Swallows! I missed your name somehow. You, who gave me my first review right before I went to bed way too late and I was in bed grinning like crazy. I re-read it several times. XD Thank you! Loki and Lunar. My day was filled with griping customers. And then I read your reviews. And then there was joy in my life again. Bromance, romance...it all reads the joyful same. Well, actually...but we won't get into that. _ XD I draw comparisons too easily, although to be fair in your case, Loki, I'm Disney-obsessed. Me: "Hey, look at those girls, they look like twins!" Person: "They look nothing alike..." Me: "Yeah, they do! Look! They both have the same blonde hair!" Person: "-_- / I digress again. The promised Truth or Dare chapter. LET IT BEGIN! P.S. I'm not super-knowledgeable about the characters of the Howling Commandos, I just quick-read their wiki-snippets and have vague memories. XD So. Slack? I'll try. Or something. XD

Summary: The Howling Commandos have a long wait ahead of them and they're bored. Bucky suggests truth or dare. Bucky never passes up a challenge. Steve is shaking his head. There's something in the bushes. Frantic, confused gunfire ensues.

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The moon had nearly reached it's half-way point in the sky by the time Bucky made the suggestion that would earn him a future trip to the medical tent. Not that he'd regret it, since Bucky Barnes was never one to back down from a challenge.

...

"Boredom is a form of torture. It really is. The next time we need information from a prisoner, that's how we'll get it." Gabriel Jones decided as he stretched his legs, as if that would make leaning against an overturned tree any more comfortable.

The Howling Commandos had set up a make-shift camp and fire and settled in for a long wait. They were to meet up with a contact to get information and a few supplies for their next mission. But there was a large window of time open for the contact's arrival so waiting was all they could do for the time being.

Dugan snorted. "No objections here."

Steve regarded his team with amusement, although he was no less bored. A good six hours had passed since they'd arrived, and he knew the men were getting antsy. "I don't know, that seems pretty diabolical. I'm not sure they'd survive long enough to tell us anything."

Bucky chuckled as he tossed a stick into the fire just to watch it burn. Hell, watching paint dry had to be more exciting than this. But what was there to do in the middle of a forest? They weren't allowed to have alcohol, of course, so there wasn't even that to occupy or warm them. Speaking of which, it was getting pretty damn cold, the fire couldn't keep the chill out of the air. Reminded him of the old days a bit. It could get pretty chilly in Brooklyn when you couldn't afford a heater.

"That's it!" Bucky exclaimed as an idea from the old days suddenly struck him.

Several of the men tensed at the outburst, ready for an attack, and Steve eyed Bucky with a lifted brow. "Uh...what's it?"

"Who's got an empty water canteen? Anyone?"

After a few exchanged glances, Jim Morita tossed his canteen over. "Have fun?"

"Oh, you better believe it." Bucky grinned in triumph, and Steve shot him a curious glance. "Ya've all played truth or dare before...right?"

Steve blinked and then laughed, Dugan grinned, Jacques Dernier smirked in a way that suggested he'd done much more than that, Montgomery Falsworth and Morita seemed puzzled, while Jones slowly grinned.

"Truth or dare being...what exactly?" Falsworth queried.

"No way! Y'never played? Ah, shoulda thought'a this sooner. We spin this little guy here," Bucky held up the canteen, "Whoever the cap lands on has to pick truth or dare. Truth, you gotta answer any one question honestly. Dare, you gotta do whatever you're dared to do. Easy enough, yeah?"

"Sounds better than nothing." Morita shrugged.

"Stop talking and spin the damn bottle." Dugan said, still grinning.

Falsworth seemed slightly dubious still, which was just his luck since when Bucky spun it, the cap landed on him. "Truth or dare, Monty?"

Falsworth scrunched his nose and then sighed. "Truth, I suppose."

"I got one." Dugan said. "How old were ya the first time you sowed the wild oats?"

Falsworth didn't seem to get the question at first, and then he coughed. "You know, that's a little private..."

"Gotta answer, rules are rules." Bucky grinned.

"C'mon, Monty, fess up!" Jones cheered.

Falsworth eyed them all before he muttered. "Nineteen."

"Damn!" Bucky exclaimed. "That old?"

