MISSING ||Bucky Barnes||

69

It's been around a month now, Bucky refusing to leave Sandra's side as she laid still. It took a lot of convincing to get him out of there, especially since he was terrified of leaving her.

Nothing scared him more than the thought of him losing Sandra. The two had been by each others side since Sandra was born, even though she was only a baby and didn't quite understand much yet.

But when they were kids, Bucky never had to think of a world without Sandra. He's always been so used to her annoying him all the time and acting like a kid.

Like when Sandra was ten and hurt herself playing with Bucky and Steve, Bucky felt terrible when she had to go to the hospital and get a cast around her foot.

"Sand, I need you to wake up.. I need you back." He whimpered as he put his head down against her stomach. "I love you."

- - -
Flashback:

When Sandra was about 14 years old, she was just given the news about her mothers illness. She knew that her time was going to run out with her mother sooner than she'd hoped, but if her mother saw her like the way she was right now it'd make it worse.

She knew her mother would feel guilty for causing her pain, but Sandra knew this couldn't be controlled. Her mothers sickness was no one's fault.

"Hun, I'll be ok." her mother said, gently knocking on her bedroom door. "Even if something happens I know your going to be ok with your brother."

Sandra sighed as she sat down on the opposite side of the door, her head in her knees as she cried. "M-mom you should be resting." She said, trying to sound strong. "I'm ok."

The Rogers mother nodded. "Yes, I know." She admitted. "Do you think you could do me a favor and get some fresh air. It's awfully stuffy in this house."

"But-"

"Just for a little bit." She said, "to bring me some peace of mind."

Sandra finally agreed, waiting to hear her mothers footsteps disappear before leaving to go out.

Before she had the chance, she was stopped by Steve. "Where are you going?" He asked, "it's getting late."

"Mom told me I had to get out of the house.. I can't really say no to her right now." Sandra said, grabbing a light coat and opening the front door. "I might stay at a friends tonight, maybe Winifred's house." She said, referring to one of her friends.

Steve nodded. "Be careful, you know how the streets are at night." He warned.

Sandra let a small smirk appear. "I'll beat 'em up."

-

As Sandra roamed the Brooklyn streets, she could feel the light drizzle of rain turn into a full storm. She picked a bad night to go for a walk.

"Get in!" She heard Bucky's voice call from the car that pulled up next to her.

Sandra looked over and saw he was driving, letting out a sigh before running in. Now that she was out of the rain and completely soaked, a chill ran through her body.

Bucky was already putting his spare blanket that he kept in the back over her shoulders. "Are you nuts?! What the hell were you doing out walking in a storm like that?" He asked before he started driving again.

"Bucky please I seriously can't do emotions right now." She said, letting out a sigh as she hugged the blanket tighter. "I'm only out because my mom said I needed fresh air."

Bucky frowned, putting his arm around Sandra's shoulders and giving her a side hug. "Sorry, I just didn't expect to see you for the first time this week during a storm." He said, now starting the car up and driving. "How've your been holding up?"

"Do I look ok to you?" She sarcastically asked, pointing at herself. "You know that feeling when you just have no motivation to do anything? Because that's basically me right now."

Bucky nodded. "Well, I was actually just going by to your place right now. Steve was starting to get worried about you so he thought I'd be able to talk you out of that room." He said, keeping his eyes on the road. "Why is it that I'm the only one able to get you out?"

Sandra nervously laughed. "I-uh guess you're some kind of magician." She responded, feeling another shiver. "God why's it so cold in here?"

"It's not, your just absolutely soaked from walking in the rain. Which, by the way, you never told me where you were going."

"I wasn't going anywhere. I just kept walking and walking." She said, beginning to shiver. "I-I was actually kinda lost when you pulled up so thanks."

Bucky smiled. "Don't worry about it. My mother would kill me if I left you out there." He laughed, stopping his car in front of the Rogers Condo. "Alright let's go."

The two of them ran out of the car and towards the front door, Sandra pulling out her keys and unlocking the door. As they walked in, Steve looked at Sandra with his arms crossed. "It's about time your back!" He said, pointing to the clock. "It's been almost two hours!"

His expression softened when he realized his sister was shivering, looking at her more confused now. "You alright sand?"

"Ye-yeah. I'm just go-gonna take a hot shower." She said, going off to the bathroom and turning the shower on. "Oh, and thanks again Bucky." She said, peeking from the bathroom door before shutting it again.

"She continues to amaze me." Bucky laughed.

After Sandra was showered and changed into fresh clothes, she sat down in the living room between the two boys and joined them in watching a movie. Of course she couldn't stay awake, falling asleep with her head in Bucky's lap and her legs over Steve.

"She's like a seatbelt. I cant get up." Steve said, not wanting to wake his sister but wanting to get up. "A little help here?"

Bucky laughed and shifted Sandra so that her head was against his chest and her legs were moved for Steve to get up. She groaned a little bit as her body moved.

"I'll stay in here with her tonight, I don't want to deal with a cranky Sandra in the morning." Bucky said, getting himself comfortable as possible with Sandra on top of him.

Steve nodded. "I don't like this though." He said, pointing at the two together before walking off.

Bucky sighed, shaking his head at Steve as he walked away. Bringing his gazed back down to Sandra as she slept, he could feel she was holding his shirts tightly as if she was scared.

It was probably one of her nightmares again, she had just recently began to get them. He's never really had a nightmare so he didn't really know what to do, so he just provided her comfort.

End of Flashback

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