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It was fucking embarassing.
John, who had once been Captain America, reduced to working for a private security company. In John’s mind, private security was reserved for those that didn’t have what it took to be in the service, or for retired or disgracefully discharged service men and women who couldn’t leave the action behind.
Which John supposed he was, but not by choice. No one else would hire him- either because of his discharge status, or because his face was too well-known. John had been lucky to find a job at all.
And now he’d just found out that the company he worked for had been hired by the manager for James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes’ campaign for congressman- and John had been assigned to the protection detail.
“Man’s a super soldier. Stands to reason that anyone coming after him might try to hit harder than they would anyone else,” the owner of the company said while John stood in front of his desk, falling into the familiar ‘at ease’ posture he’d become accustomed to after so many years.
He’d tried to argue it citing their rather tumultuous history. “That mean you won’t do the job you’re paid to do? The one you were hired for?” The threat in the other man's voice was clear.
No, of course not. That wasn’t John’s point at all.
He was sure Bucky didn’t know. There was no way they would have contracted with this company if they’d known John was on the payroll.
“Just… it might be a good idea to keep me out of his sight, is all. We weren’t exactly friendly the last time we spoke.”
His boss nodded. “I’ll have Yousef make sure you’re scheduled and posted appropriately.”
“Thank you, sir.”
With that, John was dismissed, and so began John’s attempt to both guard Bucky and stay out of his way. Unfortunately, Bucky was one of those guys who wanted to meet the men and women who’d be putting their lives on the line for him.
John faked a stomach ache and ran to the bathroom.
He returned just in time to take up his post at the rear exit. His job for now would be to make sure no one tried to sneak in from behind and take them by surprise that way.
For several days John was able to avoid meeting Bucky that way.
And then there was the outdoor event.
Outdoor events were always the worst. Too much area to cover, too many possible angles, and not enough people to cover them all.
John saw a flash half way through Bucky’s speech. If his eyesight hadn’t been enhanced, he might not have caught it. But he was just able to make out the narrow barrel, recognizable from his years of handling very similar weapons. It was pointed towards Bucky.
They always waited until half way through the speech, John thought distantly as his body reacted. He yelled into his comm. John leaped just before he heard the shot ring out, and had half a second to think he must have startled the shooter into acting, before a line of fire tore its way through his lower back, where his vest didn't reach.
He collapsed on top of Bucky, shielding him from another wild shot. Their eyes met, Bucky’s wide with surprise. “John?!”
“Long time, no see,” John said around the metallic taste in his mouth. Shit. Either he’d bitten his tongue, or the bullet had bounced around inside and nicked something important. It was too hard to tell with the adrenaline coursing through his veins. “We need to get you out of here.”
In answer, Bucky rolled them over, vibranium arm coming up to protect their heads. “Think it’s s’pposed t’ be the other way around,” John muttered.
“Idiot.” The insult almost sounded fond.
Then John felt weightless, people screaming in the background, but it was all just noise. John wished they’d all just shut up.
“What was that?” Bucky huffed.
John repeated himself. “Shut up.” Was Bucky carrying him? Fuck, that wasn’t gonna look good to his boss.
The next thing John knew, he was being shaken, a sharp pain lancing through his abdomen. Bucky’s face hovered into view. “Stay with me, John.”
John was very tired. “Think ’m g’nna take a nap.” His tongue felt too big for his mouth. He shut his eyes.
“John? John!”
Everything faded to black.