Fic: No Matter What, Vampire Au
TitleNo Matter What
Rating PG
Characters/Ships Jim, Bucky/Toro, and implied past Bucky/Steve
Words 2,849
Notes This was a gift for the awesome Fyerluna. It's also 100% an indulgent Vampire AU. Though I'm surprisingly fluffy and nice to my vampires here. Usually I'm mean, just ask Tony XD. I blame Jim. No one can be mean to Toro when Jim is around.
Also, feel free to consider this an open AU. As in if anyone wants to use this sitting and write their own fic, go for it :)
Summery Discovered by other Vampires intent on killing him and destroying Toro, Bucky has to swallow his pride and rely on Jim to save the day, assuming Jim decides they're worth saving now.
Jim could sense the temperature dropping outside as the last of the day's warmth faded. Shadows crept into the cave, slipping into crevasses and behind rocks. They seemed to make the cavern larger by obscuring the cave walls and allowing imagination to add unknown depth to their inky darkness. Jim glanced at the candles around him and debated lighting them but decided against it. He didn't feel like reading tonight. Sometimes sitting and doing nothing was enough.
Jim leaned against the cool cave wall in silent comfort. Beside him, Toro had been trying to get through some new popular novel while they waited for Bucky to return to and let them know if they'd have to move again. Jim heard a soft noise from his side and chuckled. Toro's all too human trait of snoring still made Jim smile after all this time. Toro's heads drooped against his chest and the book lay forgotten in his lap.
Jim lifted his arm and put it around Toro, pulling him close. He watched Toro as he snuggled against him and gave a small yawn, followed by a contented smile. Toro still held the remains of his meal, one of the three small rabbits Jim had found for him that day, in one hand. Jim shifted so he could tug the drained corpse away from Toro, and then put it with the other three. Jim incinerated them before they could begin to smell and draw unwanted questions to the make-shift home.
Even with the sudden heat and light, Toro didn't stir. He just kept sleeping, pressed close against Jim. Smiling at his son, Jim reached down and wiped some bits of blood from around Toro's mouth. That, however, roused Toro to action. Toro batted at his hand and looked up with a scowl.
"Pappy, I'm 80, I can wipe my own mouth," he admonished.
"The evidence suggested otherwise," Jim answered with a soft chuckle. He wiped again with his thumb and despite his protest, Toro couldn't quite hide his smile. Before Jim had finished though, Bucky returned. He hadn't even appeared yet, but Jim could feel the change in Toro. Toro tensed for a moment, and then focused all his attention on the front of the cave like a dog hearing his master's return. Jim couldn't keep his frown hidden, but it didn't matter. He could have sunk into the floor for all the attention Toro had for him now.
After a few more seconds Toro scrambled from Jim's lap and ran toward the entrance.
"Master," he said, grinning ear to ear.
Jim watched as Bucky materialized from the shadows and wrapped his arms around Toro. Toro clung to him as though Bucky were his sun. Jim glared and, for a split second, he swore that Bucky smirked at him. But, it was less then a second and all Jim could see now was Bucky focused on Toro, covering his cheeks, forehead, and mouth in gentle kisses while murmuring how much he loved him.
Jim turned away, wondering if he would be left alone again while Toro curled up and slept close to Bucky for the day.
"Evening, Jim."
Jim turned at the clear sound of Bucky's voice. He tried to ignore the look of mindless adoration on Toro's face as he stared at Bucky while Bucky stroked his hand. Bucky though, now that he'd finished greeting Toro seemed different. For once the arrogant confidence he wore like a cloak had fallen away from him. He kept glancing at the entrance to the cave and his fingers fidgeted around Toro's hand.
Bucky's brow creased as his worry become so strong that Toro now seemed to pick up on it. The mindless smile faltered and concern pushed the adoration from his expression.
"Bucky?"
Bucky frowned then looked down at Toro with consideration. After a few seconds, he leaned closer and murmured something too low for Jim to hear, assuming Bucky spoke at all given his preference for mental commands. Whatever he said or did, it soothed the look of concern from Toro's expression.
Toro nodded in agreement and gave Bucky a quick peck on the cheek. Then he changed.
