This is a long one so better buckle up, folks.

////

The prince wakes to the taste of blood and seawater. Flinching, he sits himself up with difficulty, realizing his hands are bound, as well as his legs. The sun on the horizon paints the sky with bright reds and oranges, dark stripes of purple interrupting the colour scheme.

He grunts as pain spikes through his temple with his movement, so sudden that he whites out, and nausea overtakes him. He collapses to the side once more and gasps as the pain worsens, squeezing his teary eyes shut.

"Decided to join the land of the living?" An unfamiliar voice is suddenly right in front of him. Steve forces an eye open, grateful that the figure is blocking out what little sunlight is left. The gentle rocking of the ship doesn't help his nausea any, however.

"Who -- where am I?" Steve's voice is stronger than he was expecting, and a feeling of gratefulness washes over him; sounding as weak as he felt would be strategically poor in this new scenario. Looking around, it's clear he's on a pirate ship -- which meant he was their hostage.

Also the man pointing a sword at him and the bonds keeping him down helped clear that up.

"Welcome aboard the Red Mistress," he says, tilting Steve's chin up with his sword. "Got a surprise for ye down in the Captain's quarters -- fresh water and a place for you to ride out that head injury."

A million questions and comments race through Steve's head, and he decides to voice none of them; besides, with the pounding in his head he wouldn't be sure he'd even be speaking coherently.

Once the ropes are cut, Steve carefully stands and forces himself to his full height, meeting the eyes of the shipmate calmly. He follows him down to the captain's quarters, making sure to take in everything he can and try to think of a way off of this ship that doesn't include his untimely death.

The wooden stairs creak with every step and the thudding in his head seems to get stronger. The captain's quarters are shrouded in cold darkness in the bottom of the boat, a strange detail that Steve wouldn't have expected to see on a pirate's ship.

The door, made out of dark and hardened mahogany, is well crafted. Steve dismisses the decorum of knocking and enters. It takes his eyes a second to adjust to the darkly lit room, and once that happens the shadow of a man in his chair appears, his chair turned.

"You called?" Steve decides he isn't above using sarcasm on a pirate captain. The captain in question waits a moment, apparently to maintain the air of mystery, before turning around.

Steve's taken aback to see a young man with a youthful, handsome face and beautiful ocean blue eyes.

"Your Highness," he greets, his voice a warm and dry tone. He bows deeply, mockingly, and Steve merely watches him as he crosses his arms and leans against the wall, partially to show the captain that he isn't afraid of him -- partially so he has something to support himself with. His head full of lead, without that support he's afraid he'd collapse on the pirate lord's floor.

"Have a seat," the brunet continues, busying himself with pouring two glasses -- rum in one, water in the other. Steve eyes them suspiciously, unmoving. "Please, your Highness, make yourself comfortable. I give you my word that I don't have anything in mind except for a negotiation, of sorts."

"It's the 'of sorts' that concerns me," Steve replies as he takes a seat, clenching his jaw as pain explodes through his head once more.

"Well, take my word or don't, it won't really change matters." He looks at him, a calculated look as he raises the rum to his lips. "Do you remember what happened two nights ago?"

Two nights? I've been unconscious for that long? Steve bites back a frown as he struggles to recall. The captain watches with raised eyebrows. Steve remembers... explosions, and running down the cobbled street from his home. He hadn't look back, but he remembers hearing a resounding crash and the crackling of flame. And laughter; men everywhere laughing as they stole what was his family's, and destroyed it.

Then a hazy memory of smoke and Steve stumbling across his mother, Sarah -- and her throat sliced open. Steve falling to his knees, staring at her, unable to comprehend it. Steve grabbed roughly and, when he finds it in himself to fight back, a blooming pain in his head, then nothing.

Steve's lunging across the table before he realises it, stopped by the captain's pistol pressed against his forehead. "I gather you do remember, then."

"You bastard," Steve seethes, his hands shaking with fury. "You -- "

The captain flicks the safety off, still staring at him calmly. "Have a seat. I'd hate to damage that pretty head more than I had to."

Teeth clenched, Steve slowly sits once more and regrets his movement only because the pounding in his head is somehow worse; with each painful thud blackness flickers into his vision. He fights to keep it at bay.

"So, what can I explain... " the captain folds his hands and tilts his head. "I have close to thirty men on this ship and they're all trained, obviously. There's one of you, untrained and injured." His eyes flicker up to the top of his head for exaggeration. "Our job is to get you to our superiors, dead or, preferably, alive."

"And... if I refuse to cooperate?"

The pirate sighs, rolling his eyes to look up at the ceiling. "Then we'll deliver you dead. Look, this is a pretty easy situation. All you gotta do is lay low and go without a fuss."

