Sambucky - Figuring out feelings: Book 1, 2 And 3

Chapter 14: Exhaustion

Bucky softly groaned. He had been keeping a brave face for Sam but now the pain had really set in. He attempted to stand but almost passed out half way up. Uh. He had to be useful. Wait.

Sam.

He had just sent Sam into a burning building.

'Damn it'

Bucky had not been thinking. But gunshot wounds did that to you. Messed up your brain. Bucky forced himself up the wall, clutching his arm and-

Sam.

Back already.

Bucky had taken longer to stand then he had thought.

'Bucky! Stay down. You need an ambulance! '

Bucky shook his head and limped towards Sam, obviously in a lot of pain. His leg too?!

'I'm... I'm fine'

Sam looked him up and down, obviously not taking that as an answer. He reached out to Bucky to support him. Bucky reached for him, not in support... In-

Bucky hugged him. Sam froze.

'Uh... What is this for?'

Bucky pulled away slightly, wincing in pain. Close up Sam could see the dark circles under his eyes. He faced Sam gripping onto his arms tightly to support him. He was pale. He bit his lip and was silent for a second. He took a deep breath. Sam didn't know what to expect. Bucky's lip started bleeding. Sam raised an eyebrow in concern. Bucky sucked in a breath in pain.

'Yep i'll take that ambulance'

Sam studied Bucky's face.

'And you only decided that because of a cut lip?'

Bucky blinked. He looked exhausted. Blood loss. But... Something else. He again reached for Sam and leaned into him and hugged him again, supporting his whole weight on him. Sam tried to hold him up but he was so. Damn. Heavy.

Super soldiers.

'Bucky. C'mon let's go'

Bucky didn't speak for a second. He just held Sam tightly. Sam felt strange. Bucky was acting strange.

Everything was strange.

At last Bucky whispered.

'OK...'

Sam pulled back from the hug in confusion. Bucky didn't usually do what Sam said. Hmmm. Something was up. Bucky gave him an innocent look. But a very exhausted one.

'Is there something you want to tell me?'

Bucky frowned.

'Like?'

Sam opened his mouth to speak and Bucky winced in pain as Sam shifted his weight slightly. He yawned suddenly. Sam turned to him in surprise.

Bucky hadn't been this tired the whole time... Had he?

'Actually just get me that damn ambulance'

Sam shook his head, smiling again, trying to forget Bucky's bullet wound and sudden exhaustion.

'Lets go'

They walked out to the front of the newly extinguished building, flashing lights, supporting each other.

✨ Samuel ✨

Sam sat in the waiting room. Bucky was not injured enough to have to stay overnight... Strangely enough. The serum enabled him to heal quicker and he would be OK in a few hours.