#coldstory

You can read part 1 HERE

Disclaimer 1: I do not own anything in the MCU.

Disclaimer 2: Steve deals with his trauma related to the plane crash and freezing by facing it head on. I am not an expert in dealing with trauma, so I do not recommend this method for everyone. 

****

Bucky snuggled closer to where Steve had been, but he only felt air. He blinked his eyes open to find where Steve went. He saw him huddled over a pot of what smelled like soup over the stove. Bucky sat up and shivered when the blankets slipped. Steve saw the movement out of the corner of his eye. 

“Mbornin’ Bun,” Steve sniffled, wiping his nose on his shoulder. Bucky grabbed the topmost blanket from the bed and wrapped it around himself. 

“Mornin’ babydoll,” Bucky yawned. He shuffled behind Steve and wrapped his arms and the blanket cape around him. Steve snuggled up to him and stifled a cough. 

Bucky kissed his boyfriend’s forehead. “You feel warmb, honey.”

Steve coughed again. “It’s ‘cause I’ve been over dthe stove all mording. You’re warmb too.”

“Dhat’s ‘cause I’ve been in bed all mborning. You sound so snuffly, too,” Bucky said as he pressed a kiss to Steve's neck. 

Steve pretended not to hear Bucky and just focused on stirring the soup. "Stormb is still going strodg. *snff* Mighdt have to wait a bit for dhat bubble hod tub." 

"Hopefully not too long. *snff-snff* You sound like you need it," Bucky worried. Steve turned away to cough again. Bucky used this time to blow his nose. "You want me to take over while you warm up in bed?" 

"No, I thingk dhe soup's warmb edough…," Steve was cut off by a tickle in his nose. He barely had enough time to turn away from the stove before it happened. "*ih… hih… ihhTSHSH! Heh-KSCHMPHhh! Ehh'shmphff! Ugh...*" 

"Bless you! Those just sounded like they hurt," Bucky sighed, wrapping the blanket around Steve. The blonde looked at him with sleepy eyes, a red nose, and fluffy bed head. He was about to protest again, but was cut off by a coughing fit. 

"Bun?" Steve began. 

"I got it, honey," Bucky answered. "Why don't you go sit down and I'll bring it to you?" 

Steve nodded. He shuffled over to the rickety dining table then blew his nose, too. Bucky handed him a bowl of hot soup and a spoon. He kissed Steve's forehead again then sat beside him.

"Thank you," Steve smiled. Bucky returned the expression when Steve brought the blanket over his shoulders, too.

"Id's so code in here," Steve muttered. 

"It'll ged beter once the *fih… hih-ih hihh'TCHSHhoo!* once dhe fire's on," Bucky insisted with a sniffle. He felt Steve shiver then kiss his cheek.

"Should we call the others and let them kn-know… *hih* know we're *hih uhhchssmpff!* led themb know we're gonna be studck *heh- eihh-t'shshxxx!*" Steve wiped his nose on the edge of his blanket again..

"Yeah, we should. *ehhTSCHhuugh!* And you should stop trying to hold back your sneezes. You're gonna get a nosebleed and I only have so many tissues!" Bucky chastised. 

Steve nodded. "When dhe storm clears up a bit, I'll give 'em a call. There's a strong radio id dhe Quidjet. *hishhhoo!* It should be able to readch themb."

"You shouldn't go out there when you're sick, baby. It'll just make things worse. And we both know that storm isn't slowing any time soon," Bucky argued. He shuddered harshly as he brought the spoon up to his mouth again and dropped it into the bowl with a loud *CLINK!*. Bucky fished out his spoon and tried to pretend like nothing happened. 

“What else could we do, Buck-Buck? Our only chance of getting out of here might be that radio. Nobody would even start to worry about us for the next few days, then who knows when they’ll send a search party. We don’t have enough supplies to last that long. And frankly, I don’t think either one of us wants to be frozen again,” Steve reasoned.

“Then let me do it!” Bucky insisted. “I’m used to doing missions in the snow. And besides, you already nearly froze last night.”

“What about your arm?” Steve worried. “We weren’t out in the snow for very long yesterday, but you were still almost frozen. I’ve also been working with the Quinjet longer. I can find a way to make that radio work.”

It was a good thing that Steve was using his puppy eyes to convince Bucky to let him go out; although he was making great points, Bucky still didn’t want him to go outside. Bucky sighed in defeat and nodded. 