In the blink of an eye Toro was no longer standing pressed close to Bucky, instead he clung to Bucky, the tips of his wings reaching just above the red stripe across Bucky's blue shirt. With a smile, Bucky patted Toro's small head, and then held his jacket open so the little bat could scamper inside.
Jim clenched his jaw in an attempt to keep his temper under control. He could feel it inside, tense like a wound rubber band waiting for a reason to snap.
Bucky moved toward him, one hand still in his jacket as he petted Toro. "I know you hate that, but he hates it when there's tension between us."
"And there's about to be?"
Jim took a step toward Bucky. He should have guessed with as agitated as Bucky appeared that there would be an argument, at the very least, between them. Fear was something Bucky refused to show; instead, he changed the fear to fury and blundered ahead. Once upon a time, a man named Steve Rogers could curb Bucky's anger and refocus the energy with a few carefully chosen words. But Steve had been lost in the war and Bucky's temper had grown unchecked except by the occasional determination from Jim not to let Bucky self destruct and take Toro with him.
Jim wondered more than once how he'd stayed alive the hundred years or so before meeting Steve. So had Toro, a confession whispered once when Bucky had returned home burnt by the sun and wounded from a fight with something he'd never chosen to reveal.
"Bucky," Jim said, trying to keep his voice even. "Why would we argue?"
Bucky looked up at him and scowled. "Because I'm going to tell you what to do, and you never like that. But you could for once just shut up and listen to me like Toro does."
Jim felt his temper begin to fray as Bucky spoke as though Toro had any say in the matter.
"Perhaps, if you tell me what you are worried followed you- I see you glancing behind." Jim explained before Bucky could protest.
Jim waited, watching Bucky tug at his jacket and look behind him again.
"James," Jim said in clipped a clipped voices. "If there is reason to be concerned, tell me and let's not waste time arguing."
"Others are in the area," Bucky whispered, his voice strained and sounding younger than Jim had heard him sound in years. "A lot of 'em, and they're looking for me. They want to take my -take Toro from me."
Bucky's slip snapped Jim's temper and he loomed over the frightened vampire. "On the upside, that would break your control over Toro."
Bucky snarled, his face contorted with rage, but his brown eyes were wide not with anger but pain over Jim's spoken preference. The hurt haunted his eyes only for a moment before cold fury swallowed it up.
"You think I'm so horrible to Toro you want me dead?" Bucky hissed. "You're the one who begged me to change him!"
Jim felt his temper cool, but he muttered the words of their old argument anyway. "You take away his choices; force him to be dependent on you, to serve you. I didn't think, didn't realize-"
Bucky swore and stomped his feet like a child having a tantrum. "He's a fledgeling, Jim, it's how it is! I told you this, I told you! Besides he'd still be a Vampire; still kill even without me. Don't you fucking blame me for that!" Bucky growled. "And what do I really do to him, huh? I amplify feelings he already has, suggest he do things he doesn’t mind doing? For that you want me dead?" Bucky shook his head and leaned against the wall, breathing hard, eyes squeezed shut. Jim watched Bucky's expression falter as the anger warred with his fear.
He couldn't protect them, Jim realized. Bucky wasn't strong enough to fight what was coming and now Jim had implied he'd be more than happy to hand him over. More than implied.
Stomach knotted with guilt, Jim went over and put a hand on Bucky's shoulder. "It's sometimes hard to watch and accept," he murmured, needing to explain his hateful words.
"I don't have a choice Jim." Bucky muttered, sagging against the cave wall. "If I don't exert control, others will sense it, feel an uncontrolled fledgling and come for him." He clenched his fists. "And what they would do… Jim, you have no idea; you wouldn't want to know. They wouldn't keep you around, that's for sure."
It was as though the callous creature Bucky had become melted away and Jim could see the terrified young man he had once been, before he'd been changed by the life he'd been forced to lead. He looked a bit like Toro.
"These are the ones who took you after your maker died," Jim whispered. "The time you won't speak of."
