Bucky POV
An urgent knock at the door disturbed his packing. Bucky opened it.
"Bucky, I'm so sorry," Stella said, stepping inside. The door clicked shut behind her. "I should have listened when you tried to convince me not to leave." Her eyes trailed to the bed where his duffle bag lay open, half packed. "Please tell me you're not really leaving."
"I have to Stella." He said, turning towards his dresser and grabbing an armful of clothes. They weren't meticulously organized, he didn't have enough stuff that it made sense to do so. Most of his things were hand me downs from Steve and even Sam. Steve had bought Bucky a few new things when Bucky came to live at the compound but Bucky had refused them. Steve had done enough for him.
A few days later Steve had given him some "older" items of his own, claiming they were too small or worn. It was ridiculous on multiple levels because the man was the same size as Bucky and because he knew more than half the items were new, just with the tags taken off. Sam had done the same a few days later, most likely at Steve's suggestion. Bucky had let them simply because he knew Steve would keep trying.
He was good like that.
His eyes fell on a black Under Armour sweatshirt that had its own drawer. It had been his Christmas gift from Stella. He'd only worn it a couple times, wanting to keep it in pristine condition. He lifted it and carefully placed it in his bag.
"Why?"
"Stark doesn't want me here."
"Fuck Tony." Stella said, stepping in his path. "Bucky, I need you."
Bucky looked down at her. He reached up, stroking her face softly with his fingertips. She was looking at him with those big brown doe eyes of hers. He broke eye contact. He couldn't keep looking at her. If he did, then he'd give in. He stepped away, continuing to empty his drawers.
"Why did you cover for me?" Stella demanded. "Sneaking out was my idea."
"I didn't want you to get in trouble."
"I can handle Tony. You don't need to protect me from him."
"I can try."
"Bucky." Stella touched his arm and turned him so he was facing her. "What's with the mixed signals? You broke up with me and avoided me for a month but today you're acting like…" She trailed off.
Bucky didn't respond. He wanted to tell her the truth but what did it matter? He was leaving now. Maybe she was better off believing he didn't care…It would make things easier. In the long run, at least.
Stella swallowed. "I know I screwed up that night. I'm sorry I pushed things too far." Tears began to well in her eyes. "But please don't leave. I can't imagine this place without you."
Bucky was watching the myriad of emotions cross Stella's face, his resolve slowly cracking.
"Stella…"
"I know things have been weird between us but we can just be friends if that's what you want." She sniffed, the tears breaking free and pouring down her cheeks. "You were my only friend when I came here and now I don't even have you…I just want things to go back to normal." She paused, searching his eyes. "I'll talk to Tony, just don't go."
Bucky watched the girl in front of him cry, his willpower crumbling into a pile of dust. He couldn't let her believe he didn't care about her. She needed to understand, even if he did have to leave. She deserved to know how much he needed her too. How much he loved her.
He brushed her hair back from her face, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. She watched him wordlessly. He stared back before slowly pulling her chin towards his. He kissed her tenderly, trying to evoke as much emotion as he could into the kiss.
Stella covered her hands with his, leaning into him. Her face was still wet and the kiss was salty from the lingering tears. Bucky pulled back, dropping small kisses around her mouth, onto her cheeks, her temple, her forehead.
"I'm sorry," He whispered against her skin, pulling away so he could stare down at her. "Please don't cry. I can't bear it."
Stella was gazing up at him.
"More," She whispered.
Bucky obliged. This kiss was deeper, their tongues meeting and entwining lazily. Stella wrapped her arms around his neck. Bucky's hands slid down her body, wrapping around her thighs. He lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he perched on the edge of his bed. They kissed for long minutes, alternating from slow and measured to greedy and passionate. Stella's hands roved over his body, over his pecs and arms, back into his hair sending delightful shivers down his spine. Bucky rolled her over onto the bed.
"Bucky, wait." She whispered against his lips. Bucky broke the kiss.
He didn't know what had come over him.
"I'm so sorry. I should have asked before I-"
"Bucky, it's not that. Believe me." She stroked his face to assuage his concerns. "I just…I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with."
"I-what?" He asked, perplexed.
"I don't want you to feel like you have to do something you're not ready for. We can wait as long as you want. Even if that time never comes." Stella caressed his lip with her thumb. "I want to be with you but if it never happens physically that's okay."
