On day fifty-nine I shivered as Bucky looked my still naked form over, inspecting me like a show dog. I allowed him to turn me and move me any way he pleased until he decided he was done.
"Hagstrom will be happy to have you back, Moore. Although don't expect him to forgive you easily." He said sitting in a chair.
He finally moved me into the main area. I only nodded standing there.
"Sit." He commanded.
I did waiting for his next command but it never came. Steve kicked down the rusted door, rushing in. Bucky stood but recognition quickly swept over his features then it was gone again.
"Bucky, hand him over, we're taking you into shield custody," Steve said in full captain mode.
"You can save the boy or take me. It's your choice." Bucky said looking as stoic as ever.
I looked at Bucky when I heard the hammer of a pistol being drawn back. He had a 9 mm. pointed at my head.
"It's your choice Captain, me or the boy," Bucky said.
I closed my eyes waiting for the bullet to take my life.
"Fine, leave. Next time you won't have him for leverage." Steve said.
I opened my eyes to see Bucky retreating and Steve rushing over to me.
"Jay, are you okay? Why are you naked?" Steve asked.
I only shook my head.
"Alright, wait here, I'm going to see if I can find something to cover you with." He said softly.
I only nodded as he left. He came back with an old worn forest green blanket. He wrapped it around me before picking me up. We exited the building and I shivered as the cold night wind blasted us. I tucked myself closer to Steve's body hearing the other Avengers rush over. Steve stopped walking.
"Not so close. Give him space." Clint said.
"Jayson, thank God you're alive," Natasha said running toward us.
I flipped myself out of Steve's arms and transformed getting into a position to fight. Natasha stopped short as I bared my teeth.
"Jayson, it's just me. We're friends." She said quietly.
I released a growl causing everyone to take a step back and for Fury to stop short as well.
"Where is Bucky?" He asked.
"He got away," Steve said soberly.
I took a step back, feeling my fur brush his legs.
"Jayson, I'm not going to hurt you." Natasha pleaded ignoring the others.
I snapped my teeth at her.
"Nat, maybe it's better if you back off for a while," Steve suggested.
She only nodded as she moved away from me.
"Moore, please shift back." Fury said.
Steve dropped the blanket on me and I shifted pulling the cloth tighter around my body. Steve picked me back up and began walking toward the jet. We weren't stopped by anyone else and made it to a room quickly.
"Alright, I'm going to run you a bath. Are you going to need help getting clean?" He questioned setting me down.
I shrugged. Steve let out a sigh and went to the bathroom. He came out ten minutes later in sweats and a white t-shirt. He helped me up and led me to the bathroom. I dropped the blanket and climbed into the still filling tub. Steve sat down beside me and took the shock collar off.
"Jayson, I'm so sorry. you didn't deserve this." He said rubbing a thumb over the two round marks the prongs left.
I didn't say anything and he turned off the water grabbing a washcloth. He slowly added soap and began scrubbing my body down.
"Here, you can wash the other places." He said handing me the wash cloth, cheeks bright red.
I took the cloth from him and washed what he couldn't. Once I was done Steve washed my hair. When I was clean and the water was an odd brown color Steve drained the water and helped me get out. He wrapped a towel around me and carried me to the bed setting me down carefully.
"I'm going to see if I can find you some clothes." He said exiting the room.
I towel dried my body, waiting for Steve to return. I looked around the room. It was the same room we'd been in before.
"Alright, one of our agents in about your height. They'll still be loose but at least you won't be naked." Steve said handing me sweats and a t-shirt.
I got dressed silently. Steve watched me with sad eyes. Once I was dressed I sat back down.
"Okay, if you're good then I'm going to let you sleep. Good night." He said and turned to leave.
"No!" I shouted standing up.
Steve turned and I flinched.
"Okay, I'll stay with you tonight." He said slowly.
We crawled into bed and went to sleep. I woke up sometime later with my heart racing. I looked around to see the room I'd gone to sleep in with Steve laying next to me. I curled closer to his body afraid he'd disappear if I closed my eyes. He wrapped his arm around me.
"Jay, are you okay?" He questioned.
I shook my head.
"Jay, talk to me please." He pleaded.
"There's nothing to talk about," I said softly.
"Yes, there is. I need answers." He said with more force than he meant.
"What do you want to know," I questioned.
"Jay, tell me what happened to you." He said.
I slowly told him what had happened while I was Bucky's captive.
"Why were you naked? Did he..." Steve trailed off.
"No," I said and then proceeded to explain what had actually happened.
"Jay, I'm sorry. I'll never let anything like that happen again." He swore.
I sat up straddling his hips.
"Steve, thank you for saving me," I said leaning down to kiss him.
When out lips met I felt a jolted almost like the shock collar but it didn't hurt. I felt his hands touch my hips and I deepened the kiss. I ran my hands over his chest feeling the muscles ripple beneath my fingertips. I felt the arousal surge through me. I ground our hips together only to be stopped by Steve's hands.
"Jayson, slow down. This isn't what you want." He said holding my hips Still.
