I hate you, don't I? - Stucky

Wakey, wakey

The last week had been a horrible haze of hospital rooms, classrooms and the gym. Steve would sit with him as often as he could, watching some tv show or film and talking through it as he usually would, but this time Bucky didn't argue back. He hadn't woken up for a week but the staff were confident his injuries were healing well and he would wake up soon. Steve held on to that as he ate lunch by Bucky's side, sometimes joined by Nat or Sam.

To make it even worse, they'd had constant lessons on what went wrong and how it could have been avoided. He had to watch hours of discussion on Bucky's last conscious moments and countless comments on how it could have been avoided.

If he wasn't with Bucky or being reminded of him, Steve was in the gym or outside running mile after mile. He couldn't fall asleep at night with the worry and he woke up earlier than normal mere hours after he'd closed his eyes.

He pushed himself too far in the gym, spending up to eight hours everyday lifting weights or punching at a bag non stop. He'd tried fighting with the other trainees but he found it made him angrier. He had some strong feelings at the moment and it made him beat everyone with ease. He just wanted someone to beat him senseless, but Nat refused to fight him, knowing what he was thinking. But she tried to be there for him, even if she silently ran next to him or used a different machine the other side of the gym.

It was exactly a week after the accident when Steve was running on the treadmill on his fourteenth mile when Nat ran into the room.

"He woke up, Steve!"

The man didn't even turn off the machine, just hopped away and sprinted past Nat and up the stairs. Sweat dripped from his hair and his muscles screamed from all the stress but he only had thoughts of Bucky.

He ran into the med bay to see the nurse standing over Bucky, pressing gently on some of his bruises and shining a light into his eyes. Maria stood beside them talking between Bucky and the nurse.

Steve knew he was crying lightly, but he hopes the tears blended into the sweat and no one could tell.

He stepped in and both women turned around at the new visitor. Maria smiled gently and then lead the nurse away with questions. Steve took that opportunity to rush forward and start fussing over Bucky.

"You're awake", he sobbed. "I was so worried. How are you feeling? Are you okay?"

Bucky beamed up at him but assured him with a carefree smile. "I'm okay, Stevie. I promise. They said I healed pretty good while I was sleepin".

Steve went to brush a hand over Bucky's hair but got scared he could hurt him so ended up putting his hand on the pillow next to Bucky's head. His thumb brushed gently against the man's ear for any kind of contact.

Bucky lifted his arm and held Steve's hand, slowing bring it up to rub on the side of his face to prove he was okay.

"It's okay. I'm not hurtin and they said my ribs are fine and my head isn't swelling. I'm gonna be perfectly fine okay?"

Steve wanted to believe it but the torment he'd been through the last week was putting doubt into his mind. He was worried this was some hopeful dream he'd created to make himself feel better. It was probably a mixture of that and relief that made him start crying again.

"Kiss me". He heard Bucky say.

"Huh?"

"Kiss me".

Steve didn't look around when he leant forward and pressed his lips so gently onto Bucky's. The man pulled Steve slightly closer and encouraged him more. Thankfully he got less worried about hurting Bucky and pulled away with a smile. He knew it wasn't a dream.