Natasha is the first to leave. All her belongings packed in two large suitcases and one small duffel.
She's holding it together, not crying as she hugs all the kids goodbye and Sarah, the Starks, and even Sam.
She holds Steve tightly and then looks at him seriously, "you better keep your promise." She hugs him again and speaks quietly, "and bring them both back safely, okay?"
Steve's fingers grip her tightly and he nods, "I wouldn't dare not to."
But when she turns to Yelena, the blonde girl trying to keep a stiff upper lip, it's all for nought. They both start crying heavily, clutching at each other and in their own little world for a moment.
The rest of the family busies themselves with packing the bags or chatting quietly with each other.
Then she's in the car, Bucky getting in the backseat with her, and they're gone.
—-
Bucky sits in silence, Natasha's hand in his as Sam drives them to the airport.
Once she's out on the curb, stuff unloaded onto a cart and her final goodbyes to Sam. He gets back in the car giving them privacy.
Bucky turns to her, her eyes still red from earlier.
"We'll talk every day." He says, "or as often as I can."
Then she's kissing him, tears mingling with their lips and half of them are his.
"Stay safe." She orders, her eyes closed and forehead against his.
"I will." He kisses her again, "show them what you're made of."
Her eyes alight and excitement fills her features, "I will."
—
Tony goes next, going back early for his Senior year.
He just glares at all of them, shoves a small box into each of their hands, tells them not to be stupid, and then gets into the car and is gone.
—-
Clint gets an assignment first.
His Uncle Ricky, and step mom Melissa are there as he packs up stuff from Howard's house. Steve and Bucky stand awkwardly as they do a double check with everything they're allowed or supposed to bring.
As he's getting in the car, Howard looks around, "where's your dad?"
Clint rolls his eyes, "he's too busy to come say goodbye." Howard's face flattens and his lips get pursed into a thin line. "It's fine, I'd be more shocked if he did show up."
Howard says nothing, just hugs Clint then pats him on the back before stepping backwards.
Maria Stark approaches him and she hugs him tightly, "you better bring yourself back safe and sound. I refuse to lose one of my sons."
Clint's throat gets tight and he nods, "check up on Laura, will you?"
Maria nods, "of course."
—
Peggy's departure is next.
She doesn't cry. And neither does Steve. He holds her tightly, and kisses her gently.
"I will come find you." Peggy says firmly, "if you break your promise. I will haunt you."
Steve grins, "I'd expect nothing less."
—-
When Steve gets his notice for basic, he's unsurprised to find Bucky's date and time is the same.
Steve packs up his things slowly, keeping it small to one duffel. Peter follows him like a shadow and every once and awhile Steve will just snatch him, pulling him close and hugging him tightly.
The house is silent. The kids move quietly and make little to no noise as the hour of his departure approaches.
Sam is in the kitchen, putting together a sack lunch for him to take.
Steve sets his stuff by the front door. When he turns, over a dozen pairs of eyes catch his.
His throat gets tight. Never in his life could he imagine the moment he was going to have chosen to leave them. But it's different now. Now they're safe, loved, well-fed and provided for.
Now he can leave without feeling like he's abandoning them.
He kneels, beckoning forth the youngest one. The little girl who was only 4 when Mrs. Schmidt left. She used to barely speak, now she's almost 9 and sings for fun.
"Come here," he says softly, and she walks into his open arms and he hugs her, then he waves the rest of them forward and just like the day that the Schmidt's left, they form a huge crying group hug. Peter is hugging Steve's back and Wanda and Pietro are somewhere to his left. Yelena is half hugging Daniel and her head is ducked against his shoulder.
"I'll be back." He promises, "I'm coming back." They don't say anything, just hold him tighter. He can feel Peter's tears on the back of his neck and it makes him cry harder, "I'm coming back."
—-
Bucky is quiet the whole morning. He hugs his mom and his sister and then his dad shakes his hand before pulling him into a hug.
He shoves his duffel bag higher on his shoulder and walks out the door. Sam is driving both him and Steve.
He looks back briefly and his family waves from the front door. He waves a little salute back and turns the corner.
—-
Sam hugs Bucky and then turns to Steve. "I still have connections. If I hear you're pulling stupid stunts I will fly my ass over to wherever you are and drag your ass home. Understood?"
