ＲＥＤＥＭＰＴＩＯＮ {TONY STARK'S LITTLE SISTER FAN-FICTION}

9. DOLL

Elizabeth's head lolled to the side, her breathing shallow and labored. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, panic flashing in them as shestired in Bucky's arms, only to wince in pain. "Your... k-knife," she stammered, tears spilling down her cheeks as she gave it back to him.

Bucky froze, the words striking him harder than a bullet. For a moment, he just stared at her, guilt and anguish etched into every line of his face. "I'm going to get you outta here, doll," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

Her heart skipped at the word. Doll. Even in the depths of agony, she felt something stir inside her. Butterflies.

"Where's... where's Killgrave?" she murmured, her head sagging against his chest.

Bucky didn't answer. His jaw clenched as he slipped his metal arm under her knees and his flesh arm around her back, lifting her carefully. She whimpered in pain, but he held her as gently as he could, cradling her against him like she might break.

Elizabeth's vision blurred as she glanced around the room, her gaze landing on the lifeless bodies scattered across the floor. The carnage was undeniable—Killgrave's men, all dispatched with precision. A wave of guilt swept over her. She'd spent so much time resenting Bucky for the sins of his past that she hadn't allowed herself to see the man he'd become.

The man who had just risked everything to save her.

–

Her eyes shot open, her body jolting upright in the bed. She gasped for breath, startling Bucky, who had been sitting at her bedside.

He immediately leaned forward, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Easy, Liz," he said softly. "You're safe."

She looked around, recognizing the familiar interior of the hotel room. "How did I get out?"

"You don't remember?"

Before Bucky could answer, Sam walked into the room, a first-aid kit in hand. "This idiot walked two hours with you in his arms without calling us," he said, nodding toward Bucky.

Elizabeth managed a weak smile. "I feel like I've been stabbed a thousand times," she quipped, her voice rasping. "And my throat hurts from screaming."

Bruce entered next, a calm presence amid the chaos. "Hey, Lizzy," he said warmly, pulling on a pair of gloves.

"Hey, Bruce," she murmured, her eyelids drooping.

"Don't fall asleep just yet," Bruce said firmly. He nodded toward Sam, who began unpacking supplies. "Bucky, make sure she stays awake. This is going to hurt."

Bucky sat down beside her, offering his flesh hand. "Here," he said gently. "Squeeze if it gets too bad."

Elizabeth screamed as Bruce cleaned her wounds with alcohol, her hand gripping Bucky's like a lifeline. Tears streaked her face as the pain tore through her, but she refused to let go. Finally, the darkness consumed her again, and everything went black.

"Good morning, doll."

Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open to find Bucky standing at the foot of the bed, his hair damp and unruly, his chest bare. His black sweatpants hung low on his hips, and his smile was disarmingly warm.

Her heart stuttered. "How long was I out?"

Bucky chuckled softly, tilting his head. "You were tired after dinner, so I brought you to your room."

"My room?" She blinked, glancing around in confusion. "But... this is the compound. Where's Tony? And the others?"

Bucky's expression shifted, his smile fading. "Doll, they're gone. We killed them. Remember?"