𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒~ 𝐵.𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠

TWENTY EIGHT

"Where are you staying?" I ask Bucky as he sits across from me in the nearby cafe we had walked to. "I-I don't know yet." I nod, "I have money lots of it, you can take as much as you want." I offer making him shake his head immediately. "No I can't do that." He says like taking my money is a crime. "Well then I have a place, no one knows about it you can stay there as long as you want." He looks at me in surprise, "just until you figure out where to go." I tell him before he can refuse.

"Come on." I say standing, "why are you helping me?" He asks as he follows me out of the shop. "Why wouldn't I?" I question back as I find where I had parked my car, "I almost killed you." He says in a quieter tone as I shrug, "I almost boiled you alive, I'd say we're even." I climb in but he stays stood there hesitant. "Are you coming?" I ask leaning over to glance out of the passenger window. "I uh." Seeing his nervous behaviour made my heart melt, "just get in." He sends me a smile and then climbs in.

"You wanna listen to some music?" He looks at me inquisitively, "music? I don't think that I've ever listened to it before." I send him a small smile as I look through my playlists, "you probably don't remember but you used to love music." I say as I press play. He closes his eyes and leans his head back on the head rest. "This...this is nice." I can't help the bright smile that takes over my face, "this was one of your favourites." A small smile flickers onto his face as he keeps his eyes closed and enjoys the song, "I can see why."

"We're here." I announce pulling Bucky from his small bubble of peace. "Nice house." He hums hopping out the car whilst I stay and look at it for just a moment. "You can go in get settled." I say handing him the key, "where are you going?" He asks, "food, the house should be furnished fine but there will be nothing to eat. I'll be back soon." I assure him before getting back in the car.

I hadn't stepped foot into that house for decades, and I wasn't sure why it still had power over me.

• • •

I return with bags full of groceries I didn't know what kind of food Bucky would like so I got literally as much as possible.  I was still having difficulty with the house though. It won't even look the same, I try and reason with myself as it stares me down.

"I'm back." I announce after hauling the many many bags into the house. "Bucky?" I call into the silence afraid that he'd run away or something. I walk into the living room to find him, he's leaning back into the couch, his head tilted back eyes closed as soft breaths left his slightly parted lips. He was sleeping, the position looked uncomfortable but he looked like he needed the rest so I pulled a blanket onto him and let him sleep as I put the stuff away.

I decide to just start making some food cause I was hungry and I'm sure Bucky would be once he woke up. "Oh shit." I mutter after dropping a pot with a loud bang as it bounced off the ground. I hear Bucky yell out in fear as he jumps from the couch. "I'm so sorry." I tell him as his eyes wildly scan the room. "I dropped the pot by accident." He nods as he calms himself, "I'm sorry." I repeat feeling so bad seeing the way he had reacted. "It's ok." He tells me in a small voice.

"How long have you been back?" He asks standing around awkwardly as he joins me in the kitchen. "A few hours, I made you some food." I say nervously, I don't even know why I was nervous. "I uh didn't know what you liked or what you had eaten in the past so I made some chicken soup because I didn't want to give you anything heavy in case you couldn't stomach it and I hope you don't mind because I don't really like soup, chicken soup is really the only one I have." I continue speaking longer than I should making him smile softly as my cheeks heat up.

"Thank you, you didn't have to make me anything and I don't really remember eating I think I was just injected with liquid nutrients." He shrugs eyeing the food cautiously, "oh well I can help you build your appetite?" I suggest making him nod awkwardly yet thankfully at the same time.

I set a bowl full of soup accompanied with bread and crackers in front of him and then watch anxiously as he raises the spoon to his mouth, once the food hits his tongue I see his eyes widen, "you like?" I ask hoping he does, "it's really good." He says sheepishly after shovelling it into his mouth. He finishes the plate extremely quickly and looks down at the bowl in a shy manner. "You want more?" He looks up at me and nods his cheeks dusting a light pink. "Can I?" He asks afraid like I'm gonna say no. "You can have as much as you want." I say taking his bowl to refill it.

• • •

"I also bought you some clothes and things if you wanna have a shower." I say nodding over to the bags by the door, "are you saying I need one." My eyes widen as I shake my head, "no of course not." My cheeks heat up before I watch him smile to himself, "I'm just kidding with you." He says making me grin.

Then he looks me in the eye seriously, my stomach begins to churn as I look into his beautiful blue eyes that held fear, guilt amongst sincerity, "Thank you."

Hey guys I don't usually leave notes but, I was midway through writing this chapter when I heard the news about Chadwick, I just want to say how in awe I am of that man, he was so strong, talented and he achieved so many amazing things, I also am so thankful to him, he helped bring joy into my life at a time I needed it most and I'll be forever thankful I just hope he can rest easy now ❤️