Bucky didn't bother to knock on the apartment door. The spare key that had mysteriously appeared in his and Sam's possession turned the lock and pushed it open.
Steve would recognize the signs of deep-rooted stress immediately. As much time as he spent with Sam, Steve knew him better than anyone, and it was Steve he barreled to and wrapped in a crushing embrace.
"I'm sorry," he croaked, arms protectively tight around the other man. "I know you're fine but this... I keep waking up thinking it's our old apartment, and I have to make sure you didn't die overnight because I stopped watching."
It would probably be medically impossible for Steve to get any illness after the serum, but that didn't shake the memories. It didn't erase the endless nights he fought sleep because Steve's immune system was non-existent, and he'd gotten sick despite how careful they tried to be.
@captain-outoftime
















