Chapter Text
it had been about five months since the death of Alexander Pierce. four months since the “death” of Nick Fury. three months since Natasha Romanoff went off the grid. and two since she made her grand return. one month since Steve and Sam had gone searching for Bucky and exactly four weeks since they started questioning if any of this shit was even worth it anymore. Steve had been running around Europe for what seemed like an eternity. when you’re in one place for so long, seasons change. there he was. Captain America in the middle of the coldest winter that Lyon had to offer. he had been trudging through the snow for two hours but he lost connection with Sam and Tony Stark nineteen minutes ago. now he was losing stamina. “i’d almost rather he ambush me or some…shit. is that? oh god.”
it was Bucky. barely conscious, not that he was exactly mentally present before. he lay there, face covered in raised red scrapes with a empty bottle of Asbach Uralt. geez, he must’ve downed the whole thing. Steve stood for a moment, wracking his brain for some form of technology. he couldn’t just take Bucky back to Hydra. definitely not with the Avengers divided and pissed off. no. there had to be some place else. somewhere that wouldn’t fuck with his head too much. the comms finally rang back.
“Cap, you good?” Steve glanced down at the lifeless soldier next to him. “I found him in the bottom of a bottle. he’s got a pulse but it’s incredibly faint.” He placed his middle and pointer fingers, applying pressure to Bucky’s wrist. “We’ll take him in.” “WHAT?!” Tony exclaimed, his voice was muffled however it was abundantly clear he wasn’t fond of the whole “becoming buddy-buddy with the Soviet assassin” plan. “Tony, it’s the right thing to do. besides, he’s more useful to us alive than dead.” Sam interjected. “Fine but i’m not babysitting.” The network cut out. Steve let out a sigh before gently tossing Bucky over his shoulder. “Alright, let’s-“ Without warning, Bucky let out a deep cough, vomit spilling out and down his friend’s back. Steve squeezed his eyes shut.
This was gonna be a blast.