Why?
Hours had passed in the dim, cold cell, and Bucky was growing increasingly desperate to soothe little Lila into sleep. The four-year-old was too frightened to let her eyes close. He knelt beside her, placing his hand gently on her back, his voice soft but firm.
“Lila, you need to get some sleep, sweetheart.”
The little girl’s eyes were wide, shimmering with unshed tears. Her voice was tiny, trembling as she clung to him. “What if the bad guys come in?”
Bucky forced a gentle smile, though her words tugged at his heart. He leaned closer, meeting her gaze, trying to reassure her in the only way he knew how.
“They won’t. I’m here. I’m going to protect you.”
He meant every word, silently swearing to himself that he’d keep her safe no matter what. He couldn’t allow anything to happen to her—not after what she’d been through. Not after what they'd done to her mother.
Lila hesitated, her tiny voice barely audible. “But what if they come get you?”
The question struck Bucky hard, making him falter for a moment. He swallowed the fear that gripped him, refusing to let it show. He couldn’t allow her to see how much the possibility haunted him.
“They won’t, little one. I’m staying right here.”
But even as the words left his mouth, Lila’s eyes grew wide with sudden alarm. She tugged on his sleeve, her voice rising with urgency. “Bad guys are coming.”
Bucky stiffened, his mind racing. He didn’t fully understand how her powers worked yet, but he knew better than to doubt her. Before he could ask her anything more, the metal door of the cell creaked open. His head snapped toward the sound, and he saw three armed guards step inside. Instantly, he moved in front of Lila, his protective instincts kicking in as he shielded her from view.
Lila clung to his leg, her small hands gripping him tightly. Bucky felt the weight of her fear, feeding his own resolve to protect her. One of the guards, an imposing figure, scowled and barked a single word.
“Move.”
Bucky’s blood boiled, but he kept his expression neutral, not wanting to frighten Lila further. Slowly, he stood, keeping himself between her and the guards.
“Why the hell did Zemo bring her here? She’s four!” Bucky’s voice was laced with anger, but the guard didn’t bother answering. Instead, he repeated the command, his tone sharp.
“Move.”
Bucky’s feet remained planted, his mind whirling with possibilities. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—move unless he knew for certain that Lila would be safe. The guards, growing impatient, began to close in, their frustration palpable.
One of them pulled out an electric baton, the crackle of energy filling the tense air. Bucky’s eyes darkened, his fists clenching. He’d die before he let them harm her.
Lila’s frightened voice broke the silence. “Don’t hurt him!”
Her plea tore at Bucky’s heart. He shifted slightly, keeping her hidden from the guards’ view, his body a shield between her and the danger looming just inches away.
The lead guard took a menacing step forward, smirking as he sensed Bucky’s hesitation. “Both of you are coming with us. Every time you resist, we will hurt her. So come along quietly.”
Bucky’s eyes blazed with anger, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn’t risk Lila getting hurt because of his temper. Reluctantly, he began to move, stepping out of the cell with Lila still clinging tightly to his leg. She reached up for his hand, her tiny fingers barely wrapping around his as he took it gently in his own.
The guards surrounded them, herding them down the narrow corridors. Bucky glanced down at Lila, her knuckles white from how tightly she was gripping his hand. She was terrified, and he couldn’t blame her. He wanted to comfort her, but the presence of the guards made it impossible. So, he kept walking, his face a mask of calm even as his mind raced with dread.
They reached a door, and one of the guards pushed it open. Cold air hit Bucky’s face as he and Lila stepped inside, the room dimly lit. And there, sitting casually in the center of the room, was Zemo, his smirk making Bucky’s stomach churn.
Zemo rose from his chair, circling them like a predator stalking its prey. His voice was soft, almost amused. “What a beautiful sight to see the two of you together.”
Bucky stayed silent, refusing to give Zemo the satisfaction of a reaction. But Lila’s small voice trembled through the tension. “Father, where’s Momma? Why didn’t Momma wake up?”
Buckys mind finally clicked in place. She’s Zemos daughter.
Bucky’s heart ached at her innocent question, but he stayed still, knowing any movement would only make things worse.
Zemo stopped his pacing, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Your Momma isn’t coming back, sweetheart.”
Bucky could see Lila’s confusion and fear. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Did you hurt her again?”