Steve grins, "yes, sir."
They hug and grab their things. As they're about to pass through the doors Steve turns back and yells to Sam who's about to get in the car, "Love you, dad!"
Steve waves as Sam lets out a laugh and waves back, "love you too, kiddo."
And then they're in the departures terminal and Bucky feels like nothing will ever be the same.
—-
Clint does not roll his eyes in real life. He's very quick in the uptake that any sort of show of annoyance just equals more push-ups or other unsavory tasks.
But he rolls them internally.
He's glad he was a tidy person. He keeps his bunk perfect and follows orders to a T. Because one day he's going to make a request and he needs them to honor it. So he'll be perfect until then.
—
Tony sees Monty a few days after being back.
"Hey," Monty calls with a wave, "what gives? Why did Barnes drop out to enlist?"
"He told you, huh?"
"Yeah, told me I'd need a new roommate. New guy sucks but whatever. Why'd he enlist? He never mentioned that."
"Steve enlisted."
Monty blinks, then furrows his brow, "I beg your pardon?"
"Steve. He enlisted. Bucky got his pants in a twist and followed after. Same with Clint."
"You're telling me," Monty looks around like the big looming campus buildings might give him the answer, "that Steve, the Steve I saw just months ago like a skeleton on a hospital bed enlisted?"
Tony grimaces, "it's a long story. But yes, he's…" he wrinkles his nose, "very healthy right now."
"What?" Monty asks, "how? I saw him over FaceTime just two months ago and he was basically nonexistent!"
The way Tony sighs and leans his head back is becoming commonplace, "the only thing I can tell you is that my dad made a major breakthrough with something that helped heal Steve's body, so now he's fine."
Monty narrows his eyes, "that feels like a much longer story."
"It is." Tony sighs, "but not for right now."
—
"Natasha Romanoff."
Her name gets called and she walks forward on the stage. The lights are blinding but she doesn't blink or show any distress. Her ballet flats make soft noises as she reaches center stage.
"Present."
"You may begin."
She puts the thought of Bucky and Steve starting their basic today. She puts the letter she'd gotten from Clint about how much he was already chafing under the rigid system.
She breathes deeply, and then she starts to dance.
—
Bucky sets his boots just so, he turns to see Steve's bunk a few away and that it's pristine. Not a wrinkle in sight. They'd received their uniforms, training on how to wear them properly, and haircuts. He already misses his longer hair.
Week Zero is almost over. The heat of the Georgia sun is killer and Bucky wants to shower all the time. New York is muggy in the summer but nothing like this.
So far they'd both been preparing for the first physical test and doing a bunch of paperwork, meetings, getting their affairs in order… He sighs, it feels all very strange and adult.
After the first day here, Bucky had sort of given up the whole cold-shoulder deal. They were here, there was no going back now, so he'd sat next to Steve at breakfast the next morning. The hopeful look on Steve's face was enough to crush the rest of his reservations and they'd resumed their normal close friendship.
He heads to the mess where dinner is about to be served.
"Anyone see the skinny freak?" He hears a voice say. "What's a phone pole like that doing in the army?"
Sometimes. Sometimes Bucky forgets that just because Steve has grown almost a foot, and filled out his skeleton frame, that he's still not a huge guy. It's such a massive change for them that they see him as normal now. And he's still growing, hasn't stopped since he was put in that machine.
Bucky looks to see a group of guys entering through the doors, having no idea who it was that said that.
And that's why Bucky signed up. Somehow something about Steve draws trouble. He's like a magnet for bullies and trauma. And Bucky's done.
When he pushes through, Steve's at the line arguing with the server. Bucky hurried over, "what's going on?"
Steve looks half panicked, "I'm not taking that, it's not fair to everyone else."
The serve looks annoyed, "listen kid, I've got orders to follow, so you either take the extra food, or I gotta report your insubordination to the higher ups and we both get shit for it. So shut up, and take the extra food."
Bucky looks at the tray in Steve's hands and it's got double what is usually given.
Steve turns to Bucky, "Steve, just take it." He whispers, feeling the way it's causing heads to turn, "you know Howard isn't going to relent, so just take it."
