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britesparc · 2 months

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Weekend Top Ten #629

Top Ten Actors Who Could Play James Bond (2024 Edition)

Dum-dada-dum-da-da-da, dum-dada-dum-da-da-da, DA-DA, da-da-dum. Yes, it’s that time again; time to needlessly speculate without any provocation about the casting of an iconic role.

This particular bout of “who will it be” is, of course, prompted by reports that erstwhile Quicksilver and future Kraven Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been offered the role of James Bond. Now, it’s fair to say that this remains a rumour; indeed, if I was a betting man, the very fact that this rumour has come out suggests to me that it isn’t, in fact, true. But it’s still got me thinking about who could be Bond; after all, the gap between the last film, 2021’s No Time to Die is ever-growing, and they usually like to be pretty speedy about these things.

Daniel Craig’s tenure as Bond is somewhat ridiculous, because even though at five films he’s not the most prolific in the role (behind both Connery and Moore), he was technically in the role for a whopping fifteen years. So long, in fact, that when Spectre came out, I actually did a list speculating who could replace him, and even that was nine years ago.

Anyway, we’re at it again; who could play Bond? And that’s what this list is all about, if you haven’t guessed. As usual, I’ve come up with some Rules, because that’s what separates us from the animals. First of all, these actors have to be British. Or Irish. Or maybe, at a push, Australian. Well, they have to be from the Commonwealth, at least. No Americans – that’s the takeaway. No Americans. Secondly, I have decided that they should be under forty. No offence to ancient people, especially the hideously decrepit 42-year-olds; but after Craig spent so long playing a variation on Old Man Bond, I think we should focus on a sprightly young chap. Presumably they’re going to be in this role for, what, six years? Ten? So I think it’d be best to plump for someone in their thirties, better to avoid Moore-style stunt-person-itis in their later films. I mean, look at Chris Hemsworth; it feels like he’s been Thor for a million years, but he’s only just turned forty. Maybe he really is Asgardian. Finally, I’ve picked all blokes. Why? Well, as much as I’m in favour of gender-neutral casting – or outright gender-swapping (if you’re gonna remake Highlander, Karen Gillan is right there) – I do feel that James Bond is, well, a bloke. The line between it not being a big deal or even positive to fuss about with a character’s gender is as blurry as the concept of gender itself, but I just feel like James Bond is a bloke.

That’s it. Now pay attention, 007…

Kingsley Ben-Adir: possibly the oldest actor here, but easily one of the most charismatic. He can be intense and brooding, with serious dramatic roles under his belt; but he’s also done more action-y stuff, big Hollywood stuff, and been a romantic lead. And he’s a Ken. Come on! He danced at the Oscars! Plus he had to be in Secret Invasion, he could do with a break.

Regé-Jean Page: he’s got the suave part down better than anyone (Bridgerton), he can do commanding and authoritative (Dungeons and Dragons), he’s even dabbled in action with The Gray Man. He’s done his bit in the Brit TV coal mines and has proven his acting chops. Look, just picture him in a tux with a martini. He’d rock it, shaken or stirred.

Henry Golding: absolutely nails it in the looks-good-in-formal-wear stakes. He’s tall, he’s attractive, he’s done his share of romances. And he kicks ass like the best of them; of all the guys on this list, he’s probably the closest to being a proper flat-out action star. And if you were hoping Bond was a Henry Cavill type, he’s the best of the bunch.

Dev Patel: the first three guys are broadly similar, in that they ooze traditional suavity. Patel, I think, possesses a looser, fuzzier air; think of the out-of-place charm he brings to the likes of Slumdog or Best Exotic. He’s so naturally charming, you’ll always root for him; but he can really bring the edge, the darkness, the rage. From the looks of Monkey Man, he can bring the thunder too.

Robert Pattinson: tall, lantern-jawed, traditionally gorgeous, with immaculate hair. He’s a superb actor, he can wear the hell out of a suit, he can be funny if he needs to be, he’s not afraid to puncture his own aura, and he’s cool in a Vintage Brad Pitt kind of way. However: can a person be both Batman and Bond?

