Heya! So this has already been posted on AO3 but I might as well used this account. The first 4 chapters + prologue are on Ao3 already. I'm pretty proud of this so let me know what you think.
The man took a long and heavy breath. His muscles ached and a deep pain throbbed in his chest. He saw his breath crystallise in the darkness in front of him. The Asgardian's golden irises were the only colour in the black sky. He glanced for the last time over the universe. His heart ached at what he saw. Billions of lives fading to dust; each death plunged into his soul like a needle pricking on his skin.
"Odin. Forgive me.' The Old Man breathed into the silence surrounding him. He had failed. The souls of those who survived were screaming in the agony of grief for their fallen loved ones. The souls of dust were the lucky ones in this battle. He let his tired eyes fall shut and embraced death willingly, longing for the end of the pain that blistered through his entire existence.
But Death never came for the Asgardian. He felt the pain subside and the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. His eyes met another. The colours were as indescribable as they were beautiful. He would later say that it was like a rainbow had been shattered through space and time itself. A singular giant eye in the bright white plain that now surrounded him. It was a vision that would stay with him for the rest of his time watching over the nine realms.
'It is I who has failed you, my child.' The voice echoed in his mind. A warmth flooded his heart and even through all the pain he had felt, he couldn't help but smile. The voice was ageless. It had the knowledge of a thousand Asgardian lifetimes with the curiosity of a newborn babe. The thing that struck the old man though was the heartbreak. He had never heard a voice so somber. He tried to speak, to comfort the voice but he couldn't find any words to say.
'We must try again. Learn from the mistakes Little One. Let them be happy. Help them to win. Guide them with my spirit. Only you can save them.' He felt an invisible touch to his heart. The colours of the universe blinded his vision then faded to black as he fell unconscious in the unknown realm. Death at last…
'Hey!' A small blond from Brooklyn yelled at the group of lads behind the movie theatre. They were crowded around a young brunette who was struggling against the arms of the tallest boy. The blond's trousers were torn at the knee and his lower lip was split and scabbed from the last fight he had found himself in. 'Pick on someone your own size!'
The largest of the men chuckled and pushed the brunette to ground. She winced as her hands were grazed on the rough tarmac. Steve saw the fire in her eyes and she brushed her hair from her face. Bruises has started to form on her wrists from where she'd tried to free herself from the the bullies' grasp. Steve noticed the scratch marks on the man's face and felt a swell of pride. They hadn't managed to get her just yet. The main thug flexed a muscle and turned to face the unwelcome arrival. He didn't bother straightening his spine. He already towered over the other man. It's wasn't difficult.
"Rogers. When are yer going to learn to keep your nose out of business where it don't belong?' He snarled at the smaller man. Steve Rogers just glanced up at him with his blue eyes. The blond hair falling over his brow.
'When are you gonna stop making it my business by picking on dames who are half your fucking size!' Steve was aiming for intimidating but his stupid height and skinny frame ruined any hope he had of that. The bullies just laughed at him but Steve stood his ground. He wasn't about to let them ruin the young girls honour. He noticed her crawling round the back of the men. Good. She's smart enough to make a break for it. Whoever the girl was this wasn't her first fight.
'Well what do you say lads? Why don't we pick on a different dame half our size? You know Rogers. I always did prefer blondes!' He spat at the blond man in front of him. The men forming a barrier between Steve and the young girl behind them. Steve heard her hiss a curse as her escape path was suddenly blocked by the smallest of the thugs. Steve quickly sized up the men in front of him. Maybe he could take out the smaller one before they got him. At the very least it would distract them long enough for the girl to get away.
Steve wiped the spit of his face with his sleeve that fell passed his finger tips before throwing a punch at the thug who was blocking the young girls path. He missed badly and he fell forward as he lost his balance. The blond was smart though. He used it to his advantage and rolled onto the floor; narrowly avoiding the punches that were flying at his face. He landed next to the brunette girl. Her cheek was swollen and purple and she was holding her left arm to her chest. Steve pulled her to her feet carefully before launching himself at the group of men.
'Go! Get out of here I got this!' He yelled as the men stumbled under the sudden weight that was thrown upon them. Steve went down with them but it gave the girl enough time to run to safety. He smiled as they picked him off the floor and gave her a wink. His smile didn't last long as the other man's fist made contact with his jaw. He winced as he heard the sound of bones cracking. Pain seared through his face and his vision blurred with the impact. He could taste iron in his mouth.
'You lost us our fun, mouse!' The main bully's voice rang in his ear.
