Can I share this one thought that’s been in my head for ages? If I had any talent I’d write it but… so like Bucky brushing Steves hair from his forehead is a comfort thing. His mom used to fix his hair like that and Bucky just picked it up. SO in cap ws ending. Where Steve is lying in hospital bed all hurt and just looking so fragile and alone (bless Sam Wilson for being there). I always thought that Bucky had to go see him. Even with all the uncertainty in his head he had to make sure this man is ok. So when Sam steps out to grab a bite Bucky sneaks in. He’s just watching him. Having many thoughts and emotions and then Steve starts tossing it’s clear he’s sort of having a nightmare that’s on top of him being in pain. And Bucky is about to run cause he thinks Steve is waking up but then his hand just kind of gravitates towards Steve and brushes his hair off his forehead and Steve instantly calms. And Bucky just realizes again that he knows this man. All the while Sam Wilson was coming back and for split second he thought The winter soldier is back to finish the job and he’s about to rush in and fight and he just sees the gentleness and suddenly he understands. He understands how much they actually mean to each other… so yeah. This is kind of what I kept imagining. Thanks for reading 🙈
“I’m not going to hurt him,” Barnes says, and Sam is surprised to find that he believes him. If Barnes had wanted to kill Steve, he would have done so already, or waited until he was out of the hospital to track him down.
Swallowing his initial shock, Sam eases his way into the room, hands trembling slightly as he closes the blinds. Hides them away. Idly, he notices that Steve looks calmer than Sam has ever seen him. Lulled by the tender brush of Barnes’ fingers in his hair. He wonders if the trick would work if he did it, but some part of him knows that this is something exclusive between them. Something tells him that Steve would know Barnes’ touch anywhere, even dead.
Sam hovers, unsure of what to do. Barnes is still looking at Steve, eyes soft and confused in equal measure.
“He was having a nightmare, I—“ Barnes clears his throat. “He’s been through hell.”
“So have you,” Sam blurts out before he can help himself, and it’s true, it seems. Barnes looks gaunt. Malnourished and terrified. Like he only knows how to survive; living seems to be a distant concept to him.
Barnes sighs a little, and takes his hand away. It’s his right hand, and it’s shaking. His metal hand is tucked into his pocket. Barnes seems to wait for a moment to see if Steve is going to rouse, but when he doesn’t— staying blessedly calm— he stands. His eyes meet Sam’s. Exhaustion bleeds from every pore, and Sam isn’t sure he’s seen anyone look so lost since he met Steve.
“I’m sorry,” Barnes says. “I didn’t mean to—“
“I know,” Sam cuts in gently.
Barnes ducks his head, and glances back at Steve. There’s a moment where the war that wages in his head is palpable, instinct battling practicality. He wants to stay, Sam can see it. But he can’t. He won’t.
Barnes keeps his head down as he approaches Sam, pulling something out of his pocket. He holds his hand out— the metal one— fist closed around a chain.
Instinctively, Sam takes the item. Glancing down, his heart catches in his throat. In his hand is a set of dog chains, rusting and worn. Weathered by time and war.
“Tell him I’ll be back for these,” Barnes says, voice hoarse. There are tears in his eyes now. “Tell him I’ll be back for them when I know what they mean.”
Before Sam can answer, Barnes is gone. A ghost lost to the wind once more.