Bucky stared down at her, confusion swirling in his brain. Realization crashed into him.
"Stella, you didn't make me do anything I didn't want to do that night. I've wanted you for so long…I just didn't want to take advantage of you. You were so upset about Stark…"
"…Really?" Her eyes flicked between his, trying to sense any dishonesty.
"I swear."
"Oh my God." Stella covered her face with her hands. "I was so worried I'd pushed you too far."
Bucky smirked. "Guess we were both being idiots."
Stella laughed. He dropped a kiss on her lips again, a smile donning his face for the first time in a month. Stella wrapped her arms around him, keeping him close.
"I don't know what I'd do without you Barnes." He hugged her back, burying his nose in her hair. This past month had felt like torture. He'd hated avoiding her. It felt unnatural. He pulled away and stared down at her, stroking her cheek.
"How could you ever doubt how much I want you Stella?" It was absurd, ludicrous that she didn't know.
Stella's gaze heated.
"I want you too, Bucky."
"You do?"
She nodded, smiling shyly. Bucky knew what she was asking.
"Are you sure doll?"
"Yes." She kissed him deeply, her hands cupping his face. "Make love to me, Bucky," She murmured against his lips. Bucky kissed her softly, their lips moving against one anothers' with agonizing tenderness. If this was going to be their first time together, he was going to do it the right way.
Bucky trailed his tongue along her bottom lip before sucking on it. Stella opened her mouth and their tongues met. She bit his bottom lip gently, sliding her tongue over it.
Bucky's hand moved from her face to her hair and gripped it gently. His other hand trailed down her back before settling on her butt and squeezing it through her leggings.
He was reluctant to leave her lips but broke the kiss so could drag his teeth across her pulse, sucking on her collarbone.
Stella moaned and it was one of the sweetest sounds he'd ever heard. Her hands trailed up his chest, gripping his arms. She tried to free her hips which were pinned beneath his own. Bucky lifted himself so less of his weight was on her. She twirled her now free hips against his. He groaned into her neck.
"Don't do that unless you're prepared to deal with the consequences," He growled, lifting his head to look at her. She smirked and did it again. Heat rushed through him. His hands pinned hers above her head. Stella's eyes lit up.
His eyes slid to his metal arm.
Slowly Bucky's expression changed. He loosened his grip on her hands and sat up. Stella did as well.
"Baby, what happened?" She asked, rubbing his back. "Where'd you go?" Bucky rubbed his face roughly.
"…I'm afraid of hurting you."
"Bucky…If you're not ready it's okay. We can stop."
"I am ready. I don't want to stop. I want you so badly it hurts, but I don't trust myself."
Stella POV
Stella considered his words.
"Do you trust me Bucky?"
"With my life." He said without hesitation.
Stella couldn't begin to process the weight of his words which set off an eruption of butterflies in her chest. She stood and dropped onto Bucky's lap, brushing his hair out of his face, angling it up so he was looking up at her.
"Are you sure you don't want to stop?" She murmured.
"I'm sure."
She smiled, dropping a soft kiss onto his lips.
If Bucky couldn't, then she would have to take the lead. Though she had to be careful and watch for any hesitation from the man.
Bucky responded, kissing her back. Stella reached down and found the hem of the t shirt he wore with the word ARMY printed across the front. He let her pull it over his head. Once he was bare chested she ran her fingers down his chest then back up. She trailed her fingers down his arms, joining the fingers of his metal arm and her flesh one. She brought his hand up to her lips and kissed the cool metal. She pressed it against her cheek. His eyes contracted in emotion.
"Don't stop," He whispered. She joined their lips again, bringing his hand to her hip.
"It's okay," She encouraged. He crushed her to him, but not in an unpleasant way. They kissed a long time, enjoying their closeness, the intimacy of their decision. Once Stella could feel Bucky's hard length beneath her she gently encouraged him back so he was laying on the bed. She debated taking her shirt off, then opted not to. Bucky would take it off when he was ready.
She ran her hand from his shoulder down his chiseled chest, stopping at his waist line and toying with the elastic of his sweats. His erection was clearly pressed against the fabric, but Stella had to be sure.
"Is this okay?"
He nodded. She moved her hand downwards and gripped his member through the fabric. She toyed with him a bit, massaging him through the material before tugging on the fabric. Bucky got the hint and pushed his sweats and underwear off.
