The Price We Pay for Family - 12

Cont...

The meet had been a trap. Bucky had known that walking in. 

When he looked at the layout of the plaza, he had laughed silently to himself, an exposed space with two hostages and a sniper. This was a kill box, admittedly a big one, but still. 

There were so many possible nests, so many possible angles. If one were to fire into a crowd like expected, it would be mass panic and a stampede. But the threat would be enough. There would be snipers. He had no doubt. 

The irony, though, that was there. But if this was how he went out, sniper bullet in the middle of Nola protecting his fiancée's children, it wouldn't be so bad. But he still put on the vest and trackers they insisted on—nine in all. Overkill, but it wasn't like he would say that to them. In the end, it wouldn't matter. He'd be dead by the end of this as long as AJ and Cass weren't. 

The crowds kept growing as the time drew near for the meet—the perfect cover. There would be no way to tell who was who in this crowd, no way for backup to arrive in time either.

 A calm washed over him as he prepared to step out into the crowd that only came during missions. Perimeters were clear. The objectives were too. Everything was, for once, the enemy, the allies, what he had to do. 

Before he left, Sarah grabbed his arm and pulled him into a hug, "Stay safe." 

Stay safe. A rock landed in Bucky's gut. How did you tell the woman you're in love with that you're about to walk into the crosshairs of a sniper to save her children? How do you say there is no way to be safe? No way to come back once you leave? There wasn't, Bucky decided and simply held her tighter and breathed in her scent, "I'll bring them home." 

She kissed him gently and let him go. Stepping out into the muggy oppressive heat Bucky was already sweating in his jacket as he joined the crowd. A beacon showed where AJ and Cass would be on his phone that he followed. Fighting through the massive crowd of fans, he headed towards the beacon as fast as the crowd would let them. 

He felt like he was walking against the current of a mighty river or through quicksand or thick mud. Like he wasn't moving fast enough. Then he saw them. AJ held onto Cass's hand like his younger brother would float away if he didn't. There was no adult with them in sight, but neither of them was moving at all. 

Taking a precious moment, Bucky scans the area around them. There're at least four possible nests with AJ and Cass in their sights. But that didn't matter now because Bucky's legs were moving almost on their own, bringing him to the boys and into the danger. 

"AJ! Cass!" They both turn to see him, and the relief they have almost makes the fear in his gut of what's coming go away. He gathers them both tightly in his arms, forgets everything wrong in their world for a moment, and silently rejoices that they are well and truly fine. They are fine because he's bought it. This might be the last time he ever holds them. So he tightens his grip just a little. Just to memorize the love and safety they feel with him. But he has to let go because he can't stand there and hold them forever. No matter how much he wants to. 

He feels AJ suddenly stiffen in his arms, fear radiating off him. He's standing with his head tucked into Bucky's neck and is just tall enough to see over Bucky's shoulder. Bucky tries not to think about how both boys will forever be this height for him. But right now, that doesn't matter. What matters is Bucky's standing in the crosshairs of two nests, and he has no doubt there're lasers on his back directing the trajectory. Both boys are wearing red jerseys to camouflage the lasers, but on his dark leather jacket, they'll show up on it. 

"Uncle Bucky-" AJ whispers in his ear. 

"I know." Bucky cuts him off. Cass is oblivious to the danger he's still in as he pulls away from the hug. So innocent. Even with his brother's words, Bucky can't bear to take that away from him. AJ pulls away also but is staring at him in shock. Whether it's shock for Bucky or shock of what he's just seen, Bucky's not sure, but he needs AJ calm for what comes next.

 "I know," Bucky assures AJ again, looking AJ in the eye like an equal. He's not a child anymore. Neither of them are. AJ is more and more becoming a man. Responsible and caring. What Bucky wouldn't give to see them grow up. But he doesn't have the time for that now; he needs to get them moving.

 "Are you two alright?" He quickly looks them over again for anything he missed. Other than a few bruises, they're okay. 

"Yeah, we're fine. Is mom here?" Cass asks, looking over his shoulder like his mother will run over any second. Bucky's heart aches at the mention of their mother, but he pushes past it. The priority is the boys. Always. 

"Near. You'll be with her soon." They'll be home soon. Bucky's heart soars at the thought. He'll keep his word, bring them home safe. Part of him can't believe that they are really fine, and his hands are running up and down their backs like that can somehow miraculously tell him if they are telling the truth. They'll be safe soon. He won't. He tries not to think about it and tries to memorize Cass's face. AJ is still staring at him in shock and now fear. But not of him. Never of him. For him.

 "Uncle Bucky!" AJ gasps fear, lacing his voice. Bucky can hear tears coming and pulls the older boy into a hug. He needs AJ calm, just a bit longer. AJ's shaking in his arms, terrified. 