"I waited by choice, thank you very much."

"Not by your choice." Dugan jibed and the men all laughed.

Steve felt for Falsworth, and he hoped he wouldn't have to admit that he still hadn't 'sown his wild oats'. Bucky knew, but he knew the other wouldn't throw him under the bus.

Falsworth sniffed indignantly, but he wasn't all that bothered as he spun the bottle and it landed on Dugan. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare." Dugan said firmly.

The men all considered it a moment before Jones grinned. "How about a song? Something sappy."

Dugan could be a vocalist when he was drunk. All gusto and no pitch-control, and it was a funny sight when he got to singing some of his dirtier ditties. But making him sing something sappy was going to be even funnier.

Dugan scrunched his nose. "Why the Hell would I know a sappy song?"

"You like Lana Lane, don't you?" Morita noted. "I've heard you humming her songs before."

Dugan scoffed, but the men all seemed in agreement and Dugan aqueisced. "What the Hell. Have it your own way. Let's see...ah...oh, okay." He coughed to clear his throat dramatically before he started belting out a woman's song to her man. Dugan used expressive gestures and did a terrible, off-key impression of a woman at the high parts. "Annnd my man left me at the altar...to run off with another...now I'm broken-heeaaaarted and blue...so I'll go grab my gun and have a little fun-"

"Now you're makin' stuff up!" Jones laughed, but none of them minded as Dugan finished the song with parodied lyrics that had them roaring with laughter.

Dugan spun the canteen with a grin, and it landed on Dernier. "Truth or dare, Jack?"

Dernier smiled slyly. "Truth."

Falsworth took the question. "Okay, you answer this one! When did you...you know. With the oats."

The men around them laughed, and Dernier lifted a brow.

Dugan was chortling. "Waste of a question. He's French. He was born sowing."

"I was twelve." Dernier announced smugly, and Falsworth seemed stunned while the other men hooted and hollered.

Bucky whistled. "Vive le France!"* And the men all laughed.

Dernier spun the bottle, and it landed on Steve, who had until that point been content to watch his team at play. He was particularly glad to see Bucky in high spirits. The nightmares had finally lessened, and he didn't see so many shadows in his eyes.

Steve inhaled as he thought it over and replied. "Truth."

"One honest answer from our very own Captain. Whatever will we ask?" Dugan chuckled.

"Mr. Goody-two-shoes never tells lies anyway. It's a cheat." Bucky teased.

"Conformément à la tendance..."* Dernier started. "Who holds Captain America's heart?" he drawled.

"Ooh! There's a good one." Jones chuckled.

"May as well." Dugan chuckled.

Steve, who had prepared a side-step answer for what he expected would be the wild-oats question, was caught off guard. "My...my heart?"

"Y'know. Little red thing that pumps the blood in your chest." Jones clarified.

Steve thought of Agent Carter, her deep eyes and that silky voice...the slinky appearance she'd had in that red dress...and swallowed hard. He couldn't admit that. It was...no way.

"The answer's in the name, guys, he's Captain America. His heart belongs to his country." Bucky drawled as he clasped his hands and batted his eyes, and the men laughed. "Come on, gimme that." he snatched the canteen.

"The captain didn't answer." Falsworth pointed out. "And it's cheating to take it, isn't it?"

Steve had a feeling Bucky knew exactly who he'd been thinking about and why he didn't say anything. And as usual, Bucky had come to his rescue.

"It's not cheating, it's manuvering." Bucky clarified.

"Well, then, truth or dare?" Dugan drawled.

Bucky grinned. "Who'dya take me for? Dare. And it better be a good one."

"Oh, is that so?" Jones queried as the men mulled it over. Dugan beat them to the punch.

"Okay. I got one." There was a small river about sixty feet off, shallow and slow-running, but it'd do the trick. "The river over there." he inclined his head. "Jump in it-"

"Dang, that's gonna be cold." Jones noted.

"If he'll do it." Morita seconded.

"'Course I'll do it. A real man never backs down from a challenge. If you can call it that." Bucky, cocky as always, drawled as he started to rise, and Steve frowned at him in concern. He didn't want to mother-hen in front of the guys, but even if it wasn't as cold as it presently was, he didn't think it was a great idea.

