Stucky One-shots

Pure

Best friends since childhood, Bucky Barnes and Steven Rogers were inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield."

Steve bit his lips slowly, and he felt a lump in his throat. A feeling of loss ran through him as the words reverberated through the Smithsonian.

All around Steve, there were voices of children exclaiming in delight as they looked at the exhibition. Adults laughed and friends took photos, all their eyes lit up with happiness. Steve only stared slowly at the video reel of his best friend, laughing happily, and memories ran through his mind.

Bucky! Hold my hand!

Tears threatened to fall down Steve's cheek and he lowered his cap. How could all these people be so happy when James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was no longer alive? How could people walk around the exhibit without a care that Captain America's best friend was gone? Even after he wore the Stars and Stripes, after he held that fateful shield, Bucky had still only seen Steve only as the little kid from Brooklyn that he knew.

And he had been the only one who had seen Captain America as Steve Rogers.

Steve walked over to the panel that honoured his best friend and read the words that told his story. He looked at the picture of his best friend, his face frozen in a fierce look, and a tear let itself lose.

*****

The soul of heaven arrived in generous water pellets; in a heavy downpour. There was a quality of rain that opens the soul heavenward, for it speaks upon the skin the same as the hand of a loving protector. After so much heat in the morning and afternoon, the heavens broke to release a torrent of rain, a respite. The setting Sun shone a light as stars danced on the celestial stage.

The parched soil wicked it away to the distant water table below, the only puddles forming on the impervious tarmac sidewalk. It was a gift to the dehydrated flora and the animals who grieved over the dry stream beds. Bucky hit the punching bag over and over again in the gym of Avengers Compound, and Steve smiled softly, hands in his pockets, watching him.

"Hey, Buck, wanna practice with me?" Steve enquired, walking over to Bucky. He ran his fingers through Bucky's chocolate brown hair. Bucky nodded, and Steve grinned.

Bucky threw the first punch at Steve, which he blocked. Steve grinned, and asked, "Still a punk?" Bucky laughed, and bit his lips. "Maybe." Grinning widely, Bucky threw another punch in Steve's direction, and this one caught him straight in the chest.

Steve choked slightly, the colour leaving his cheeks for just a second. He fell backwards and panted, looking up at Bucky. Bucky's eyes were pooling with tears and time seemed to slow around him as he looked at Steve. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, his voice hoarse to mask the tears that were threatening to flow. Bucky's voice was shaky and his entire body was trembling like a leaf. With that, he slowly backed away from Steve and walked into the apartment in the Compound he shared with Steve.

Groaning softly from the impact of the punch, Steve leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes. He knew that Bucky never meant to hurt him. He knew that Bucky would never hurt him intentionally. But did Bucky know that? Sighing, Steve got up. He no longer felt anything from the punch and made his way up to find Bucky.

"Hey, Buck," Steve whispered, knocking quietly on the door, "It's Steve." When no sound could be heard from inside the room, Steve knocked again, slightly harder, and heard a muffled sob. He opened the door and walked over to Bucky, who was sobbing uncontrollably. He closed his eyes and cowered in a corner of the room. "Hey, Bucky, it's all okay," Steve whispered, inching closer to him. Bucky shook his head, mouthing, "No it's not."

Steve smiled softly and sat down next to Bucky, wanting to engulf him in a tight hug, but didn't. Steve's heart broke as he looked at Bucky. His eyes were red and pooling with tears, and tear streaks lined his face. His body was shaking profusely, wracked with sobs. His metal arm was wrapped around his body, preventing anyone from coming closer to him, and his knees had been brought to his chest.

Just lying smiling in the dark

Shooting stars around your heart

Dreams come bouncing in your head

Pure and simple every time

The words escaped from Steve's mouth, and Bucky stiffened. Steve knew exactly how to calm him, and Bucky knew that he didn't deserve that. Steve moved a little closer to Bucky, putting an arm around his shoulder as he continued, "Now you're crying in your sleep... I wish you'd never learnt to weep." Bucky bit his lip, lifting his head slightly as the night time slowed and raindrops splashed rainbows. He was afraid and ashamed. He didn't mean to hurt Steve. Bucky looked up at Steve with puppy-dog eyes and Steve took that as a cue to give him a hug. He wrapped his arms around Bucky tightly, feeling the warmth of Bucky's body envelope him.

As Bucky felt the unjudging hands of Steve around him, he continued to break down. "I didn't want to hurt you," he whispered in between sobs. Steve nodded, pulling Bucky towards him. Bucky sobbed into Steve's chest and Steve rubbed his back comfortingly. "In your eyes, I've found a place I'll never leave," Steve whispered. Bucky buried his head deeper into Steve's chest, fighting to calm down, not wanting Steve to see him like this. Still, it was a comfort that Steve was always there to give him a hug no matter what.

"Are you ever scared of me, Stevie?" Bucky asked fearfully as his eyes met Steve's. Steve's heart broke and he hugged Bucky. "Never, Buck." Bucky felt the corner of his mouth tugging upwards in a smile as Steve rocked him slowly. Steve smiled warmly and looked at Bucky, his voice barely audible.

"I'll sing a softer tune, pure and simple over you."