jaamesbbaarnes

[jaamesbbaarnes]

This Land is Your Land

Characters: Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, Sharon Carter, Y/N

Pairings: none

Warnings: mentions of death and violence

Song: This Land is Your Land by Sam Hunt

AN: Black lives matter. I thought about this while marching in a protest, thinking what it would be like to see Captain America as a black man in a time like this. Then I remembered, we have one. How inspiring it would be to see Sam Wilson lead a protest. I am writing this as a white person, hoping to show, if even just a sliver of the pain our brothers and sisters of color see. Please, if you can, sign petitions and make donations. We are in this together.

Sharon sat on the chair in the living room, closest to the door, her leg bouncing with anticipation. IT had been two hours. Two hours since Bucky and Y/N had left and two hours since Sam had locked himself in his room, cutting off all communication to the outside world.

The front door squeaked open, the super soldier and the spy carrying in groceries before looking around.

“How is he?” Y/N set down the few bags she was carrying before moving towards Sharon.

“He’s still in there. He won’t come out. I’ve tried everything but… he’s just locked himself in.” Sharon looked at her two other roommates, worry pouring over her face. Bucky put his bags down next to the other, making his way to his best friend’s door, giving it a hard knock.

“Sam…” There was silence. Y/N stood in anticipation, waiting for something. Anything.

“Listen, Sam. I get it, I do.” Bucky tried again before the door was thrown open and the super soldier was pushed into the wall behind him.

“No. No you don’t. and you’ll never get it.” Sam’s voice was harsh, strained, his eyes red and swollen from the tears he shed. Both women take a step closer before Bucky holds his hand up to stop them.

“Then tell me. Tell me, man. Don’t hold into this.” The soldier looked at the broken man in front of him, using tactics that had been used on him to open up. Sam stood there for a second, his mind racing. Hurt and confusion playing on his face.

“They killed him. They just... They just killed him.” He finally made eye contact with the man in front of him. Bucky saw the pain in his eyes before putting his arms around him and pulling him in.

“I know. I know. I saw the video too.” He whispers to him, his friend breaking down in his arms.

“Why? WHY?!” Sam screamed out, clinging to Bucky for the strength he couldn’t find in himself. Bucky held him close, moving his eyes to meet the girls. Sharon jump up first and moved to Sam.

“I don’t know. I don’t know why but I promise you, I will do whatever I have to to bring him justice.” Sharon put her hand on him to comfort him.

“Justice? You think there will be justice?” He turns to face her. “No. No one will do anything. Just another unarmed black man to cross off their list!”

The three look at each other as if see what they should do.

“You say you get it? That you understand? Tell me, when you were growing up, were you ever afraid that you may not make it home? Or that someone would call the cops on you? Did your parents ever sit you down and give you the talk? No, not that one, the one on how to survive?” More silence filled the room as all eyes were on Sam as he shakes his head. “Don’t tell me you get it until your brothers and sisters are killed in the streets simply on the fact that their skin is black.”

Y/N took a step first, making her way to Sam. She put her hand on his cheek as her tears matched his.

“Then tell us.” Her words were simple but held more behind them. “Tell us. Tell everyone. Make them see the pain you feel.”

“No one will listen. They never do.” He hung his head.

“Make them listen.” Sharon spoke up. “Tell us, what we need to do to help.”

Sam looked around the small room. All three faces were on him, not full of judgement like he expected, but full of concern and determination.

“I need to make a call.”

One week later.

Chants echoed through the buildings, amplifying the words. People held signs and fists in the air. People marched side by side, taking up the streets. The New Avengers sat in the car, watching it all from their parked location.

“Are you ready for this?” Bucky looked over at Sam whose eyes were outside the vehicle, watching the people pass them.

“You all with me?”

“Every step, Captain.” Y/N nods to him. He turns to look at the two women in the back seat, both dressed and ready to go.

He opened the door and stood on the sidewalk. The sun bared down on him as yet another act of oppression, telling him to stop, turn back, he wouldn’t win. However, this time he didn’t listen to it. He pulled his mask over his face and pulled the shield out to hold. He lifted his head to see the other three passengers all pulling their own masks on, all containing the words: I can’t breathe.

