Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot and Brook.

A/N The current order for the AWB series is Symbol, Return, Nightmare, Frisbee Game, The Dog and the Storm, Raccoon Guy, Two Days, 34 Years Going on 100, and now Sputnik.

This is a Bromance, and an intense one at that, but if you want to see it as a romance that's fine!


Adventures with Bucky: Sputnik (part 2)

Steve was only seconds behind Tony when he reached the Hydra base. By the looks of things, Tony seemed to have blasted in through the walls; so he decided to kick the door down. Steve felt momentarily overwhelmed from by the commotion he could now see. They had assessed that there were at least six agents in the building, and they had planned a deliberate attack with Natasha about how to take them out and retrieve his friend safely. However, as soon as his eyes had landed on Bucky, strapped to that cursed chair, his eyes wide and terrified, nothing else mattered but getting to his friend.

In one savage; rage filled movement, Steve delivered a killing blow to the temple of the nearest agent with his shield, before charging head on towards his friend, punching and kicking at anybody who got in his way. He was briefly aware of Tony blasting away anybody who got too close, allowing him safe access to his friend.

When he got to him, the first thing Steve noticed was Bucky's relief filled eyes and heaving chest, then the crackle of electricity emanating from the device just above Bucky's head, threatening the figure below it. Not wasting a moment, Steve turned to the computers next to the chair and went to work at deactivating everything with a cancel button. First, the electricity stopped, then the restraints on the chair clicked open.

His arm now free, Bucky flung the mouth guard aside disgustedly, before turning to face his friend. "Steve," he rasped, voice breaking.

Steve was back at his friend's side in an instant, helping him out of the chair. Bucky collapsed to the ground, and Steve followed him, pulling Bucky's shaking form into his arms. He felt like he was going to be sick, horrified at how close to disaster they had just come. He felt his friend clench the front of his shirt with his hand, breathing in deep, ragged breaths. Steve moved to rest his chin on his friend's head reassuringly, which was hidden against his chest. "I got you, Buck. You're safe. You're safe."

Bucky began to shake in a different way, his shoulders rising and falling slightly. Then came a muffled sob.

Steve felt his heart break, and tears began to well in his own eyes. He hadn't had to comfort Bucky like this since he first came back to him. Breathing deeply, Steve began to gently run his fingers comfortingly through Bucky's messy hair, repeating his mantra of reassurances as his friend cried. Sensing another figure nearby, he looked up to see Tony standing silently at the other side of the room, surrounded by fallen Hydra agents. He looked unsure of the situation. Carefully, Steve nodded in his direction, giving his thanks.

Tony returned the gesture, before turning to exit through the broken down door, presumably so he didn't startle Bucky by suddenly taking off through the ceiling. Steve supposed Natasha was waiting for them in the car, either for their return or call for backup. He guessed that Tony would fill her in, or she would figure it out herself. Most likely the later.

Steve let them stay there for a moment, allowing Bucky time to let his emotions out. He knew that Bucky had started showing a lot of reluctance to express any fear based emotions lately, and he needed to let it out. So he waited, offering more reassurance. Slowly, Steve felt Bucky's shaking stop, and his breathing slow.

After a few more minutes, Bucky moved his head away from under Steve's chin. Steve adjusted, so they were face to face, able to see Bucky's red and tired eyes. He tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. "You ready to go home?"

Bucky nodded, looking increasingly tired, "yeah." He offered a small smile, "home."


The drive back to the Avengers Tower had started off with a troubled silence. All three of those inside the car lost in their thoughts, mulling over what had just happened. Natasha was in the front driving, while Steve and Bucky sat in the back. Steve had taken the left window seat with Bucky resting against him, head on his shoulder, exhausted.

Bucky could feel Steve's arm wrapped comfortingly around his waist. He sensed that Steve was also taking comfort from it as well, needing the reassurance that he was safe and still with him. He also knew that Steve was probably beating himself up on the inside, blaming himself. Steve had promised him this wouldn't happen when he had first returned, though it had happened. He didn't want Steve to feel like that. "It's not your fault Steve," he said.

Steve looked down at Bucky, surprised. "How did you…?"

Bucky shrugged as best he could, not moving his head from Steve's shoulder. "Just did."

