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winteriron-trash · 6 years

Note

Hey for the auideas prompt list could you do 3 and 4 combined for WinterIron?

Oh, my god, this ended up 3k long, and I still deleted some filler. Damn. There’s a fuck ton of time skips, just because if there weren’t I would’ve gone overboard and written 10k worth of fic here. Character A is Tony, Character B is Bucky just because the most natural thought would be the other way around, and I wanted to mix it up a bit.

3- ”Old Cold Soul AU”: Character A grew up in an environment where they weren’t offered very much affection as a child and now that they’re older, they have a lot of trouble conveying any emotions outside apathy, sarcasm, and being mildly interested in something. But after befriending Character B, an extremely lovey and affectionate person, Character A begins to fall hard for them. Awkward romance shenanigans ensue as Character A gets flustered over hand holding and hugging because affection is relatively alien to them.4- Character A has been given one month to find and kill Character B. Character B, however, falls in love with Character A.

It was an easy hit. Tony didn’t even understand why he’d been given so much time. It was a quick, easy hit. The son of some politician, a guy about Tony’s age, if a bit older, who seemed pretty laid back enough. It could’ve taken him less than a day if asked. Hell, if Tony pressed it, he could’ve done the job in an hour.

But no. The client had been specific. They wanted Tony to get close to him. Be all chummy, someone known by the family. And then kill the son, right in front of the rest of the family, leaving before they could gather any evidence on Tony. Something about the pain of betrayal or some dumb shit.

Tony really didn’t understand his employers sometimes.

Tony had asked, even begged, for the job to be given to someone else. Natasha was the best at putting on airs, she could have anyone wrapped around her finger in minutes. Everyone liked Clint, he was the type of guy you couldn’t even try to hate. Hell, even Sam had a charm to him.

But no. It was Tony’s mission. It always had to be Tony’s mission.

Tony didn’t mind killing people. He was an assassin for that reason. He was the cliche of all cliches, as Clint had put it, when it came to being an assassin. A borderline alcoholic, hardened and scarred by a shitty life, who’s only two emotions were apathy and sarcasm. And he was fine with that, in all honesty. As long as Tony got the job done, he didn’t care.

This job though was going to be the death of Tony. And just to prove a fucking point, he wasn’t even going to try. Maybe if he fucked it up, Fury wouldn’t send him on touchy-feely bullshit like this and let Tony do what he was good at.

Tony studied his file one last time with an annoyed sigh. James Barnes would be dead in a month, and no one could stop that.

James Barnes was attractive, in a youthful sort of way. His hair stuck up in wild directions, his smile glittered with a wicked gleam of a rich kid living at the height of his life.

��You’re my new bodyguard, right?” James said, pointing at Tony.

Tony chewed on his gum, containing his glare to a simple deadpan look. “Yes. Antonio Carbonell.” Tony was still pissed at Fury for making that his alias. It was too close to his real name.

“Cool.” James grinned. “I’m James, but everyone calls me Bucky. You can call me Bucky.” He studied Tony. “Aren’t you a bit young to be a bodyguard?”

He was, objectively. Tony was in his early twenties and looked his age, if not a bit younger. With the right hairstyle, he could pass for sixteen. “I passed the background check.” was Tony’s only response. “I’m supposed to be undercover.”

James shrugged. “Okay. So what, I’m supposed to tell everyone you’re my sulky new friend in a leather jacket with a gun in your waistband?”

Tony tilted his head to the side. “I don’t have a gun in my waistband.” His gun was in his coat pocket, thank you very much. With two knives.

“Are you sure?” James leered, wearing a filthy smirk. “Maybe I’ll have to check.”

“With all due respect, Mister Barnes-”

“Bucky.”

“Mister Barnes,” Tony repeated, eyes narrowing a fraction. “Our relationship is a professional one, and will be maintained as such.”

James pouted a bit. “You’re no fun.” He walked down the street, and Tony followed him. “Did you hear what I did to my last bodyguard that made him quit?”

“No.”

