Twisted Ends

Sam found Bucky in no time at all. Not like he should have had much difficulty in the task, but Sam had once gotten lost in the parking lot of a Belk’s, so. One could never really know. There were first responders flooding the scene, yelling over each other as they tried to get the flames under control.

Sam almost looked like an angel Bucky thought somewhat deliriously. The white of his suit was such a stark contrast to the soot billowing into the sky. Though, as Bucky took in the face Sam was currently making as he strode over, he looked more like the ensemble of a vengeful one. Like Lucifer.

‘Fuck.’

Bucky painted on his most charming grin, hoping to God Sam couldn’t see the sweat dripping down his forehead. He didn’t like the look he was currently receiving. “Hey, Sam” he gave a half-hearted wave. “What a coincidence seeing you here.”

Instead of responding, Sam just frowned before dropping down to Bucky’s level. His eyes were quickly assessing the damage, and Bucky knew that Sam was seeing every single injury down to the stubbed toe he was just now noticing. God, he was good. Bucky felt his plastered grin falter slightly. Hopefully he wasn’t too good.

“So,” Sam slung his Aid bag off his shoulder. “What reason did you have this time for blowing up a building?” He opened it to reveal numerous medical supplies, some of them gleaming in the strobing lights of the ambulances. Bucky apprehensively clenched his teeth.

“First off, I’m hurt that you would even assume I would blow up such an important building.” Bucky said, wearily tracking Sams movement as he went to peek at his back. “Second off, you really think I’d blow myself up with my OWN work, Sam? That’s rude.”

Sam came back to face him, motioning for him to take his jacket off. “What I think is that you can’t be left alone, like ever.” Sam remarked. He raised an eyebrow at Bucky’s wincing. “Going to have a Redwing assigned to you for the foreseeable future.”

“Sam, that’s not funny.”

“Oh, I’m not laughing.”

“Sam-“Bucky hissed as his jacket snagged on a bit of skin, the rip cutting off any retort he may have had. Sam quickly moved in to help.

“Buck, if you didn’t like the jacket, you could have told me so.” Sam jested tightly. “Could have returned it for some motor oil for you. Or a charging port.”

Bucky bit back a grin. “You’re the worst, Wilson.” Something ripped again between his shoulder blades. “Fuck!” He whipped around and glared. “I thought you were pararescue!?”

Sam tossed a piece of molted skin and leather to the ground. “I was.”

“Were you any fucking good at it?” Bucky snapped. He could feel the itchy sensation of skin attempting to heal over the tattered jacket. God damn Super Soldier serum. “For Christ Sakes, take off my whole back why don’t you?”

Sam peeked out from behind him, smacking him in the face with a piece of gauze. Rude. “I wouldn’t have to if you’d called me sooner.”

“I literally called you as soon as it happened!”

“Or you know, If I’d been here...”

“You were busy! Drinking your beer, remember?” Bucky jeered, clenching his fist as Sam helped pull off the rest of his jacket. He was careful, taking great care to not pull anymore healing skin. It smacked the ground with a noxious splat. Bucky felt like he was going to be sick, his stomach rolling.

“Don’t throw up on me, now.” Sam placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, stopping him from face planting into the cement. “I’d hate to tell Shuri you ruined her design.”

Bucky moaned, taking his spinning head into his hands. His heightened senses were going into hyperdrive, the nauseating smell of his own burnt flesh assaulting his nostrils. He breathed in deeply, fighting back bile as the world continued to spin, hot and bright and overwhelming. He gripped his hair tightly, squeezing his eyes shut against the onslaught on his senses. Sam gave his shoulder another reassuring squeeze, his hand warm and comforting. He felt himself lean into him, just slightly.

“I don’t feel too hot, Sam.” Bucky admitted. He slowly turned his head towards Sam, squinting against the bright lights. Nausea threatened to overtake him yet again, as well as shame. Shame at the thought of dragging Sam away from a night of well-earned rest. If anyone had deserved it, it was Sam. After his constant uphill battle with the GRC the last few months and the weight of taking on the mantel of Captain America, he deserved a moment to just sit still. Yet here he was, having to give up any chance at respite because Bucky couldn’t handle a simple Op on his own. Maybe that HYDRA goon had been right about a lot of things.

Bucky sniffed, turning his gaze back to his boots. There were bits of bone and blood on them.

