(Disclaimer: I do not own any of the marvel characters mentioned in the story, all credit goes to Stan Lee and Marvel)


Bucky wakes to warmth on his chest and his chin resting on a muscled shoulder. Which was concerning because last he remembered, he had been sitting on the hydra tank that Dugan and Jones had liberated from Johann Schmidt's camp. Granted he hadn't planned on sitting there long, it was a lengthy trip back to base and there were other more worn down soldiers who could use the rest, but he just really needed to get off his feet for a moment before he collapsed. He had no idea all of what that god damn crazy scientist Zola had done to him, but his body felt like it was one big mass of pain, and no matter how he tried to hide it, had a very obvious limp in his step. When they reached base, he decided, he would get a very quick shower and sleep for a few hours before doing anything else. For now he would just take a quick break, just long enough to collect himself, and march on.

Bucky remembers sitting on the far corner edge of the tank, trying to take up as little room as possible so others could sit down; Remembers the blissful feeling of finally being off his feet and not having to move; Remembers watching Steve, talking cheerfully with the other soldiers, asking if they needed any medical attention, help carrying things, or a break. Bucky was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the little punk he had last seen in Brooklyn was not only now arguably one of the strongest men in the world but also at eye level. Still his smiling face and caring personality was all Steve, and it made Bucky smile to know at least that much had not changed.

As if he could sense his thoughts, Steve looked over at him, laughing at something Morita had said. Bucky gave him a half wave, half salute, and a small grin of his own before turning his attention to the scenery. He remembers deciding to close his eyes only for a minute, just a brief moment, and then he would get up and start walking again...and that's the last thing he remembers. All he can figure is that somewhere between him accidentally falling asleep and now is that Steve somehow decided it was completely normal and acceptable to piggy back him back to base.

Bucky knew he should be horrified, and embarrassed beyond all reason, and in the back of his sleep muddled - still exhausted brain he was; but Steve was warm, and smelled like the home he had been imagining while enduring Zola's experiments and torture. He also didn't seem to have noticed Bucky was now only feigning sleep.

Just a little bit longer, Bucky decided. Just a few more minutes, and he would 'wake up' and kick and yell at Steve for carrying him like some weak little kid, but for now he was going to recharge just a while longer.