Chapter 1
This was the second day since Bucky had shown up at his apartment in Brooklyn. It had left him constantly on edge.
Ever since his investigation with Sam, he knew for a fact that Bucky had settled in Bucharest. After he recovered from the fall of the helicarrier, he made a trip there once just to check on Bucky. He kept his distance, lurking in the shadows and hiding under his black baseball cap.
“We can leave now, Sam.” His voice trembled a little over the phone, “I heard him talking to the fruit stand owner. He said he’s fine.”
“Why don’t you just go talk to him, man? Or bring him back to the States.” Sam shouted over the engine noise at the airport, “Don’t tell me you came all the way to Europe just to spy on him buying fruit.”
He watched Bucky disappear across the street.
“I know,” he sighed, his gaze fixed on Bucky. Every fiber of his being screamed to embrace Bucky and never let go. “But he doesn’t want to be found.”
After that, Sam called him a creepy stalker, but he was relieved that Bucky seemed to be getting it together. He always trusted Bucky. He believed that Bucky would remember him someday, and he was prepared to wait as long as it takes.
That day had arrived.
It felt like a dream. He opened his apartment door and saw Bucky standing there, in the flesh.
His voice caught in his throat, tears threatening to spill over.
“Bucky. You remembered me.” That was his first thought. It was the only possibility. He almost cried saying it.
“Yes, sir.”
The Asset remembered Steve.
The Asset remembered Steve on that helicarrier, but he wasn't sure at that time. It wasn’t his fault. He was constantly being brainwashed. If Steve really wanted him to remember, he shouldn’t have had him brainwashed in the first place.
Your memories are a liability
He is blaming a handler again. It's a malfunction. He shouldn’t blame his handlers.
You think you're special, Barnes?
When he fled to Bucharest and the pieces started to fit together, he knew what went wrong. Steve was his first handler. They were in Europe 70 years ago. They had fought together, bled together. He didn’t remember everything, but there were recordings in the museum. That was why Steve looked like that on that bridge. The flicker of recognition in his eyes. Steve had found his lost asset.
He shouldn't leave his handler.
If Steve is his handler, why did Hydra send him to kill Steve?
Conflicting orders.
He attacked his handler. He will be punished.
But he was following Secretary Pierce’s orders. Can he have more than one handler?
You should return to your handler after a mission…If you try to run again…
He should return to his handler.
I will chop you to pieces and deliver each fragment to Captain America’s doorstep everyday…
Captain America. That’s Steve. Maybe Steve parted ways with Hydra. Steve had served under Secretary Pierce, so Steve was Hydra. Possibly a high-ranking Hydra operative. But now Secretary Pierce is dead, so Steve is his only handler.
He read on the news that Steve is in Avengers now. Hydra, then SHIELD, now Avengers. It doesn't matter. Rarely has he felt so clear-headed. He writes on his notebook in case he forgets again.
Steve is handler.
Even now, Steve still hasn’t got a chance to think everything through.
His priority was to keep Bucky safe, and his Brooklyn apartment wasn’t safe, especially not for someone on the top 10 most wanted fugitives list. He had to move back to the Avengers Tower to avoid the police or media attention.
“Whoa there, I have enough psychos and convicts here. Why don’t you try somewhere else? Jarvis, what’s the number for Manhattan Psychiatric Center?” Tony removed the welding gloves with his mouth, “Or better yet, how about a call to the FBI? You must have connections there.”
“He’s not a convict, Tony.” Steve lowered his head, “I just need somewhere to keep him safe until I find him a good lawyer.”
“Do the right thing, Steve. Turn him in.” Tony glanced up at him beneath his goggles, “This is the Avengers Tower. Last I checked, he's not an avenger.”
“Tony.” Steve paused a little, “Please.”
“Well that's a first.” Tony finally stopped his work, putting his goggles on his forehead.
“I’ve never asked anything from you. I really need him safe.”
The next day, they moved into an apartment on the 52nd floor. He needed to ensure everyone in the tower was aware of the situation. He hadn’t got the time to fully understand what was happening with Bucky, but he guessed that was going take long. Bucky was too quiet since he went back. He hardly uttered more than ten words, and he always addressed him as “sir”.
Natasha raised her eyebrows when he finished explaining, “You really think they’re gonna give him a trial?”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
He wasn’t sure. He was too preoccupied.
Maybe the former soviet agent was right. Maybe the odds were slimmer than he dared to admit.
“Or I’ll leave with him.” he added, the words slipping out before he could fully process their implications. The words hanging in the air like a threat.
