Winter (A Bucky Barnes recovery story)

4. Headaches and Questions

Bucky clutches his head standing in an alley, he slides down against the wall. Why does it hurt so much he asks himself. He brings his knees to his chest and shivers as the breeze blows, colder than the night before. He shrinks up against the wall curled up tightly, and lets himself fall asleep.

Steve lays in his bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about Bucky's strange behavior. Was it something I did? Did he remember something? He starts to think about the way Bucky didn't want to talk about his motel, was he really staying in one? next time I see him I'll ask him and make him tell me the truth. He finally lets sleep take him.

Bucky shivers as a nightmare begins the cold wind whipping around in the alley. The flashes are violent and terrifying, he whimpers softly. He jolts awake his back burning, he pants and looks around. It's just the alley. Okay. It's okay. He stands and stretches, his body stiff. A guy walks into the alley and punches Bucky.

Bucky stumbles back caught off guard. The man continues to punch him, Bucky attempts to throw a punch trying to snap out of his drowsiness. The man throws another punch and Bucky falls there's a small cracking noise as he falls and breaks his cheekbone on a step.

The guy picks up Bucky by the collar. Bucky reaches out with his left hand and the man gasps as the metal touches his throat he drops Bucky. He squeezes and the man looks terrified feebly clawing at Bucky's hand. Bucky snaps his neck and leaves the alley

He looks around, not sure where to go. He walks to Steve's apartment the sun beginning to rise. He stares at the ground and nearly walks in to a red head. "Sorry." He mumbles.

"Bucky?" she asks, he jumps and spins around on her. He grabs her and holds his knife to her throat. "It's me! Natasha!" he looks at her and then let's go realizing his mistake.

"I'm sorry." He mutters, putting his knife back in his pocket. She rubs her throat.

"It's okay." She looks up at him and notices his cheek. "What happened! come on let's get you inside." She pulls him through the door, he notices that she's pulling his left arm, holding his left hand. He feels the sudden urge to pull away. "Steve. Steve answer the door!" she says, Bucky pulls his hand away and stuffs it in his pocket.

She looks at him, then Steve opens the door. Steve takes a minute to take in the scene. Bucky is staring at the ground his hands in his pockets and Natasha is looking impatient. "Uh. Uh come in." He says, stepping aside.

"Thank you." She grabs Bucky's arm again and pulls him in. "Sit." She instructs him. He sits in the chair at the table, still not looking up. Nat goes to the fridge and pulls an ice pack out o the freezer. "Here, put this on it." She hands Bucky the ice pack and he takes it silently holding it to his cheek still staring at his lap, his hair falling in his face.

"What happened." Steve asks, feeling completely clueless. Nat shrugs.

"Ask him I was coming over to say hi when he walked into me out front."

"Sorry." Bucky apologizes again.

"It's fine." She replies, still looking at Steve.

"What happened Buck?"

"Nothing it's fine. Nothing happened." He replies, not looking up.

"Look at me Bucky. Obviously something happened." Steve crosses his arms over his chest. Bucky reluctantly looks up, Steve gasps as he sees the large bruise forming across his right cheek. "What happened?"

"I was attacked okay, it's nothing. I'm fine." He mumbles, putting his head back down.

"If you were attacked that isn't nothing. Especially not if you were hurt. We're trying to help you." Natasha says, she puts her hand on his shoulder and he tenses. "It's okay Bucky."

He relaxes and Steve asks, "How did they know what room you were in?" Bucky doesn't say anything for a little while.

"I don't have a room. I-I couldn't pay for my motel. So they... I had to leave. He found me 'cause I was sleeping in an alley. Okay!" he seems frustrated, and Steve kneels next to him.

"Why didn't you just say something. You could've stayed with me."

"I don't know I'm already enough of a burden. I just..." he breaks off, Steve sighs and Natasha walks into the kitchen.

"Bucky. You aren't a burden. I'm happy to help you." Steve says sadly, Bucky isn't a burden and he needs to know that.

Natasha comes back in and hands Bucky a glass of water. He accepts it and downs it all quickly. His hand shakes as he sets it down.

"We're both here to help you. Now look at me." Natasha says quietly, he looks up at her silently. She takes his chin in her hand and with her other hand pulls the ice pack away from his face. "It looks broken. It will take a while to heal." Bucky mutters something that neither of them hear.

"Go lie down." Natasha says, pointing to the couch. Bucky obeys standing up and shuffling over to the couch. "Rest."

He sighs and lays down on the couch, he closes his eyes and sleep takes him.

A/N: okay here's a bonus chapter because I've got a good amount written and waiting to be published, but they're being saved for daily updates. Please comment I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading this. I'm having so much fun writing it. I love you all.

Love, spideymanandloki.