Nightmares

Blood and Violence Warning

Steve sat at the table awkwardly. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the wooden surface. Bucky sat across from him, refusing to meet his gaze. It was about 3:00 in the morning, and Steve had entered Bucky's room in the middle of the night, having caught him having a quite serious nightmare. Of course, Bucky had been quite stubborn to talk about it, throwing it aside like it was the least important thing in the world.

To Steve, it was the complete opposite of that. He was worried for his friend, as none of them had spoken a word since their, "argument." If you can even call it that. It was more like a 'Bucky being stubborn,' type of thing.

Both men seemed surprised at the sudden swap of roles here. Bucky used to be the one comforting Steve about nightmares. Steve was the one who was being stubborn, not wanting to talk about it because it, "wasn't important." Bucky had none of that, obviously, because he was becoming concerned of his friend's well being. But that was in the past, and both of them seemed to be completely different people. Almost. Except they'd both most definitely continue to support and comfort each-other in their time of need.

Steve, not quite surprisingly, was the first one to speak up in the awkward silence that came between them. "Come on, Buck..It'll make you feel better if you talk about it. I can help you."

Bucky let an exasperated sigh escape him. He reluctantly looked up, meeting those bright-blue, pleading eyes that Steve just had to have. It seemed to persuade him into things more times than he could count. "I know, Steve...but I just-It'll hurt you. I don't need you doing something drastic over a silly dream," He looked up, a ghostly shadow of a smirk appearing across his face.

Steve scoffed, clearly catching on to what Bucky was talking about. "That was one time!"

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Yea. But just for me? That seems a little far-fetched, don't you think?" He already knew what Steve would reply with.

Steve took a breath.

Bucky sighed. Here it comes...

"No. Not for me."

"I knew you would say that."

Steve furrowed his brows. "Was it that obvious?"

Bucky chuckled. "Knowing you, yes."

His metal arm rested on the table. He reached it over and gently grabbed the glass of water Steve had brought him. He brought it to his lips and drank, before setting it down with a quiet clink.

After a few moments, Steve asked the same question again. Of course, this time Bucky was expecting it. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Bucky sighed and returned his gaze to the somewhat-interesting glass of half-drank water sitting in front of him. "I'll…" he faltered for a moment, before raising his head and meeting Steve's leveled gaze. "I'll tell you in the morning, alright?"

Steve blinked. "But it is morning."

Bucky couldn't help but let out a snort. "I mean, actual morning. When we both have actually gotten some sleep."

"Oh. Okay."

Good enough..

They both stood up. Bucky quickly returned the now-empty glass to the sink before heading to his room. "Goodnight Steve," He said as he stood in the doorway to his room, watching Steve slip into his, but not before responding with a, "Goodnight Bucky," back to him.

The Winter Soldier entered the suspiciously quiet room. He had his gun aimed, ready to fire at any incoming threat. Inside the nearly destroyed brain of his, James Buchanan Barnes fought tirelessly to break free of the conditioning. He couldn't let this happen..not again.

The Soldier approached an opening. One that neither knew that Captain America, or Steve Rogers, was tied up in.

He cautiously entered and spotted the chained figure tied to the ground. The man's head was hung, so he didn't seem to be any immediate threat. The soldier lowered his gun only slightly, in case this man had any tricks hidden up his sleeves.

"Dear god..don't hurt him, please.." Bucky pleaded inside the mind shared by both him and the Winter Soldier.

There was a sudden change of heart from the Winter Soldier, as he dropped his gun, walked over to the man, lifted his head, and slammed his metal fist into his face. Inside his corrupted and tortured mind, Barnes screamed pleadingly for him to stop. But this nightmare seemed off..

Bucky Barnes only seemed to be freed from that torturous nightmare by someone grabbing his arm, yelling and pleading with him in a hoarse voice to stop. One that he, horrifically, recognized as Steve's own. But it was weak...filled with pain and torment.

He blinked repeatedly to get a hold of himself. All at once, reality smashed into him like Thor's hammer. He stared at Steve's beaten and bloodied face. His nose definitely wasn't in the right position, and there was blood running from Steve's lips. He seemed to remember the old days, back in the alley, where little Steve was being beaten up by bullies, each time Bucky having to intervene to prevent his friend from getting badly injured...or worse.

But he never thought, in the end, it would eventually be him who caused his friend suffering and pain. But it was.

Bucky gasped and stumbled backward. The bed behind him being the only thing preventing him from collapsing to the ground right then and there.

He noticed Steve cough and then noticed more blood flowing from his mouth.

He did that.

He hurt Steve…

Steve; his best friend. Inseparable...

He didn't even notice that he had begun to sob until Steve attempted to sit up and reach him, only to be prevented by his injuries. He fell back quickly, coughing and whispering out a hoarse, "It's okay…" which Bucky barely heard.

After a few moments, he rushed back over to Steve and cradled his beaten and bloodied face. All the while reminding himself that he did this.

"Steve.." He croaked. "I'm sorry- I'm so so sorry..I didn't- I didn't mean for it to go this far..I-I'm sorry.."

He felt a hand brush up against his own. "It's alright, Buck…" he coughed. More blood. Blood that he caused. He spilled..

Bucky quickly grabbed Steve's hand and squeezed it with his real hand. His metal one was supporting the back of Steve's head.

"I-I need to get you to a hospital.." Bucky muttered. He quickly and easily picked Steve, who was barely conscious, up into his arms, cradling him to his chest as he ran out the door.

I swear to god I'm locking myself up for this. I'll turn myself in if I have to, if that's what it takes to keep Steve safe from me..