Steve perked up. “Thanks, Bun! It’ll be really quick, I promise,” he said, standing up. Bucky placed a hand on his shoulder to gently push him back down.

“Soup first. It’ll at least keep you a little warmer,” he explained.

****

The snow was piled so high outside that none of the doors couldn’t be opened without an avalanche rushing into the cabin. The super soldiers decided to use the window in the bathroom as their door for the time being. The window was high enough that it hadn’t been snowed over yet, and the bathroom door could be shut to keep more of the cold air from seeping into the rest of the cabin.

Bucky and Steve took the time to fill the bath halfway with water from the tap before the latter went outside. The tap water was chilly, so they used whatever pots and pans they had to boil water and add it to the bath. Once the water was just above lukewarm, it was time for Steve to go out. He only had on his jeans and long sleeved shirt to keep him warm. The blonde was already shivering before the window was opened.

“Stevie, I really think you should at least put on a jacket and gloves. You’re already cold, and it’ll be worse once you get outside,” Bucky pleaded.

Steve shook his head and rubbed his arms. “The s-s-snow’s gonna soak th-through all m-m-my l-layers. It’s b-b-better to keep th-them here s-s-so I can w-wear ‘em to warm up.”

Bucky was really starting to regret letting Steve do this. “Alright. You have fifteen minutes before I follow you out there to make sure you’re not freezing to death again.”

With that, Bucky opened the window, shivering harshly as the wind and snow snuck in. Steve took half a step back, then a couple of quick strides before finally diving out of the window. He heard the window shut behind him once he landed. 

Steve shakily pushed himself out of the snow and started to walk. The snow was still so loose he kept sinking down to his knees with every step. The snow crept down into his boots and clung to his pants. The captain pulled his sleeves over his hands, then tucked them under his arms. He was starting to wish he listened to Bucky about bringing gloves. 

Finally, the silhouette of the Quinjet came into view. Poor Steve was absolutely covered in snow, his whole body shuddering, his teeth chattering so much Bucky probably heard it, and his feet were numb. Steve continued on until he reached the entrance. His trembling, ice cold fingers struggled to open the ramp with the emergency lever. It didn’t help that every time he moved his arms away from himself, the wind would take advantage of his exposed side. 

The soldier almost cried when the ramp slowly lowered itself down. Steve didn’t wait for it to open all the way. He scrambled inside the second the opening was big enough. Now that he was out of the storm, the Quinjet felt almost cozy. It was still absolutely frigid in there, but it was just cold: not windy and snowy and wet and cold like outside. Steve took a few moments to thaw out his hands so he could operate the radio. A small gust of wind would sneak in through the ramp every once in a while, sending a chill up his spine. While he was waiting he glanced around in the hope that maybe he and Bucky overlooked a blanket or a coat. He knew it wasn’t likely, but Steve was so cold he had to try.

“*guh… ugh… ugh’HHhhh’tschIIEW!*” Steve sniffled, then wiped his nose on his sleeve. He kept rubbing his hands and blowing into them, but it was hardly doing anything. Steve was too cold to keep waiting. He wanted to get back inside with his warm boyfriend and their warm-ish bed. So, the Captain struggled to turn on the radio with unsteady hands. It took a few tries because he kept accidentally pressing the wrong button or flipping an extra switch. At long last, Steve got a signal. He hugged himself while he waited for it to stabilize, praying that he could control his rattling teeth enough to convey a message.

“Huh… Hello? D-D-Does an-nyone c-c-c-cop-py?” Steve called. There was nothing but silence and Steve’s shivering for an agonizing few moments. And then, a miracle happened.

“This is Falcon. I copy. You alright Cap?” Sam answered. Steve wanted to cry with relief. 

“Y-Y-Y-Yeah. Uh-Uhm, B-B-B-B-Buck-cky and I-I are s-s-s-strand-ded ou-ou-out he-here unt-t-t-til the-the-the… *fffffff* t-til th-th-the s-s-s-s-st-storm p-p-p-pass-ses. W-W-We’re c-c-c-c-c-cold *buh-buh-buh*but fffffin-ne,” Steve chattered. He prayed Sam understood him.

