Bucky was so goddamn pissed.
He wasn't sure if he was more pissed at the people that hurt Steve, or Steve himself because that fucking idiot is going to get himself killed one day trying to save someone.
When Stark (Tony, not Howard) knocked on his door and interrupted his reading, Bucky was expecting to make a snarky remark and maybe punch him in the face with his metal arm, nothing to complicated, just a simple conversation.
"What?" Bucky snapped, waving the book in the air.
Tony opened his mouth then closed it. His face was uncharacteristically solemn. "Steve...he-he's in the medbay, room 74-"
Bucky didn't let Tony say another word before practically shoving him out of his way and trying to sprint to the medbay. Operative word being "trying" because Tony managed to catch hold of Bucky's arm and dragged him back.
"Bucky. He's….well, he's not conscious," Tony explained. "He won't...we don't…"
"I. Don't. Care." Bucky hissed and shook his arm out of Tony's grasp. He whirled around to face Tony completely. "I don't care if he's unconscious or in a damn coma, I'm going to be with him. And if you try to stop me, Stark, I swear to God I will put you in the medbay, and you won't be coming out of there for a long time."
Tony stepped back and nodded, gesturing for Bucky to go. Bucky wasted no time in making his way to the medbay and finding room 74.
"For fuck's sake, Steven…" Bucky said as he walked in.
Steve was unconscious, as Tony had said, and there was an empty chair next to his bed. Bucky took the seat and braced his forearms on his knees.
"Steven, you fucking idiot. When you wake up I'm going to kill you, you hear me?" Bucky whispered. "Fucking kill you. What were you thinking? You probably pulled some dumbass stunt again and look where it got you, huh? In the medbay. Again."
Bucky stared at Steve for a minute and then wiped his eyes. He was going to stay here until Steve woke up, whether it be in minutes, or hours, or days, he didn't care.
.xXx.
It was about five hours and thirty-six minutes until Steve woke up, but, ironically, Bucky had fallen asleep. Not that anyone would have blamed him, seeing as Steve woke up around 12AM and Bucky had been up since about 6AM.
"What…?" Steve murmured, looking around, attempting to get his bearings. The first thing he realized was that, oh, he was in the medbay again. The second thing he noticed was the metal-armed man sitting beside his bed - no, sleeping.
As if on cue, Bucky's head rose slightly and he blinked sleepily and Steve sitting up in bed.
"You're up?" Bucky said quietly. "How you doin', babe?"
"Better," Steve answered.
Bucky crossed his arms and scowled. "What did you do this time?"
Steve grinned sheepishly. "Uh...well, there was this little boy, and I...y'know just...he was in the way and there…I just…"
"You're too good," Bucky interrupted, shaking his head and smiling incredulously. He stood up and stretched before pressing a kiss to Steve's forehead.
"I'm gonna go get you cleared for release, yeah?" Bucky said.
"Yeah. Thanks, Buck."
Bucky grinned and kissed Steve before walking out and getting Dr. Cho.
.xXx.
"I'm fine," Steve insisted on their way back.
"You've stumbled three times in as many minutes," Bucky retorted, grabbing Steve's arm.
"Fuck you," Steve muttered as Bucky led him back to their room.
"Maybe later."
Steve choked on a laugh then winced.
"You okay, Steve?" Bucky asked.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine, don't worry. Just...tired."
They reached their door and Bucky opened it, allowing Steve in first who immediately collapsed on the bed.
"A little more than tired," Bucky commented.
Steve mumbled something vaguely and waved his hand at Bucky.
"Yeah, yeah, go to sleep, you star-spangled asshole," Bucky said, laying next to Steve.
"Star-spangled asshole?" Steve yelped.
"G'night."