Though Stella had seen him once before, her mind hadn't been in the best of places so she hadn't really appreciated his size.
That super soldier serum really works wonders…
She pumped him a bit but he was clearly very ready and she didn't want to tease him too much since she knew it had been a while since he'd been with someone. His skin was already covered in a sheen of sweat and he was arching towards her hand as she stroked him.
Bucky reached up, pulling her down for a kiss. There was a tearing sound when his metal hand found her shirt. She looked down to see it hanging loosely off her body.
"Err…Sorry." Bucky said awkwardly. "I guess I was a little excited."
Stella couldn't help but laugh.
"That was Natasha's."
Bucky laughed too. Stella shrugged off the remains of the ruined shirt, then smirked coyly and reached back to unclasp her bra. She watched Bucky as she eased the delicate fabric down her arms.
Bucky's eyes trained on her breasts. He swallowed. She stood before slowly slinking out of her leggings and underwear. She stood before him for a moment, letting him drink her in. Bucky's gaze dragged from her head to her toes, and back up.
"God Stella…you're stunning."
She blushed.
"You're not so bad yourself handsome," She said as she crawled up his body, dropping on top of him to press their naked bodies together. Bucky cupped her breast, pulling her up so he could take her nipple into his mouth.
She moaned, her head falling back. His other hand reached between her legs to find her very ready. It seemed he'd gained some of his confidence back, something Stella was very grateful for.
"You're so wet," He groaned longingly as he stroked her slick slit.
"Because I want you," She managed, opening her eyes so she could stare heatedly at the man.
"I want you too, doll."
"Do you have a condom?" Stella asked.
"Oh. I don't." He paused. "Shit. I haven't bought condoms since the 40's."
"I'm on birth control. Is that enough?"
"That must've been a fun conversation to have with Bruce."
"You have no idea," Stella said with a smirk.
"I'm clean," Bucky offered.
"Me too." They smiled at each other shyly. Bucky took her in his arms, kissing her deeply.
"Are you ready doll?"
"Very."
That was putting it lightly. She'd wanted to jump the man's bones from the minute she saw him.
Stella positioned herself so she was straddling Bucky's hips, her entrance hovering over his member. She teased him a little, sliding her lips over the tip of his dick tantalizingly.
Bucky groaned.
"Stella."
She smiled, finally aligning herself and sliding down his hard length. She bit her lip, using all her willpower to go slowly for Bucky's sake. The man's eyes were heavy, his gaze locked on her. Once he was seated fully inside her Stella paused for a moment, allowing herself time to adjust to the man's hefty size.
"Fuck," She gasped. It felt good, too good.
"Are you okay?" Bucky asked her, his hands gripping her hips tightly but not painfully.
"Yeah," She managed. "You?"
He nodded.
She began moving again, sliding her hips in a figure eight over his. Bucky bit his lip, his grip on her tightening. She alternated by rocking back and forth over him. Their bodies were slick with sweat and other fluids, gliding together effortlessly.
"Fuck," Bucky managed, the word long and drawn out.
Stella smirked. That was what she'd been waiting for.
"Do you like that?"
"God, it feels so good Stella."
She began bouncing on his hips. He began thrusting up into her, right against her G spot.
This time it was Stella's turn to gasp. She continued her movement, their hips meeting in the middle as they connected again and again.
It felt amazing, incredible even to finally share this experience with Bucky. Stella was about to grind her hips over his again when Bucky bit out something in Russian. His expression was awash with pleasure, his brows furrowed. Stella would have asked what it meant but he chose that moment to roll them so Stella was on her back.
"All you needed to do was ask Sergeant," She said playfully. He grinned down at her, pressing their lips together in a heated kiss. He started a slow pace, staying bent over her so he could watch her expression as he fucked her.
"Vous êtes si belle," He murmured, lowering himself so he could cover her face in tiny kisses. Stella stared up at him. That had sounded like French. How many languages did this man know?
He ground his hips into her, picking up the pace a little. Stella thrust up into him, his metal hand on her hip aiding her in matching his pace. He was even deeper now. Stella felt like she was on fire.
Her skin was slick with sweat. So was Bucky's. Perspiration covered them both, dripping from his chest onto her stomach. Even the windows in the room had fogged up.
Stella realized with a jolt that it had gotten much hotter in the room. Too hot.
"Bucky, stop."
Bucky's eyes, which had been closed in passion, shot open. He ceased his movements immediately.
