Blackmail
It’s well after midnight before Steve stumbles into his room, where Bucky is waiting. He had been at yet another strategy meeting - turned Captain America helps the war effort video - and it had gone late.
“Didn’t think you’d still be here.” He says tiredly, as he begins to undress.
Bucky sits on Steve’s bed in his trousers and undershirt. Jacket, shirt and shoes already laid out on a chair. He watches Steve, novel in his hands all but forgotten.
"Wanted to see you. We haven't had a chance all week since our last mission," Bucky points out, "and mission are…" he trails off. Steve nods. He knows.
Depositing his clothes by Bucky's, he sits on the bed next to him.
“You can’t keep doing this, Steve. You hate all this propaganda crap, and you never get to actually use your down time. You’re always off doing something. You’re exhausted, doll.”
Steve leans heavily on Bucky, pressing his nose into Bucky’s neck. Bucky tightens his arm around his shoulders.
“You gonna tell them that you’re not going on that mission in a couple days,” Steve mumbles. Bucky tenses. “you're tired too. Have the exact same problem. We’re doing what we have to Buck. If they turn us in..”
Bucky turns his head to rest against Steve’s, with a pained expression.
“I don’t like seeing you so tired.”
“And I don’t want you to leave by yourself and get killed,” Steve says hoarsely, opening his eyes, leaning back slightly to look at Bucky. “You almost died last time, You still haven’t told me what happened. I joined up because I wanted to keep you safe, and instead I got us caught. We were lucky the Commandos were considerate, and I should have been more careful while we were in camp."
"It's not just your fault, Steve." Bucky sighs. They've had this conversation before. Probably once a week. Or every time they were told just one more thing. "I was there too. I could have looked out more, if we're playing the blame game."
Steve pulls back, frowning at him.
"It wasn't your job to-"
"And it wasn't yours!" Bucky says, standing and throwing up his hands. "I know you think it is, but it's not."
Just as quick the fight drains out of him, and he sits on the floor, by Steve's knee. Steve carefully reaches out, smoothing his hair.
"After the war," Steve says slowly, "it'll be over. No more extra missions, no more Captain America, no more blackmail. Just you and me."
Bucky snorts derisively, resting his forehead on Steve's knee as Steve continues to run his fingers through his hair.
"You really think they'll let us just leave? You're Captain America, and apparently I'm the best stealth operative and sniper they've ever had," Bucky shudders, "they're not going to let us go. They'll hold this over our heads for forever."
"So we'll run. Moment the war's over."
Bucky huffs a laugh.
"You've never run from anything."
"I've gone AWOL before. I'll do it again."
Bucky slowly shakes his head. He sighs and stands, turning off the light and poking at Steve to lay down.
Steve does, but wraps himself around Bucky. Bucky elbows him, and Steve just holds on tighter, turning them so Bucky is slightly tucked under him.
"We'll be okay. We'll get through this somehow, together. End of the line, okay?"
"Whatever you say, Stevie."