Work Text:
It was late and well past midnight as Steve Rodgers sat up sketching in his sketchbook. That morning, they had just finished a long recon mission. They had some downtime to rest before they planned their attack.
Bucky was in the bunk across from him, sound asleep. Yet, Steve couldn’t seem to get comfortable, or at least he didn’t feel tired yet. So, he tried to sketch until he was tired. His pencil sketched along the page as he sat up in his bunk.
Time passed as Steve continued his sketching. In the bed across from him, Bucky shifted and eventually sat up. He rubbed his face with a hand and looked over sleepily. “Steve? What are you doing up?” He mumbled.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Steve replied, looking up from his paper. Bucky got out of his bunk and came over to him, looking over his shoulder.
“What are you drawing?” Bucky asked. Steve looked down at the drawing and paused. He had a few small sketches of the other Howling Commandos. Yet, the main sketch in the middle was of Bucky.
“Drawing me again?” Bucky chuckled.
“I just started sketching,” Steve replied.
“Figures. Out of all the people here, I am the one you pick to put in the center.” Bucky grinned and sat down on the bunk beside him. “Some things never change. You have been sketching me since we were kids.”
“I guess I have been,” Steve said after a moment as he continued to sketch.
“Next time, you can just ask me to pose. I have to make sure I stay your favorite drawing subject.”
Steve’s pencil paused over the paper. He looked up at him and said, “You really think that many people are fighting for the honor of being in my sketchbook?”
“Can never be too sure,” Bucky replied. Steve just chuckled and shook his head. He continued to sketch as Bucky sat on the edge of his bunk.
Finally, he put down the pencil and turned it around to show Bucky. “What do you think?”
“They are really good.” He replied.
“Thanks,” Steve replied.
“Now that you're finished. Go to bed. Just because you're a super soldier doesn’t mean you don’t need sleep.” Bucky said.
“I wasn’t tired. I was drawing to relax and get tired.” Steve said.
“Well, you drew. Now sleep.” Bucky said as he gave his chest a shove. Which did absolutely nothing. “This was easier when you were smaller.”
Steve rolled his eyes but got a mischievous grin. When Bucky pushed him again. Steve grabbed him and fell back into his bunk, holding onto Bucky tightly.
“Steve! Let go!” Bucky said, squirming.
“No. I’m just so tired I can’t possibly move my arms.” Steve said sarcastically, causing Bucky to snort. Bucky relaxed in his arms and rested his head back against his chest. “You're impossible,” Bucky said softly.
“You’re the one who insisted I was tired,” Steve said as he wrapped his arms around Bucky, pulling him close. Bucky just shook his head and accepted his fate.
“Goodnight, Stevie.”
“Goodnight, Buck.”