"Unfortunately neither of those options work for me. I'd rather die than help you," Steve replies, folding his arms. He blinks to clear tears away from the corner of his eyes, taking a steadying breath as he focuses on the captain.

"You just might, Highness." He looks amused at his words. He notes the pale colouring of his face and the rapid blinking. "Would you care for some water?"

Steve doesn't bother with a response.

"This is getting tiresome," the captain says as he stands. "If you don't behave yourself, we've got things worse than death here."

"It'll be a cold day in Hell when I give you what you want," Steve growls. "These threats mean nothing and you don't scare me."

The captain chuckles, nodding absently as he looks at him. "Well. I guess we'll see about that." He flashes a grin, and Steve glares at him silently.

////

"I told you we should've just killed him."

"They want him a pawn, Romanoff, he's no good to them dead. And we need what they're offering," he mutters as he stares out to the rest of his ship.

The Red Mistress was part of the armada commanded by Schmidt, a German general with connections across the world and a dangerous way about him. He donned a red mask and was known to go off the rails in a fight; destroying everything, and taking no prisoners. If a ship ran into the path of the Red Hydra, there was no hope.

"I know. So where are we going?" Romanoff spoke plainly around him, since she'd known him for years -- he didn't scare her the way he did the rest of the crew.

Bucky Barnes looks at her and sighs. "William's Port," he decides. "We're running low on supplies and we'll need to stock up anyway."

"Is that really the best idea, captain?" Natalia folds her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Commodore's been on our tail for the past eight days."

"Williams is far enough hidden that it shouldn't be a problem." He studies her a moment. "That will be all, 'Talia."

Noting his flat tone, Natalia nods and walks off, talking with the rest of the crew who are either scrubbing the deck or playing cards. It's a quiet night, warm enough to lift the crew's spirits after the chase with the commodore, Seitz.

Bucky rubs his face. He was in way over his head -- when he had asked his commander for a job he'd thought maybe a second-in-command, much like Natalia, but to a more accustomed pirate captain such as Rumlowe; getting his own ship and crew was way more than he ever expected. At first it was fantastic, his own command and the freedom to travel and do what he wanted.

Then the problems with the boat surfaced. Always leaky, doesn't uphold well in a storm, and by far the most expensive to be in command of. Plus, Barnes was only twenty three -- much too young, he felt, to do the job as well as someone like Rumlowe, who'd been in command for seven years.

This was the beginning of Bucky's second year, and he was already in hot water with the commodore because of a rash decision he'd made about ransacking a certain ship a month ago. Now they've gone and kidnapped a prince.

Bucky takes a deep breath and stills, staring down into the churning water, trying to process what's been happening.

////

Two days pass. Steve waits in the bottom of the boat, finding the driest place to sit, trying to think of a way out. With his mind and thoughts a confusing mess, this proves harder than he would've thought. The floor spins when he moves his head, and that feeling of lethargy throughout his entire body doesn't bode as a good sign either.

The thought crosses his mind that he's dying, and he isn't sure how far from the truth that would be. They'd offered him hard bread and water, and an apple in total -- he'd ignored it all. Better to die with dignity than be indebted to a pirate.

"I'll never understand the stubbornness of the rich," Bucky sighs as he comes down the steps, stopping outside the cell holding the wounded prince.

"Go to hell," Steve mutters, lacking the hate he wants to put into his words.

"That's harsh." Bucky pours a glass of water and reaches through the bars with it. Steve regards it apprehensively.

"There's no honour in being dead," the captain says flatly. "Take the damn glass, your Highness."

Steve hesitantly grabs it and takes a sip. Bucky looks satisfied and nods. "So, have you reconsidered?"

"Only the ways I'll kill you." He gazes at him, still sluggish. Bucky smiles as he folds his arms, leaning against the wall.

"Damn, you're stubborn. I appreciate the violent sentiment, though, that's very fun for a prince."

"And you're pretty pathetic for a pirate captain." Steve blinks at him lazily, and Bucky remains unfazed.

"I'm not sure what you think you're doing, as if I'll get offended and kick you off the boat -- that's unlikely. I can promise you, however, that you will die down here unless you agree to work with us instead of against us."

Steve tries to think through his options. He has a better chance of survival outside, that's true -- and a better chance of escape. He says nothing, and the captain considers that to be progress.

"Your fate is sealed either way, I suppose. Perhaps you'll die like your mother did -- all alone." Bucky shrugs and studies his silent demeanor before leaving. Steve leans against the wall and listens to the cracking of the steps that slowly fade.

"Bastard," he hisses, closing his eyes, realising he's going to take the deal although it goes against everything he thinks is morally sound.

He was right. It was his only chance at survival.

The next visit he gets, Steve agrees to the captain's terms.

