Summary: As the team try to come to terms with Michelle's death, a new terrifying threat is looming over them. Clint and Grace are forced to confront their darkest fears and enemies, as they prepare for their baby's arrival. Co – Written With snowqueen79. Clint/Grace, Bucky/Sophie and other pairings.
The Cradle Will Fall
Chapter 12
Clint's expression darkened and he nodded. "They want Lilia back. And they want Sophie."
"Clint, no—"
"Shhh," Clint held both of them. "Not going to happen. I don't care what I have to do. Come on."
Steve had instructed Clint and Bucky to bring the sisters to Lilia's hospital room. It would be easier to defend a single room if they were coming for them. Steve's expression was grim as Grace carried Connor, following Clint into the room.
"How many times are they going to attack our compound?" Sam groused. "How many times is this? You're Tony Stark. Can't you launch heat-seeking missile when you detect this shit? Wouldn't that be easier?"
Tony actually cracked a smile, even though there was little humour in the situation. "You know. Not a bad idea, fly guy."
Adrian marched into the room with Wanda on his heels, planting himself at the door. Steve's brows lifted but he didn't say anything. It was apparent Adrian had every intention of defending his sisters and nephew and with Wanda, Grace wasn't going to complain.
"Where's Hammer?" Grace hated the panic in her own voice.
"Put away and guarded," Clint told her. "Not out problem right now. But Pepper is."
"And my brother," Wanda said with no small amount of determination. "I want him."
Grace was a little afraid of the venom in Wanda's voice.
Looking down at her son, Grace held him close to her. Connor was everything to her and she knew in that moment, she wouldn't allow anything to happen to him. Someone moved next to them and she looked up to see her sister standing next to her.
"I'm not leaving you," Sophie promised her.
Grace felt tears gather in her eyes. She knew most of it was hormones that her body was still navigating, but she was trapped between the helplessness she felt in wanting to protect her small son and the anger she felt for those who would dare threaten him.
Sophie and Adrian exchanged a glance as Steve stepped into the room.
"Alright, everyone has their assignments," he announced. "They'll be here any time."
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement. Hope.
"You heading out with Scott?" Steve asked.
Hope shook her head. "Staying right here, Captain."
He didn't protest, ducking out the door to go wherever he was going just as Natasha stepped in with her own son.
"So, this looks like the place to be," Nat said flashing the sisters a smile.
Sophie grinned. "Guess so."
"Grace, you got room for one more?" Nat asked.
Nodding eagerly, she took a seat in the plush chair by Lilia's bedside and situated Connor. Nat handed Grace her son with Steve to settle on her other side. Grace knew what Natasha meant to do. She intended to fight for them.
Grace felt hopeful as she glanced around the room seeing Hope, Adrian, Wanda, Nat and Sophie around the door while she sat quietly with Lilia who they were praying would wake up soon.
Bucky had armed himself with his two knives and his sniper rifle, as he and Clint covered Steve, Sam, Scott and Tony. Pepper, Pietro, Zemo and the others hadn't reached the room where Sophie, and the others were. Peter launched spider webbing at the mercenaries, while Tony and Rhodey took down more of the soldiers. When Bucky caught sight of Zemo, he didn't hesitate in shooting him, one bullet to the chest and the second one to his stomach.
Zemo slumped on the floor, gurgling on his own blood as he kicked the gun away from his body. Clint covered him, as they saw Tony and Pepper fighting violently, and Pepper was hurling insults at him.
"You bastard, Tony! This is all your fault!" Pepper screamed infuriated, as she tried to burn Tony with the Extrimis that coursed through her blood.
"It's not my fault Pepper, and you're going to pay for what you did to Lilia, and Larisa!" He shouted vengefully, he fired his repulsors at her and blew a hole in the middle of Pepper's stomach.
Pepper stumbled back as her body attempted to heal itself, only for her body to glow dark orange as she screamed. Everyone took cover, as Pepper's chest exploded.
A bright light surrounded the room briefly, before everyone got back up and saw only Misha, Dmitri and Zemo were alive. Pietro was fighting Steve and Dmitri was fighting Clint.
Pepper was unconscious, and Rhodey put her in the power suppressing cuffs. Tony was taking out the stragglers with Peter, as Scott turned small and led an army of fire ants on the men.
Bucky wouldn't let these bastards hurt his family, he wouldn't let them hurt Sophie, or her family.