Steve grits his teeth and grabs the tray, stalking away.
They sit and Steve stares glumly at his food. "If I get special treatment," Steve starts, "then we are going to have a problem." He glances around, "you know how annoyed other recruits will be?"
"I think getting enough to eat can barely be considered special treatment." Bucky says casually back.
"Okay," Steve waves his fork at the other tables and chairs, "but they don't know that. They have no idea." He stabs at the food on his plate, "they're going to think—"
"Who gives a shit what they think." Bucky snaps back, "did you join up to make best friends?"
Steve glares at him, "I didn't sign up to make enemies."
And Bucky doesn't have a response to that.
—-
Clint is... doing well.
Sure it's physically taxing. And the guys who yell at him to "intimidate" or to ensure he follows orders are entertaining. But other than that…
It's not that it's easy…
It's just.. simple.
He feels stupid for thinking that. But the order doesn't bother him. The expectations don't bother or phase him. It feels… like he was built for this. Having been rock climbing and working on his aim through archery means he's already physically fit for the challenges they give him. And the challenges that forge bonds and teamwork are meaningful and he excels at them.
As he crosses the halfway mark, he sees the higher ups watch him when he's shooting. They see that his aim is practically perfect. They see that his skills in climbing, dragging, and observation are above the rest.
And that's just how he wants it.
—-
"Dad." Tony says, running. Hand through his hair, "I have this idea."
He hears his dad yawn and he looks at the clock. Probably calling at 2:17 am wasn't the smartest. "Oh yeah?" His dad says, clearly waking up, "tell me about it."
And Tony looks at the designs on his work desk, "well…" he grins, "I think you're going to like this one."
He can hear the smile on his dad's voice, "I'm sure I will."
—
Steve has been noticing more and more that it's like his core temperature is rising. Especially in the Georgia sun, he's running hotter than he ever has in his life.
So when the first activity that causes the recruits to shed their top layers off comes around… he's tempted. It's so hot. Letting the barely existent breeze to hit more of his skin is so inviting.
But he knows. Once they see. It means questions.
Bucky's eyes are on him, Steve can feel the tension rolling off him, wondering if Steve will take his shirt off.
Then the sergeant is calling for them to "hurry the hell up" and his decision is made.
Bucky's shoulders drop in relief.
Which pisses him off.
He doesn't show it, or say anything. But it frustrates him. Maybe he won't mind these scars disappearing. So Bucky can get off his back.
Or he can just rip off the bandaid.
As they break into a run, his mind whirs with the pros and cons.
—
Natasha rubs her feet, shoving them in her bathtub of ice and sighing at the coolness.
Her little apartment is sparse but she keeps it cozy warm and has a ton of pictures on the wall. Her apartment mate doesn't mind.
A picture of Clint, a selfie he'd sent a few weeks back makes her smile as he grins towards the camera.
And then Bucky had sent a picture, him and Steve right after they'd gotten their haircuts, but she hadn't heard from him since then, she's pretty sure they don't have their phones right now.
Her phone rings, she answers without looking, "hello?"
"Hey Nat, it's Sam."
"Hey dad." She responds and then she freezes. She's thought of him as dad for over a year now. But she's never called him that. He's quiet on the other side too. Something about that simple word, makes her throat tight. She feels silly. Would he even want her to call him dad?
But her fears are allayed when she hears the smile in his voice, "hey kiddo, how are you? Wanted to check in to see how you're doing."
"I'm good. My feet and hips are killing me but it's in a good way. How's the house?"
"Peter's off the wall about some science project but other than that it's pretty good. Yelena started school last Tuesday, she talk to you?"
Natasha laughs, "yeah she called and told me about the whole thing with. Glad she said something."
"Yeah, Pietro was all riled up for her too but they got it worked out."
Natasha grins, "I mean, if she wants to be on the wrestling team why shouldn't she?"
Sam laughs, "she's something fierce let me tell you."
"Everything else good? How's New York? I miss it."
"Not as fun with all you kids scattered to the wind, but it sure is calmer."
She laughs again, "gee, thanks."
"Just speaking the truth, you hear from Steve or Bucky?"
"Just the haircut photo. I'm sure they'll get a chance to call soon. Even if it's for 30 seconds."