Bucky nodded. "I thought my master was horrible what he'd make me do, but -"
He looked up at Jim with wide terrified eyes. "They were monsters. They'll destroy us both. Break us and strip away whatever decency is left. For their amusement. I know you don't like me, I don't like me a lot of times, but Toro-" He shook his head. "They made me kill my kid sister's whole family, Jim, and that was the least of-" Bucky's voice cracked and he buried his face in Jim's shirt. From inside his jacket, Jim heard a chirp of protest and Bucky shifted, taking care not to squish Toro.
Jim held him until he stopped shaking.
"I won't let anything hurt either of you," Jim promised. "I'm sorry for what I said, Bucky." He knelt down so he could be eye to eye with him, he reached up and put his hand against Bucky's cool cheek. "I don't like it when you force Toro to do things, but I wouldn't want you dead. You can be arrogant and aggravating and sometimes scary, but you've done nothing of your own will to warrant being killed, ok."
Bucky nodded. "Sorry too, for when I'm, well you know." Bucky sighed against Jim. "Not being able to read you mind makes me edgy, and I don't like sharing Toro with you sometimes, but I'm - I'm glad you stay with him-with us, Jim. Really glad."
Jim sighed, wondering how long the truce between them would last before their tempers and stubborn natures threw a wrench into things again.
But for now this would do.
"That out of the way then, we better decide what to do." Jim said.
Bucky nodded and in a rare moment actually looked to Jim for advice.
"If I'm going to protect you two from Vampiric hoards, the easiest way will simply be to generate my flames. But, that means I want you both well away from me and hidden in a deep dark spot where light and flame won't reach. Probably as bats, as that gives us more options, and for goodness sakes, let Toro change back so he can understand what's happening."
Bucky nodded and pulled out Toro. Toro made a little squeal of protest before changing back.
He stood before them and looked at Bucky with as much reproach as he could muster. "You said you'd stop making me change so you could argue with Pappy. I could still tell you two were arguing!"
"We didn't argue, much" Jim answered, putting his hand on Toro's shoulder. "Bucky decided to just tell me what was going on rather than try and manipulate me."
Bucky nodded. "He yells less about that."
Jim rolled his eyes then sat to explain to Toro anything about their situation he hadn't been able to grasp as a bat.
It took only a few minutes for the three of them to find a good hiding spot. A hole in the cavern wall was not only deep but it curved as it went back, which would protect even more from light and fire.
"No matter what, don't come out," Jim instructed them both, though he spoke more to Bucky than to Toro.
"Right," Bucky said before changing into a large, black bat.
Toro gave Jim a quick hug before Toro changed, becoming a small brown bat for the second time that night.
Jim watched as they headed for the hiding spot's opening, but then on impulse, before either could disappear into the dark hole, he scooped both of them up into his arms. Toro chirped happily, but Bucky struggled.
Jim chuckled at the larger bat and patted his head with one finger. "Go on and bite me, see how good I taste." He waited for Bucky to be still, then kissed both of them on the top of their furry heads. Toro fluffed up and licked at him, and even Bucky seemed not to sulk as much as he had been.
"I won't let anyone hurt either of you." Jim swore as he carefully set them on the ground. Bucky begin to herd Toro into the hole, but before he entered himself, he turned and gave Jim salute as best he could with his wings.
Jim saluted back then for them both to disappear from sight before he placed a rock over the mouth of their hiding spot.
Then he went closer to the entrance and waited.
It wasn't long before the first of the Others appeared. Two women with hair dyed black and pulled back into ponytails so tight it seemed to pull a the skin of their faces.
"Hello little ones," the taller of the pair called while the other snickered. "Come out, come out, you're both too old for hide and seek.
Jim shuddered as the Vampires smiled.
"Did you feel that, Patricia? The little dears are ripe with terror."
The other licked her lips. "And they're trying so hard to fight us. Oh little ones, I'm not even trying with half my strength. Give in now and come out."
Jim tensed, praying that to two women would move in closer to him and further to the entrance. He wanted to remain a surprise to the others, but if they were exerting their powers and Bucky and Toro couldn't resist-
Suddenly one of the women shrieked and grabbed her head.
"Little brat," she hissed.
Then other's face contorted into the most hideous smile Jim had ever seen. "The little one, the younger. He's nearly mine. What should I have him do? I'm thinking eat the other."
