#stuckybang2024

[taybay14]

Piece by Piece

This is an entirely self-indulgent Bucky-recovery fic that follows Bucky from his time as the Asset in CA:WS (mostly canon compliant until very end) to him recovering himself while in the Tower with lots of Avengers support/love. Chapter 1 is all CA:WS from Bucky’s POV - it’s written in a slightly different style than the rest of the fic to showcase Bucky’s mindset, just as a heads up. Chapter 2 is when the divergence happens.

This is inspired by the delightful artwork by @skullfragments (see chapter 9) - I immediately loved the art piece and knew I wanted to write what was clearly a fun/happy moment between Steve/Bucky (with Alpine in the background, thinking these humans are idiots). I’m apparently a sadist though because I decided to make them earn their happiness first. Angst with a happy ending - my specialty. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it <3 And thank you again to skullfragments, not just for the great art but for reading along the way and letting me bounce ideas off of you! It was such a fun/collaborative experience working with you!

Summary below:

Steve and Bucky are discovered on the bank of the Potomac & brought to Stark Tower. From the beginning, everyone has one thing on their mind: Help Bucky. It’s going to be hard, but they're ready to give it everything they’ve got - and they’re the Avengers, so they’ve got quite a lot.

***

“Hey, Buck,” Steve says, his voice soft. Bucky lays on his side, pressing a cheek to the soft carpeting, wishing he hadn’t ruined all his blankets. He hates feeling cold and it’s a little cold in his room. “You don’t have to talk or come out or anything, but… I’m going to lay here, okay? All night. I’m going to stay right here so you don’t forget that it’s different now. So you don't forget that you’re safe. You’re not alone.”

Bucky doesn’t know what to say to that. Even if he did know, his tongue is doing that heavy-sticky thing again. Instead, he slides his flesh fingers under the crack in the door, barely able to fit the tips, and waits. A moment passes. Then Steve’s fingers are pressing right back.

And maybe Steve is right. Maybe things are different, maybe he is safe, maybe he’s not alone.

Maybe - just maybe - he’ll be able to get himself back after all, piece by piece.