Sam lets out a rueful chuckle, "yeah, I guess I'll take what I can get."
"Clint is getting close to his grad week, are you going to go?"
"Howard already has tickets. He's so sure Clint will pass."
"He's in South Carolina right?"
"Yeah, at Fort Jackson."
"Well he seems to be doing fine."
"Howard has used his connections to get a report. Turns out he's wowing in a lot of areas."
Natasha smirks, "that doesn't surprise me at all, he's always been low key but he hides a lot of his skills."
"Probably make him a sniper."
"Wow…" Natasha says softly, "that's wild."
"Indeed. All you guys are growing up."
"Why hasn't Howard heard about Bucky and Steve?"
"Too early. They're not in the right phase of training yet, but I do know Howard required and paid for Steve to have extra food." Sam's voice has a strange quality to it.
"And… that's a bad thing?"
Sam's quiet for a moment, "having connections can be a really great thing."
"But…?"
"It can paint a target on your back."
Natasha frowns, "oh."
Sam's voice gets quiet, "yeah, oh. But we both know Bucky will crack anyone's skull who tries."
She laughs, "you're not wrong. But I think Steve can handle it himself now."
She can just picture the way he's nodding, "yeah, I think you're right."
—-
Bucky hears the clatter of a tray being set beside him and across from Steve.
They both look up at the guy who set his tray down.
"Hey." The guy says, still standing.
"Hey," Steve offers, glancing at Bucky and then back.
"How come you get extra food. You some sort of special baby?"
Bucky hears Steve sigh, "see?" He glares at Bucky, "I told him this shit would happen." Bucky rolls his eyes, and Steve looks up to the guy, "listen, I'm sure you've convinced yourself that me having extra food means you should teach me a lesson about where my place is, but it's much less complicated than that. I was sick. Like bad, and I took an experimental treatment, and it screwed my metabolism. My somewhat non genetic dad forced his way and used his connections to force me to eat more. You want it? Because I didn't ask for it."
Steve just stares at the guy. Bucky feels a strange realization that Steve has indeed always been like this. Cutting Rumlow and that stupid senior his freshman year with his words. Sharp tongued and no nonsense. Now he's just getting big enough to back it up.
"Uh." The guy responds, "what?"
Bucky watches and Steve almost rolls his eyes. "Do you want my extra food? Because if you're here to tell me I don't deserve it or it should go to you, then fine. I don't care. Have it." When the guy just stands there, Steve picks up the plate and holds it out to him, "you want it?"
Bucky can hear the tables around them whispering, and he feels back in highschool for a moment.
"No." The guy manages out, grabbing his tray and leaving.
Steve lets the plate clatter back on the table and he glares at Bucky, "if that happens one more time I will call Howard."
Bucky snorts, "and tell him what? He's not going to listen to you."
"I don't know." Steve responds, stabbing at his food, "I'll think of something."
Bucky just laughs and takes another bite.
—-
Steve's actually really grateful he's getting more food.
He hasn't told Bucky… But he's starving. Like 'stomach sinking in' starving. The level of physical activity, as they move through the weeks just keeps increasing, and what's great is that he hasn't felt fatigued or incapable, he's just ravenous. Painfully hungry.
He starts dreaming about food.
And he knows that's a bad sign.
He chugs water like it's going out of style and he doesn't complain about his extra portions anymore, he's pretty sure that's all that's keeping him afloat.
The downside, other than the hunger pains, is that his body is thinning out. Using so much energy for the physical without enough energy coming in.
He gets out of the shower and looks at his rib cage. Still better than he was by far, he still looks healthier than he ever has, taller and wider, he just looks so lean.
He hears voices and he grabs his shirt, throwing it over his head. Wet hair dripping onto the fabric.
He pushes out the door and heads towards his bunk.
When he enters it's like a sauna.
"AC went on the fritz," one of the other guys says, "guess we're going to have to melt."
Another guy laughs but Steve sighs, "they alert maintenance?"
"Yeah," the guy says, shoving something in his trunk, "doubtful it will get fixed today though."
Half the guys already have their shirts off. Well. What the hell.
He pulls his damp shirt off, folding it neatly. Sitting in his bunk and grabbing his sketchbook from his trunk.
And just like he expects, it grows quiet.
