Still being tormented and haunted by the memories of when he was the Winter Soldier. Bucky has tried so many things to help him deal with the trauma of his past but nothing has helped.
The Avengers can see how bad the nightmares are affecting Bucky...
Once James got us on the main highway I called Matt to let him know that we were heading back home and around when to expect us back at the ranch.
The return trip home for sure took longer because we had to make more stops to let the pony out. After all, I did not want to cause him too much stress, especially in his current condition.
For a while, I was lost in thought when James spoke.
"So, have you thought of a name for the little guy?"
"Mmh, there has been one that's stuck out to me."
"Oh, do I get to hear it?"
"Only if you don't laugh at me."
"I promise not to laugh, now what are you thinking of naming him?"
"Shadowfax," I looked at James to gauge his reaction and noticed that he looked like he was thinking until he spoke again.
"Shadowfax? As in Gandalf's horse Shadowfax?"
I looked shocked at him, "yeah, I kept thinking of other names but none suited him and I see something in his eyes like he has an old soul, and I've also read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings I don't know how many times and that name just kept sticking out to me, what do you think?" I was now just rambling.
"And it's not because he's all white," James teased making me laugh.
"No, I mean it's a plus but no."
James smiled at me, "well I think it's a perfect name doll," I could feel butterflies in my stomach when he called me that again.
We did not get back to the ranch until 8 in the evening, when we pulled up both James and I were fairly tired and stiff. The moment the truck stopped I jumped out quickly as I groaned and stretched my arms and legs.
"Oh that was a long trip, so glad to be home," I finished stretching then walked over to the trailer to get Shadowfax out.
I would tell he was a bit timid being in a new place, "it's okay bubba, welcome to your new home," I led him to the stall I had the guys get ready that's by Midnight, he has always been the one to comfort horses that have been through horrible trauma.
I watch as Shadowfax got settled for the night, Midnight was next to me in his stall when James came in.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"He's just getting settled but no need to worry when he has a new friend to help him, isn't that right Midnight," Midnight made a soft noise as he nudged me with his head making James and I chuckle.
"Alright you, have a goodnight and we will see you in the morning," several horses either neighed or snorted as we left the barn.
"So what's the plan for Shadowfax?" James asked.
"Well, first thing tomorrow the blacksmith and vet are coming to cut and trim his hooves as well shave his coat to get rid of all the matted fur."
"And after all that, I mean he's not going to be able to forget all that trauma he went through just like that?"
I looked at James and could see a worried look in his eyes, "of course, not James, we will be working to heal his body and his mind, show him that there are people that he can trust, and show him the love, warmth, and care that he never got for the first several years of his life, it will take time, but he will heal."
"What he still doesn't trust people?"
"I'm not giving up on him, ever James, now it's getting late and we need to get inside and head to bed soon because we have an early morning."
"What do you mean "we"?"
"I mean that you are going to be put to work while your here."
"Seriously," he called out to me.
"Yup, 6 am sharp tomorrow."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Bucky's POV:
Hope was not kidding about the 6 am, I woke at the time exactly thanks to FRIDAY's wake-up call. I got up, showered, dressed, and headed downstairs, Hope was in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Morning," she said when she said saw me.
"Morning," I grumbled out.
Hope chuckled, "wow, someone needs coffee this morning," she pointed to the freshly brewed pot of coffee, and a coffee mug next to it, I walked over and poured myself a mug then sat down at the table as Hope placed a plate in front of me.
"Eat up cause you will need it today."
"What's the plan for today?" I finally spoke after I got a couple of bites of my food and drank half my mug of coffee.
"You will be helping to clean the stalls this morning first while I get the horses out and get Shadowfax ready for the blacksmith and vet to come see him.
"Leaving me to do all the grunt work huh."
"Is that complaining I hear Sergeant Barnes because this should be a breeze for you, I have a harder job than you."
"Really, what's that?" there was a cockiness in my voice.
Hope looked at me sternly, "I have to earn Shadowfax's trust, show him that he is now safe and loved and that can take time, a lot of it."
I watched Hope rinse her dishes and place them in the dishwasher, "I thought you already did that yesterday when you got him out of that stall and into the trailer."
"I wish it was that simple James, you should know better than anyone here about trust, whether it's giving it or gaining, yesterday was only minuscule."
Before she left she turned to me one more time, "see you out there Sergeant," and then she left, when she called me Sergeant I felt something stir inside me, I was so lost in thought over Hope that I did not hear Steve come in.
"Morning, Buck."
I whipped my head towards him, "uh, hey, morning Steve, your up early."
"I'm always up at this time to go for my morning run," he said.
"Oh, right well I need to get out there and start on some work that Hope wants me to do," I finished eating quickly then rinsed and put my dishes in the dishwasher as well, and headed for the barn.