////

It had been just under a month aboard the Red Mistress. Steve was beginning to grow accustomed to the life of a pirate and realised that when he decided to lay low, the only one to take notice of him is the captain, dropping by to give him an order or a quick remark.

"You're going to train with Natalia today," the captain says as he walks up to where the prince has been looking out onto the horizon. Steve looks at him, frowning, about to open his mouth to argue.

Bucky puts up a hand. "If we run into any trouble I can't afford any men to cover your ass. Plus, if you can't keep yourself alive, I won't be at fault for your death." He smiles at that statement, and Steve resists the urge to roll his eyes.

"How very noble of you," he drawls and turns, folding his arms as he studies him. "But what's preventing me from running you through with a blade once I learn how to?"

Bucky smiles dryly, motioning towards Natalia with his head as she knocks down another recruit and presses her blade to his neck. "I imagine you'd be quickly dealt with."

////

The captain watches Rogers and 'Talia with mild interest each time he passes along the deck, making his rounds and checking up on the crew. He's surprised to see the prince mostly holding his own; Natalia was his best fighter, had been doing it since she was young.

"Your stance is weak," Natalia says as Steve gets up again, breathing hard. He nods and attempts to fix it, and wordlessly, they begin again.

Steve liked Natalia. She was a woman of few words and everyone was terrified of her -- and even though Steve knew she could easily slice him in two without a second thought, he respected her a hell of a lot more than he feared her.

With a sweep Steve is on the ground once more, and Natalia's blade presses lightly on his throat. "Don't ever allow your opponent to get you to the ground. They hold all the power. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," he breathes, flinching as she pushes the blade deeper before pulling away. She grabs his arm and pulls him to his feet.

"Again."

////

Williams Port was a hovel; a small island where the majority of stops were pubs and brothels -- save for the one trades shop tucked away into the trees.

Steve studies the area apprehensively, glad for once to not be wearing any of his valuables as he'd surely be robbed of them. Natalia pulls the captain to the side and talks to him quietly about their supposed plan of action. Steve takes in his surroundings.

Closest to the small crew is the Wretched Crow, a seedy tavern with red curtains in the windows and a tilted sign out front.

Steve wrinkles his nose, steels his nerve and walks in. At the very least he could get himself a weapon for the inevitable time he's back aboard the Red Mistress.

The general crowd he'd expect to see is gathered; large groups of men and women counting out coin, displaying various feats of strength, and of course, drinking as if their lives depend on it.

Steve weighs his options. Maybe if he created a big enough ruckus he could steal a weapon, maybe a bottle or two, and sneak away -- maybe snag a boat while he's at it and row away to any form of freedom.

He picks the biggest man he can find and walks up to him. Half of his mind screams at him to stop and consider his actions but it's already too late, his fist is flying and he closes his eyes, what was he doing--

Then he instantly ducks out of the way as the counterattack comes right for his face. He shoves another man into the way, and the poor soul takes the brunt of the attack.

"Bastard!" The stranger roars before fighting back. In mere seconds, the tavern is in an uproar. The prince stands there, stunned, before leaping into action himself.

Steve spots his chance. Stealing a sword off of a struggling man's belt, he dodges a flying glass bottle that shatters behind him and ducks out of the tavern, moving into the chilly night. Looking around wildly, he hears something snap behind him. He whirls around, then points the blade at the pirate captain's throat.

Bucky smiles roguishly, raising his hands in surrender. "You goin' to kill me, your Highness? 'Cause I would have never thought that'd be your style."

"You don't know what I'm capable of."

Bucky jerks his head towards the commotion in the tavern behind him, unfazed by the sword to his throat. "From what I saw in there, a hell of a lot." He grins at him, tilting his head. "So?"

Steve looks at him, hesitating, before bringing the sword down in a slicing motion that Bucky easily dodges. He tosses his own sword into his hand and deflects the second attack.

"You sure you want to do this?"

A determined look crosses over Steve's face and he clenches his jaw, focusing on fixing his stance and keeping his footing. Bucky's eyes flicker over his movements and the teasing grin doesn't leave his face.

Steve makes the first attack, slashing with purpose, aware primarily of his balance as Natalia told him to and thanking the gods that Barnes had made him do this.

Bucky attacks with little mercy; part of him wants to pull his punches, but he has to remind himself fervently that Steve is going to Schmidt to be used as a pawn. He tries to keep his goal in mind and focuses on besting him.

Bucky pushes him back onto the dock until Steve has nowhere to go without falling into the dark water. Teetering on the edge of the wooden boards, Steve flicks his sword into his left hand and swings a punch with his right.

It connects with Bucky's jaw and he staggers back, his head reeling from the hit. His sword clatters to the dirt.

Steve scoops up his sword and points them both at Barnes, who rubs his jaw tentatively.

