Heartbeat (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Two

Bucky's mind felt hazy. When he was aware, his body felt like it was being burnt alive. Sometimes the scientists cut his skin to see if their serums worked or not. They asked him questions, but he was trained for torture. All he ever said was his rank and serial number, nothing more.

Eventually, Bucky was moved to a different room and strapped down to the bed. In his coherent moments, he fought and thrashed like a wild animal, snarling and spitting at the guards who came to escort him.

Then he found a numb state, not quite the delirious haze, but a sort of untroubled calm. He thought of home, of his family and friends, and Steve. He thought of his Mama's hugs, and Ian's small fingers clutching his own, he thought of Sarah's banana bread and the way the light shone on Stevie's hair.

And when the guards did things that were unspeakable and cruel, he thought of Stevie's blue eyes. When he felt their hands on his hips, he recalled Steve's laughter. When his stomach ached and blood leaked between his legs, he remembered the feeling of his slender shoulders cuddled up to his side, and the glistening, affectionate glances they shared under the stars.

~

Bucky was stuck in a haze as the last batch of serum kicked in. He felt the leather straps being cinched around his waist, ankles, and wrists. His head pounded and his mouth was clammy, and his ears couldn't distinguish sounds anymore. He could feel himself talking, but he didn't know what he was saying. His brain felt like snowy slush, and he didn't have the energy to find out what was happening.

Distantly he heard thunder. He wanted to close his eyes, but they were impossible to move. His body felt stiff and sore. He drifted.

Something roused him. Footsteps. A voice. Did he know that voice? It felt like he did. His lips were moving. What was he saying? He couldn't concentrate.

"Bucky? Oh my God..."

He blinked, but still couldn't process what was happening. A loud tearing sound roused him a little more as his restraints were removed completely, screws clinking against the floor in a rush.

"Hey, hey, it's Steve," A tall, blond man soothed the captive.

Bucky blinked, a sappy smile crossing his face, "Steve?"

Bucky swung his legs over the side of the bed, thankful for Steve's grip on his arm. His head spun dizzily and his legs felt like they would give out any second. Bucky clung to his arms, looking at him.

Same blue eyes, same pink lips, and the same unblemished skin. It had to be Steve...right? Was he hallucinating again?

"I thought you were dead," He murmured, voice just the same as ever.

"I thought you were smaller," Bucky voiced his thought.

Thunder crashed outside, a zip of lightening shining gold and orange against the window. Steve startled, grabbing his friend's waist and urging him forward.

"We have to go. Come on, I got you."

Bucky staggered into the hallway, his awareness sharpening some. The thunder wasn't thunder. It was explosions. Steve had come to save him - of course there was fighting going on.

Bucky's mouth moved without his consent as Steve moved slightly in front of him, releasing his waist in an effort to protect him. Bucky was having a hard time straightening completely, thanks to his bruised ribs, and aching lower back, but his balance was returning and his head wasn't spinning anymore.

"What happened to you?" Bucky questioned.

"I joined the army," Steve sassed, avoiding a true answer.