It was dark and cold as you trudged home to Bucky. You had just finished a mission you did solo, and you were badly injured. Deep cuts and bruises were scattered all over your body. Your cheeks were stung by the cold and tears threatened to fall. You never really cried but you had gashes everywhere and you were freezing cold. Your cuts and bruises felt like like they were burning hot and the surrounding skin felt ice cold.

You knew that you were almost to the apartment you shared with Bucky in Stark tower, but it felt like each step took a thousand years. Once you reached the door of Stark tower, you pushed open the door, and hurried inside. You pressed the elevator button waiting, clutching your arms.

"C'mon, c'mon, elevator..." You tapped your foot. You didn't want anyone to see you.

"(name)? (name), what happened? Are you okay?" Steve's voice came from behind you. You turned and looked at him. He had his worried puppy eyes.

"No, well, I'm- no, I'm not."

"What happened?"

"I was on a mission."

"Were you successful?"

"Yeah but I got some pretty nasty cuts and bruises." You pulled up your sleeve and revealed a deep gash on your arm.

"Oh my god...I'm sorry. Here, there's the elevator. I'll take you up to your apartment."

"Okay. Thanks Steve." You give a weak smile. You two both go into the elevator and wait for it to take you up to the 22nd floor where you and Bucky live together. He wrapped his arm around your shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure that it was awful."

"Thanks. It did suck." The door opened and you walk out.

"See later alright? when you're all patched up?"

"Yeah, sure thing." You smile weakly. You walk down the hall and unlock the door. You stagger in, hoping Bucky won't see you. You knew that he would overreact. Unfortunately for you, he came rushing in.

"Hey (name)! How did the-" He was smiling so sweetly until he saw you were bruised and cut.

"(name), what happened?" He pulled you close to him by his hips and hugged you. You squeeze him back. He warmed your ice cold skin. Even his metal arm was warm.

"I was successful, but I obviously got pretty messed up." You peeled off the coat and winced as it brushed over your deepest cuts.

"Oh god, (name)...I'm so sorry. I'll help patch you up." He led you over to the dinning table. He sat you down then went to grab the first aid kit. He returned, and you clenched your fist.

"This is really gonna hurt, I know." You say.

"I'm sorry." He looked at your arm to see the damage. He looked back up with puppy dog eyes.

"(name), we're gonna need to stitch this up..."

"*sigh* okay. Okay." You take a deep breath. He opened the box and pulled out a needle and thread. You noticed his hands were shaking. You reach out and hold his hands in yours.

"Bucky, you don't have to stitch it up if you don't want to. I can do it." You smile. He looked at you.

"I just- I just don't want to hurt you. Ever." He had tears on his lashes.

"It's okay. Because I know you never would." You kiss him on the forehead and take the needle from him and set it on the table. You both stood up and he pulled you to his chest. He kissed the top of your head and you squeezed his back as you buried your face in his toned chest.

"I love you (name). So much."

"I love you too."