Chapter 4
"And here's some nice lavender bubble bath to help you relax," says the handler. "And this is a weighted blanket, it will help you sleep and calm you down, and I got you more diapers."
The Asset has been paying careful attention while the handler shows him his new uniforms and weaponry, keeping count and cataloging each item in his mind. 7 pairs of jeans. 4 pairs of joggers. 9 shirts. 3 jackets. 4 pairs of pajamas. 2 pairs of shoes. 2 packs of 12 socks each. 1 weighted blanket. 1 bottle of bubble bath. 1 pack of 30 diapers.
He doesn't know how a weighted blanket or bubble bath can be used as weapons, but he must be meant to figure it out himself.
"Now let's eat. I bet you're hungry!" The handler says.
A pizza arrived at the elevator 10 minutes ago. The handler says agent Sam probably sent it since he left right before it arrived.
The handler lets him eat an entire half of the pizza himself, and he is grateful. He was hungry. He also finishes the provided soda which the handler served with it. He feels much better when he's not hungry and thirsty.
"Bucky." The handler says after they've both ate. The Asset makes eye contact and pays close attention, as he always should when addressed by superiors.
"I know you don't like it, and I've been letting it go the last couple of days. But it's time for a bath."
Fear stabs into the Asset's heart, but he doesn't show it in his face. He remembers baths. Freezing water, agents holding his head under just to see how long he could take it, waterboarding him with washcloths just for fun. Of course. He knows he's misbehaved a lot and the punishment had to come sooner or later. How foolish of him to think his mistakes might be forgotten.
He grits his teeth and nods. He will accept his punishment this time and will not resist.
☆
Steve leads Bucky to the bathroom, checking behind him to make sure he's following. He's not surprised to see tears sliding down his cheeks. He knows this is hard for him.
He makes sure the water is warm and fills the tub, adding the lavender bubble bath. Hopefully that will help. Then he goes to Bucky and starts getting him undressed. He goes stiff when Steve pulls his pants down, but he didn't expect anything else. It still hurts him to see it though.
Once Bucky's naked, he's crying harder and shaking. Steve feels so awful about this, but it's necessary.
"It's okay, Buck. I won't hurt you. Let's get you in the tub." He says gently.
He half leads, half drags Bucky to the tub and instructs him to step in. He does, and Steve almost thinks this won't be so difficult. That is until Bucky suddenly screams, and grabs him, pulling him into the tub and shoving him face first under the water.
Steve thrashes trying to get back up as Bucky jumps out, slipping on the tile floor and bashing the back of his head on the side of the tub on the way down. Then he scrambles up and backs himself into the corner of the room behind the toilet, where he crouches screaming and sobbing and pulling at his hair.
"Bucky! It's okay! Please calm down and just give it a chance?" Steve coughs out as he drags himself out of the tub, soaked and trying to rub the stinging bubble bath out of his eyes.
"What the hell is going on in here!?" Tony demands from where he apparently appeared out of thin air in the doorway.
"Nothing! He didn't do anything! He's just scared, leave him alone!" Steve says.
"I know he's scared, JARVIS told me he was freaking out again. What did you do to him?"
"What?! I didn't do anything! I'm just trying to give him a bath!"
Tony sighs. "Do you know how much work you are?" He addresses Bucky. "Look at poor Steve. Now he's all wet and he's just trying to help you. There's nothing to be afraid of because no one is going to hurt you here, not in my tower, not under my watch. Now get up." Tony says.
Bucky immediately gets up, still sobbing but he obeys, looking at Tony and waiting.
"Get in the tub and sit down." Tony says.
Bucky turns and gets into the tub, sitting down just like Tony told him. He shakes and cries but he's in the tub.
Steve realizes then that Bucky obeys direct orders. He's programmed. He still thinks he's the Winter Soldier.
"Thank you, Tony." Steve says. "I think he'll only listen to orders. I didn't want to boss him around- and I still don't, but for now I think orders will help."
"Uh, yeah, ya think?" Tony says, rolling his eyes. "I have stuff to do, so have fun here." He turns to leave, before stopping and turning back. "And, uh, by the way. He can come hang out with me if he wants to. Anytime. Just as long as he doesn't touch my coffee."
"Thanks Tony. He'll come see you when he's ready. If he wants." Steve says with a smile.
"When he's ready." Tony says, leaving the room. "And don't forget to wash behind your precious little pet's ears!" He calls from the hallway.
Steve just smiles and shakes his head, and washes Bucky gently. Bucky's still tense and shaking, but not crying hard anymore, just sniffling. The sobbing doesn't start back up until it's time to wash his nether regions, but Steve goes slow and gentle, speaking softly the whole time to reassure him.
Bucky's calm by the time Steve has him dried off and in a diaper, seeming to feel much better now that his privates are covered. Steve gets him dressed in some soft flannel pajamas.
"Get in bed and lay down." Steve says. Ordering Bucky around like HYDRA did makes him feel sick. He doesn't want Bucky to think he's one of them, or like them. But this is how it needs to be right now.
He covers Bucky with the weighted blanket.
"Do you need anything? Water? A snack?" He asks.
Bucky shakes his head.
"Do you want me to stay with you?"
Bucky nods.
So Steve climbs into bed with Bucky, holding him and stroking his hair until they both fall asleep.