After watching Civil War I can confirm that I am dead. It was a good life. I wish you all a good rest of your day and I hope that this is a good chapter!

Brock Rumlow remained silent as silent as the dead as the EMTs carefully placed him on the gurney, strapped in place with no hope of escape. The Witch was watching him dangerously, eyeing him with enough loathing that he wanted to smile, if he wasn't in such pain.

It was difficult for him to know that despite all their hard planning, he and most of Hydra were captured again. Thankfully, there were those in the other warehouse who would take off to the next base when they hear of his capture. Hydra was weak but not broken, and Rumlow wouldn't let the Avengers defeat them.

The paramedics asked him question after question but whether or not he was in pain but it didn't matter. He lost his asset, his property again to Rogers. Banging the back of his head against the gurney, Rumlow cursed for being so close to getting his perfect soldier back—the Soldier was almost home-then Rogers killed him all over again. Banes may have been Steve's before, but the Soldier was his for years. He helped train him, break him, mold him into a hero-and Rogers had been trying to destroy all that hard work. Rumlow bit his lip with enough strength to draw blood.

Only he could fix him or break him. Whether Rumlow was stitching the asset up from an injury after a mission or beating him down for training to make him stronger, the Solider was his responsibility.

Rumlow had just finished one of his latest mission for Hydra, quickly making his way to the Asset after his debriefing from Pierce. He'd only been in charge of the Asset for a few months; not long after he'd been found by Hydra. He wasn't a fan of babysitting a basic machine but it could have been worse.

He was the handler for it; feed it, let it sleep, train it, punish it-it was a simple job. And also—this man, this Barnes was trained and molded into the perfect solider, one that he had known decades ago. And now being in charge of such a ward was a responsibility that Rumlow refused to fail at.

Rumlow pushed the doorway open where Barnes was, still unfrozen since he had to complete a mission in a few days' time- but Rumlow didn't ask questions when it came to his bosses. The Russians had used the Asset for so long Rumlow doubted the thing knew he once was Barnes.

The room was simple and to the point where the Asset lived-it was basically a cell but he never complained, though Rumlow doubted he could even if he wanted to-when the mission was over the Asset would return to the cryo chamber. Unlocking the concrete door, Rumlow stepped in the cold room before stopping dead in his tracks.

Sitting on the edge of his bed with a blank stare and bleeding wounds that were fresh, was the Asset. Punch marks and dark black, blue bruises were forming around his arms and face; most likely there were more underneath his black tank top; seeing as peeking through the top was a growing gash most likely made form a knife.

Before Rumlow could find the words to even ask what had happened, the Asset raised his head and stared at Rumlow. Brock could have been wrong, but he would say that he watched Barnes's blue eyes soften in relief to see him. Whether that was reality or just something he made up in his mind, Brock didn't care.

"What happened?" Rumlow whispered, taking a step forward before kneeling down to Barnes's level. His knee was pressed against the Asset's leg and his hands rested on top of his on kneecap, gripping him almost painfully.

Answering his direct order, Barnes responded din his monotone voice- "Sergeants Redford and Grillo."

Nodding, Rumlow found himself unable to look away from the emotionless stare of the man in front of him. "Why?"

The Asset paused for a moment-looking all too human as his eyes frowned slightly as if trying in vain to come up with an answer. Rumlow hide back a growl at the Asset failing to answer quickly. A defeated look entered his blue eyes and the Asset hung his head slightly to his handler. "I do not know sir…" He stayed silent, an unspoken fear sent tremors in his body as he waited for his punishment for not knowing the answer.

Rumlow had been instructed to harm Barnes if he ever was unable to give an answer fast enough—not even if the Asset was fearful for punishment. This was the only way to ensure that he never left Hydra's side, and Rumlow knew that…

Yet he couldn't. This was his charge and he would be damned if anyone else harmed him. It was his job to do anything to the Asset. Maybe later he would use force for ensuring that the Asset stays strong and perfect—but for now he allow this slip to go unnoticed.

Staring at the younger man for a few moments, Rumlow arose, noticing the involuntary flinch that he gave from the quick movement. The knowledge that the bored soldiers were hurting his Asset wrapped around his heart and refused to let go. How dare they? This was his Asset. His property-no one touched his possessions.

"I'll deal with them." Rumlow announced quietly, towering over the smaller man who was slouching down to lessen the pain of his injuries. "Clean yourself up." He ordered, remembering that Barnes could not act without order.

Standing sturdily despite his wounds, Barnes walked towards the rusty sink that was near his bed and turned it on, leaving Rumlow to go and seek the two sergeants.

He found them easily; at first they were smirking, oblivious as to why Rumlow would ask or care what they did to the Asset. He was just a weapon. And they were bored. What was the problem?

Rumlow's snarl erased any more comebacks.

The two men screamed, begged, yelled that the Asset was used to this sort of thing but Brock ignored them all. They were never going to touch his soldier again.

No one would.

The memory brought a smirk to Rumlow's lips. No…no he would not lose his property. Not like this.

