Chapter 11
Steve's life was hit by a semi truck going 200 mph once Bucky was gone. His Bucky was gone. He was numb and as life moved on it felt like an arrow was lodged in his head and was slowly being pulled through his body ripping through his flesh.
He distanced himself from his friends, but they tried their best to help him. They brought food, lecture notes, and talked to him even if it was through a closed door.
Months passed and graduation neared slowly.
But one day Steve was scrolling through his phone in his dorm lying in the darkness of his room when an email caught his attention.
It was from the university research hospital and facility. They were starting to conduct a medical trial/experimental run to test people with low/damaged immune systems and/or to experiment on people with many ailments. Steve read that it would possibly help people grow stronger and do things they never could.
He sat up from where he was curled under his sheets and started to read the email further. At the bottom of the email was a form attached for volunteers.
Steve chewed the inside of his cheek and his thumb hovered over the form.
Then he clicked and quickly filled out his information. Then hit send and sat staring that his screen wondering what he just did.
The next day Steve held himself a little higher, it was time for his life to take a different direction. He could stop because of Bucky, Buck would've wanted the best for him and to do something that kept him going. Steve told himself it was for Bucky.
Natasha was sitting in her normal spot in the cafeteria with Sam and Tony. She straighten up seeing Steve walk her way. It had been awhile since he'd come out of his dorm. So it was even more surprising that he wasn't moping.
"Hi Steve," Nat greeted him and the rest greeted him as well.
"Nat," Steve nodded in her direction as he took a seat. He tapped his fingers in the table then took a deep breath, "Isignedupforamedicaltrial," he spit out fast.
Tony blinked, "What was that?"
"I said... I signed up for a medical trial," Steve breathed out quite fast again.
"Steve, you're being irrational. I don't think you're in the right mental state," Nat started to explain.
Steve threw a stern look in her direction, she'd only seen that look when Steve was going to start a brawl.
Nat sighed, "Whatever you think is best, Steve,"
"Where is it?" Tony asked taking a bite of his cheeseburger.
"The university's research hospital," Steve said reaching for one of Tony's fries.
"Ah! Bruce is apart of that project trial thingy," Tony said slapping Steve's hand away.
~
Steve started the trial a month later. It was difficult and went through a few procedures. But from the doctors perspective they said the trial was effective so far.
Steve started to feel healthy and even stronger in someways. His heart no longer palpitated and his lungs didn't fail him. It was a miracle they said it was even working for Steve's body because the number of ailments on his medical records.
A few months later the trial ended successfully and Steve took his new immune system straight to work. He ran every morning with Sam, and even started a fitness routine. Anything to get himself to move on.
Steve started to grow unrecognizable. His growth hormone was stunted at a young age and the trial made it get back up and running again. He grew from his short 5'4 height to almost 6'2. And with the height came muscle mass from his routines. It was incredible, from the puny weak Steve Rogers he became a strong noble man.
As graduation rounded the corner Steve was questioning what to do after. Then he thought back to Buck, he wanted to uphold the legacy of his lover and started to think towards a path in the army. Bucky would've wanted Steve to stay outta trouble and stop getting beat up behind diners and bars, so what if Steve brought his fight somewhere else, somewhere where he could help people.
Graduation came and Steve enlisted into the army and began his basic training.
~
Quickly he advanced through the military rankings and became a Captain.
Many of his cadets even started calling him Captain America because of how patriotic Steve had become.
One day when he was deployed Steve's team weren't able to escape an unexpected crossfire attack and many were wounded and left on the field and many were taken prisoner.
Steve was the only one to make it back to camp. He headed straight to the colonels tent fuming.
"I got information that you're going to leave my troop out there! You're not going to send in help?" Steve barked in anger.
"Roger's drop it, you listen to what I say and I say no one's going back out there because it's suicidal" the colonel says without looking up from his desk.
Steve clenched his jaw suppressing his anger. Turning quickly he stormed out of the tent and headed straight for (-).
"Steve? What are you doing! The colonel said no one's to go back out!" His first lieutenant hollered.
Steve threw his helmet on and began to load his gun, "I don't care, it's wrong to leave those men out there! I'm going to do what's right even if it gets me killed,"
He ended up saving 78 men that day and was rewarded the Medal of Honor.
When he returned home, he ended up buying the apartment Bucky and him were previously planning to buy after they graduated. But two years after Steve's graduation he had finally bought it.
~
Steve bent over placing the flowers down against the smooth marble headstone. The grass around it was sharply cut and a healthy green.
The army had given a headstone for Bucky to act as closure for Steve. They never found his body and it still hurt Steve to know that three years later.
He rubbed his hand over the smooth top, "Hey jerk, you're probably rolling in your grave knowing that I joined the army. But don't worry I can handle myself from now on,"
Steve heard foot steps up behind him, but stayed staring at the grave. He looked down seeing the person's shoes.
"What are you doing here?" Steve asked returning his eyes to the headstone.
"I didn't want you to be alone," Nat said putting a comforting hand on his broad shoulder.
She bent down placing a bouquet down next to Steve's and then they stood there silently.
A while later someone came up behind them, "Captain Rogers?"
Steve turned to see a young private from his troop. He stood ready and saluted.
"At ease soldier," Steve smiled, "What are you doing here, Private?"
"Visiting," the young private said then gestured to the flowers under his left arm.
"Have a nice day soldier," Steve said excusing the boy.
Taking one more look down to the grave Steve squatted and placed his hands on top of the headstone.
"I love you James Barnes,"