Alpine (Sambucky)

Keeping The Cat

"I'm gonna break the door down. Okay, Bucky? If you're not able to get up and open it, that's okay. I'll just get it for you. Is that alright?"

"Nngh-" his voice is strangled but Sam doesn't need persuasion or permission, really. This... Isn't the first time. He easily kick it open and flies to Bucky's side.

We-we gotta stop-breaking doors, I-I know we can fix em ourselves but gee, it's just not... Not fair, you know?

"...I know, Buck."

"It's not fair to the door," he says, trying to keep his voice level so maybe it can seem like he wasn't just having a panic attack that still hadn't fully abated. Meanwhile, he hides his face and his tears behind Alpine's gorgeous coat of fur. Sam tries to pull her away so he can look at his roommate but neither want to budge. She hisses at him, clearly ready to protect her new friend with his life. And despite his annoyance, Sam understands the sentiment.

"Bucky, are you okay under there?" Bucky shakes his head when Sam tries to touch his arm. His entire body is trembling and he knows it but he just can't let go of her. She snuggles into him, warming his heart with the gesture and making him feel awful at the same time because he can't imagine losing Alpine. Can't he have this one thing to love that won't fade away much too quickly?

He's already lost so much...

And then the panic really sets in. He sees images flash across his mind of all the people he's already had to say goodbye to. He sees Steve and Nat, then those he left behind in the 40s and lets go of Alpine, suddenly terrified he might hurt her. Alp gives him a look as she is pushed off his lap, then settles at the base of his feet, curling up into a ball and giving him a few licks before she falls asleep. Bucky can't stop crying, yet tries desperately to stay still so he doesn't bother the cat. It's equally endearing and painful to watch and Sam can't seem to get him to snap out of it.

He's barely breathing as Sam keeps trying to call out to him, ease him out of his locked trance-like state. He moves closer, even risking touching him but Bucky just won't budge. Sam gives in. It's time to pull out the big guns, then. He wraps his strong arms around Buck's shoulders and waits for the tension go ease a little. Bucky blinks back tears, rocking back and forth and mumbles "no" over and over as they begin to pour.

"Bucky... James, please..." He stills. There's a strange look in his eyes when he raises his head to look at Sam and the captain can't help but notice how close they are, swallowing down however he feels the moment their eyes met. His own feelings don't matter right now, he's just glad Bucky is okay. "Shh... Shh, Buck, it's alright... You're okay. I'm here with you. Your old pal Sam Wilson. Remember me."

"...Of course I remember you, idiot."

"That hot sexy bar of chocolatey goodness you eat dinner with?"

"Please shut up. And let go of me, I'm fine. I'm fine," he repeats with more vigour. Whether he's trying to convince himself or Sam, neither of them know but he's stopped shaking so the man reluctantly does as he's told. Sam glances down at Alpine who's been watching them the whole time, giving her head a brush. She juts her body away from him, haughtily prowling towards her bestie who instantly picks her up.

Whatever. You don't even have arms, at least I can hold him back. Fucking cats.

"Why the hell does a wolf like cats, anyway?"

"Ah... You remember the whole White Wolf thing, huh?"

"It's your new hero name, isn't it?"

"Nah... No. Everyone's always gonna know me as that guy. The Winter Soldier. Assassin. Murderer. Another fucker HYDRA used for its fun."