The other woman's features became pulled into a gaping sadistic smile. "Have him do it slowly. Make the brat suffer for hurting me."
Jim clenched his jaw and changed his plan. With a thought he incinerated the women, watching their bodies burn bright for a fraction a second then spread throughout the cave as ash.
Shouts came from outside, no doubt alerted by the sudden psychic absence of the two women. Eight more vampires rushed into the cavern. Jim hardly gave them time to look around. He reached out with his powers, and the cavern became an inferno. Lit with the hellish light of his own powers, Jim watched the monster incinerate before him. His only mercy was not giving them time to scream in agony.
He felt for any others, for the odd coolness of a vampire body, but he found only the two small anomalies of Toro and Bucky behind him. Everything else around was the normal temperature of the living.
Jim took no chances though. He sat and waited until the sun came fully up before going to give the all clear.
Once the sun had driven away the last of the night's shadows, Jim left his post and went to find the little hole with the rock over it. He removed it and provided only enough firelight to be able to see inside. Bucky had curled around Toro, pressing himself to the other bat. He turned his head and regarded Jim for a moment before nudging Toro awake. Jim waited as both crawled out and took human form.
"Thank you," Bucky whispered. He and Toro stood holding each other, both of them still had traces of horror haunting their wide eyes.
Jim answered Bucky by flinging his around them both and pulling them tight against him. Neither one protested and both, Toro first then Bucky, hugged him back.
"We'll have to move," Bucky murmured, his voice muffled against Jim's red jump suit.
"That's not so bad," Toro said. "I prefer houses to caves."
Jim heard Bucky laugh and he gave a pointed look to Toro. Whatever passed between them caused Toro to turn bright red and bury his face against Jim.
Jim sighed and gave Bucky a soft flick on the ear. Bucky just looked up at him with an cheeky grin and then leaned over, kissing Toro. Jim sighed again, but he was comforted by the fact that, while embarrassed, Toro seemed perfectly happy. And so for once, did Bucky.
And that's it. I've got a few little ficlet's, So far it's all either Bucky/Toro or Steve/Bucky. I've always been sorta shy about posting this AUverse buut it is fun.
Rating PG
Characters/Ships Jim, Bucky/Toro, and implied past Bucky/Steve
Words 2,849
Notes This was a gift for the awesome Fyerluna. It's also 100% an indulgent Vampire AU. Though I'm surprisingly fluffy and nice to my vampires here. Usually I'm mean, just ask Tony XD. I blame Jim. No one can be mean to Toro when Jim is around.
Also, feel free to consider this an open AU. As in if anyone wants to use this sitting and write their own fic, go for it :)
Summery Discovered by other Vampires intent on killing him and destroying Toro, Bucky has to swallow his pride and rely on Jim to save the day, assuming Jim decides they're worth saving now.
Jim could sense the temperature dropping outside as the last of the day's warmth faded. Shadows crept into the cave, slipping into crevasses and behind rocks. They seemed to make the cavern larger by obscuring the cave walls and allowing imagination to add unknown depth to their inky darkness. Jim glanced at the candles around him and debated lighting them but decided against it. He didn't feel like reading tonight. Sometimes sitting and doing nothing was enough.
Jim leaned against the cool cave wall in silent comfort. Beside him, Toro had been trying to get through some new popular novel while they waited for Bucky to return to and let them know if they'd have to move again. Jim heard a soft noise from his side and chuckled. Toro's all too human trait of snoring still made Jim smile after all this time. Toro's heads drooped against his chest and the book lay forgotten in his lap.
Jim lifted his arm and put it around Toro, pulling him close. He watched Toro as he snuggled against him and gave a small yawn, followed by a contented smile. Toro still held the remains of his meal, one of the three small rabbits Jim had found for him that day, in one hand. Jim shifted so he could tug the drained corpse away from Toro, and then put it with the other three. Jim incinerated them before they could begin to smell and draw unwanted questions to the make-shift home.
Even with the sudden heat and light, Toro didn't stir. He just kept sleeping, pressed close against Jim. Smiling at his son, Jim reached down and wiped some bits of blood from around Toro's mouth. That, however, roused Toro to action. Toro batted at his hand and looked up with a scowl.
