˚ ༘ 𝕿𝐖𝐎 𝕲𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒 彡
꒰‧⁺ ⇢ ❝ 𝒞𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 ℱ𝙾𝚄𝚁 ¡! ❞ ˊˎ
- ̗̀ ๑❪( ◌⁺ ˖˚ ಿ unimaginable power.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

𝕵𝑶𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑵 𝑺𝑪𝑯𝑴𝑰𝑫𝑻 𝑾𝑨𝑺 NOT A MAN WHO LIKED TO BE GIVEN ORDERS. The only ones he followed were his own, and he expected the rest of HYDRA to do nothing but the same. To him, he was a man of superiority. Not many men could become an SS officer who reached the rank of Obergruppenführer (Lieutenant General) and get into Hitler's inner circle . . . and no one but him, the first man in centuries, was aware of the Norse Gods that had roamed this earth long ago with vast, unimaginable power beyond human cognition.

He sought after it, establishing HYDRA, and becoming one of, if not of the most ominous science divisions ever. All that power . . . yet he still craved more.

Schmidt couldn't stand the voices of the three Nazi officials who heeded him like an annoying bug that won't take off through his facility, ridiculing him at every opportunity they got. And after all, he had done for them. He couldn't stand it! He wouldn't stand for it!

It was only when one officer spoke of Red Skull that something in him ticked. They came to see his work, then his work they shall see.

Arnim Zola, a Nazi scientist, was operating when he entered through the big steel doors with the three men roaming behind him. "Hitler speaks of 1,000-year Reich, but he cannot feed his armies for a month. His troops spill their blood across every field in Europe, but still, he is no closer to achieving his goals." Johann uttered as he ripped off a sheet, uncovering what he had spent years trying to harness; for the future of HYDRA and the world.

"And I suppose you still aim to win this war through magic?" Roeder scoffs, his hands lifting sarcastically; which only fuelled Schmidt's rage.

The Lieutenant-General looked at him, cocking a brow. "Science. But I understand your confusion." He corrected, turning a dial of sorts as Zola supervised behind him; a troubled frown on his forms. "Great power has always baffled primitive men."

"HYDRA is assembling an arsenal to destroy my enemies in one stroke, wherever they are, regardless of how many forces they possess," he clicks his fingers, the machine beside him humming to life. "all in a matter of hours."

"Your enemies?"

"My weapons contain enough destructive power to decimate every hostile capital on Earth." Schmidt proceeded to press buttons and flick switches up on his device, the sounds of its activity growing more deafening in the room; the three officials eyeing his stacks of paperwork and statistics that didn't look anything like Hitler's recent orders. "Quite simply, gentlemen, I have harnessed the power of the gods."

Schneider, conceivably the oldest of the three, cleared his throat. "Thank you, Schmidt."

"For what?" Johann flatly questioned.

"For making it clear how obviously mad you are." The man told him, being postponed by Roeder; who was glancing over Schmidt's map of HYDRA targets, noticing that Berlin had been pinned as well.

"Berlin is on this map!" He called out, his german accent thick as he veered to the Lieutenant General in alarm.

"So it is." Schmidt droned, gazing to the side as one of his many weapons that Zola had been altering, whirred forward to now be aimed directly at the three men's faces.

"You will be punished for your insolence!" Fear was set in stone now, and Schmidt was worshipping every ounce of it. "You will be brought before the Fuhrer himself!"

Schmidt didn't even waver when pressing the button to activate the machine, the device wailing mechanically as the HYDRA Cannon shot at the man. It shot like an ordinary gun, but a bizarre, blue light was the substitute for the bullets as it fired at Hutter, vaporizing him instantly without a trace.

Reacting to the ungodly horror that was Hutter's demise, Schneider and Roeder immediately tried to flee the facility but Schmidt was one step ahead.

He fired again, the room flaring with light at the weapon's blast as he missed Schneider narrowly twice before succeeding in aim. The man was gone in a split second - just as he had said.

He found Roeder desperately
attempting to get through the doors hurriedly but to no avail. He was trapped, and Schmidt took personal pleasure in his scream of anguish during his final seconds before being completely vaporized into nothing; leaving only him and Zola in the room.

"My apologies, Doctor," Schmidt addressed the man behind him without turning his back to face him, instead choosing to eye the previous positions of the three SS officers. "but we both knew HYDRA could grow no further in Hitler's shadow. Hail HYDRA."

His men echoed his last two words, showing their loyalty to him with raised fists. Arnim Zola didn't speak, stunned by what he had seen. However, when Schmidt turned to him with a raised brow, he succumbed and saluted. "Hail HYDRA!"

