Lapis | Bucky Barnes.

VIII. the light and darkness within

Heyyyy *awkward wave*
So, it's been a really long time and I'm truly sorry for leaving this story on hold like this, moreover with not enough chapters to get the story truly going but enough to show that there is a clear intention to do so, if that makes sense. BUT, I'm here now. I can't promise I will be constant and finish the story in the matter of a few months because, well, I'm sure you all have already realized how NOT constant I am, but I hope I can give you as many chapters as possible of the ones I have already written, and finish the story in the meantime. So, without further ado, enjoy this next chapter!

Love you all,
Elena.

Rick was released a week later, his appearance particularly sick and weak, in Keira's eyes.

As soon as they gave him a room, next to Keira's, she immediately decided to move in with him, checking on him every half hour and making sure he ate, slept and took care of himself as much as he was supposed to. It wasn't as if SHIELD had starved or tortured him, but his previous captives had, and it was enough for Keira to know that she had to look out for him, because Rick wasn't known to be very responsible.

"I can take care of myself!" He had exclaimed that morning, after he had broken the shower in an attempt to fix it while standing on a chair, on his tiptoes, risking a very painful fall. Keira shook her head disappointedly and smacked Rick's hand away from his bruise on his forehead. The younger sibling sighed heavily and closed his eyes for a moment, coming to the conclusion that he probably preferred when Keira ignored him as if he didn't even exist.

"It's not like I'm made of glass, sis. I won't just die because of a slip, y'know."

Keira scoffed. "I'm never too careful, when you're involved."

Rick shook his head, but didn't reply. He knew there was no way of arguing with her, the only thing he could do was prove her wrong. The last time he had done that, though, he had been tortured by Hydra for a month and he had been rescued by none other than his cold-hearted sister. He wasn't really good at proving a point, that was obvious.

"How's it going with that soldier?" Rick asked, not really feeling like mentioning his name, since it reminded him of all the face drownings, shocks and cuts that man had given him. He really didn't want to remember.

Keira shrugged, not seeming too interested in the conversation. "He's improving."

"Would he punch me, if I showed up in front of him?"

The question took Keira slightly off guard, but she quickly recomposed herself as she lowered her eyes from Rick's bruise to look at his brooding face. He wasn't the type of person to ponder about something for too long, but Bucky's torture had taken a toll on him, and it only made Keira's hatred towards the man grow.

"Don't think so, do you want to punch him?"

"More than anything."

"As much as I think he'd deserve it, it's not entirely his fault. It was Hydra, brainwashing him to the point he doesn't even know who he is anymore. He looks like a deer in the headlights when his bad side doesn't show up." She observed, wondering when he had turned so soft. She hated the man, those words were hypocritical on her lips.

Rick noticed that too and scoffed. "Are you becoming fond of him or something? You sound like a teenager with a crush on a bad boy."

Keira's eyebrows raised, her hand jokingly slapping Rick's leg. "I do not, I'm just pointing out a fact. You can read it on his files, if you don't believe me."

"I do, I do, don't worry." Rick chuckled, almost screaming when he noticed the faint appearance of a smile on his sister's face. It wasn't as if she had never laughed before, but never because of him. It was a true progress in their troubled relationship.