Blue || Bucky Barnes

26. Baby, It's Just Me

Steve accelerates the jet forward as Bucky and Leia sit in the back.
"You good Steve?" Leia calls out in case he has an injury she should tend to.
"I'm fine." He says focusing on flying.
"Buck?" She asks warily.
"Fine." He mumbles not looking at her.

"I'm sorry." She whispers so only Bucky can hear. He just stays completely quiet, still not even glancing at her. "Bucky, don't shut me out again." She whispers feeling the lump rise in her throat. "Please talk to me."
"For gods sake Leia what do you want me to say?!!" Bucky yells loudly and Leia retreats quickly absolutely terrified, before the scene in front of her suddenly disappears and she's in her old apartment in Queens.

She looks around and sees the decor that her Mom loved. But in a flash it disappears and she finds herself in her empty bedroom. The floor is cold and hard, the thin blanket doing nothing to help. Her Mom's gone and so is Eveline. She hears thudding of boots on the outside stairs that lead up to the apartment door. Leia jumps up and flies down the stairs grabbing the scrubbing brush and dropping to the kitchen tiles. She scrubs frantically as the door cracks on its hinges from the swings force and then it slams closed and the lock latches.

"Leia, you need soap in that water. Are you stupid!" Mark kicks the bucket over and the water spreads everywhere. His fist curls into the back of Leia's shirt throwing her backwards. She hits the wall with a thud and the wind is completely knocked out of her.
"Soap, stupid girl. Soap." He growls stalking right up close to her. "For gods sake Leia, how many times do I have to tell you?!!" He yells at the top of his lungs before his fists come flying down. He lays into her until she's beaten to an absolute pulp. Leia can feel it too, as he beats her. He kicks and punches until she feels her consciousness slowly start to slip away.

Just as her mind goes black she snaps back to reality. Leia hurries backwards, stumbling over everything. The pure fear written all over her face sends Bucky into panic. She feels her back hit the wall and she knows she's cornered. Bucky stands up slowly and starts to walk towards her.
"Stop!" She yells in terror. But Bucky doesn't listen and keeps going closer. She starts to hyperventilate and her chest feels like it might explode.

"Bucky what's going on?" Steve asks.
"Shut up Steve." He says quickly focusing back on Leia.
"Don't come closer!" Leia shrieks.
"Leia, look at me. It's just me." Bucky's about a metre from her now and she's still panicking.
"No stop, please stop." She screams crying from fear.
"Baby, it's just me, Bucky." He says grabbing onto her shoulders gently. She jolts and her eyes are wide with terror as they dart around Bucky's face.
"Please stop." She squeezes her eyes closed as Bucky grabs her hand and strokes the back with his thumb.
"Leia, I'm not going to hurt you." Bucky whispers pushing her hair back, holding her cheek gently. Leia's heart rate slowly starts to come down but she's still freaked out. The tears flow over her waterline like waterfalls. "Look at me darling." Bucky wipes her tears away. "You're okay." She slowly opens her eyes but she feels her legs grow weak. Like they're made of jello she collapses and Bucky eases her down in his arms. He holds her close.
"You're safe. I promise." He whispers and she finally opens her eyes. "Hey." He smiles reassuringly. Bucky gives her a moment to collect herself.
"M-my d-Dad." She's shaking.
"You just remembered him?" Bucky asks.
"You know about him?" Leia asks back.
"I remembered yesterday that you told me in Europe, in the hospital tent." He says.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Leia asks another question.
"I thought you knew, and I didn't want to bring it up." Bucky says.
"I-I don't want him to get me." She whimpers.
"He can't be alive still. And there's no way I'm letting him anywhere near you if he is." Bucky strokes her cheek still, wiping away the tears.

Leia breathes out a shaky breath. "I got you." Bucky whispers and Leia meets his eyes for the first time since getting on the jet. Her heart thumps and she just wants to be close to him. She feels safe in his arms. Leia leans forward and kisses Bucky's lips. He missed the sensation so much and his heart races.
She pulls back after an amount of time she deems suitable and breathes out. "I'm sorry." She can't help but apologize.
Bucky leans forwards and captures her lips again for a quick moment. "Do not apologize." He says to her squeezing her hand. "Wanna stand up?" Leia nods and Bucky helps her up.