Better Love || A Bucky Barnes Fanfiction

- Delilah's Tale -

He had gone to bed early. A cloud had been hanging over him since he had left the library and instead of letting it hang over the dining room of the shelter, he had told Delilah that he had fallen sick so was going to retire early that night. Sleep did not come to him easily, though, and when it did it brought with it the regular nightmares intercut with new fears. Strapped into the chair he had been waiting for the next part, the worst part, but instead there had been a stall. Next thing he knew Elena was standing a distance away in a pretty white dress, staring at him with fear in her eyes. He didn't know if it was directed at him - his shirt was off and his disgusting arm visible - or if it was at the machine he was in. Before he could ask what she was doing there, she let out a scream that echoed his own. Like flowers blooming in spring, red and purple bruises florished against her white skin, blood flowing from cuts and out of her nose and mouth. He saw shadows in the background, some that looked familiar, others that didn't. They did not move despite the fact that Elena had crumpled to the ground. They didn't say a word as Bucky struggled against his restraints. Eventually the arms of the machine came down, enclosing his face, and then his world was ignited in electricity and pain.

When he woke the world was still asleep outside. Slick with sweat and breathing heavily, Bucky got out of bed and grabbed a longsleeve sweater, pulling it on as he made his way to the door. He couldn't stay in his room a moment longer. And anyway, he was hungry. With silent footsteps he made his way downstairs to the dining hall, sneaking into the kitchen and heading towards the fridge. It wasn't until he heard a freezer door close that he realize he wasn't alone. Shoulders tense, he froze in place, listening intently as footsteps began to come towards him. However, humming cut through the silence and Bucky realized who was awake at this early hour.

"Oh, Lord!"

Delilah almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Bucky standing in the middle of the kitchen, dropping the loaves of frozen bread she had. Before they could hit the floor, though, Bucky snatched them out of the air, holding them out apologetically towards Delilah who accepted them.

"Son, what are you doing up so early? I thought you were sick, you should be in bed sleeping," Delilah said, putting the items on the counter and staring up at the young man. Bucky frowned, rubbing his face tiredly.

"I, um, I was hungry," he mumbled. Delilah chuckled, turning towards the pantry.

"Sit down by the island, son. I'll fix you up something while I get the rest of breakfast cooked too," she told him. Doing as she said, Bucky watched as Delilah danced from one area of the kitchen to another.

"Where are the others? I always see you making breakfast with other people," Bucky asked as she whisked eggs in a bowl.

"I do the prep beforehand. The others will be down to help in half an hour and take over while I sort the dining room out," Delilah explained with a smile. After a few short minutes Delilah had a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. "Can't have you spoiling your proper breakfast. Call this an entree."

"Thank you," Bucky said, beginning to eat. As Delilah returned to her prep work Bucky felt himself becoming calmer by the minute. His nightmare had faded, too far away to catch him now. However, he could still see Elena covered in blood and bruises. He frowned, putting his knife and fork down. "Delilah, ma'am. I... I was wondering if you could tell me more about Elena."

"I thought you two were friends?" Delilah asked from the other side of the room as she cracked eggs into a bowl.

"We are. Well, actually, I only met her a few weeks ago, but I want to know more about her past," Bucky replied. "She doesn't say much about it, like how she ended up here."