The Witch He Loved

Chapter 13

A frantic knocking at my door wakes me up.

"Kathy? Kathy, wake up"

I groan and turn to my side, looking at the clock on the bedside cabinet it reading 3a.m.

Dragging myself out of bed I walk over to the door, swinging it open and momentarily blinding yourself, the light from the hallway a contrast to the dark of your room, to find Steve, looking panicked.

"Rogers, I swear this better be good-"

"It's Bucky" He cuts me off, his eyes pleading.

I look past his shoulder to Bucky's door, slightly ajar the soft glow of a lamp peaking through, I would almost call it inviting if it wasn't for the whimpers I could now here, the tell-tale sign of a nightmare. 

He moves back a step as I start to walk into the hallway, I freeze mid step as I notice Loki and Thor have both woken up and are watching from Loki's doorway. 

"What the hell? Steve how long has this been happening?" 

"About an hour. I didn't think- " 

"An hour!? Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" I shove his shoulder back with one of my hands, his body barely moving. "Get out of my way!" 

He side steps letting me pass but scowls at my attitude. 

I scowl right back at him as I walk into Bucky's room, since the first time I had done this for him it had happened on 3 other occasions, making this one the fifth. I focus on Bucky as I sit on the edge of the bed. 

"Come on Bucky, don't make me come in there" Brushing the damp strands of hair from his forehead I let out a sigh, knowing he wont respond. 

"What is happening? I don't understand how Kathy can help if you can't Steve?" I can hear Thor whispering to Steve but I block them out. 

"Stubborn soldier" I say quietly to myself. 

Shuffling onto the bed a little more I try to make myself comfortable. Laying a hand on his chest and let my magic flow, it twists down my arm. As it reaches Bucky I enter his dream, quickly changing it into my home in England. I had used it a few times now and he seemed to recognise it while in his dream state. 

Finding myself in the living room of the old home I walk through to the kitchen and out of the back door. I lean against the railing of the porch and see Bucky standing next to the lake, he looks confused until he looks at the house and see's me. 

"Come on over Buck" I call out to him.

He walks through over the grass and makes his way to the house. Pushing myself off the doorframe I turn to go back into the house, making my way to the living room I sit down on one of the couches. 

"You're going to have to bring me here in real life one day" Bucky's voice carries through the house, not yet in view.

"Why? It's exactly the same except for the weather, most of the time it's raining"

He walks into the room, a solemn look on his face as he sits beside me, looking down at his hands.

"It makes me feel safe"

A tug at my heart makes me reach over and pick up one of his hands, giving it a squeeze. He looks up at me and gives me a sincere smile before it turns into a teasing one.

"Plus I don't mind a bit of rain."

I let out a laugh and shake my head at him.

"I'll talk to Tony about it if you want, a change of scenery wouldn't hurt." I look around the room.

"I do miss this place, I don't know if I have enough room for everyone though" I chuckle.

He squeezes my hand in return, we smile at each other for a moment before he changes the subject.

"So... Today sure was something, I've never seen you pull a sword out on anyone before."

"I haven't had a reason to use it on anyone and you've not been on any missions with us yet" I give him a lopsided smile. 

"I guess that's true. Plus you had that whole weird power thing happen, that's new"

Raising an eyebrow at him I know he's just dodging around what he wants to really ask.

"Just come out with it" I let go of his hand and sigh.

"I just want to make sure you're okay, you've looked after me for weeks now and done so much to help me and even now" He waves a hand around gesturing to the dream you've created before turning his body to face you. "

You're still helping me. Let someone help you, after today, if not me then Tony, you guys have that weird father daughter relationship"

Looking over his face I can see his concern but I'm just not ready to talk about it.

"I'm fine, I've just used to much energy today, just need to rest" It's a half truth, I had used too much today but I wanted to stop the conversation. 

He knew, I could see the doubt in his eyes but he let it go.

"I'll see you in the morning Buck"

Without further warning I let go of the dream leaving it behind for him, it dissipates around me as I slowly come back into my own mind, I'm still sat up with my legs crossed and my hand on his chest but his hand is covering mine now, holding onto it gently.

I smile softly at his still sleeping figure, giving his hand a soft squeeze before pulling it out of his grasp, I sit for a moment more before the sound of someone clearing their throat makes me jump, turning to look at the doorway that holds the three men I had forgotten about.

I scan their faces quickly, seeing the different emotions from Thor and Loki, one confused and the other intrigued.

Steve looked concerned, as he always did when Bucky had a nightmare, I smile at him and get up walking towards him.

"He should be fine for the rest of the night"

He nods at me, eyes going back over to Bucky. "Thanks Kathy" 

Walking past him the Asgardians crowding the doorway take a couple of steps back giving me room to pass. 

"Hope you enjoyed the show guys, night" Waving my hand at them before walking into my room and closing the door behind me. 

Back in bed it takes a while for me to get back to sleep, knowing there was going to be questions asked tomorrow, I listen to doors being closed and mumbled goodnights being said until everything is quiet again and I eventually fall asleep.