"Did I hurt you?" He brushed her hair back from her face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It's not you. I just…my power."
Bucky stared down at her in confusion before looking around the room. He hadn't noticed how hot it had gotten until then.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine but my control on my power is slipping." She admitted. "I don't know if I can control it."
"Are you worried you're going to start a fire?"
"No, but I don't want to burn you. My skin gets really hot when I'm…worked up." She ended lamely.
"You could never hurt me doll." His traced his thumb over her bottom lip.
"Please tell me if it gets too much. I couldn't bear it if I caused you pain."
"I will."
Bucky began moving inside her again, his hand tangling in her hair. The other wrapped around her back, adjusting her so they were both kneeling on the bed, their hips still joined.
He began lifting her, moving her to his rhythm. His grip was tight on her skin. She knew he was close.
Stella matched his pace, grinding her hips back into him when they joined. His dick was deep inside her, filling her completely. Her clit was pressed against his hips and every time they pressed together, it sent her closer to the edge.
"Bucky," She groaned into his neck.
He began thrusting faster. They both did, chasing their orgasm.
"Stella, I'm gonna-"
"Me too," She bit out.
"Fuck," He cried, pumping his hips into hers. Stella cried out as she came, pleasure coursing through her. Bucky thrust into her a few more times, elevating her high. Once she finally stopped coming, he lowered her down slowly, their foreheads pressing together.
"Wow," Stella murmured. Bucky merely smiled, kissing her softly. He looked younger, like the stress of his past had disappeared, if only for these few precious moments.
Bucky POV
Stella stroked the red splotches Bucky's skin.
"Did I hurt you?"
"No. Your skin was hot, but it wasn't painful." The areas were still warm to the touch. The windows were still foggy, the air in the room still hot but cooling slowly.
The two laid in each others' arms, Stella resting her head on Bucky's chest and staring up at him, Bucky toying with her hair as he held her. He felt so content. He didn't want to leave her. Not now. Not ever.
He had made love to her without hurting her. It was like a huge weight had been taken from his shoulders.
"Can I ask you something?" Stella started eventually.
"Shoot."
"Why did you break up with me? If it wasn't because of that night…"
Bucky hesitated.
She deserves the truth.
"…I can't lie to you anymore."
"Lie to me?" Her face contorted in confusion.
"I've been keeping my distance because Tony asked me to. It's the reason I broke things off and why I avoided you this past month."
Stella stilled.
"Why would he do that?" Her voice was impossible to read.
"He wanted you to focus on training. He didn't want me to distract you."
"Distract me?" Stella repeated in disbelief. Before he could react, Stella stood abruptly and began pulling on her clothes. Bucky sat up, the sheet pooling at his waist.
"Doll?"
Stella shimmied on her pants. She picked up her shirt before remembering it was ruined. Tossing it aside, she plucked Bucky's off the floor, shrugging it on. It was three sizes too big and sagged helplessly off one shoulder, but she didn't care. She was livid.
"Stella. Wait-" Bucky started.
She didn't. She stormed off in the direction of Tony's office.
Stella POV
She didn't bother knocking, storming inside. Tony and Steve stood behind the desk, mid conversation. They looked up when she entered.
"Stella?" Steve asked.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" She demanded, aiming her words at Tony.
"Excuse me?"
"Is this your idea of parenting? Keeping the only person who makes me happy away from me?"
"What're you talking about?" Tony asked, clearly bewildered.
"Bucky!" Stella exploded. "You told him to stay away from me. Don't bother denying it, he told me everything."
"Stella…" Tony started.
"Are you trying to hurt me?"
"Of course not. I'm protecting you."
"How is this protecting me?" She crossed her arms and the collar of the shirt slid off, revealing her bare shoulder. Steve's eyes trailed down to the chest where the word ARMY was printed in bold black letters. Stella knew he was recognizing the shirt as Bucky's and was probably putting together the pieces of what had just happened between them.
"Were you in on this too Rogers?" Stella snapped.
"I didn't know anything about it Stella."
Stella shook her head. "Why don't I believe you?"
Steve's face looked undeniably sad at her words.
"Listen kid…There's a lot you don't know about Barnes," Tony interrupted.
"I know about his past as the Winter Soldier. Unlike other people, he doesn't hide things from me."
"Really? Did he tell you he killed your grandparents?" Tony retorted.
