Steve started spending basically every evening in Redemption. He always woke up in the tent he shared with Bucky, to the brunet asleep like the dead on the other cot. Steve would gently shake him awake, they'd go see Colonel Phillips, and then they'd go out on a mission. Sometimes Steve brought the Avengers and sometimes they went with a guild he'd met and befriended called the Howling Commandos who pretty exclusively spent their time in the War Zone, and every once in a while it would be just him and Bucky. Those missions were his favorites, personally.
The more time he spent with the brunet the more he realized there was something different about him. Neither Colonel Phillips and Peggy Carter, both NPCs like Bucky, had the same level of intricacy as Bucky did. And it was mostly the little things, like rolling his eyes at Colonel Phillips or actually having to feel for another clip by hand when he couldn't take his eyes off the scope. But what really made the difference were the things he seemed to do subconsciously. Sure, Steve expected the NPC's to act human when he was looking at them, but multiple times Steve had caught Bucky out of the corner of his eye mid-action. Doing something like combing his fingers through his hair to fix it or even playing with his dog tags during briefs.
They were just little things that made him seem so unbelievably human. And then there was the one thing Steve hadn't mentioned to anyone because he couldn't justify it in any kind of AI programming. The way Bucky would jerk away sometimes, obviously fearful, when woken up. The way he would subtly flinch when someone startled him or slapped his shoulder. The kinds of things Steve would expect from a real person suffering from PTSD after spending time as a prisoner of war, not an AI in a video game. Even a VR one as advanced as this.
But Steve didn't dare report it to SHIELD because he didn't want Bucky to change. The more time he spent with the brunet the more Steve realized he was falling for him. And he knew he shouldn't, because ultimately Bucky was a computer program and there was just no feasible way they could be together, but he couldn't help it. Even time Bucky turned his brilliant smile Steve's way he fell a little more. The casual intimacy they shared was almost addicting and Steve had never had a friend like Bucky before in his life.
Steve spent every chance he could in Redemption and had made a name for himself. He was well known enough that even in the lower sections, away from the War Zone, he was often stopped by other players who wanted to talk to him. Get his autograph or take pictures with him. It was mind blowing but he also wasn't particularly fond of it. The NPCs didn't react the same way, but only Bucky was truly comfortable to be around.
So the majority of his time was spent in the War Zone, blasting their way through HYDRA base after HYDRA base. The other players had helped, eliminated less important bases and before Steve realized it months had gone by. But this time, when he entered the game (spawning into the usual tent with Bucky), something was different. As soon as he woke Bucky one of the NPC privates who delivered messages throughout the camp came to the tent.
"Captain? Colonel Phillips is requesting you and Sergeant Barnes come to his tent immediately." The man informed him.
"Be right there." Steve promised and the private saluted before he ran off. He and Bucky shared a look and Bucky grabbed his guns from nearby as Steve snatched up his shield. They left together and weren't interrupted on their walk. The atmosphere in the camp seemed subdued compared to usual and Steve wondered what was happening because obviously it was a big deal.
They entered Colonel Phillips tent as a pair and joined Peggy at the table. "Thanks for joining us, gentlemen. We have a mission of utmost importance to complete and limited time to do it." Colonel Phillips informed them.
"Alright. What are we doing?" Steve asked. He was excited. He'd gotten very good at fighting with his shield the more missions they went on and this mission didn't scare him either.
Colonel Phillips ran his finger along a trail on the map. "This is a train track and we've just found out that Arnim Zola will be on it. Tonight. It's a perfect chance for us to capture him."
"I'm in. Bucky?" Steve glanced at his friend (and there was no lesser word for their relationship) who nodded.
"Of course. What would you do without me?" Bucky replied with a cheeky smile and Steve smiled back.
"Alright. The Commandos should be here any time so let's prep and as soon as they arrive we'll head out." Steve said and Colonel Phillips nodded.
"Then let's plan in the meantime." They did exactly that, until about ten minutes later when the Commandos arrived and then they were off. Steve imagined the journey would have been miserable in real life with how cold it was, but Falsworth had warming magic that made it much more enjoyable. And it took less time than it probably would have in real life.
They had to scale a mountain and found a perch on the opposite side of a very deep ravine. The train track ran along the other cliff wall and overall they were relaxed, laughing and even teasing each other. In fact, only Bucky seemed nervous and Steve nudged him gently. "You okay, Buck?" He asked softly and the brunet nodded.
"Just…" All of the Commandos tuned in to listen, because despite appearances they were all acutely aware that Bucky was an NPC; an important NPC. And this was an important story mission. So whatever was bothering him could be important. "Not much of a fan of heights." was all he said.
The Commandos slumped, obviously wishing that he had said something more useful. But Steve was watching Bucky. He'd never seen the man like this. Bucky was rubbing his arms nervously and eyeing the drop. He even nudged some debris off with his toes and watched it tumble down with apprehension. Steve was about to say something when Falsworth spoke up.
"Train's coming. Better get into position." He warned. Steve, Bucky, and Gabe Jones lined up and Steve took just a moment to squeeze Bucky's arm reassuringly. The brunet offered him the flash of a smile in return and then it was time to go. The train swung around a corner into view and then they were zip lining across the ravine. None of them could fly and Steve kind of wished Sam or Tony or even Thor (a large outspoken individual who had joined the Avengers shortly after Steve) could have come along because they all could. But it was what it was.
They dropped onto the train and Steve led the way inside, with Bucky following while Gabe kept going to secure the engine room. The fighting was tricky, but not terrible and Steve trusted Bucky to watch his back. Even when they were separated by doors closing, Steve knew they'd figure a way out. They always had. He took out his enemy, a stronger opponent than he'd faced before (and he was so grateful for his shield because even this stronger enemy couldn't shoot through it). Once the enemy was down he got the doors open and in a maneuver they'd never practiced but executed perfectly Bucky and he took out the two HYDRA enemies in the compartment.
Steve didn't expect the stronger HYDRA agent to come back, because he was sure he'd taken the man down, and the first blast knocked him over when he didn't quite block in time and left a gaping hole in the wall. He didn't expect Bucky to pick up his shield (because players couldn't handle other players weapons) and then Bucky was blasted out the side of the train compartment.
Steve took out the HYDRA agent with a throw of the shield, and made sure he flickered away, before Steve rushed over to Bucky. The brunet was hanging from the metal and looked utterly terrified. Steve quickly found a solid handhold and reached out the other towards Bucky. "Come on, grab my hand!" He yelled over the wind. Bucky reached out for him, only to withdraw his hand to cling to the wall when his fragile handhold creaked. "Bucky!" Steve ordered and the brunet reached for him again.
The strangest thing happened then, as Steve's eyes were locked on Bucky's. Steve could see how utterly terrified the brunet was, and honestly he was terrified too. But the silver ring in Bucky's eyes seemed to flicker, for just a second, before the metal gave way with a loud snap. And Bucky fell away with a scream.
Steve felt like he'd been punched in the gut and it took him longer than it should have to pull himself back to safety. But then he couldn't move any further. He stayed there, sitting on the cold metal floor, until the train came to a stop and they met up with Colonel Phillips and a bunch of others, who took Zola into custody. Steve felt listless, empty almost, and couldn't believe how much it had hurt to lose Bucky. Of all the arcs he'd expected the brunet to have, this wasn't how any of them ended. He was on autopilot for the return to camp and as soon as he got back to their… his tent he logged out. He couldn't bear to look at Bucky's empty cot.