Sam gripped his other shoulder, leaning forward to catch his eyes. He was so close that Bucky could smell the fresh mint gum and the soothing aroma of Old Spice.

“Hey now, you gonna look at me?” Sam breathed. Bucky most certainly did not want to, but he could never deny Sam. He flitted his eyes back to him, watching as Sams bronzed eyes searched his expression.

“Buck, what’s going on?” he asked softly.

Bucky opened his mouth to respond, pausing as the screeching wheels of a gurney passed by. He glanced up, half annoyed and with a bitchy comment on the tip of his tongue when he made eye contact with a vacant, familiar stare. It was the goon from earlier, his eyes following him even as he continued to be carted away. Pink froth was still trickling down his lips. Bucky could hear each individual drop hitting the pavement. All the blood suddenly drained from his face. He wasn’t hot anymore, but incredibly and impossibly cold. And fuck sakes, he was suddenly so dizzy. Why the fuck hadn’t they put a sheet over him? Or put him in a body bag? Sam followed his line of sight before turning back to him, his lips pulled into a small frown.

“Buck, let’s get you out of here, alright?” Sam said, shoving supplies back into his bag. “I need to get the rest of the clothing out of your burns, and you look about ready to keel over. Besides-“Sam twisted around, catching a glimpse of reporters at the edge of the scene. “We aren’t needed here anyway. Looks like these guys have it covered.”

Bucky leaned back, putting his weight on his hands with a fatigued huff. God, he was so tired. He tried to push the dark thoughts out of his mind and come back to the task at hand. Sam was right. He was in no condition to be seen in public, especially by the press. The last thing he needed was HYDRA thinking they had taken him down a few pegs, even if just for a small amount of time. He could also hear the concern in Sam’s voice, how it wavered just slightly.

‘Time to buckle up, Barnes. Get it together.’ He mentally shook himself, looking at Sam with his best nonchalant expression. It felt like he was trying to imitate something that should have come to him so effortlessly. Like a ghost trying to work its way back into a frigid corpse.

“You’re not flying me to your apartment, Sam. Last time you almost dropped me.”

Sam pursed his lips, giving him a considering look. The weight of his gaze was incredibly heavy. Bucky could feel all the things that Sam wanted to say. It was palpable in the air around them. Instead, he seemed to read through Bucky’s façade and decided, thankfully, to cut him some slack for the time being.

“James Barnes, I did not almost drop you. You Super soldiers are so heavy- “

Bucky guffawed. “Oh, so you’re fat shaming me now? How nice…”

“I’ll leave you here, do not test me.” Sam stood up, offering his hand to Bucky despite his sassy retort. He raised both eyebrows expectantly, wiggling his gloved fingers. Bucky heavily placed his hand in his, grunting as Sam hoisted him up with ease. His hand was warm even through the glove.

Bucky swayed for just a moment, Sam placing a steadying hand at the nape of his neck. It felt oddly intimate. Or maybe he was just more feverish than he thought. Or touch starved, God sue him. Hadn’t had anyone touch him that wasn’t trying to kill or torture him for the last 70 years. Unless you counted-

Bucky shrugged off Sam’s touch, immediately missing the warmth that seemed to seep into his icy bones. He felt so cold. And empty. He didn’t deserve that touch. Sam was too good for a lot of things. One of those things being him and his ever-growing laundry list of issues. He was a tainted goods.

He took a few steps back, shooting for casual. He felt like he was failing miserably. “Guess you’ve gotten stronger, Wilson.” he clenched and unclenched his fist. Sams eyes didn’t miss the motion, glancing back up with a hum. Perceptive bastard. “You don’t seem winded picking me up this time around.”

Sam rolled his eyes, gently steering Bucky away from the prying eyes of reporters and the public.

“You’re a dick, has anyone ever told you that?”

“Uh, no.” Bucky quipped. “Never heard that one before.”

“I’m sure you haven’t.” Sam parked them in front of a stop sign, tapping away at his phone.

“Are we pretending to be night walkers?” Bucky glanced around them, cautiously eyeing the empty street corner. They were out in plain sight with no cover. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, or at least the ones that hadn’t been scorched off.

Sam gave him a baffled look. “The hell do you know about night walkers?”

“Have you ever been to Russia, Sam?” Bucky dead panned.

“So you know that term, but you’ve never heard of Star Wars? That’s sad, man.”