"…What?" Stella questioned, momentarily taken off guard. "What're you talking about?"
"Stella…"
She turned towards the new voice. Bucky was standing in the doorway behind her. She was unsure how long he'd been there.
"It was during my time as the Winter Soldier…I'm so sorry." His expression was nothing short of tormented, guilt heavy behind his eyes.
"But my grandparents… My abuelo died of cancer and my abuela from old age."
"I mean my parents."
"Tony, Bucky was under the control of Hydra at that time," Steve reminded quietly.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER." Tony snarled, whirling on Steve.
Stella was still staring at Bucky. He was frozen in the doorway, afraid to touch her…afraid of her reaction.
"…It wasn't him." Stella said eventually, turning back around to face the two men. "I'm sorry that happened to you Tony, but I know Bucky would never willingly hurt anyone."
"You think you know him so well? You've only known him a few months Stella," Tony flung back.
"I know him better than I know you," She said defiantly. "Bucky's the only person who's actually been there for me and you want to throw him out for something I did. I was the one who was sneaking out of the compound. Bucky was trying to stop me. I refused to listen so he came with me to protect me."
Stella tried to see reason in Tony's eyes but as he glared at Bucky all she could see was hatred. She shook her head. He would never understand.
"I'm out of here. You just kicked out my last reason to stay."
"Stella…I just convinced Tony to let Bucky stay." Steve said gently.
"For now." Tony snapped.
"It doesn't matter. I'm done with this place and the lies. I'm going back home."
"Hydra is still after you. You still need training for your powers. You can't leave," Tony answered.
"Watch me." Stella could feel her hands getting hot, feel the air around her warming.
"Stella, I have to agree with Tony. You could hurt someone," Steve said, trying to force as much reason as he could into his words.
"I can't stay here anymore. My decision is final." She turned on her heel.
"We won't let you." Tony said.
It was what she'd been waiting for.
"Try and stop me."
In the blink of an eye she turned and reached out her hand, setting Tony's desk ablaze. Blue flame engulfed it. Tony jumped back. Steve set his gaze on her. They locked eyes for a moment.
"Stell-"
She didn't wait for him to finish. She moved towards the door. Seeing her intention, Steve jerked forward.
"Stella, wait!"
He tried to grab her arm. Stella twirled out of the way and slipped through the door, slamming it shut behind her.
Anger was pumping through her veins. The handle to the door easily melted under her grip.
Bucky was still standing in the hall. He'd stepped aside when he saw her coming.
"Stella…" He started. "I shouldn't have said anything. This is my fault."
"Bucky, you just told me the truth. Never apologize for that." Stella felt her resolve harden. "You were right. Tony's solution, the bracelets…They were driving me crazy. I was ready to lose my mind and you finally talked some sense into me." She paused. "I can't stay here anymore, can't live under Tony's roof. I have to go."
"What about Hydra?"
"I have some friends I can lay low with until I figure things out and get a new place."
"If that's what you really want…I won't stop you."
"Come with me." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"Stella." Bucky's eyes were pained. "There's nothing I want to do more than that."
The pair of them could hear Steve and Tony shouting from inside the room, banging on the door.
"Then why not?"
"Steve said he convinced Tony to let me stay…"
"Of course…I understand."
"Please. Just let me explain." He took her hands for emphasis. "I can't leave with Hydra inside my head. I can't hurt anyone else. Especially you." He held her gaze. "I couldn't bear it."
"I understand Bucky." They stared at each other for a moment, unsure what else to say. Less than an hour ago they were lost in one another, his fingers on her skin, their bodies joined…
As if reading her mind Bucky pulled her in, pressing their lips together. She kissed him back, tears burning at her eyes.
"I'll find you once I'm free. I promise," He swore.
"I'll hold you to that." She gripped his hand before releasing it. He looked as if he wanted to say more, but she took off. She had to go before she lost her nerve.
Bucky watched Stella disappear around a corner before heading back in the direction of his room. He didn't want to see what happened next.
She ran, blindly heading in the direction of the lobby doors. She didn't have time to stop for her things. The door would only hold Tony and Steve for so long. She sprinted down the hall, passing a baffled Clint who was leaving the kitchen.
"Stella? You okay?" He called after her, but she ignored him. She made it down a few more corridors before a voice sounded above her.
"Team," Tony started. Stella whipped her head around, skittering to a halt.
