Nightshade

When Bucky awoke groggy, he panicked a little. His metal arm was clamped in a giant vice in an old abandoned building. The man he had seen with Steve before called out for Steve while in the next room, "Cap!"

Steve came jogging in and asked Bucky which "Bucky" he was talking to and if he knew him. Bucky confirmed to Steve's satisfaction that he did.

Bucky then said to Steve with worry in his eyes, "Bel-..." He looked to the other man cautiously, then back to Steve, "My life."

Steve clenched his jaw and sighed slowly, giving Bucky a knowing look, "I haven't heard about your life. But we've got bigger things to worry about right now."

Bucky hung his head, "What did I do?"

When you woke the next morning, you rubbed your eyes with your fists, swollen from crying. They burned and you wished you had something to clean them with. You had to fight crying again, taking deep breaths and blowing them out through pursed lips.

You opened your bag and rifled through it. You found a tiny notebook with an address scrawled in Bucky's handwriting and two phone numbers. You felt a knot build in your stomach. You needed to head to the safe house that morning. You didn't even know who would be there. But, you trusted Bucky, despite your apprehension.

You found a package of travel tissue packs and opened it, pinching out one of the tiny packs and pulling back the self adhesive flap. Bucky had packed your bug-out bag and knew you so well; his little tender-heart who sometimes cried at the drop of a hat. He was beyond considerate, always thinking of your needs. It made your throat tighten again.

You palmed the tissue and opened your water bottle, dumping some of the cool liquid on the tissue, then holding it over your puffy eyes. You swiped over them a couple times and sighed, glancing at the cans of food in the corner. You got up to fetch one and the can opener, sitting back down on the mattress. After opening it, you plucked the green beans out, one by one, to eat them. Once you had eaten the whole can, you set it aside and tore a piece of paper from the notebook and found a pen in one of the small zipper pockets.

You scrawled on it, 'Check point.', followed by a symbol that you and Bucky had established for communication to indicate that you were safe. The plan he set out for the both of you, should you have to be separated, was extensive. You were glad you had a sharp memory.

You set the paper on the sleeping bag on the mattress and gathered your things back into your bag, zipping it up and stood, pulling it onto your back again. You took a deep breath and headed out the door, locking it behind you before you started for the address, another town away.

Though you were frightened about this whole situation, you felt confident enough that you could take care of yourself. Bucky had helped you hone your ability during your time together. He worked tirelessly with you to get you to focus it, control it and intensify it. Part of his promise to never let anyone hurt you again was teaching you to take care of yourself. So he worked his ass off, and yours, pushing you through it, teaching you how to fight and how to use your small frame to your advantage.

Once you reached the address after riding the bus, you trudged up the steps of the house on a quiet street in a clean neighborhood. You hesitated before ringing the doorbell.

You heard the sound of a few locks being undone, the door was then opened revealing a tall woman maybe in her thirties or forties with long brown hair, slightly gray at the temples, pulled back in a ponytail. She smiled softly at you, "Здравствуйте." When you didn't respond, looking confused, she tilted her head, "Wie heißt du?"

"Wenig Kitz.", you said softly, giving her your code name before averting your eyes for a beat.

"Okay. Komm herein.", she opened the screen door and you stepped inside. The house was large and immaculate. It felt like you'd stepped into a mansion. You hadn't been in such a nice place for years. There was a German shepherd dog sitting obediently just inside the living room off the entrance.

"Your keeper told me you speak English. Are you okay? Any injuries or anything?", she asked dipping her head down.

You shook your head.

"Good.", she smiled again, "That's Burgh. It's he and I here. He's going to help me keep you safe. He's actually been trained to be a protector. If you're okay with it, I'd like to ask him to smell you, give him some commands so that he knows you are to be guarded. He's a real sweetheart. You don't have to be afraid of him."

You actually really loved dogs and grew up with a cousin who had a German shepherd. You had actually asked Bucky about having a dog in the past, but he was saddened to tell you it would be a bad idea considering the situation you were both in. A small smile found its way to your lips as you nodded slightly, "Okay."

She gave him a command in German and he came to you eagerly, sniffing your jacket sleeve and pant leg. She gave him another command and he sat next to you, still as a statue facing her, eyes locked on her. "Good boy.", she said and he stood wagging his tail, nudging your hand. You pet his head as she looked on, smiling. "I'll show you to your room.", she turned and started up the stairs as you followed, Burgh right behind you. She looked back at you for a beat as she ascended, "I'm Myrna. I wasn't told your name, for safety reasons, so I'll just call you Fawn."

You both reached the landing and she rounded the banister, leading you down the hall, "This is my room,", she gestured, "bathroom... and this", she stepped into the last room as you followed, Burgh standing in the doorway, "is your room.", she finished.

You looked around to find a twin bed and a dresser, a small bookshelf filled with books, a tv on a small stand and a simple radio. It was decorated simply, but feminine. "Thank you.", your mouth curved into a modest smile.

She sighed and said, "I know I may not appear to be much, but I am more than capable of keeping you safe,", she put a soft hand on your arm, "okay?"

"Okay.", you nodded, starting to wonder about Bucky again.

She noticed the change in your expression and offered, "I'm sorry it's come to this, but have faith, sweetie. It'll get you through and that positivity may help the outcome."

You fought to hold back tears as you nodded again.

She pressed her lips together for a beat, "Are you hungry?"

"A bit, yes."

"Okay. There are some clothes and towels in the dresser if you'd like a shower, toothpaste and and a new toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet. I can wash your clothes and right now I'll go make you something to eat. Any requests?"

"Um...", you hesitated.

She chuckled, "Don't be shy. If I have it I'll make it. It's no trouble."

"Pancakes?", you asked shyly.

"You got it.", she grinned and winked, then headed out, Burgh backing up only enough to let her out as she patted his head and muttered something affectionate to him.

You took off your backpack and sat on the hardwood floor, not wanting to soil the pristine bed. You looked over to Burgh, "Komm.", you ordered softly. He came right to you and sat as you pet him, his eyes set on you, but his face relaxed. You started to wrap your arms around him cautiously, leaned over to hug him and he let you. Tears started welling in your eyes, "I hope he comes for me, Burgh."
...
Translations: "Здравствуйте." = Hello, "Wie heißt du?" = what is your name?, "Wenig Kitz." = little fawn, "Komm herein." = come in, "Komm." = come