“Copy. I’ll have S.H.I.E.L.D. drop some supplies out to you guys. We’ll keep an eye on the storm from here. Once we have an opening, we’re gonna get you guys outta there. You guys need anything else besides food, water, medical supplies, and extra blankets?” Sam replied.

“A-A b-b-b-batt-t-tery p-p-pow-wered sp-sp-sp-sp-spa-ace *huh-huh*heat-ter m-m-m-might b-be n-n-n-ni-nice,” Steve half-joked and half-wished.

“Got it. Now go back inside before you turn into a Capsicle again. Over and out,” Sam agreed. 

Steve turned off the radio, then sat back in the pilot chair. He did it. He and Bucky were gonna be okay. Steve pushed himself up to head back inside. The howling wind hit him like a bus, making his already violent shaking worse. Steve struggled to get the ramp closed again. This time, he had to hold it up with one hand and reset the switches with his other. The wind blew at him from seemingly everywhere at once. It kept lifting up his shirt and making his stomach spasm hard enough from the chill that Steve almost doubled over a few times.

The Captain reluctantly gave up after a few tries. Bucky’s threat of following him outside convinced Steve to leave the ramp down. Besides, they were in the middle of nowhere in a storm. He doubted anybody would mess with the Quinjet. Steve followed his deep footprints back to the cabin. He tried to step exactly where he had the last time so he wouldn’t get anymore snow in his boots. 

After a frozen eternity, Steve made it back to the window. Bucky was already waiting for him. He opened the window the second Steve came close enough. The sergeant nearly had a heart attack when he saw Steve almost frozen solid.

“Put your arms around my neck, then I can lift you inside without dropping you,” Bucky explained. Steve nodded, more than eager to get close to his boyfriend’s warmth. 

Steve wrapped his arms around Bucky’s neck and buried his face in his shoulder. Bucky moved his arms to rest under his shoulders and his butt. Then, he eased Steve through the window and set him on the toilet lid while he closed the window. Steve mewled when Bucky moved away.

“It’s okay, babydoll. I’m gonna be right there,” Bucky promised. He had never heard Steve make that kind of a noise before. The blonde was always insisting he was fine no matter what. So to hear him make such a vulnerable, desperate sound scared Bucky. He kneeled in front of Steve to examine his condition. Steve looked at him through frost-covered bangs. He was making puppy eyes again. 

“Right, let’s just get’cha in the tub. I’ll take off your boots and we’ll deal with the rest later,” Bucky decided. He let Steve lean on him while he untied his laces. An almost comical amount of snow fell out of each boot. 

“*Buh-buh-buh-buh-buh-buh-buh-*” Steve tried.

“It’s alright, honey. You’re gonna be alright, I promise. I’m gonna lift you up one more time, okay? Can you hold onto me like the last time?” Bucky soothed. Steve managed to nod, then wrap himself around Bucky once again. The brunet lifted him from the toilet lid and gently set him into the bathtub. The snow and ice coating Steve began to melt in the warm water. The ice in his hair was a little more stubborn, though.

Steve sighed as the warm water enveloped him. It was soothing at first, then it felt like someone was taking a blowtorch to his skin and needles to his hands and feet. He whimpered and moved to get out, but Bucky kept him in. Steve looked at him with pleading eyes.

“Hang on, baby. I’ll cool the water down a little more. We can’t make it too cold or you’re just gonna get colder,” Bucky explained. He poured one of the buckets of tap water into the tub around Steve. That seemed to help. Steve relaxed a little more until he was leaning against the back of the tub. 

“That better, Stevie?” Steve nodded. “Good. Lemme start gettin’ this ice outta your hair.”

Bucky had Steve lean forward just a bit so he could use an empty soup can he thoroughly rinsed out to pour water over him. Bucky would scoop up the water from the bath, pour it over Steve, then dunk the can into one of the pots with warm water to pour into the bath. The temperature increased slowly enough that Steve didn’t seem to be bothered.

“How’re you doing, honey?” Bucky checked. Steve was almost asleep now. His shaking calmed down enough that he was no longer making little waves in the bath water and all of the ice and snow was off of him. Steve was too focused on trying to stay awake that he barely heard Bucky. 

“Alright, punk. Let’s get you changed,” Bucky said, mostly to himself. He decided to leave Steve in the tub while he removed his soaked clothing. It would be easier to get it off that way, and the cold material wouldn’t chill Steve all over again. It was a bit of a struggle since Steve was barely awake and absolutely no help. Eventually, Bucky stripped him down completely. He did one last check to make sure the three towels they found were within arm’s reach. 

