Wanda was doing it. Red energy swirled from her hands, dangerous and beautiful all at once. Her face was pained and concentrated, eyes leaking the red light as she focused on her task. She was doing it. They had a chance to stop it. To stop him. The mad titan, he was called. Wanted to destroy half of the earth, half of all living things. He could do it, too, if he had all the stones, with a snap of his finger. But Donatella would not let anything come in between her and Bucky anymore. She'd promised herself she would never allow him to leave her again, willing or unwilling. They were meant to be together, meant to live and breathe together. They'd found each other against all odds, and there would be hell to pay if they got wrenched apart again.
"You're doing great, Wanda." Vision soothed her, encouraging her as the stone began to glow from the copious amounts of energy being poured into it. Donatella was almost entranced by it. The stone was powerful, very powerful and just being in its presence as Wanda's magic pummeled through it was making her lightheaded. It might have had something to do with it being the mind stone as well, but she wasn't sure. Magic wasn't really her expertise.
It took a while, but Wanda's magic managed to destroy the stone. It seemed to have taken a lot of out the girl. She took deep breaths, nearly collapsing on the table that Vision had occupied before.
"Does anybody copy? We need medical assistance on the field, ASAP!" Sam's voice crackled over the communications system.
"Sam, I'm on my way, where should I be headed?" Donatella replied into the mic, picking up a medical bag and stepping towards the door.
"It's Bucky. He's just past the treeline, but be quick." her blood turned to ice in her veins. It was Bucky. She turned a panicked gaze on Wanda, and the girl was already on her feet, eyes glowing red with panic. Without a word, Wanda came forward to grip her hand, dragging her towards the front windows and exiting the place she'd seemed to just have entered through. And they soared. It was much like the time Donatella had first met Sam, him lifting her high off the ground. It was exhilarating, the scarlet witch's magic surrounding her and giving her this amazing feeling, like she was going to explode and pass out all at once. She'd never thought too much into Wanda's powers, but there was something incredible about them. The flight was over quickly, and as soon as Don's feet hit the ground reality set in once again. She had to get to Bucky. She saw him lying there, blood surrounding him, and that icy feeling flooded through her body once again. Was this it? Was she too late? She wouldn't accept anything less than fixing him fully. So she sprinted forwards, dropping to her knees beside him and seeing his weak gaze land on hers.
"Hey, hey, it's me, angel." she cooed softly down to him, immediately going to work. There was a mottled slice on his neck, something from one of those alien's claws. He'd been holding a cloth tightly to it, some strip of fabric that she recognized from Falcon's suit. Nothing vital seemed to be hit, and his jugular vein was intact. For now. So she had to make sure he kept calm and still.
"D-Don, you shouldn't be here." his voice was weak, and she quickly shushed him.
"Don't talk, wonderboy, not until I get you fixed up. You're gonna be okay for now, just as long as you don't move a muscle. Can you do that for me?" she smiled sweetly, feeling relief. It was just a few scratches. As long as she kept him from bleeding out, he would be just fine. She went to work cleaning the wound, managing to use a liquid bandage to seal it up before putting a dry wrap over it. She would stitch it once she could get him into a sterile environment, but it would hold for now.
"Thank you." he croaked out, his fingers brushing over her cheek as she helped to sit him up against a tree. He'd lost a lot of blood, but he'd heal up beautifully.
"I was thinking once this is all over, we'd go home and watch a good movie and order Chinese. How does that sound, huh? I wanted to show you Dirty Dancing." she smiled at him.
"Doll, I'm not sure I'm up for dancing." he retorted with a smirk, and she let her head fall back in laughter.
"It's a movie, Buck, but I'll keep your idea filed away for later." she smiled down at him, pushing his hair off his face. He was sticky with sweat, and his gun laid next to him, abandoned for the moment.