John Boyega: arguably a bit shorter and scrappier than the other actors on this list, Boyega nevertheless is both a tremendous actor and a ball of screen-incinerating charisma. The Force Awakens really showed how, when put to good use, he can charm anyone off the screen – even, just about, Harrison Ford. I’m not really sure he’d want to be Bond, mind, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Connor Swindells: possibly one of the lesser-known names on the list, and also one of the youngest; he’s part of the ensemble of Sex Education, where he’s very good indeed. He’s also a big, broad, square-jawed fella with a look of John Cena about him; he’d definitely convince as a buff, tough Bond. But he can do sweet and vulnerable incredibly well.

Will Poulter: like Daniel Craig, he probably wouldn’t be everyone’s first thought when it came to Bond; but like Craig, he’s got depths and charm galore. He can be supremely likeable very easily, but also play layers of depth and darkness. And I don’t know if you’ve seen him lately, but he’s hench now. If he’s not Bond, they really need to give him an Adam Warlock solo movie.

Paul Mescal: Mr. Flavour-of-the-Month, he’s the hot new star on the rise. He’s young, good-looking, charismatic; he has a glint in his eye, oodles of charisma. He’s about to star in the sequel to Gladiator, when he’s sure to look ripped with his shirt off and garner even more fans. In fact, it’s quite likely that he’s so hot right now, that there’s no way he’d do Bond. But he’d be good at it.

Nicholas Hoult: what can’t he do? Everyone’s favourite War Boy has the tall, lithe physique, plus a playful, flirtatious sense of humour that makes him convincing as a romantic lead. He made being a zombie sexy, for flip’s sake. And he can do the action stuff. In short, he’d be terrific, but he’s probably going to be too busy terrorising Superman for the foreseeable.

#top ten #films #movies #bond #james bond #007 #eon #daniel crai #actors #a list of actors who could play bond

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chris-evans-indian-fanfic · 4 years

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Past. Present. Future?

One-Shot

This Bucky one-shot is for @iguessweallcrazyithinktho 's awesome summer challenge 😍 From the long list of prompts I am using number 69 (because I am as mature as a 10-year-old). Check out the challenge here.

Prompt 69-You couldn’t handle me even if I came with instructions.

Description: As the ex-Winter Soldier tries to put back together the few, misplaced pieces of Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes, he meets someone who reminds him of the charming, buoyant 1942 Bucky. But is that enough to truly bring him back?

This one-shot is based in 2024 and exists in the original MCU.

P.S.- Image isn't mine. I found it on Google.

Warnings: Curse words, brutal fight scene, torture, mentions of rape, spoilers for Avengers Endgame

PROCEED ONLY IF YOU ARE 18+!!

I don’t consent to have any of my work published or featured on any third party app, website or translated. If you are seeing this fanfiction anywhere but tumblr, it has been reposted without my permission. In that case, please do share the link and let me know.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK. Raw terror gripped Connie Tucker as she hid in a corner beneath the staircase. Amid the chaos, she heard heavy footsteps above her, thundering down the stairs. "Where the fuck did she go?" shouted one voice, "She couldn't have gone far," another responded, "All the gates are locked, she has to be in the compound," explained a third voice. "FIND HER" screamed the first voice, "And bring her to me aliv... AARGGH!"

Connie heard a metallic wooshing sound, followed by a large THUD. The air was filled with gunshots and exclamations. She dared to peek from behind the stairwell, only seeing the swirling colours of red, white and blue and a black shadow. Captain America was here, with him.

It took a while for the din to settle down in the faux military base. In the past year, Hydra had risen again, disguising themselves as members of the military and more. The government was unwilling to accept both; the return of Hydra and second, Sam Wilson as Captain America. Hence, they refused to acknowledge any mission by the duo and instead branded them as criminals in the media by feeding the people false information.

Bucky and Sam did a final check across the base, looking for any innocent prisoners or survivors.

As they neared the stairwell, Bucky's enhanced hearing caught on ragged breathing from behind it. He motioned Sam who nodded and kept his shield ready to strike.

