Thread: The Asset - Avengers (Moon Struck Fox & Defiant)

Steve was right. Bucky wasn't the best judge of what was going on in his body but he didn't want to think about the possibility of being sick. He got pneumonia once after a mission, they'd been in the Arctic and an explosion has cracked the ice then Bucky'd fallen through. He hadn't said anything after pulling himself up and the Hydra agents only noticed when his bionic arm froze solid and malfunction. The mask had covered his blue lips and skin as he'd worked to complete the mission. By the time they'd returned to base his lungs had filled with fluid while his flesh fingers had turned white with frostbite. The pain... it felt as though it was going to end him. And they'd shoved a tube down his throat, it hurt too but not near as much as many other things he'd experienced. Bucky didn't like the idea of something like that happening again but as he looked across the table at Steve, he felt the blonde man wouldn't let it happen. If you trust them it's okay, Bucky put another spoonful of soup into his mouth rather then add what he was thinking which would have come out along the lines 'if he doesn't listen or hurts me I'll snap his neck in two'. While the pneumonia wasn't really a sickness so much of a side-effect from an extreme circumstance Bucky had thought the serum kept him healthy but the IV he was given while with Hydra had been composed of immune system boosters along with large amounts of vitamins and proteins which is what kept him healthy. He didn't recognize the name. He hadn't been too concerned with the other members of the Avengers. But he was new to this century, in a way. And Steve was better adjusted to a point. Bucky's eyes shot down to his hand when Steve covered it with his own and resisted the urge to pull away. Nobody touched him without the intent to hurt and it was a very strange sensation. I'll stay, he agreed. The way Steve said they'd get through this together and made him really believe. For so long he'd wanted to believe he could be something more than just the asset. A weapon. And now he did. Just because of a few words from an old friend he didn't remember. He wished he could talk as much as Steve was but it still felt so unnatural to speak so much. Bucky ate a few more mouthfuls of soup as he watched Steve with the cellphone and listened to the, mostly, one-sided conversation. He perked up a bit at the idea of getting rid of his metal. It's a part of Hydra. Yes, he said quickly without much thought. The arm, to him, was an abomination. It was created by Hydra to enhance his abilities, make him deadlier. It was used to end so many lives the chance to get rid of it was just too good of an opportunity. It would be like a new beginning. The arm, something he felt kept him tied to Hydra was going to be replaced by something else. It felt as though a weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. He finished about half of the soup when he decided he didn't want to risk anymore. His stomach was clenching uncomfortably already though he couldn't put it all on the food. The whole day was something he'd been building up towards. Confronting Steve and trying to get answers and yet here he was, in the other man's home and about to partake on a journey to try and find himself. He had a feeling Steve was going to need some help too. There was something behind the man's blue eyes which made a sensation of protectiveness swell inside of Buck. -- A few hours later Bruce knocked at the door. Hey Steve, he said in way of greeting when the other opened the door and stepped into the small house and glanced around. He wasn't used to making house calls but given the circumstances, he couldn't refuse helping his friend and fellow Avenger. Tony sounded excited to get to work on your friend's arm, he offered with a slight smile. Despite everything about him, you know the new arm will be the best anyone could create, Bruce suggested. He knew the relationship between Steve and Tony could be strained at times and he liked to try and keep the peace between the two. His eyes found Bucky quickly when they walked deeper into Steve's home and he gave the men a nod. Hey. Bruce Banner. Guess you're the one who's been keeping our good ol'Captain busy running all over the globe hmm? He asked and looked awkwardly at Steve when Bucky never moved or blinked at the comment. Okay. Guess I should be used to dealing with this sorta stuff. he said and set the case he had on the table and looked around. You gonna be present for everything? He asked, his brown eyes going back to Steve. Yes, Bucky answered for him. It wasn't that he didn't trust the doctor. Well, yes, there was that. He didn't trust anyone. Including himself. Alright, not going to go too in depth today. We'll just do some blood and urine tests. Check blood pressure and reflexes, Bruce said. From there, if there's anything then we'll probably need medical equipment. Stark tower would be the best for that, if there is... Bruce trailed off and realized he was beginning to ramble. Kay, well. Have a seat and we'll go over some history, he said