A Bucky Barnes Activist

“You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?” “Hell no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight… I’m following him.”

That really just puts the helicarrier scene in an entirely new light for me. When Steve said his name that wasn’t what brought him back. Not even Steve stating how they are friends. No, it was the oath of devotion.

And once he's pulled Steve from the river, he looks at unconscious Steve and kind of hunches in on himself, like he's *ashamed*

Like he's remorseful at having hurt him.

Then, he went away because he still has the trigger words in his head. He could be used to hurt Steve again.

I just. God. He loves Steve so much. And when you think about how he was always bigger than Steve, always saving him from bullies. Worried about him getting sick, trying to help him after his mother's funeral despite Steve trying not to accept his help...

Bucky's loyalty and love and protectiveness toward Steve is so core to who he is

There should’ve been a scene where you see Bucky pissed. Not at Tony, not at Zemo, at Steve. 

“What is wrong with you?” Bucky demands, whirling on him as soon as they find a place to catch their breath. He can see the apprehension in Steve’s eyes, the question of whether or not Bucky is in his right mind. He honestly doesn’t know. He hasn’t known since before the train. 

“Buck - ”

“You were safe!” Bucky goes on, fighting to keep his movements contained. He knows anything sudden will spook Steve but he’s barely managing to keep a lid on his anger as it is. How could Steve be so stupid? Bucky is dangerous. He is a fucking weapon with the target of all targets painted on his back and Steve  just waltzed into the line of fire in the most recognizable getup on the planet. “Christ, Steve, why did you think I stayed away? You shouldn’t be in the same country as me.”

“They were coming to kill you, Bucky,” Steve says and Bucky’s heart breaks in time with Steve’s voice. 

“You should have let them,” Bucky snarls and immediately wants to take the words back as shock and horror cross Steve’s face in equal measure. 

“I couldn’t,” he says, wringing his hands helplessly. “I had to - ”

“You had to what, Steve?” Bucky demands, his metal arm whirring like it always does when he gets like this. Fuck somehow he managed to forget what a moron Steve is. A stubborn, bullheaded, fucking moron, but God Bucky hates that he’s the reason for that look in Steve’s blue eyes. “Did you think I wanted to stay here? That I wanted to be halfway across the world from you? I couldn’t come home, Stevie, because then you’d get hurt too.” He pauses, trying to collect himself but after two years of only seeing Steve through newspaper clippings and the pictures in his book, after trying to keep tabs on the Avengers - just in case, he always told himself - having Steve here in the flesh is almost too much. There’s something wrong with his chest and the corners of his eyes are prickling like someone’s thrown sand in them. 

Steve doesn’t say a word, just holds his hands out, telegraphing his movements. Bucky doesn’t move as Steve comes closer, and those warm, muscular arms wrap around his shoulders and pull him close. There’s a beat and then Bucky melts into the hug, clutching at Steve like he’s a goddamn lifeline and Bucky is drowning.  

“I just wanted to be with you again, you fuckin’ jerk,” Steve whispers into his neck and then Bucky can’t help the tears that snake down his cheeks, wetting the fabric of Steve’s uniform. 

“Had to keep you safe, punk,” Bucky replies in a hoarse whisper. “That’s my job, remember? Your ma always told me to look after you.” Steve pulls them apart after a few long moments, his eyes searching Bucky’s face.