“Okay,” James said, in a way that was leading up to a story Tony most definitely didn’t want to hear. “So don’t ask how, but I had ten pounds of guacamole, a rubber chicken, and one of those office chairs with wheels…”

James Barnes was going to be the death of Tony. There was no question about it, it wasn’t an if, it was a when. When would Tony finally snap and shoot himself in the foot because of this abomination of a human being.

Tony was sitting in a coffee shop, sipping a black coffee as James waited for his friend.

“Hey!” James said suddenly, catching Tony’s attention. “Stevie! Over here you dumb punk!”

A blond man came and sat at their table, wearing a tired smile. “Hey, Buck.”

James grinned. “Hey, punk.”

“Jerk.” The blond man punched his arm.

“Steve, this is my new bodyguard Antonio.” Bucky introduced. “Tony, this is my best friend Steve.”

“Don’t call me that.” Tony deadpanned.

Steve blinked. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Antonio.” He offered his hand for a shake. Tony only stared at him, sipping his coffee.

“Yeah, he’s like that.” Bucky waved, speaking to Steve. “A real killjoy.”

Oh, that was ironic. Tony almost smiled at that. Almost.

“He’s young,” Steve noted.

“He’s undercover.” Bucky shrugged.

Tony held back an eye-roll. “Won’t be if you tell everyone.”

Steve snorted.

Three weeks later, Tony was ducking between drunk twenty-year-olds, looking for Bu-James. He zeroed in on an annoying laugh.

“Come on.” Tony grabbed James’ arm, tugging him away from the blonde slut that was getting a bit handsy with him.

“Tony!” James nearly shouted with delight. “Tony, why didn’t you tell me you were coming, I would’ve gotten you a drink.”

“Fuck your drink.” Tony damn near snarled, grabbing the red solo cup from James’ hand and dumping it in a plant. “You’re gonna get alcohol poisoning if you keep it up.”

“No!” James wailed. “I was drinking that.”

“Aren’t anymore.” Tony deadpanned. “Come on, you need sleep.”

James stumbled, and Tony righted him. “That depends, will you come to bed with me?” James purred, and a hand grabbed at Tony’s ass.

“No.”

“Why not?” James whined. “I’ve tried everything!”

Tony glanced up at him as he herded James into a car. “The hell is that supposed to mean?” Tony asked, sliding in next to James, giving the driver the go-ahead to start driving.

“I’ve tried getting you coffee, I’ve tried asking you if you wanna do romantic shit, I’ve even tried just hitting on you! What do I gotta do to be with you?” James asked, with the biggest damned puppy eyes Tony had ever seen. James whined, putting his head on Tony’s shoulder. Tony didn’t push it off.

“I’m your bodyguard.” Tony kept his tone even, professional.

“Yeah, but it always works out in the movies,” James mumbled.

Tony stared at him. One more week. One more week until Tony was supposed to pull the trigger. “This isn’t a movie, James.”

“Do you even like me?” James looked up at him. “Even a little bit?”

Tony didn’t say anything.

“Damnit,” James muttered, wiping at his eyes. “Damnit. I thought- I thought if I loved your stupid face so much, maybe I’d get somethin’ back.

“You don’t even know me.” Tony didn’t know why his throat was so tight as he said that.

“Maybe not,” James admitted with a sniff. “But I wanted to.”

Tony didn’t say anything. He didn’t have anything to say. He looked out the window with a pained sigh.

Wait.

“Hey.” Tony knocked on the window between the driver and passengers seats. “Hey, where the hell is this car going?”

“Sorry, kid.” The driver said, and that was not a driver who worked for the Barnes. Fucking shit. “It ain’t personal.”

Tony pulled out his Glock, cocking it. “Oh shut the hell up.”

“Tony?” James sat up, frowning through the haze of alcohol.

“Get down, and don’t fucking move,” Tony ordered. “You do exactly what I tell you, okay? Shit’s gonna get messy.”

Tony shot the driver in the shoulder first. Not because he was too sentimental about the man, but only to make sure if he didn’t have accomplices, Tony would still have someone breathing to interrogate.

