Without a Friend
Pre-serum Steve. Bucky takes care of a sick Steve, trying to do his best to help him as he gets worse.
By Emiliana Keladry
Disclaimer: Avengers belong to Marvel. I don't own them, I'm just playing with them. :)
Author's Note: Part of this story takes place after Avengers 2 and part of it takes place before Captain America. It could be considered a little AU since I don't know what age Steve's mom died. I'm estimating Steve and Bucky to be around twelve/thirteen years old. I don't have a medical degree, but I've done quite a bit of research on Steve before the serum and hopefully I will do it justice. There's no romance between the characters, so you don't have to worry about that. :) Enjoy!
Chapter One
Steve "Captain America" Rogers stretched his left leg out on the couch, letting out a soft groan. He adjusted the pant leg of his sweatpants, making the wound visible. The purple and black bruises around his knee were already fading to green and yellow. In a few hours, it would look better, though the internal pain might linger a little longer. He'd almost lost his knee, having shattered the knee cap fairly severely. With the serum, his body had already begun to heal. But he'd still be out for a few days. At least he wasn't alone in the Avengers facility.
"I made you some tea," Wanda Maximoff said, coming into the living room and handing him a mug. "How's your knee?"
"It's alright." He paused for a moment, examining the extra-large mug. "This mug has my shield on it." Steve grinned at her before taking a sip.
"Mr. Stark bought it for you. I believe he called it a 'get well' present," Vision answered from the kitchen. He finished wiping the dish in his hand and hung up the cloth before coming in to join them. "I do not know how a mug will help you heal."
"Sounds like Tony." Steve laughed, but tried to cover a wince as he moved a little to make himself more comfortable. The air in the room felt a little cool and he shivered once. It was nothing like the drafty Brooklyn apartment he grew up. Tony liked the building cool. After what happened to him in the desert of Afghanistan, Tony hated being hot and Steve didn't blame him. For the same reason, Steve hated ice and being too cold. Normally, it didn't bother him but right now, it felt a little too cold.
Wanda grabbed a blanket from the basket across the room and carried it over. She sat down on the coffee table and looked at his knee. "Are you in pain?" she murmured.
Steve shrugged, thinking of the time he'd been shot three times and put in the hospital after almost drowning. Bucky saved him. "I've had worse."
"I don't want to believe that, but at the same time, I don't doubt you have." Wanda motioned to the blanket in her arms. "May I?"
"Of course. Thanks."
She tossed the blanket over him, keeping her eyes down. Wanda tried to be careful not to touch his knee or tangle his arms in the blanket. There was barely enough fabric to cover all of his muscular form. It was hard to imagine Steve as small or weak. "I didn't think anything could hurt you, Steve."
"I'm not unbreakable." Steve took another tip from the tea, savoring the taste. Wanda made a great cup of tea. "I was breakable as a kid though. Spent a good part of my childhood, sick and looking out windows instead of living life. I don't miss that."
Vision sat up straight. "I have personally seen Captain Roger's medical files and before the serum, he did endure worse, in a time with low medical care, and small chance of survival."
"That's horrible," Wanda whispered. She took the mug from Steve and set it next to her.
Steve shrugged. "Dr. Erskine's serum saved my life. I wouldn't have lived to be very old without the serum. That and my mother was a nurse. She kept me as safe as she could, for as long as she could." He paused, letting the memories of his mother wash over him. "Well, Bucky helped too."
"You had some good caregivers then." Wanda put another pillow behind him and helped Steve lay back a little more.
He let out a sigh. "I still do. Thank you, both of you."
Vision went into the kitchen and came with an ice park, wrapped in a blue towel. He motioned for permission before slipping it under the blanket and putting it on Steve's knee to help him. No medication would stay in his bloodstream long enough. The serum burned it out. Maybe some sleep would help. He let his head list to the side as Wanda ran his fingers through his hair.
"Shh, just get some rest, sweetie." Sarah Rogers ran her hands through her son's sweaty hair. "You're gonna be okay."