"A sweet sentiment." she heard from behind her, and she whirled around to see a giant purple… thing approaching. Her eyes immediately shot to the golden gauntlet adorning his hand, five of the six infinity stones glimmering faintly from it. But they'd destroyed the last one, and he'd never be able to complete it. "But your world is about to change much more than you could ever imagine, Donatella."
"How do you know me?" she felt a jolt of fear race through her, and his expressionless face shifted with amusement. He took another step forwards, and Bucky scrambled forwards to grab for his gun, but she quickly pushed him back, stilling his movements. She may have patched him up, but he was nowhere near ready for battle.
"Your reaction… much like that of your mentor, Stark." she gasped audibly, and he let out a sigh, irritation clear on his face. "He's alive. For now." he replied. She felt her shoulders droop slightly before she stood up, facing the mad titan that was threatening the universe. No biggie. Right? She activated her rings, knowing it wouldn't be much, but it was something.
"You're pretty dumb, aren't you?" Donatella replied easily, and he cocked his head to the side, interested by the way that she'd spoken to him. "Destroying half the universe, and for what? Because we don't have the resources?" she frowned.
"You're a woman of science, I'm sure you would understand." his eyes narrowed.
"Do you understand? Because I'm not sure you do, California Raisin. The universe has way more resources than all of our races combined can even produce. And, completing your little gauntlet thingy, wouldn't you just be able to double our resources if you think we don't have enough? Have you even thought this through?" she hissed, striding forwards to get into his face.
"You think it's so easy, don't you." he stepped forwards, glaring down into her face. "Having this destiny." he sneered, and she heard shifting behind her, and she shot a warning glance behind her towards him, making sure he wouldn't do anything stupid.
"Well, you seemed to piss off a lot of powerful people. Makes you think, doesn't it?" She retorted. He cracked a smile.
"You know, in another life we could be friends." He said, affection in his tone.
"A life where you don't try and destroy half the universe, maybe." She snorted, standing her ground as he approached. "You're a bully. And if there's one thing being friends with a whole bunch of superheroes has taught me, it's to not like bullies."
"Calling me names isn't going to change your fate. If I have to cut you down for the greater good of this universe, I won't hesitate." The mad titan scowled, his amusement seeming to fade. He got closer and closer, Donatella not moving an inch, her hands held up defensively in front of her, waiting for the moment that she would have to strike. She really wasn't looking forward to it.
"You can't finish your destiny or whatever. We destroyed the mind stone. It's gone." She shook her head in a warning, hoping to catch him off guard.
"I'm not worried about that." He smiled, and ice jolted through her veins. "With all of the power I contain in this moment, I should easily be able to restore the mind stone and grasp its power." The stones glittered against his knuckles, and she bit her lip.
"Then I guess I'll just have to stop you then." She retorted, taking a step forwards, raring to go.
"You? A mere human, taking me on alone with a pair of electromagnetic rings." He almost laughed, his amusement seeming to return. "You'll die here, with your precious lover watching. Never to see each other again."
"See, that's the thing." She swallowed hard. "That back there, he's pretty much already my husband. And I'm not alone." She smiled, seeing so many people approaching from behind him, assembling, unified. This was it. This had to be the final battle. Wanda glowed, nearly vibrating with rage and power. Steve strode forwards, strength emanating from him like he was some sort of god. Natasha was there too, shooting her a wink before getting her game face on, facing the mad titan with the rest. T'Challa made an appearance, Okoye too. So many people standing on the same side… the Civil War was a distant memory. This was the Avengers. And this was the boss battle. This was what so much had led up to. "So what do you say, grape man, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." She gave him a sly smirk.
"Fools." He snarled. "All of you. There's no stopping this."
"Well, nobody can say that we didn't try." Natasha shrugged, glancing at Steve. He gave her a nod, and they moved into action. She sprang backwards, knowing that this wasn't her fight. No, she had too much blood on her hands already. So she knelt beside Bucky again, checking his wound to make sure he hadn't gotten too worked up and messed it up.
