House of Memories. // Bucky Barnes.

Part four: The night.

Chapter four.

Novah's POV:

I awoke in the middle of the night, thrashing awake from my sleep covered in sweat. There was rain going on outside and it seemed too calm to wake up to something rather than pure silence. Looking over at the clock I could see it was only four in the morning, not much sleep but some sleep was better than none at this point.

Running a hand through my hair I could feel my heart race, and the dryness of my throat. Deciding it was no use trying to sleep right now I tossed the blanket off of me and grabbed the night shorts Natasha had gifted me to sleep in, even though she knows when alone the clothing made me feel more uncomfortable than anything.

Getting out of the room, I could feel the cold floor beneath my bare feet as well as listening to the silence as everyone slept. I know Stark didn't reside here and Steve only stayed here now and then, which meant so did my sister. Finding the kitchen I looked through the cupboards that were taller than I was, oh course feeling relieved when we had found the glasses. Grasping onto one I turned the tap on cold and filled my glass enough for me to get a good amount. Taking a chug out of the water I turned to look out the window at the rain. "Can't sleep?" Startled I spun around nearly spilling water all over myself to see Bucky standing there. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He assured.

"Yeah, well you did. What are you even doing awake?" I questioned as I watched him walk in. Bucky was wearing black sweat pants and a grey muscle top.

Stepping into enough light I could see his arm shining. He looked at it and nodded. "I understand, you have questions. Everyone does." He assured me. "I struggle with sleeping, something I've been dealing with for years, now I could ask you the same question."

"The same answer" I replied to him, not wanting to look away from him. His gaze stayed on me for a moment before looking at my body. "It's not polite to stare." I bit at him.

Raising his hands he shrugged as he went for a glass to get some water as I had. "I could say the same thing to you," he had got me there. "What did you tell your sister, she must have asked about how you got so beaten?"

Rolling my eyes I didn't understand how he was so interested in this topic. "She knows I was in a few fights. They aren't uncommon, especially in this type of work. You of all should know this" Bucky nodded to my reply. "Back then, when I was struggling, why did you help me?"

"I want to help, the person I was back then isn't who I am anymore and I don't want people to think of me like that." I nodded at his reply. "I do have a question though," again I nodded for him to continue. "What did you mean when you scoffed at Natasha earlier, about me?"

Furrowing my brows I wanted to scoff at him but I didn't. "You should know."

"I'm sorry, I don't?"

Was he serious? Did he not remember what he had done to me? I was only a teenager at the time. "Are you serious?" I scoffed this time, his feelings seemed hurt which for whatever reason pained me. Rubbing my eyes I nodded in defeat meaning I would tell him. "When I was sixteen Natasha and I was on a mission, by we I meant I followed her. I wasn't as skilled as she was." I paused for a moment looking down at his chest not wanting to make eye contact. "She was ahead, and I had made noise by accident, you came out of the room and started shooting at us, only you grazed my side with the bullet. You grabbed me, with that arm and you lifted me off my feet squeezing me, the life, out of me." Sighing I knew he was listening to my words. "I only survived because of Natasha, she- I don't know what she did but she did something and you dropped me like I was nothing. You seemed I don't know distracted because you walked away after and I don't know-how. You are the winter soldier, we should have been dead."

Looking at Bucky's expression he seemed almost stunned at what I had told him. "I'm- I'm sorry," he said gulping. "I'm not the winter soldier anymore, I won't ever be" I could tell he was nervous. "I usually remember everyone, every face I see as him- he haunts me, but I don't remember you or Nat." He ran his hand through his hair. "I don't expect forgiveness, I'm not asking for that but please know I am sorry." Was he showing me emotion? He didn't seem the type to show many emotions.

"I'm glad you don't expect forgiveness because it would be hard."

"Was that why you and Nat split up?"

"No, we had different missions in life. She had found Clint and I went on my way after that. She tried staying in touch but I don't know, I shut her out. It was for the best too." I looked at his blue eyes that almost glowed.

He stood in front of me, I could feel the heat radiating off his body almost as if he just left a scalding shower. "You are still thinking of leaving, aren't you?" the look on my face must have given him my response. "If you leave, I promise you, your sister will hunt you down and you know that. I also understand it's hard to be with people after being alone for so long, I wanted to run away too but I knew Steve wouldn't let me."

Listening to his words I felt my mind starting to spin as my legs caved from beneath me. "Woah!" Bucky said grabbing me before I could crash to the ground. "Holy crap, you're burning up. Are you okay?"

Nodding I felt as if the room was spinning. "I'm fine" I tried standing straight only finding myself once again crashing into Bucky. Feeling myself being lifted my head fell back as everything kept going dark on me. Looking up I seen Bucky carrying me back to my room.

Placing me on my bed he looked at me as if he was almost worried? "Does your sister know about this?" he asked softly.

Shaking my head I grabbed his wrist before he could leave. "Bucky, you can't tell her. I don't want her worrying." He stayed silent for a moment. "Promise me, it is the least you could do for me."

"Okay, but I'm staying with you." I went to argue when he shook his head. "No, something isn't right and you need someone. If you won't let it be Natasha, let it be someone who's now seen you like this."

Nodding I could feel sweat starting to run down my face. Quickly sitting up I could feel myself regretting it as my head spun. Bucky gestured for me to lie down again and this time I knew I was too weak to argue. Feeling my body starting to drag me into the state of tiredness I knew it wouldn't be long until it was overcome by sleep. My head felt as if there was a tornado inside of it not wanting to give up. "We're in danger." Was all I could spit out before feeling myself pass out.