Beauty and the Beast

Patience (TW: blood)

Two broken pieces, ruined beyond repair. Two pieces, sharp and cold, deadly and silent. Two sides of the same coin. That was who you and bucky were. The same yet so incredibly different.

Maybe that was the reason he chose not to speak after Hades' soft bark. Maybe it was the reason he covered your form in his large leather jacket and simply held you close. You allowed him, knowing that it was a huge thing for him to simply touch someone. You head softly tilted to the side, resting against his metal shoulder. 

"Y/N, let's go," his voice was soft but in no way weak, no, on the contrary, you knew there was no way to argue about this. You rose to your feet with the two animals in your arms, allowing Bucky to grasp your arm tightly. He strode forward swiftly, pulling you along without hesitation. You followed him, the animals in your embrace silent as they were still frightened. "Bucky," you said, trying to get his attention. The man did not react, didn't even flinch. "Bucky," you repeated, his focus slightly swayed yet he did not stop.

A sudden grunt escaped him as you abruptly stopped, unmoving even with Bucky's strength tearing at you. Bucky was forced to stop and turned to you with wide eyes, finally giving you the attention you needed. "There's more of them over there," you informed him bluntly, face showing no emotions as you "Stared" into the empty void. Bucky stared at you in shock, his hand squeezing your arm a bit tighter before letting go. He was silent as he sneaked forward, the sound of his feet barely audible yet you heard everything. His back dragged against the wall as he crept up to the corner of the alleyway. A second later and he was by your side once more, grabbing your arm and pulling you along the other way. He had seen them, the armed mercenaries waiting for the other group to return. He didn't speak as he pulled you along, knowing very well that you would have no answer to why you suddenly seemed to be able to hear 10 times better than an average human. 

There was silence between you as you rushed forward through the city, only stopping and turning away when you suddenly tugged at Bucky's clothing, signaling that there were others nearby. You could feel the cold around you once you reached the alley leading to your apartment complex. How would you know? You've never even seen the house or the way there. It was rather simple actually, you could smell it. All the faint familiar smells you had never realized you picked up now took over your senses. They fascinated you to no end as Bucky opened the door to the stairs and pushed you inside. The familiar beeping of the door locking could be heard even if the two of you quickly walked up the stairs, the question if bucky heard it too almost falling from your lips.

"You need to shower," Bucky's voice was low as he spoke, the first time for the entire day after he had found you there on the ground, smiling from ear to ear, covered in red. You nodded your head at his comment, softly placing Persephone and Hades on the ground, their small form having been cradled in your arms all this time. They began running around in joy, playing rowdily with each other as if the day's even had never been. It brought you joy to hear, a joy that momentarily muffled the sudden dizziness and headache you could feel. Was it your nerves getting to you? To finally be home and safe after running all day? Or was it because of the abilities you had regained? You wouldn't be able to tell, nor did you have much time to think about it as you attempted to step forward, only to fall on your knee with a heavy grunt.

"Y/N!" Bucky exclaimed in surprise by the sudden fall, the man by your side within moments. A whisper of a reply left your lips, the sudden spinning in your head leaving you breathless. There was no time to be wasted, as Bucky pulled you from the ground into his arms, rushing to the bathroom. You gasped as the cold water rained upon your skin, a stark contrast to the heat of the man's body as he pressed against you. It was uncomfortable, but the sudden loss of your senses was slowly disappearing. You could feel his heart beating slightly faster than usual, his arms wrapped tightly around your torso. You knew he was facing the onslaught of rain as well, both remaining silently together. United against the evil within. One that had been planted in the both of you without a reason, and that had torn you apart.

"I wish I knew what was wrong with me," the whisper that left your lips drowned out all other noise, Bucky's metal hand whizzing as he slowly reached up to pet your head, your body leaning back into his touch. "Patience, Y/N," Bucky whispered as he held you close, watching as the blood rinsed off your skin. "We'll figure out who we are one day. But for now, have patience,"