and sat first at the kitchen table. Bucky came forward and sat down, keep a seat between himself and Bruce. Alright, so guess we'll start easy. Any medical conditions you're aware of? He asked and grabbed some papers to get his notes started. He had files on all the Avengers now, having had to treat them all more than a few times by now. No. Normal bowel movements? No. How are they abnormal? I haven't... I don't eat, Bucky said and stared into Bruce's eyes. They gave me IV's and a liquid diet. I just had soup. Before you came. Okay. So since you've been away from them, what have you eaten? Bruce asked, shifting his glasses. Nothing. I drank... uhhh... Meal replacements? Bruce asked and shot Steve a concerned glance then looked back to Bucky who nodded with a shrug, unsure if that's what it was. Okay, is it okay if I take some... blood? He asked, kind of nervous of to ask the other man that question. Bucky nodded and presented his flesh arm. Bruce nodded and moved slowly, rolling up Bucky's sleeve and tying off the rubber band before easing the needle in and began filling the vials. He wanted to make sure he had enough to run... every test he could think of at this point. What kind of soup did you eat? He asked when switching a vial. Red... kind of orange? He answered. Bruce caught the laugh before it slipped out and glanced back at Steve. Once he had the answer he nodded. Try broth. It'll be lighter, easier on his stomach. Maybe some cucumber or celery for solids. They're really just water so it'll be more getting him used to the idea of solid food without hurting the organs, Bruce said. While it would be nice to tell Steve to take him out for a nice juicy steak, the sudden solid food could really hurt him. Or puree stuff, veggies and whatnot, Bruce suggested and pulled the band off when he got the final vial. He didn't want to say baby food even though that's what he was thinking. He set the blood into the case carefully and clipped into a secure section. Every time he did something he would ask and show Bucky what he was doing before he did it and took his blood pressure. It was high but that wasn't surprising or concerning. He gave Bucky a little jar for urine and looked to Steve while the newest member of their little gang headed off to the bathroom. I can give you few IV's. If he doesn't handle the food too good he'll need something to keep himself going. By the look of him, he's lucky with whatever he's been drinking has been keeping him going but he'll crash and his organs could too, he warned Steve. Like you, when you don't eat enough and your body has nothing to burn, he hadn't been around for that but he pushed it on Steve. His metabolism burned so fast it was a serious threat for Steve, his body could crash if he didn't eat enough and it was the same for Bucky but Bucky's stomach wasn't ready for the food Steve was used to. He sorted through some papers. I tried to find some of his files before the war but James' files, besides anything with Hydra, has been lost. Do you know if he was sick or had any conditions? He asked. He knew how close they had been once. Bucky returned and handed the jar to Bruce who set it in his bag with the blood. Okay, he set the IV's on the table and Bucky frowned. These are basic, they're normally just for hydrating, he said and grabbed a few vials to inject into the liquid filled bags, each bag getting the same treatment. These'll help if you can't eat or start to feel really tired or weak. I just added some protein compound and vitamins. B, C, D... the basics. It'll just give your body a boost really. But if you need one, give me a... I know how they go in, he said and touched the back of his flesh hand, Bruce followed his gaze and nodded slowly. Okay, if you're comfortable with it go for it. But if you're not okay putting the needle in if you need it just give me a call. Whenever. Nobody matters more than my friends and you're important to Steve so, he looked to Steve. Whenever. Of if you're just worried about something then call, he urged. Bruce didn't know what these two were going through but he knew it couldn't be easy so he would do what he could to make it easier for them. The world wasn't being threatened at this moment so it wasn't like he had an extremely hectic schedule. Good. Well. Let's finish this up, Bruce said and grabbed a stethoscope and a few other not too scary looking things from his bag. Can you take your shirt off? He asked, Bucky complied and sat on the table when Bruce motioned him too. Bruce's gaze was drawn to the scar tissue around the metal. It looked like it had been painful when they'd first done it. He checked Bucky's lungs, palpated the organs and muscles then his reflexes. Once he was finished he told Bucky to redress and turned his attention back to Steve. I won't know anything concrete till I get to the lab and test everything. But seriously Steve. Call for anything. There anything else you need while I'm here? he asked, setting things away but not making any moves to leave. He didn't want Steve or Bucky to feel rushed but he didn't want Steve to feel alone in what he was taking on.