A Pirate's Life

Chapter 8

Bucky collapses on the sand when they make it to the island. He rolls Steve over onto the sand as well and checks if there's a heartbeat. He kept telling himself that he only did this so he could know that he was going to have the joy of killing Steve himself but he didn't really think that, not whole heartedly. Steve's eyes were closed and his breathing sounded ragged, there was surely some water in his lungs. But, at least he was breathing.

Bucky was confused. Why did he save Steve? Why does he care so much? Will the Commodore know what he did and maybe spare his life, or will he not take that into account and kill Bucky as soon as he wakes up? This last thought struck Bucky. As an afterthought he searches Steve for any weapons, so that he could protect himself when Steve woke up and so Steve couldn't try to kill him, if he tried to.

He sits on the beach about six feet away from Steve, gazing out at the now calm water and pretty much praying that his crew made it out alive. Especially Natalia.

Steve coughs and spits up water, gasping in huge breaths when he can. He sits up and searches for his sword, cursing under his breath when he can't find it. He sees Bucky out of the corner of his eye and freezes, frantically thinking. Why didn't he kill me? Did he save me? Where's Peggy, what happened to my crew? Will he kill me, why hasn't he yet? He could've, it would have been easy. Did he take my sword? Will he hold me hostage or something? Oh, idiot. You're on an island, probably far away from Port Whedon no doubt. Please be okay, guys...

Bucky looks over at Steve almost lazily, not scared of him. Steve doesn't make eye contact. He swallows and tries to hide how scared he truly is.