Now an enemy and traitor of the Axis powers, Johann Schmidt smiled grimly upon seeing his men's unwavering allegiance to him before then calmly taking his leave to proceed in his quest to take complete control over the entire world.

And, with the Tesseract's infinite power . . . nothing could stop him. Nothing.

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Raymond Fossum could feel death churning in his stomach as he jogged around the camp breathlessly, the morning sun still on the rise as he huffed and puffed his way along. Richard was a few paces behind him, desperately aiming to get ahead of him as they endured the aftermaths of yesterday's actions.

"This is all your fault, Possum." He hears Richard heave in dismay for the fifth time this morning. "You threw the first punch."

"Would've thrown the last one too if Lieutenant Morris didn't step in." Raymond snappily retorted, their last lap soon coming to an end when the gather of soldiers having breakfast came up in their sights.

"Keep up the pace, ladies! Food's almost done!" Lieutenant Morris demanded from where he oversaw all the men eating, watching their heads perk up at the comment of food.

The two new men hastened their pace, soon breaking out into sprints when they noticed soldiers were evacuating the table to get back to work; deserted plates being the only indication that they were even there in the first place.

Like before, Raymond was still ahead; his complaining stomach being his driving force as his legs manoeuvred to the table when he heard Richard's calloused voice beside him.

"You know, you're lucky that sergeant of yours has your back. I heard you guys both came from Brooklyn." Ignore him. Raymond sternly advised himself when he felt his face grow hot - and not because of his laps. You're better than this, Raymond. You're better than this, Ray -

"Must be nice to have a pal from home. Maybe we'll get him to identify your body to make it easier for us soldiers, the real men, when we uncover your cowering self collecting mud just like your dad."

Raymond grunted with effort as he abruptly whirled his right fist, scarcely missing Richard's face when he stopped and pulled back; resulting in his missed punch jerking him forwards.

Raymond's body hurled towards the ground, landing oppressively on the dusted ground beneath him as he groaned; his brain slugging in his skull as his skin scraped, the slickness of blood already in effect.

Richard's maniacal laughter could be made out as he passed the collapsed boy who was struggling not to physically wince from the discomfort in his knees, successfully making it to Lieutenant Morris as he howled. "Enjoy lunch, Possum!"

"Fossum!" Raymond withstood the urge to complain at the voice calling his name, recognising the authority in it as he flipped over - still on the ground - to see Second Lieutenant Charles's derogative gaze. "What the hell was that?"

"Sorry, sir." The boy murmured with his head tucked down as the silhouette of Charles with his hands on his hips heckled him.

"Do I have to make you run another lap, Son?" The older man struck out his arms, lifting a brow as if he were disciplining a child.

"No, sir."

The Second Lieutenant yanked him to his feet, clasping his shoulder roughly so he would be compelled to look him in the eyes. His gaze was flaming, scorching Raymond's irises as he enunciated his brutal words. "Then learn that your comrades aren't the enemy."

He strode away after that, leaving the Fossum boy to stand alone as soldiers operated around him; doing their part while he watched, dirty and feverishly hungry.

"Well, that was quite a show." Someone clapping him on the shoulder earned Raymond's attention, veering around to see Gabe smirking exuberantly at him. "For a minute, I thought you were even going to beat him."

Raymond sneered at his words, striding out of the hold as Gabe followed after him towards their tents to obtain his stuff for today - frowning when he noticed people missing around their area; including his friend. "Where's Bucky?"

"Don't know. He was summoned earlier this morning, along with Dum Dum and some extra guys." Gabe replied, sauntering over to one of the knapsacks and pulling something out from him. Turning back to Raymond, he passed him a small stack of stale biscuits. "Here."

Raymond graciously took the food with no delay, rapidly chomping down on one to terminate his growling abdomen. He spoke with his mouth full - a thing his mother would've otherwise chastised him for but, at that moment, he simply didn't care. "Thank you. You didn't have to. 'Heard some people get punished if caught doing stuff like this." He gave a sign towards the biscuits hugged tight in his grasp, consuming another one nonetheless.

Gabe just simply cackled at the stuffed-cheeked boy, shaking his head. "Don't thank me. Thank your friend." When he saw the misplaced representation painted on the young man's face, he continued through a shrug. "He's the one that smuggled it in here for you. Told me while you were out running your laps to give it to you after he finished breakfast and noticed not much food would be left by the time you finished."

Raymond pouted mid-crunch. Bucky had done that? For him? "Oh." Was all he could mobilize, heeding the distant warnings of Charles instructing them to hurry the hell up as soldiers fled from the tents in timely jogs.

Gabe and Raymond swiftly joined them, the latter sweeping his eyes around the camp. "Do you think they're getting sent out?" He inquired, an edge of apprehension dripping his tone.

