Nightshade

As you approached Steve his eyes were fixed on you, roaming your delicate face. He was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect, but he couldn't help thinking how beautiful and adorable you were... so small. You didn't even make it quite to his shoulders.

You stopped in front of him and looked up coyly, your expression neutral, but your heart was racing. He was massive and it made your blood run hot. His chest was heaving slightly in anticipation... and at being so close to you. You reached up and ran your fingertips over his helmet, across the forehead and temple to where it ended just above his cheek. He didn't recoil from your touch. You wanted to see all of his face, so you spoke softly, "Please?"

He clenched his jaw, his heart skipping a beat. Your sweet voice and submissive demeanor made him want to do anything for you. He removed his helmet and placed it next to his shield behind him. Your breath caught slightly when he did and made eye contact with you again. He was beautiful. Bucky's features were rugged and angular, which drove you crazy. But, Steve... Steve's features were a bit softer while still masculine; everything sculpted to come together perfectly, complimented by his short, dark blond hair. And those bright blue eyes were the focal point.

You turned your head to look at Bucky hoping he didn't see your reaction; he was so possessive. He surprised you when one corner of his mouth pulled up slightly as he blinked slowly at you. Seeing that he wasn't upset, you looked back to your small hands as you brought them up, hesitantly over Steve's broad front, one high on his chest, the other poised at his ribs, your breaths coming slightly quicker now. Your chin down, your eyes meet his again, "Ready?", you almost whispered.

By now, he was craving your touch, even without know what it would bring. He nodded once gently.

You closed your eyes and took a breath in. When your hands made contact with him, his face twisted, his eyes squeezed shut and he groaned loudly. A painful surge of energy spread through his body as he fell to his knees before you. His descent took your hands from him. His heart was racing and every muscle in his body felt exhausted, like they'd been pushed to the brink of paralysis. He felt a bit dizzy, tingly and disoriented, enough that he didn't even see your hand moving to come to rest gingerly under his jaw, lifting it so he could look up at you.

"Just focus on breathing.", you offered calmly, gazing down at him, your delicate lips slightly parted, staring into his eyes, "It'll pass soon."

The parallel of how he kneeled at your feet and how he felt surrendered to you was clear to him. He was powerless in that moment... and he reveled in it.

As the effects began to subside, you took two slow steps back, monitoring him.

Bucky came up behind you placing a hand on either of your upper arms and he kissed your head as Steve started to stand weakly, supporting himself on the kitchen island with a hand. "That's my girl.", Bucky cooed, his lips against your hair. He was always proud to see you using your powers; the way you used it now and what he taught you about defending yourself gave him comfort. It eased his mind to see evidence that should you ever be torn apart that you could keep yourself unharmed and alive until he could get to you again.

"What was the meter at on that one?", Steve huffed out.

You lifted your chin slightly, "80 out of 100."

Bucky shifted, stepping slightly to your side, his flesh hand coming to rest at the base of your neck as he chimed in, "Super humans are more resistant. That would've permanently brain damaged, paralyzed or even killed a normal person." He smirked, "In very low doses, it's a nice addition to certain activities." He gave you a knowing side eye and you blushed, looking to the floor and trying not to crack a huge smile.

Steve groaned, but was feeling almost himself again. He turned his head in a jerk, "I didn't need to know that." He was upright again and addressed you, "Thanks for not killing me." He smiled softly at you.

"You're welcome.", you blinked, your lips curved up slightly.

"Bucky,", Steve went on, "The reason I came here is to tell you that they are people coming for you. They think you killed a lot of people."

Panic swept over you.

Bucky's face got hard, "I haven't killed anyone...", he glanced at you, his eyes saddened remembering when he saved your life, "not for a long time." You gazed downward, recalling that horrific night.

"I know that, but they don't.", Steve offered. "I managed to get here ahead of them, but you don't have much time."

"How much time?", Bucky inquired solemnly, his voice gruff.

"I don't know. I have a look out on the roof."

Bucky walked swiftly to a spot in the hardwood floor by the back door. He punched down into it with his metal fist and yanked out two backpacks. He headed for you in a quick gait. Everything inside you was starting to twist up and you felt sick. He dropped one of the backpacks at his feet and gripped your arm, turning your harshly, your back to him as Steve looked on. Bucky started to put the back pack he still held on you as he spoke sternly, "We need to get out of here, but I can't risk having you with me."

Your face scrunched up and tears welled up in your eyes, your throat tightening... no.

He turned you to face him as you bit your lip into your mouth hard. He dipped his head down to look in your eyes, his hands on your arms, "You're gonna go first so they don't know we're connected. Once you're clear, Steve and I will leave."

"No, Buck-", you let out a sob, Steve's face turning sympathetic, but he knew Bucky was doing the right thing sending you away.

"Baby, listen to me. This is important. You have to go."

The tears were flowing freely now as your body and head jerked with the sobs you were holding in as you stared into his eyes.

"Go to the holding location and then go to the safe house in the morning and stay there until you hear from me."

Steve offered, "We'll make sure you get safely out of sight before we leave here."

You squeezed your eyes shut, your body hitching more violently now. This was really happening. Your protector, your love... your life... was being taken from you.

You sniffed and took a deep breath before your voice came out in a timid whine, "How long?" You eyes pleaded with him and it broke his heart.

"I don't know, schatz.", his eyes flitted between both of yours, filled with torture, "But, I'll come for you. I promise. I'll always come for you." His face pained, he took your head in his hands and kissed your forehead firmly, then pulled you into his chest, your face buried in his embrace, his cheek on your head as you started to quietly cry.

"Remember what I taught you.", he said and pulled back, your face cupped in his hands, your small fingers gripping his wrists desperately. He kissed your lips for a long beat and then put his forehead to yours, "I love you, my life. Now go."

You whispered back, "Ich liebe dich, mein Leben." You stayed for a moment, trying to memorize his smell, the feel of him, the sound of his voice, his eyes... You finally gathered all the courage you could muster and turned away out of his grasp, walking swiftly out the door and closing it. A rapid succession of whispered sobs escaped your lips as your started to run down the stairs. Your heart was shattering into tiny slivers.

You pushed through the door to the building on the ground floor into the cool air. You jogged down the street towards the first of the locations Bucky had arranged in case this ever happened. After you'd gotten a good distance down the street, you heard a faint commotion far behind you and turned to see the building being surrounded by a swarm of people in black tactical gear. They were flooding the front door and there were some repelling down the sides from the roof.

Your eyes squeezed shut, your hands covering your nose and mouth as your started to cry even harder. "No.", you whimpered out, trembling violently. You should have left sooner. You should've just been brave and left sooner. Guilt and agony washed over you. You then did the only thing left to do; you turned and ran with everything you had.

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"schatz" = treasure
"Ich liebe dich, mein Leben." = I love you, my life.