Shaken

by OnYourLeft107

Set during the Avengers' Civil War, Steve and Bucky struggle with their situation while regaining their playful friendship from times past. After Sam goes missing, the two set out to track him, only to be attacked by Hydra in the process. Bucky is taken, and SPUTNIK is initiated. Steve joins Sharon and Team Cap as they attempt to rescue their friend from the clutches of Hydra.

21. Chapter 21

He could barely lift his head, barely take a breath without clenching his teeth in pain. His body was covered in red sticky streams and patches, mostly surface wounds, the deep ones roughly bound to keep him alive.

He was the image of defeat.

They had taken his suit and shield back. He was dressed in a tan prisoner's uniform, ripped and stained, a number sewn on the left sleeve. They wanted to deprive him of any special treatment, but he knew it would have been impossible for anyone without the serum to last this long.

The captive sucked air down his caked, dry throat. Everywhere around him looked red and tasted like salt; even the air he breathed had to pass over cracked lips, through a bleeding nose. He had thrown up the last time he tried to eat what they left him. He was too tired, too sick, too upset. All the water they had placed in his cell was gone, but it was still nowhere near enough.

This was worse than the first time. Hard to imagine interrogation getting any lower than the POW camp, but somehow they had found a way.

Steve would give anything for a moment of painless sleep. Death was welcome if he could ensure his friends' safe escape. But that was impossible; he had to live on.

The soldier gingerly laid his head on his knees. He wanted more than anything to cry, but he knew he wasn't alone. There were cameras on him at all times, watching, waiting. He knew what they wanted. A sign of surrender, a moment where he showed a glimpse of his grief, his crumbling spirit. He couldn't do this, he knew it. The thought of leaving his cell to go back to where Bucky - no, the Winter Soldier - was waiting filled his chest with anguish, his head with fear.

He would hate to see you like this.

But he's the one who made you this way.

That wasn't him, you know that.

But he's inside somewhere, screaming, fighting to get out. I just have to help him remember.

Then you can't give up.

Slowly, Steve raised his head. A rush of blood made it throb but he eyed the surveillance camera defiantly nonetheless.

It came out as a whisper, then a shout.

"I won't be broken."

Less than a minute later, he was dragged away.