Us
The smoke cleared and both Bucky and Peter were gone.
As soon as Tony could see again he was looking around frantically. “Peter!” There was no answer and Tony couldn't see him anywhere, “Peter!!” He couldn’t breath, and not just because of the smoke that had filled his lungs, but because Peter was gone. The boy he had grown to love as a son was gone.
He didn’t even realize he had started crying until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He followed it and found that it belonged to Steve and he too had tears in his eyes. At first Tony was confused why Steve would be crying, but then, when he made another attempt to look around to find Peter, he saw that Bucky was gone as well.
Steve’s frightened grief stricken expression turned to anger and dread as his gaze shifted. Tony slowly followed his sight line, not even sure he wanted to see what he was looking at, but when he did he felt all the air rush out of him. One of the men in black tactical gear was lying unconscious in front of them, but the uniform wasn’t all black. On his bicep there was a red circle with a black octopus on it. Although it wasn’t an octopus, it only had six tentacles and the head was a skull. Hydra.
Since it was both Peter and Bucky who were taken it wasn’t surprising it was Hydra, but it didn’t make it any less devastating and terrifying. Tony couldn’t tear his eyes away from the black and red patch on he guy’s arm.
That symbol encompassed so much in such a tiny piece of fabric. It was a symbol of evil more than anything else. It made so many thoughts race through Tony’s mind. The fact that Peter was kidnapped, again. The fact that Bucky was kidnapped for a third time. The fact that he may never see Peter again, although he didn’t want his mind to go there, if it stayed there too long he might just stop breathing all together. The fact that Peter had been free less than a month and now was right back where they started. Although he prayed he wasn’t; prayed he wouldn’t be put back on that table and used as a lab rat again. But the one thought that was at the forefront of his mind; the one that wouldn’t stop repeating in his head was that fact that he lied. He broke one of his promises to Peter.
He broke those two words that made Peter trust him. Two words that gave the boy hope and made him feel safe. Two words that are now rendered completely meaningless and fake. He didn’t just break one promise, but arguably the most important promise he ever made to Peter. Tony had said, “You're safe. You're never going back there, I promise.” And yet Peter’s the furthest from safe he could be and he’s back there with them. He lied.
He realized someone was trying to get his attention, he doesn’t know how long he was zoned out for though. “Tony you with me?” Bruce said next to him, holding one of his wrists, no doubt to check his pulse. He knows he has a heart condition and that's probably what Bruce is checking on, but without Peter it feels like his heart is gone. Torn from his chest the minute Peter was out of his grasp.
Tony could barely get a word out, he just whispered, “I promised.” His voice breaking. Something about that extra letter added to the end, ’d,’ made those words so devastating. He looked around to see no one else was there besides himself and Bruce. He never even felt the weight of Steve’s hand on his shoulder lift as he left, he can barely feel anything right now. Just numb guilt taking over his entire being.
Bruce spoke a second later, “You've been out of it for a while. The rest went to find a way to get them back.” He stated. At his words Tony completely snapped out of it. He was sitting here staring off into space while Peter was probably scared out of his mind. He stood up quickly ready to tear the world apart to find him. “Whoa, slow down there, your pulse is still worryingly fast.” Bruce’s voice was filled with concern.
Tony ignored him and started jogging out of the room yelling over his shoulder, “Doesn’t matter, the only thing that matters is finding them.”
_____
Peter awoke slowly, his head pounding. He was cold and he didn’t remember going to sleep. He moved his hand to hold his head, but it felt heavier than normal. He peeled his heavy eyelids open to see a black cuff around his wrist. He was more than confused to say the least. He tugged his arm, but only moved a foot until it caught on something. He then saw that the cuff was attached to a chain which was attached to the wall behind him, he was suddenly more aware. His other hand was in the same predicament, only giving a little bit of room to move. He was starting to panic, and that tripled once he noticed he wasn’t alone. With his head pounding he missed the deep breaths almost next to him. He turned to see Bucky slumped against the wall not a foot away. “Bucky!” He whispered in a frightened voice. Bucky did not move. “Bucky please wake up!” He was a little louder this time as he pleaded. He didn’t see any injuries on the man, but he still did not move an inch.