The car veered, and Tony shielded James’ head with his own jacket as they crashed.

Then there was gunfire, and things really went to shit.

“Get down!” Tony barked.

“Oh fuck, I’m gonna puke.” James groaned.

Tony rolled his eyes. “Stay in the car. I don’t care what you hear, just stay in the fucking car unless I tell you otherwise.”

Before James could give Tony a confirmation, Tony was barreling out of the car.

One other car. Four guys. Judging by their gait, minimal training. Oh, this would be easy. Just a little stretch.

Tony identified the biggest guy and took him out first, bullet straight to the head. The other three charged, and Tony had to hold back a smile.

Ugly #1 took a swing at Tony’s head. Bad move. Never aim for the head first. Tony grabbed his fist, yanking him forward to use his other arm to break Ugly #1’s elbow over his knee. His scream was cut off by Tony snapping his neck.

Ugly #2 was at least a bit more oriented in his attack. He swung low with a fake out and managed to clip Tony in the jaw with the real hit. Tony snarled and pulled him forward by his still outstretched arm, shooting him in the chest.

Ugly #3 shot at Tony, firing so many bullets Tony wasn’t even sure if he was aiming. He did get a lucky shot in, grazing Tony’s bicep just before Tony shot him in the face.

Once they were all down, Tony ran back to the car with James and the driver still in it. He opened the drivers’ door, dragging the half-conscious man out of the car.

“If you think I’m gonna talk, you’re nuts.” The man laughed reaching into his pocket. Tony slammed his foot down on the hand, sending a cyanide tablet skittering across the pavement. The man screamed.

Tony squatted over him, pulling out a small knife. “Here’s the thing.” Tony’s voice dropped an octave, tone taking on what Clint had once called his ‘death death murder voice’. “I know you’re going to talk.” Tony trailed his knife over the man’s arm. “You’ve got ten fingers. And for every second you keep me waiting, you lose one. After that, who knows,” Tony dug his elbow into the man’s chest. “Maybe I’ll start breaking ribs.”

“Fuck you.” The man hissed.

Tony shrugged and snapped the man’s pinky with a quick move. His scream was like fucking music to Tony’s ears. “See? Look at me, being merciful. I didn’t even cut it off.” Tony leaned in close. “Can’t be too sure I’ll be that nice again.”

“HYDRA!” The man gasped. “I work for HYDRA! I don’t fucking know what they want with the kid, okay? They just said take him in, alive. They’ve got plans, wanna experiment on him or some shit. Said something about making an example outta him so other rich families wouldn’t step outta line! Shit, that’s all I know!”

“Hm.” Tony stood up. “I believe you. The cops won’t. But because I’m feeling generous, I’ll let you handle them on your own.” He slammed the butt of his gun against the man’s temple, and he was out cold.

“Oh god.” James was standing up, well, leaning against the car. “You just killed those guys. Who’s HYDRA?”

“I told you to stay in the car,” Tony growled. He dragged James over to the curb. “Sit down, I’m calling your parents.”

An hour later Tony was standing in front of a cop, recounting the story. He left out the bit about HYDRA, though.

“Don’t you think you went a bit overboard for self-defence?” The cop asked.

Tony shrugged. “It wasn’t self-defence. I was doing my job.”

“Bit young for this type of work.” The cop arched an eyebrow.

“So everyone says.” Tony deadpanned. He pressed the ice pack a medic had given him to his jaw.

The cop sighed. “You and Mister Barnes need to go down to the station to give your official statements. Considering this is a Barnes related incident, it’ll get swept under the rug. The worst you’re gonna face is that nasty bruise you got going on there.”

Tony forced a fake smile. “Thanks.” He stormed over to James, whose parents were still fussing over him.

“Thank you.” Mrs Barnes damn near tackled Tony with a hug. “Thank you for keeping him safe.”

“It’s what you hired me for,” Tony said. Tony glanced over at James, pursing his lips. “And if I’m allowed to speak freely…”

Mr Barnes arched an eyebrow, waiting.

