Bucky's Arrival

chapter 11

 Steve woke up hearing someone talking. It's still dark out, the sun isn't even up yet. A look at his alarm clock reveals it isn't even 5 am yet.

 "Captain." JARVIS says. That must have been what woke him up. 

 "Yes, JARVIS?" Steve says, rubbing his eyes.

 "Sergeant Barnes is in the lobby."

 Steve is up and running as soon as he hears Bucky's name.

 The elevator ride down is the worst part. It feels like every second is a minute and the elevator seems to be inching along way slower than normal.

 It feels like hours later when it finally lands on the first floor, and Steve is running out as soon as the doors open.

 "Bucky!"

 Bucky runs into Steve's arms as soon as he sees him. "Steve!"

 Steve hugs Bucky tight. He can't believe he's back. He had been so terrified when he'd woken up and seen he was gone, thinking HYDRA had taken him back. He can't lose Bucky again!

 "God, Bucky! where were you!?" Steve asks through tears.

 "Steve." Is the only answer he gets.

 "Bucky I was so scared. I thought I'd lost you again, I thought you were taken from me again." Steve says. 

 Bucky clings to Steve, crying and just repeating Steve's name again and again.

 Steve holds Bucky close and lets him cry for several minutes. It gives him some time to get all his tears out, too. But when he starts to pull away to walk with Bucky back to the elevator, Bucky latches on harder and starts sobbing.

 "Steve. Steve." Bucky cries.

 "I'm right here, Buck. It's alright. Let's get you upstairs now, okay pal?"

 Steve tries again to pull out of Bucky's grip but to no avail. 

 So Steve simply lifts Bucky up, and carries him to the elevator while he still clings on and cries.

 During the elevator ride Steve wonders what happened to Bucky these last 3 days he's been missing. How did he get back? Clearly someone must have been taking care of him, he's clean and dry and wearing new clothes. If Bucky could speak enough to answer, Steve would ask him. 

 The elevator arrives back on Steve's floor, and he walks out with Bucky still in his arms. It's so early still, even though Steve is usually up early anyway, but this is too early. He's been having trouble sleeping the past few days anyway, too busy being worried about Bucky. So he's still tired.

 "It's really early, Bucky." Steve says. "Do you want to go back to sleep?"

 Bucky's at least stopped crying by now, seeming to be comforted by Steve holding him. He nods, but shows no signs of letting go when Steve tries to put him down again.

 "You gotta let me put you down, Buck. Just for a second? I wanna get you changed." Steve says.

 Bucky shakes his head.

 Steve sneaks a feel of Bucky's diaper through his pants. It's dry, but also very thin and cheap feeling, and probably won't last.

 "Are you sure I can't get you into something better before we go to sleep?" Steve asks.

 Bucky shakes his head. "Steve." He says.

 "Yes, I'm here. I've got you." Says Steve. "You don't need anything to eat or drink at least?"

 Bucky seems to consider that, because he pauses, but still ends up shaking his head no again.

 So Steve carries Bucky to bed, and they lay facing each other with Bucky still clinging to Steve. They both fall asleep.