Steve trudged back through the door of his apartment. He had just returned from a rather stressful and critical mission, which left him exhausted. It was also somewhere he never wanted to be, ever again.

He entered the kitchen and noticed Bucky leaning against the counter and watching him.

"So," He started. "How'd it go?"

Steve sighed and gave a little half-laugh. "Well, it was exhausting for one. Second, it was somewhere I really didn't want to go.." He shivered and glanced toward the ground for a moment. "Gave me bad flashbacks."

Bucky furrowed a brow and straightened up. "Where?"

Steve swallowed and answered without looking up. "Alps."

Bucky flinched. No surprise there..

He walked up to his friend and slung his metal arm around his shoulder. "It's alright. I'm here now, anyway," Though he clearly couldn't keep the slight nervousness and uncertainty out of his tone.

Steve looked up and smiled, then yawned. "Thanks..I gotta head off to sleep now. I can probably sleep for-" He flinched again. "I can probably sleep for days."

Bucky knew what he was avoiding. He was avoiding the, I can sleep for years, likely because he didn't like being reminded of the ice. And neither did he.

So, he only nodded and watched as Steve retired to his own room to sleep. He couldn't help but worry just slightly.

Steve laid himself out on his bed, allowing himself to fall asleep.

Well, he didn't exactly sleep well..

He woke up with a cry, finding that he was sweltering hot. Sweat beaded his forehead as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, gasping.

His stomach churned and he rushed to the bathroom to throw up. He dry heaved a few times after that.

Bucky rushed over, having been awoken by his friend's distress. "Steve are you- God, Steve.." He walked over and knelt down beside his friend, rubbing comforting circles around his back.

Steve coughed, then leaned back over the toilet and threw up a bit more. His whole body was trembling with fatigue at this point.

Once he was sure it was over, he collapsed backward into Bucky, who caught him with ease and kept him upright.

"Do you want some water?" Bucky asked.

Steve swallowed and nodded in response, pushing himself up against the sink as Bucky exited the room and returned with a small glass of water.

Steve held it to his lips and drank small sips at a time. The sudden nauseous feeling seemed to deteriorate slightly.

"T-T-Thanks.." He stuttered, taking in small, shaky breaths.

Bucky nodded, helping him set the cup back onto the sink. "Just breathe, Steve. Deep breaths.." He sat beside Steve, grabbing his hand and placing it against his chest like he used to do with his asthma when they were both younger.

Steve swallowed, a small shudder being sent through his body. His breathing seemed to steady somewhat, until he let out a pained groan and his breathing quickened again.

"Steve!" Bucky caught him just as he collapsed against his side. Steve's head fell onto his shoulder.

"hurts.." Steve muttered, not lifting his head.

Bucky sighed and rested his metal hand on his friend's head. "I know.."

He'd ask what happened later. Right now, Steve's health was more important.

"Come on," He slung Steve's arm around his shoulders. "Let's get you back to bed.."

Steve grunted with the effort and half-walked, half- being dragged by Bucky, back to the bed. Bucky let him down gently and he pressed the back of his palm against Steve's head and pulled away.

"Fever.." He muttered. "Hold on.."

Bucky disappeared for a few moments before he returned, ice-pack in hand. He rested it on Steve's forehead, who recoiled slightly at the touch.

"Hey, it's okay," Bucky reassured, giving Steve's arm a quick squeeze.

Steve turned over suddenly and vomited into the trash can that Bucky had luckily put beside his bed.

Bucky placed his hands on Steve's chest and back to prevent him from falling.

Steve groaned as he laid himself back onto his bed, weakly lifting the ice-pack back to his forehead. "I hate this.."

"Yea," Bucky sighed. "I do too.." He walked to the other side of the bed and laid down beside him.

Steve blinked and looked over at him confusingly. "What are you doing?"

Bucky grinned. "Sleeping with you. Making sure you don't wake up screaming again. Someone's gotta be there."

Steve smiled and let his head fall back against the pillow. "Thanks.."

Bucky shifted until he was curled up against Steve. His metal arm rested underneath him as his flesh arm rested across Steve's stomach.

"'night Steve," Bucky muttered.

"'night.." Steve breathed out before slipping into the dark abyss of sleep.

Bucky stayed awake for a few minutes, watching him as though he would suddenly sit him and vomit again, but he didn't, so he followed suit and fell asleep.