"Fighting dirty," he says with a wince. "And you say you're nothing like me."

Steve glowers but his attention is brought elsewhere when a man is sent flying through the open window, narrowly missing him by a couple inches.

"I'm not like you," Steve says, finally turning calmly to him again. Bucky snorts as he climbs to his feet.

"So you're going to stand there and tell me that what you did was a good thing?"

"Better than murdering an innocent woman and kidnapping someone who did you no wrong," Steve snaps. His hands are steady; his eyes are cold.

Bucky's expression changes ever so subtly as he watches him, and Steve falters for an instant, for one reason: he sees regret wash across Barnes' face.

"Look," he says, and for the first time he sounds genuine. "It wasn't the plan to kill her. She wasn't the goal; you were, Highness. It was unfortunate that she got killed in the crossfire." He eyes his reaction. "I'd apologise but I'm afraid that wouldn't do either of us any good."

Steve says nothing for a moment, then lowers his swords. He walks away, back towards Natalia and the crew.

Bucky stares after him, still rubbing his bruised jaw. Apparently Rogers was full of surprises.

After the boat is finally restocked, they prepare to head out to sea, and Bucky is even more surprised to see Steve boarding the ship on his own accord.

"Poor bastard's accepted his fate," Adamson chuckles as he boards with boxes of fruit in his tanned arms. Natalia remains silent as she walks up to the captain, busy checking over the supplies they'd gotten after managing payments.

"Rogers is still here?"

"Evidently so," he muses as he looks over his shoulder to see Steve sharpening a sword. He raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. Natalia follows his gaze, looks back at him, and realization dawns on her.

"I'll take my leave, captain," she says, and he waves her off absently. Natalia walks into her "quarters", a small nook in the corner of the boat under the deck with a bed and lamp; her own abode, which she appreciated as the second-in-command and only woman on board.

She sinks onto her hammock and twirls her "thinking knife" between her fingers.

Bucky Barnes was in love with the prince. A pirate captain and, essentially, his cargo that he was supposed to be sending off to their superiors; oddly enough a fact that Natalia had to keep reminding him.

That plus the fact that somehow Rogers ended up feeling more like one of the crew every passing day he was with them.

She pokes her head out to study the two and, though she can't hear what's being said, a small smile is on Bucky's face and Steve is trying to look annoyed. However, as Bucky leaves him alone, his look of annoyance turns to one of a sort of fondness coupled with a small roll of his eyes.

Natalia worried for the day that their purpose came around and Rogers would be shipped off, probably tortured, and eventually killed. She sucks in a breath and shakes her head as she lies down once more on her bed, and closes her eyes. Surely it would be all right.

In all due time.

////

In the span of three months Bucky Barnes had made no efforts to track down the Red Hydra and hand the prince over. Rogers was given work to do on deck and occasionally, the captain would step in to scold him on what he was doing incorrectly -- half the time it felt like they had been lifelong friends the way they teased each other mercilessly.

Natalia had noticed that Steve stopped trying to kill Barnes -- always an improvement -- and Barnes was much more lenient towards letting him do what he wanted, more so than the other crew.

They'd lost the commodore weeks ago, and Bucky was just beginning to let his guard down. The night they celebrated was calm and warm; the crew singing shanties and playing their instruments while others played cards and drank.

Bucky sidles up to Steve and hands him a glass of rum. Steve looks at him dubiously. "If I were to poison you surely I wouldn't have waited until you'd been aboard my ship for almost five months now."

Steve pauses to consider this before taking the glass. "I appreciate not getting poisoned." He offers cheers with his glass and a nod of his head. Bucky raises his own before taking a sip, sitting on the steps beside him.

"Can I make you an offer?" Steve scoffs and says nothing to him. Bucky takes that as a cue to continue. "If... we never find the Red Hydra, would you... work... here?"

Steve stares at him like he's grown a second head, but mentally he calculates his options. Going back home, he would have to face the charges of working with a pirate captain as well as the lack of family and estate. He would be a nobody, with no one. On the ocean, he could always one day betray Barnes for doing what he did.

The thought doesn't push him onwards as it once did. Finally, he sighs and drinks. "I guess we'll see how it goes, Barnes."

Bucky smiles gently at that, clears his throat and nods -- then disappears among the rest of the crew. Steve watches after him and smiles to himself.

////

The day the Red Hydra pulled up next to them was a day Bucky would never dream to relive again. She was slow and silent, almost on top of them within minutes of spotting her yards away.

Bucky just watches from behind the wheel; his grip tightens unexpectedly. He pulls another pirate towards the wheel and walks closer to the intruding ship. The bright red symbol of Hydra, a skull surrounded by tentacles, is clear as day. Bucky's mouth runs dry.

