Post-serum!Steve and Winter Soldier!Bucky
Takes place after Captain America: The Winter Soldier
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A cool breeze drifted over the two as they lay, gripping the room with a slight, but comfortable, chill. However, Steve was not as comfortable. He gave a small shiver, tugging the covers closer to him. The presumably sleeping figure that lay a foot away from him stirred. "Steve?" Bucky mumbled. Steve couldn't see his expression in the dimness, but judging from the tone of his voice, he probably had a quizzical expression glued to his face.
Steve didn't respond for a moment, his cheeks heating up slightly in embarrassment. He didn't even know why he came in here; last time he checked, he was sleeping in his own bedroom, not the guest room that Bucky now occupied. Since his flee from Hydra, he's been staying with Steve. As friends, he reminded himself.
As friends. The words echoed in his mind, burning a hole in his thoughts. That's what they've always considered themselves, as friends, but Steve couldn't shake his undying desire to be more than that.
"Surprise...." He muttered. Cap had woken up about ten minutes prior, probably due to the cold air that filled the room. When he was brought to consciousness, he had panicked, nearly waking Bucky up. He had forgotten where he was; all he remembered was falling asleep in his bed, then waking up in this foreign room. But it wasn't foreign. It felt that way due to the lack of time he spent in here (which has increased once Bucky moved in). But once his eyes had landed on Bucky, he had instantly relaxed. He was still at home. Safe. And best of all, Bucky was okay, too.
His still sleep-hazy mind was lost in a pit of confusion; why was he in Bucky's room? Especially in bed with him? And most importantly, how did he climb the stairs without falling? Steve shifted a little, hitting his hand against his knee. Agony blossomed from the spot, the much more severe than anticipated pain astonishing him. Guessed that answered his question.
At this, he chalked it up to mere sleepwalking. The fact of the matter, though, was why didn't he go back to his bed once he realized where he was?
The answer was simple. He had the opportunity to sleep by Bucky, and he graciously took it.
He felt Bucky shift a little as well, feeling slightly awkward by the fact that the winter soldier made no response. "Sorry..." The slight embarrassment he felt before didnt compare to the sheepish feeling he felt now. Sighing, Cap turned to sit up, but Bucky stopped him by putting his arm around him. "Stay." He somewhat demanded, his tone soft.
He was surprised for the second time that night, numbly doing what Bucky asked. He felt himself heating up again, but not from embarrassment. Steve didn't know exactly how to describe it. Nervousness? Surprise? Shyness? He didn't care. His mind was more occupied by the fact that Bucky had scooted next to him, his arm still wrapped firmly around Steve. "What are you-?"
"Nothing." Came the muffled response. Steve couldn't help a small smile, not hesitating to snuggle up against his friend. He grew even more flustered when he realized Bucky was shirtless, but didn't hold back. His head rested against his chest, listening to the sound of Bucky's heart as it beat steadily in it's chamber. Steve went even farther and trailed his fingers down Bucky's back; he couldn't help himself.
Immediately, Bucky jerked back. Steve felt awkward once more, a look of worry taking over his features. "What's wrong?" He asked, voice dripping with concern. Steve suddenly felt like he did something wrong, wishing that he hadn't climbed into bed with him in the first place.
Bucky forced his tense posture to go slack as he scooted up against Steve again, assuming their previous position. "Nothing." He muttered, eyes closed. Steve couldn't help but feel confused and he dragged his fingers down his back again, his fingers tracing his spin slowly and delicately. Bucky stiffened a little, and Steve's confusion increased. Why was he acting like this?
As his hands traced the grooves in his back, he remembered. Steve drew his hand back abruptly, instantly filling with both sorrow and guilt. Each of those grooves were memories. Memories of torture, memories of pain, memories of the things he went through. You're probably thinking that he shouldn't remember that. But how can he forget? When Hydra would wipe his memories, it pinpointed only certain things, but definitely not that. Bucky was smart, he knew exactly why those memories were to be kept with him. Simply because Hydra is sick, sick and horrible, and wanted him to remember exactly what would happen to him if he disagreed or did anything of the kind.
"It's okay." Bucky murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of the wind. Steve tentatively placed his hand on his back, tracing the scars once more. If Bucky was bothered by this, he didn't show it, but Steve knew better. He couldn't help the images that flashed through his mind as his fingers ran along the grooves. Horrible images, might he add. Pictures of Bucky being whipped and injured repeatedly, screams of agony echoing in his head. He couldn't bear to touch the marks any longer and instead wrapped his arms around Bucky, holding him as close as possible. Guilt ravaged his mind as he held onto his friend, not going to let go anytime soon. He was the reason for everything that happened to Bucky. If he only he had grabbed his hand...
Steve felt tears brimming, and he forced himself to hold them back. No matter how much he wanted to let them feel. He blinked the wetness from his eyes and held the sleeping Bucky impossibly closer. He couldn't help it. "Don't worry Bucky," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
"I won't let you go again."
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AU;;
Hey first one shot, lmao. I feel like it kind of sucks though so sorry heh. Yeah this just came to me when I was reading a message from my fren and I was like "bro" and this was born. Lmaooo
Anyways thank you you cool cat for reading ilysm never stop being the rad roll you are 😘😆
