He could discern their approach, yet made no move to resist. What use was there in struggling now, bound as he was by the unforgiving shackle around his neck, its links anchored unyieldingly to the unyielding brickwork of his cell? He lingered in the frigid confines, the chill seeping into his bones, the silence broken only by the steady crescendo of their advancing footfalls, echoing ominously through the corridor.
His heart skipped a beat as the heavy door swung open with a resounding thud, admitting two ominous figures into his dimly lit cell. The first, clad entirely in black, exuded menace with a wide, malevolent sneer that seemed to pierce straight through his core. The second figure, adorned in a lavish purple suit topped by a black leather jacket, sported a regal crown upon his head and a refined mask of the same royal hue. Behind that regal facade lurked a sinister smile that chilled him to the bone.
He sat in silence upon the filthy floor, his gaze fixed in fear as Rumlow approached with the deliberate menace of a stalking predator. The man in black closed the distance slowly, like a hunter savoring the moment before the strike. Then, with premeditated malice, he knelt before him, only to deliver a vicious blow that sent a searing pain across his face, echoing the cruelty that lay within his heart. Rumlow snickered as Zemo held the whip in his hand, delicately stroking it as if it were a precious trophy. He remained calm, ignoring the screaming burn pain on his cheek and blood seeping from his nose and mouth.
He was forcefully slammed to the ground, landing hard on his stomach. His face was pressed mercilessly into the cold, unforgiving floor, his eyes staring blankly into the void, robbed of hope and defiance as he continued to remain calm. Rumlow snickered sinisterly as he unbuckled then stripped off his pants while Zemo remained where he was smiling wider underneath his mask.
He kept his gaze fixed on the cold, unyielding brick wall before him, feeling Rumlow's weight press down on his back. A shiver ran through him as he sensed the man's hot breath on his neck and the unsettling sensation of his tongue tracing along his back. Rumlow's whisper sent eerie chills racing down his spine, filling his entire body with a primal fear that gripped him to the core.
"My, my, Winter Soldier," Rumlow's voice slithered, dripping with a haunting mixture of admiration and menace. "So beautiful in your fear, striking terror into the hearts of those who were as pathetic as you who fell by you. Yet there is a beauty in your eyes..." His words echoed in the stillness, weaving a chilling tapestry of dread and perverse fascination around the captive's senses. "...for me to make you...as my own", he whispered obsessively as he hardly slammed his face to the floor.
With his hands clenched in a tight grip, his human knuckles white against the strain as he felt blood in his palms, he fought a gasp as he began to feel Rumlow's hardness sinking into his body while Zemo violently tugged him from his chain to make Rumlow sunk deeper into his broken body and forgotten soul.
"Such a fine specimen you are to be", Zemo hissed. "My pet"
With a sudden gasp, he jolted awake, his voice echoing with terror through the darkened room as he pushed the lamp off the nightstand with a shattered sound of glass. "NO!!! No!! No!" The remnants of the nightmare still clung to his senses, his breathing ragged and labored as if he had run a marathon. His heart raced uncontrollably, pounding against his ribcage in a desperate attempt to escape the lingering fear. Sweat trickled down his forehead and dampened his torso, chilling him despite the warmth of the night. His mind spun with fragments of the dream, leaving him disoriented and struggling to regain his composure. Each breath came in rapid, shallow gasps, as if his lungs were on fire, and he fought to slow his breathing, willing his body to relax, but was impossible.
Panting heavily and still reeling from the nightmare, he then felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, accompanied by a warm, concerned voice. "Bucky...oh, God, Bucky. Bucky" He gasped, startled by the unexpected contact, his heart racing as he struggled to calm his ragged breaths. His eyes remained tightly shut still trapped in the haunted vision, the remnants of the dream still vivid and haunting. In his panic, he clutched the pillow tightly, its fabric torn beneath his metal fingers, a stark contrast to the softness of the touch that now grounded him. As he gradually awakened from the torment of his nightmares eyes still closed away from his love, his body shivered as he turned towards Steve. His voice, though faint and filled with lingering fear, murmured incomprehensible fragments of pleas for him to be spared.
"No...please...no...don't...I...beg...you...please...I..don't...no...don't...get...off...me...I am loyal....to...Hydra...no...disloyalty...I am...loyal..." he wheezed weakly, each word a strained exhale, punctuated by gasps for air with his chest rising and falling, his voice trembling with pain and desperation.
Steve's reassuring presence was a lifeline in the darkness, a beacon of warmth and safety amidst the chaos of his mind. The blonde reacts even deeper to comfort and frees his love. "Bucky...baby...Bucky, it's me, Steve", Steve soothed with his voice that was a gentle whisper akin to a lullaby, enveloping his dear friend and love, soothing the lingering pain and fear that haunted him.
