Bucky was dressed his best for this occasion. He wore a simple white dress shirt and a black tie.  It was Valentine's day and Steve hadn't been home in two weeks. He was on a mission and after Bucky had one of his 'episodes' the day before they were supposed to leave, Fury decided to keep him from the mission.

Bucky was pissed, but Steve talked to him and convinced him it was for the best. Steve was supposed to be home today. Bucky had everything set up. The table was set, he had flowers set in the middle, and he had the ingredients for Steve's favorite food. He wanted this to be perfect.

He was just fixing the flowers when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked it and smiled when he saw that the message on his screen was from Steve. 'Just leaving now. I'll be home soon, Buck'
The message was followed by a series of hearts and kissy faces.

Bucky smiled fondly. He taught Steve how to use 'emojis' after Natasha taught him. He hadn't stopped since. He sent a message back. 'Drive safe. See ya soon, love.' He typed a single kissy face and a winky face.

'When am I not safe?'

'Oh shush. There is a very clear answer to that.'

Steve sent a laughy face and put his phone away as he got in his car.

***

Steve woke up to the smell of smoke. Everything hurt and his head was spinning. He lifted his head and tried to look around, but he couldn't see anything. It was too dark and his vision was too fuzzy. He felt warm blood trickling from a gash in his forehead. He tried to shift in his seat, but his leg was stuck. He cried out in pain and looked down. He could see that it was covered in blood. The only giveaway was the refelection that bounced off of it from the streetlight.

He tried to get his leg free again, but it was no use. It only made it worse. He felt sick. He looked down again and noticed the same reflection coming off his shirt. He bit back his nausea and closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. He had to think rationally. He reached over to the passenger seat and searched for his phone. He paused when his fingers brushed over the smooth and cold surface of his phone screen. He picked it up and turned it on. The screen was cracked and he only had a bar and a half of service. It was also at ten percent. That would have to be enough. He dialed the first number that came to mind. Surprisingly, that number was not 911.

***

Bucky paced around the apartment. Three hours. Steve was supposed to be home three hours ago and he wasn't answering his phone. He heard the faint jingle of his phone and pounced to pick it up, "Steve? What the hell? Are you okay?"

"I-I don't know, Buck..."

Bucky could hear the pain in his voice. He could hear the shaking of his voice he always got before he cried. He could hear the panic in his breaths, "Steve, what happened?"

"I don't know that either... I think someone hit me..."

Bucky cursed under his breath, "where are you?"

There was a moment of silence, "I don't know..." he sounded like he was on the brink of passing out.

"Alright, Steve. You're going to be fine. Remember that tracker Tony put in your phone? He's not here right now, but I'm going to try and track it. You need to stay with me. You got that?"

"I've got that..."

"Good." He ran to the lab and placed his phone down on the desk beside the computer after putting it on speaker, " you still here, Steve?"

"I'm still here..."

"Thank god." He guessed Tony's password after a few tries. Coolest avenger? Really? Not a great password. He searched for anything that could be the tracker.

"Buck...?"

"Yeah, Stevie?"

"I'm scared..."

Bucky's heart ached, "I know... you're going to be fine. I've almost got this."

"I love you...

Bucky fought his tears, "I love you too..."

A program opened on the computer and a map appeared. Hope bloomed in his gut. He clicked on the tab that read Steve's name and it pinpointed a spot on the map. He was on a back road just outside the city. The hospital was further than Bucky was which meant it'd be much faster just for him to go, "alright, Steve. I'm on my way."

"Please hurry..."

"Just hold on. Keep talking. About anything." He grabbed his keys and ran to his car. He put his key in the ignition and started to drive, "Steve?"

There was no answer.

"Steve, are you with me?"

There was still no answer.

He cursed and threw his phone in the passenger side. He stepped on the gas harder and headed in the direction of the road Steve was on.

He stopped abruptly when he saw Steve's smashed up car. He shifted into park and ran out of his car. The lights turned on and it dinged at him, telling him the door was open. He reached the drivers side of Steve's car and pryed the dented door open. His only focus when he saw Steve's pale, bloodied face was getting him conscious again. He placed his hands on his cheeks, "Steve?"

Steve remained still.

"Steve, please. You gotta wake up."

Steve's eyes fluttered open and remained only half open, threatening to slip closed again, "Bucky?" Steve whispered.

The fainted smile tugged at his lips. "Yes. Yes I'm here. It's me."

Everything below Steve's shoulders was too dark to see. Even with Bucky's headlights still being on, "I'm gonna help you get out, alright? What hurts?"

"M'leg is stuck..." he slurred.

He took a deep breath to keep himself calm. If he was calm, Steve would be too. He hoped. He reached down and gently searched for the problem. He stopped when his hand hit something plastic and also covered in something warm and sticky. He knew it was blood. The iron scent hung in the air. He could feel the plastic pushing down on Steve's leg. The dashboard had sunken in. "Okay, I'm going to try and move this," he warned Steve.

Steve nodded tiredly.

Bucky got his metal hand under the plastic and pulled up hard.

Steve let out a cry of pain.

Bucky stopped to assess the situation. "I'm going to try once more."

Steve bit his lip and nodded again.

He pulled up harder and felt the heavy plastic give. Followed by another cry of pain. He pushed the plastic up even more so it couldn't hurt him again.

Steve was barely conscious at this point.

Bucky stood up once again and placed a hand on Steve's shoulder, "I'm going to carry you out of here. I'll try and be careful."

Steve couldn't help but smile weakly, "my hero..." he joked.

Bucky kissed his cheek and carefully put his metal arm under Steve's legs. He put his other hand on his back and lifted him. Steve groaned in pain.

Bucky quickly carried him to his car and set him down on the seat. Now that he was in the light, he could see the full extent of the damage. There was a deep gash in his forehead and another deep gash in his side. His leg was also cut deeply and the bone was clearly broken. He took his jacket off and tore it apart.  He used the pieces to keep pressure on the wounds.

Steve's eyes fluttered as he tried to stay awake, "you're going to be okay..." Bucky assured him. His white dress shirt was covered in blood now.

"Thank you..." Steve mumbled.

Bucky kissed him on the cheek and put Steve's seatbelt on him. He closed the door and walked to the drivers side quickly.

He sped all the way to the hospital. Steve passed out half way there which made Bucky panic. His vision was clouded with tears.

He carried Steve into the hospital and nurses immeditely rushed to his side. Once he was on a gurney, they took him away to the ER.

***

Five hours. Bucky waited in that damn waiting room for five hours until the doctor finally emerged from the ER. He told Bucky everything and then led him to Steve's room. He left him to be alone with him.

He was too pale. He didn't look like the regular cheery Steve. He looked like the Steve from the fourties when he was dying from pneumonia. The sight made him so sad. He wanted him desperately to wake up and be okay.

He sat in the small chair beside Steve's bed and held his hand. He brought it up carefully and kissed it, bracing himself for the wait.

***

It was another three hours before Steve finally started waking up. Bucky was half asleep, still holding his hand.

Steve looked over at him and smiled softly. He was still all dressed up with his dress shirt and tie, but his dress shirt was covered in blood. That scared him until he realized what had happened. He tried to move a bit and squeaked in pain.

Bucky's eyes opened immediately, "Steve?"

"Mhm?"

He sat up straight, "you're awake," he said happily.

Steve nodded, "thanks, Buck. For saving me."

"Any time."

Steve smiled softly and gently squeezed Bucky's hand before he frowned, "I'm sorry... this probably isn't how you wanted to spend today...."

"It's not like this was your fault. We'll have our own Valentine's day once you're better. Does that sound good?"

Steve smiled brightly, "that sounds great."