"You're an idiot." He croaked at her, head lolling backwards against the tree as the battle got further from his resting place.
"I know. But I'm your idiot, doesn't that count for something?" She smiled cheekily at him, stroking the stubble on his cheek and letting her hand rest there for a moment.
"It counts for everything, sweetheart." He smiled, and her heart skipped a beat. He was so achingly beautiful, even covered in his own blood, bruised and battered and left haunted. She would fix him. She would pour every last bit of her soul in this man even if there was just a chance to fix a small piece of him. Because he was all she wanted, all she needed. She glanced back out at the team fighting the mad titan, and shuddered. He was powerful, so much so that he could swat someone to the side like they were nothing. They all had to work together, in unison giving it their all to even get close to him. She felt like they wouldn't win. She was actually scared that they wouldn't. Glancing down at Bucky, it seemed he shared the sentiment.
"Bucky, I just need to let you know that-" he interrupted her before she could finish.
"Don't. Don't say it. If you say it, it sounds like you're giving up. And you can't give up, you're supposed to be the positive one here." He gave her a watery smile, and she chuckled softly, leaning down to press her forehead against his.
"We're in this together." She whispered, glancing back. Steve was down, and he didn't look like he was getting up. Nat, too. Wanda was struggling, Okoye was limping… her heart sank.
"Always together. Don't ever forget it." He whispered, reaching out to squeeze her hand as they watched. As they waited for their inevitable defeat. Wanda went down. Okoye went down. T'Challa was blasted back through the trees, and the purple monster stood victorious over them all. "Don't. Please don't go over there. It's not worth it to lose you." He begged her as she made to get up and distract him, if only for a moment. Hoping that someone would come. Someone that could stop him.
"I'm not going anywhere." She soothed him, reaching out to stroke his blood soaked hair, matted down and half dried by now. His hand squeezed hers again, and she saw the golden gauntlet raise up. If they were going to die, they would die together. Wrapped up in each other's arms. This was how it was meant to be. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. She felt Bucky's lips ghost against her forehead, felt salty tears dripping down her face. She heard thunder rumbling, and then a hollow, wet sounding thunk that made her shudder. And then it was quiet, save for her pulse roaring, the blood rushing so loudly through her ears she couldn't tell what was happening anymore. She opened her eyes, vision blurry from her tears, and laid her gaze upon the rolling purple head on the dirt. She saw the god of thunder standing, triumphant over the body, the nearly-complete gauntlet resting uselessly on the titan's corpse.
"Christ." Bucky gasped, his head falling against hers in relief. They'd done it. It was finished. Thanos was dead, it was done before she could barely even grasp what was supposed to happen.
"We won." She sighed in relief, turning to him with an uncontrollable smile. "We fucking won." She grabbed his face, trying to be gentle and cautious of his injuries, and he leaned up to meet her. Their lips met for the briefest moment before the sound of flapping wings and jeering interrupted, but she just reached one arm up to flip Wilson off as he cackled. They ignored everyone else, just for a moment to have their own peace, their own celebration. Because it was finished. Bad guy was defeated, and they could all go home now.
"You guys should come up for air soon, we may be alive but we sure as hell ain't finished." Steve's familiar voice called out to them, and Donatella pulled backwards to shoot him a look.
"Hey, we all almost died today, I think a few minutes of celebration aren't uncalled for." Don stood, recruiting Sam to help her get Bucky transported back to the lab. "But I suppose you're right." She waved at Sam as he carried a pouting Bucky off. "Any injuries you need taken care of, Captain?" She turned to smile at him, but her grin faltered at the despair in his eyes. "Steve?"
"Everybody here got to keep their loved ones. Everybody in the world right now didn't even realize that they could have lost everything. And I'm still stuck here, waiting for something that's never gonna happen." Steve shook his head, and Donatella's heart seized as she realized he was talking about Peggy. "I feel like something else was supposed to happen. I feel like… with the stones, I could-"
"Steve." Donatella stopped him, her voice husky with emotion. "What are you saying?"
