Wings, Metal, and Frost

Exhale

Ellie partially dozed during the drive back to their apartment. Her entire body was stiff and sore. She leaned back into the headrest, and Bucky cranked the AC to keep her comfortable, but her eyes never fully shut. Every time they did, she saw the ghostly smile on Henry's face. When they returned to the apartment, Ellie collapsed on the couch and broke down again. Bucky comforted her, held her, and waited with her as each wave of sobs came in and out. Ellie couldn't pinpoint where the waves of grief were coming from. She hated the idea that she might be grieving Henry. Can you grieve the person you hate? Ellie wondered if she was grieving Karli. That felt better than grieving for Henry. Despite telling herself that, she was still thinking about Henry.

After ten minutes Bucky reminded her that she wanted to shower and he assured her that it would make her feel a lot better. Ellie stood in the shower until the water turned from light crimson to clear; it meant all the blood was gone. She considered turning the water warm to help her stiff neck, shoulders, and everything. After pondering, she decided the slightest warm water would not hurt her. It was somewhat comforting, but she still ached.

Bucky sat on the toilet lid so that she wouldn't be alone. He had his phone on him in case Sam needed anything from him, and in case there were any news breaks about that night's events. His heart rate increased when he received a text from Sam, he hoped it wasn't anything bad. 

Sam: The van transferring the rest of the Flag Smashers to the Raft was bombed. Aside from that, things are slowing down. 

Bucky's eyebrows raised and he reread the text, then typed a message.

Bucky: Any suspects? 

Bucky glanced at the shower curtain and wondered if he should tell Ellie. Sam was quick to reply. 

Sam: None yet, but I have a hunch. 

Bucky tilted his head to agree and Sam sent another text. 

Sam: How's Ellie? 

Bucky glanced at the shower curtain again. Ellie hadn't spoken a word since they got home. It was mostly one-sided conversations from Bucky, and in reply, she would nod, shake her head, or shrug. All of them were microscopic movements that he could barely read because she was exhausted and in so much pain. Maybe he could get her to talk since she was on the other side of the shower curtain. 

"Ellie," he began. "Sam wants to know how you're doing." 

Instead of voicing any reply, Ellie's hand pushed past the shower curtain to show a side-ways thumb. Bucky interpreted it and replied to Sam; Ellie pulled her hand back behind the curtain. 

Bucky: She's neutral. I'm not sure how long it will be before she bounces back. 

At that moment, he decided to wait before telling Ellie what happened to the rest of the Flagsmashers. Maybe tomorrow if it came on the news. It would most likely be on the news, and there was no doubt about it. Sam sent back his last text. 

Sam: I know you'll take care of her, but if you need me for anything, I'm just a call away. Rest well tonight. 

Bucky smiled. Ellie turned off the water and reached out blindly from behind the curtain for a towel. Bucky handed it to her and she finally spoke. 

"Thank you." 

"Of course, Snow Angel." 

Bucky left the bathroom to allow Ellie to put on clean clothes and he found himself drifting to the kitchen. It occurred to him that he and Ellie barely had time to finish preparing dinner before they had left. There was a partial disaster of pans on the stove, chopped vegetables, and chicken thighs marinating in a bowl. Bucky wondered if the chicken thighs were good to eat when they had sat on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours. After a few seconds of debate, he concluded that consuming the chicken would be a terrible idea, and threw it in the waste bin.