MARVELMARVELMAVEL

Steve carefully maneuvered Bucky with the utmost care as if his cargo would break at the wrong touch. Sliding his left arm under Bucky's legs, Steve used his other arm to grip around Bucky's upper back delicately. Bucky nestled his head atop of his friend's collarbone while his right arm was pressed against Steve's chest, the heartbeat rhythm against his fingertips calming his breathing.

In the back of Steve's mind he could hear Sam behind him speaking to the rest of their team that Bucky was discovered. Bucky was half conscious though nonetheless he was fading fast from blood loss. Nothing life threatening but it's still enough to have Steve hurrying faster to the black car. Steve didn't notice the presence of the other man and he was taken aback before he remembered that Sam wasn't far behind him when he was looking throughout the rooms. Sam somehow found Steve and was standing at the edge of the door way, looking at Bucky with an open mouth, something akin to shock and pity on his face.

"Call Dr. Cho." Steve's orders managed to pull Sam out of his own mindset and he nods, setting his coms to the doctor's office and quickly conveying what they will be needing for her newest patient. With the severeness of Bucky's injuries, they needed the best.

As Steve carefully starts making his way outside with Sam by his side, he watches as Rumlow is being transported as well, to Stark's tower until the new S.H.E.I.L.D. can tell the Avengers what to do with the terrorist. Brock turned his head to face the scowling form of Rogers and the bastard actually brings himself to smile at the captain. There were still more of Hydra waiting for them. His capture would mean nothing to the organization's attempts to bring the world to order.

But that didn't matter right now to Steve. As long as Buck was okay, than Steve would be as well.

Without a word, Rumlow is transported with more care than he deserved into the ambulance, sending him the same way Bucky soon would be. Unfortunately, the tower was the best place for anyone to hide and it was best if they kept Rumlow healing around them so they could go through some questioning. The thought disgusted Steve to know that they were soon going to be facing each other yet again. It didn't matter that Rumlow had no power now, he would never hurt Bucky again while Steve still lived.

Natasha settled a hand on Steve's shoulder, prompting him to enter the car with his priceless burden and gently lean against the seat in the back, showing no sign of loosening his hold. He watched as Bucky's eyes fluttered open at the movement of the car starting and Steve knows that the painful groan Bucky lets out is out of his own volition.

"If I could I would kill them all." Bucky reacts with shock at the strong, silent Steve Rogers responding in such a way. His eyes went wide, he found himself looking at Steve the same way he did back on the helicarrier all those months ago. Shock. Affection. Confusion at how he could be worth all this to Steve. But, this time, he moves over closer towards Steve and Steve saw this as what it was; a silent sign of consent to touch him. Steve wastes no time to wrap him in his arms, crushing him against his chest.

Steve's mouth pressed his lips against Bucky's pale temple tenderly. "They can never touch you again. Buck…I-I hate what you lived through and I wasn't there to…" Steve's voice breaks in a rush and he stops long enough that Bucky thinks he was done. "I let you go, I didn't save you, and I will never forgive myself for it, but you… you came back-to me-and I will never let you go." Silent sobs started shuddering throughout his body, causing Bucky in his arms to tremble too.

Bucky tries to speak but his voice was dry and weak. Food was scares during his time there, along with water; Rumlow seemed to have enjoyed trying past tactics to get him to stay with Hydra and bring about the Soldier. All Bucky could do was move his free hand up and rest it against Steve's cheek, conveying how much he is grateful for Steve as well. He could feel himself fading too fast now, the beatings and mental torture getting the best of him. Maybe one day he can tell Steve that he was the one who broke Bucky free, it was Steve that saved him. He promised himself he would…but for now, the battle of his eyelids won and he felt himself fall into the black.

MARVELMARVELMARVEL

As much as Steve knew Bucky needed rest after all this, his heart still thudded painfully against his chest as Bucky's eyes slid to a close. Settling in the van, Steve sat in the middle of the seats located in the back of the car, his arms shifting slightly so that he could still be holding Bucky's waist with one hand and softly run his fingers though the brown hair with the other. Sam sat by Steve's left, watching carefully as Steve was stroking rhythmically over Bucky's hair, down his pale cheek, past his chin and then back up again; a pattern that he had seen a few times before, when Steve would be asleep next to Bucky when they were watching a movie and Bucky would do that exact pattern, like he had done it a million times before. Sam stayed silent as he watched Steve's movements, which were light enough that it seems he was touching something breakable in his grasp.

Carefully, so not to disturb his friend's moments, Sam leaned closer to Steve, waiting for him to be noticed without interrupting. Steve rose his red eyes to face Sam's concerned ones. "He's going to be okay." Sam spoke with tenderness and assurance. After all Steve and Bucky had gone through, the Avengers wouldn't let them be separated. Not ever again.

Steve's small smile of gratefulness was enough to bring his worry down slightly. But only slightly. Sighing deeply, Steve glanced down to his fiend's sleeping face as the van was moving, sending them back home. Leaning down, Steve placed his lips against Bucky's forehead, putting barely any pressure on his friend. They were going to get through this like they always did.

Together.