Winter (A Bucky Barnes recovery story)

25. Omelets

Bucky crawls into his bed and Natasha sleeps on his couch, he knew because he ran that they were afraid he might do it again, and he was fine that they stayed. He liked the company. He realized as he was laying there thinking that he really need them. I most likely wouldn't tell them but I do. Cause seriously, I spent four days on my own and I was caught. He drifts off.

Nat hears crying in the other room and gets up and walks into Bucky's room, he was curled up on the bed, shaking violently. She gently sits down next to him and shakes him awake. She watches as he brushes the tears off his face, then brings his knees up to his chest and buries his face.

Bucky feels Natasha wrap her arms around him, and he sighs. He was still shaking and he couldn't stop. He feared his nightmares were only going to get worse now that he knew Pierce was alive, and he was right his dream was terrible, horrifying, awful, and he couldn't escape.

"What was it about?" Natasha asks softly, his shirt was drenched in sweat and he was still shaking but she ignored it, knowing he needed comforting.

"It wasn't... it was, like a... a feeling... more then a... a dream..." he stutters, his teeth chattering.

"It's okay James, your safe. I promise." Nat whispers softly to him. She runs her fingers through his hair and notices how long it was getting, it was nearly down to his shoulders and he had let his stubble grow out again. She sighs, he hadn't been taking care of himself too well, even before he ran. He really hadn't been eating or showering, and it was starting to show.

"I'm gonna go take a shower." He says, before he slowly moves off the bed and then out into the hall.

Nat hears him shut the door. She sighs and falls back on the bed. A little while later Bucky shuffles back into the room, he has pants on but no shirt. Nat sits up and watches him. He pulls the tee shirt over his head and she notices that it was baggier on him then it had been before, she looks down to his sweat pants that were hanging off his hips.

"What?" he asks, laying down on the bed.

"You haven't been eating." She frowns. He remains silent, not meeting her eyes. She sighs. "Get some sleep."

"Kay." Bucky says, shutting his eyes and falling asleep. Natasha lays back down next to him and allows herself to fall asleep.

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Nat wakes to the smell of eggs, she walks out into the kitchen and finds Bucky at the stove making omelets. "What are you doing?" she asks, coming to stand next to him.

"Making breakfast... to apologize." He says quietly.

"Well it smells good." She replies, watching as he smiles. He pulls out a plate and piles the omelet onto it then hands it to her. She takes it and walks to the table.

Bucky smiles halfheartedly before making another omelet. There's a knock on the door and Bucky shouts come in. Steve comes in and looks from Natasha to Bucky.

"You didn't say you were making breakfast." Steve says, taking the plate Bucky hands him.

"It's an apology." Bucky says, turning back to the stove and making his omelet. Steve looks at his back sadly.

"Thank you." He says. Nat takes a bite.

"No problem." Bucky says, he finishes making his omelet then shuts off the stove and takes a seat at the table.

Steve noticed he looked tired and figured he'd had a rough night. He takes a bite of the omelet and grins, when his mouth is empty he says, "They taste great Buck."

"Yes." Nat agrees.

"Thanks." He replies quietly, moving his food around on his plate. After he eats about half the eggs on the plate he goes to put it on the counter.

"James eat the rest please." Nat says sighing.

Bucky sighs and walks back to the table slowly. He finishes the eggs and then puts the dishes in the sink.

"Thank you for breakfast Buck." Steve says.

"Your welcome." Bucky says, before retreating to his room. Steve watches him leave and frowns, he looks at Natasha who shares his concerned look. She stands and walks to the bedroom, she opens the door to find Bucky curled up on the bed asleep.

"What's he doing?" Steve asks.

She sits down next to him and says, "He's sleeping. I think everything is finally catching up to him."

"Okay. Well that's good, do you want me to stay and keep an eye on him while you go home for a while?" He asks.

"If you don't mind."

"Not at all. I'll see you later?" He watches her walk towards the door and grab her jacket.

"Yes. I'll see you later. Bye." She opens the door.

"Bye." He waves and she walks out. Standing he limps to the door and locks it, he sits down on the couch and turns on the tv.

A/N: thank you all so much for reading this book. I'm so happy to know people are reading my work. Thank you all again, I love hearing your thoughts so please comment and vote.

Love, spideymanandloki