Don't Hide | Bucky Barnes |

25

"You'll never be a monster" I manage out, using what little energy I have left to reach out a trembling, tired hand. I bring it to his cheek, the stubble of his jaw rubbing against it. Darkness swirls before me, and a part of my heart cracks.

Then he lets me go.

I fall to the ground, coughing violently and taking in decadent gasps of air to refill my lungs. When I look back up, Bucky still stands there. He looks down at me, his brows furrowed. Hope flares within me, seeing the smallest spark of recognition in his eyes.

Then he turns and leaves.

"Dawn! Are you okay?"

My eyes dart over to see Sam running in from outside towards me. I nod, struggling to stand to my feet. He rushes to my side, helping me up. Once I stand, he immediately leads me outside of the building. He grabs my shoulder, halting us from moving any more.

"How'd you do that?" He asks, his confused eyes boring into mine as crowds of people run past us. I swallow, knowing exactly what he refers to.

"I don't know, I just...talked to him" I answer. Before he can respond, a loud crash sounds somewhere above us. We both snap our gazes upward to see a helicopter slamming into the helipad.

"Is that-?" I ask, just being able to make out Steve on the helipad.

"Yup" Sam answers.

In a matter of seconds, the helicopter slips from the roof and spirals down into the water below. Sam and I share a concerned look before sprinting towards it. We skid to a halt at the edge of the body of water, the wreckage of the craft quickly sinking. My eyes scour the water, searching desperately for any sign of movement.

"I'm going in after them" I state, not being able to watch the placid water any longer. Just before I dive in, though, Sam grabs my arm.

"Dawn, look!" He says, casting my attention to the center of the small lake. The breath I've been holding finally releases when I see Steve tugging an unconscious Bucky out of the water, they're heads barely bobbing above the surface.

"Come on, let's help them" I urge, jogging over with Sam to the edge of the lake that Steve swims towards. The crowds of people fleeing have lessened, but still none of them come near this area. It brings a small sense of relief knowing we won't have to worry about being seen.

"He's out cold" Steve struggles out as he paddles towards us, pulling Bucky along by his shirt.

Sam and I wade ankle deep into the water and reach out for the pair, quickly grabbing Bucky and helping to support his weight. Once we've managed to pull the soldier from the water, we all stand for a moment, our breaths labored. Bucky slumps between Sam and I while Steve leans over, resting his hands on his knees. His drenched shirt clings tight to his body, leaving no doubt of his pristine shape.

"What happened?" Sam asks, curiosity hanging thick. Steve stands up fully, running a hand over his wet hair.

"He made a break in the helicopter. I stopped it," he answers, effectively impressing me once again with the strength within the super soldier, "The force of the crash should be enough to jog his memory"

"Let's hope so" I remark, adjusting Bucky's limp metal arm that's sling over my shoulder. The man is much heavier than he looks. Steve takes a moment to think, a pause of quiet breaking over of us.

"We should probably move," he finally announces, "I know a place we can go"

"What, we're just supposed to drag an unconscious dude inconspicuously down the sidewalk?" Sam grits out as we begin moving, sharing Bucky's weight. Steve shrugs, moving to walk ahead of us.