"Hey, now, you didn't let me finish!" Dugan interrupted. "You gotta jump in in your birthday suit."

There was a split moment of silence, before a mixture of catcalls and laughs filled the air.

"Oooh, that's gonna be fun." Jones laughed.

Bucky had paused at the rest of his dare, and he looked to the smirking, grinning men who were staring at him expectantly.

"Well, c'mon, Barnes. Are you a real man or not?" Dugan taunted.

"C'mon, guys, he doesn't have to..." Steve started.

"That's all?" Bucky interrupted as he started to pull off his jacket and his shirt. "I'll show you sissies how it's done."

"All the way in." Dugan emphasized. "No dipping your feet."

"Sounds great." Bucky drawled, and the men chuckled.

Steve caught Bucky's gaze for a second, and Bucky knew that troubled, worried expression all too well. He shot Steve a confident grin and winked, and while Steve didn't seem relieved, he sighed and shook his head.

Bucky got down to his boxers, and in the flickering firelight, Steve could see more than few scars that he knew weren't from his regular missions. They were from Hydra. The sight made his stomach clench, and the urge to protect Bucky rose within him. But he couldn't protect Bucky the way he'd like, they were soldiers, they were at war...and Bucky was going to do what he wanted. Steve just had to do the best he could.

"Boxers off too, Barnes." Dugan said with a smirk.

"Yeah, yeah. Just didn't want to make you sorry chumps jealous." Bucky taunted. He fought a shiver, determined to keep a brave face despite the task ahead of him. This wasn't going to be fun, but he'd sure put on a show.

"He can take 'em off by the water, I don't wanna see that crap." Jones scoffed, grinning though.

"Someone should go with him, make sure he goes in."

Bucky rolled his eyes. "You don't trust me?"

"I'll go." Steve offered as he rose.

"They're sandbox buddies, that's no good." Jones commented.

"Captain America never lies, remember?" Falsworth pointed out.

Dugan grinned. "I'm good with that, have fun, Barnes."

Dernier tossed him a small blanket. "You'll need that."

Bucky caught the blanket and grinned. "Be right back." It was dark out, but there was enough moon and starlight that he could decently navigate. When they were out of earshot of the men, Steve touched put a light hand on his arm.

"You don't have to do this, Buck." Steve said seriously.

Bucky snorted. "And never hear the end of it if I didn't? Hell no. Anyway, it's fine. You know I've done worse." he grinned wickedly at Steve, who fought the urge to smile even as he shook his head.

"You'll get sick." Steve advised.

Bucky scoffed. "I never get sick, don't be such a girl."

"I guess we'll see, jerk." Steve shrugged knowingly. And then he added. "Thanks for...back there."

"You mean the part where I saved your sorry butt from having to admit you got it bad for Miss. Peggy?" Bucky's grin was broad and playful as he teased the other.

"Agent Carter." Steve corrected, and he flushed. He was saved from further discussion on the topic as they reached the water's edge. Steve dipped a hand into it experimentally, and he shuddered. "Last chance to back out, Buck."

Bucky eyed the water with a frown, and a bit of a sigh before he grinned bravely and took off his boxers. "Bucky Barnes never backs down." And so saying, he took the leap.

"I told you so." Steve said as they headed back. Bucky had put his boxers back on and wrapped the blanket around himself.

"I'm f-fine." Bucky's teeth chattered a little, and he cursed as he shivered.

Steve's humor fell as he regarded Bucky with concern. "I can give you my-"

"I'm fine." Bucky said firmly as they reached the other men, and the vulnerability that he was willing to show Steve faded as he grinned and shook wet hair at them. "Nothing like a midnight dip, boys."

"He went in, boxers off. I saw. Unfortunately."

There were some cheers and whistles from the men, and laughs at Steve's comment, and Dugan nodded his head, impressed. "Gotta hand it to ya, Barnes, wasn't sure you had it in you." he grinned and teased.

In response to Steve's comment, Jones chuckled. "I didn't figure there was much to see." he jibed.

Bucky lifted a brow while the other men oohed and laughed. He cocked his hip a bit and said saucily. "Oh there's plenty. More than you can handle, that's for damn sure."

