My Little Soldier

Chapter 4

The next day brought a few new discoveries for Sam about Bucky. The boy was highly observant, the curtains had been left cracked opened last night and Bucky noticed every little movement outside of that window. He also noticed Bucky never slept on his left side. He slept on his back, stomach and right side but never the left.

During the night, Bucky didn't make a sound. Sam was completely expecting to wake up to him whimpering or even screaming but not a peep out of him. After a little research on his nightly medicine, one of the antibiotics was going to make him drowsy. And seeing how sensitive his body was already, it was probably making him feel more sedated than anything.

Come morning, they sat in Sam's room watching a home remodeling show. Sam usually caught a jog with Steve in the morning but Steve understood that he couldn't for a while.

Then he felt a poke in his side. He looked down to see Bucky looking up at him. "Yes?" Bucky just stared at him then poked Sam's stomach. "Oh you're hungry." Bucky softly whined. Sam got him changed and into a day onesie.

They went in the kitchen, he made Bucky's milk then fixed himself eggs and toast. Bucky, once again, stared at Sam's plate. Sam thought of putting him on the couch while he ate but he was worried Bucky might hurt himself trying to get back to the table.

"We don't have a lot to do today. Steve and Natasha are going to come by on their break to check on you. Then maybe we can start a little physical therapy." Sam put his plate away, he picked Bucky up and placed him on the couch. He turned on the tv onto Sesame Street.

About mid-morning, Bucky had fallen asleep. Sam had deemed around 10:30 and 11 to be his nap time. He got a little paperwork done, most it having to deal with trial which was aggravating and a little was looking at backgrounds of potential child trauma therapist for Bucky. And he was little worried because Bucky's doctors wanted to get him fitted for an arm in a few weeks. It was a lot on Bucky already.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard a knock on his door. He got up and opened the door to Steve and Nat. "Hey guys."

"Hey where's the little guy?" Nat asked.

"On the couch asleep." Sam let them inside. Bucky had apparently woken up to the knocking on the door. "Well he was asleep."

"I'm sorry, we didn't mean to wake you up." Nat said sitting next to him. Bucky stared at her, he didn't really recognize her. "He looks a little better. Did he sleep through the night?"

"Surprisingly yes."

"Did he sleep in his own bed?"

"I tried but he started crying before I even left the room."

"You do know what that means right?"

"We wasted time on remodeling the room."

"Yes and no. But that does mean he's comfortable with you." Nat smiled. Sam nodded but did that mean Bucky thought Sam was his permanent parent or another foster parent.

"I'm glad he's comfortable." But deep down Sam knew Bucky couldn't get too comfortable. "Can I hold him?"

"If he'll let you."

"Hi, I'm your auntie Nat." Nat said holding her arms out. Bucky continued to stare at her. He went to her and tucked into her side. "You're so small." Then she noticed Bucky's shaking. She touched his bony flesh hand, his fingers were turning purple. "And cold." Nat covered him in his blanket.

"Yeah, he gets cold easily."

"Sam, it's almost fall and if he's shivering now what does mean in fall or even winter?"