Tony pulled out a cigarette, lighting it. “Might wanna be careful who you play in the sandbox with. I’m just some bodyguard. I don’t know a damned thing.” He shrugged, taking a drag. “But if I did know something, I’d tell you HYDRA’s got a big ass red target on your backs.” He spun on his heel, facing away from them. “But you know. That’d only be if I knew anything.”

He walked across the pavement, over to where James was sitting on the curb, still wearing Tony’s jacket around his shoulders.

“Hey.” Tony nudged him with his foot.

James glanced up. “You saved my life.”

Tony arched an eyebrow. “Is it that shocking that I did my job?”

“You killed four guys,” James whispered. “And you don’t even look winded.”

Tony sat down next to James. “I’ll have you know, I have a killer pain in my jaw right about now.”

James snorted. “Wow. You actually have a sense of humour.”

Tony didn’t say anything, only taking another drag.

“Thank you,” James said, staring at his hands. “You… I don’t know, you did some freaky shit tonight. I don’t know what it’s like to be a bodyguard, but I don’t think racking up a body count is supposed to be a part of the job.” James shook his head. “You’re my age, and… well, I’m scared shitless at the idea of haftin’ to kill someone.”

“It’s a part of the job.” Tony shrugged. He closed his eyes and sighed.

At least now he knew why the hit on James had been put out, and why it’d been so important that Tony get close, make it personal. If the Barnes had ties to HYDRA… Fury would do anything to cut those ties. Make an example of James. Not too different from what HYDRA wanted to do.

Ironic.

“Hey,” James elbowed him. “What’s wrong?”

“I just killed four guys, you really wanna ask me that?” Tony glanced at him.

“So you do have a heart.” James elbowed him again, grinning.

Tony rolled his eyes. “Shut up. Come on, let’s get your drunk ass home.”

Tony tried not to think too hard about the fact that he stayed the night watching James sleep.

James woke up with a groan, gripping his head. “I'm dying.”

“Yeah, that much vodka can do that to a person,” Tony noted, sipping a cup of coffee.

“I liked you better when you had no personality.” James moaned, shoved his face into a pillow. “Sarcastic Tony is a dick.”

“I try.” Tony pushed himself to his feet.

James sat up with a guttural noise. “I’m dead.”

“Uhuh.” Tony walked over to him, offering a bottle of aspirin and water.

“Hey, I almost got killed last night.” James pouted, taking the aspirin and water. “You could give me a little sympathy.”

“Why? I saved your sorry ass.” Tony took the aspirin bottle back and set it down.

James stared at Tony. Tony… Tony didn’t know how to understand the look on James’ face. James leaned forward, and Tony, someone who’d always hated people up in his personal space, didn’t move away.

“I have a theory,” James said suddenly, voice soft.

Tony couldn’t do much else than arch an eyebrow.

“I think…” James cleared his throat. “I think maybe you do like me. But you don’t know shit about emotions. You’re like the old, rugged hero who buries his emotions by punching people. And I think if you let yourself like me, you’d be a lot happier.”

Tony blinked. He took a deep breath. “I think your hangover is doing most of the talking for you.” He spun on his heel, walking away from Bucky. No, James. Walking away from James.

“See?” James stood up, then groaned, grabbing his head. He righted himself again, following Tony. “That’s what I mean! You completely avoided the emotions!”

“You’re my employer, Mister Barnes.” Tony glanced over his shoulder. “That’s the only emotion that needs to be between us.”

“Need and want are two different things.”

Tony studied Bucky. Six days. He had six days to live. Tony couldn’t get emotional, those sorts of things could get messy. They always did. Bucky was just another mark. Tony tried not to think about how things might’ve been different if Bucky wasn’t his mark.

“Your point?” Tony fought to keep his voice even.

“My point is,” James grabbed his arm. “I want you. And I think you want me too. Just… give me a chance?”

“You don’t want to get tangled with me, Barnes.” Tony pushed his hand away. “Your father has a press conference in an hour. I suggest you get dressed.”