As Natasha's gaze bore into him, he could sense her understanding.
The Asset approaches Steve cautiously. It’s his second day with Steve but Steve hasn’t done anything. He has too many questions he’s not supposed to ask. Is Steve expecting a mission report from him?
Normally the best resort is to wait. To observe and follow orders. He doesn’t want to risk saying anything wrong and give Steve an excuse to punish him. But he has a question he has to ask. It’s been bothering him for days, and he isn’t even sure coming back to Steve is the right choice. Although no punishment has come yet.
It only adds to his mounting anxiety.
You think you can defy me?
Steve just returns and takes a seat beside the dining table, “Bucky, do you want anything to eat? I can make you something. Now everything's in place, we can talk.”
Steve’s voice is so soft.
Oh, I understand you're feeling rebellious...
For a moment, the Asset wanted to accept Steve's offer of food.
Perhaps a little session with our behavioral therapists? They're quite adept at breaking down resistance, you know.
“Sir,” he murmurs.
Steve had told him the first day, 'You… you don’t have to call me sir Bucky. Why…Why are you calling me sir?'
His voice was always so soft. But it was a trick question.
It was like those times Pierce had said to him, You don’t have to do this. But don’t you want to? Don’t you want to show us how good you can be?
And then of course he had to do it. Because he knew his place.
He places his SIG Sauer on the table, with the barrel pointing to himself.
Steve seems startled.
“Bucky…Bucky you don’t need to carry a gun in the tower. You’re safe” Steve reassures him, his voice tinged with concern.
I truly hope it doesn't come to this, but if you insist on testing my patience...
The Asset knows better.
I may have to resort to more... persuasive methods
“It’s not for me.” his voice barely above a whisper. He’s confused again. Does Steve not know the rules?
“What do you mean?” Steve slowly reaches for the gun on the table.
“You might need it.”
The handler must remain armed around the asset. They need to be ready to immobilize or deactivate the asset if necessary.
Pierce had always kept a gun near him. He remembered Pierce killed the housemaid with this gun.
You should provide your handler with the necessary equipment when they forget
“Bucky, I’m safe too. Thank you. But I promise, We don’t need it here.” A faint smile tugs at the corners of Steve’s lips.
“Come here, sit.”
The Asset hesitates for a moment before obeying Steve's order.
It makes sense. Steve is not like Pierce. Steve is faster, stronger, and more inclined to violence if needed. He’s an enhanced super soldier. Steve doesn’t need a gun to exert control or inflict harm. He is capable of overpowering the Asset with sheer physical power alone.
Steve is the only handler physically superior than the Asset. Steve had come dangerously close to ending him on the helicarrier. The Asset has no doubt that he can do it again.
“Yes sir.” He responds instinctively.
“Don’t…Bucky, don’t call me sir.” It seems like Steve’s about to cry again.
Steve is so unpredictable.
You've got a mouth on you, soldier
“What should I call you?” Despite the fear, he manages to ask in an even voice.
You think I won't rip that tongue right out of your mouth...
“Just… Steve. Do you…Do you remember me Bucky?”
Steve's eyes are wet but he is smiling. It is so hard to read Steve's facial expression.
He starts to dislike Steve already.
“Yes Steve.” His tone tinged with a hint of resentment.
“Are you carrying any other weapon with you? It’s okay if you want to keep it. If you don’t feel safe.” Steve’s hand inches forward, “But I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Steve touches his hand.
The Asset's gaze flickers to Steve's hand, its touch sending unfamiliar warmth coursing through his veins, heat spreading from his hand along his arm.
“…are safe now.”
The asset stares at his hand. It feels so good. He feels like he’s melting in Steve's hand.
“Bucky?”
He snaps out of it. He isn’t paying attention. He isn’t listening to his handler.
Will Pierce slap him?
No, he’s with Steve.
Will Steve slap him?
“Yes Steve.” He freezes for a second.
Steve seems sad again. What did he do this time?
The silence is suffocating. Steve doesn't say anything.
He is so frustrated. Even Pierce provides more instructions than Steve ever does.
Was Steve so difficult to work with 70 years ago? Maybe it was a good thing Hydra took him from Steve.
They remain silent for some time until it's too much for the Asset. Is Steve planning punishment again? It sends a chill down his spine. He has to ask his question before Steve implements punishment.
“Steve,” He murmured.
Steve's head snapped up, his eyes lighting up with a glimmer of hope. “Yes, yeah?”
“Can I see my commander?”