Bucky's Arrival

chapter 1

 It's a shock when Bucky shows up to the tower one morning out of the blue. It's only been about 2 weeks since the fight on the helicarrier where Steve stopped project insight, and Steve was sure he would have to chase his old friend down. But here he is, standing right in front of him. The sight of him breaks Steve's heart.

 Bucky is filthy. Actually,  that's probably an understatement. He is still covered in dirt and dried blood from their fight and subsequent river bank rescue, in addition to regular grime from apparently not having showered in the past 2 weeks. He is thin, way thinner than the last time Steve saw him, as if he hasn't eaten this whole time either. And the smell, oh God the smell. Not just the musky, sour smell of B.O., although he has that smell too. But it is vastly overshadowed by the sharp stink of stale piss.

 "Bucky." Steve says, sadly. "What happened to you?"

 JARVIS had alerted Steve first, when Bucky just nonchalantly walked in the tower's front doors into the lobby. Steve had immediately rushed down to make sure he didn't leave, or be kicked out, or detained. 

 JARVIS has also apparently alerted Tony, if not the others. Tony bursts out of the elevator in his Ironman suit, hands up and repulsors aimed straight for Bucky.

 "Stand back, Cap." Tony says.

 "Tony no! He's not a threat! He needs help! Just look at him!" Steve yells, trying to pull Tony back.

 "He literally tried to kill you two weeks ago." Tony deadpans. "Seems pretty threatening to me."

 "But he didn't! He saved me! He pulled me out of the water. He's scared, you're scaring him! Just let me handle it, Tony!"

 Tony slightly lowers his hands, but doesn't turn off the repulsors. Bucky just stands there, staring at him wide eyed and frightened. 

 "Start talking, terminator. What are you here for?" Tony asks him.

 "Ready to comply." Bucky replies. His voice is quiet and hoarse from disuse, and more than likely dehydration. 

 "I've got him, Tony. You can go back to whatever you were doing, I'm sure you were busy." Steve says, then, turning to Bucky, "It's gonna be okay, Buck. I'll take care of you."

 Bucky doesn't say anything, just stands there with that blank, wide eyed look. Then Steve watches as wetness suddenly starts spreading across his pants from the crotch, and the liquid splatters loudly on the tile floor under him. His piss is dark, like, way too dark to be healthy. Definitely dehydrated, then.

 "Ew." Says Tony. "Is that why you smell like a dirty gas station bathroom urinal?"

 "Tony! I doubt he did it on purpose! You're scaring him! Just go, I've got him, I'll get him cleaned up."

 "Fine. But if JARVIS alerts me to any threatening or dangerous behavior, he's outta here. I'll be in the lab." Tony says, turning to leave.

 "Bucky. Come on, let's go get you cleaned up. I bet you're hungry, I have lots of food. I'll take care of you." Steve says once Tony has gone. He leads Bucky to the elevator and presses the button for his floor.

 Bucky startles a little as the elevator starts moving and he backs into the corner. 

 "It's okay, Buck. It's just an elevator." Steve says gently. Bucky doesn't answer back, only looks up at him with wide eyes, lower lip trembling. "We're almost to my floor, it's okay."

 They step off on Steve's floor and he leads Bucky to the bathroom first. "The shower's right here, you can use my soap and shampoo. I'll get you some clothes." He says. Bucky only stands there.