Peter knows they both have a fast metabolism, but he never realized his was even faster than Bucky’s. If theirs was the same surely Bucky would be awake by now. He inched toward him and his chains were luckily just long enough for him to reach Bucky. He didn’t want to overstep, but he was so cold. He had learned, after his DNA was fused with that of a spider’s, that he doesn’t handle cold well. This was proven when he got back from a mission and the scientists diagnosed him with stage two hypothermia. He was so so cold, so he threw caution to the wind and took Bucky’s arm, the one closest to him, so his flesh arm, picked it up and ducked under it so Bucky was now limply holding Peter. It wasn’t much, but it was the most warmth he could get while Bucky was still out.
He looked around to take in his surroundings. They were in a dark room with cement walls, floor, and ceiling. The only light was coming through the crack under the large metal door in front of them in the right corner. He didn’t want to believe he was back with Hydra. He had finally been feeling safe again. He also felt guilty that Bucky was here. Hydra had left him alone and now he was back here because of him. The nightmares Peter had about Hydra finding him and taking him back had come true, he couldn't just wake up to Mr. Stark’s reassurances that he was safe, because he wasn't. He closed his eyes, trying to stave off a panic attack as he breathed, silently begging Bucky to wake up.
It took another twenty minutes, twenty long minutes, till Bucky shifted, tightening his grip on Peter unconsciously. Peter leaned into the comfort even if it was accidental. Bucky groaned, but had not opened his eyes yet. “Bucky?” Peter whispered. And Bucky’s eyes flew open.
“Peter?!” He looked around for a second before his eyes cast down, settling on the boy that he held by one arm. Bucky’s demeanour relaxed the tiniest bit as seeing Peter, but he was still on high alert.
“Hi,” Peter whispered frighteningly.
Bucky shifts about to get a better look at the boy, “Did they hurt you?” His face etched in concern.
“No.” Peter whispered. “I woke up a little while ago, no one has come in yet.”
Bucky wasn’t happy that Peter woke up before him and was alone and scared, but was glad he was awake now to protect him. “Sorry I didn’t wake up sooner.”
“Not your fault.” Peter stated looking down, but the he looked back up with scared curious eyes, “Do you think Mr. Stark will find us?” His big brown eyes stared up at Bucky. They were full of fear and hope at the same time.
“Yes.” Bucky said with determination, “I promise he’s looking for you, and he won’t stop until he finds you.”
“Us.” Peter corrects in a whisper.
Bucky smiled down at him, “Us. Until he finds us.” He amends. A second later they both hear footsteps getting closer, thanks to their enhanced hearing.
They hear a man say, “Remind me again why you had them take the traitor?” Bucky knew they were talking about him.
They heard another voice reply, “He’s here to keep The Spider in line. The Avengers no doubt corrupted it and it won’t want to comply.” Peter almost wanted to scoff at the words ‘want to comply.’ He has never in his whole life Wanted To Comply with Hydra. And the Avengers did not corrupt him, they taught him to be free and to love. Them calling him an ‘it’ was a whole other matter he didn’t want to think too much about since at the moment, they had bigger issues.
As soon as the door started to open Bucky pushed Peter behind him. The two men they heard walked in. The first was lean and had short blond hair and brown eyes and a chiselled jaw. The other had brown hair just a bit longer than the first that swooped to the left side of his head and blue eyes, he was about an inch or two shorter than his comrade. “Welcome back.” The man with brown hair said in a malicious tone. Bucky and Peter stayed quiet, although the elder had a death glare aimed at the two men in front of them. “Here’s how things are going to work, The Spider will be tested and trained until it is deemed ready for missions once again.” He paused as he looked over at Peter who was barely visible behind Bucky. “The traitor,” The man glared back at Bucky as he said those two words. “will stay here and care for The Spider if it gets injured.” He wasn’t asking, he was stating facts. “Initial testing is today. Guards!” He screamed as two big guys came into the room, they were about the same size as Bucky. They had guns on their belts, but were holding something else, some other device. It looked like a metal stick of some kind with smaller prongs at the end. “Take The Spider to the lab.” The brown haired man stated nonchalantly.
Both guards came forwards, but Bucky didn’t move and Peter hid even more behind him. “Don’t touch him.” Bucky’s voice was calm yet strong and laced with venom.