"Even when I had nothing, I had Bucky. But, Bucky doesn't need me anymore. I think… I think it's time that I take my leave. Go off and do good in the world. Try and find my peace." He gulped, something like shame flitting over his expression.
"You think he doesn't need you anymore? Steve, that's not… you're an idiot." He blinked those wide blue eyes at her, and she tried not to laugh. "Are you kidding me? You think that just because Bucky has me he doesn't need anybody else? No, if you seriously think that then you don't know him at all. Nobody can survive with only one person. Jesus, I feel like if we had never met each other, you two would probably be banging honestly." Donatella shrugged, and Steve's face went bright red.
"I-I'm not…"
"I know you aren't, Steve, it was a joke. But you're telling me you're gonna abandon your best friend because he's getting married? I'm sorry, but I didn't think you're a quitter." She shook her head, and his lips parted for a moment before he strode forwards, wrapping her up in a hug.
"I think… I want to try therapy. You said it helped you, and I want to… I think I should do it." He murmured, stepping back and not meeting her eyes.
"You're always welcome to our place. Always, okay? You can call me if you want to talk about her. I know nothing will be able to replace what you lost, but you need to start looking for happiness in other places. I know it's hard. I know it sucks. But you just helped to defeat a crazy purple space grape. I think that counts for some celebration, right? Now, show me America's smile." She grinned, poking him in the chest until he gave a weak chuckle.
"Somehow, you always know the right things to say. I'm going to do better, Don. For myself." He nodded.
"I'm counting on you." She patted his shoulder before turning back towards the lab. "And if you leave, who's gonna plan Buck's bachelor party? Certainly not Sam." She joked, causing a real laugh to leave him this time.
"You know, those two are actually pretty good friends." Steve revealed, and she shot him an unimpressed look.
"They kind of are. Isn't that crazy?" she smiled at him.
"They're just perfect for each other." Steve shrugged, and she sighed as they approached the building.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." she smiled as she saw Wanda limp into the building, being supported by Vision. "I'm glad they're okay." she sighed in relief.
"Me too. They didn't deserve to have to go through this. None of them did, really." he shook his head as they followed the pair through the halls back up to the lab.
"Neither did you, Steve. You've done good, you know. More than anyone else, I think." she reassured him.
"I'm glad at least someone thinks so." he sighed.
"Thank god our doctor has finally returned." Shuri teased as Donatella and Steve entered the lab. Bucky was propped up on a makeshift cot in the corner, and many other wounded were sitting there waiting. Some looked good as new, and others looked like they were in terrible pain. She pushed Steve in Bucky's direction before she got to work, glancing over at the pair every so often to check on them. They were deep in conversation, both seeming upset for a moment, but the next time she looked they seemed better. Steve must have been telling him about his feelings that he'd revealed to her.
She felt a bit guilty, keeping him there. But the thought of him going off on his own, well, that hurt her more than she realized. She'd come to think of the man as a brother. She frowned as she thought of that. She'd had a real brother, but there wasn't a connection between them, not like Steve. Not even like Peter. Don had claimed that Bucky would be the one to miss Steve, but who was she kidding? She'd probably be a wreck if he left, too. He was part of her family. She'd allowed herself to get so attached to these people, what would she do if anything ever happened to them? She wasn't sure, honestly. Any loss of any one of them would shake her to her core. It wouldn't feel right.
She was scared. She'd never depended so much on other people. She'd never had such a large family. Donatella didn't know what to do about this. When it was just her and Bucky, it was easier. But it was also lonelier. It wasn't healthy to depend on one person for everything. She had so many people to rely on, it made things easier. But it was also so much harder, because now there was so much more to care about. There was a good balance with everyone else, she gained as much as she got. But she worried so much about them, too. So, so much, especially in their line of work. Hell, sometimes she had panic attacks seeing news about Peter getting into trouble with huge gangs in New York, and he was only focused on one city. The rest of them were focused on the world. They'd saved the world, so many times. But how many times could they do it without having any losses? She felt herself shudder at the thought, and she glanced back over to Bucky. What would happen if she lost him? She would… she couldn't think of that right now. She had to focus. There were people who were injured, people who actually needed her help. And she would do her job.