They could hardly make out a balled-up shape in the corner. Dressed completely in black from head to toe, the person wore a mask, black sunglasses and a hoodie. The shape slowly revealed itself to be a trembling woman.

"Ma'am are you alright?" Sam asked, his voice deep. "Ye... Yes Captain," stuttered Connie as she removed her mask and sunglasses, "I am not... I am not with them. I am with you."

"What do you mean by 'with us'? Did you follow us here?" asked Bucky sharply. In all of his years as the Winter Soldier, he had been taught not to trust anyone- men, women or children.

"N... No. No. But I have pr... proof," she stammered again, clearly terrified of Bucky.

"What kind of proof ma'am?" Sam asked her, his tone a little gentle than Bucky's.

Before she could answer, a device in Bucky's hand beeped. "Shit," he muttered, "We have company approaching. Two minutes, max," looking at Connie, he said gravely, "Let's take her with us."

Sam sighed, but nodded in agreement. As Bucky held Connie by her hand, he smelled the faint scent of rose, delicate, sweet and lingering, coming off her. He stopped in his tracks as the scent took him back to 1942.

He heard a woman's laughter and saw flashes of fireworks in the sky illuminating what looked like a fair.

"What's wrong, Cyborg?! We gotta go!" Sam urged Bucky, effectively pulling him out of his reverie.

Connie was surprised as well. Did he somehow manage to recognise her...? But before she could complete her thought, she felt a light prick in her arm, and her vision went black.

...

Hidden in their safehouse under the radar, Sam noticed Bucky's anxious behaviour. Bucky kept pacing across the room, stealing glances at their unconscious roommate covered with a blanket. He finally sat in the corner, closing his eyes in frustration as he pressed his fingertips to his temples.

Sam hesitated before approaching Bucky. Bucky was his responsibility now. Even though he had compete control of his mind, he sometimes went through banxiety attacks. But this was different...

Bucky tried to focus on the memory. There was laughter, colorful lights, a large crowd and... Steve! Yes! He remembered Steve telling Bucky that he was taking all the stupid with him to the war. Damn that scrawny Brooklyn bastard, he thought. He strained his mind further to look at the petite figure. There was music. Was he dancing?

"Hey man," Sam put a hand on his shoulder, "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Bucky looked pointedly at the unconscious figure. "There's something about her that's... Familiar," he said slowly.

"Like as in you met her when you were a 'Cold Fighter'?", Sam could hardly keep his smile in check. Over the course of the months, he had found that Bucky hated the title 'Winter Soldier' and was reluctant to discuss his previous activities. So, he had to find new names to address his past. "Winter's Children" was met with a deadly growl, "Soldier's Adventures" received a hateful stare and "Starbucks' Orders" (because why the hell not) was greeted with an incredulous and confused expression. The "Cold Fighter" was somewhat of a neutral term, as in Bucky did not react to it. Which was progress.

Bucky frowned, "No. I think this memory is before all of that shit. Before the war. Back when," he smiled a little, "Back when Steve used to wear newspapers in his shoes."

"Ahh so this memory is from your youth?" Sam replied with a cheeky smile.

"I may be a 100 years old, but I can still kick your Willy Wonka ass," stated Bucky.

"Willy Wonka?" Sam raised his eyebrow.

"Sam Wilson. Willy Wonka," Bucky explained matter-of-factly, "Just like Bucky and Starbucks."

Sam patted Bucky's head, feigning disappointment, "It's okay grandpa. I am just so proud to see you trying. You will surely get there one day uncle."

Before Bucky could catch him, Sam skipped to the side, his laugh taunting Bucky. "What about her triggered the memory anyway?" he inquired.

Bucky shook his head, "It's her perfume. She smells like roses, but not the red ones. It is the scent of the sweeter roses, you know? Delicate, yet strong."

Sam slowly inched towards her, and took a large whiff. "Dude I only smell sweat and grime. You seriously need to stop sniffing women grandpa. It is frowned upon in the 21st Century," he quickly ducked and ran when Bucky sent a random box flying towards his head.

...

