That afternoon, Bucky sits on the living room floor with a map and the list of coordinates he printed off, marking what he can, making a list of the bases overseas, and crossing off bases he's gutted. As he does so, he realizes that, though New York is almost clear, he hasn't accomplished as much as he thought. He looks up at Steve, who is on the couch huddled behind his sketchpad.
"Do you think SHIELD would want a list of Hydra bases?" he asks, sounding more nonchalant than he thought he'd be able to manage.
"I doubt they'd turn it down," Steve replies with a lopsided smile.
"Do you have a fax machine?" Bucky asks.
"No, I don't. SHIELD usually just sends me emails." Bucky shoots him a questioning look, so he elaborates. "Electronic letters. But your list is a paper copy, so that won't work. I'm not even sure SHIELD has a fax number. I guess I could ask Nat." Bucky nods, so he reaches for his cell phone.
"does shield have a fax number?" he types. The little message whooshes away, and he watches Bucky study his map until his phone tells him he has a reply.
"nope. why?" she replies.
"because we have some papers for you."
"wanna get dinner?"
"i don't think bucky will give up the originals."
"dinner near a copy store?"
"sure."
Steve pockets his phone and turns his attention to Bucky, who is still studying his map, scribbling notes into a small notepad. "Hey, Buck, Natasha said she'll meet us for dinner and we can swing by a copy shop. How's that sound?"
"Yeah, good," Bucky mumbles between muffled groans of frustration.
"Are you going out tonight?" Steve asks cautiously.
Bucky pauses in his examination and planning to shrug.
Steve just nods.
Steve and Bucky go to the copy shop before they meet with Natasha. The man behind the desk fidgets under Bucky's intense gaze until Steve drags him away to look at envelopes. Once the papers are ready, they find Natasha.
"Wow, this is a lot of coordinates," she comments as she leafs through the lists and maps. "How sure are you that they're reliable?"
"Most of the coordinates in New York are correct. I assume that means the rest are as well," Bucky replies.
"Will this be helpful?" Steve asks. He's hoping for a yes. He wants Bucky to let SHIELD help him. This feels like progress, but it also feels fragile. He's worried about the two of them and their abrasive personalities.
"Absolutely," Natasha replies, and her tone holds an unspoken 'duh' that makes him chuckle.
"Will you need my help?" Bucky asks, and Steve doesn't want to hear the answer, but it's important to Bucky.
"Well, you seem to be keeping tabs on New York pretty well, so if you can keep that up, we can focus on sending out teams to take care of the other bases. Sound good?"
Bucky nods, and a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. Natasha mirrors the small movement, but Steve's smile is anything but small.
"Maybe you'll let me help too now?" he laughs, shoving Bucky's shoulder with his own.
"Yeah, maybe," Bucky groans, but the smile is still on his lips, and the groan is accompanied by a chuckle.
That night after dinner, Natasha insists they go get frozen yogurt. Bucky comes out of the store with the frozen yogurt cup of a nine year old, with three kinds of yogurt and a million toppings spilling over the edges. Steve and Natasha laugh as he tries to walk and eat but fails to do so without losing a few toppings. Bucky texts a picture of his monstrosity to Catherine with only a little help from Natasha. The three of them stroll through the park until their yogurt is gone, then they part ways.
Back at the apartment, Steve tells Bucky good night and goes to sleep, resting somewhat peacefully. When he wakes in the middle of the night to get a drink, he can hear the soft babble of the television in the living room. He finds Bucky sprawled across the couch, remote clutched loosely in his right hand, his left hand balled and resting on his bare chest. His breaths come slowly, and Steve is careful not to wake him. Asleep, his face doesn't look so tormented. Bucky looks like he's at peace, and that's how Steve wants it to stay. He lays a blanket across Bucky before he goes back to sleep.