A few men had tried to breach the hospital room but found themselves being either knocked unconscious or killed, Sophie had no remorse for these HYDRA agents.
When Pietro attempted to reach Lilia and Grace who without any hesitation blasted him out of the room, and spiders began coming out of the vents.
"YOU WON'T HURT MY FAMILY! You, bastard!" Wanda screamed defiantly; she threw more of her chaos bolts at him. Pietro grimaced in pain, when the most unexpected thing happens.
A spider dropped on his face, he screamed in terror and tried to get the spider off his face, but in response the spider burned him. His screams died down, as he went silent and slid onto the floor unconscious.
Wanda turned around and saw Sophie and Grace had helped her in taking down Pietro, who was now silent. She watched as Grace walked over to the spot where Pietro was subdued by the spider, which then fell off his face.
"Wanda is our family, Pietro." Grace said coldly, and Wanda felt a wave of gratitude and affection towards the young blonde-haired woman. Grace had been nothing but kind to her, and so had Adrian and Sophie.
Bucky wiped the sweat from his face, as he watched Coulson's team arrest anyone who was still alive. Sophie's double was still out there, after escaping the Raft and so was Bobbi and Calderon. But Lilia was waking up and they were all now sitting around her.
He watched as Tony sat down in a chair next to her hospital bed, Howard nestled in his arms as he held her hand. Lilia's skin had gotten some colour back, and she blinked rapidly.
"Ton...Tony...Howard?" She asked hoarsely, Tony moved closer to her and helped her drink some water.
"It's me, Lilia. Me and Howard are here, we're all here and we love you, my tough lady." He said emotionally, Lilia's eyes swam with tears as she held onto him and Howard tightly.
Bucky smiled and took Sophie's hand, as they watched the couple reunite. Some peace at long last.
The Avengers compound had been repaired and Tony had placed new security measures in place, with help from Hope, Scott, Shuri and Peter.
Bucky was taking Sophie out on a date.
His girl deserved a day out and away from everything. He knew worry for Lilia, her sister, and those who were out to get them, particularly the one that looked exactly like her, was really preying on her mind.
When she came out of the bathroom he had to smile. Sophie looked like a million bucks with her blonde hair framing her face in shining waves and the beautiful red dress that showed off the shape of her. The heels she wore nearly brought her up to his height. It reminded him of a time before the war and HYDRA. Going out on the town with a beautiful dame on his arm. Granted, he'd never went out with a girl as beautiful as Sophie. Bucky promised himself that he was going to put everything behind him tonight and just enjoy being with her.
Shyly, she spun around for him. "Do I look okay?"
Bucky smiled at her. "You look perfect. You ready?"
Tony had loaned him an Audi painted candy apple red and they were off. The entire process of making reservations at the restaurant his girl had mentioned wanting to try had been a nerve-wracking experience for him. When he wasn't having any luck, he had Friday call them back and invoke Tony's name. Then it was done in five fucking minutes. He couldn't believe it.
"Thank you for this," Sophie told him, her face lit up by the dim lighting of the restaurant and the single candle on the table. "This is amazing."
"So are you," he told her.
"I feel like I can breathe," she told him. "We've just been through so much lately."
Bucky nodded. "None of that. We're going to have a good dinner and then I'm going to take you dancing."
He had to laugh at her wide-eyed shock.
"What?"
"I'm taking you dancing," he repeated.
The rush of colour that flooded her face at that had him thinking bad things. Later.
"Bucky, I'm not really the best dancer," she tried to warn him though that smile he loved was still there. "You sure about this?"
"I can teach you," he told her.
"When was the last time you went dancing?" Sophie teased him.
Bucky sipped his vodka tonic. "It's been a while. So? Dancing itself really doesn't change. Just the music."
Sophie seemed to consider his words and then nodded. "Okay, dancing. I'm game."
They talk about happier times over dinner. She told him stories of her time with Grace and their mother and father, how they met Peter and May. He told her stories of running around Brooklyn and the trouble he and Steve used to get in.
"So, you were a lady's man?" Sophie stopped to tease him at one point.
"Supposedly," he told her, laughing. "I'm reformed."
Her brows shot up. "Reformed?"
"I'm still a lady's man," he explained. "One lady… I love you."
Her hand slid over hers on the table.
"I love you." Her gaze moved over the calm atmosphere of the restaurant and she smiled. "I really needed this. Thank you."