“Move or else,” One of the guards commanded. Still Bucky did not move. “I warned you.” The man shrugged right before the other guard thrust out the metal device he was holding right into Bucky’s side. Bucky felt white hot pain explode through him and he tipped to the side, the metal following with him. He spasmed on the ground as electricity flowed through his veins, his lips open in a silent scream. He was used to this from before, but it had been a while and the pain was all encompassing.
“Stop!” Peter screamed. They didn't stop though. “Stop, please, I’ll go with you! Just stop hurting him!”
The electrocution device was finally taken off of Bucky and he laid there gasping for breath while his body still tensed with the aftershocks. Peter was in tears, “Bucky,” he whispered.
“I’m…fine” Bucky gritted out trying to alleviate Peter's worries, although he was pretty sure it did the opposite.
Peter’s cuffs were then unlocked and he was hauled up by both arms, one guard on either side. “Try anything and the traitor gets it.” Peter nodded fearfully.
Bucky was still trying to get his bearings, but he could see they were taking Peter, “Wait!” he called out from his place on the ground, “Bring him back!”
The Blond who had not spoken to them yet piped up, “Oh, we’ll bring him back once we're done with him.” It was not the least bit comforting.
Peter, who was still crying, took a deep breath and tried to look strong for Bucky, “I’ll be fine.” He said, craning his neck to look Bucky in the eyes as he was led out of the room. A second later the door was shut behind the five and Bucky was left alone on the ground still chained to the wall.
———
Bucky waited and waited, pacing the very few feet he could with the chains. The pain from the shock earlier had finally dissipated and left nothing but fear and guilt behind. He couldn’t tell how much time had passed since there were no windows, but it felt like an eternity before he heard footsteps getting closer and closer. He stood rigid staring at the door afraid of what would greet him when it finally opened.
He was right to be afraid, because what he saw had him taking a sharp breath in. Peter was between the two guards standing on shaky legs that looked like they were about to buckle. His arms both had dried blood caked on his soft pale skin and he looked so scared. It broke Bucky’s heart. They all but dragged him in and chained him back up without a word. It took everything in Bucky not to grab the guards and make them pay. But he held back knowing it would do no good; and probably end up with him on the floor again. As soon as they finished securing Peter they both turned and left, shutting the door behind them.
“Peter!” Bucky all but collapsed next to the boy who was slumped against the wall exhausted. His hands were hovering, not sure what to do.
“I’mfine” Peter slurred.
“No you’re not.” Bucky stated before he could think it though.
“I’m already healed.” Peter said tiredly, his head leaning against the wall.
Bucky wasn’t just talking about him being ‘fine’ physically, but he wasn’t going to bring up the mental part while Peter was this exhausted. He knew the kid needed to rest, but he needed to know what they were doing to him, so he asked, “What happened?”
Peter looked up at him through half linden eyes that showed nothing but exhaustion and fear. “Testing.” he stated like it would explain everything.
“What kind of testing?”
“Took blood…did x-rays….and-” Although his speech was slow from exhaustion his voice wavered with fear. “And checked my healing factor.” He said as he raised his arms up for Bucky to see.
Bucky had already seen the red staining his skin, but now that he looked closely he saw faint lines lining his forearms. Cuts that have already healed and all traces will be gone before the day is out. All physical traces that is. As he looks at Peter’s arms he realizes they are shaking. From exhaustion, fear, or the cold, he doesn’t know. Although honestly he would bet a good deal of money that it is all of the above. He takes Peter’s arms so he does not have to hold them up anymore, but they still shake a bit. Peter’s eyes are drooping and Bucky can see he is seconds away from falling asleep. He lowers Peter’s arms and then sits fully on the ground, instead of on his knees at Peter’s side, which had been his current position. He then very gently pulls Peter’s form towards him so he is holding the teen and shielding him as much as possible from the cold. Peter’s sighs and snuggles closer before he goes limp and his breaths even out.
He almost never initiated physical contact except with Steve, so this is new to him, but his uge to help, protect, and comfort Peter comes before everything else. Bucky, as exhausted as he is, from being electrocuted and waiting in constant worry for Peter to return, still does not sleep. He holds Peter tightly, for his and the boy’s comfort as well as to keep him safe, and watches the metal door with a steely gaze. LIke a guard dog daring anyone to come near. He stays that way for a while, and intends to keep his position until Peter wakes up. He will not leave Peter, even if it is just through the door to unconsciousness.