"Pappy, I'm 80, I can wipe my own mouth," he admonished.
"The evidence suggested otherwise," Jim answered with a soft chuckle. He wiped again with his thumb and despite his protest, Toro couldn't quite hide his smile. Before Jim had finished though, Bucky returned. He hadn't even appeared yet, but Jim could feel the change in Toro. Toro tensed for a moment, and then focused all his attention on the front of the cave like a dog hearing his master's return. Jim couldn't keep his frown hidden, but it didn't matter. He could have sunk into the floor for all the attention Toro had for him now.
After a few more seconds Toro scrambled from Jim's lap and ran toward the entrance.
"Master," he said, grinning ear to ear.
Jim watched as Bucky materialized from the shadows and wrapped his arms around Toro. Toro clung to him as though Bucky were his sun. Jim glared and, for a split second, he swore that Bucky smirked at him. But, it was less then a second and all Jim could see now was Bucky focused on Toro, covering his cheeks, forehead, and mouth in gentle kisses while murmuring how much he loved him.
Jim turned away, wondering if he would be left alone again while Toro curled up and slept close to Bucky for the day.
"Evening, Jim."
Jim turned at the clear sound of Bucky's voice. He tried to ignore the look of mindless adoration on Toro's face as he stared at Bucky while Bucky stroked his hand. Bucky though, now that he'd finished greeting Toro seemed different. For once the arrogant confidence he wore like a cloak had fallen away from him. He kept glancing at the entrance to the cave and his fingers fidgeted around Toro's hand.
Bucky's brow creased as his worry become so strong that Toro now seemed to pick up on it. The mindless smile faltered and concern pushed the adoration from his expression.
"Bucky?"
Bucky frowned then looked down at Toro with consideration. After a few seconds, he leaned closer and murmured something too low for Jim to hear, assuming Bucky spoke at all given his preference for mental commands. Whatever he said or did, it soothed the look of concern from Toro's expression.
Toro nodded in agreement and gave Bucky a quick peck on the cheek. Then he changed.
In the blink of an eye Toro was no longer standing pressed close to Bucky, instead he clung to Bucky, the tips of his wings reaching just above the red stripe across Bucky's blue shirt. With a smile, Bucky patted Toro's small head, and then held his jacket open so the little bat could scamper inside.
Jim clenched his jaw in an attempt to keep his temper under control. He could feel it inside, tense like a wound rubber band waiting for a reason to snap.
Bucky moved toward him, one hand still in his jacket as he petted Toro. "I know you hate that, but he hates it when there's tension between us."
"And there's about to be?"
Jim took a step toward Bucky. He should have guessed with as agitated as Bucky appeared that there would be an argument, at the very least, between them. Fear was something Bucky refused to show; instead, he changed the fear to fury and blundered ahead. Once upon a time, a man named Steve Rogers could curb Bucky's anger and refocus the energy with a few carefully chosen words. But Steve had been lost in the war and Bucky's temper had grown unchecked except by the occasional determination from Jim not to let Bucky self destruct and take Toro with him.
Jim wondered more than once how he'd stayed alive the hundred years or so before meeting Steve. So had Toro, a confession whispered once when Bucky had returned home burnt by the sun and wounded from a fight with something he'd never chosen to reveal.
"Bucky," Jim said, trying to keep his voice even. "Why would we argue?"
Bucky looked up at him and scowled. "Because I'm going to tell you what to do, and you never like that. But you could for once just shut up and listen to me like Toro does."
Jim felt his temper begin to fray as Bucky spoke as though Toro had any say in the matter.
"Perhaps, if you tell me what you are worried followed you- I see you glancing behind." Jim explained before Bucky could protest.
Jim waited, watching Bucky tug at his jacket and look behind him again.
"James," Jim said in clipped a clipped voices. "If there is reason to be concerned, tell me and let's not waste time arguing."
"Others are in the area," Bucky whispered, his voice strained and sounding younger than Jim had heard him sound in years. "A lot of 'em, and they're looking for me. They want to take my -take Toro from me."
Bucky's slip snapped Jim's temper and he loomed over the frightened vampire. "On the upside, that would break your control over Toro."