Connie slowly opened her eyes. At first, she thought she had gone blind, but slowly, she realised she was in a dark, cold basement of sorts. With her head still spinning, she managed to sit.

A light was suddenly switched on a few feet from her. She saw Captain America sitting beside the crude lamp. As her eyes adjusted further to the darkness, she saw the faint glint of the light reflecting off a metallic surface in the corner. The metal was attached to a man. To him.

"There's water besides your bed if you need it," Sam spoke, his voice stern. After Connie had gratefully taken a few sips, he continued, "You said you were with us. You said you had proof. Care to explain?"

Connie wrapped the blanket around her and nodded. "I am... I run a blog where I expose the Government and their elaborate lies. When they started to brand you two as terrorists, I... I knew there was something wrong. So I used some of my contacts and skills to figure out what were the authorities hiding," she paused to drink more water.

She then explained to them how she had tried to collect any sort of proof, be it photos, videos, emails, documents etc. That's when she stumbled upon the faux military bases where Hydra was hiding under disguise.

"Once I figured out where they were located, I went ahead to... To collect more proof. Today was the first time I visited such a base, and they caught me. I don't know what they would have done if you guys hadn't... Thank you," she gratefully ended her story.

Bucky stepped into the light, his body tensed, his face sporting a glare. Sam stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Noticing their distrustful stance, Connie reached into her pockets and pulled out a few things, "Here is the camera and the pendrive. These contain all the necessary information. You... You guys can take a look," she meekly suggested.

As Sam went ahead to confirm her claims, Bucky stood guard. Connie gathered up the courage to stare at the Winter Soldier in his eyes. She could barely make out his features in the dim light. Bucky noticed her curious gaze travel all over him, as if looking for something. What are you searching for? he thought. There was just something so familiar about her wondering look. Fuck this is frustrating! Where have I seen that before?

After a short while, Sam returned and gave a slight nod to Bucky. While she had been truthful about the proof, there were still a lot of things left uncleared.

"We need more information before we can proceed," Sam spoke to Connie carefully. Taking a seat, he further asked her questions about her contacts, her aforementioned skill set, how had she managed to enter the faux military base and so on. She informed them that they still had friends in the world, the most concerned friend being a man with a black eye-patch...

The interrogation lasted for what seemed like hours. When they were satisfied with the information shared, they decided to let her go. But before they did, Bucky had to ask her one last question, "What is your name?"

"Connie."

Connie.

The name rang like the bells of Notredame in Bucky's head. Connie.

He remembered her excitement when he had asked her to come to the Stark Expo with a friend. He recalled her curiously examining everything on display at the Expo. Her enthusiasm for dancing late into the night had been infectious.

Connie. The dark-haired young-dame who had been his date before he was shipped off to England. Whose faint rose perfume had him enveloped in a cocoon the night before he had left.

Connie.

Bucky had stood still, staring silently at the wall. He froze, feeling overwhelmed due to the memories which started flooding into his mind.

"Bucky. Bucky. BUCKY," Sam shook Bucky's shoulder. The Winter Soldier turned to look Sam, his eyes glistening with tears. Uh oh, Sam thought, and took Connie out of the room, pricking her hand with the sleeping medicine.

...

Connie woke up the next day in her house. Groggy with the medication, she barely managed to eat before she passed out again. The next day was slightly better for her. At least she managed to take a bath and eat breakfast and lunch. She also realised that her camera and pendrive were missing.

It was the third day when she stated feeling a lot better. After her morning routine, she scrolled through the news on her phone. The headlines barely suprised her.

"New Captain America and the Winter Soldier Proven Innocent."

"Government's Dirty Secrets are Out to Dry."

"Is our Government Hydra?"

"Captain America is Back, and this time he is Black!"

"Can we Trust the Winner Soldier?"

"Who is Sam Wilson and Why Should you Follow him?"

Smiling, she relaxed and sipped on her coffee. From what she knew about James Buchanan Barnes, he would find her soon enough.

...

10 months passed. 10 long months and there was still no sign of James. Connie kept checking the news for updates on their missions. While some people had claimed spotting them across different parts of the country, there was no concrete proof. Even their friend with the eye-patch had stopped answering her calls.