He wonders if it's the bullet wound and large line on his chest, or the words on his back that draws the most attention.
Probably both.
He keeps sketching, something he keeps expecting his sergeant to one day take away, but so far he hasn't.
Finally someone clears their throat and he looks up. All eyes are either on him or studiously pretending they weren't just examining him.
He waits a second, seeing if they'll ask. Not that he knows what he'd even say. But they don't.
But that's fine. Now the whole camp will know and he can't be done with the element of surprise the scars hold.
He goes back to sketching.
—-
Bucky's rubbing a towel over his hair when a question catches him off guard, "you knew Rogers before signing up?"
He's thrown back a couple years to sitting in the library during study hall—
You're uh— You're friends with that junior right? Steve?
"Yeah." He says looking at the guy, "why?"
And just the guy's expression tells Bucky what he needs to know. He rolls his eyes and stomps out of the bathroom and towards the bunks.
He enters the room and is hit with a wave of heat. Bucky makes his way over to Steve's bunk, he's sitting there shirtless and—
Something prickles in Bucky's mind. He looks.. thinner. Nothing like he was. But definitely thinner than when they got there .
And his mind whirs. The more Steve is physical the hungrier he gets.
"Before you chew me out—" Steve's voice cuts through his internal monologue, "it's really hot. and I thought I might as well get it over with."
Steve revealing his scars seems minor now, who cares, maybe it will cause the guys to think twice before messing with him. They look pretty gnarly, especially against the skin pulling at his bones.
He looks up to see Steve there, a defiant expression on his face like he's expecting to get yelled at. Which is exactly what Bucky had been planning on doing.
Now he needs to do something else.
"It's fine." Bucky responds, "I'll be right back."
He strides out and hopes he catches the office before they stop allowing calls out.
The door opens to his knock and he's grateful it's one of the more lenient sergeants, "please sir, I need to make a 15 second phone call."
"To who."
"My father. Lieutenant Colonel George Barnes."
He knows having a family member in the service tends to give them some leeway."
"Airforce, huh." The guy says, "but you chose Army?"
"Just wanted to go where I thought I'd be most useful."
That's the right answer apparently because the guy nods, gesturing to the landlines, "be quick."
"Thank you, sir."
He dials his home number, it rings and no one answers, which is fine. When the voicemail beeps he speaks quickly.
"Hey dad, mom, Becca, it's me, I'm doing fine, so is Steve, miss you, love you. Can you pass a message to Howard? Let him know Steve needs more food, like a lot more. And you know he'd never ask for himself. Tell Nat I love her and miss her too, bye."
He hangs up, clocking in under 10 seconds.
Bucky nods at the man and heads back out to the bunks.
Steve is at his bunk, "what was that?"
Bucky glances at him, "what do you mean?"
"No lecture?" Steve raises an eyebrow, gesturing at his matted skin, "you always have a lecture when this happens."
Bucky studies his friend's face, "are you hungry right now, Steve?"
The question catches Steve off guard, "what?" He shrugs, "I'm fine."
That's confirmation enough for him. Steve didn't lie and say 'no I'm not hungry', he said 'I'm fine'. Which means 'yes but I'll never say a thing'.
"Okay." Bucky responds.
"Buck," Steve starts, "what's going on?"
"Nothing." Bucky answers, sitting on his bunk. A few guys mill around as they get ready for lights out.
Steve's not stupid, he knows Bucky has something on his mind, but he also knows when he's not going to get an answer, so he waves his hands in defeat and sighs, "okay, fine."
As he walks back to his bunk, Bucky's eyes catch on the words. Stretching further and still looking gruesome.
Bucky wonders if more food and time will make them go away.
—-
"Dad?" He asks, answering his phone.
"Yeah, hey Tony, how are things?"
"They're good," Tony sets down his soldering iron, flipping up his goggles, "what's going on?"
"I need a favor."
"Sure, what do you need?"
"Not from you." His dad's voice sounds tinny and far away, "I'm in England on business and I can't get back soon enough, and I can't send you because they won't like that. But I need someone there personally to speak for me, you think Rhodes is up to a liaison with the army."
Tony blinks. "Uh, what?"
"Rhodey, he joined up in the Air Force after he graduated last year right?"
