"One simple task," Steve sighed, pressing his back against the freezing brick wall. "All we needed to do... was buy knitting supplies."

"I wasn't counting on HYDRA teaming up with A.I.M. to do this," Bucky retorted, glancing over at him as Steve shook his head. "I mean, this much man-power is ridiculous, did Fury mention anything surrounding either of them?"

"No, nothing," he said. "Must've been a real underground operation." Bucky muttered his agreement and rolled his neck.

Ah, well. He'd missed out on exercise earlier, so this would make up for it.

////

The knitting needle skewered the agent's hand before they could clasp their gun; Steve spun and slammed his fist into his face, promptly knocking the third agent unconscious. Three down, and only fifteen more to go.

"Think this is a fair fight, guys?" Bucky yelled as he leaped over another to back Steve up. "You're abusing the elderly, for Chrissake-- "

"Not only that, Buck -- " Steve was out of breath, but grinning at his boyfriend as they traded the shield between them both. "I'd argue they're homophobic."

Working simultaneously, they seemed to be dancing rather than in action -- anticipating the other's movements and reacting accordingly. Acting as though they were one.

"Just shut the f*** up," one exasperated agent said as he frowned between them both.

"That's no way to talk to a pair of elderly gay grandpas."

The pair immediately sprang into action once more, surprisingly spry for the elderly.

////

When they finally made it home, Bucky sank immediately to the couch and wiped blood from his new knitting needles, clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

"Steve, they're gonna be stained," he complained. Steve, collapsed at the table, opened an eye to look at him.

"Bleach," he said tiredly. "Not too much."

Bucky eyed him suspiciously. "How do you know how to clean bloodied knitting needles?"

"Don't worry about it."

Bucky decided to shrug this off as he set about cleaning them, and Steve dragged himself to his feet to make them both some food. It was a stark contrast to what had been mere minutes ago, from blood, chaos and many near death experiences, sitting in only the silence of the tv on low volume and the gentle clack of Bucky's knitting needles.

He knitted them each a hat and set of mittens to commemorate the event. While garish, tacky, they were also quite warm and did the job. Steve loved them and wore them very proudly.

////

Something short and sweet (?) I just wanted more battle husbands!