Their anchors are dropped and a plank is lowered, conjoining the armada ships. The captain's heart sinks as he wrestles with his options.

"Time to get this settled, then." The words are out before he registers them, and Natalia's sharp gaze lands on him.

"What are we doing, captain?"

Bucky's teeth are gritted. He tries his hardest not to look at Steve, an overwhelming guilt crushing him. "Natalia," he finally says in a low voice. "I'm following orders. You should give it a try once in a while."

"Captain -- "

"That's enough," he hisses, but he lacks conviction behind his words. "This was the plan, this is what we were fighting towards." He sounds more like he's convincing himself more than anyone else. "There's nothing to do now."

Natalia sees the man she respected shrink under the shadow of the Red Hydra. She says nothing and steps away, folding her hands behind her back.

Steve watches him board the looming ship and his heart rises in his throat. Then Barnes is gone and his heart drops once more into his stomach.

He was going to be handed over and he was going to die. His fate was sealed.

Steve sits slowly on the steps as a numbing fear slowly knaws at him, enveloping him.

There was nothing to do but wait -- and pray.

////

Considering everything that's changed in the past five months, captain Barnes finds it unsettling to once again be on board the Red Hydra. An involuntary shiver courses through him as he eyes the red insignia plastered all around the ship, and a sickening feeling of dread settles in his stomach when he recalls the day he swore an oath to join Schmidt's crew, a promise to give his life to the cause.

No matter the cost.

"Captain Barnes," Arnim announces as he steps out of the captain's quarters. "Welcome home."

The sickening feeling worsens and Bucky takes a steadying breath as he enters the beast's lair. Standing there, looking through the window onto the gloomy sea, is Schmidt. His trademark red mask is secured to his face, and Bucky remembers his rookie fear as his commander turns around to face him. "I was wondering how long it would take you to secure him."

"Sir?" Barnes focuses on the paneled wall behind Schmidt, wary to make direct eye contact. Schmidt's lackey, Arnim, circles him like a shark -- poised to strike.

Schmidt swirls his drink delicately, an odd contrast to his rough reputation of destruction and murder. "Steven Rogers."

Bucky adjusts his stance and straightens his shoulders. "I had to schedule a stop at Williams before arriving here," he explains, careful to adopt the soldier-esque stance they were trained to use. "With Rogers."

Schmidt smiles as he turns to look at him. "I'm to assume that the deal has changed on account that the prince is not currently here?"

He forces himself to meet his gaze. "He's... on board the ship, sir," he says uncertainly. Memories of Steve rolling his eyes at something he'd said, or correcting Bucky on something menial, or whenever a moment passed between them -- Bucky's eyebrows knit together the more he reflects on it. "And... he's not... coming over here."

The red skull laughs, shaking his head as he takes a sip from his whiskey glass. "You always were the coward. Say what you mean," he barks, turning on him. Bucky stands his ground.

"I'm not letting you take him."

Schmidt smiles around his glass and glances to Arnim. "This is a declaration of war, then? Over one man?" He snorts derisively.

Bucky lifts his chin, gods, he was doing it -- "That's correct."

Schmidt laughs and finishes his drink, then studies Barnes in a new light. "Understood, captain. You have... three minutes to prepare." He waves him off, and Bucky's chest tightens unexpectedly.

So that was it, then. He had doomed his crew to save the life of one man. Not pausing to consider the morally-grey zone he's found himself in, he runs against the ticking clock and prays he made the right call.

Bucky rushes back on board, his face pale and determined. Natalia eyes him as he looks frantically about the ship, tightening his jaw and mentally preparing himself.

"Barnes..?" Steve crosses his arms and Bucky turns to look at him, grimly. "You wouldn't -- why did -- "

"Saving your ass better not turn around and haunt me, Rogers. Get below deck, we'll handle this."

Steve doesn't budge. "No way I'm letting you take that risk on your own." He extends a hand, and Bucky glances down at it before meeting his gaze again. "Looks like you're officially stuck with me." A smile crosses his face, and Bucky feels something heating up his chest.

Bucky takes his hand and gives it a solid shake. "And I'm all the better for it," he replies, sincere. He nods once then pulls away, continuing onwards, aware of the prince's eyes locked onto him.

Natalia stares after the captain. An incredulous grin flashes over her face. "Captain, you're insane."

Bucky smiles dryly at her as he reloads his pistol. His hand is shaky. "Understood, 'Talia. All men on deck. Get them ready for a battle."

Natalia storms off and begins barking orders as Bucky triple-checks all of the canons. Steve stares at the massive black and mahogany ship as it looms closer, closer until he can hear the jeers of the crew, easily outnumbering their own.

The prince hated being small; he straightens his shoulders and turns abruptly towards Barnes, ready to stand and fight with him -- or die trying.

