A Stucky Story

The Asset and The Fourth of July pt.1

July 3rd

Flashback

"Stevie, Stevie guess what tomorrow is?" Said Bucky coming into Steve's room.

"Let me guess, the Fourth of July?" Asked Steve. He was just getting over a migraine and he still wasn't feeling his best to get out of bed.

"Well, yes and it is also the day my best friend came into the world screaming freedom. For an early birthday present I give you this." Bucky handed him a box.

"Wow a box, thanks Buck I love it."

"Open it, you punk." Steve smiled then opened and gasped.

"You got me water colors paints."

"Yeah."

"How? These cost a fortune."

"I worked a little around the dock and helped ma around the house. But trust me, tomorrow, your birthday present is going to be huge."

"Should I be afraid?"

"Nope." Said Bucky sitting on his bed.

"Why do you always give me presents days before my birthday?"

"Well, I'm always afraid that you'll slip away from us so I'm making it a ritual that on the week of your birthday to get you something small then on your actual birthday, I get you one big present."

"You don't have to do that Buck, I know times are hard especially with your siblings."

"Aw Stevie, I'll always try to get you something. Even if it's homemade and crappy." Steve held a hand to his heart then they both laughed. The last genuine laugh they both had before Bucky was sent off to war.

End Flashback

Bucky knew something special was coming. Not only was everyone acting weird again, but deep down, he felt tomorrow was something really special. He wasn't exactly sure what it was yet, but he'll get there.

Until he figured that out, his attention was on a puzzle. Dr. Nicole had given him ten piece puzzles to work on during therapy and at home. He liked them a lot even though they made him frustrated sometimes. Steve was told not to help him unless he was frustrated to the point of crying. But so far, he has kept himself calm and has completed four of the eight puzzles she sent to him. Corner pieces were mildly frustrating, they all looked the same but were different shapes and they didn't fit to same piece. 

"Bucky," Steve knocked on the door then entered the sensory room "How are you doing buddy?"

"Hard." He held up the last two pieces of his dog puzzle. One was a corner piece and the other was a middle piece that needed to be turned a certain way.

"I'm sure you can figure it out. You're very smart." Steve smiled at him and sat next to him. Bucky sighed then stared at the puzzle. Why was this so difficult? He put the blue corner piece where it was supposed to be. But the middle piece would not fit.

"Help?"

"You can do it, Buck." Bucky whined then flapped his flesh hand, something he did when he was frustrated. He put down the piece but it wasn't working. Steve was dying to help him, but this was about independence and critical thinking. Bucky stared at the piece for a while then noticed something, the lines on piece wasn't matching up. So he turned it until it matched and he placed it down correctly.

"Done."

"I'm proud of you." Steve took a picture of the puzzle and sent it to Dr. Nicole. "We've been cooped up in the apartment for a while, do you want to go somewhere?"