𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 ▸ bucky barnes [1]

5.

OCTOBER 6, 1943
4:55 AM
HYDRA WEAPONS FACILITY, AUSTRIA

—

"VAL. VALERIE, YOU AWAKE, DOLL?"

     Valerie slowly opened one eye, a murky sense of exhaustion hanging over her like a dark cloud. She remembered that she had had a nightmare, but she couldn't remember of what. All she knew for sure was that it felt like she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep.

     "I am now," she mumbled, slowly turning over so she could face the unmistakable voice of Bucky. "What time is it?"

     "Right before five, I'm guessin'," Bucky whispered. "Keep your voice down, they should be coming in any minute."

     By "they", Valerie assumed he meant the guards to wake the prisoners up. She scowled. "What's with the early wake-up call, then?"

"I have somethin' for you," Bucky said in a low tone. In the dim green light, Valerie saw him reach into his pocket and throw a small object over at her. It skittered across the floor for a few moments before coming to a stop right in front of her cell. When she saw what it was, her eyes went wide.

"A knife?" She hissed, staring at Bucky with wide eyes. "Bucky, are you insane?"

"A dagger," Bucky corrected. "Snagged it from a guard yesterday when he wasn't lookin'. Figured..." Bucky paused. "I figured you might want it. In case Zola got a little too crazy."

"This is crazy," Valerie mumbled, but she reached her hand through the cell and pocketed the dagger anyways. She looked up at Bucky. "What about you?"

He grinned. "You really think I didn't get one for myself, darlin'?" He patted his pant pocket. "Now we're twins."

For a moment, Valerie was speechless. She couldn't understand why Bucky would go so out of his way, risk so much, just for her. Why? She blinked. "Thank you."

"No problem," Bucky replied. He glanced at the dagger that was now tucked into Valerie's pant pocket. "Hope you know how to use that thing."

"I do," Valerie snapped, but then she softened. "I hope I don't have to."

Bucky, sensing the worry in her tone, scooted closer to the front of his cell. "I know they keep making you come back here to sleep," he muttered, looking at her intently. "So we don't think anything's wrong. But say the word, and I'll give 'em hell. I promise."

Although Bucky's words contained all of their usual bravado, Valerie detected a hint of genuineness in his words. She shook her head. "You'll die."

Bucky sat back, a hard look on his face. "I'd rather go out fighting than just sit around waiting for something bad to happen. They're not gonna let us out willingly, Val."