"You ever been in a life-or-death fight before, Rogers?" Bucky feels dwarfed in the shadow of the Red Hydra's ship, staring at Schmidt's men. Steve grabs a pistol and sword from one of their own crew, shooting him a look.

"Oh, once or twice. Maybe like when I was kidnapped, for example?"

"You're seriously bringing this up now when we're literally fighting to keep you alive?"

Steve grins at him. Bucky's heart twists. "I have to keep you on your toes somehow."

"Punk," Bucky mutters, smirking as the crew prepares themselves.

////

Bucky storms towards the approaching pirate on shaky legs, wishing he felt stronger than he was. With a slash of his sword the man falls dead and blood pools into the cracks of the wooden boards of the deck.

The captain forces himself not to look, keeping a mental track of who is where, and who he needs to protect.

He'd lost sight of Steve almost instantly, the two of them attacking on different fronts, and he tries to tell himself that Steve would be fine and wouldn't allow himself to get caught -- or killed.

Steve was too stubborn to die; that was something that had always intrigued Bucky, something that made Steve stand out. His unwillingness to give up. His stubbornness to fight, and fight, and fight until there's no one left to fight anymore.

Another man falls to his dulled blade and he pulls the sword out, struggling a bit as it remains stuck in the body. He'd driven it too deep; Bucky makes a mental note of that and severely wishes he'd had more experience fighting.

That wish is only strengthened as he's slammed against the side of the ship, wincing as his back bends in a way that it shouldn't. The man towering over him is big and stronger than he is, and pushes his head down. Bucky struggles for balance, flailing to grab at anything to get this behemoth off of him.

The pirate's hand closes around his throat and Bucky gasps out a curse, instantly fighting to get free. "The tragedy of the fallen agent of Hydra," the pirate growls, his voice impeccably low, and Bucky chokes through a strangled gasp, clawing at his hand. He drives his knee into the man's stomach and it does nothing to budge him.

Blackness flickers through his vision and he grunts. In a desperate, frantic move, he kicks hard between the man's legs; he only realises he's free when he's collapsed to his knees, dragging in deep ragged breaths. He wraps his arms around the man's legs, tenses up, and flips him over the side.

He's met with a satisfied splash as he sags to the floor again, still gasping.

"Bastard," he wheezes vehemently, coughing as he pulls himself up and retrieves his weapons, shaking his head as he staggers back into the fight.

////

Steve slams his back against the mast, pulling his weapons close to his chest as he gathers his nerve. The sickening slice of a sword cutting a throat behind him makes him flinch, and the thud of the body mere inches from him is a depressing reminder of what -- and who -- he's up against.

Then Bucky flashes across his mind, teeth clenched as he fights to save Steve, fighting to save the man he'd kidnapped, the man he cared about. The man he was willing to sacrifice everything for.

He takes a sharp breath and whirls around the mast, swinging his sword abruptly down and pushing it forward. He looks up to see Schmidt and his gun pointed straight at his face. In a split second, Steve ducks as the gun goes off, an explosion that leaves his ears ringing and head spinning. He forces himself through it, stabbing wildly at the man.

Schmidt deflects it, first with an air of ease but steadily, as he's pushed back, he fights harder. Steve manages to drag the blade across Schmidt's cheek, and he growls and clutches his bleeding cheek.

Schmidt sweeps his legs out from under him, and, not expecting it, Steve falls to the ground. Panic spikes through his system as Schmidt's blade hovers over his chest.

"You going to come along without a fuss? Or do I have to kill you now?"

"I can do this all day," Steve breathes, making a desperate grasp for his fallen sword, and Schmidt steps forcefully on his arm. The blade digs into his chest, just enough to break through his shirt, just enough to break the skin -- and Steve stops his thrashing, frozen with fear that the sword will be driven into his heart in less than a second.

"Famous last words. Shame that there is no one around to hear them, though." Schmidt pushes the blade deeper and cold ice rushes through Steve's veins.

Then in the next second Schmidt is sliding sideways, and the sword is dragged across Steve's chest -- leaving a three inches deep gash in its wake.

Bucky stands over Schmidt after tackling him, breathing hard and aiming a gun at his forehead. Schmidt chuckles, a weak and wheezing sound as he rolls over, his arm thrown over his chest.

"You were always the weak one," Schmidt murmurs, smiling a bloody grin. "You'll never -- "

The gun fires and Bucky is steady for the first time in a long time. He blinks, and a shaky breath leaves him. He sinks next to Steve, his mouth a grim line, and his eyes bright with fear. "Are you okay?" His voice is a rough rumble, low and quiet, a stark contrast to the rage Steve'd seen as he'd killed Schmidt.

He lifts his head to check the gash across his chest, and is alarmed at the amount of blood. The dull and aching pain hits him as shock fades away, and he realises it's deeper than he had originally thought.