"I made you a promise, Buck," Steve said, bowing his head. "I broke that promise."

Shaking his head, Bucky lifted his head so he could see Steve, "No you didn't, I'm still here."

"I'm still sorry."

Bucky closed his eyes, moving his head back to Steve's shoulder. He was too tired for this. "I'm the one who should be apologising."

Natasha, who seemed to know that this conversation could last another century, decided to speak up. "Steve. Bucky. It's no one's fault, so no one needs to apologise," she said, turning the car to the left smoothly. "Besides Steve, you haven't told Bucky yet."

Bucky raised his head, feeling confused. "Told me what?" He turned to look at Steve in question.

Steve gave him a small smile. "Brook's still alive, Buck."

After a moment, when the full meaning of Steve' sword sunk in, Bucky smiled. A wide toothy grin. The first one in a long time. He felt a sudden rush of happiness; not all was as bad as it seemed.

"Sam picked her up," Natasha said, meeting Bucky's eyes in the rear-view mirror. "She's been seen by a vet but has to stay a few nights for observation."

Bucky sat up, no longer leaning on Steve. "Can we go see her?"

Steve tightened his arm around Bucky's arm, "It's a bit too late at night, Buck," he said, looking guiltily at his friend, "I promise we can go see her in the morning."

Bucky sighed, feeling disappointed. He let himself fall back against Steve's side, once again resting his head on his shoulder. "Ok, Steve."


Steve had been reading in bed for a few hours now, but somehow hadn't been able to read more than a few pages, his thoughts distracting him. His mind was yet to process the events of the day entirely, and he was once again reminded how quickly a normal, peaceful day can turn into the complete opposite or normal and peaceful. Sighing, Steve once again moved his eyes to the top of the page, trying to focus on the words on the page instead of the ones in his head.

Then there came a knock on his door.

He knew who it was in an instant, though before he could get up the door creaked open, revealing Bucky, his eyes showing just how tired he was. Steve felt concern bubble inside him. "You ok, Buck?"

Bucky shook his head, entering the room, "can't sleep. Not without Brook."

Steve nodded in understanding, before gesturing to the space next to him, "you want to lie down?" he asked.

Bucky nodded, running a hand through his hair. "If that's ok with you?"

"Of course it is, Buck," Steve replied, shuffling over to the left. "You can stay as long as you want."

Seeming less anxious now that he wasn't alone, Bucky moved over to lie down on the right side of the bed. He stared at the ceiling, right arm resting on his chest. "Thanks' Steve."

Steve smiled, glad that his friend had decided to come to him instead of lying awake all night. "No problem, Buck," he replied, before chuckling suddenly, "on your left."

Bucky rolled his eyes, shoving his left shoulder into Steve's side, "let it go Steve. Sam and I are tired of it."

Letting out a laugh, Steve placed the book on his bedside table and lied down as well, "Never." Inside jokes were the only form comedy he seemed to get right, or fall victim to it would seem. He didn't dare swear in front of any of the Avengers now, especially Bucky, who found it absolutely hilarious when he found out about 'language.'

"Hey, Steve," Bucky asked, turning his head to look at Steve.

"Yeah, Buck?"

"I think It's time we got rid of the deactivation word, the trigger words didn't work on me when they said them," Bucky confided.

Steve rolled onto his side, so he could see his friend, feeling a swell of pride in his chest. "Really? That's great Buck."

Bucky moved so he was also on his side. "Yeah, for a second I thought what we had been practising wouldn't work, especially when it was actually them saying it. But the words didn't do a thing," he said, looking sheepish at the sight of the proud look on Steve's face. "I just wish I didn't let them know they weren't working."

Realising them was referring to Hydra, Steve gave Bucky's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Is that why they were trying to reset you?" he asked gently.

Bucky looked away, tears threatening to form.

Steve clenched his jaw, feeling a pang in his heart as he let his fingers run comfortingly through Bucky's hair once. "You're safe now."

Bucky nodded. "I know."

They lay there for a while. Bucky's eyes were closed, but Steve couldn't seem to close his, and not because of the light. He couldn't seem to look away from his friend, afraid that if he did Bucky would simply disappear or somehow turn out to still be in the hands of Hydra. Steve sighed, pushing the thoughts aside and instead began to study Bucky's face. He wouldn't say he looked peaceful, for his jaw was set, and his brows were knitted slightly, but he didn't look nearly as distressed as he used to look when he slept.

