Shivering
Shivering meant cold. Bucky hated the cold. Steve hated it too. How couldn’t you, when you’d spent as much time encased in ice as they did. The snow fell outside the small cabin, a safe house they’d had to retreat to when their last mission had gone sideways. Nat wasn’t sure how long they were going to be there. At least a week.
Bucky curled closer to Steve, frowning when the body between them wracked with a particular bad bout of shivers. There was a sniffle and a muffled cough punctuated by a groan.
“Baby.” Bucky whispered, brushing hair off of a sweaty forehead. “You’re burning up.” He admonished softly.
“I’m cold, Buck.” Rose whimpered, tugging the blankets tighter around them. “This furnace sucks ass.” She muttered, sniffling again. Fever bright eyes peered up at them from a cocoon of blankets.
“It’s like ninety degrees in here.” Steve rebutted. He’d shucked his shirt and pants hours ago and was sweating like he was in a sauna. The soldiers ran hot due to their increased metabolism, but even squished between them on a bed barely big enough and the wood furnace roaring not ten feet away, Rose couldn’t seem to get warm.
“Maybe a hot bath?” Bucky suggested worriedly.
“If she’s not warming up between us in this unbearable heat, I don’t know how a bath would help.” Steve snapped aggressively.
“Hey.” Buck stated in a low warning tone. Steve closed his eyes and sighed, pushing down his frustration.
“I’m sorry.” He apologized after a few moments of silence. Another shiver shook the squeaky bed. Bucky’s eyes wrinkled and he pressed his human hand back to Rose’s forehead.
“That’s cold!” She smacked his hand away, teeth chattering.
“Let’s try the bath.” Steve sighed, rolling from the bed. Rose whined at the loss of heat and burrowed closer to Bucky. He tightened the blankets around her and tucked her sweaty head under his chin. Steve drew the water, scalding hot, in the bathroom. “It’s ready.” He called from the adjoining room, sticking his head through the door.
“How about a nice, hot bath, baby?” Bucky whispered. Rose mumbled something and nodded. Bucky scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bathroom. The two soldiers efficiently shed her clothes, frowning at the sweat sheening her body, and helped lower her into the water. The girl relaxed, closing her eyes and letting out a sigh.
“Shouldn’t this be a cold bath, to get her temp down?” Steve asked after a moment. Bucky twisted his lips into a frown.
“It should, but I’m worried. She hasn’t stopped shivering since we got here.” Bucky replied. “If it gives her even a little reprieve, we’ll have her take a cold one a bit later.” He stated. Steve nodded in agreement before leaning forward to grab the shampoo. He wet his hands and squirted some the shampoo into them before massaging it into Rose’s hair. She relaxed under the gentle ministrations, peacefully blissing out. Before she knew it, she’d fallen asleep.
She awoke shivering. The furnace was still roaring, and the boys were pressed against her, but it was still so cold. She pressed her fingers into the crook of Steve’s neck and whimpered. His eyes shot open and he pressed the back of his hand to her forehead.
“Oh fuck!” He practically shouted, yanking his hand away. Bucky shot up, alert, eyes searching for danger. “Buck, she’s dangerously hot. We need a cold bath and we need it now.” He commanded. The assassin silently escaped the bed and rushed to the bathroom.
“Steve?” Rose asked blearily.
“Hey baby. Bucky’s drawing a cool bath. You’re burning up real bad, sweetheart.” Steve whispered, brushing sweat-soaked hair from her eyes.
“No cool bath.” She whined, burrowing close to him.
“I know you feel cold, baby. But, that’s because of the fever.” Steve assured. “You’ll feel better.” He promised, scooping her up when Bucky gave a shout. Much like they did earlier that evening, they shed her clothes and lowered her into the tepid water. As the cool water touched her skin, the girl cried out and weakly flailed at them. Bucky captured her hands, shushing her, and gently pushed her back into the water. Her teeth started chattering violently and Steve closed his eyes against the sound.
“You’ll be okay, baby doll.” Bucky assured, running his fingers softly through her hair. Even in the cool water, he could feel the heat radiating from her.
“There’s some fever suppressants in here.” Steve spoke in relief as he rifled through the bathroom cupboard, producing a small bottle of acetaminophen. He hurried to the kitchen, filling a cup with water, and came back. Rose took the pills and the water, downing them quickly even in her delirious state.
She stayed in the bath for about an hour, until her shivering dulled, and allowed the men to pull her from the water, dry her, and redress her. She was pliant in Bucky’s grip as he placed her on the bed and arranged himself at her back. Steve crawled in on her other side, and she drifted again.
The next time she awoke, it was to the absence of shivers. And an absence of bodies. She sat up, wrinkling her face in disgust at the feeling of the sweat sticking her clothes to her body, and stood up.
“Hey baby! You’re up!” Bucky sounded absolutely pleased as she slumped into the kitchen chair across from him. “How are you feeling?” He asked, taking in her skin. It was less red, and there was less sweat beading at her hair line.
“Like I got ran over by a truck.” She muttered, dropping her head to the table.
“Do you feel cold?” Steve asked softly, reaching out to put his hand on her cheek. She felt cooler to him.
“No.” She shook her head, glancing up at them. “I hate getting sick.” She lamented. Steve smiled softly. “Thanks…for taking care of me.” She thanked.
“You don’t have to thank us.” Bucky replied with a bright smile. “We just can’t stand to see you shivering.”