"Don't know." The Jones man shrugged, soon chortling when he looked over his shoulder and saw the anxious expression dyed on the fellow soldier's face. "How long have you two known each other?"

"Since we were little kids." Told Raymond, reminiscing. "Been through thick and thin together."

"Must be the best and worst thing ever; having your best friend with you during all of this." Gabe swerved to give him a feeble grin from behind as if putting forth a hand of leniency.

Raymond lingers behind silently, Richard's prior words coming back to him like a bullet in the dark. Gabe was right. While he was generally soothed to have Bucky, someone who he indisputably trusted, by his side . . . a part of him knew that most outcomes for the two of them wouldn't be decent. Something was going to transpire, it always does. He just couldn't tell what yet.

They reached an end when Charles commanded they do so, their feet halting with one last stomp as they all stood in a vertical line; already predicting their orders as the Second Lieutenant investigated them.

His words were like bricks flung straight to the face as Raymond watched him give a sign to all too familiar weapons, and all too familiar packs that needed to be arranged, tidied and prepped for tomorrow . . . where they would depart at the first sighting of sunlight to fight their most dominant enemies.

Raymond's jaw clenched as he eyed Charles overseeing an M1 Garand, his hands swiping over it as he recalled the men of the basics; half scolding them as he did so when he caught the occasional looks of confusion.

He cleaned the weapon, and every wipe felt like a slap to the face. I don't want to touch it, I don't want to touch it, I don't want to touch it. His mind screamed through his skull, almost like a scared child as each soldier was ordered to grab a bag and make their way to the stationed resources.

"Fossum, you stay behind." Raymond inwardly winced when his name was called, no longer disguised by the rest of the men who had now dispersed; leaving him alone with Second Lieutenant Charles.

"Yes, sir?" Raymond braced for impact. He knew that amongst all these men, he stood out like a sore thumb.

"Do you love your country?"

"Of course," Raymond said with no hesitation. He thought of his mother, his brother, his home, and the streets that he roamed; all making the essence of home even more important and bittersweet.

He recoiled when Charles shoved a gun into his chest, his hands instinctively reaching up to hold it before it fell as he looked at the older man with what could only be described as a miserable puppy.

"Then act like it," Charles charged, his face stoic while his eyes burned into the young man; who stood frozen. "You'll be on scrubbing duty tonight. You make your trip down to the lake you were briefly told about as soon as you've picked every darn article of clothing up from the men."

"But, sir -"

"That's an order, Fossum!" Raymond flinched in a blink at the harsh roar, caving into himself in a self-defence manner that he had a habit of doing when he was little. He thought he had grown out of it, but Raymond remembers being taught in school how trauma in the making could have you redeveloping habits you thought to be gone for good.

Second Lieutenant Charles took a pinch of pity on the man, the burning fire behind his eyes being put out momentarily to give him an expression which could barely even register as a smile. "Get a good night sleep tonight, Fossum. You need to gather strength for the morning."

And with that last and final piece of guidance, Charles was walking away from him; the vacant soldiers now returning through the woods.

Dum Dum Dugan was one of the people at the very front, seemingly one of the most authoritative. This didn't surprise Raymond as he trudged along, nor was he surprised to see his best friend striding beside the man.

Bucky's face was smudged with mud and dried dirt, his hair like a wild birds nest; yet Raymond knew that all the girls in Brooklyn would still be at his feet in a heartbeat as he spots him amidst the crowd and starts moving towards him cheerfully.

"Hey, Ray!" Bucky smiles as he jogs swiftly up to him, his muddied face making his smile, even more, brighter as Dum Dum orders the boys to go freshen up wherever they could and place their dirty belongings in a pile.

"Hey." Raymond's acknowledgement was blunt as he passed the boy, surprising Barnes. He walked past him without another comment, the sergeant following after him.

"You okay?" Bucky frowned, his mind already coming up with answers as to what could've happened while he was away as they walked together.

"Yeah. Fine." Stopping at the stalls, Raymond grabbed a nearby sack that soldiers would leave their clothes in when they were in dire need of cleaning and began picking items up off the floor. He explained when his friend shot him a confused head tilt. "I'm on washing duty."

"For what?" Bucky found it in himself to laugh at the statement but didn't bother to hide the genuine tone in his question.

"Doesn't matter. You should go get cleaned up." Raymond suggested, not taking his eyes off of the clothes.

"I'll help if you want."

"No." the boy immediately rejected the service, shaking his head. "You've been out most of the day, go enjoy your night."

"I'd enjoy it more with you than those assholes." Bucky scoffed, rolling his blue eyes as he heard distinct bickering between two boys who wouldn't shut up while he was out with Dugan.