"Okay. Okay." Steve can practically see the wheels turning in Bucky's mind as he stares at the wound. "Come with me. This isn't going to feel good, but I'll need to clean it out."

"Fine," Steve breathes, closing his eyes in preparation. Bucky helps haul him to his feet and supports him down to his quarters. Steve is pale by the time he sinks into the cushioned seat.

Bucky grabs a bottle of alcohol and rummages for some bandages, cursing under his breath the entire time. Steve eyes the reddening bruise on his neck and frowns as Bucky comes closer, busy dousing some cloth with alcohol.

"What's -- ow, f*ck--! Barnes -- " Steve strains to get away, gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes closed, an anguished groan escaping him.

Bucky squeezes his shoulder as he applies the cloth to his chest, trying to be gentle. "I know, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he murmurs. Steve blinks back tears and sucks in a sharp breath. Bucky subconsciously moves his hand to his forehead, brushing his messy hair back. He looks at him, concerned, as he grabs the bandages and starts wrapping him up.

"You okay?"

"I'm fantastic," Steve hisses, finally falling still as the pain pounds through his chest. Bucky shoots him a look and steps back after readjusting his shirt.

"Stay here, I need to go check on the others."

"Aye, cap'n." Steve looks at him, eyes glassy, his face pained and pale.

"My name is Bucky," he blurts without fully understanding why he does, turning abruptly on the stairs to look at him earnestly.

Steve takes a moment to process this and grins weakly. "Pleased to meet you, Bucky."

Bucky smiles grimly at him and runs back upstairs, praying the majority of his people are okay.

He jogs over to Natalia, slumped over, and drops a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him, a calm look set on her face. Panic behind her eyes. They'd lost too many men.

"You survived. I'm glad," she says, the relief evident in her tone -- and Bucky tries to hide his smile as he nods.

"Were you hurt?"

She looks away. "I'm fine, but we lost Adamson, Bentley, Jones and Thompson, O'Reilly... " Bucky lowers his gaze but nods nonetheless. "Rogers?"

He looks up. "He's wounded, but he'll survive." He decides not to comment on the look Natalia sends him. She knew he cared about Rogers in a way he hadn't cared about anyone else in a very long time; she might question it herself, but he was still her commanding officer. Who was she to judge?

Besides, she respected the way Rogers had adapted to everything that had been thrown at him. From a cowardly prince to a pirate, to her, he had proven himself worthy of her respect. She didn't hand it out easily.

"Captain, why don't you go make sure his wounds are properly tended to and I'll do a check for damage and how many we've lost."

"'Talia -- "

"Captain," she says softly. "You're wounded yourself. Forgive me, but I think you need the rest."

Bucky stares at her, she stares back -- and Bucky finally nods, rubbing his eyes.

"Consider yourself lucky you're my most trusted friend."

Natalia smiles. "Thank you, Captain."

Once again in his quarters, he finds Steve asleep in his chair where he'd left him -- he'd pulled one of Bucky's jackets over himself, something that for some reason made Bucky's heart flutter oddly in his chest.

Rubbing his neck, Bucky decides to drop the decorum of character that he as a pirate captain is supposed to hold. He huffs as he sags to the ground to sit against his chair, only realising how exhausted he is once he's stopped moving. He wraps his arms around himself, drifting off in mere moments.

////

The damage wasn't as bad as Schmidt's reputation would have had them believe. However, the loss of their men had everyone in a solemn mood. Bucky gathered everyone on deck and said a few words to try to put everyone at ease -- it did little to help their moods, but addressing the heavy issue seemed to help some.

On top of that, Bucky made a final decision that he expected to be harder than it was: the Red Hydra was going to be passed off to Natalia.

She says nothing for a moment after Bucky makes the offer. Finally, she tilts her head to study the impressive ship. It would be a lie if she would have said she wasn't interested, but she'd worked with Barnes for so long...

"You're a damn good captain, Natalia. I wouldn't be here without you. You helped me, so allow me the chance to return the favour." He nods towards the ship again. "Take it and find yourself a crew."

Natalia smiles at him, an honest and rare one. "Thank you, captain."

Steve walks up to him after Natalia takes her leave. He waits for Bucky to acknowledge him, which he finally does when he turns his head.

"Something wrong?"

"I wanted to say... thank you."

Bucky turns quickly, staring at him. "What?"

He tilts his head. "For saving me, Barnes. I thought pirates didn't have the capacity to care."

Bucky scoffs, turning once more and resting his arms on the bannister. Steve joins him, standing beside him. He can barely make out his expression in the falling twilight.

"I meant it, though. Thank you," he repeats, softer this time, and Bucky nods, taking a deep breath.

"It's the least I could do."

