**Reckoning in the Shadows**

The music and laughter of the party grew fainter as Viv made her way back to her room, the compound's sprawling layout slowly swallowing the sounds of celebration. She had stayed later than she had intended, but the warmth and camaraderie of the gathering had been just what she needed after a long week. Now, as she walked through the quiet corridors, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was looking forward to a good night's sleep and a chance to recharge for the busy days ahead. As she approached her room, she didn't notice the figure following her, keeping a safe distance to avoid detection. Bucky had been watching her from across the room, his eyes never leaving her face as she laughed and chatted with their friends. He had waited until she slipped away, then followed her, his movements silent and deliberate. Viv reached her door and turned the handle, pushing it open and stepping inside. But before she could close it behind her, Bucky moved swiftly, his long strides eating up the distance between them. He reached out and grasped her arm, spinning her back around. Viv's eyes widened in surprise as Bucky's hand clamped down on her shoulder, his grip firm but not quite painful. "Hey, what the...?" Viv started to protest, but Bucky's eyes cut her off. They were dark, almost black, and seemed to burn with an inner fire. His face was set in a tight, angry line, and for a moment, Viv felt a flicker of unease. But before she could react, Bucky pushed her against the wall, his body pinning hers in place. The door slammed shut behind him, and Viv heard the lock click into place. She was trapped. Bucky's eyes seemed to bore into hers, his gaze intense and unyielding. His chest heaved with exertion, and his breath came in short, sharp gasps. Viv felt a shiver run down her spine as he caged her against the wall, his body pressed into hers, unrelenting. "Predatory Energy coursed through him, making his eyes seem to burn with equal parts fury and desire," she thought, her mind racing with the implications of his actions. She was trapped, and Bucky's behavior seemed to be escalating by the second. "Snapped Restraint" seemed to take hold as Bucky's voice dropped to a low, menacing growl. "You think you can just show up and pretend like nothing happened?" he spat, his words dripping with venom. His breath was hot against her neck, and Viv could feel the way his chest rose and fell against hers. Bucky's fingers closed around her chin, his grip firm but not quite painful. "Rough Touch" sent a jolt through her as he forced her to look at him. His metal hand slammed into the wall beside her head, making Viv flinch. The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension, "Unholy Tension" that made her knees weak. Bucky's eyes seemed to burn with a fierce inner fire, and his body radiated heat, making her feel trapped and helpless. As Bucky's lips grazed the shell of her ear, Viv felt a spark of desire, despite the danger that seemed to emanate from him. "Clashing Desires" warred within him, his body betraying his angry words as he pressed harder against her, his grip tightening around her waist. And then, in a sudden, brutal movement, Bucky's mouth crashed into hers, his kiss punishing and intense. "Desperate Collision" seemed to drive all rational thought from her mind as his hands roamed possessively, gripping her hips, fingers digging into her skin. Viv's mind reeled as Bucky's kiss left her breathless, his teeth scraping against her neck, nipping hard enough to make her gasp. "Unspoken Violence" seemed to lurk beneath his actions, every kiss feeling like punishment, every touch leaving a bruise. As Bucky's hand tangled in her hair, yanking her head back to expose her throat, Viv felt a surge of fear mixed with desire. His bite was hard, marking her as if trying to brand her with his touch. With a jolt of adrenaline, Bucky's grip tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against him. "No Mercy" seemed to drive him as he hissed against her skin, "You want to forget me? Replace me? Too bad. I'll make sure you never forget me, how I feel in you." The words sent a shiver down her spine, leaving Viv wondering what she had unleashed.