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

Book 2: Chapter 2: Deception

Bucky faced the mirror. His expression was blank.

He was chill. He was cool.

He was fine.

He was making a conscious effort to not cry.

He didn't want to leave the bathroom. It was safe here. Nowhere near Sam. Nowhere near bad thoughts and memories.

Safe.

Bucky glared at his expression. Challenging it. He didn't recognise his face. Bucky didn't make it a habit to look in mirrors.

He was scared he'd see the winter soldier looking back at him.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door, causing Bucky to jump. The door swung open to reveal.

Sam.

Looking upset. Looking terrible. Looking exhausted. Tears. Fear. 

Bucky blanked. He couldn't speak, couldn't think. He didn't want to-

'Bucky! Rhodeys been shot!'

Bucky froze. What?

'What... How?!'

Sam was panicking. There were tears running down his face.

'I... I couldn't do anything!'

Bucky forgot his worry about his and Sams relationships and rushed towards Sam.

'Are you ok?'

Sam stepped back slightly, looking momentarily shocked. Bucky was more concerned about Sam's health then his discomfort.

'Uh yeah'

Then he remembered.

'Bucky we have to do something! She's here!'

Bucky shook his head, stuck. He pushed past Sam to run out to the rest of the building.

Sam followed to get the shield.

'Where is she?'
'She shot him and for some reason took him outside'
'Right'

Bucky sped up, forgetting Sam. Then he remembered his friend.

He paused.

But Sam was already ahead of him. He had been keeping pace the whole time.

'C'mon. You're so slow'

Bucky frowned. Had Bucky become slower?

And why was Sam already better? His tears had disappeared.

Bucky shook off the thoughts. He'd deal with it later.

He ran to catch Sam.

They reached the door.

Sam ran to the next room over to get the shield. Before he opened the door Bucky glanced outside through the gaps in the side of the door. He frowned in confusion.

There was no machine.

'Sam...'

Sam had walked back into the room from getting the shield.

But no shield?

Bucky shook it off.

'Yeah?'
'Did you see the machine?'

Sam paused. He looked suddenly different.

Huh.

'No but I assumed it was her'

Bucky shook his head. Before Sam could say anything he pulled the door open.

The courtyard was completely empty.
Rhodey lay on the ground a few metres away. He was unconscious. Bucky ran to him to stop the gunshot wound. He turned Rhodey over to see-