"Glad to know that I'm appreciated." Raymond manages a weak smile, finally looking up at his friend. "Seriously, Bucky, go rest."

"Heads up, Possum!" A sudden shout disrupted the pair, the two driving around only for a muddy pair of trousers to hit Raymond square in the chest; landing on the floor with a wet thump.

The action was followed by a boisterous laughter, Bucky glaring at them from over Raymond's shoulder. To his surprise, his friend - who now had more muck over his white shirt - didn't join him, instead just patting him in the shoulder as he went to walk away. "Get cleaned up. You stink."

Before he could leave, his friend pulled him back by the forearm; turning his body to him as he scanned over his face with a sad attitude. Bucky's blue eyes then landed on his knees, eyebrows raising in shock. "Good god, Ray, what happened?"

"Don't worry about it. Just a scrape." Raymond shrugged in response, walking off before he could be asked another question while leaving the already heavy sack that would increase in weight as he made rounds behind so he could collect other articles of clothing around the camp. "I'll be back to collect their stuff later."

Bucky watched him leave, knowing something was far from right - farther than they should be in war. "Hey, Dum Dum!" The Sergeant caught eyes with the Corporal, who was currently yelling at men to hurry their asses up. The bright, blue-eyed man turned to him expectantly; seeing the Barnes boy give a sly side smile. "I'm going to need a favour."

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"Thank you." One of the camp nurses thanked Raymond when he came to collect any spare sheets that needed to be washed, kissing him on the cheek in swift gratitude before scurrying back off to the tent; leaving Raymond alone once more.

He sighed as he heaved another heavy sack of clothes that was almost twice the size of him over his shoulder as he lugged it through the base, a few stifled grunts escaping him as he passed.

Lieutenant Morris passed him at one point, eyeing him like a hawk as Raymond sent a respective nod his way; displaying the manners he had learned from none other than his father.

His envious eyes watched the soldiers as he passed their tents, looking at their somewhat freshened up state bitterly; his eyes hardening when he heard Richard's obnoxious laughter. Oh, how badly he wanted to nail that punch earlier.

Revisiting where the men had freshened up, he found another load of clothes waiting devilishly to be taken care of and cleaned. Raymond bit back a groan as he bent down to place the remains in the sack he had left out earlier; hissing sharply through his teeth from the sudden pressure on his legs and knees. He bit back the discomfort, knowing this would probably place him last on the list of injuries that were sure to damage his skin during all of this.

He finished stuffing the clothes away, knotting it up tightly before he got back up to analyse what he was dealing with; his lips a straight line as he looked at the sizes of the two bundles of clothes he had to carry. He would manage, but that doesn't mean his shoulders weren't going to ache by the end of it.

With an enormous sigh filled with dissatisfaction, Raymond threw one bag over his shoulder, and chose to drag the other along by hand; knowing he would at least need one good shoulder for tomorrow.

His journey across the camp, towards the woods Charles had given him proper directions to when he was collecting the second bundle, wasn't so bad - he had to admit it wasn't as far as his mind had made it out to be. That being said, with every step he took, he felt sick with every prod he felt on his side.

Raymond had to take a gun with him - protocol, said Charles as he handed him the M1911 pistol. The Fossum could tell the man held a curious, almost suspicious, glint in his eyes when handing him the weapon. He knew why. He was probably the only man in camp who would leave the grounds, happily unarmed. And Charles probably purposely gave him this punishment as a test, to see how he would handle being armed out in the open.

Raymond remembered staring deep into the man's eyes as he took the pistol, unwavering as he tucked it away, out of sight but within hands reached as he nodded; turning and striding away without another word.

He exhaled through his nose when he felt the weapon dig into his skin as if saying "you can't forget my presence" like it was some annoying relative who you had to hang out with at a family gathering; desperately wishing for the evening to be over.

Raymond Fossum's blue eyes widened when he felt fingers wrap around his hand that was dragging the bag, instantly moving to fight until he was greeted with a friendly pair of blue eyes paired with a boyish smile.

Bucky held a finger to his lips, signalling to be quiet as he tugged them closer to the woods where Raymond was previously leading the way to, waiting until they were protected by bushes before he talked to his friend. "Need a hand?"

Raymond gawked at him as the Barnes boy wordlessly took one of the sacks off of his hands, carrying it instead as he trekked on. "Why the hell did you sneak up on me?! I have a gun!" He emphasised, eyes wide at even the mere idea of putting up such a weapon at Bucky.

"Yeah, a gun you didn't even have out." Bucky snorted, tutting teasingly at him as he shook his head. "Not very safe, if you ask me, Ray."

