[ Ever since her parents passed away, Steve and Bucky had always been sure to check up on her. The first week itself had been the hardest and the duo had to make sure she was eating well and taking care of herself. It was hard at first, convincing her to eat; Swan had always been a stubborn one, a little too stubborn if anyone asked them. ]
They had been at it for — she had no idea how many days. Time no longer mattered here anymore. Sometimes they would send in Bucky to break her, sometimes soldiers under HYDRA’s control would come in to question her. No matter what they did, however, she refused to give in. She was covered in bruises, cuts, and dried blood. It had been a while since they had come in to give her food or water and she was almost certain that they were done with her — that she was going to die.
Considering how broken and bruised she was, they no longer bothered to tie her down. She was given the proximity of the locked room they stuffed her in, but she did not even have the energy to roam it. Instead, she curled herself up in the lumpy mattress they had thrown in for her. No position was comfortable enough for her, but it was better than being strapped in that metal chair. But lucky enough, she was exhausted enough to actually fall asleep.
[ It was Bucky’s turn to take care of her. And whenever Emma would tell him that he did not have to waste his time with her, he’d dismiss it with a roll of his eyes. He wasn’t being forced to do this; he was doing it because he wanted to. And if anything, Emma appreciated his presence and help. She knew that she had been absent for the past few days, barely keeping herself together, but Steve and Bucky were really patient with her.
That day, she had even managed a small walk around the block. She needed to get better, to move on — for their sake if not her own. What she was doing to herself wasn’t fair to them; she knew they worried about her. Had the tables been turn, she would have done the very same thing. As much as she enjoyed the walk, however, it had taken a toll out of her. After so much time spent doing nothing, she got tired easily.
When she got home she noticed that there was a lunch box placed on her door step. She assumed that one of the boys had dropped by and she smiled a bit as she picked it up. Though she did not eat it right away, she set it in the fridge before walking into her bedroom and curled up on her bed.
Just a small nap; that was all she needed. ]
All she had been doing was sleep; when she wasn’t being question or beaten. Maybe it worked, maybe Bucky had finally done it? Maybe he had finally broken her. That strong will to live was slowly fading her, and can anyone really blame her? She wasn’t like any of her best friends — she was plainly human. She should have known that they would eventually leave her in the dust. Everyone leaves, whether they want to or not. It was inevitable.
Something stirred her from the only peace she was given. Slowly golden lashes fluttered open, her vision blurred and unfocused. However, as soon as she was able to see, her breath hitched in her throat. body freezing. At the bed edge, no one other than Bucky was kneeling at her side, his head buried in his folded arms. The sight was so familiar, it pained her more than the abuse she had suffered.
[ —cky?” His name left her lips in a sleepy mumble, pulling her arm up beneath her as she pushed herself up. The boy was fast asleep, wearing a peaceful expression she was all but familiar with. A small smile touched her lips, and for once it actually reached her eyes. Hand reaching out, she sifted her fingers through his dark hair, a soft sigh escaping her. “Thank you.” ]
Even though it hurt to do so, her ache bones protesting, she lightly traced her fingers through the long, unruly hair. Tears pricked her eyes now as she stared at the Winter Soldier's face, this supposed weapon representing the friend she knew from so long ago. Swallowing thickly, she groaned as she rolled onto her side to face him fully, hissing in pain before she dragged her upper body over to him. Leaning down, she placed a kiss against the top of his head.