Zemo’s silence was answer enough. Lila’s eyes filled with tears, and before anyone could react, she tried to hit Zemo with her tiny fist. “I hate you!”
Zemo caught her hand easily, his grip cruelly tight on her small wrist. Bucky surged forward, anger boiling over. “Hey, let her go! She’s just a kid!”
Zemo didn’t even look at him. “She’s a weapon,” he said coldly.
Lila cried out, trying to free her hand. “Let me go!”
Bucky’s rage threatened to explode, but he forced himself to remain still, knowing any wrong move could result in more pain for her.
Zemo’s gaze flicked to the guards. “Take her.”
Bucky’s heart skipped a beat. “No!” he yelled, but it was too late. The guards grabbed Lila, and she fought back with all her strength, her little body wriggling in their grasp.
One of the guards punched her, and she let out a cry of pain. Bucky’s world narrowed into a tunnel of rage, and he lunged at the guard, but another blow sent him reeling.
Zemo’s voice cut through the chaos. “Hurt them, we hurt her.”
The threat hung heavy in the air, and Bucky froze, helpless as the guards pried Lila away from him. Her terrified screams echoed in the room. “Bucky! Help me!”
——————————————
Bucky collapsed onto the cold floor, hours later, bruised and aching from the day's beatings, but his mind was fixed on Lila. The moment they shoved her back into the cell, her small body hit the ground with a soft thud, and Bucky’s heart clenched. He rushed to her, kneeling beside her, his hands trembling as he pulled her into his arms.
She was silent, too exhausted to cry anymore, her face streaked with dried tears. Her whole body felt fragile in his grasp, and Bucky’s chest tightened with guilt. He should’ve done more. He should’ve been stronger.
“Lila…” His voice was barely a whisper, thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry.”
Lila clung to him, her tiny hands gripping his shirt, as though he were the only thing tethering her to the world. She didn’t respond at first, just buried her face in his chest, her breath coming in short, shaky gasps. He could feel her trembling, her fear a living, breathing thing between them.
He sat back, pulling her onto his lap, cradling her the way a father would, rocking her gently. “It’s okay, doll. I’m here. I’ve got you.”
For a long time, there was only the sound of their breathing in the dimly lit cell. Bucky stroked her hair, his metal fingers brushing softly through the tangles, his human hand wrapped protectively around her small body. He couldn’t take away her pain, but he could hold her through it.
Lila finally spoke, her voice small and broken. “Bucky… why did they hurt us?”
He swallowed hard, struggling to find an answer that wouldn’t terrify her further. “They’re bad people, Lila. They hurt others because they think it makes them powerful.” His jaw clenched. “They want us to do what they want.”
Her voice trembled as she whispered, “Are they gonna hurt us again?”
Bucky’s chest tightened, and he hugged her closer. “I won’t let them. I’ll protect you. Always.”
She sniffled, her tiny fingers fisting into his shirt again. “I’m scared.”
“I know, doll,” he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “But you don’t have to be. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
He carried her to the cot and laid down with her curled against his chest, her head resting on his heart. Bucky held her close, his metal arm encircling her like a shield, while his flesh hand stroked her back in slow, soothing motions. Slowly, her breathing steadied, the tension in her small frame easing as she began to relax.
In the quiet of the cell, Bucky whispered, “I’m sorry, Lila. I’m so sorry I couldn’t stop them today. But I swear, I’ll do whatever it takes to get us out of here. You’ll be safe, I promise.”
Lila sniffed: “it’s otay”
Bucky could feel the steady rise and fall of her chest as sleep finally overtook her. He listened to the soft sound of her breathing, his own eyes burning with exhaustion and one tear slide down his cheek.
He lay there, holding Lila in the dark, his mind already plotting, already planning. Whatever it took, however long it took, he’d find a way to get her out of here. He’d make sure no one ever hurt her again.
As Lila slept soundly in his arms, Bucky stared up at the ceiling, silent and resolute. He was a soldier, a weapon. He’d use every bit of that training to protect her, even if it cost him everything.
“I’ve got you, kid,” he murmured softly. “I’ll never let them take you from me.”
And with that promise echoing in the darkness, Bucky closed his eyes, keeping his body coiled and ready, even as sleep finally crept over him.