"Like sneaking up on an armed soldier in the dark is any better." Scoffing, Raymond made wide steps as they walked down towards where the lake was. He didn't challenge how his friend already knew where to go, reckoning he presumably asked someone for directions or had already passed it today when he checked these grounds earlier today.

"I know you weren't going to shoot me." Bucky chuckled, sounding so sure and confident that Raymond partly wondered if he held any hesitation at all when choosing to sneak upon him. "I'd be more worried about Steve shooting me on accident than you, Ray."

Raymond couldn't help the soft
the smile that glided like melted butter over his face. His mind scolded him, telling him it was nothing to be smiling about . . . but he couldn't help himself when he heard the trustful words of Bucky Barnes.

They reached the clearing that led straight to the lake soon, Bucky making sure no twigs or heavy branches slapped their faces as they passed; comfortably silent until the lake came in their sights.

It was cleaner than Raymond expected, but it was probably nothing compared to the water available back at the base; which is why his eyes bugged out of his head when he saw Bucky discarding the bag he was carrying to the side, hands reaching for the bottom of his shirt. "Wha - What are you doing?" His voice was mouse-like: small and squeaky as he stood still.

If he noticed the change in tone, Bucky didn't show it as he pulled his muddied shirt over his head; bare-chested as he threw it to the side with all the other clothes. "Cleaning myself up, as you said."

"Yeah, but I meant in the stalls!" Raymond exclaimed his grip tight on the sack he held as he placed it near the water so it would be easy to access as he cleaned every piece of cloth.

Bucky Barnes turned to him with a smirk that made his heart pound against his ribs like a wild animal in a cage as he shrugged. "You didn't specify." And with that, he leapt into the water with an audible splash; doing a cannonball in.

"James!" Raymond cried when his impact sent a wave of water his way, shielding himself to the best of his ability - not that he cared much for his already poor appearance.

The boy emerged from the water a few seconds later, laughing at the look he was given the second he breathed in the fresh air around him. "What? I'm not washing in those manky stalls. They stink." He scrunched his nose up cutely, sweeping his dark-brown locks back with a grin as he relaxed in the water.

"You're ridiculous." The Fossum deadpanned, sitting down on one of the big rocks near the lake to begin.

"Ridiculously smart."

"We could be ambushed right now," Raymond stated, but he sounded just as carefree as his friend did as he cringed at the waft he got when he lifted the first article of clothing as he held it with two pinched fingers.

"Please, Ray, it's not like anything is going to just pop out of nowhere and scare us." Bucky scoffed, scrubbing some dirt off his hands; his full attention below him.

"Hey, Bucket?"

"Yeah?"

"Catch!"

Bucky turned around, only for a soggy piece of fabric to slap his shoulder. Looking down, he cringed at the dirty white knit briefs that had been thrown at him. "Ugh! Raymond!"

His friend just laughed loudly at him, smiling to himself as he went back to cleaning the rest of the clothes. "How's that for an ambush?"

Bucky squinted his eyes at him, cocking his head. "Oh, so that's how it is." He drawled, tossing the briefs back with an icky expression like it was some dead animal.

"Gotta be ready for everything, Bucket." Raymond played along, mindlessly sloshing the clothes in the water until they gained more of their natural colour.

The Barnes eyed his actions curiously, his eyes travelling from his hands to his face as he asked. "So, are you going to tell me how you ended up getting washing duty now?"

Raymond's jaw tightened, his hand gripping the damp cloth tighter than needed as he rinsed it out, placing it to the side before sighing through his nose. "I tried to throw a punch at Richard when we were running laps."

"What did he say?" Bucky instantly questions, knowing his friend wouldn't try to hit the boy without reason - despite him not needing one, in his opinion.

"Something stupid, as always."

"So, is that the reason you scraped your knees?" Bucky sort of already knew the answer, connecting the dots fairly quickly; but he wouldn't put it past his friend if he got the marks for a whole other reason.

"Yep." Raymond nodded, popping the 'p's as his eyes stayed on the water.

Bucky chuckled lightly under his breath; the sound like a feathery whisper on his tongue. "I really should start second-guessing leaving you for just a few hours from now on."

"Yeah, yeah, I threw a punch and missed. I get it." Raymond rolls his eyes of blue hues through a bitter scoff before they narrowed at the boy suspiciously. "Hang on. The biscuits. You knew I was going to be beaten by Richard and miss breakfast didn't you?"

Bucky hummed in reply. "No. I just knew you weren't going to get enough. Those guys ate like beasts." He added, splashing water on his chest as he laid back comfortably on the rippled water.

"Well, thanks, but I don't think a sergeant should be sneaking food; especially if it's for the likes of me."

