handcuffs?" You scoffed, shaking your head at the blond as you leaned against the wall beside Bucky. "Really?"

"What?" John insists, somewhat taking offense from your tone of voice.

"Real Cap wouldn't have needed those," You shrug, crossing your arms over your chest. "But what do I know, right?"

"Y/N," Bucky warned, his head rising to send you a cautious look. Although he found the teasing funny, he knew that John didn't. He couldn't help but recall the small threat John had sent your way earlier, even if he said it wasn't.

"What?" You say in disbelief, raising your hands in defense as you uncross your arms, pushing off the wall, slowly stepping closer to John. "You know I'm just teasing, right Johnny?" You asked, looking up at him through your lashes, trying to play the innocent card.

John stares at you, holding the shield a bit closer as he grounded his jaw. Teasing or not, you still pissed him off. Like no other woman has before. "Right," He agreed, nodding his head once.

"See Buck?!" You exclaim, glancing behind your shoulder to look at the winter soldier who was now right behind you. "Fake Cap agrees!" You clap softly, looking back at the blond.

And that's when John lost it. "What's your problem?!" He spat, his body now just a few inches away from yours. You could feel Bucky wanting to step in front of you, but you shook your head. This wasn't his fight. "What do you have against me, Y/N?" Your name was like venom dripping from his mouth, the amount of hatred he had for you was starting to make itself known and you were more than happy to engage.

"What are you gonna do?" You whispered calmly, taking a step closer to the man in stripes. "Huh, Walker? Are you gonna hit me?" You stare him down, keeping your other hand behind your back to keep Bucky at bay. He didn't need another therapy mandate, especially for hitting Walker. "Before we go at it, let me remind you..." You breathe, keeping yourself calm, "I was a trained assassin before I joined the Avengers, I don't recommend starting something that will end in me winning," You finished, shooting him a cocky smile.

"Is that a threat?" John stepped closer, challenging your assertiveness as well the dominance you were clearly displaying.

"No, no," You shake your head in disapproval. "I'm just fact-checking."

"Alright," Bucky grunted, stepping in front of you now. "Let's quit while we're ahead. Seriously, back up, John,"

"What? She started it!" John whined, pointing to you while Bucky sent you back a few steps.

"Really, we're playing the blame game? Real mature, Walker," You scoff, "Stay mad!"

"Both of you!" Lemar belts, gaining your and Johns's attention. "Jesus, you guys are like little kids. John, you're really arguing over who started it?"

"Lemar-"

"Dude, seriously. I wouldn't engage," Lemar advises, his eyes flickering over to you. "She looks like she can take you."

You smile, taking that as a compliment. "Thank you, Battlestar. Appreciate you,"

Lemar's face flushed, feeling his cheeks burn at your use of his superhero name. "Yeah," He grinned, straightening out his posture, blushing profusely. "N...No problem, Y/N."

"Battlestar?" Bucky mouthed, turning his body to face you but you only shrug.

"You know what?" John utters, not liking the tension you just created, "I'm going in,"

"It hasn't even been ten minutes, John," Bucky said, his voice bored. "Just sit tight." You looked at Bucky, feeling the annoyance practically radiating off of his demeanor.

"Don't do that, don't patronize me!"

"Sam knows what he's doing," You add, watching Bucky as he stepped in front of the doorway, blocking John's way.  "I'm going in!" John pressed just as Bucky pushes him back, making him halt in his steps.

John's eyes slowly drag down, looking at Bucky's hand placed on his chest to keep him back. "This is all really easy for you, isn't it?" John hissed, "All that serum running through your veins." His eyes meet the winter soldiers once again.

"Easy?" You scoff, crossing your arms over your chest. "Since when did you think Bucky has had it easy?"

"Y/N, it's..."

"No," You cut Bucky off, dropping your hands as you stepped closer to John. "It's not okay. Not once in the eighty years that Bucky has been alive has he had it easy." You say as a matter-of-factly. "He's had it harder than any of us combined, so don't you fucking stand there and act as if you got something to be angry about."

John stares at you, jaw slightly dropped as if he didn't know what to say. You could feel Bucky's eyes burning holes on the side of your head, but you couldn't bother to look at him. "If anything, Bucky should be angry," You sigh, taking in your own words right as you said them. That might've been the most hypocritical thing I've ever said. "Neither of us know what the hell he's been through..." You whispered, looking to the ground for a second before settling your focus back on John. "So don't pretend as if you do."