One of the fan sites had claimed spotting "The Winter Soldier" in her city, but that was weeks ago. Her hopes had been crashed when she didn't find James at her doorstep.

As she walked down the street, she stopped to look at her reflection in the store window. While she didn't look exactly like her Great Grandmother Connie, she still had some of her features. The cute button nose, big brown eyes and rounded cheekbones were quite similar to her ancestor. He had recognised the perfume, right? He must have seen the similarities... Or else he wouldn't have been so perturbed around her.

Lost in her thoughts, she started crossing the street without looking. A loud blaring horn scared Connie out of her wits. She jumped and looked at the oncoming truck, like a deer in the headlights.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

Her mind willed her to run, but she stood rooted on the spot.

A strong pair of hands grabbed her waist, and pulled her to the safety of the sidewalk. Her coffee spilled over them both, but she was too terrified to notice. She kept looking at the truck with shock as it passed, it's driver hurling abuses.

"Are you okay?" asked a rough voice, gently. She turned to face him, her nose almost touching his face. Dark brown eyes stared into deep blue.

James had saved her.

When she finally managed to nod, he asked her further, "Who are you? You can't be... Her. Are you her?" his grip on her waist tightening further.

"I am her... I am her great-granddaughter," Connie confessed, looking down. Suddenly she gasped, "I spilled coffee all over you! I am so sorry! I... I didn't mean to I swe..."

"Who was she?" Bucky asked her, his hands on her waist stayed the same. Her rose perfume assaulting his senses in the most delicious way.

Color rose to her cheeks. "She was your girlfriend."

...

Bucky was behind Connie as they entered her small one-room-kitchen apartment. She had wanted to show Bucky something. She asked him to take a seat on the small couch, while she retrieved an old and weathered leather box from her cupboard.

Connie sat besides him with the wrinkled box in her lap. She carefully opened it, and said, "This box belonged to my great-grandmother. She gave it to me when I was just 10-years-old. She said that this box was full of memories of... Of her first love, who died in the war, fighting alongside Captain America against Hy... Hydra," her eyes were brimming with tears now.

Connie gingerly picked up an old crumpled photograph and gave it to Bucky. "This was taken at the Stark Expo, where I guess you guys had your last da... date." She then gave him a stack of envelopes, "She always wrote letters to you. Even after the news of your... your accident, she still kept writing them, but she never sent then across."

Bucky had an incredulous expression on his face. Why was it that he could recall every murder, could hear the painful screams of all his victims, but he couldn't remember the woman who had loved him so much?

He picked up the box and started going through its contents. He found a diary, two blue silk ribbons, a few pretty bows, a torn handkerchief and one dried daisy. "You had given her that daisy on your first date to the park. She... She kept it safe with her," Connie added.

"Did I give her all these things?" Bucky quietly asked her.

Connie smiled in response, "I know you have a lot of questions. Why don't you read her diary? You will hopefully find a few answers."

Bucky nodded. Thanking her, he took the diary and stood up as if to leave.

"Sergeant James," she said. As he turned around, her hands almost flew to her mouth, as if realising her mistake. "Can... Can I call you Sergeant James?" she asked slowly. When he nodded, she continued, "You can take the box as well. I think she might want you to have it."

...

Bucky read the diary from beginning to end, went through every letter, and checked all the records. Everything seemed genuine. She was genuine. He still felt as though he was missing out on something. But he just couldn't place his finger on it. If only Steve were here to help him remember...

When Bucky finally shared his concern with Sam, Sam nodded, understanding his friend's predicament, "That is expected. We spend our lives looking behind our shoulders. So when something good, someone good comes along, we just can't accept it. Why don't you spend more time with her? Get to know her better! Afterall she helped save our asses."

Bucky nodded, "Yeah you are right."

"Of course I am right baby! Now show me that famous buck-toothed smile!"

Sam dodged just in time to avoid a book hurtling towards him.

...

