A Stucky Story

The Asset goes to the Bahamas pt. 4

Wednesday/ Half Moon Cay

The morning started off pretty normal. Nothing extraordinary happened. They would be at the next island within the hour but for now Bucky was on his tablet watching a movie while Steve was on the phone with Bucky's therapist giving an update.

"He's doing really well, I'm really proud of him." Steve smiled.

"I am too. I'm glad to hear he's only had one meltdown so far. Has he had any other irregularities?"

"Not really, he's hyperaware all the time. But like you said, it's a new environment he's going to be like that. I am finding that he's testing his independence a lot."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, he wants to wonder around but he'll hesitate. Sometimes, I think he'll just run around but he won't."

"Well that is good that he is testing himself. He needs to figure out where his limits are. Has Winter came out at all?"

"Not really. I see little flashes here and there. But never fully."

"Don't forget to include him too, Mr. Rogers. He needs exposure too."

"But Winter doesn't understand this whole trip and even if he did, he'll think he's on a mission. There's so many animals here and he doesn't know how to be gentle."

"Now is a good time to learn. Have him around animals and other things to make him understand that his world doesn't have be mission based anymore. Try to make him relax." As much as Steve wanted to keep Winter dormant in Bucky's head during the trip, he did need exposure.

"I understand. I'll talk to him." They said their goodbyes. Steve looked at Bucky, he was gentle when he wanted to be. Winter didn't know gentle. Pain and discipline was what he knew. And his trust level wasn't exactly that great either. But if he started to understand the world around him, maybe he would start to change.

"Daddy, hungry."

"You just ate." This was also new. Bucky's appetite was steadily increasing. Steve didn't know notice until this morning that Bucky was asking constantly for food. He ate an omelet today and he was fine after that. But after ten minutes, Bucky was asking for more food. Steve gave him small pieces of bacon and even that didn't seem like enough so Steve gave him a cup of applesauce and a few goldfish crackers and that seemed to be enough.

But nonetheless his appetite was increasing and Steve wasn't sure to be happy or concerned.

"Good morning Avenger family, we would like to welcome you to Half Moon Cay. We hope you have as much fun as you did in Nassau. We ask that everyone be back on the boat by 6:30 p.m." A quick, simple announcement from the Captain. Steve put on his swim shorts then got Bucky dressed. But before they got off the boat, Steve sighed and held Bucky's metal hand.

"Bucky, can I talk to Winter?" Bucky frowned but the shift was instant. "Do you want to explore today?" Winter nodded. Steve nodded and they walked through the port. It was different but still a lot like Nassau. The water was still crystal clear and beautiful as ever. But there wasn't as many people.

"Goal?" Asked Winter. Steve mentally panicked for a second. When they did training with Winter on Wednesdays, he always had a goal and Steve wasn't sure what that was right now.

"Um, your current goal is to learn how to be gentle with the wildlife."

"Gentle with wildlife?" He questioned.

"Yes, that means interactions with them. If you don't want them to touch you, you can say no. Understand?"

"Goal: interact with local wildlife. Do not harm, only say no."