His eyes moved to the crowd one last time. He saw people of every gender, age, race, all walking together, all marching for a world they wanted to see. He took a final deep breath before stepping onto the asphalt. He moved into the crowd, chanting, calling, letting his voice be heard. The entire time, Y/N, Sharon and Bucky stood with him. Maybe this wouldn’t be the end, maybe it didn’t have to be, but Sam knew that this was the start towards something better.

[jaamesbbaarnes]

Lockdown

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader 

Warnings: talk of virus related topics, death, sickness, isolation

Summary: A virus has taken over most of the world. Some are handling it better than others. 

Word Count: 1.4k

A/N: I know the world is crazy right now and we all are experiencing different levels of uncertainty. This is my way of dealing with it all. 

He moved down the hallway, his hands fidgeting. There were only so many times someone could work out, run simulated tactical missions and clean their weapons so many times before going stir crazy. This was going to be a long three weeks. If not more.

Outbreak, pandemic, fear. They all ran through the streets of New York City. The virus was spreading its way as a rapid pace through the Empire State as well as the rest of the world. People were scared, and rightfully so. Healthy people getting sick, hospitalized and, in unfortunate cases, dying of a virus many professionals knew almost nothing about.

It had been a decision of the governor to shut down the city to slow down the spread. No one in or out unless it was absolutely essential for you to leave. People quarantined to their homes, stuck, unable to get a breath of fresh air it seemed. But it was necessary to keep the city from becoming a warzone.

Bucky made his way towards the shared kitchen and common room as he started hearing the yelling.

“Are you crazy? There is no way the answer to that question is video games!” Sharon yelled, getting up from her seat to show her dominance.

“It says right here on the card, video games.” The last two words were given emphasis by Sam who pointed at the card in his hand.

“Give it to me!” Sam willed back as Sharon lunged towards him. “Give me the card, Wilson.”

“Damn, someone is a sore loser.” The Falcon, well, now Captain, teased his playmate.

“I’m not a sore loser! You’re making up answers!” She lunged again, grabbing the card. “What?!” Bucky couldn’t help but laugh at the look of defeat on the special agent’s face.

“Oh, like you would have known this answer yourself.” She points her frustration him. He held his hands up.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Would you believe that the answer to ‘Which form of entertainment was deemed free speech after the 2011 Supreme Court case Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association?’ was video games?” Her face turned from frustrated to desperate, trying to reassure herself of her intelligence. Bucky turned back to the coffee he had just poured for himself and stirred in the sugar.

“Honestly, Shar, nothing surprises me anymore. Would I have guessed it? No. Does it surprise me? Also no.”

“Ha!” Sam smirked in victory and Sharon groaned, turning back to the game.

Bucky surveyed the room, looking over the two and their game, then over to their makeshift command center. Sam had told him that this was a hideout they had used after the accords to stay contacted to those who didn’t see Sam, Steve and Natasha as criminals. This had been there home then just like it was his home now. Only one member of their team was missing.

“Hey, where is she?” He didn’t have to say her name, they all knew who Bucky would be asking for.

“Steve’s old room.” Sharon barely lifted her head.

“It’s been a rough day for her.” Sam made eye contact with him. They were all aware of how this virus and quarantine was affecting you. After coming back from the Snap, learning of the death of both Tony and Natasha, then finding out that Steve had done back in time to live his life with Peggy, you were desperate to find some sense of normal. This virus had thrown a wrench in those plans.

He nodded to the two and made his way up the stairs to the only room on the top floor of the house. He could hear the new anchors and experts debating and giving more updates on the situation that was going on outside of the walls.

“Many people turn off the news as a way to relax. You should try it sometime.” She smiled and looked back at him.

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Yeah, I know.” He matched the expression on her face. It was insane the number of ways she was similar to Steve. The same sense to fight for what’s right, stubborn as hell and willing to do what she needed for those she loved. Maybe that’s why he had always felt a sense of companionship to the girl.

