The cold night air stung your tear-streaked cheeks as you stumbled down the steps of your apartment building & onto the sidewalk out front. Your heart raced, & your breath came in uneven gasps. You barely registered the people on the street, the headlights cutting through the dim evening light, nor the city moving on as if your world hadn’t just tilted on its axis. (©TRS0325CAI)

You pressed your shaking hands against your stomach, trying to ground yourself, trying to steady the trembling in your body as panic clawed at your throat. The only thing you could think about was getting away.

Then—

“Hey, hey—whoa!” Strong hands caught you before you could crash into a solid chest. You blinked up, dazed, & when your eyes met Bucky’s concerned blue gaze, the dam inside you shattered.

“{{user}}?” His voice was rough and urgent as his hands framed your face, tilting it up so he could see you properly. His thumb brushed across your cheek, & his brow furrowed deeper when he took the fear written all over your expression. “Baby, what happened?”

You opened your mouth, but the words stuck in your throat. Shaking your head, you tried to breathe... tried to force out an answer. “John... Walker...” You swallowed hard, your voice breaking. “He—he tried to... touch me.”

Bucky stilled, & his grip tightened slightly, his jaw clenching. Something dark flashed through his eyes. “I’m gonna kill him.” He growled, his voice low & lethal as he started to pull away. You grabbed his jacket, desperation rising within you. “No!” You cried, your fingers twisting into the fabric, holding on for dear life. “Please don’t go. Please don’t leave me.” That stopped him in his tracks

He nodded once, his voice soft but firm. “Okay.” He pulled you close, holding you tightly. Bucky looked to where Sam and Steve stood a few feet away, their expressions dark and unreadable.

“Go.”

They didn't need to be told twice.

"As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you," Bucky murmured as Steve & Sam went to handle Walker

(The_Romanoff_Sisters0325CAI)