Being
Sam’s good at patching people up, and it turns out that Steve’s got some knowledge too. There’s some improvisation necessary, since they don’t have full supplies, but they get a bandage around that horrifying wound, packed as well as they can make it. Bucky’s getting skinny - they could see his ribs when they pulled his shirt up, and Steve makes a little noise of concern. He feels warm, too, like there’s something he’s already fighting, but Sam doesn’t want to poke too far, and somehow Steve agrees. They step back, once it’s done, and watch.
Even though they’re supposedly paying attention, they don’t notice when the Soldier wakes up. It’s only when he shifts to touch the bandage that both Steve and Sam flinch, their attention more focused now.
“Do you remember me?”
There’s so much hope in Steve’s face, and Sam has to say that it’s the first time he’s seen the man like this.
The man who might be Bucky Barnes, but probably isn’t, stares back. Sam thinks Natasha was right. He’s not there. Sam’s seen vets before, real far gone. But this is something else. He remembers the files they read, all the ones that they haven’t gotten through yet. Whoever is sitting in front of them might not be Bucky Barnes, but goddamn if he’s not a POW. Goddamn if he’s not dangerous, too.
“You’re Steve.” His voice is soft yet hoarse. Steve looks like he’s going to cry.
“Bucky,” he breathes, taking an aborted step forward. At least he’s aware he shouldn’t rush the guy. He didn’t move when Steve approached, but the wariness in the way he was holding himself had increased.
Sam, for his part, isn’t sure that this really is Bucky. Yeah, he’ll take DNA match, but all the guy said was Steve’s name, nothing more. Does he actually remember or does he just know information? Natasha’s warning still rings in his ears.
“Why’d you go to this apartment?” he asks.
The Soldier’s eyes snap to his and Sam holds back a shiver, just barely. The gaze isn’t just intense, it’s like a big cat deciding just when to spring on its prey.
Steve turns to Sam, turning his back on the goddamn Winter Soldier. “We can’t interrogate him, Sam. He almost bled out. This isn’t HYDRA.”
“Does he know that?” The Winter Soldier’s eyes haven’t left Sam. He’s listening, he has to be.
“I do,” Steve says, all forthrightness. “Bucky, we’re gonna help you. I’m so glad we found you. I’m so glad you’re alive.”
Bucky, if this really is him, let them find him. Made them find him, even. Because bleeding out or not, Sam thinks that he could have gotten into that apartment without anyone the wiser. The man’s a wounded animal, and though he hasn’t moved an inch, he’s dangerous. He’s dangerous, not just because he’s got a fucking metal arm that can rip up highways, rip out steering wheels, rip off Sam’s fucking wings, but because Bucky makes Steve blind. And if anyone were to use it to their advantage, then the rest of the world is well and truly fucked.
The person that might be Bucky - Sam decides to call him Barnes, because that’s a person’s name, and he’s not gonna dehumanize the guy further - smiles and it is so goddamn fake. Well - it’s fake because Sam knows fake smiles. Steve’s got one too.
“It’s good to see you,” he says, in that whisper of a voice. Sam thinks that Barnes might be about to say more, but he must change his mind. Steve wipes very quickly at his eyes. Sam doesn’t know what to say to Steve, because he knows how dangerous Steve can be. But this isn’t Bucky and they need to get out. There’s a flicker of pain in Barnes’ face, but it’s gone in an instant, and can’t Steve see how Barnes is measuring Sam up?
“I wish it could be under better circumstances, Buck.”
“I will heal,” Barnes says. This is wrong, Sam thinks.
“I know,” Steve says, and Sam realizes that maybe Steve wasn’t surprised enough at the presence of a healing factor in the Winter Soldier files. “But I don’t like seein’ you hurt. We’re gonna figure something out.”
Steve turns back to Sam, with a plan in his eyes. “We need to help him.”
Sam shifts back a step and Steve follows. Good. “We don’t want to spook him by making him do too much,” he replies. The guy does need help, but he’s got the look of a fox in a trap, and Sam is afraid. “Maybe a supply run? Get him more bandages and stuff, let him think about coming in while we do it?”
Steve nods thoughtfully. “That could work.” He looks down for a second. “You’re right. I shouldn’t rush this. I just -”
“Don’t go too hard on yourself, man, it’s a big deal for both of you. He’s here and he recognizes you.” Probably. Hopefully in a good way. “It’s a big step. But we shouldn’t trap him.”
Steve nods resolutely. “We can try that.”
He turns back to Barnes. “We’d like you to come with us. I know it’s kind of a big thing, so we’re gonna let you think on it while we go get some stuff for you. More bandages. Will you stay here?”
This is probably a bad idea in terms of keeping the guy here, but there’s no way in hell that Sam’s staying here with Barnes by himself. And he doesn’t want Steve alone with him either. So they’ll just have to put their trust in the guy, and hope for the best. See what happens.
“Yes. I will stay,” Barnes answers. It’s so simple, Sam thinks.