Chapter Text
——-
Bucky thrashed against the men holding his arms back, yelling in Russian that he failed. That he was of no use to them anymore. For a moment, he thought perhaps that meant he could finally go, they’d finally kill him. God, if only. What it really meant was hours of torture before being thrown back in cyro again.
A man stepped in front of Barnes, clearing his throat. Bucky didn’t look up, not caring what he looked like.
“Солдат!” He snapped, striving Barnes across the face, causing a small whimper to escape the asset. “у вас есть миссия! убить капитана америку!” He barked.
Bucky’s blood froze in his veins. “Нет!” He cried, fearfully. Not Steve! He mentally screamed.
“Да, Солдат! Убить Капитана Америку!” He commanded. Barnes opened his mouth to argue, only to be struck again.
“Желание!” The handler yelled. A small whimper escaped Bucky’s throat again.
“проржавевший!”
“Печь!” A loud growl escaped the assets throat, a mixture of warning and fear.
“Рассвет!” Barnes clenched his metal fist, an almost animalistic urge overcoming him.
“семнадцать!” A loud cry escaped his bloodied lips, “Steve!” He called, desperate to cling to the few, broken memories he had.
“доброкачественный!” The blood that piped in his veins was replaced by a passion for one thing alone, and what it was terrified Bucky.
“возвращение домой!” Barnes yelled out, “My name is James Barnes! I was in the army for years! I was a howling commando! Steve is my best fiend! I won’t kill him!” His head thrashed against ever syllable he produced. “I WON’T KILL HIM!”
“один!” The handlers tone was cruel, mocking his agony.
Bucky awaited the final word, the word that would break him entirely. He would be sent to kill his best friend, the love of his life.
Yet it never came.
Instead of the dreaded Russian, a soft cry. “Bucky?”
Bucky. A familiar word, one he knew well.
A nickname for his middle.
Given to him by Steve.
Steve.
Steve was saying his name.
“Bucky, wake up!” A distant voice pleaded. With a jolt, Bucky threw himself upward, almost hitting Steve in the face with a fast punch with his metal fist.
Sweat coated his face, his breath labored as he took in the things he saw.
Four white walls.
Not concrete.
No cells.
No handlers.
No HYDRA.
A man laid next to Bucky, placing his hand gently on his shoulder. ”It’s alright. I’m here now. No-one’s gonna hurt you. It’s just me.” The man whispered.
His voice was easy to recognize, as if his mind was wired for finding this man. Steve.
Bucky shakily turned his head toward the blonde man. “Steve?” He called, scared he might have been hearing things.
”I’m here, doll.” The captain crooned.
“Steve.” James repeated, assuring himself he was actually there.
”C’mere, love.” Steve opened his arms, a comforting smile on his sculpted face.
Without too much hesitation, Bucky allowed himself to fall into Steve’s embrace, small sobs escaping him as his tears splashed on to the captains white pajama top.
”Shh, it’s alright. I’m here. Oh, baby don’t cry, you’re safe now.” Steve whispered, kissing the top of his beloved’s head.
“I don’t wanna hurt you again...” Barnes whimpered.
”You’re not going to.” Steve reassured.
Bucky nuzzled his face deeper into the crook of Steve’s neck, a soft sigh escaping him. “Don’t leave...” he quietly begged.
”I said till the end of the line, and I meant it. I’m not goin anywhere.” Steve insisted, carding his fingers through Bucky’s hair.
Bucky nodded, his cries subsiding.
“There we go, doll. It’s alright.” Steve cooed. “Can I see those beautiful eyes, darling?” He asked softly. Bucky nodded, pulling away from Steve’s hold enough to lock his gaze with Steve’s. “Thank you, gorgeous.” The excessive praise and pet names brought a light pink to Bucky’s cheeks.
”I’ll keep you safe, I promise.” Steve smiled.
Bucky grinned, hesitantly taking Steve’s hand in his right. “Steve?” He asked nervously.
”Yes, babydoll?”
“Can I- can I...can I kiss you?” He mumbled, avoiding Steve’s eyes.
Steve sighed, placing his hand on the side of Bucky’s face gently, “Oh, baby...you don’t have to ask for that. I’m yours, remember?”
With a soft smile, Bucky closed the gap between the two men, gentle- yet not lacking emotion and unspoken words. When the kiss broke, Steve began peppering Bucky’s face with more gentle kisses, speaking between each.
”Oh, Bucky.” He kissed his forehead. “My beautiful Bucky.” He kissed his cheek. “I love you so much, doll.” He kissed the top of Bucky‘s nose, earning a giggle. “You’re safe, my Bucky.” He kissed his temple.
The former Winter Solider’s smile widened, before kissing Steve’s lips. “I love you too, Sugar.” He whispered against the kiss. “And I will until the end of the line.”