Bucky snarled, his face contorted with rage, but his brown eyes were wide not with anger but pain over Jim's spoken preference. The hurt haunted his eyes only for a moment before cold fury swallowed it up.
"You think I'm so horrible to Toro you want me dead?" Bucky hissed. "You're the one who begged me to change him!"
Jim felt his temper cool, but he muttered the words of their old argument anyway. "You take away his choices; force him to be dependent on you, to serve you. I didn't think, didn't realize-"
Bucky swore and stomped his feet like a child having a tantrum. "He's a fledgeling, Jim, it's how it is! I told you this, I told you! Besides he'd still be a Vampire; still kill even without me. Don't you fucking blame me for that!" Bucky growled. "And what do I really do to him, huh? I amplify feelings he already has, suggest he do things he doesn’t mind doing? For that you want me dead?" Bucky shook his head and leaned against the wall, breathing hard, eyes squeezed shut. Jim watched Bucky's expression falter as the anger warred with his fear.
He couldn't protect them, Jim realized. Bucky wasn't strong enough to fight what was coming and now Jim had implied he'd be more than happy to hand him over. More than implied.
Stomach knotted with guilt, Jim went over and put a hand on Bucky's shoulder. "It's sometimes hard to watch and accept," he murmured, needing to explain his hateful words.
"I don't have a choice Jim." Bucky muttered, sagging against the cave wall. "If I don't exert control, others will sense it, feel an uncontrolled fledgling and come for him." He clenched his fists. "And what they would do… Jim, you have no idea; you wouldn't want to know. They wouldn't keep you around, that's for sure."
It was as though the callous creature Bucky had become melted away and Jim could see the terrified young man he had once been, before he'd been changed by the life he'd been forced to lead. He looked a bit like Toro.
"These are the ones who took you after your maker died," Jim whispered. "The time you won't speak of."
Bucky nodded. "I thought my master was horrible what he'd make me do, but -"
He looked up at Jim with wide terrified eyes. "They were monsters. They'll destroy us both. Break us and strip away whatever decency is left. For their amusement. I know you don't like me, I don't like me a lot of times, but Toro-" He shook his head. "They made me kill my kid sister's whole family, Jim, and that was the least of-" Bucky's voice cracked and he buried his face in Jim's shirt. From inside his jacket, Jim heard a chirp of protest and Bucky shifted, taking care not to squish Toro.
Jim held him until he stopped shaking.
"I won't let anything hurt either of you," Jim promised. "I'm sorry for what I said, Bucky." He knelt down so he could be eye to eye with him, he reached up and put his hand against Bucky's cool cheek. "I don't like it when you force Toro to do things, but I wouldn't want you dead. You can be arrogant and aggravating and sometimes scary, but you've done nothing of your own will to warrant being killed, ok."
Bucky nodded. "Sorry too, for when I'm, well you know." Bucky sighed against Jim. "Not being able to read you mind makes me edgy, and I don't like sharing Toro with you sometimes, but I'm - I'm glad you stay with him-with us, Jim. Really glad."
Jim sighed, wondering how long the truce between them would last before their tempers and stubborn natures threw a wrench into things again.
But for now this would do.
"That out of the way then, we better decide what to do." Jim said.
Bucky nodded and in a rare moment actually looked to Jim for advice.
"If I'm going to protect you two from Vampiric hoards, the easiest way will simply be to generate my flames. But, that means I want you both well away from me and hidden in a deep dark spot where light and flame won't reach. Probably as bats, as that gives us more options, and for goodness sakes, let Toro change back so he can understand what's happening."
Bucky nodded and pulled out Toro. Toro made a little squeal of protest before changing back.
He stood before them and looked at Bucky with as much reproach as he could muster. "You said you'd stop making me change so you could argue with Pappy. I could still tell you two were arguing!"
"We didn't argue, much" Jim answered, putting his hand on Toro's shoulder. "Bucky decided to just tell me what was going on rather than try and manipulate me."
Bucky nodded. "He yells less about that."
Jim rolled his eyes then sat to explain to Toro anything about their situation he hadn't been able to grasp as a bat.