Where was that coming from? It took her a moment to realize Tony was speaking over the intercom that was installed throughout the facility.
"Stella is trying to leave the compound. Stop her by any means necessary."
What the fuck? He'd narced her out to the team? Her blood boiled. Her window was even smaller now.
Stella ran even faster, sprinting down the staircase two steps at a time. She was almost to the lobby.
Almost there…
Rounding a corner, Stella came face to face with Natasha.
"Stella." The redhead said calmly, as if it were any other day.
"Nat."
"Why are you trying to leave?"
"You wouldn't understand." Stella's brain was working overtime, trying to think of alternate routes. It was no good. Any other way would take her deeper into the compound, increasing her odds of running into another member of the team.
"Try me."
"I don't belong here Nat."
"Yes, you do. You're one of us."
Stella knew the other woman was trying to distract her, to keep her talking.
"No. I'm not."
The last thing she wanted to do was fight her friend, but Stella had no choice. Natasha was an Avenger above all else. She wouldn't let her leave, not if Tony forbade it.
Stella ran at the woman and leapt. Her boot made contact with the wall. Stella used it to propel herself forward, hoping to pass the assassin.
Natasha was ready. She grabbed Stella in midair. They tumbled to the ground.
"Stella, stop," She urged, trying to pin her down.
"Let me go!" Stella shouted. She freed herself, twisting out of the redhead's grasp. Both women got to their feet, facing off.
"Don't make me do this," Natasha said and Stella could see the conflict in her eyes.
"I'm not making you do anything. Tony is. Just let me leave."
"I can't."
Natasha aimed a few moves at Stella, ones meant to disarm but not hurt her. Stella dodged, keeping her eyes on Natasha like she'd learned.
"Bucky trained you well," Natasha commented as they parried. Stella threw a couple of jabs at the woman which Natasha slipped.
Natasha swept her leg beneath her. Stella jumped but the other woman aimed a kick at her stomach, sending her flying into the nearest room. The redhead followed her inside. Stella got to her feet, starting to get annoyed.
"That was uncalled for."
"Stella, calm down and we can talk about this."
"I don't want to talk."
Natasha was standing between her and the doorway. She didn't want to use her power against her friend, but she had no choice. Stella sent a flame towards her, one she knew Natasha could easily dodge. When she did Stella charged her, slamming her shoulder into Natasha's chest which sent her sailing into the wall. The impact momentarily stunned her.
Stella used the opportunity to sprint into the hallway, shutting the door behind her and making quick work of melting the lock.
She kept moving. She couldn't trap the entire team behind locked doors. She needed to get out and quick.
Rounding the corner into the lobby, she finally saw the exit. She sprinted towards it but the automatic sliding doors stayed shut. Sliding to a halt in front of them, she waved at the sensors but nothing happened.
Tony had locked her in.
Stella was undeterred. She was so close to freedom she could taste it.
Jogging back to the other side of the lobby to gain momentum, she turned and sprinted towards the glass, slamming her knee into the window. It shattered.
Glass crunching beneath her bare feet, she ran onto the driveway. Wincing at the pain, she headed towards the barrier that surrounded the compound.
She just needed to get to the perimeter and she could get out like she'd done earlier. Then she'd head into the woods where it was harder to track her. Once she was in the tree line, she'd be home free.
There was a whirl of tech and a shadow crossed overhead. Stella looked up in time to see Sam soaring above. He dropped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Stella…why are you trying to leave? This is your home."
"I don't have time to explain Sam. Just let me pass. Please." She didn't want to fight another one of her friends, but she would if she had to.
"I can't do that."
Stella let her power course through her, her palms igniting in flame.
"That wasn't a request."
"I don't want to fight you, Stella."
"Then don't."
She set the grass around her ablaze. It spread quickly in all directions, the dry greenery going up in smoke.
Sam, predictably, took off towards the sky. Stella began running towards the gate again, keeping her eyes on him. He followed, diving towards her. She sent a ball of fire at him which he dodged before leaping onto her back. He pulled them both down but Stella rolled to her feet, switching to combat mode.
She aimed a punch at Sam who ducked and sent a few moves back which she narrowly avoided. Stella knew she could easily subdue him if she used her power but she didn't want to hurt the man, especially since they were grappling so closely. He was her friend, he was just following orders.
