bucky barnes imagines

lxvii. SICK

To begin with, it was just like every other morning; you woke up in Bucky's arms, both of you swaddled in blankets as a warm orange glow beamed through the gap in the curtains. Your alarm hadn't gone off yet, so you closed your eyes again with a contented sigh, intending to make the most of your last few moments in bed.

But then Bucky awoke with a weak cough and a strained groan, causing you to sit up suddenly, both confused and concerned. You rested your hand on his forehead for a second and, sure enough, he was burning up with a sudden fever.

"I thought the serum meant you couldn't get sick?" you questioned, already swinging your legs over the edge of the mattress to fetch some medicine.

"So did I," Bucky croaked, rubbing his temples in defeat as you cooed sympathetically, jogging out of the room.

Within a minute, you were back, carrying a box of ibuprofen capsules and several bottles of water. Setting them aside, you clutched his arm, tugging it gently.

"C'mon, baby, you gotta get up," you insisted. Still, Bucky didn't move; he curled his legs up and gave you his best puppy eyes, feebly reaching out to grab at your hand.

"Don't wanna," he mumbled, "gimme cuddles."

Your heart melted at the sight of your sick super soldier boyfriend; despite his somewhat tough and stern appearance, he was an absolute softie, especially with you. But while you wanted to give in to him, you managed to stand your ground, firmly shaking your head.

"Bucky, you're sick."

"And cuddles will make me better."

You raised your eyebrows at his questionable argument and he groaned once again, slowly sitting up and leaning against the headboard. After he'd reluctantly swallowed two pills and downed almost an entire water bottle, you finally let him off the hook a little, helping him to lay down again.

"Get some more sleep, okay?" you sighed, cautiously placing a kiss to his forehead. "I'll tell Steve and Sam that you can't run with them for a few days. And then I'm going to make you some chicken noodle soup."

"Let me help, doll," Bucky responded, even though he was clearly in no state to do anything at all. His eyes had fluttered closed before he'd even finished speaking, and you chuckled as he began to snore quietly. Even though he was slightly flushed, his hair matted and damp, his lips parted as he slept, he was still adorable.

While he rested, you tried to go about your business as normal; you ate breakfast, worked out, even spent a little time with Nat and Wanda. But your mind kept drifting back to Bucky, so before long, you decided to just make the soup and spend the rest of the day with him.

When you returned, he was propped up in bed, sipping from another water bottle. His eyes lit up as he saw you and, once again, he reached for your hand, wanting you to lay with him.

"Careful," you giggled as he accidentally swatted the bowl that you were carrying. To avoid any spillages, you placed a pillow over his lap and quickly set the soup in front of him.

Although he was sick, Bucky's appetite hadn't taken a hit – he ate everything with gusto, humming in satisfaction at the taste of your cooking. Once he'd finished, he smiled lazily at you.

"Thank you," he spoke appreciatively, scooting a little closer to where you were sitting at the foot of the bed.

"What for?" you asked. You knew he was talking about the soup, but still – you wanted him to know that he didn't have to thank you, that you just wanted to look after him, to love him.

"For everything," Bucky murmured, catching you off guard. "I don't say it enough, but I really appreciate everything you do for me. Even just the little things, like... like when you patch up my cuts and bruises after a mission, or when you stay up with me if I can't sleep. I couldn't ask for anyone better than you, Y/N, I love you. So much."

You practically swooned as you crawled over to wrap your arms around Bucky's neck. He tilted his head to kiss you properly for the first time that day, and you found yourself not caring that he was sick. Soon, one kiss turned into a somewhat sleepy make-out session, which then turned into something else entirely.

Needless to say, you woke up sick the next day.