"Yeah…"
"Good, I'm sending him to Fort Benning—"
"Why?" Tony's on alert, "what happened?"
"Nothing," and it must be true because his dad sounds relaxed, "just a miscalculation on my part about how much food Steve needs. Barnes called requesting more, which probably means Steve would have wasted away before saying anything. And I'm not there to do it myself, but I want someone I trust to ensure it's taken care of, and that's where Rhodes come in—"
"Dad, he's in the Air Force, they're not going to take kindly to another branch sticking their nose in—"
"I've got that handled—" his dad responds, "do you think he'll be willing?"
"I don't know." Tony responds, "I can ask."
"Okay thanks, let me know."
—
Natasha listens to Becca's voicemail.
"Hey Nat, we got a brief call from Bucky. He and Steve are doing fine, he told us to let you know he loves and misses you! I'm sure he'll call when he can. Hope you're kicking butt in Russia! Miss you, can't wait to see you! Bye!"
Natasha smiles and clicks save on the voicemail. She's gotten along well with her apartment mate, and she loves her coworkers and the strange land that is Russia, but she misses her family.
Sam sends her updates whenever he can, and Yelena sends a ton of photos that she then prints and puts on the wall. She hopes they'll tour in the USA for the holidays.
—-
"Clint Barton."
He looks up, sees the Captain insignia and stands, coming to attention and saluting before being told 'at ease'.
"Sir?" Clint asks.
"My name is Captain Frank Castle." The guy says, "rumor is that you've got a knack for sharp shooting?"
Clint glances around, there's no other commanding officer in sight. "So I've been told."
"What contrcat did you sign?" The guy looks at him with a raised eyebrow, "how long?"
"Four."
"Interesting." The man says with a grin, "and you wiling to ruffle some feathers?"
Clint blinks, "depends on whose feathers, sir."
"The Army's."
"In favor of who?"
"The Marines."
Clint narrows his eyes, "aren't the training processes different?"
The guy is nodding, a sort of quirk to his lips, "that's right." The guy grins, "you're a sharp one, huh?" A low chuckle, "just think of it as a joint operation. We've got a good team. Maybe you're interested. Maybe you're not."
"And if I'm not?"
"Waste of talent, but hey, not everyone's got brain cells to spare."
Clint studies his uniform. "So you're a marine… dressed as an army captain."
The guy grins, "well ain't you got hawk eyes."
Clint's eyes catch on the name badge. Polanski. So either he lied about his name or he stole this uniform. For some reason Clint guesses the former.
"This seems shady." Clint responds, "why approach me in secret?"
"No one likes their best recruits taken out from under their noses."
There's a compliment in there somewhere. "And I'm guessing you'll have your people call my people?" Clint says with a mocking eyebrow.
The guy is turning on his heel, "just keep those hawk eyes open. You'll know."
Then he's gone.
And Clint feels the way his heart pounds in adrenaline. That guy was not someone to trifle with.
—-
Steve's walking with the rest of the recruits in his group towards their next session.
"Attention recruits—" their sergeant calls, "we've got something else on the docket that has been called from up high."
Steve glances up, and he's not sure what he was expecting but it sure isn't James Rhodes in full dress standing at ease in front of them.
"Good morning gentlemen." Rhodey calls out. "I'm Technical Sergeant James Rhodes and I've been instructed to meet with this group briefly."
Steve glances over to Bucky who looks as surprised as he does.
"I'm here on behalf of a large weapons contractor who is helping facilitate the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control with his advanced AI's between the army and airforce." Steve narrows his eyes. This has Howard written all over it. "I'll be asking not only the contracted men and women on this base but also you, the ones who will be potentially affected by these coming changes the most. Your thoughts on the cooperation between different branches. Be prepared to share your thoughts."
Oh. He's got thoughts.
Through the next session, as they watch instructors show them different hand to hand combat techniques, he's half watching the display and half trying to decide what Howard's game is.
"Alright," the instructor says, "now I want to see what you can do. How well you've been paying attention."
The sergeant selects two guys and begins working them through exercises while he continues to try to figure out why Rhodey is here—
"—Rogers!" Steve blinks, raising his head and finding the sergeant staring at him, "your turn!"
