CHAPTER 1: The Weakest Avengers
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.
I'm begging of you please
don't take my man.
Bucky's POV
The quin-jet flew seamlessly without noise as Steve and I sat across from each other, fixing our weapons with bullets. I glanced up tediously at a tense Steve who's blonde brows were furrowed in thought; I cleared my throat as the clicking of my machine gun echoed in the somewhat solemn silence, "you okay Rodgers?" I asked as my brown hair hung at the sides of my face drenched in sweat from the heat inside the quin-jet and being stuck in clumpy armour. Steve looked at me intensely and there was a trace of guilt in his blue eyes, Steve was an honourable man with many good deeds on his record...why would he feel guilty sat next to a monster like me?
"when we get them out I will be" he smiled softly before returning his concentration back to his weapon now that his shield was gone-again all because of me. We landed just outside of The Raft and a sinking feeling washed over me. I nodded at my best friend who scaled fences and walls till we arrived at steel doors which clamped shut and guarded by two security guards armed with rifles. I snuck behind them both and stabbed them from the tops of their stomachs then dragged their bodies into nearby bushes.
"That's one way to do it" Steve chuckled trying to lighten my mood, knowing that I thought he judged me for killing. He snatched a key card from the guard and the doors opened making a pssshhhh sound. We stalked in, taking down guards left right and centre as red alarms blared. From a control room there was multiple security cameras and a glass window which looked on at Sam, Clint, Scott and Wanda's cells. We busted into the main room causing everyone to jump.
"And the cavalry is here!" Scott cheered pumping his fist in the air. I smirked as Steve smashed his door open before moving on to Clint.
"Hey Cap, you took your time" Clint teased hugging Steve gratefully.
"What'd you expect he's like 94!" Sam joined in as I let him out too. Suddenly Clint's demeanour changed as he stared in the direction of the last cell. Everyone walked over to Wanda's cell and almost didn't want to enter, inside she was shaking in a corner wrapped in a straight jacket with a bulky collar around her neck-she looked up at me with big, innocent round eyes that were a loving chocolate brown. I stopped in my tracks taking in the depth they held, her sunken in expression made me realise how skinny she was. Too skinny. Clint sped to her clutching her in his arms.
"Jesus..." Scott breathed at the girls condition. I looked away at Steve who looked heart broken as the young woman sobbed in the archers arms.
"I thought you forgot me" she croaked now looking at Steve and I. He knelt down to her level taking her hand gently. But the reunion was cut short when the collar buzzed and a scream ripped through Wanda's throat as she writhed in pain and convulsed. I skidded on my knees and crushed the collar with my bare hands, ignoring the slight pain-I just had to get it off her. I had an urge to protect her. Clint teared up as the burn marks stained Wanda's neck bleeding profusely. Part of me didn't like her for volunteering for HYDRA experiments and I also thought she was partly weak...
"Lets go!" I yelled as guards stormed in, Clint thrust Wanda up and I raced to help them-it was irritating how I didn't like her, yet I wanted her to be safe. There were too many guards and everyone was weak from months of mistreatment. Then Wanda let go of Clint and I and twisted her fingers which I only just noticed were bruised and bleeding...from what? What happened?
"hey little witch...remember me?" a yellow teethed guard snapped with a sadistic smile. I growled warningly and Steve had to restrain Clint as he obviously remembered the guard. "Boy you were the best pussy I 'ere had" he spat at her feet and Steve's eyes widened. I frowned aiming my gun but Wanda stopped me.
"do you know how I stayed so calm while you beat me?" Wanda hissed at him, her voice sending chills even down my spine. The Guard squinted at her with fear evident in his eyes..."I was thinking about this." She uttered before sending her red magic blasting through all hundred guards-they all lay dead on the floor with frightful stony expressions. Wanda collapsed and I ran forward catching her-I saw Steve looking at me curiously whilst I carried her to the jet.
Wanda's POV
I felt myself in someone's arms, one was cold and one was warm and both sturdy. I was exhausted-I hadn't used my powers in months, the bruises forming on my legs were aching whilst my neck blistered painfully. I couldn't hear anything around me and I felt myself starting to hyperventilate...where was Clint? Why wasn't he protecting my anymore? I missed my brother. I needed his arms not whoever's these were! The pain in my neck worsened as I felt someone shaking me and my eyes opened to see Steve jolting me awake to bring me out of my sobs. My neck was so painful. I couldn't speak it was like it was closing up. I squeaked and tried to touch my neck but was met with a surge of pain. I yelped but that hurt even more.