She kissed his forehead. The dim lights in the apartment illuminated the sweat beads on his brow. Steve adjusted his position on the sofa, rolling onto his side a little and keeping one knee bent. The sun peaked a little through the heavy curtain. It wasn't going to last. The weather was supposed to change and rain all day according to the paper. Grey clouds crept in. Steve shifted a little, leaning toward her touch. Sarah had to work a twelve hour shift at the hospital today. But Steve was too sick to leave. He'd picked up something and she didn't want to leave him. Steve had been out with Bucky the day before, getting into some trouble with a freezer truck and hotdogs. He'd complained of a headache that morning, but Sarah hadn't addressed it. She thought he'd be okay. He'd had strep throat twice this year. Sickness flocked around her child like a vulture desiring its kill. Her poor Steve. She dipped the washcloth into the bowl of cool water and dabbed at his cheeks, keeping the sweat from dripping into his eyes and hurting him more.
"I'm fine. You can go, Mom." Steve whispered, opening his watery eyes.
Sarah shook her head. "I can try to find another nurse to cover my shift. I don't have to leave for another… forty minutes."
"Mom." Steve gave her a warm smile. "I'll be okay." It would have been more convincing if he hadn't went into a coughing fit as soon as he said it. His lungs were weak, too weak and it made it worse when he was sick.
"Oh sweetie." Sarah rubbed his back, waiting for it to pass. "That's it. I'm staying home."
"Nope. I already figured things out. You don't have to worry about me." He sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm just gonna sleep for a little bit."
She'd always have to worry about Steve. "Okay sweetie. I'll bring back some more asthma medicine. Just holler if you need me." Sarah went to get changed into her nurse's uniform and moved back into the kitchen. She smiled at her son and tilted her head. He looked so much like her late husband, handsome and incredibly kind. Swallowing a sob, Sarah headed back into the bedroom to get ready.
When she emerged, Steve had fallen into an uneasy sleep. He tossed and turned a little, his breathing wheezy. She really should call the doctor and let him know about Steve's illness, but she had to get to work. It wasn't possible to miss another shift this month or she'd risk her job. Sarah kissed his forehead again.
"I'll see you later. I love you."
"Love you too, Mom."
Sarah stepped out into the rain and almost gasped. Steve's best friend, James "Bucky" Barnes stood on the doorstep, shaking the rain from his hair. He smiled at her. Sarah pulled the door closed a little so not to bother her son.
"Hi Mrs. Rogers," Bucky whispered.
She grinned. "I should've known when Steve said he had things covered. Hi James."
"You can call me Bucky." He stuck his hands in his pockets and bounced on his toes.
"I know. Did you –?" she started to say.
Bucky nodded. "Is he sick?"
She adjusted the bag on her shoulder. "Yeah. Fever, joint pain, and his asthma is flaring up. There's some aspirin in the cabinet if it gets worse, even though it bothers his stomach, and –"
"I can take care of him. Don't worry, Mrs. Rogers."
Sarah touched his arm as she walked past him. "Thanks Bucky. I'll be home as soon as I can."
Bucky stepped into the apartment and pulled the door closed behind him. He'd been there so many times. It was just a one-bedroom with a mattress on the floor the two shared. He knew Steve would be on the couch, always trying to give his mom some space. The room felt cool and was bathed in darkness. He could barely see the outline of his friend on the sofa. Bucky turned on the lamp. "Hey Steve. I guess I'm your nurse today."
"Bucky –" He went into a fit of coughs, unable to finish his thought.
Rushing over to the sofa, Bucky helped Steve sit up. "Okay, take short breaths. Slow and easy." Once the spell seemed to pass, he got a good look at his best friend's pale face. "You look like shit." Bucky picked up a cup of water from beside the sofa and held it to his friend's lips.
"Thanks." Steve took a sip of the water. "Thanks for coming." He lay back and rubbed his chest with his little fist. "Sorry I'm… not gonna be any fun."
"That's okay. I don't mind."
Steve let out a gasp. "You aren't worried that you're… gonna get sick from me?"
"Nah, I'm tough."
"Wish I… was stronger." Steve's eyes fluttered a little bit. "I'm tired."
