Sane // A Winter Soldier Story

chapter six // kindness

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"You better keep the wolf back from the door - He wanders ever closer every night." -The Wolf by Mumford and Sons

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〘Athena〙

Athena sat there on the bench for a few minutes before deciding to go grab Bucky some decent clothes. Beside the locker room was a locked door, and behind that lay the laundry department, where an abundance of clean, fresh clothes sat untouched. She glanced once toward the shower area, checking to make sure Bucky hadn't come looking for her, and then she headed towards the laundry room. Using her set of staff keys, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

She noticed the room was warm with heat from the dryer, and it didn't take her long to locate some plain, clean clothes that'd fit Bucky. She grabbed him a long sleeve black shirt, undergarments, and grey sweatpants. She figured that if he had to be trapped, he may as well be comfortable.

Heading back to her place on the bench, she locked the laundry room door behind her and turned. Looking up, she saw a towel-clad, soaking-wet Bucky Barnes standing next to the bench where she'd told him she'd be. She hadn't even heard him walk over.

"Hey," she greeted. "Got some clothes for you."

She walked toward him and held the clothes out in front of her, examining him as she did so.

She couldn't help but note that his muscles were absolutely massive. They were well defined and prominent, showing his beautiful and deadly strength. But as beautiful as the muscles were, scars littered the skin above them. Some scars were old and white; some were pink, and much fresher. His waist was also impossibly small, an indication of perhaps a lack of nutrition. His body held physical proof of where he'd been and what he'd done, and when her eyes travelled to where his metal arm connected to his shoulder blade, the uneasy feeling in her stomach grew.

The skin around the metal had cracked. It was red with dried blood, scar tissue and irritated skin. She'd admired the craftsmanship of his arm before, but she'd never considered the effect it could have on Bucky's physical health. And if there was physical marring from the metal arm, then there was also more than likely a great deal of psychological pain associated with it, as well. She couldn't imagine what it was like for him to have to carry around a permanent, heavy reminder of his past everyday. She made a mental note to bandage the area later, perhaps once she's earned more of his trust.

"Thanks," he replied gruffly, taking the clothes from her hand. She nodded, and he turned to go back to the shower area to change.

A few minutes later, he emerged fully clothed, his long hair still wet. He awkwardly held the towel and the other things she'd gathered for him before in his hands.

"Here," he said, holding the items out to her. She took them from him and put them in the supply closet, deciding to deal with them later. For now, she wanted to get Bucky some food, and maybe talk with him a little about why he couldn't sleep. He hadn't slept since arriving at the compound, meaning it's been over three days since the last time he let his body rest. She needed to find a way to convince him that it was safe to sleep before his body gave out.

On their way out, she almost forgot to handcuff him up, only remembering when she caught sight of the damned things sitting on the bench.

"Oh shoot," she exclaimed right before they left the room, quickly going back and grabbing the handcuffs. She walked back to Bucky with an apologetic look.

"Sorry, but I have to put these back on you."

He shrugged, his expression remaining neutral. "You don't have to apologize. I know how little everyone trusts me."