The two of them were cursed.

Getting sick while also being superheroes with amazing immune systems was a bad sign. This was made even worse by the stress of work -- the couple were on a two weeks' long mission in New Jersey of all places. Bucky said, dryly, that it was the fact that they were in New Jersey that lowered their immune systems, and Steve definitely agreed.

That didn't matter now, anyway. They could hate New Jersey all they wanted but that didn't change the fact that they were sick and thus quarantined to their hotel room.

Until Fury sent them back into the field to get some information on the HYDRA ring they had chased to New Jersey.

////

"Just sneeze near 'em," Bucky called, panting into his mask. "They'll get off your back."

Steve flipped one agent over his shoulder with a grunt, side-eyeing his partner. "Buck--!"

"What? It works, Steve, just-- "

"You're distracting me!" Steve hissed as he knocked out another agent with a single punch. Bucky took the time to stretch and catch his breath before throwing himself back into the fray to protect Steve.

////

"You okay?" Steve rasped as they stumbled from the action, both breathing much too hard. Bucky didn't have the strength to nod, just kept walking to get to the van they'd been ordered to take. He collapsed behind the wheel, sinking into the chair with a groan.

Steve did the same in the passenger's side, resting his forehead against the dash, trying to ignore the pounding headache building behind his eyes.

"Are we done?"

Bucky grumbled into the wheel. "We'd better be, I'm telling Fury we're on our deathbed so we can't do... this," he said with a scoff, gesturing vaguely behind them.

Steve looked at him, concerned. "You okay to drive? I can if you want to rest."

"No, I can manage," Bucky sighed, sliding his hands down so he's clutching the wheel more comfortably. He got the van rumbling and turned the heat up, gave Steve a small rueful grin. "Get some sleep, you look like you need it."

"Rude," Steve scoffed but allowed himself to get comfortable, resting his head against the window, closing his eyes.

////

They practically collapsed as soon as they walked in the door. Bucky, shakily, grabbed blankets and threw them into a haphazard little nest on the floor.

"Blanket nest?" Steve looked at him dubiously; Bucky smiled tiredly, shrugged.

"I'm not makin' it across the room to the bed, so. Blanket nest."

With that he promptly sat amongst his blankets and made grabbing hands at Steve, pouting, an attempt to get him to come closer. With a sigh and fond smile, Steve did so, curling in close and pressing his head into Bucky's lap.

"Dinner?"

"Crappy take out and Pepto Bismol?"

"Sounds perfect," Steve replied, and Bucky smiled as he scratched through his hair, sniffling occasionally.

Before they knew it they'd drifted off to sleep, still sick, exhausted, but at least they were always together.

////

This one's short because uh I'm traveling all day and typing it while I go! When I have bursts of random wifi that is :) Hope y'all enjoyed it anyway!