Don't Hide | Bucky Barnes |

9

One Week Later

Colors seems brighter, birds happier, and my world easier. I just can't seem to stop thinking of it.

Dean's alive. My best friend's alive.

It's been a week since the Hydra incident and Nick Fury's life-changing call. I've been sure to carefully monitor Bucky every other day or so, watching him leave and enter his apartment with no issues. So far, no one else has dared to try and attack him. Today's the end of the week-long space I promised myself I'd give him, but I can't seem to come up with an effective way to approach him again.

The only thing I can come up with to help me think better is Marius's papanasi.

"Good morning, Marius" I greet warmly, walking into the older man's shop that I managed to stumble into on my first day in Bucharest. He looks up at me from over his display case, immediately breaking out into a smile.

"There's my Dawn! How is my new favorite customer?" He exclaims. A broad smile lights up my face as I approach him.

"I'm doing just wonderful, but I would be even better with some of your papanasi" I respond. He smiles slyly, nodding his head in approval.

"It seems you've fallen in love with it" Marius observes, winking at me.

"How could I not?" I state, already having the money ready to exchange for the sweet pastry. He quickly places one in a bag and hands it to me, taking my money in exchange.

"Have a wonderful day, Dawn" he instructs. I nod, enjoying the way the warmth of the shop wraps around me and comforts every worry and thought in my mind.

"You too, Marius" I reciprocate before turning and exiting the shop. I take in a deep sigh of the evening air. I had spent the majority of the day with Ana-Maria and had left about an hour ago to go for a run. My stomach led me to Marius' bakery. I begin my walk back to the house, taking out the exquisite dessert I've become addicted to and savoring every bite.

As I walk, some of the locals nod or wave to me. I do the same back, growing familiar with their faces. A sense of peace seems to overwhelm me. I'm still not sure whether it's finally getting close to other people and conquering my fear of them or being able to do something productive with my abilities, but something about this mission is changing me for the better. I'm starting to believe that it's a mixture of the two possibilities.

Once I finish the pastry, I toss the empty bag into a nearby trash can and continue walking comfortably. The brisk weather makes me shiver slightly in my lightweight running jacket and leggings, but I choose to ignore it. As I come closer to my own home, I end up passing Bucky's apartment. I pause briefly, casting my gaze up to his window.

The curtains are shut.

I sigh, looking back down and quickly continuing my journey back to the house. I rack my brain for some sort of way to approach Bucky and push again for him to consider letting me help him. The more I try and think of ways, the more nothing comes to mind. I huff, frustrated with the course of my mission.

I'm going to figure this out, though. I have to. I want to.

I eventually turn on to the residential street where Ana-Maria lives. The sun is just beginning to set, splashing deep oranges and reds across the lower band of the sky. A smile breaks on to my face as I reach the driveway of the house I've begun to call my home and I make my way up to the door. When I move to touch the knob, though, my senses go off slightly.

There's two heat signatures in the house. My eyebrows scrunch together in confusion as I slowly open the door, caution ringing through me.

"Ana? Do you have guests over?" I call out, shutting the door behind me and taking cautious steps into the home.