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It was meant to be a normal, every day commute. They would wander around, grab a couple things for their trip and get back. But of course they could never have something that simple become a routine.
The guardian's were a respected group at this point, welcomed by most, as protectors. If not cautiously, due to a thieving rodent on board. Either way they were peaceful for a time, living day by day like normal. They are happy, Bucky is happy. Y'know, when a golden flying dickhead isn't threatening his new family.
So that's where they are, Bucky being rushed back to the ship. His hair messy, falling in his face as he stomps up the hatch into the Milano. Groot and Mantis helping him up, always there for him since he'd become a part of their ragtag team of weirdos. Once inside they floated off the ground slowly, Peter having already been alerted that they needed to leave.
Bucky eventually made it to the med bay, or whatever room they had that functioned as one, and layed down on the bed. Rocket already getting to work on setup.
In the ambush, Bucky had let his guard down. He was having a good time, felt safe...mistaken, all over again. Flashes in his head hurt, like usual. Memories...of back then, what had happened. Of course he'd remember now, when he was weak enough physically to not be able to deal with it. The tests, the torture, the words, the murders, the fights, old friends he'd betrayed. It all came rushing back once that gold guy had hit him with that bright blast.
He's stood in the way of Rocket as it went off, the Racoon too stunned to move in the moment. Bucky had been hit, twice. The first breaking off the entire forearm of his metallic limb, the other in his lower abdomen. Admittedly they were okay blows by his standards, but the crew thought otherwise, panicking to get him hooked up and treated. It was hard, to sit there...in another chair like that, not fully knowing what was happening through his blurry vision and fallen dark brown hair.
Not before long though, his thoughts would calm down, leaving him alone again...in the emptyness of his brain. The part that would let him just sit and relax, The people in Wakanda had helped him form it, somewhere he could go, when it all became too much, when it hurt too much. A place in his mind where he could collect himself.
When he next woke up, he was drowsy and confused. Not knowing what was happening until his eyes adjusted. First thing he saw was grey, just a lot of grey...the ship. Then he tried to sit up, a sharp pain assaulting his ribs. Another voice from beside him got up and in a panicky voice said.
"Woah, woah, h-hey now Buck. Don't go flarkin' up you're bones anymore!"
"R-Rocket?"
Bucky tried to say, coughing as he tried to speak through dry lips and an even drier throat. Rocket handed him some water, him attempting to grab it with his left hand, only to look down and...
"Take the damn wat-...oh, yeah it got busted from that golden prick. We rushed ya back, couldn't retrieve it"
Bucky tried to speak again, but all that came out were small choked noises. His heart rate spiked at all the new possibilities and memories came back, did they all make it back? How much else did he lose? Were the people okay? Were the others okay? Was Pete-.
"Hey! Hey! Buck, look at me. You're alright"
Rocket attempted to calm him, the rodent ill equipped for the job as Bucky's heart rate shot up. Eyes stinging at the thought of having failed. Failed them. Failed Peter.
"He's awake?"
Bucky stopped and turned slightly to the side, Peter?
He attempted to get up again at the seat, Peter jogging over and placing a hand on Bucky's bare chest.
"Buck! You're up! Hi, yeah it's me!"
Bucky managed a small smile, he was okay! Peter was okay!
Rocket left the room at the sight, rolling his eyes at the lovey dovey reunion.
"Gave us a scare there ya ass"
The remark making Bucky chuckle, Peter's concern always coming out in jokes once he was sure Bucky was safe
"But you did it. You saved Rocket, Buck. If it weren't for your sturdy bod and rockin' arm...he'd..."
Peter paused, getting caught up in the implications of his words. Snapping out of it when he felt a weight on his hand, it was Bucky's flesh hand. Rested on his, rubbing up and down the back. Peter's eyes followed the limb, up to the smiling soldier. He then relaxed, Bucky was always just...so damn pretty all the time
"I'm so happy you're okay"
Peter breathed out, leaning down till their foreheads touched. Just staying there for a bit, taking in the calm moment after the chaos.
Bucky did the same, glad to be in Peter's presence again. And to know that he and himself were alive and okay. He couldn't lose people again, he couldn't.
"Hey"
Bucky looked up at the word, Peter looking into his eyes. A smile on the freckled, stubbly face
"Mantis said you were a badass out there"
They both chuckled, Peter taking the chance to kiss Bucky's forehead softly
"You rest up okay? We're all still here, and drink your water when you can. Gotta hear that sexy voice again"
Peter says with a wink, Bucky rolling his eyes and pushing the brunette away. Peter laughing to himself, leaving his tape on the desk beside Bucky. Handing over his headphones.
"Listen to what you want, love ya, Buck"
Peter said softly, brushing Bucky's hair back and kissing his forehead again, the his scared amd bandaged side. Illiciting a sharp inhale from the soldier, earning a soft 'sorry'. Before Peter leaned up and cupped the side of Bucky's face, pausing.
"Kiss?"
He asked in that silky voice that just melted Bucky, the other man nodding slowly. Their lips pressing together slowly, in a small peck that left Bucky craving more. But obviously, in his current state he had to suck it up.
Eventually Peter sat up and got back to business
"Well, good that you're good Buck. Don't die on me while i'm out, kay?"
Bucky rolled his eyes again, giving a somehow passive aggressive thumbs up. Peter leaving the medbay and Bucky in silence.
Until Bucky puts on Peter's headphones, and presses play. The tunes helping soothe him and clam his mind, his vision slowly fading. Thoughts and heart claming as he drifted off.