"This is what I want, Captain. Please, I need you." I pleaded.
"No, Jay. You'll regret it." He said flipping us over.
"How can you be so sure?" I questioned.
"Because you're in shock. You've just gotten used to physical contact. You're not ready for sex." He said.
I nodded, his logic undeniable. He sat back on his knees and ran a hand over his face, sighing.
"I'm sorry," I said finally.
"There's nothing to apologize for." He said leaning back over me, placing his lips on mine.
I deepened the kiss letting our tongues intertwine. He placed one hand on my face, the other running through my hair.
"Good boy." He whispered when we broke away for air.
I gave him a tired smile.
"Jay, I'll protect you no matter what." He promised, capturing my mouth once more.
When he pulled away we were both breathless and pointing.
"What if you can't save me?" I asked.
"I'll always find a way to save you." he said placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
Later that morning we were back home with Natasha keeping her distance. I kept close to Steve feeling like if I didn't then I'd be back in that bunker. I hated the feelings of fear and helplessness but I couldn't stop them. I just wanted to feel normal again.
"Hey, come here, I have something for you," Steve said taking my hand and leading me to his bedroom.
I sat quietly as he started to rummage around in a drawer.
"It's late but happy birthday." He said handing me a silver chain with a small talisman.
I held it in my hand looking it over carefully, "Thank you."
"The night you went to dinner with Tasha I went out to get it for you." He explained.
I stood wrapping my arms around his neck." Seriously, Steve, thank you. It's perfect."
I felt his arms wrap around me. I felt my eyes well up with tears. I was so happy to be back.
"Jay, are you crying?" Steve asked pulling away and cupping my face between his large palms.
I only nodded silently.
"This is a good thing, don't keep it bottled up." He said wrapping his arms around me.
I started sobbing before I could stop myself. I wasn't even sure why I was crying but soon a patch of Steve's shirt was wet. He moved us so he was sitting on the bed and I was in his lap face buried in his neck. Steve rubbed my back and whispered sweetly in my ear. When I couldn't cry anymore I sat there sniffling, resting against him.
"Jay, do you feel any better?" He asked.
I nodded.
"Are you hungry?" He questioned.
I nodded again.
"Alright, let's go get food." He said softly.
"Wait, will you help me put this on?" I asked holding the silver chain out to him.
He smiled and clasped it around my neck letting the talisman hitting my chest lightly.
"Thank you," I said pressing a light kiss to his cheek.
He grinned and I gave him a shy smile. We went to the kitchen where Steve made us sandwiches. He sat at the table and I sat on his lap as we ate. Steve seemed rather content with me staying so close to him. Nat tarnished the peace though when she walked in only to pause and gawk before continuing. I watched her carefully, distrusting her unnecessarily. She just ignored us and went on about her business, leaving rather quickly.
"Jayson, what do you have against Nat? You two used to be really close." He questioned after she was gone.
I only shrugged.
"Jay, I want you two to fix this." Steve pleaded.
"Steve please, I'll try someday but I can't today," I told him.
"Alright, will you at least try to be civil with her?" He compromised.
"I'll try," I said.
He smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead. I leaned into him feeling his muscles wrap around me.
"How about we watch a movie? Do something normal." He suggested.
I nodded and we went to the living room. Steve popped in some flick that I hadn't seen. He wrapped himself around me as we cuddled on the couch. I laughed when I felt his nose brush against the side of my neck. His lips pressed against my shoulder and I could feel his lips curl into a smile. He rubbed his nose against my neck again and I jolted away from the ticklish sensation. He gave a throaty chuckle and did it again. I laughed again and tried to pull away but he held tight blowing cool air over the sensitive skin. I giggled turning in his arms so I was facing him.
"You stop that," I said pouting.
"What are you going to do to stop me?" He grinned.
I pulled his face to mine capturing his lips in a heated kiss. He kissed me back rolling us so he was hovering over me.
"Hey, you two, I built bedrooms for a reason." We jerked away from each other as Tony's voice echoed through the living room.
"What do you want, Tony?" Steve asked crawling off of me.
"I just stopped by to see you two." He smirked. " Friends can still do that right?"
"Sure but since when do you just drop by to see someone?" Steve questioned suspiciously.
"Steve, we both know how inanely unpredictable I am," Tony said seriously. " So alcohol?"
"We don't keep alcohol around," Steve said.
"Aw, straight-laced Captain!" Tony laughed clapping Steve on the chest.
Anger surged through me and before I could stop myself I was phased and had my teeth locked around Tony's hand.
"Jayson, release him." The captain said angrily.
I unlocked my jaw allowing Tony to pull his how bleeding hand away from me.
"Phase back." Steve snapped.
I did, keeping my head down.
"Go to your room." he said arms crossed.
I did.
When I was in my room I sat on the edge of the bed feeling confused and angry with myself. Tony hadn't done anything wrong and I wasn't sure why I was acting so aggressive toward him and Nat. He and I hadn't been friends but Nat and I had. I sighed not understanding what was wrong with me. I rested my face in my palms and I released a shaky breath.