1 month after he had seen Connie, Bucky visited her again. Slowly, these visits grew in number as they helped him remember a small part of who he was. He saw the 1942 Connie through the memories she had left behind. Her great-granddaughter helped him navigate the letters and the diary by sharing whatever little she could remember about her ancestor.

Slowly, Bucky started nurturing feelings for the Connie in front of him, the rose perfume making it difficult for him to focus on anything other than her slender neck, her rounded cheekbones, her pink lips...

3 months later they officially started dating, having 'sealed the deal' with a kiss.

Bucky... No... Sergeant James had started smiling a lot more now. He even cut his bangs, shedding a part of the Winter Soldier from his life.

8 months later, when Connie was tending to James' recent wounds, he kissed her passionately, intimately. That night, the wounds lay forgotten.

13 months later, Connie moved in with James in his cosy cottage which was right outside the main city.

Hiding a small diamond ring under the floorboard of his bedroom, James was happy. He had found his personal ray of sunshine. He was finally free of the dark, cold life he had once led.

He sauntered towards the kitchen, where Connie was unpacking the ripe plums. They often made plum jam together for James and the rest of the new team. As James started washing the fruits, Connie's phone buzzed. Looking at the phone, she sighed, "I have to take this. It is my boss." James almost whined, "Don't. It's Sunday. You deserve a day off."

She kissed his cheek and headed towards the door, "This is will be just a minute. Don't eat the plums while I am gone!" James looked at her and took a large bite in mock defiance.

Shaking her head, she laughed and stepped outside the house.

"Hello," she answered the call.

"Madame Hydra, we are in position."

She turned around to look at the house. Shame, it was a beautiful cottage.

"Go ahead."

Lost in his bliss, James heard the gunshots a little too late. 3 bullets pierced his vibranium arm as another grazed his right shoulder. He ducked behind the kitchen island, but the bullets destroyed the marble. 10 agents broke-in through the ceiling, while armored vehicles knocked down the walls of his house.

Unable to find the hidden guns, James threw knives, pans and whatever else he could find at his attackers. He had to protect Connie. He couldn't loose her!

But an army of 150 men was too much even for the ex-Winter Soldier to fight. He laid face-down on the floor, with his vibranium arm broken and his left stub bleeding. His legs were pushed apart with a vibranium rod, with cuffs at both the ends securing his ankles. His right hand was twisted at a bad angle and was tied to his neck in such a way that he couldn't move his arm without crushing his wind-pipe.

He managed to breathe with his bleeding mouth, his nose already broken. All he could do now was send a silent prayer to the lord above. Please please keep my Connie safe.

As he finished that thought, a man stepped forward and started chanting, "Longing, rusted, furnace, daybreak, seventeen, benign, nine, homecoming, one, freight car."

James laughed. "Those words don't work on me anymore you dumb fuck!" he said, spitting his blood.

"No they don't, but I bet these new ones will." The scent of roses filled the room as James finally passed out.

...

He woke up in a cold, dark, empty chamber. Chained to a metal chair hanging from the ceiling, he tried to recollect what had happened. Was his Connie really working with Hydra? No, that couldn't be possible. How could she?

But before his thoughts could ramble on, the door opened behind his back and he heard footsteps.

The sweet scent of roses filled the chamber, again clouding his senses. The woman in front of him had the same face as his Connie, but she was so different from her.

While his Connie liked wearing summer dresses and comfortable jeans and sweatshirts, this woman was dressed impeccably in a dark green pant-suit, with a floor-length cape draping her frame.

His Connie was always shy, innocent and adorable, whereas this woman was cold, hard and ruthless.

"I am not going to lie. Looking at you, all bloodied and tied up helplessly, does make me feel good," she said, slowly circling him, "Even though I have studied you for decades now, I am still eager to learn if you have figured it all out, or not."

She huffed when James stayed silent.

"You know, I always used to look at those typical action movies and wonder, does a villian really monologue in actual life? And now," she turned to face him, "as I see you are actually clueless, I can't help but feel excited to tell you what's been going on. You might want to sit down for this," she added with a chuckle.