"Bucky," he says, and the brunet looks up at him. "You gave up your position. You gave up your -- your status, your namesake -- "

"There's no need to remind me, Rogers," he murmurs, studying him, his eyes flicking to his lips. Steve holds his gaze and for some reason feels his cheeks heating up, and his pulse quicken.

Then the captain moves closer and Steve pulls away, his breath catching in his throat. Immediately he closes his eyes as his ears heat up, inwardly cringing when he realises he's beet red.

"I -- "

"Sorry, Highness," he mutters as he turns away, blinking hard, embarrassment flooding through him. He stares into the water and wonders how bad it would be to toss himself overboard. He's painfully aware of Steve hovering beside him, and an awkward air above them both.

"I -- I'm -- need to -- " Steve babbles, flustered and despising the fact that he's flustered. Bucky lowers himself to rest his forehead on the bannister as he hears his footsteps fade away and he sighs slowly, making a face.

"Brilliant, Barnes. Brilliant," he whispers.

////

The two weeks it takes to get to any form of land is awkward at best. Steve spends most of it with the remainder of the crew, explicitly avoiding Barnes -- just so he can comprehend what's going on.

Bucky tried not to let it get to him. Sure, he had never loved a man before, let alone a prince he had sort of kidnapped. It was insane that he felt this way towards him, and it was wrong -- wasn't it?

Either way, the prince didn't feel the same towards him, and why should he? Barnes had taken him from his home, his family...

Bucky sits at his desk and drops his head to the table, cursing silently. The sickening feeling is something he isn't used to; guilt, and discomfort.

One of the crew calls him up to the deck. "A small port connected to Saint Philipa's," he says as he nods towards a town nestled in the rocky terrain. "Will we dock, captain?'

Bucky nods his response and helps tie everything down, then orders the crew to start lowering the long boats to row ashore.

Once everything is settled and The Red Hydra has docked not too far from the Red Mistress, Bucky finds Steve on the beach, looking out onto the water.

Bucky quickly turns away, but Steve leaps to his feet when he sees him. "Captain, can I have a word?"

Gritting his teeth, Bucky walks over to him. "You should leave. There's a town not too far from here, you'd be there within a night's walk -- " Bucky tries to gesture through the trees but lowers his hand as he sees that Steve hasn't moved.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what is going on." Steve takes a step closer to him, folding his arms over his chest. Bucky shakes his head and attempts to shake off the emotions running through him.

"You're free, Rogers. Get out of here."

"We need to discuss what happened that night." He looks at him pleadingly. "Bucky, I wanted to tell you the whole  ti-- "

"Just let it go, Steve," he snaps as he walks further up the dock, angry at himself for getting emotional. He scrubs his eyes and curses to himself.

"Wait -- " Steve grabs his wrist. Bucky turns to look at him, teary eyes and red face. A hurt and heartsick look passes over Steve's face, but this time, instead of pulling away, he kisses him.

Bucky freezes before melting into it, cupping Steve's face gingerly as if he's afraid to break him. "Steve -- I'm sorry," he breathes, eyes wide as he pulls back to look at him. Tears fall down his face and he struggles to wipe them off.

"Its okay," Steve hushes, taking his hands. "Buck," he murmurs and Bucky sniffles. "Look, I'm okay."

"This is just Stockholm Syndrome," Bucky mutters. Steve tilts his chin towards him.

"Bucky, you sacrificed everything to help me. You saved me from those bastards," he soothes. "Look -- believe me or don't, but I'm sticking around for a reason. It's you."

Bucky stares at him amongst the silence of the ocean, the waves lapping gently at the shore. "I've done nothing to deserve you." A perplexed look crosses his face, and slightly pained. "Steve, I... "

Steve looks away. "I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do, be anything you aren't. I just -- I wanted you to know that I... you know, I... care about you. A lot. You're important to me, and... I... think I like you a lot more than I probably should."

The words bounce around Bucky's head. "I don't fit the standard you deserve."

Steve smiles in response, a warm look that Bucky melts underneath. "Buck, you're the excitement I didn't realise I was missing. I'd want to be with you, if you'll... have me?"

"Steve," Bucky breathes, before kissing him, desperately. Steve pulls him close, cupping his cheek, one hand firm on his hip. The brunet clings to him, arms loose around his neck.

He kisses him again, and again, and relief overwhelms him as Steve kisses back.

////

As captain Bucky Barnes stands behind the wheel, second-in-command Steve Rogers stands next to him, taking his hand within his own, smiling at him.

"Ready to raise some hell?"

"With you?" Steve smiles, turning his gaze onward. "Always."

////

This! Took! Much too long! It's almost 8000 fricking words! I hope y'all enjoyed it for what it was, I decided to do what would be a two-part one shot into just one so I could get it all up in one go :)