"I don't care. I'd do it again." Bucky's blue eyes were hidden behind his closed eyelids as he floated, looking so blissfully peaceful to Raymond as he spoke.

The Fossum had to admit, he admired the sight. Seeing his friend so calm, so reassured in the midst of all this, a quarrel between power and justice of which they had none of, it was consoling in the aspect that it made him feel stable and secure right now; something he knew he had to devour while it lasted.

"You should come in too." Bucky's soft voice swept him out of his mind, finding his eyes still closed as the water moved around him. "It's not too bad in here."

"I don't quite think you're understanding the meaning of laundry duty here, Bucket." Raymond chortled, satisfied when he noticed that he had cleared at least half of the first batch of clothes.

"Come on, Ray!" Bucky whined, throwing his head back as his hair became absorbed by the water, peeking an eye open at the stubborn boy. "Just get in. I'll help finish the rest of your pile afterwards."

"Just shut up and go back to relaxing, Sergeant." The boy waved his offer off, a smile etched on his features as he proceeded to work.

He heard the threading of water but thought nothing of it until he saw a glimpse of a person in front of him now. Looking up, he saw Bucky Barnes giving him a sickeningly sweet grin. "Come on, Ray. You know you want to."

"Right. Because I would be ever so lucky to swim with a shirtless James Buchanan Barnes." Raymond poked, a fake swooning tone in his words that had his friend grinning ear-to-ear cockily.

"Exactly."

In response, the Fossum boy just splashed water his way. "Just go continue cleaning yourself up, idiot."

"At least wash some of the dried blood off of your leg." Bucky reasoned, gesturing down to the red substance that had now dried a sickly brown on his light-coloured skin.

Glancing down, Raymond had to admit it was something he wanted to rid himself of, so he gave in with a heavy puff of air. "Alright, fine."

Bucky grinned in achievement, giving the boy some room as he lowered his bottom half into the water. As he was doing so, his ankles were suddenly yanked and pulled on; heading further and further down into the water until his full body was down in one swift motion.

Raymond waved his hands around as he rose to the surface with a gasp, glaring at the man responsible; who bit his lip to stop repress his smirk. Spoiler alert; it didn't work. "You're an asshole."

"Look, your leg already looks better," Bucky stated, proudly pointing down as his friend rolled his eyes and bent down to wipe the remaining colour off his legs; biting his lip subtly as he did so. "Does it hurt?"

"Nothing I can't handle." Raymond mumbled with his eyes staying down. "It's not like this will be the last time I have blood on my skin."

Bucky groaned, throwing his head back as he steadied his hands on the boy's broad shoulders. "Raymond, I swear on little Stevie -"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." Raymond found it in himself to snicker, the hands placed on his shoulders making his body feel warm and cozy; despite being bathed in cold waters. He liked it.

Bucky was the one who brought his head back up, his eyes presently softening as he kept his hands where they were. He studied the boy, gazing at him with an expression unreadable as his thumbs spiraled in mini infinities. "We're going to be okay tomorrow, Ray."

His tone was as fluffy as the blankets Raymond's mother knitted back home, having the same wrapping effect on the Fossum as he kept his head bowed. "Where are we heading?" Was all he asked.

Faltering for only a moment, Bucky shortly sighed. "Azzano. They need backup. HYDRA has been busy."

"People have died. Haven't they?" Raymond bit the inside flesh of his cheek harshly, almost to the point of dribbling blood as he imagined the bloodbath that would be waiting for them at their location. He can only imagine what horrors would welcome them.

"Not in vain. We're going to win this war, Raymond." Bucky vowed, holding him tighter in a speechless ask for him to look up at him again. When he did, thenBarnes gave him a civil smile. "We're going to be fine."

Both young men knew the words were ineffective against what they had to face, but they convinced themselves of it for now; wanting to believe it for each other as the day thrived darker and flourished closer to its end.

As sensitive as it was to confess, Raymond knew he needed Bucky through all this. Maybe that was impolite and cruel, but it was valid. He didn't know where he'd be in this war if he didn't have Bucky with him right now to pull him back when he sunk too far into his mind, and he didn't want to know if he has being straightforward. Ever.

His blue eyes were a solace of their own as Raymond rose his head, only to learn Bucky was still looking down at him with a fierce concern; worry creasing his brows as he waited for his friend to talk to him. Raymond chose not to, for now, lifting his hand instead.

What possessed him at that moment to tenderly reach up until his hand was resting on Bucky Barnes' face, he couldn't tell you; for he was just as stunned at the action - as was his friend, who didn't jerk away or flinch.

His chest felt taut, but not in the way Raymond could say he disliked as the air swelled densely between them; but also not in a way that made Raymond startled. If anything, it propelled him to go one step further.

