Prompts: Separated/Rope Burns/"Why did you save me?"

Clint/Bucky...or is it? (No powers)

This is based on a movie that was released earlier this year. If you don't know what it is or haven't seen it, I'll reveal it in the end notes.

Warning: graphic/disturbing topic

Clint opened his refrigerator and found, what else? An expired gallon of milk, a couple of beers, and some leftovers that reminded him of a science experiment gone bad. "Damn, guess I haven't been to the grocery store in a while." He grabbed his jacket out of the closet, made sure his wallet was in his back pocket, grabbed his keys and phone from the table in the entryway, and walked to the corner store.

When he got to the store, he grabbed a basket and waved to Mr. O'Leary, who was behind the register. Clint went to the frozen food section, grabbed some frozen pizzas, and then went to the coffee aisle. As he reached for his favorite coffee, another hand beat him to the last package. "Aw, coffee, no."

"Oh, man, I'm so sorry. Was that the brand you wanted?"

Clint sighed. "Yeah, but it's okay. I'll get another kind." Clint looked over and saw a man about his height with wavy, dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes who looked sad like he'd just kicked Clint's puppy if he had one.

"Nah, it's not okay. I can tell how disappointed you are. Here," the mystery man said, "you take this one, and I'll grab something else."

Clint's face brightened. "Really? That'd be great, thanks!" Clint took the pound of coffee from the man and put it in his basket.

The man smiled and looked in Clint's basket. "Pizza and coffee? My favorite combination."

Clint swore he'd died and gone to heaven. Throughout his varied and suspect dating history, he'd dated all kinds of people, but never one who understood the mixing of pizza and coffee like he did. "Mine, too." Clint held out his hand. "Clint. Always happy to meet another aficionado."

"James. Pleasure to meet you." James's grip was firm, impressing Clint. Clint felt he was shaking James's hand way too long, but it felt so comfortable he didn't want to let go. "Clint, your pizzas?"

He looked down, and his pizzas were starting to melt. "Aw, pizza, no."

James chuckled. "I have an idea." James removed the bag of coffee from Clint's basket. "Why don't we go to the pizza joint down the street, and then we can go back to my place, and I'll fix you some coffee?"

Clint, never one to pass up an opportunity to get to know a good-looking person better, agreed. "Lead on." Clint stuck the pizzas back in the freezer, followed James to the register, and watched as he paid for the coffee.

James reached down and linked his fingers with Clint's when the two men walked out of the grocery store and onto the bustling New York sidewalk. "This okay?" Clint nodded. "Good. I don't want to do anything you're not comfortable with."

"You'd be surprised what I'm comfortable with."

James smirked. "I can't wait to find out."

They arrived at the pizza place. James held the door open for Clint, and the two headed to a booth in the back. Clint sat down, and James slid into the booth next to him. "What kind of pizza?" James asked.

Clint shrugged his shoulders. "Surprise me."

James ordered a half-veggie, half three-meat pizza. "Sound good?"

"Interesting combination, but I'm okay with it."

"I don't eat animals," James answered, explaining the veggie side.

"Vegetarian, good to know." The two talked while waiting for their pizza. Clint told James how he had an older brother he hadn't seen in several years and how his parents had died in a plane crash when they were children, and how he makes ends meet by teaching archery at a private school and the Y. James said he was from Texas and his mother had recently passed away. "What brings you to the East Coast?"

"My residency."

"You're a doctor?" Clint had never gone out with someone of that stature before (if you could call this a date, he thought).

James nodded. "Plastic surgeon." He shared some of his more interesting cases and how his skills enabled him to help those less fortunate. They continued talking until their pizza arrived. James had also taken the liberty of ordering them each an old-fashioned to drink.

Clint took a sip of the mixed drink. He was usually a beer with his pizza guy, but he figured when in Rome. "Mmm, this is good. I've never had one before."

"It's my favorite drink. Glad you like it." Clint and James ate the pizza in silence, except for some moans that escaped Clint's mouth as he inhaled his side of the pizza. When they finished, they leaned back into the cushioned booth. "Another drink?"

