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The first thing that hits him is the infernal Siberian cold. That was how HYDRA destabilised their bodies. His body feels like mush, like he’s been kept in stasis for too long. Then, he hears Karpov’s voice in the distance, his pulse rising at the words leaving his mouth.
“Longing, Rusted, Seventeen, Daybreak….”
He opens his mouth to cry out, but there is no sound. Why is there no sound?!
Bucky’s eyes fly open in panic as he wakes, and they’re shining with tears. “No, no…” He looks up to see Sam there, his brows furrowed with worry. “Another nightmare?”
Bucky swallows and nods, before laying his head down on the other man’s chest. “Siberia again…” The soft rise and fall of Sam’s chest anchors him to the situation, to reality. He’s with his boyfriend, he’s loved.
He’s safe.
“Baby…” Sam runs his fingers through his hair, gently brushing against his scalp to soothe him. “Karpov’s long gone. It’s just you and me here, you’re safe now.” The look in Bucky’s eyes breaks his heart so completely, seeing how scared he is.
Sam wraps his arms around the other man tightly, trying to soothe him as he whispers sweet nothings. Slowly but surely, he feels him relax, almost go a little limp against him. “That’s it…”
Bucky looks up at Sam, his heart no longer racing with fear. “God, I love you.” Sam chuckles at that, and kisses him slowly and tenderly. The two only pull away when they need to, their breaths shaky, the looks on their faces conveying more than words ever could.
They’re both home now.