Bucky
Tony and Thor came running into the helicarrier while Natasha slid into the pilot seat. They were up in the air before Bucky knew it. He was still holding Steve in his arms.
"Steve." He whispered. "please wake up now."
How long had he been out every time they'd done this to him? What would be the damage to Steve's brain after this one time?
"Babydoll... Please wake up." He murmured into Steve's soft skin. His hair , thank god for long hair, shielded his face so no one would see him cry.
"Jarvis , sweetheart. Be a dear and scan capsicle for me. What's keeping him from waking up?" He heard Tony say.
"According to captain Rogers' vitals, he should wake up in approximately ten hours, sir." Jarvis' voice sounded. The entire group went quiet after that. They had not expected Steve would be out for so long.
"Ten hours." Bucky murmured , keeping Steve close. He was the one who carried Steve inside when they got back."ten hours before I can tell you I love you again."
They arrived back at the tower and Steve was rushed to the medical wing for expert care. Bucky stayed by Steve's side the entire night, holding his hand while he sat there following a pacing Tony with his eyes.
"It's my fault." Tony said ." I should have been faster. Or maybe I need to make the suit stronger so you guys wouldn't have been captured." He looked exhausted , and still he was torturing himself with all this.
"Wow wow wow. Tony ... This is not your fault. Okay? If any it's my fault. I got my ass taken and Steve wanted to save me so they took him too. It's my fault." Bucky said.
Tony sighed and turned to the bed.
"He should wake up any second now. Right?"
"Yeah. I hope he will."
"I'd never forgive myself if..." Tony didn't dare finish the sentence and resumed his pacing."I'm going to make him a better suit and shield. He needs more weapons and..."
Bucky could just see the gears in that head working.
"Stark." He said sharply. "I know you want to protect us, and you're damn good at it too... But this... This can't be helped with weapons or better suits. Steve jumped into the squid hole after me and they put him in the chair."
Tony saw how Bucky winced at the thought of the chair.
"What kind of thing is that chair anyway?"
Bucky swallowed thickly.
"It's so painful. They basically burn parts of your memory. All you know is pain and the orders they give you. Y'dont have a name anymore , don't know how you look, where you're from... Only know to obey your handlers. You do whatever they say and you live. Put one toe out of line and you won't like the consequences."
Tony 's blood boiled.
"That's what they did to Steve?"
"Yeah... And even though I survived it multiple times myself, I'm still so afraid as to what it will do to him."
"Wait, multiple times?"
"Yeah like every week the asset needed a wipe to stop his memories to come back, funny how much a human body can take..."