Bucky was right. Tony had a problem. Oh god, he had a big problem.

He was supposed to kill Bucky today. In fact, his deadline was in less than an hour.

And Tony knew he wouldn’t be able to make it. Oh fuck.

“Mister Carbonel?” Bucky’s mother called. “Would you like some pasta? It’s amazing. Tastes like it came from Italy.”

Tony glanced up. It did admittedly smell amazing, like something his mother would’ve made ages ago. But with the way Tony’s gut was churning, he couldn’t stomach it. “No thank you.” He shook his head.

She offered him a smile but sat down to eat with her family. Tony watched them eat, watched them while away his precious time.

This would’ve been a perfect time. With both parents present, a calm atmosphere, no one would see it coming. Tony could pull out his knife, slit Bucky’s throat. Be out of the state before morning, ready for a new mark, with SHIELD already covering his tracks.

He couldn’t do it, though. Tony knew he couldn’t. Bucky was right. Tony liked him. And as someone who wasn’t used to emotions, he couldn’t do it. So instead he numbly watched the family eat dinner, clean up the dishes, then followed Bucky to his room.

“James.” Tony grabbed Bucky’s arm.

Bucky screamed. “Jesus fuck! Don’t scare me like that!” He thought a moment and frowned. “Hey, you called me by my first-”

Tony glared hard at him. “Shut up. James, do you trust me?”

“Do I- what?” Bucky blinked.

“Do. You. Trust. Me.”

“Yes?” Bucky tilted his head to the side.

Tony nodded. “Good. Pack this pack-” he threw a black duffel bag at Bucky- “with only what you absolutely need. Now.”

“Wait, what?” Bucky caught the bag but didn’t do anything with it. “Look, if you’re trying to get me to elope, you should know I’m honoured but-”

“God, would you shut up!” Tony snapped. “I’m trying to save your fucking life. I’ll explain in the car if you just move!”

Bucky stared at him for a long moment, then shook himself out of it and started moving. “I really hope you’re not kidnapping me.” He muttered as he shoved clothing into the bag.

It took Bucky less than ten minutes to pack, something Tony was marginally impressed by. He grabbed Bucky’s arm, dragging him down the stair, out the back door, and into a car.

“Okay, do I get an explanation now?” Bucky asked as they started driving.

“It’s not one you’re going to like,” Tony warned.

“I don’t care.” Bucky insisted.

Tony took a deep breath. “I was hired to kill you.” James opened his mouth, but Tony silenced him with a finger. “Shut up and let me finish. I work for a place called SHIELD. I’m an assassin. You were my mark. They wanted me to get close to you, then kill you.

“I didn’t want to take the job. I don’t do long-term marks. I’m in, I’m out. That’s what I’m good with. But apparently, I was on someone’s shit list. And I got you. Look, you know how those guys said they were HYDRA? The ones who tried to kill you?”

“Yeah?” Bucky was nodding along but didn’t look quite like he was getting it.

Tony flexed his fingers on the wheel. “HYDRA and SHIELD are longtime rivals. Don’t ask me why. Your parents were working closely with HYDRA, and SHIELD wants to hit them where it hurts.” Tony glanced at Bucky. “They must’ve stepped out of line, though. Because HYDRA doesn’t seem too keen on them either. And you’re the collateral damage both ways.”

“Oh,” Bucky whispered. “Oh. Shit.”

“Yeah, shit is right.” Tony gripped. “And trust me, when SHIELD realizes I missed my mark, they’ll send someone in to finish the job, and it really won’t be pretty.”

“Why?”

“What?” Tony said.

“Why?” Bucky repeated. “Why did you save me? Why didn’t you kill me? You… you killed four guys without thinking. Even if you didn’t want to kill me… you could’ve just left me. You’ll get in trouble for this, right? Saving my life and protecting me?”

“I can handle that heat.” Tony shrugged. “As for saving you… maybe you weren’t completely off base.” He said quietly. “About the emotions stuff.”

Bucky sat in silence. “Oh my god. You like me.” He finally, finally whispered.

“Shut up.”

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