The Fall - Book 1

192. Geallaim.

JANUARY 19, 2020 — AVENGERS COMPOUND — RÉA

I watch Bucky sleep, my heart and soul aching for him.

"My sweet, wonderful Bucky. You have no idea how incredible you are. You're so brave, and so strong. You're selfless, and caring, and kind. You're compassionate, and intelligent, and quick-witted; funny, and humble, and the most genuine soul I've ever met. You deserve all of the joy, peace, happiness, and love in the Universe." I whisper the words as quietly as I can, and he doesn't stir at all as I speak.

'I'm going to talk to Fury tomorrow. Because some of those faces...I recognise them. They're in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files...along with their names. And even though they were clearly HYDRA, somehow they managed to avoid being found out by S.H.I.E.L.D., even after Nat leaked everything,' I think. 'But that's going to change. They're going to be shown for who they truly are, and will suffer consequences for their actions...I'll make absolutely sure of it.'

Rage again flares inside me, and I have to take several very deep breaths to keep my composure. I could have burnt Bucky earlier when my temper flared. I was so enraged that I lost control of my emotions for a moment and my temperature spiked; I won't repeat that mistake.

I meant it when I promised him that as long as I exist, no one will hurt him like that again. I wish I could promise that no one will hurt him in any way, ever; unfortunately, I can't...although I will do my best to make sure no one does.

"Déanfaidh mé gach rud atá i mo chumhacht chun tú a chosaint," I whisper. "Geallaim."        (Dee-an-vuh meh gahk rude ah-tah ee moe hoekt hun too ah caw-sin. Gale-um. – I will do everything in my power to protect you. I promise.)

I hold Bucky close, keeping him wrapped in my wings as he sleeps. I intend to stay awake all night, watching over him, but the sounds of his heartbeat and his steady breathing eventually lull me to sleep.

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I open my eyes and my gaze meets Bucky's steel blue one.

"Did you have another nightmare?" I ask, worry apparent in my tone.

He shakes his head. "No. I actually didn't have any sort of dreams at all."

I don't quite know how to respond to that; as I'm thinking of what to say, he speaks again.

"Could, uh...could we stay in your room today? I know I can't handle being around the others."

"Of course we can, Bucky. Whatever you want to do." I pause. "Do you want to sleep some more? You woke up at eleven last night, and didn't fall back asleep until after two this morning."

"Yeah. Can we go inside? To your room?"

"Whatever you need."

We head into my suite; again, I walk in front of Bucky, and have made it all of two steps when he reaches out and grabs my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. He keeps a hold on my hand even as we settle onto my bed. Not wanting to make him uncomfortable, I let him initiate everything; as soon as we're on the bed, he attaches to me like a koala to a eucalyptus: arms wrapped around me, his right leg draped over mine, and his head on my chest. He gives me the okay to hold him back, and for a long while, he just lies with me...and then he begins to cry. He starts quietly and stays still; I only realise he's crying when I feel his tears on my skin.

I slowly rub small circles between his shoulder blades, and it's like a dam breaks.

Big, heaving sobs escape him, and he wraps his arms tighter around me, clinging to me like he's afraid I'll disappear. I don't say anything, I just hold him until he eventually cries himself to sleep.