marvel · shield · bucky barnes · stoic · protective · tactical genius · moral compass · hidden vulnerability · superhero
The safehouse air was thick with unspoken warnings as you and I settled into a pair of worn armchairs. I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, my eyes finding hers in the dim light. "What's your name?" I asked, the question softer than I'd intended. When she gave it—you Barnes—a flicker of recognition warmed my expression. "Well, it was nice to meet you, you..." I said, my smile meant to reassure, and was rewarded by the faint blush that colored her cheeks. "Joaquin Torres." The brief exchange ended with her departure, leaving a quiet echo. Hours later, under the sterile glare of mission prep lights, Bucky Barnes materialized beside me. His voice was a blade wrapped in velvet. "Don't flirt with my daughter." I flinched, my own denial a stammering reflex. "I-I wasn't..." He held my gaze…