"Steve, can we got to sleep now, my shoulder is kind of hurting from lying on it for so long."

Not asleep then, Steve realised, turning off the lights. "Of course, Buck."

"Night, Steve."

Steve smiled, "night, Buck."


Bucky couldn't stop fidgeting. If he had to sit in this bloody waiting room for one more minute… It wasn't even a doctor's waiting room; they were at the vet! Sighing, he began to tap his knee up and down, nervous about the whole ordeal. What if she doesn't trust me anymore? What if she's too badly hurt? He shook his head anxiously. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Brook was alive, and that's all that mattered right now.

"You okay, Buck?" Steve asked, placing a hand on his shoulder to still him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just nervous is all."

Steve nodded, "I'm sure she's fine Buck."

Bucky hoped that Steve was right. "I can't bear to think about her being hurt. Believing her to be dead was painful enough, but knowing she is in pain and alive is worse," he said, running his hand through his hair.

"That's how I felt when I found out you were still alive," Steve said quietly.

Not sure how to respond, Bucky looked to the ground.

Steve frowned, "I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Buck," he said worriedly.

"No, I mean I know. I just- I don't know," Bucky said, his brow furrowed.

Steve gave him a reassuring smile, "that's ok, Buck."

They sat quietly for a few more minutes, watching as many people and their pets came and go. As the minutes wore on, Bucky began to feel increasingly anxious, so it came with great relief went the receptionist finally gave the all clear, and he was allowed to proceed.

And there she was.

Well, most of her. Bucky felt his heart skip a beat when he saw that his dog was missing most of her right foreleg. He went to her side in a sudden lurch, needing to see her up close so he could comprehend she was alive.

Instantly, Brook began to lick his face excitedly, and Bucky's fears disappeared. He laughed happily, scratching behind her ears. "You gave me quite a scare there, Brook. You had to go and get yourself shot didn't you?" he said, smiling.

Brook simply licked his face again.

"Ok, I know you're sorry. Just don't throw yourself into trouble like that again, ok. I'm ok too, thanks to you," he praised. "And look, we have matching missing limbs now," he finished, trying to put away with some of the anxiousness he felt at the sight of her missing foreleg.

"She suffered severe tissue damage. The safest option was to remove the limb," the vet said, her heart warming at the reunion. "We can fit her for a prosthetic leg when she is recovered."

Bucky rubbed the back of Brook's neck. "Yeah, that sounds good. I'm due for a new arm too, so we'll soon me matching," he said light-heartedly.

The vet smiled, "I'll let you know when she's able to go home," she said. "For now though she needs to stay here and get some rest under observation."

Bucky took the hint that Brook needed to sleep, reluctantly, he moved away, but not before scratching her ears one more time. "I'll see you again soon Brook," he said sadly, before turning to the vet. "Thank you, for everything."

The vet smiled. "It's no problem."

Giving a sad smile, Bucky walked out of the room, leaving Brook behind.

When he reached the waiting room, Steve jumped to his feet. Seeming ready to offer any support necessary. "She's fine. She lost her right leg, but she's fine," he said, letting Steve give him a quick, reassuring embrace.

Steve pulled away. "Are you fine too?"

"Yeah. It was a bit of a shock, seeing her like that. But I'm ok. We're going to have matching limbs," he said, trying to smile.

Steve nodded his head at Bucky's left shoulder, or what was left of it. "We should see if Tony's designs are ready yet."

"Ok fine, but I want a shield painted it on it this time. And I want one of those blasters or a laser beam. I'm not accepting anything less."

Steve chuckled, "You're ridiculous."

"Say's the guy who jumped out of a plane without a parachute."

Steve threw his hands in the air in defeat. "Oh my God, that was one time!"

Sensing an opportunity, Bucky gave him a look of mock outrage. "Language, Rogers!"

Sighing in defeat, Steve rolled his eyes. Seeming to realise something, he gave a smirk, "Raccoon Guy."

"Ultimate Frisbee Thrower."

"Jerk."

"Punk."