It was hours later when she finally got to speak with Bucky again. Wakandan medicine was incredible, the skin already grafted closed and mostly healed.
"Oh, it looks great angel." she sighed in relief as she stroked her finger over the pink skin. "You'll be just fine." he gave her a small smile, before frowning down at her.
"Are you an idiot?" he seethed, pulling her along towards the room they'd be staying in.
"W-what?" she stammered as his hand tightened on her wrist, practically yanking her into their bedroom.
"You've got pretty non-lethal weapons and you face off the mad-titan in the middle of a battlefield? Are you an idiot!" he swore, raking a hand through his hair as he paced the floor. "Do you know how stupid that was? I couldn't even get up to help you, hell I was calling for help over comms and it was almost too late. Thought you'd just have a fun chat with him, huh?"
"He came up to us, what was I supposed to do? Lay down and wait for him to kill us?" she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. He sighed, irritation clear in his tone, but when he turned to face her there was despair there.
"I thought we'd die there. I thought there was no way we'd survive. It still doesn't feel over, I swear it's like something's hanging over my head right now. I thought you were gonna get killed, and I couldn't do anything to stop it." his voice broke as he continued to speak, and she felt the corners of her lips turn into a frown.
"Hey. I can handle myself, alright? It happened, in the lab. Someone else's blood is on my hands." he raked a hand over his face, swearing under his breath.
"Jesus. You okay?" he stepped forwards, immediately dropping all his anger and wrapping her up in a hug. She felt herself melt into him, letting her stress and anger seep out.
"No." her voice shook, and she buried her face further into his chest. "For a second, I saw him. His fucking face…" she sighed, and he squeezed her tighter.
"He can't hurt you, sweetheart." he cooed gently to her. "Not while I'm around."
"I know. I know he can't. But I still did it." she replied, stepping back from his embrace to look up at him. He gave her an understanding look, and she sighed, looking back down at the floor.
"Everything we did… everything that happened, happened so we could get here." he said, and she gave him a small smile.
"Here is a good place to be." she replied softly.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you." he sighed, running his hand through his hair again. "I was just worried."
"I get it." she smiled, reaching forwards to grab his metal hand. "Believe me, I yell at you enough to know what it's like to regret it."
"Yeah, you do yell a lot." he teased, and she gave a grin back, stepping forwards to embrace him again. His arms wrapped softly around her, and she relaxed, feeling the tension from the past two days slipping from her body. It was cathartic. He didn't even have to do anything to make her feel good, he just had to exist.
"I just don't want to lose you." she whispered to him, and he placed his chin on the top of her head, her face tucked into his chest.
"You'll never lose me, sweetheart." he replied.
"I'm gonna hold you to that." she mumbled into his shirt, and she felt him chuckle, the vibration of it deep in his chest causing her to relax even further.
"I wouldn't expect any less." she could practically hear the smirk in his voice, and she wanted to roll her eyes. Cocky bastard.
"Buck, I'm tired." she said, and he chuckled again, pulling back from her to glance outside.
"You've been on your feet all day. It's a miracle you're still awake, I thought I'd have to carry you back up here from the lab." she pursed her lips at him, giving him an annoyed look and he just grinned back, tugging her hand towards the bed and gently pushing her to sit down.
"Take off my shoes?" she asked weakly, sticking her feet up in front of him and he sighed, pulling the entirely impractical wedges off her sore feet. She sighed in relief, flopping onto her back, and he stifled another laugh.
