Different as Night and Day (Winterfalcon)

I don't know.

Bucky's POV

Dark.

Everything was dark.

It wasn't confining like the usual darkness I was normally in. It was almost comforting. Floating aimlessly wherever I was.

I opened my eyes. Slowly, my body woke up, with difficulty and a groan I sat up.

Looking beside me I saw a digital clock answering my mental question of time. 4AM, and today was Wednesday.

I had slept. For nearly a whole day, without many nightmares, and I actually felt somewhat rested.
The compound was quiet. Almost silent. Everything was still dim and dark but not as dark as my dreams.

Gods I needed to change. Or at least shower.
Looking around, I finally took in the room I would have to call home. Next to the bed I was sitting on, a dresser sat with drawers that I hoped was full of clothes. Across from my bed I saw a small door, standing finally I opened it, finding a medium sized bathroom. Turning back I went to the dresser opening the many drawers. Each one was filled to the top with clothes for every occasion. I picked a normal long sleeve grey shirt and a pair of black jeans.

I had turned on the shower to let it warm up, taking that time I looked at myself in the mirror. Hundreds of scars stared back at me. Every single one was another memory. Another reminder of what I did. Where my left arm met my shoulder always prickled with pain. That's where most of my scars were. I traced the scars with my flesh hand. The metal arm still had barely any feeling, but as soon as I touched it electric sparks ran through my chest. I needed to talk to the scientist. Bruce was his name? I needed to do something.

The bathroom was starting to steam but I was already lost in thought staring into my broken eyes.

I hated my hair. It was long and greasy. Shaggy and knotted. A constant keepsake of HYDRA. How they thought of me as an animal. I needed to cut it. So that's exactly what I did. Did I know what I was doing? Absolutely not. But would I rather have a shaved head than this memory of the past? Yes is an understatement.

Sam's POV
I didn't expect to catch a super soldier. Yesterday was...too much.

I didn't mean to react so harshly. So quickly.

But when I saw Bucky falling out of the helicopter it made me think of Riley. Falling. I didn't want to lose someone else because I couldn't catch them.

After the fall, Tony was being an asshole. Yes, the dude killed his parents. Yes, the dude may have RIPPED MY STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY CAR. But was I holding a grudge?

...if I said no I'd be lying but that doesn't mean I wanted the guy to die!!

When Bucky did wake up he looked scared. What in the hell was Steve thinking by taking a traumatized and mentally unstable man in a helicopter? Steve knew he had issues with heights!! Steve watched him fall from a train so why did he act so clueless as to why Bucky was so afraid??

Ugh I was done with this. Bucky was clearly shaken after being introduced to everyone. He didn't know Wanda, and I saw her eyes take a crimson glow as she read his mind.
I didn't expect her to flinch. I was going to ask her today what she'd seen.

I took him to his room. The poor man was so sleep deprived he was leaning on me for support. He may have looked homeless but he smelled like vanilla and cedar wood. It reminded me of Louisiana. Magnolia trees and a cup of coffee in the morning.

I tried to sound caring. He didn't need anyone to yell at him or be harsh. That was the last thing he needed. He was like a lost puppy, asking me to stay and not leave.

I waited. Once I heard his breathing finally become steady, I gently got off the bed. Closing the door behind me as quietly as I could.

The next morning I went on my normal run at 6. I heard a shower running as I walked by Bucky's room. That was good, yay to personal higiene.
After our run, Steve and I got back to the compound. Wanda and Vision were making breakfast while Tony and Bruce were in the lab.
I grabbed the orange juice out of the fridge, Vision kindly handed me a glass.
I thanked him and went to sit at the kitchen island. Steve disappeared into the elevator as I sat down.

"Hey Wanda can I ask you a question?" I wanted to ask about Bucky. She knew what I was going to ask before I even opened my mouth.

"His mind. It's...interesting. It's like constant radio static. Memories and fragments of reality floating aimlessly. The man doesn't know what's real and what's the HYDRA programming." Her Sokovian accent was thick when she mentioned HYDRA. Vision put a hand on her shoulder as she plated a few pancakes.

"Wanda...it's ok. Thank you for telling me I just want to help him." I finished my glass of orange juice, handing it to Vision who put it in the sink. Making my way to the elevator my brain was spinning with question for myself. I didn't know why I said that. I didn't know why I wanted to help him so much. I didn't know why I cared. I shouldn't care this much so why did I?