"No...no...please...get...off...me....please...stop", Bucky helplessly moaned with a pained sob that pierced Steve's heart deeply, seeing him in such a condition.
Steve gently rested a palm on Bucky's sweaty chest, causing him to gasp loudly. Bucky instinctively pulled away from the tender touch with his metal hand, but Steve persisted, slowly moving his hand to rest on Bucky's shoulder. He felt Bucky flinch, pressing the back of his head deep into the pillow, his breath coming in more deep rapid pants unceasingly in fear of the contact on his shoulder. The metal of his hand clenched tightly, but Steve remained steadfast, providing comfort and stability amid the haunting remnants of Bucky's nightmare.
"Bucky, Bucky...calm, baby, calm. Bucky, baby, listen to me. Listen to my voice. Bucky, it's all right. You're not there anymore. You're not in Hydra anymore. You're in Shield now. You're safe. Bucky, Bucky, listen to my voice. Follow it...and come back to me. Please. Follow my voice...and come back to me", Steve begged, hoping his voice could free Bucky from the grip of his nightmare.
Bucky strained to hear the voice. What was it? Where was it coming from? Why did it sound so familiar all of a sudden? Who was calling him? Who was...Bucky? He followed the voice. Still gasping heavily, Bucky opened his eyes, expecting to see his tormentors, only to find the reassuring face of his captain. He continued to pant, his gaze fixed on Steve's relieved expression.
"Shh, that's it, buddy. That's it, Bucky, you got it. Just look at me, Bucky, look at me", Steve relieved as he smiled at his love. "Keep your eyes on me"
With each passing moment, the grip of the nightmare began to loosen, replaced by a fragile sense of relief that he wasn't fighting alone in his struggle.
"I...know...you", Bucky weakly strained.
He nodded. "Yes, Bucky, you've known me your whole life"
"My...whole...life?" Bucky asked, trying to understand.
"Yes", Steve nodded with a sad smile.
With a trembling hand, he extended the metallic limb and gently placed it against Steve's cheek. He felt the softness of Steve's lips pressing against the cold, artificial fingers as if they were warm flesh. Steve's voice was gentle as he spoke, his hand caressing Bucky's torso reassuringly. "I...know...you...Steve"
Steve kissed him on the forehead and lips gently. "Yes, and I know you, my love. It was all a dream, Bucky. You're safe now."
Bucky scanned the room, his eyes darting in search of any potential threats to his beloved Steve. Finding none, a mixture of determination and protectiveness surged within him as he vowed to keep Steve safe. Exhausted, he gazed at Steve with a deep sigh, slumping back against the pillow. He shook his head wearily, swallowing hard to dispel the lingering tendrils of the nightmare that gripped his mind, he then gazes at Steve with a smirk trying to ignore the exhaustion.
"Hiya, punk", he joked humorlessly.
Steve makes a chuckle. "Hiya yourself, jerk", he joked back.
Bucky let out a weary yet content chuckle as he felt Steve gently nuzzle his nose against his own.
Bucky's smile softened as he looked at Steve, but soon it faded into a frown. "Steve... I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice tinged with regret and shame.
"Shh, it's still late. You need to get some rest, Bucky. Try to go back to sleep, honey", Steve smiled.
Bucky continued to gaze at him, exhaling another sigh. "Oh, Steve," he whispered before drawing Steve into his embrace, seeking solace in their closeness. Steve noticed Bucky's deep, steady breaths, a contrast to the earlier ragged ones. He felt something warm drop onto his nightshirt as Bucky held him close.
Steve's hands traced soothing circles on Bucky's back as he pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Oh, Bucky, hey, it's okay. It's gonna be okay. I got you"
Bucky grunted through his tears, clinging tightly to Steve, afraid he might vanish from his sight and grasp.
"Shh, my love. Easy, Bucky, easy. You're gonna be okay. All is well, Bucky. You have survived, and you are out of harm's way. You are free, Bucky. They can't and never will hurt you again. I will make sure of that", he vowed protectively as he continued to give him comfort. "You have survived and you are free. It's all right, Bucky. Go back to sleep. Rest, baby, rest"
Bucky feels undeserving of Steve's unwavering presence and support, but Steve continues to soothe him and ensure his safety, nurturing his journey towards regaining peace of mind and seeking a place in the new world. Steve's steadfastness in comforting Bucky and shielding him from harm reinforces Bucky's sense of security and hope, despite his lingering doubts about the worthiness of such steadfast love and protection. He continued freeing tears while listening to Steve's comforting words, gently lulling him into a peaceful sleep. Within moments, he finally ended his sobs and drifted into a serene slumber, cradled in Steve's embrace as Steve himself joined him in rest.