"You gonna sleep in that?" he glanced over her skirt and blouse combo, dirt stains and blood spattered on it. She groaned, giving him an annoyed look.
"Get it off me." she mumbled, throwing her arm over her eyes dramatically. He gave another soft chuckle, and she felt his warm hands settle on her hips, tilting her to the side to access the zipper that began just above the small of her back. She held her breath, relishing in the feeling of his slow, careful movements, one warm palm pressed against the top of her thigh, pleasantly cool fingers pulling the zipper. Once he'd gotten it unzipped all the way, he let her hips settle back onto the bed before his hands trailed up to her sides, untucking her blouse from the front of it. Carefully, and achingly gentle, his fingers pushed the buttons through the holes to open her shirt up. She held back a shiver as his metal fingers brushed over her stomach, making their way up towards her chest. His touch didn't linger, but she felt a slow burn starting low in her stomach, an ache beginning between her thighs as she clenched them together. His movements paused, he definitely noticed her reaction, and she bit the inside of her cheek, still covering her eyes.
"You okay?" she could practically hear the smile in his voice, and not trusting herself to speak, she merely nodded back. His hands were back to their task a moment later, fingers skimming from the tops of her thighs almost to her knees, and his hands settled just below the hem, squeezing her legs and letting the tips of his thumbs edge up the bottom of her skirt. She clenched her thighs again, and she heard his breathless laugh as he edged his hands up a bit higher, settling them under her skirt, squeezing once more. Too soon he slid his hands back down, but he tugged the hem with one hand, helping her lift her hips with the other to get the item off her body, leaving her lower half almost bare. "You're gonna have to sit up for this next part." his voice was low and husky, and she felt a shiver run through her body before he grabbed onto her waist, gripping tightly to lift her into a seated position. His hands never lost contact with her skin as he trailed those delicious fingers up and over her breasts, made their way over her shoulders and down her arms, trailing along behind the fabric of her shirt as he pushed it off.
"Bucky." she said weakly, laying her head on his shoulder, her eyes still closed, relishing in his touch.
"Yes?" he murmured, his lips pressing a kiss onto the crown of her head.
"I need to feel you tonight." she whispered to him, and his hands stilled once more before settling back onto her hips.
"Are you alright?" his voice dripped with concern, and she trailed her fingers up one of his solid, muscular thighs, making her way upwards until she reached the bottom of his dirty combat vest. She didn't want to say anything, because she honestly wasn't sure if she was alright, but feeling him, being with him made everything feel better. She wanted to pretend like they were the only two people in the entire world. She could have lost everything today. Donatella released a shaky breath, craning her neck up to press her lips against his. He tasted smoky, sultry, and comfortable. Familiar, yet thrilling. He parted her lips with his tongue, sending a fresh sweep of that spicy taste through her senses, and she heard a small noise escape the back of her throat. They weren't always slow like this, there were times they couldn't keep their hands off each other, where they couldn't get enough of each other's touches. But this, this was good. New, yet familiar, soft and sweet. There was a sort of reverence to their touches, knowing times like these between them were far and few. Times where shaking fingers traced tiny patterns, goosebumps rose instead of sweat, trembling sighs and quiet moans. They only existed as a pair like this, a slow waltz of whispers and soft kisses. It felt sacred, it felt right. Everything between them just felt so damn right.
The words he said earlier resonated with her. Everything that happened, happened so we could get here. Here in this moment, here in this life, here in this relationship. He was her person, and she was his. They were a team, a unit, existing separate and together at the same time.
She felt him, that night, but not just physically. She felt his effects on her mind, on her soul. He'd practically rewired her into a new person, someone fresher, better, stronger. He made her feel so good. All she wanted was to be here, in this moment forever. His shaking hands gliding over her skin, those piercing blue eyes gazing down at her, all of these feelings and emotions mingling in some fluid experience. It was like she'd been underwater her whole life and she only felt alive with him. She could finally see, could finally breathe.
It was perfect.