"I know, AJ. I know." I know what you see. I know what you fear. I know what you're thinking. I know this is scary. Bucky tries to convey that in his voice. Trying not to think of this is how he's saying goodbye to these two amazing boys. 

"You can't!" AJ hissed, still close to tears. He sounds just like Sam, the conviction, the fear. He knows the deal Bucky's made in exchange for them. Bucky doesn't have time to address that now, though. He needs to calm AJ down. 

"Listen to me. I've never lied to you, and I'm not now. You and Cass are going to be fine. But you need to be strong for just a little while longer for your brother, okay? You'll be home soon." Bucky whispers into AJ's ear, desperately hoping it will calm him. 

AJ inhales deeply, "Okay." 

Bucky nodded and pulled off his watch, "Here. This beacon is your uncle. Just go towards it." He secures it around AJ's wrist so it won't come off. 

"You're not coming?" Cass asked, fear coming into his voice again. 

"I know where your uncle is. I have to take care of something first." Bucky says honestly. The pit of dread comes back with a fury at his words. Ignoring it, he looks at both boys. He'll miss them so much. 

"Stay with your brother. Don't let go of each other. Okay?" 

They both nod.

 Bucky spares one moment to hug them both again. What did he do to deserve a family like this? "Okay. You need to get moving. You're mom's waiting." Bucky says, pulling back. 

Cass grabbed AJ's wrist and took off, almost dragging AJ with him. AJ looks back in desperation with the most heartbreaking expression ever as the crowd swallows them whole. 

Bucky stays rooted to the spot as the crowd shoves around him. He stands stone still unmovable, and silently prays that the boys make it. 

"We have them," Sam's voice comes through comms, "They're safe." 

Now for his part of the deal. Something deep in Bucky that's been tight since three days ago loosens, and his shoulders relax. He nods once, knowing they're watching, and disconnects his comm. He destroys his only communication device in his metal hand. He's on his own now. 

"Cute kids." A voice comes from behind him. 

Bucky slowly turns to see a Middle Eastern man standing there. There's a bulge in his jacket pocket that leaves an ominous threat in the air—three guns for one guy. Bucky doesn't doubt there are more here too. They're taking no chances with him. "I'm here. As promised." 

"All business, no fun. She was right about you. Loyal to a fault." The man shakes his head as he comes closer, "Take your jacket off and drape it over your arms, so your hands are covered." 

Bucky does as he's told slowly. The thought occurs to him, he could lunge at the man right now, and the snipers would take him out. It'd be relatively painless compared to what's in his past. It'd save him from what was coming. But he knows they're watching the Wilsons. So as much as he wants to go out right now with a bang, he can't risk it. 

"If you try anything, the first bullet is going in the sister's back. Right after we take you out." The man warns, coming into Bucky's personal space, "Get the picture?" 

Bucky's blood boils at the mention of Sarah. How dare they threaten her after he's complied with everything they've demanded. But the threat still hangs there, so he doesn't react to the words. He doesn't react as cold metal wraps around his wrists, pinching the skin on his right hand as they snap closer tightly. And he definitely doesn't react when they shoot an electric shock through his arms as a warning. He just grits his teeth and tilts his head to show he's heard the man. 

"Defiant. Interesting." The man sneers at him. It takes everything in Bucky not to throw his head forward and break that smug look right off. Cold metal digs into his ribs, and with it comes the cold dread and fear tearing up his throat. This is really happening. 

"Move." The man growls, not gently guiding him into the crowd. 

This is really happening. He's going back. Tears sting in his eyes as the crowd starts to thin. He doesn't want this. He just wants peace and happiness. Is that too much to ask? If the price is the lives and well-being of those he loves, it is. 

Bucky shoved away the tears and sadness. They never mattered before, and they won't now. As long as the boys and Sarah are safe, he's fine with whatever happens next. They'll always come first. 

The crowd is gone now as they stop next to a van. The man opens the back and moves, so Bucky has a clear view. There's a vibranium cage secured in the back. "Get in." 

Some part of Bucky cowers and screams at the sight of it, but he carefully climbs into the cage that is too small to be comfortable. The metal is digging into Bucky's ribs as he curls his body into as small a ball it can go to fit. Panic is rising in his chest, and there's nothing Bucky can tell himself to make it better. 

So he closes his eyes and thinks of home. Thinks of the boat, freshly painted and bobbing at the dock. Thinks of the restaurant where everyone knows everyone and stepping in is like coming home. Thinks of the old house that's seen four generations and everything that comes with. Thinks of Sarah humming in the kitchen as she works magic at the stove. Thinks of the boys, still innocent for a few more years, running in the sprinkler outside. And it's worth it. 

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