He blinks out of his thoughts and joins another recruit in the circle.
"Let's see who has a better grasp of the movements, start."
The guy takes a first swing and Steve leans back, avoiding the strike. The guy starts the movements, and Steve reacts, dodging and weaving and spinning around the guys fists.
"Fight back, Rogers." The sergeant orders, "this isn't a highschool dance."
He hears Bucky let out a soft snort. Images of Peggy socking that loser at his prom probably front and center in their minds. "Yes, sir." He calls, pushing around and throwing his first punch, telegraphing it easily so the guy can move. They work back and forth, and despite the sergeant's insistence, it seems more like a dance than not. Steve never lets a punch land, but he also refuses to make contact, too worried about hurting the guy.
Finally the sergeant calls it and calls two new recruits. Then they're being dismissed.
And it does not surprise him at all that Rhodey appears at his side not 10 minutes later.
"I'll admit." Steve says with an eyebrow raised, "Howard's overbearing protectiveness comes in surprising packages."
Rhodey laughs and slaps him on the back, "come on, we're going to medical."
Steve stops, "what?"
"You're coming with me to medical." Rhodey says with a grin, "if you don't, I won't accomplish what Howard has asked me to do, so please don't make this difficult on both of us."
While Rhodey hasn't been around as much as Pepper, he's obviously aware of what the rest of the group calls his 'antics'.
"I'm not sick."
"I know, Howard knows that too."
"So why medical?"
"Can you just trust me? Please?"
Steve sighs, and starts walking again.
—
Bucky sticks back but follows them to medical. And when they enter, he decides 'screw it' and enters after them. Steve looks up and frowns.
"You had something to do with this didn't you. Is this because I took my shirt off? Bucky, I can't—"
"This isn't about your scars." Rhodey says, beating Bucky to the punch, "hey doc." A man enters with a grin, "you got alerted?"
"Yep, they told me you were to come through," the doctor says with a smile towards Steve, "let's get you on the scale."
Steve's eyes bulge, "the what."
"You're losing weight." Bucky says flatly, "I could see it, don't deny it."
He can see Steve wants to, but he switches tactics, "yeah, but just cuz we're exercising more. That's normal."
"Get on the scale please." The doctor orders, and Steve does, even if it's just because the doctor technically ranks higher than him.
"How much since his initial weigh in?" Rhodey asks, his phone out.
"19 pounds." The doctor responds, "that's a lot of weight." He studies Steve, "are you feeling light headed? Tingling in your fingers? Excessive thirst?"
"This is not a medical condition," Rhodey insists, typing on his phone, "this is an out of control late blooming metabolism. Mr. Stark is personally invested in this potential soldier's interests and requires him to receive special supplements at each meal. But we'd like it to be prescribed for the medical division so it doesn't draw attention or get pushback. Will that be an issue?"
Steve looks like he's having an aneurysm as Rhodey speaks, and Bucky just smiles.
"Can we get blood work?" The doctor asks, "do I have medical paperwork to back this up?"
Rhodey grins, "it's being faxed to you as we speak, so I assume that's a yes?"
"I suppose so, let me go make a note in my files, where are these supplements coming from?"
"Stark Industries will be providing them." Rhodey answers easily, "they're arriving this evening and they'll be given to the mess and his sargeants alerted once you sign off. Thank you for your cooperation."
Bucky watches the way the doctor stares at Steve, wondering what the hell must be so special about this particular guy.
Rhodey pushes out of the room and Steve bolts after him, "Rhodey—" he starts, "I'm fine, I don't want to be—"
"Treated special." Rhodey cuts him off, "Howard knows that. In fact that's why he picked medical. People who have medical issues are usually viewed more poorly. Right?" Rhodey stares at him with observant eyes, "you know what it feels like to have everyone look at you like you're helpless when you're not right?" It's a bit cutting, and Bucky can hear Howard's able tongue leading this speech, "he knows people will think less of you if they think you have a medical issue. And you love proving people wrong? Right? So do that."
And in a turn that stuns both Bucky and Rhodey, Steve sighs and hangs his head, "thank you."
Rhodey blinks, "what?"
"Tell him thank you." He looks up and grins wryly at Bucky, "I am starving all the time."