“People are dying, Buck.” She broke the comfortable silence after looking back to the tv. “They’re dying and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“We can stay inside.” He tried to lighten the mood. A small chuckle left her throat.

“I’m not used to feeling so useless.” He watched her as the number of infected scrolled across the screen. A sea of red indicating every area affected by the disease so far.

“Have you called your mom today?” Hopefully focusing on something she could do would help.

“Yeah. She said she’s trying to sew as many masks as she can in a day. She also said it’s a good thing it’s happening in the spring time and not the winter. She gets to kick dad out to do yardwork instead of strangling him and pulling all her hair out.” She turned back to him with an amused look on her face. He couldn’t help but laugh.

“You definitely get your sassiness from her.”

“You call Pepper?” Her face turned back to concern before he moved to sit next to her.

“Her and Morgan are upstate at the cabin. Said they have enough food for a few weeks but would reach out if they need anymore. Morgan has decided to take up beading. Pep assured me that we would all get beautiful jewelry made by Morgan for Christmas.” She giggled again.

“And I will wear it with pride.” Her face lit up talking about the young Stark. Tony wasn’t the only one Morgan had given hope to. “Buck, what are we going to do?”

He sat with her for a minute, not quite knowing what to say. His arm found its way around her arm ad he pulled her closer to him, her resting her head on his shoulder.

“We’re gonna take it one day at a time. Fill each day with as much as we can and then worry about the next day. It’s all we can do.”

She looked up at him from his shoulder. His hair was short again, like in the pictures Steve had shown her. His stubble was growing in from days of not caring to shave. When you’re locked in the same place with the same people, you stop your standard routine.

“Do you always know what to say?” He looked down at her and couldn’t help the grin that creeped onto his face.

“Believe it or not, that was actually the advice my mom used to say to Rebecca and I every night in 1930 Got our family through the Depression.” She nodded.

“Well, your mom gave good advice.”

“She was a smart woman.”

“Had to be. She raised you and Steve.” There was the sass again.

“We’re gonna be ok, Doll. This is just a moment in time. Things get better. Besides, we have each other. Also, we have the other idiots in the common room who are currently fighting over Trivial Pursuit questions.” She chuckled again and tucked her head back onto his shoulder.

“One day at a time.” She repeated before silence filled the room again.

They watched the news as the sun began to fall between the buildings. It was a scary time outside. People were fighting about the best way to take action to combat the virus and others were stockpiling food making it difficult for others to get the essentials.

After a while, he finally heard her breathing settle and felt her heartbeat slow. He continued to hold her after she had fallen asleep, it had been a few days since she had gotten an actual decent night’s sleep.

He looked down at her peaceful face and knew that they would get through this, it was only a matter of waiting out the crazy. It was hard to the light at the end of the tunnel but he knew it was there. He had made it through too much to have this be the end. All he had to do now was help you and the other two make it to the next day. That’s all he could do.

The world was on lock down.

[jaamesbbaarnes]

The One That Got Away (1/?)

Chapter: A New Beginning 

Pairing: Bucky x Reader 

Warning: None in this chapter. Maybe a curse word or two. Canon level violence in future chapters. 

Summary: After the events of Civil War, Steve and Tony come to an understanding and the Accords are signed by everyone involved. Shortly after, Bucky joins ranks, becoming the newest member of the Avengers. Yet our pasts always fine a way to catch up to us in one way or another. It only takes time to figure out if it’s for better or for worse. 

___

           Bucky fumbled with the Avengers issued quarter zip jacket as he looked in the mirror for the seventh time in twelve minutes. Press conferences were never his thing, not even in the 40’s when the commandos would find the chance to get in front of the nation and reassure them that they were doing all they could to stop the Hydra forces, Bucky stood in the background. Press conferences were Steve’s thing, hell maybe even Sam’s, but this time it was different. This time the focus was on him. He chuckled to himself thinking that he was the best person to add to the team. He was the Winter Soldier after all. Hydra’s top assassin, turned Avenger? The thought was enough to make him think he was going mad.