"Clint!" Steve yelled and I noticed Sam take the wheel, Bucky looked down at me with a concerned frown and I shoved off of him. I had felt his emotions when he came into my cell, how he thought I was weak and he was disgusted at how I'd volunteered for the HYDRA experiments.
"Wanda, honey calm down...can you speak?" Clint's worried yet soothing voice disrupted my anger which I could see was affecting The winter soldier. I shook my head and hissed at the pain-he looked at my weeping neck and seemed momentarily shocked.
"Shit that looks painful" Scott muttered sympathetically.
Steve and Clint must've said something whilst I listened to Scott because suddenly I was on a metal slab being pinned down by Bucky whilst Steve called someone asking for medi kit-who would help fugitives? Clint got a bottle of something and a rag and I became panicked. "Wanda, this is gonna sting but it will help" Clint informed my pressed he liquid down on the burn blisters. It felt like a hot branding strangled my neck. I screamed as much as I could, It came out as a hoarse moan which sounded agonizing.
"Still" The Winter Soldier ordered but his voice was quiet and soft and It somewhat relaxed me, Clint poured more on and I screamed properly which made Steve turn away. His emotions poured off of him: sadness, guilt and dread. I attempted to enter his thoughts.
I'm okay Steve, you saved me. Steve turned around grasping eye contact for a second before I was writhing in pain again.
"Shhh baby, its done now" Clint assured me then slid onto the metal slab with me-I curled into his side as Bucky let go. Bucky got up and got some water which I thought was for himself. Instead he tilted my chin and gently let me drink some. I smiled thankfully and he nodded before sitting back down with a cold expression. Clint stroked my hair lovingly.
"Soldier?" I croaked grabbing his attention. Clint was asleep and I knew I wasn't far behind as his warm safe body was soothing me into slumber, he looked up at me-his eyes softening, "thank you" I said sincerely and he seemed surprised at my genuine demeanour. He shifted to a seat right next to the slab as the jet wobbled slightly (Sam was obviously not very experienced).
"We're with you till the end of the line witch" he whispered and I stared at him in a daze before I drifted into sleep. I was jolted awake when the jet came to a standstill. I attempted to sit up but was pushed back down by a metal arm.
"no no no, kiddo. You ain't walking" Clint chuckled as he scooped me into his arms. I smiled at him gratefully as we entered an unfamiliar setting: it was a cabin surrounded by trees and the bustle of running lakes and birds chirping. My nose began bleeding and wooziness returned; I was placed on a kitchen table and heard panicked shuffled but I couldn't move...what was wrong with me?
"I swear I didn't see the stab wound!" Scott breathed worriedly. I frowned, stab wound? I slowly moved my hand to my stomach to feel the hole gushing with blood.
"Men" I heard a familiar female voice sigh sardonically as medical supplies clanked around. I was unconscious before I knew it.
I awoke in a plush bed with cream sheets in a wooden room dotted with ornaments, a lamp was on brightening the dim room so I could see a television and desk-I lifted the covers to see my waist wrapped in white bandages as I remembered what had happened previously...I switched on the television which landed on the news channel. Currently, there was two news anchors having a debate about each Avenger and if they needed to be contained-a polite way of saying imprisoned. "Now what about Wanda Maximoff, alias Scarlet Witch?" A bleach haired woman asked in a pretentious voice. I prepared myself for the onslaught.
"Now this particular Avenger disgusts me! She is dangerous and selfish to use her powers in the presence of innocent lives...I mean look at Lagos!" the man said waving his arms around foolishly.
"I actually argue that she is pathetic. She gets her own brother killed, then a whole country destroyed all because her parents passed away. She lets her emotions run ramped and is arguably the weakest Avenger!" just the TV was shut off making me flinch. It was Bucky. He stood in the doorway, staring at me with dark eyes, without another word he walked off leaving me alone again. I growled at his irritating behaviour. Clint came in and smiled my way before plopping himself next to me.
"How you doing kiddo?" he asked placing a hand on my leg. I tried to speak but I ended up coughing and spluttering, Clint gave me water and placed an arm around my shoulders, "I love you kiddo" he said. I stared at him with a meek smile and I entered his mind cautiously.
I love you too Dad, I was so scared. A tear escaped my eye and he pulled me into his chest-sheltering me from the outside world.