Then, Bucky scooped Steve out of the water. Bucky’s shirt was completely soaked now, but he would change in a bit. Steve was the hypothermic one. Bucky propped Steve against him to wrap his still shivering body in one of the towels. The towel covered enough of Steve’s lower body that Bucky could sit him on the toilet seat again while he dried the rest of him. 

Steve's breath started hitching once Bucky turned around.. "*hih-ih-ih… hih… heh-heh Ehh’tchSHSHhhugh! Huhh’TSHSHSHuuughh! Ih’CHIEW!*"

“Aww, bless you honey. Just stay with me a little longer, okay?” Bucky murmured. He rubbed one of the towels over Steve’s hair until it was dry and fluffy. He did the same for the rest of Steve’s body, but was a little gentler so as not to aggravate his sore muscles and frostnipped skin. Once he was satisfied, Bucky took off his soaked shirt and helped Steve to his feet.

“C’mon, babydoll. Let’s get’cha bundled up, okay?” Bucky soothed. He led them out to the living room in front of the fireplace, which was burning strong. Bucky set Steve on the sofa, still bundled in towels. The blonde held his shaking hands up towards the blaze, but he was too far away to burn himself. 

“I’ll be right back, honey,” Bucky promised, kissing his hair. Steve was so focused on absorbing the warmth that he barely noticed. Bucky changed into a dry shirt since his bare chest was making him start to shiver, too. He returned to Steve’s side with every single article of clothing they had with them. They were roughly the same size, so Bucky used both of their clothes.

Bucky did one final check to make sure Steve was dry, then began the long process of bundling him into the layers. He started with a pair of boxers, then a shirt. Bucky alternated between shirts and pants so Steve didn’t have to stand for too long on his shaky legs. He continued adding Steve’s sweatpants and jacket, then his own sweatpants and jacket. Then, Bucky layered on their five remaining pairs of socks onto Steve’s feet and gave him both pairs of gloves and mittens. Steve looked a bit like a marshmallow now, but he also seemed to have a bit more color in his face.

“There ya go. How’s that? Better?” Bucky checked, sitting beside his boyfriend. Steve’s shivering had calmed significantly. It was still constant, but Bucky wasn’t worried Steve would shake himself apart anymore. Bucky could still hear and see his teeth chatter, so he wrapped both of their scarves around him. 

Steve slumped against Bucky and started to fall asleep. He felt Bucky’s breathing become irregular. Steve glanced up to check on him right as Bucky turned away to sneeze. “*IttchsHHUMPH! ich’mPHSHH!” ih’tschHMMFF!*”

“O-Oh,” Bucky blushed when he realized Steve was looking up at him. “Sorry, baby. Had ta let those out.” 

Steve sat up to take off one of his coats, but Bucky stopped him.

“No, babydoll. You need those more,” he insisted.

“Y-Y-You’re s-s-s-sick, t-t-too-o,” Steve worried. 

“And you’re still freezing!” Bucky argued.

Steve sighed. He snuggled up right next to his boyfriend, then reached over the sofa to grab the blanket they wrapped themselves in during breakfast. He pulled it over Bucky, then tried to lay on top of him.

“What are you doing, you goofball?” Bucky laughed.

“K-K-Keep-pin’ y-y-y-you w-w-warm,” Steve answered. 

“Okay, okay! You win,” Bucky conceded. He and Steve adjusted themselves so Bucky was propped up by one of the back sofa cushions and Steve was pressed between him and the back of the sofa. They were so tall compared to the sofa that their feet were hanging over the opposite arm. Bucky draped the blanket to cover both of their feet, then Steve arranged his outermost jacket so his arm was in one sleeve and Bucky’s was in the other. They were both wrapped securely in a cocoon of fabrics and each other.

That was more than enough to lull Bucky to sleep. Steve stayed awake for a while longer, making sure his boyfriend really was okay. Bucky seemed to be a little more congested, and his face seemed slightly flushed. Steve attributed the flush to the glow from the fire. Now that he was certain his Bucky was okay, Steve let himself fall asleep too, his shivering finally slowing to a stop.

****

Part 7

Type of Story: Continuous Fiction Story

Genre: Romance, Love Drama