Realising there was still a smudge of dirt on his best friend's cheek, Raymond put forward a benevolent hand that wiped the access muck away delicately with his thumb; the boy's skin clearing up nicely.

Registering his actions, Raymond's eyes widened; attempting to keep the action subtle as he was conscious that Bucky was still staring at him, assumably confused as to why his best friend just unexpectedly caressed his cheek without warning.

"S - Sorry." He stammered, his hand swimming back to his chest as he trudged back, clearing his throat as he gestured stiffly to his face. "You had some mud there."

Ghosting his fingers over the spot, Bucky merrily cracked up; his smile making Raymond ill at ease as to what he would say next. "Thanks." The drum of silence was making Raymond nauseous with anxiety. "Now, your turn."

"Wha -"

A handful of water suddenly swept down on the top of Raymond's head, his locks of hair darkening as they slumped in style on his head. The boy gasped at the nipping splash, his lips morphing up in a crooked smile that went onto be mirrored by his friend.

"Hang on. I think I missed a spot." Bucky said as he cupped his hands together to scoop up more water, casting it on the protesting boy's hair as he scrubbed it in jokingly; going on when he heard him laugh while battling to swim away.

The two friends were like hyper dogs at the beach as their bodies clashed and dunked in and out of the water, having fun for once since arrival. Their chuckles were contagious as they playfully fought to throw the other into the lake as they stood, soaked on solid ground. Bucky was the one to succeed when Raymond's smooth feet lost their footing for a short second, the Barnes boy using his brief moment of weakness to his advantage.

James Barnes applauded victoriously when he heard the satisfying clash of his friend's short cry before he hit the water, fading away under the thunderous ripples.

Swimming towards the land, Raymond inhaled the fresh air around him as his hand grabbed onto one of the rocks for leverage; cackling under his breath when he realised that he could hardly see anything, his soggy hair covering his eyes on his forehead.

Another fond familiar laugh followed his lead, footsteps slapping the durable ground before the person halted; kneeling in front of the Fossum boy.

Bucky swiped Raymond's hair back with a sweet smile, ruffling the damp locks fondly once it was in place once more. "Come on. Let's finish up these stinking clothes and head back." He said, assisting his friend out of the water by hand as they both plodded towards the leftover clothes they had completely abandoned.

It was an easier task with two people on the job, ending sooner than predicted as they both finished tying the final knot on the two sacks; easily lugging it over their shoulders with faint chatter.

They were just about to leave when Raymond suddenly remembered the pistol Charles had lent him, the one he had hastily tossed out to the side as if it wasn't a weapon that had probably injured or ended a life before.

His hand twitched with the thought of holding it again as he reluctantly took off to collect it, only to find its prior spot vacant.

Raymond's entire body punctured with a piercing fear, his breaths beginning to hitch as dread poisoned his gut. No. His mind was only crammed with horrific thoughts. No. There's no way -

"Forgetting something?"

Twirling around at a whiplash-threatening pace, Raymond's wide eyes snapped up to meet Bucky's steel-blue ones awfully; discrediting himself for getting his friend in a possibly hazardous situation. "Bucky, the gun! I -"

"Oh. You mean this gun?" Bucky polled with an easy, casual glance over to his hand as he held it up; the M1911 pistol on full display to the fear-struck boy; who's left eye twitched in disbelief.

"You asshole!" Raymond shouted, his spare hand jabbing into the boy's chest mildly as he stormed past; Bucky Barnes's laughter and squelching footsteps trailing behind him.

"I didn't want you carrying it on our way back." The young man defended, his tone earnest as they recounted their steps to get back to the base.

"You still could've told me!" Was Raymond's response, his tone still agitated with past fright as his knuckles turned white from his clenched grip. "I thought I just put us in danger! Don't do that to me." He huffed out a heavy breath, his free hand going to his slick locks that were already starting to dry with a natural curl. "But . . . thanks."

"Sorry. I just know you don't like to hold these things unless you have to." Bucky mumbled, feeling regretful for causing his friend to panic when his main goal had been to do the complete opposite.

"I know. Ridiculous, isn't it?" The Fossum boy scoffed, the Barnes behind him hindering his steps.

"Not to me." Quietly answered Bucky, as if pausing would drive his point home any further to the doubtful man roaming in front of him. "It could never be to me."

He caught up to Raymond, now stepping by his side. The Fossum didn't reply to him, and he didn't need to. Instead, Bucky just put a comforting hand on his shoulder in solace; letting him know that his words were there to be taken or left - but that didn't make them any less true to him.