Bucky scoffed. “First off, those two aren’t even comparable. Second off, I know what Star Wars is.” He blinked devilishly. “Cass and AJ showed me.”

Sam looked up from his phone, dubious. “My nephews showed you Star Wars?” Bucky nodded. Sam gaped at him. “When the hell was this? Why wasn’t I invited? I’m their uncle!”

Bucky smiled impishly. “Back at the cookout. You were too busy impressing all your neighbors, so Sarah and I thought it best to give you some space.” Sams face darkened.

“Don’t make that face at me.” Bucky said.

“I told you to stay away from my sister.”

“You told me not to flirt with your sister.”

“Bucky, I swear to god-“

Bucky raised his hands in mock surrender. “You know I’d never dream of it, Sam.” Sam continued to glare. “Besides, I’m injured. You wouldn’t cut me up and feed me to the fish now, would you? That doesn’t seem like something you’d do, hitting a man while he’s already down.”

Sams phone vibrated and not two seconds later, a slick SUV came tearing around the corner. “Looks like our ride is here.” Sam said. He pointed an accusing finger at Bucky.
“And I most certainly would, Barnes.”

“You most certainly would, what?” A familiar voice called out.

Sam and Bucky turned to the SUV, peering into the lowered window. Rhodey waved. “You two idiots just going to keep standing there bickering like school children, or are we going to get this show on the road?” The SUV doors automatically opened, the interior looking dark and inviting.

Bucky glanced back at Sam. “After you.” He waved, because he was a gentleman. Sam glared, huffing himself down onto the leather seats.
“C’mon now, Buck.” Sam called. “Get the hell in here before you fall in.”

Bucky grimaced, gently lowering himself beside Sam. He hissed, feeling the cool leather interior brush against his torn back. The doors closed silently, and they were off, shooting forward like a rocket.

Rhodey turned to face them, giving Bucky a pointed look. “The hell happened to you?” He asked. Sam turned to face him, pointedly raising his eyebrows expectantly.
“Yeah, Buck. Now that we’ve got time, care to tell us what exactly is going on?”

Bucky took in an unsteady breath, his heart starting to hammer in his chest. That was weird. Sweat was suddenly glistening down his face and neck, and his mouth tasted like cotton. Also, weird.
“Well,” he stammered. His mouth was so fucking dry. “I hate to break the party atmosphere here guys, but-“ he took in another breath. “HYDRA is back.”

Sam stiffened. Rhodey whipped around in the driver’s seat, weaving in and out of traffic and dodging cars out of the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry,” Rhodey quickly turned back to the road, glancing at Bucky in the rearview mirror. “I think I misheard you.”

Bucky’s breath quickened further, vision tinging with darkness along the edges. “Nope” he replied. “You heard me just fine.”

Sam leaned into his line of sight, giving him a worried once over. “Buck, you need to slow your breathing down.” Sam stated calmly, reaching into his Aid bag. He fished out a water bottle and handed it over. That thing was like the magic bag from Harry Potter, Bucky mused. He took it eagerly.

Bucky gulped the water down greedily, trying to chase away the choking feeling that was closing around his throat. He sucked the bottle dry, sighing heavily as he finished it. Fuck, guess he was a bit dehydrated.

He turned to Sam. “Think you could stab an IV into me?”
Sam glowered at him. “Bucky.”

Bucky sighed, toying with the paper from the water bottle. “I don’t know much.” He said, leaning his head back against the headrest. “I was told the warehouse was a simple in and out mission. Collect some intel about corruption within the GRC and report it back to the CIA. No contact necessary. A clean in and out.” Bucky frowned. “Turns out it wasn’t that simple.”
He closed his eyes, the ringing sound of gunfire filling his ears. A sound that no matter how hard he tried to forget, always came back. That and the screams. And the silence that followed. He grinded his teeth.

Something warm touched his hand and he startled, being brought back to the present. Sam quickly took his hand away and Bucky cursed himself. He sniffed, peering out the window to collect his thoughts. God, he was really getting a fucking headache.

“There were more than just workers in that warehouse.” Bucky continued. “Before I’d gotten halfway through, I ended up surrounded by a kill squad.” He glanced back at Sam and Rhodney. “They had the HYDRA insignia on their Kevlar.”

Rhodey gave an exasperated sound from up front. The car took a sharp turn to the left. Dramatic.