An idea formed in her head. She had never tried it before, but she had nothing to lose. She aimed a kick at Sam's chest, sending him stumbling back a few steps. Running parallel to the barrier she headed towards the end of the lawn, where the grass met the asphalt of the driveway.
When her feet hit the more solid ground she veered towards the exit again, forcing herself to ignore the pain of her bleeding feet. She directed her power to her heels the same way she did to her palms. The blacktop bubbled beneath her feet. Sam, still in pursuit, followed her. Once his boots hit the asphalt, it was over. He jolted forward, his boots stuck in the hardening ground. Unable to follow.
"Stella!" He called after her, but she didn't look back.
She was less than fifty feet from the barrier. Forty feet. Thirty.
She was so close…
She felt something hit the backs of her knees, sending her toppling forward. Throwing a look behind her to see what had tripped her, her eyes settled on Steve's shield.
She clambered back to her feet.
"Stella."
It seemed Steve had found a way through the sealed door. He'd caught up with her, no doubt due to his super soldier speed.
"Please stop." His expression was pained. It hurt her to seem him like this, but she couldn't stop. Not when she was so close.
"I can't Steve."
"Stella, you're bleeding. Come back inside and let's talk about this. Please."
"No," She said as she got into her fight stance. She was at the end of her patience.
"Come on kid, don't make us do this." Tony, clad in his Iron Man suit, flew up beside Steve and hovered in the air.
Stella shot a burst of flame at him. He rolled out of the way. Steve sprinted towards her. Stella turned and tried to outrun him but it was no good. His super soldier speed outmatched her. He tackled her to the ground.
"Let go of me! Let go! Damnit Rogers!" Stella screamed, struggling to get loose.
"Stella, calm down please," Steve begged. Her skin was so hot it was painful to the touch. He kept her pinned, though it was almost impossible to control her the way she thrashed.
"I can't stay here anymore. Let me go! I want to go home!" She cried desperately.
"Stella, honey…" Steve almost relinquished her at the sheer pain in her voice.
"It's gonna be okay kid," Tony said as he flew up beside them, dropping to the ground.
Before Steve could recognize what the man was doing, he snapped a metal cuff onto Stella's wrist, then did the same to the other. It took Steve a moment to recognize the cuffs as the bracelets Tony had developed for Stella to control her power in her sleep.
So much power and emotion was coursing through her, it shocked her immediately.
Stella gasped at the pain.
"Tony!" Steve said in disbelief.
"It's just to get her under control," Tony snapped.
"What did you do to me?" Stella demanded, still pinned down.
"I'm sorry kid. I can't let you leave."
Tears of humiliation and rage bloomed in her eyes as she stared at them. Steve had gone slack seeing what Tony had done. Stella bucked him off.
The bracelets shocked her again. She cried out.
Tony dragged the girl to her feet and began marching her back towards the compound.
Stella tried releasing a wave of pure power, enough to render the bracelets useless. The resulting pain made her stumble.
Steve was frozen where they left him, in shock and disbelief over what Tony had just done. Around him parts of the lawn were still ignited, the earth torn up and singed. One of the lobby windows was shattered, the glass twinkling in the afternoon sun. There was now a trench running down half the driveway where Stella had melted the asphalt. Sam had managed to free himself by unlacing his shoes and using his wings to lift him out of them, onto the grass beside Steve.
"Damn," The man murmured, seeing the carnage Stella had unleashed onto the grounds.
Stella kicked and fought all the way down to the cells. Tony led her over to one, pushing her inside before quickly activating it. Stella lunged at the barrier.
"You can't do this! I haven't done anything!" She yelled. She threw a fireball at the partition. It fizzled out as soon as it reached the barrier. The resulting shock from her bracelets knocked her off her feet.
"Stella, calm down," Tony tried to reason from the other side.
"Let me go Stark!" She screamed, slamming her palms on the barrier. "Let me out!"
Tony shook his head sadly, turning away.
"You can't leave me here!" She banged on the partition as Tony walked further and further away, eventually slipping into the hall and leaving her alone.
Or so she thought.
A/n: Poor Stella. Things seem to be getting worse and worse for her. Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far. Let me know your thoughts and what you think might happen in the next chapter in a review. Thanks for reading and shoutout to Tjy49, gbabyv, and VampireSa5m1993 for reviewing!
VampireSa5m1993, yes Jace has a face claim! Shoot me a DM as FF net won't let me send you one for some reason.