Clint shook his head. "I'm good. Thanks to my dad, I'm a lightweight regarding alcohol. Saw how it affected him and knew I didn't want to end up that way."

"That's admirable." James wiped his mouth. "About ready?"

Clint felt something under the table, looked down, and saw James had put his hand on his thigh and was firmly squeezing it. "Uh, sure."

James tossed some bills on the table, took Clint's hand, and left the restaurant. "I don't live far from here." All Clint could do was nod and stumble as James led him to his apartment. Several minutes later, they arrived at a fancy, high-rise apartment. James nodded to the doorman and led Clint inside. When the elevator arrived, they took it up to the penthouse. James unlocked the door and motioned for Clint to step inside. "After you."

Clint walked in and stood in the foyer, taking in the open concept floorplan with modern décor. "This is, uh, wow."

"Overwhelming?"

"That's one word for it."

"Go ahead, make yourself comfortable. I'll get the coffee going."

"Where's your bathroom?"

James pointed down the hallway. "First door on your left."

Clint nodded and disappeared down the hallway. James continued to the kitchen and started his coffeemaker. By the time Clint returned from the bathroom, James had placed two coffee cups on a table in the living room. "The place is growing on me. Maybe it's the music." He noticed James had turned on a stereo, and there was soft instrumental music coming from the speakers and, had the lights been dimmed? Clint sat down, picked up a coffee mug, then took a sip. "It tastes different than what I'm used to."

"I should've asked. I'm sorry. I added some sweetener to it. Let me guess. You prefer it black." James looked disappointed.

"That's okay. I didn't tell you, but yes, that's usually the way I take it. I'm willing to change if it tastes like this, though. This is delicious."

James smiled and shifted closer to Clint. "I hope I'm not being too forward, but so are you." James took the cup from Clint, set it on the table, and then leaned in and kissed Clint. There was nothing more Clint wanted at that moment but to return James's kiss. Eventually, James pulled away and looked at Clint, noticing how his eyes had grown darker, blown with lust. "Still comfortable?"

"Hell, yeah."

James wrapped a strong hand around Clint's neck and pulled him in for another round of kissing. Clint felt himself falling like he'd never fallen before, then he felt himself getting woozy and tried to break away from James. "What's wrong? Moving too fast?"

Clint shook his head. "I'm not feeling very good." He thought maybe if he went to the bathroom and splashed some water on his face, he'd feel better, so he stood up, but as soon as he did, he collapsed to the ground.

When Clint came to, he found himself in a plain room with a small overhead light. There were no windows, only one door, and no electronics, so he had no idea what time it was. He heard a click, and the door slid open. "Good, you're awake. How are you feeling, Clint?"

"What the hell is going on, James?"

James stood by the door. "You said you were comfortable with anything, so I'm putting that to the test."

"Ha, ha. All you had to do was ask. Now that we've had fun, I don't think this is going anywhere, so I'm going now." Clint went to move but realized he was tied with strong ropes to a railing on the wall. He began to struggle, but the ropes were tight, so all he succeeded in doing was giving himself rope burns. "What the hell?"

James strode across the room, grabbed Clint by his neck, and pinned him against the wall. "I have some very discerning clients who will pay good money for you." James trailed a finger along Clint's bicep. "Especially for these. They're always willing to pay extra for muscular portions. I've heard in parts of the world they're a delicacy."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Clint shouted.

James tightened his grip on Clint. "My clients have specific requests, and I procure them. I find it's easier to take people who are separated from their friends and families. No one to miss them when they disappear."

Clint finally realized what James was talking about. "Why are you saving me? Why not just kill me now and get it over with?"

An evil smirk crossed James's face. "Think of me as a black widow. I like to play with my toys before devouring them." He leaned in so close to Clint that the tips of their noses were touching. "And you, Clint, are going to be delectable." James kissed Clint, nibbling on his lower lip, drawing blood, then shoving him away. "I'll be back."

When James left, Clint sank to the floor, realizing what James said was true. No one would come looking for him, and when James got through with him, there would be nothing left of him for anyone to discover.