It took only a few minutes for the three of them to find a good hiding spot. A hole in the cavern wall was not only deep but it curved as it went back, which would protect even more from light and fire.
"No matter what, don't come out," Jim instructed them both, though he spoke more to Bucky than to Toro.
"Right," Bucky said before changing into a large, black bat.
Toro gave Jim a quick hug before Toro changed, becoming a small brown bat for the second time that night.
Jim watched as they headed for the hiding spot's opening, but then on impulse, before either could disappear into the dark hole, he scooped both of them up into his arms. Toro chirped happily, but Bucky struggled.
Jim chuckled at the larger bat and patted his head with one finger. "Go on and bite me, see how good I taste." He waited for Bucky to be still, then kissed both of them on the top of their furry heads. Toro fluffed up and licked at him, and even Bucky seemed not to sulk as much as he had been.
"I won't let anyone hurt either of you." Jim swore as he carefully set them on the ground. Bucky begin to herd Toro into the hole, but before he entered himself, he turned and gave Jim salute as best he could with his wings.
Jim saluted back then for them both to disappear from sight before he placed a rock over the mouth of their hiding spot.
Then he went closer to the entrance and waited.
It wasn't long before the first of the Others appeared. Two women with hair dyed black and pulled back into ponytails so tight it seemed to pull a the skin of their faces.
"Hello little ones," the taller of the pair called while the other snickered. "Come out, come out, you're both too old for hide and seek.
Jim shuddered as the Vampires smiled.
"Did you feel that, Patricia? The little dears are ripe with terror."
The other licked her lips. "And they're trying so hard to fight us. Oh little ones, I'm not even trying with half my strength. Give in now and come out."
Jim tensed, praying that to two women would move in closer to him and further to the entrance. He wanted to remain a surprise to the others, but if they were exerting their powers and Bucky and Toro couldn't resist-
Suddenly one of the women shrieked and grabbed her head.
"Little brat," she hissed.
Then other's face contorted into the most hideous smile Jim had ever seen. "The little one, the younger. He's nearly mine. What should I have him do? I'm thinking eat the other."
The other woman's features became pulled into a gaping sadistic smile. "Have him do it slowly. Make the brat suffer for hurting me."
Jim clenched his jaw and changed his plan. With a thought he incinerated the women, watching their bodies burn bright for a fraction a second then spread throughout the cave as ash.
Shouts came from outside, no doubt alerted by the sudden psychic absence of the two women. Eight more vampires rushed into the cavern. Jim hardly gave them time to look around. He reached out with his powers, and the cavern became an inferno. Lit with the hellish light of his own powers, Jim watched the monster incinerate before him. His only mercy was not giving them time to scream in agony.
He felt for any others, for the odd coolness of a vampire body, but he found only the two small anomalies of Toro and Bucky behind him. Everything else around was the normal temperature of the living.
Jim took no chances though. He sat and waited until the sun came fully up before going to give the all clear.
Once the sun had driven away the last of the night's shadows, Jim left his post and went to find the little hole with the rock over it. He removed it and provided only enough firelight to be able to see inside. Bucky had curled around Toro, pressing himself to the other bat. He turned his head and regarded Jim for a moment before nudging Toro awake. Jim waited as both crawled out and took human form.
"Thank you," Bucky whispered. He and Toro stood holding each other, both of them still had traces of horror haunting their wide eyes.
Jim answered Bucky by flinging his around them both and pulling them tight against him. Neither one protested and both, Toro first then Bucky, hugged him back.
"We'll have to move," Bucky murmured, his voice muffled against Jim's red jump suit.
"That's not so bad," Toro said. "I prefer houses to caves."
Jim heard Bucky laugh and he gave a pointed look to Toro. Whatever passed between them caused Toro to turn bright red and bury his face against Jim.
Jim sighed and gave Bucky a soft flick on the ear. Bucky just looked up at him with an cheeky grin and then leaned over, kissing Toro. Jim sighed again, but he was comforted by the fact that, while embarrassed, Toro seemed perfectly happy. And so for once, did Bucky.
And that's it. I've got a few little ficlet's, So far it's all either Bucky/Toro or Steve/Bucky. I've always been sorta shy about posting this AUverse buut it is fun.