"You deserve it, doll." Bucky slotted his fingers between hers. "You've had a lot on your mind lately."
After dinner, he surprised her by driving out of the ritzy part of the city and headed downtown. Paying for valet parking, he took her to a jazz club with a crowded dance floor. Sophie smiled in delight when they walked in.
The live band played a mix of older tunes and newer fare. It was so easy to forget everything on the dance floor, to move with his girl to the music. Song after song he either held her close or spun around, enjoying the way she moved with him. She was a natural and caught on fast, just like she did with everything else.
They took a break for drinks and danced to several more songs. Bucky noticed she was starting to slow down and decided it was time to get them home. He had one last thing he wanted to do when they got back home.
While they waited for the valet to come around, Bucky checked his phone. A message from Steve.
You guys okay? Check in when you can.
His punk. Shaking his head, he showed Sophie the message. Holding up the phone, he took a picture of them together. A selfie they called them now. Texting that back to Steve, Sophie wrapped an arm around his waist.
The evening had been perfect.
Bucky helped her in the Audi when it was brought around and then climbed in the driver's seat to get them home. Sophie was busy checking her own phone.
As they drove by the line of people smoking outside the club, and people walking up the sidewalk, a younger couple got his attention. His heart lurched when he realized who it was.
Pietro and the girl who could be his girl's twin.
Grinning, they waved at him as he drove by. Bucky's hand tightened around the piece holstered to his ankle. If he could get off two clean shots…
"Bucky, don't…" Sophie's voice was high and filled with fear. "Go. Just go."
Accelerating, Bucky headed for the compound.
God, he wished she hadn't seen them. Couldn't they get one fucking night?
Sophie's hand smoothed over his thigh. "It's okay, she told him. They didn't ruin anything. They didn't."
He couldn't fight a smile. Normally, only Steve could read him as well.
Still, he didn't feel better until they got back to the safety of the compound.
When they walked in, the found Steve, Nat, Grace, Clint, Hope, and Scott watching a movie in the darkened den.
Grace smiled. "Have a nice time?"
"It was lovely, but then we saw two people who tried to scare us and tried to ruin our night, but they didn't." Bucky said grimly, he was still angry that Pietro and Sophie's double had tried to ruin their date.
"Did they do or say anything to you two?" Steve asked concerned, he was angry that Pietro and Sophie's twin had tried to cause trouble for Bucky and Sophie.
"No, they just smiled at us and went into a nightclub. We didn't want them to ruin our night," Sophie explained quietly, she took off her high heels and sat down on the sofa with Bucky.
"We'll get them, I'm not letting HYDRA or anyone else fuck with our family. We've been through enough." Steve said strongly, it was the first time that Sophie had heard Steve swear.
She just hoped that they could put an end to HYDRA, and soon.
When the film had finished, Sophie found herself pinned against the wall of the bedroom that she shared with Bucky. Her hands were tangled in his mane of dark brown locks, and he was kissing her with a fiery passion.
Sophie's bra came off. Her dress was somewhere on the floor, in a crumpled heap. As far as Bucky was concerned, she could spend the rest of her life like this. Nearly naked in his lap, her hair stuck to her flushed face, so beautiful he wanted to take her in right there on the bed. Slam into her perfect body with everything he had until she forgot her own name.
Beds were overrated anyway.
He went for her breasts, rolling his tongue over her pert nipple.
"Bucky…" She moaned.
"Mm- tastes amazing," he grinned, nipping the sensitive bud with his teeth. "Think I need some more."
He went for his zipper. Jeans were a terrible idea tonight.
"Wait," she grabbed his hand. "Not yet. I want to try something."
She slid across his lap. Bucky thought she'd get off, but she settled on his right leg, pushing her bare chest into his as she straddled his thigh. They breathed together, warm air blowing in each other's faces. She smelled like cinnamon. Bucky loved cinnamon. He moved to capture her lips as she gripped his shoulders and ran her clit all the way down his thigh. The friction drew a gasp from her, which Bucky's tongue muffled. Her panties were so thin, he could feel her wetness seep through the rough denim.
Fuck, he was turned on so much by her. He'd happily spend the rest of his days tangled up with her on the bed.
Slowly, she slid back up. Her nails dug into his back, but even to his flesh and blood body, the pain was nothing. Bucky's hands hovered over her midsection, just in case she fell off. He held his leg steady as she picked up the pace, riding his thigh like there was no tomorrow. Heat spread to his groin, and he had to pop the button down to relieve the pressure. His boxers were already damp with pre-cum, and he couldn't say for sure that he wouldn't come before she did.