"I knew it." Bucky responds.
"Damn," Rhodey quips, "he thought you were going to fight tooth and nail. You must really be hungry. Well I'm glad, it should be in with your breakfast. Good luck recruits." He waves and takes off.
They see Rhodey around the next day but only from a distance and then he's gone.
At breakfast, Steve's tray has 6 pills, a cup with a lid on it, and a foil wrapped package. "Thanks," he tells the person as he stares at it.
Bucky watches him inspect the stuff. "I know it's from Howard," Steve starts, "but why does this feel so sketchy. Like… is it safe to eat this?" He points to the brown lump that came out of the foil package, "it's like a really ugly thick brownie."
Bucky grimaces, "I guess he didn't want it to look appealing either."
"Ha-ha." Steve monotones.
"Try it." Bucky prods.
Steve takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. "It's like a really thick granola bar that tastes like protein powder."
"Yum." Bucky says flatly.
Steve looks at the bar and then shrugs, "better than being starving." And he takes another bite.
When they exit the mess, Steve groans, "ugh, I feel so full."
And that makes Bucky laugh, "mission accomplished."
—
Clint blinks rapidly, coughing and trying not to gag as he exits the chemical chamber.
Recruits around him are experiencing the same symptoms, each reacting a bit different.
He refuses to throw up.
He doesn't wipe at his face and he spits over and over, trying to rid his mouth of the taste and feeling.
Shit, this sucks.
But he forces his mind into submission. Focusing on a far tree and letting it fill his mind. Willing the symptoms to abate, and slowly they do. When he straightens he turns to look behind him and sees his commanding officers watching him. Everyone else is still struggling to recover.
He spits on the ground one last time and then comes to attention and salutes. He's not sure why, but it feels like it will win him some points.
When the Sergeant nods at him, he internally grins.
—
"And now, it is my pleasure to announce that for the upcoming holiday season, we will be performing here in St. Petersburg, but also a few shows in Paris, and then on Christmas Day we will be performing in London!"
Cheers and applause erupt from her fellow colleagues and she's excited.
She is.
It's just not home.
—-
"He said it wasn't even a fight."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, he said it was a 20lb drop. He thinks Steve must have been physically uncomfortable from how hungry he was, that's why he didn't even fight it."
"Wish he'd spoken up sooner." His dad says in exasperation, "getting that kid to ask or accept help is like pulling teeth."
Tony barks out a laugh, scaring the guy three lab tables down, "I'm well aware, remember the bug in the baseball shirt? The hearing aid? He's always been like that. Forced self sufficiency is a hard habit to break."
"Well, I'm just glad he's not fighting it, the physical aspect is really only going to get more strenuous. You going to be able to fly down for Clint's graduation?"
"I'm going to try." Tony says, spinning a screwdriver, "seems can't believe it's already been over 2 months since he started."
"Time is a fickle beast." His dad responds with a sigh, "let me know if I'm buying you a ticket—"
"I can book my own flight, dad."
His dad's voice is sad, "oh, yeah, of course."
The silence is loud as Tony tries to interpret the way his dad sounded. Then a small grin creeps onto his face, "you're feeling like you've got an empty nest. Aren't you, pops."
The exasperated sigh is all the answer he needs but his dad's talking in a rush, "listen, I always told your mom I only wanted one. And I did. And you were perfect even when you were as stubborn as me. But then you bring home those other kids during that program and then they fill up this house for over four years and then Clint lives here for a bit and then suddenly you're all gone? All of you? At the same damn time? It's jarring. It's too quiet. Your mom moped around, no one to feed or love on. I saw her set a plate for Clint before she remembered he wasn't here. Bout made me cry. This is all your fault."
Tony's throat is tight at the end of the ramble but he's grinning from ear to ear. "Dad, just have Sam bring over the kids once a week. Let them swim in the pool, let mom feed them, have them watch a movie in the projection room and let Peter and Daniel play in the lab." He lets out a chuckle, "then the house won't be so quiet."
There's a pause and then he winces as his dad is shouting, "JARVIS! Call Sam! Thanks, Tony, that's a great idea."
"And book me a ticket for Clint's graduation would you?"
And he can hear the smile in his dad's voice, "sure thing, kiddo."
—-