“How the fuck did they get the drop on you?” Rhodney asked, his eyes piecing Bucky’s. “Aren’t you supposed to be the greatest spy of this century or something?”

Bucky stilled. “I was the best assassin of the century.”

Rhodey winced. “Shit,” he shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Sam leaned forward and smacked the back of Rhodey’s head.

“Samuel Wilson!” The car swerved again. “I am driving!” Rhodey exclaimed.

Sam’s hand balled into a fist before pointing accusingly. “Watch it, Rhodes.”

“I really didn’t mean it like that!” Rhodey swiveled in the driver’s seat again, turning apologetic eyes to Bucky.
“I didn’t mean it like that, Barnes.” He repeated. “I was only asking because there have been things happening on my end that haven’t been adding up either.” He tapped at the steering wheel. "There have been rumors of some of the GRC leadership getting their hands into some shady businesses, more so than usual. Torres brought it to my attention not too long ago.” He sighed. “I didn’t think it would have anything to do with HYDRA. That’s a bit out of left field.”

Sam spoke up. “How is HYDRA still active after all this time? I thought they completely dissolved after the blip?”

“Cut off one head, two more will take its place.” Bucky murmured. He looked down at his lap, ringing his hands together. His back was really starting to throb now. He risked a quick glance towards Sam, who was already looking his way. His amber eyes were piercing in the dark.

“It’s HYDRA, Sam. They were never gone.” Bucky frowned. “And as far as the kill squad, I don’t know how they knew I was there.” He confessed. “I did everything how I always did it, I left no trace. But they were waiting for me. Not that they were much of a problem, besides the building getting blown up bit.” Bucky turned to Sam. “Someone had to of tipped them off. But there’s more. They were talking about you, Sam.”

Sam’s eyebrows rose up to his hairline. “Why would they be talking about me?”

“Why wouldn’t they be?” Rhodey stated. “You’re the new Captain America, and let’s be honest. You aren’t exactly the blonde hair, blue eyed patriot that they are accustomed to. A lot of people unfortunately have a problem with that. AND you’ve been making some big waves as of late in the GRC. You’ve probably upset half of them.”

Sam snorted and crossed his arms. “Let’s be honest, Rhodes. I’ve pissed off more than just half of them.” He turned his attention back to Bucky. “Who sent you on that mission?”

Bucky clicked his tongue. “Sharon.”

Sam frowned. “And she didn’t CC me on the email? That’s awful crass of her.”

Bucky shook his head. God, he really wished sometimes that he could still get drunk. “Sam, I run Ops with the CIA all the time. That’s not the issue here.” Sam opened his mouth to respond. Bucky quickly cut him off. “I’m not saying we aren’t going to circle back to that, but we need to focus on the bigger picture here. They were THREATENING you.”

Sam shifted uneasily. “Yeah,” he said. “And they tried to KILL you. Damn well almost succeeded.”

“Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration…”

“Bucky, half of your back is covered in third degree burns. I don’t care if you’ve got the serum or not, you could have been killed. You are NOT invincible.” Sam grounded out. “Stop worrying so much about everyone else for one second and let me look out for you, alright?”

Bucky bit down on his lip. He could feel copper on his tongue. Sam didn’t need to watch out for him. Sam couldn’t afford to watch out for him, let alone be associated with him. He squeezed his flesh hand with his prosthetic, trying to maintain any measurement of calm. Rhodey was eerily silent. It felt unbearably claustrophobic in the backseat.

“We are going to get to the bottom of this.” Sam continued, voice softening. “But let’s get those burns taken care of and lay everything we know on the table. Take things one at a time.” He reached forward and patted Rhodey on the arm.

“Think you can make a few calls for me?” Sam asked.

Rhodey nodded. “Who are you thinking?”

Bucky watched Sam mull it over. “Let’s get Torres on this. You said he was the one who came to you, right?” Rhodes nodded. “Then let’s see what else he may know.” Sam turned to Bucky. “As for you, let’s get you fixed up, shall we?” He grimaced at Bucky’s back. “Stop you from getting your burn juice all over Rhodey’s seats.”

Rhodey shot back to look at them. “Barnes,” he growled. Oh, Bucky thought tiredly. This was how he was going to end up dying. With Rhodey crashing their car in order to berate him. Jesus Christ. “You better not be ruining my seats. Those are genuine leather.”