ignis | b. barnes

| 09 |

THE camp was filled with anxious soldiers as they started to prepare for going out to the field. Brendon swerved through the crowd looking for Bucky and his team. His hands were shaking per usual as he was anxious to go out to the field. What had I signed up for. He kept thinking to himself. But Brendon wasn't the only one nervous, multiple soldiers were standing around with uneasy faces as their Sargent told them what was about to happen.

As Brendon made his way through the crowd he finally came across Bucky standing in front of two other soldiers. They were laughing and pushing each other around, they looked like kids.

"Brendon!" Bucky called. Brendon smiled a tint of pink dancing on his cheeks.

"Hey Buck," Brendon smiled. He placed down his bag and examined the two other soldiers.

"Alright gentleman this is Brendon Marshall, our squadrons nurse, doctor, whatever you're calling it." Bucky said briefly. "Brendon, this is Dum Dum Dugan and Gabe Jones."

Brendon smiled at the two and put names to faces. Dum Dum was a tall man with auburn hair. His eyes were a bright blue but a much darker blue than Bucky's eyes. Gabe was dark skinned and had eyes the color of small chocolates, he was almost as tall as Dum Dum.

"Pleasure to meet you, Brendon," Dum Dum stated, putting his hand out. Brendon took it gratefully.

"Is this our squad?" Brendon asked.

"Gosh no," Bucky laughed, "Freddie and Jackie are also apart of the squad."

"Ok." Brendon replied briefly.

___

The group trudged through the forest, Bucky's gun up and ready to fire while Brendon walked behind him looking around for anything suspicious. Dum Dum was over a few yards with Jackie doing the same. Freddie and Gabe were over on the other side.

Bucky raised his hand and signaled them to meet up. "We'll rest here for the night," Bucky sighed letting his bag fall gently to the ground. Brendon nodded and noticed how Bucky didn't drop the gun.

"What's up Sarg?" Jackie asked.

"Camp." He said briefly. The group nodded and set there bags down. Bucky made eye contact with Brendon. He nodded and started walking away.

The two had created a routine, they stop even for a little bit Bucky would have Brendon check around to make sure there were no roads or camps nearby. All Bucky had to do was look at Brendon and they understood.

Brendon wandered through the big forest every so often he would mark trees with a pocket knife to mark the camp. No roads, no other camps, or anything unusual was in the usual perimeter the group established.

Walking back to camp Brendon couldn't help but think what Steve was doing. Neither Bucky nor Brendon has revived letters from him and it made them nervous. Brendon couldn't help but think what would happen if Steve sent them a letter while they were away.

As he walked closer he made bird noises to tell the group he was getting closer. Bucky made his way out of the camp smiling.

"We made a fire the boys are starting to cook some of the food." Bucky informed. Brendon nodded. "You ok?"

"Yeah." Brendon mumbled.

Bucky stared at Brendon a little longer trying to read him. He could tell something was bothering him, but something was always bothering Brendon. If Brendon responded 'yeah' to his question in most likely means to leave him alone.

"Y'know," Bucky started as Brendon passed him, "I like the camp way better. We had more privacy there even with all the other soldiers."

"Yeah but out here it almost feels peaceful, we're here with nature and there is no other signs of human life nearby." Brendon smiled looking around.

"So we are far from roads?"

"From what I could tell. No other camps and no roads."

"Good." Bucky huffed. Brendon nodded in agreement. Bucky walked over to Brendon and placed a hand on his arm. A tint of pink appeared on his cheeks making Bucky smirk. With a quick glance around Bucky leaned forward and placed a kiss on Brendon's cheek.

"Let's go darlin' they're probably waiting for us." Bucky said walking away. Brendon froze for a second before regaining his composure.

"No they're not. They're already eating." Brendon said walking up to  Bucky.

"Yeah you're right."

"Aren't I always? What's the saying, the wife's always right." Brendon jested making Bucky snort. The two burst into fits of laughter.

"Did you just call yourself my wife?"

"I did." Brendon said trying not to laugh again.

"Get over yourself, Marshall." Bucky teased smacking Brendon's arm.

"Not until you get over yourself, Barnes!" Brendon jested. The two laughed again and walked further into the small camp the group set up.

"What are you idiots laughing at?" Dum Dum asked standing up with two small plates in his hand.

"Inside joke." Brendon said taking the plate with food in it. "Thank you."

"Donnie tripped. That inside joke is bullshit, it's bad to lie, Donnie." Bucky said taking the plate.

"I did not trip!" Brendon complained.

"And what did I say about lying?" Bucky asked.

"You two are like a married couple." Jackie complained, rolling his eyes.