Hard to Love (Bucky Barnes fanfic)

Chapter 55

Why am I not the least bit surprised this walking blob fish is here and trying to hassle us?

I don't respond to his words. The questioning and accusatory side eye I receive from Tony not going unseen though. Bucky instinctively holds me tighter to his body, glaring across at Rumlow with the flames of hell behind those steel blues of his. I tap the back of my hand to Buckys chest, lightly pushing myself away to shimmy out of his arms and onto my own feet

Bucky hesitates for a second but releases me, noting the look in my eyes to trust me. As I take a wobbly and unsteady step forward, another chorus of guns clicking and agents taking aim wash over the silence

"Woah, woah. Easy fellas." Rumlow lifts a hand to halt his men. "We need the lovebirds alive." He keeps his eyes on Bucky and I, darting between us as he spoke

How the hell does he know??

Act natural Mel, don't let him see that he's striking a nerve

"I'm sorry- lovebirds?" Tony's voice is next. Anger curling around the word

...fuck

Rumlow raises a brow as he looks between Tony and I. Dark mischief spinning behind his eyes. "Oh, you didn't know?"

"What do you want Rumlow?" I snap at him with a scowl, hoping to divert the current conversation

He raises his hands by his sides, gesturing around him as if the answer was written in big bold letters in front of me. "You, sweetheart. And your boyfriend too."

"Boyfriend?!" Tony's voice much louder this time and definitely pissed off

"Tony-" Steve starts, also trying to deflect the situation

I silently thank him. Unable to look at anyone besides the horrible pile of flesh mockingly staring back at me. Rooting me in my spot. This can't honestly be happening. There's no possible way Rumlow would know of mine and Buckys relationship. Surely this is a nightmare, I actually ended up passing out back in the destroyed room and am being carried onto the jet safe and sound from another successful mission

God how I wish that were the truth

"No- what the hell does he mean by that Hayes?" Tony snaps, stepping around Steve to glare at me. To glare at Bucky. But I don't respond, I don't even look at him. I couldn't. Frozen where I stood as Rumlow exposed mine and Buckys secret

"I'm impressed, honestly. Keeping that little secret from a Stark. Hydra loves that kinda dedication ya know." Rumlow points a finger between Bucky and I

God just stop fucking talking!

Again I try to redirect the situation. "You know neither of us will go willingly, right?" I raise a brow at Rumlow as if to ask if he was stupid

"That's why I have a little friend to help.. persuade.. you." Again Rumlow smiles sinisterly, lifting his wrist to his mouth. "Send him out." He spoke into his watch, keeping his eyes locked on me

Send who out??

A long moment passes by in silence. Between the tension from the multitude of raised gunmen surrounding us and a seething Tony on the other side of Steve and Natasha, I thought I was going to suffocate and hyperventilate at the same time