Laughter erupted through the men and even Steve was grinning.

Bucky tried not to show how eager he was as he discarded the blanket and put his dry clothes back on. "Oh ye of little faith." he drawled, before a sudden crack from the bushes not far off drew their attention. The men were up in an instant as they grabbed their arms and got into defensive stances. Bucky pulled a hand-gun at the ready and he joined Captain America in being the first line of defense moving towards the sound.

There was another rustle, and Bucky took aim at the bush as they approached slowly. "Come out slowly, if you value your life." Bucky called out, and there was no response. He and Steve exchanged a tense glance. Boredom had surely flown out the window now.

If it had been their contact or an ally, they would have gotten a response. It could only be an enemy. Bucky glanced to Steve who nodded, and about ten feet from the bush, Bucky fired into it.

"Reeee!" came a shriek as a raccoon darted out of the bushes and right at Falsworth, not far behind Bucky.

None of the men had expected it, and the snarling ball of fur that charged Falsworth caused the man to jump back with a yelp while Jones and Morita each fired shots on instinct.

"Hey, watch it!" Dugan jumped back, while Dernier had chosen to fire in response to the other men doing so.

The raccoon gave another screech and the men were all in a flurry a moment to find the creature, who then took off into the forest.

There was a long, silent moment as the men-hearts racing and bodies tensed, suddenly burst out laughing.

"Did you see his face." Jones was laughing hysterically.

"You're white as a sheet, Monty." Bucky clapped his leg and laughed.

"It could have happened to any one. A big, vicious raccoon like that..." Morita grinned, and the men laughed in response.

Steve rolled his eyes, and Bucky grinned. "You were looking a little nervous there, Cap." He tended to save 'Steve' and 'Steve' for when they weren't in the company of other soldiers, although all knew about their long-time friendship anyway.

"Seeing your reflection in my eyes, maybe?" Steve retorted.

"Well, that was more fun that I thought we'd be having this evening." Falsworth coughed and said.

"Apparently." said another voice, and a mustachioed French man regarded them with lifted brows. Behind him, a small wagon and four other men stood watching them with varied expressions. The contact.

The Howling Commandos all straightened, back to business as they shot each other guilty expressions.

"I'm Captain Steve Rogers-"

"-Raccoon hunter, yes, I've seen." The contact seemed amused, which was a relief, because it meant he probably wasn't going to go back and report that they'd been...occupied.

Steve coughed and grinned sheepishly as he held out his hand to shake the contact's. "It was a long night."

"Jim Mercer. And it's not over yet, my friend."

As the Howling Commandos made their way back to the fire and the awaiting wagon, the men exchanged a glance behind Steve's and Jim's respective backs.

Dugan pointed at Falsworth. "His face." he whispered.

Bucky made his fingers like claws and bared his teeth at Falsworth, who-in a very uncharacteristic move, flipped him off.

Several men had to clap their hands over their mouths to keep from laughing aloud, and as Steve glanced back at them, Bucky shot him an innocent grin.

Steve just shook his head with a smile and returned his attention to the contact.

Bucky and Dugan looked at each other, and silently laughed.

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The ending was a little silly, but I didn't have a more clever way to do it and the whole story was silly, so...XD It was longer than I thought it'd be. But it was fun to write. I felt like I was chilling with them. XD Bucky had to get buck naked. I almost made that a joke in there but birthday suit seemed more applicable. Anyway! I spent way too much time of my few hours after work measuring myself because I'm biting the bullet and ordering a costume since I still haven't learned to make them. I'm going to be the Winter Soldier and Loki. And I'm excited. And I digress. Again. Point being that this is likely all I'll be able to have written for the night. XD Now that I've got you all lulled into a false sense of security...the next chapter is going to be heartbreaking. Hopefully. [I can't decide if it's sad or idealistic that I'm hoping that? XD] It's called Snowfall. And let's just say that it's to do with Bucky and a certain traumatic incident. XD Thanks for the support, peeps! You rock my world! Enjoy! ~Witchy~

AH, P.S. Vive le France is 'long live France'. And the thing Dernier said was 'keeping up the pattern'. Bear in mind I used google translate. I don't promise accuracy. Just. The attempt of it. XD