Steve's head was still ringing but he refused to let it show. Without warning he was thrown to the floor. His chest ached in protest as the air was forced out of his lungs. He prayed to God that he didn't get an asthma attack now. He couldn't afford to right now. His arms flew up to defend his head as the thugs boots made contact with his ribs. Bloody hell his Ma was gonna kill him for this. If he survived. He grabbed the nearest boot and pulled hard. It didn't work as well as he hoped but it distracted them long enough for him to get to his feet. He grabbed the nearest thing he could find to help him. It was the lid of the trash can, it smelt of burnt popcorn and stale beer. He managed to block a couple of the punches with the lid; the bullies swore as their knuckles struck the metal. They learnt too quickly and ripped the temporary shield from his hands. Strong hands were around his neck as the metal crashed to the floor. In seconds his feet left the floor as the main thug pushed him up against the wall. He felt a new wave of pain as he bruised spine was smashed against the cold bricks behind him.
'Fuck you!' He spat blood at their feet. His jaw ached in protest. He was going to say something witty but he knew from experience that wasn't easy when your jaw is potentially broken. He waited for the next blow; helplessly trying to wriggle out of their grasp. He knew from experience it would probably knock him out and he'd wake up without his wallet with a headache the size of Manhattan.
'I don't think they're good enough for that Rogers.' A new voice entered the dim alley. He didn't recognise the voice. His blue eyes flashed to where the sound had come from. A tall dark haired man with a cocky grin on his face was stood against the bins. His sleeves were rolled up and even in the dim light Steve could appreciate the firm muscles in the man's forearms. He blushed and forced his jaw to work.
'And you think you are? Jerk.' His vision was still blurred from the pain but he could see the bullies were confused by the new arrival. He took the opportunity and flung his legs as hard as he could; kicking the man holding him backwards. He once again fell to the ground. His arms went up to save himself from the punch he knew was coming but it was blocked before they hit his arms. The handsome stranger was dodging and throwing punches like he was born to fight. Steve did his best to help, occasionally jumping on their backs to slow them down whilst the other man knocked them down. Eventually they had all run from the alley. The brunet kicked the last one out with a triumphant cheer.
'And stay away from my sister you dumb ass!' The man yelled at his retreating figure. Steve stared in wonder at the taller man in front of him. He memorised the shape of his strong jawline, the way the light caught the bridge of his nose, the colours dancing in his dark hair and his eyes. His eyes were beautiful, blue like Steve's but not like Steve's in anyway. They were piercing and bright; the colour of the winter sky. 'What you looking at Punk?'
Steve blushed and tore his gaze away from the man's face.
'I had him on the ropes you know' deflecting the question hastily.
'Sure you did. Thanks for saving my sister Rogers' The man flashed a smile at him and Steve could have sworn his heart raced a little at the sight. He'd say it skipped a beat but that wasn't exactly out of the ordinary.
'Steve. Steve Rogers. No worries. She'd given them a few punches before I made it. She's tough.' Steve held out his hand. The man's grip was strong and warm and Steve never wanted to let go. Although they were both more than a little sweaty and covered in a dirt, blood mixture.
'James Barnes but you can call me Bucky. Nice to meet yer Stevie.' Steve grinned up at Bucky. He knew in that moment he'd made a friend for life. He couldn't wait to tell his Ma.
Bucky was in for one hell of a day. He was standing in his small kitchen slicing potatoes with a blunt knife; oblivious to the fact his life was about to change forever. He looked up as he heard Becca run in covered in dirt with her dress torn in more places than he could count. He almost cut his finger off at the sight of her when she came in.
'Shit Becca! Who did this to you?' His fingers traced a bruise that was forming on her cheek. His eyes met hers, searching frantically for answers. Becca's hands knocked his away from her face and pulled at his sleeve.
'I'm fine Bucky but you have to help him!' She was breathless from the run back to the apartment. Bucky let himself be led out of the apartment by his little sister.
'Who am I saving now Becs?' He asked on the way down the narrow steps of their building. He almost tripped over a ginger cat that was lying on the bottom step.
They called him Rogers. I don't know but he's tiny Buck!' They ran faster past the old movie theatre and into the alley behind; the light beginning to fade.
'I got this Becca. Go home and finish dinner. I'll be back soon.' He kissed her hair quickly before she ran back to their apartment. He turned back to the scene in front of him.
A blond boy was lifted off the ground by a group of thugs. They had hold of his collar. The shirt was so big for the blond he was almost falling out of it. His blue eyes were a raging fire of defiance and bravery. Bucky could see the purple bruise already forming on the small man's face. His heart clenched. Becca was right. He had to save him but how to distract them.
'Fuck you!' The blond spat out viciously. And that's my cue. Bucky grinned.