The two men soon reached the entrance of their base, the night air crisp as they stalked through the bushes in caution; their eyes surveying their surroundings. Raymond didn't know if it was incidental or not, but he felt Bucky's hand wrap around his wrist once again like before; pulling him along while they ducked as to not be detected.

Both soldiers' hearts kicked out severely in their chests when the blinding glow of a flashlight was aimed at them, their eyes squinting at the brightness as they heard a familiar voice. "Fossum? Barnes?"

It was Lieutenant Morris, and man did he look less than pleased to see them as he lowered the light; analysing them as they avoided eye contact guiltily.

"Sergeant Barnes, what are you doing out of your position with the others?" Morris addressed when he took notice of the droplets of water that cascaded off their bodies, Raymond feeling his friend go tight beside him. "And why are you both soaking wet?"

Bucky Barnes looked like a fish out of the water, his mouth open but wordless as Raymond bit his lip. "It was my fault, Lieutenant Morris." Bucky's head whisked in his direction in shock with a clueless expression, pouting when he saw his friend shuffling the weight between his two feet; another anxious habit. "I - I tampered with the water in the stalls while he was in. Sergeant Barnes was just escorting me to you now."

It was Raymond's turn to then get the judgemental stare, Lieutenant Morris providing him with the stink eye. He didn't break eye contact as he flatly requested. "Sergeant Barnes, get back to your tent."

"Sir, I -" One look from the older man had Bucky shutting his mouth, his hesitance to leave still being seen from a mile away. When his friend subtly tapped his hand with his finger as an indication that it was okay, he let go; sparing Raymond an apologetic look as he slugged off back to the tents.

"If you were any other man, you'd be dishonourably discharged first thing tomorrow morning with a fee that'll be sure to make your mother cry." Raymond's blue eyes cast down in embarrassment, not even wanting to picture the look on poor Nancy's face when her son returns, alive but a fraud. "But, I won't be doing that."

His eyes shot up, and Raymond distinguished no signs of fibs on the Lieutenant. He shook in his words, having to ask despite his conscience telling him contrarily. "Thank you, Sir, but - but why?"

"Because I want to be sure that Larry Fossum's son didn't grow up to be undeserving of his last name." Just like that, Raymond's throat came to be desert-dry; his tongue like sandpaper as the man spoke of his father. "Don't make me regret me regret my decision, soldier. You're excused."

Being wise for once, Raymond scurried off without another word. He dumped the sack of clothes where he was appointed to by Second Lieutenant Charles, feeling relieved when he saw Bucky had already ditched the second one. With that all done and dusted, he essentially flew to his tent; Bucky, Dum Dum, and Gabe already inside.

Bucky was up on his feet in a flash, rushing over to the young boy as Dum Dum and Gabe sat uptiredly. "Why the hell did you do that, Ray? You shouldn't have taken the fall for me." Barnes rushed out, his eyes wide open as he examined his body for any possible injuries; having learned of vile punishments for violating soldiers. "Are - Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was let off the hook." The boy waved it off, taken by surprise when his friend let out a relieved breath and hugged him tightly. Due to their skin still being soaked, Raymond's face reddened at the lack of material he felt against the embrace. Hell, he was sure he could feel Bucky's abs up until he let go.

Gabe snorted, shaking his head as he propped himself up on his elbows. "Man, you're lucky; anyone else would've been out by morning."

"Yeah, you must have some luck on your side" Dum Dum agreed, staring at the boy in amusement.

"Can't miss out on all the action." Shrugging, Raymond petted Bucky's damp locks just like he had done before when first emerging from the lake; Bucky gazing down at him with a pleased smile - glad his friend wasn't leaving or in trouble because of his doing.

"Just one question though. What the hell happened to you two?" Dum Dum interviewed the two men as he and Gabe took in their sodden states, their shirts and hair clinging to their pale skin and flushed cheeks.

Bucky Barnes just giggled, shrugging. "We went for a little swim." He replied, smugly grinning at Raymond; who bit his lip to hide the smirk that would surely be gone by tomorrow's dreadful morning.

: : ❛ 𝓐𝙐𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙍 𝓝𝙊𝙏𝙀 ❜ : :
╰───╮; i'm not the best at history, so i'm positive this is 100% inaccurate but please remember it's fiction, and i'm dumb, and there was a warning for both.

i'm not a big fan of this chapter compared to the others but hopefully, we can commence further with the story! i was losing my mind over writing this - and not in a good way!

for that reason, this chapter is dedicated to caitlyn because i love her and she puts up with me wayyyyy to much lol.
thanks for keeping the raymond train running! love you!

this chapter title sucks though, so sorry about that. trying my best.

thanks for reading!
love you all!

∴ ✪ ❱ · TRGDYCOILS !! ━━━━
( 7.5k words )