Sweet and Sour

Chapter 21 - I'm here, Doll

Warnings: Dark content, references to bodies/blood

Steve lead you both through the hallways into the warehouse and you averted your eyes from the remaining bodies, having seen too much bloodshed already. Bucky gripped you protectively, ever so often running a finger along your wrist as if to remind you he was there. 

"Almost there Doll, a little further" he would whisper until you finally reached the exit. You stepped outside and were quickly ushered towards a waiting SUV parked out front. 

As you walked to the car you inhaled deeply, hardly believing you had managed to survive all this. For a moment back there you'd thought that you would never breathe the outside air again. You lifted your head to the night sky and closed your eyes, relishing the freedom. 

A strangled groan to your left caught your attention. You turned to see Pierce being dragged across the tarmac by Sam and another of Bucky's men you hadn't met. He was bruised and bloodied, almost unrecognisable. He was moaning quietly, not really saying words – or nothing you could hear at least.

Bucky dropped your hand and stepped over to him, sneering as he looked down at the broken man.

"Keep him warm for me" he sinisterly told his men.

You were unnerved by Bucky's tone. You didn't care what happened to Pierce, you wanted him to suffer for everything he'd put you through, and you knew he would. You understood he and Bucky had a lot of history, and Bucky had a score to settle...But it was still alarming to witness. You knew what Bucky's world was like, but seeing it first-hand like this was a baptism of fire.

They nodded, awkwardly flinging Pierce into the back of another car. Your eyes met his for a brief second as he disappeared into the trunk. You could only see fear and regret in his, but yours shone with defiance and victory. You lived. You had escaped. Sam slammed the trunk door and gave you a nod before stepping inside and speeding away. 

Bucky turned back to you, his hand finding your waist as he pressed a reassuring kiss to your temple. He furrowed his brow and look at you expectantly, you knew he was checking on you so you nodded in response - the two of you were able to communicate wordlessly. 

Bucky guided you into the car and you slumped down inside, laying across the back seat as your body finally gave up. It was amazing how dinner with Peter felt like days ago now. Bucky gently steered your head onto his lap and stroked your hair, hushing you. You could feel his Kevlar vest against your skin and you felt a surge of gratitude that he came here for you, putting himself in harm's way. You reached out and grasped his hand, squeezing it as a small thank you. He squeezed yours in return, cradling your face so carefully it was as if you were made of glass.

You were running on your final energy reserves now, it was the early hours of the morning and your senses finally began to relax, understanding the danger had gone. You fell asleep almost instantly as the combination of Bucky's touch and the motions of the car rocked you into a heavy slumber.

*

You woke up sometime later, unsure where you were or what was happening at first when you suddenly remembered everything. You swallowed heavily, still processing all that you'd been through. You feel jetlagged, almost. You were in a king sized bed...Bucky's bed surely...your ripped dress had gone and you were dressed in a large white t-shirt and your underwear instead. How did you get here? When do you get changed? Did he undress you? You reached out for Bucky but the bed was cold. You sat up, looking to the window. You could see the early light of dawn peering through the blinds. Someone had put a jug of water and a glass on your nightstand and you poured yourself one, swallowing it down eagerly to ease your dry throat. You wondered where your phone was...but then you remember Rumlow and Pierce holding it as they texted Bucky and you shake the thought from your mind.