"Back in 1942, when you left for your assignment, you had given me your Mother's locket as a promise that you will marry me as soon as you came back. But we all know what happened in 1945. You went ahead and got yourself killed," she waved her arms as if annoyed, "I waited for you for 3 years, and for what?! Just to get a condolence letter from the Government?"

"Wait… What… You? No it was... No," James shook his head, as if trying to clear it.

"Yes James. Me. Just like you, I am a woman out of time myself," she dipped her head to the side, as if sympathizing with him.

"A year later after your death, so you know who payed me a visit? You will get a 100 points for guessing!" she said in mock excitement.

James shook his head, still trying to process everything.

"Hydra silly! That's who! Aaawww too bad you couldn't guess that one."

Immediately, James felt a strong electric shock from his chair. He gritted his teeth, barely being able to keep his anguish mute.

"So Hydra tells me that you are alive and they want to take me to you. Yada yada yada. Of course I went with them. But it turned out they only wanted me to carry your child! To them, it didn't matter when you didn't recognise me. They didn't care if you hurt me. Nope. They only wanted to get the job done. Which is what I like about Hydra. They always get the job done."

She clicked her heels, and started walking around him again. Only this time, she tugged on a little rope hanging from his chair, so he turned around with her.

"When you finally couldn't get me pregnant, they were about to throw me away. But not before every man in Hydra had his 'fun with me'," she said with a scorn. "I was still breathing after they were done with me, multiple times. They were actually suprised to find me alive. Other women had suffered less and still couldn't live for another minute, while I had endured them for days. So they ran some more tests on me, and guess what?! While you couldn't get me pregnant, your sperm had somehow made me stronger. But not completely powerful yet. So they started their experiments."

She stopped to look at him. James face was filled with guilt. He knew first-hand how inhumane Hydra could be. To think his sunshine had to go through all that…

She twisted the corner of her lips at him, disappointed with his reaction. "This monologue is getting too one-sided, don't you think?" "I am sorry," he said quietly. His sorrowful eyes met hers, "I can help you. Please Connie. Let me help you."

"Help me?" she laughed a humorless laugh, "Help me? Darling, you couldn’t handle me even if I came with instructions!"

She started swinging him back and forth. Every moment painful than the last for James. "Now where was I? Hhmm yeah the experiments! I will save you the trouble of knowing what happened to me in the last few decades. Let's fast forward to 2014 when SHIELD and Hydra fell. While others got arrested or killed, YOU, my love, escaped! There was not a single man left in Hydra. And so from its ashes of, I made sure Hydra was reborn. Afterall, cut off one head, two more shall grow, amirite?"

She held his chair and yanked him down towards her. James finally yelled, the physical pain too much for him to endure. "Didn't even think once about me did you? How could you? You don't even remember me! You left me to rot. You ignored my cries for help when you fucked me every night in that cell. You, James Buchanan Barnes, ruined my life. And for that, I will make sure you pay a hefty price."

With that, she stepped back a few paces. "Now as I understand, your old trigger words don't work on you anymore, do they?"

"Please," James managed to say through the pain, "Please hurt me, but no more innocent lives… Please… Not Sam… Please..."

"Oh yeah absolutely. Any other request?" her tone dripped with sarcasm.

"I love you. And I can… I can help you. Please let me."

"Aaawww baby I love you too! Now let's get started," she clasped her hands together.

"Rose. Silk. Box. Diary. Tattered. Letters. Daisy. Memory. Rebirth. Connie."

After each word, Bucky's body convulsed with an electric shock. As the words were repeated over the next few hours, the intensity of the shocks grew. Finally, Bucky lost the ability to think and hung his head in defeat.

Standing triumphantly in front of his defeated body, Connie asked, "Winter Soldier, are you ready for compliance?"

"Rea…" before he could complete his word, they heard a loud explosion in the distance. A few armed Hydra agents entered the chamber. "Madame Hydra, he is here."

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

"Sam," Bucky quietly chucked.

Connie faced Bucky, with venom in her voice, "I promise you darling. We will meet again. Soon."

As she left with her agents, Bucky quietly promised, "We will, my sunshine."

30 notes · View notes