           It had taken a few months, but in time the therapy had helped him get back under his own feet. Training helped, too. The routine of it all made him stay busy and focused. After a while, Steve agreed to send him out on a few missions, strictly recon though. No one knew how he would handle battle just yet and it was in everyone’s best interest to not run that risk.

Natasha had also helped him, filing in the blanks of his memory, at least with the pieces than included her. Hydra and the Red Room, all dark spaces in his mind, yet Nat tried to remind him of the good. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today,” she would remind him. His little ballerina with the hair of scarlet and an aim fit to kill. She reminded him that he saved her, in more ways than one, and that she wasn’t the only one. There were a few Widows in the world that owed him their thanks.

           “Stop fidgeting and stop being nervous about how you look.” Sam mumbles with his eyes closed, laying his head on the back of the couch.

           “You trying to tell me I’m handsome or something?” Bucky looks back at the man and smirks. The two men had gotten close to each other over the years. After finding him in Romania and the events of the Sokovian Accords blowing over, Bucky had befriended the man with wings.

           “Hell no, I’m just saying, you’ll be standing next to me and no one will be looking at you.” The Falcon shot back with a smirk. The two men chuckle together as the door opens and Steve walks in.

           “You ready for this?” He asks his best friend.

           “No, but it’s not like a really have a choice is it?”

           “It’s just a formality, Buck. You’ve already been a part of the team for months now, we just have to officially announce it. We did one a few weeks ago for Wanda and Vision.” The Captain walks over and puts his hand on the man’s shoulder.

           “Yeah, Tinman, it’ll be over in no time. We all had to go through it.” Sam stands up and stretched his legs.

“Yeah well, looks like I have no other choice. Let’s just get this over with.” He takes a deep breath and turns towards the door. Steve nods to him and opens the door, revealing the rows of journalist and members of the press. Cameras start flashing and questions start flying at it and about him.

He walks into the room, moving to the stage with the other members of the Avengers team, standing between Steve and Sam. Natasha looks at him, giving him a nod of reassurance before turning back to the crowd. Wanda stands with Vision and Hawkeye, Banner and Stark stand next to them. Rhodey stands at the podium, waiting the make the official announcement. The only Avenger missing is Thor who is off planet, taking care of business after his father had passed. The room goes silent as Rhodey clears his throat.

“The Avengers would like to announce the addition of another member to our team.  Everyone, meet James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier.

___

She rushed around the tiny apartment, pulling on her shoes as the phone was wedged between her cheek and her shoulder, the news of the day playing from the television in the other room.

“Yes, yes I will be there. Just give me twenty minutes.” She answered her boss’s plea for her to come in.

“Thank you. I know Fridays are usually your days with the little man but we had two of the new girls call out and I didn’t know who else to count on.” The owner of the diner relied. When she first moved to Athens, Greece, the old man had hired her, taking pity of the single mother. Soon their relationship had grown and the two became like family to one another. She didn’t mind picking up shifts for the other man who had given her a second chance at life. Well, her and her son.

“Anything for you, Alexei. I’ll be over as fast as I can.” She reassured him before hanging up the phone and moving back into the main room where her son sat in his highchair, eating his breakfast.

“Ok, baby. Mommy’s gonna get you over to Mrs. Mykopolis’s for a few hours. Then we will go to the bakery and get your favorite snacks.” She rambled on, not sure her son was even listening. Her little boy loved watching the news. He was smart for a three-year-old. That she could thank his father for.

“Mommy, they just said my name!” A smile spread on the child’s face as he looked to her from the tv.

“Yeah? Talking to a Jamie, are they?” she smiled, her back to him, packing a few things he would need while she was gone.

“No mommy. They said my real name!” her son cheered as he turned back to the news announcement.

“What?” She turned and looked at him confused, trying to see what he was looking at.

“James Buchanan!” he smiled at his mother as she made her way to him. She looked over at the announcement as her heart stopped, looking into her favorite pair of blue eyes.