Better Love || A Bucky Barnes Fanfiction

- Shelter -

They did not have to walk far. Only five blocks away sat their destination: A tall building standing among many others of the same make. Unlike the other buildings, however, which were all shut and lifeless, this one was a small hive of activity. The lights were shining brightly in the windows of the first floor and around the entrance stood a few people slowly making their way inside. They were ragged, bedraggled, yet every person who entered had a smile on their face. Elena led Bucky inside, heading towards a room where all the noise was coming from. He was nervous, in truth, the noise of clattering cutlery and rising voices worrying him to no end. However,  he did not see it in Elena to knowingly bring him somewhere dangerous. He was also quite certain that she was no member of HYDRA. So, with those thoughts in mind, he followed her into the bustling dining room. Suddenly, cutting through the noise of the dining room, was a shriek that made Bucky reach inside his jacket pocket for the pocket knife he kept hidden. The action was unneeded, though. Emerging from behind the buffet counter was a short, large black woman with a bright smile on her face. She threw her arms up and made her way towards Elena, pulling her in for a hug.

"Hello, Dee," Elena laughed, returning the hug while the woman - Delilah - cupped the younger woman's face. 

"Oh, sweetheart! How long it's been! Are you well? What are you doing here? Are you okay?" Delilah asked, launching into a multitude of questions that made Elena laugh.

"I'm fine, Dee, really, I've been great," Elena replied, taking the older woman's hands in hers. To Bucky's surprise and confusion, he noticed that the usually sparkling ring on her left finger had disappeared. "I was wondering if I could speak with you, but you look a little busy at the moment."

"Morning rush, darling. But you sit down, I'll get someone to send you and your friend something to eat," Delilah replied before hurrying off. With a smile at Bucky, Elena took a seat at a table, Bucky taking the one opposite. Not too long after they had two plates of food in front of them, Elena pushing hers towards Bucky.

"I've had breakfast. You should eat," she intructed. Without a word Bucky accepted the food, watching Elena as she looked around the room, questions swirling in his mind about her. Where was her engagement ring? How did she know this place? What exactly was it? She seemed to read his mind when it came to the last question.

"It's a homeless shelter. Dee opened it when she was younger - she came from a rich family who have always used their own money to help those in need. Seattle is better for it, I think, and the world. We need more people like her," Elena explained with a soft smile. Bucky nodded slightly, eyebrows furrowed as he looked down at his food.

"I'm sorry for frightening you before," he murmured, making Elena tilt her head. "I didn't think anyone would be coming in at that time of the morning."

"Oh, it - it's alright, it just took me by surprise," Elena replied before biting her lip, hesistant in her question. Eventually desire to know the truth took over and she allowed herself to speak. "Can I ask why you're homeless? Does your college know about it? Or... was that just a cover?"

"It was a cover. I... Just like to read."

"How - how did this happen to you, Bucky?" Elena asked softly. The man didn't answer for a moment, refusing to meet her eyes. With a little shrug and a shake of his head he finally responded.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"We can start with something easier if you like," Elena suggested, leaning forward with hands clasped, watching as he continued to eat. He looked up at her, eyebrows raised.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you don't have to tell me right away why you're homeless. We can start with something easier so eventually we become comfortable with one another," Elena offered, making Bucky pause. So far Elena had been the only person he had allowed to get even this close to him. He was weary to let her any closer, the trust still not there. But you said that you wished to rejoin society, a voice in his head whispered. That includes socializing. With a little nod Bucky spoke.