"Bucky," she panted, throwing her head back in the purest ecstasy. "Bucky. Bucky. Bucky, god right there-"
'How'd you get so lucky Bucky Barnes,' he thought for the twentieth time that day. 'What'd you ever do to deserve a beautiful girl like this?'
He'd never know, but he sure as hell wouldn't question it.
"Fuck, Sophie, you're amazing," he muttered, dropping his head between her breasts.
"You are," she moaned. "You're incredible. You're perfect. Oh god, Bucky!"
She kept going through her orgasm, rubbing and grinding and drawing the pleasure out as long as possible. Bucky grit his teeth, veins pulsing in his neck. His body betrayed him. He came so hard it nearly hurt and if these jeans were ruined before, they were beyond saving now.
"Holy shit," he groaned, peppering kisses and hickeys along her throat.
"I know," Sophie said, still riding him lazily and stroking his untouched thigh. "I had a feeling that would be good, but… wow."
"Glad I didn't skip leg day this week." Bucky coaxed her to stand and pulled off his jeans and underwear in one fluid motion. She licked her lips at his cock, half hard and growing. Bucky smirked. "Round two?"
"Oh yeah," she purred, "but I think these panties are done for."
Bucky tore them off. "You don't need them."
He dragged her against him, his thigh pressed tight between her legs, letting her feel the hard muscle with no barriers. They hit the bed. He took a seat and drew her up to his hip, finding the perfect, agonizing speed to make her cry out and beg for more.
He ploughed into her with no hesitation, feeling the tight heat of her cunt embracing his cock. She cried out in pleasure, her nails scratching and clawing at his back.
To Bucky, it was a beautiful sight in front of him.
He loved the feel of her stretched around him, how she squeezed him as her slid in and out of her tight channel. Capturing her hands with his own, he pressed them into the mattress by her head before trailing more kisses up and down the slim column of her neck, across to her full, soft lips.
When one thrust hit her just right, her gasp gave her away. Bucky had always been a hell of a marksman. Knowing where he was aiming, he managed to hit her g-spot with each sharp thrust and delighted in watching her lost to pleasure below him.
"You're all mine," he whispered, watching her throw her head back into the pillow as she hung onto him with everything she had. "You're all mine, Sophie. All mine."
Sophie screamed then, and Bucky fucked her through it, loving that he could take her apart that way. That he could make her unravel beneath him.
Dropping to tease her breast with his lips and tongue, he continued on while she recovered, not far from his own release. But he was a greedy bastard. He wanted her to go with him. Sliding his flesh hand down her arm, down her body, he slid it between them so he could tease her clit just the way she liked.
Her brow crease and she tried to pull his hand away. "Bucky… s'too much," she whispered.
"Almost there," he whispered, his strokes soft but quick.
Bucky knew the moment her body braced for that last release. She wrapped around him like a vine, calling his name, her pussy squeezing him like there was no tomorrow. He roared when his release slammed into him, the feeling better than anything he'd ever known. Being with Sophie, being inside her, was the best things that had ever happened to him in his life.
He loved her. She was his life…
Bucky didn't immediately remember rolling to his back or her situating her head on his shoulder, just where he thought she belonged. She was struggling to catch her breath along with him and while her eyes were closed, the softest smile graced her lips.
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Bucky traced a finger along the side of her face.
Her smile widened but her eyes stayed closed. "With everything you've been through, you deserve everything. Silly."
"I don't want everything," he said. "Just you. You're all I need."
"I love you," she whispered. Her beautiful eyes slit open and she stretched up to kiss him.
Bucky let her kiss him how she wanted. Such soft, beautiful kisses. Kisses meant to entice, to enchant.
"I love you, doll," he replied. "Always."
"Tonight was one of the best nights of my life," she whispered, dozing off in his arms.
Bucky smiled into the darkness.
After HYDRA, there were so many days when he'd felt like the odd man out. The real man out of time. There were times he knew he'd never ever fit in anywhere or be a benefit to anyone.
With Sophie by his side?
He felt like the luckiest man in the history of the world.
He held Sophie close and closed his eyes as he fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep. He just hoped that they could deal with the looming threat of HYDRA, and Victoria Hand.
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