'I don't think they're good enough for that, Rogers.' He was all too distracted by the blush that crept up from underneath the too big shirt. Rogers eyes met his, looking up at him through the longest lashes he had ever seen. It would put a lady's to shame. He was an angel. It was the only explanation. He saved his sister and had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. They were swirling blue like the seaside on a bright summer's day. His lips looked soft and pink and so damn kissable. Bucky wondered what they'd look like swollen and red from being kissed til the cows came home.
'And you think you are? Jerk' Wait is he flirting back? Bucky grinned.
He didn't think anyone was good enough for this boy but god dammit he was gonna try to be! Luckily his entrance to the fight had had it's desired effect on the thugs. The looked between Bucky and Rogers in confusion. Not that Bucky could blame them. He was a bit taken back himself. What was this tiny man doing taking on a bunch of thugs? He was going to end up in hospital if he kept going like this.
Bucky moved to hit the man that was holding Rogers up but the blond beat him to it. He flung his legs up and kicked with all his strength; hitting the thug square in the chest. The man was stunned enough to drop Rogers. Bucky only hesitated in his attack for a second to make sure the blond was alright before socking the nearest bully in the jaw. It make a satisfying crack and the man yelped in pain. He tried to punch back but Bucky dodged it with ease. He'd been protecting Becca from men like this since their parents died. He grabbed the next punch and twisted the mans wrist back until he cried out and yanked his wrist back; cursing them both as he ran from the alley. Bucky went to face the next opponent but the man had a head start and he almost turned straight into the thug's fist.
The blond had his back though. He jumped on the shoulders of the thug which caused him to stumble back giving Bucky the opportunity to duck under the punch and pull the bully to the ground. The blond fell too but Bucky quickly grabbed him by the hand and pulled him up and behind him. He gave the man a kick to the ribs before he too scrambled out of the alley. That left one last thug. He was probably the smallest out of the three and had tried to stay out of the fight so far. Bucky grinned at the blond behind him. Rogers nodded and did what he did best and threw his entire weight and the bully. The man grunted as he was winded by the sudden weight of the blond man on top of him. Rogers even managed to throw in a few punches before the thug regained his balance but the blond blocked the punch and side stepped so Bucky could finish it off. Bucky grabbed the mans shoulder and threw him towards the open street; kicking him on the way out as the man started to run.
'And stay away from my sister you dumb ass!' He yelled!
The adrenaline running through him had given him a high and he felt almost invincible. He watched him run away with pride. Bucky just wanted to pick the blond man up and spin him round with glee. He turned to his new ally in battle with a grin on his face. Rogers' eyes were fixed on him. It was intensely beautiful to watch the ocean orbs almost hypnotised by him. God I hope I'm not reading this wrong! Bucky was almost certain the younger blond was attracted to him. He'd seen that look on girls before ever since puberty he'd been blessed with the attention of guys and dolls alike. Not that he particularly minded the attention. It was easier with the dames. It's what society expected of him but he couldn't help but be drawn the men he met at the dirty bars down the river; the feel of stubble against his body, tracing the muscles of a man's chest, the feeling of soft short hair through his fingers. He felt the heat of arousal flood his body. He pushed the thoughts down and focused back on the cute blond in front of him.
'What you looking at Punk?' He smirked; regaining control of his thoughts once more. Although that didn't last long as Rogers' face went a deep red. God he was so beautiful when he blushed.
'I had him on the ropes you know' The blond wheezed slightly as he spoke. Bucky made a note to not let him fight so much in future. He was good but he clearly wasn't fit enough to keep this up. In the future. Jeez Buck get a grip!
'Sure you did. Thanks for saving my sister Rogers' He resisted the urge to salute the younger man. He just smiled instead; hoping it portrayed his gratitude. He didn't want to think what would have happened to Becca if the blond hadn't been there.
'Steve. Steve Rogers. No worries. She'd given them a few punches before I made it. She's tough.' Bucky chuckled at that. He knew first hand what a menace his sister could be. He grasped Steve's offered hand and shook it; trying to ignore the way it made his heart race when their skin touched.
'James Barnes but you can call me Bucky. Nice to meet yer Stevie.' He groaned internally. Why did he just say that? but Steve's smile beamed up at him in pure joy that Bucky quickly forgot why he was embarrassed. He knew he'd do anything to make Steve smile like that.
Bucky Barnes was well and truly fucked.
The Asgardian was confused. He was watching Captain Rogers and the Winter Soldier as he'd never seen them before. He'd been alive when they first met but Heimdall had never needed to watch over the Captain before they became Avengers. He'd never paid any attention to the small boy from Brooklyn. Why had he been sent here?
'What do you want from me?' He asked the creature from the unknown realm.
'Help them. They are stronger together. This was the first mistake.'
And that's the prologue! It'll make more sense as the story proceeds. I think. No one has complained so far sooo... Reviews are awesome. I'm around at Avengersbarnes on tumblr if you ever want to come say hi!