The Assassins Heart

Hurting Solider

Steve knocked on Percy's door again, she couldn't of drank enough to make her ill, she was a super solider with an extra healing factor. Hangovers should not be a thing so Steve was thoroughly confused when she hadn't come for breakfast and missed training.

Deciding enough was enough he punched the door handle hard until it popped through, leaving the door swinging from its hinges. Walking into the room he see's she still in bed, she's on her stomach with her hands halo'd around her head. Her blue sheets are twisted around one leg and pulled down showing off her bare back. Her breathing is deep but ragged and she murmurs quietly, stepping up he hears her mention Bucky. He frowns, he can't imagine how much she must hurt from Bucky's rejection and torment but he had seen her moving on and if not at least enjoying life, she was living it. What had happened for her to be wallowing in her bed after a girls night out, she was obviously exhausted and had been crying. Her face was puffy and the skin around her eyes bright red.

He sits on the side of her bed and sighs, rubbing her back gently.

"Percy, hey Percy. It's time to get up sweetheart" she stirs and rolls over pulling the sheets with her.

Yawning she sits up and smiles sweetly at Steve, holding the blue sheet to her chest she leans to get the glass of water on her side table.

"Hey Steve. What time is it?" her voice sounds like rocks rubbing together and Steve winces.

"Its nearly one, I was worried about you. You okay?" concern covers his face and Percy dips her head away.

Steve takes her chin and makes her look him in the eyes. The redness is more obvious and her face crumbles under his scrutiny.

"I'm okay, just needed some extra sleep" she takes his hand away from her face and sighs.

"Percy, you know you can tell me anything. No judgement or questions asked" he tries to catch her eye but refuses to look up.

"I know but I'm good, honestly" she pulls a pained smile onto her face.

"Please tell me, I want to help" god he really wants to help, the look of pain in her eyes is killing him.

"I can't...I can't tell you this Steve" she whispers and her eyes fill with tears.

He frowns confused, she tells him everything. The only times she ever struggled was when he asked about....Bucky. Goddammit Bucky, what had he done now. Looking her over again he notices a dark patch on her neck, turning her head he moves her hair, finding bruised teeth marks. He gently rubs his fingers over it and she hisses, that proves its very fresh at least.

"Did he do this? Percy did Bucky do this?" he asks her firmly trying to keep his voice steady.

"Steve I do not want to talk about this, okay? It's nothing to worry about so please leave it alone" she tugs his hand away from her neck but doesn't release him.

"I get it, he's my friend so it's weird. But I will still listen to you" he pleads with her now.

"I know. And I love you for that but I can't, not yet. But I do want to discuss something else?" she had thought about it all night.

"Okay, tell me" Steve is getting a bad feeling about all this.

"I... I need a break Steve. I need to be away from here for a bit. My head is messed up, I can't concentrate and I need some peace. My heart needs some peace" her eyes fill with tears.

"God, Percy. Please. Tell me what happened for this to be necessary!" He's shouting now, he can't help it. His friend wants to leave and he needs to know why.

"Just understand that it is necessary. Please Steve. I need this" she looks at her hands wrapped around his.

He sighs, thoughts tumbling through his head rapidly. He'll have to talk to Tony about it, set up a place and food. Discuss a time line and check ins. He sighs again.