Bucky put a hand on his knee. "Get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
He didn't answer, but vaguely nodded his head and let his eyes close. Bucky adjusted the blanket over him as he stayed beside Steve to keep an eye on him. Steve didn't stay asleep well. He kept coughing sporadically and whimpering in his sleep. Bucky knew he shouldn't have let Steve ride home in that freezer truck. He couldn't handle the cold, not that the cold of the truck caused him to get sick. It had been worth it to hang out with his best friend though.
The rain poured outside, though small drops of water leaked in the window. It seemed even colder. Steve shivered beneath the blanket, despite his rising temperature. Bucky headed into the bedroom and came back with another blanket. As he started tucking it around Steve, he pulled Steve's oversized t-shirt down to cover him more and noticed something. There was a red rash on the kid's stomach and chest, bright against the color of his skin and raw. Damn. It better not be scarlet fever again. He'd already had that. Steve opened his heavy eyes as Bucky went to get him more water. It wouldn't help if the kid became dehydrated too. Steve only took a few sips before turning his head away.
"You need to drink more, Steve." Bucky didn't lower the glass, hoping he'd listen to him. "How you feeling?"
"I could do this… all day," Steve wheezed. He groaned softly, rubbing his hand against his chest again. "Buck, I don't feel well."
"That's pretty clear. You need anything?" The way Steve kept on hand on his chest, Bucky knew the kid's heart wasn't beating right again. It pained him to see Steve like this.
"No. I'm good," he slurred.
Bucky frowned when Steve's cheeks went pink. He suddenly realized it had nothing to do with the high fever when Steve spoke again.
"Actually, I need to use the bathroom." Steve practically whispered the words and Bucky had to listen really closely.
"No problem." Bucky moved to help Steve sit up all the way. He gently eased his legs over the side of the sofa. "Slow and steady."
Steve cried out in pain as his left leg straightened. His knee had been bent while he laid there. "I'm okay!" he said between gritted teeth. "It's just a cramp."
No way was that just a cramp. Bucky's stomach rolled a little as he tried to keep his expression neutral. He helped Steve stand up as he let out another cry of pain. The walk to the bathroom was agonizing and slow for both of them. Most of Steve's weight rested on Bucky, not that he was heavy at all. The kid needed to eat more, but he never was very hungry. Once they finished in the bathroom, Bucky helped Steve back to the couch and rearranged the blankets over him. A few stray tears ran down Steve's hot cheeks. Bucky brushed them away before he could be embarrassed by them.
"I'm cold," he whispered.
"Let the blankets warm you back up. I'm gonna get something for you to eat."
"Not hungry."
Exactly. It meant that Steve did need something in his body. If he was going to fight this, he needed nutrients to strengthen him. Bucky worked quickly. He warmed up some water and soup. After seeping the tea, he carried both to the living room. Steve had drifted back to sleep. Bucky gently shook his shoulder, trying not to hurt him. The heat of Steve's fever felt like it burned his hand.
"Come on, Stevie. I have some soup for you. It isn't poisonous."
Steve groaned. "I've tasted your cooking before."
"I made some for myself and already ate it. It won't hurt you." Bucky held out the bowl, but Steve didn't move to take it. Instead, Bucky sat down in front of him and lifted the spoon of soup, keeping his hand beneath it so none would drip on him. "Come on."
"Stomach hurts."
Bucky made a face, trying to contain his emotions. "I know it hurts. But you gotta eat something. I have some aspirin for you too, but it won't feel good if you haven't eaten anything."
"I don't need it."
"Geez Steve, you're wheezing and your fever is really high. Every little movement hurts you. I can tell. I know you too well. I can't give you the medicine until you eat something." Bucky held up the spoon again.
Steve made a face, but then opened his mouth and let Bucky feed him. His entire face turned pink beneath the pastiness of his skin. Steve managed to eat most of the soup before turning his head away and signaling that he was done. He took the aspirin with a few sips of the tea that had started to cool while Steve ate. Bucky let him hold the mug and headed over to the heater. It wasn't even on. He gave the thing a couple hits before the heater sputtered and began hissing out warmer air. It'd help for now.