The sea wind was chilling that morning as the white cliffs of England began to become a faded line on the horizon. Basil sighed as he rested his arms on the railings. Underneath him the sea was a churning blue grey, only a shade lighter than the clouds above. Their rare sunny weather in London had finally faded to common British overcast. It had grown colder too, despite the fact that it was almost summer.

He shivered and tugged his new army jacket closer round his stomach. The sea wind chilling and the sun was still rising into the sky. Whoever decided that they would leave at dawn was obviously cruel and had no idea what it was like to get up and travel from London to Dover to make the seven o'clock ship. Basil didn't mind early mornings but that was a bit much. He stifled a yawn into his sleeve. Two arms appeared on the metal next to him and there was a amused chuckle. "Tired Parrish?"

Basil squinted at Bucky sleepily. "And you're not?"

Bucky tried to grin but it didn't hide the bags under his eyes. "Yeah but I don't look like I'm about to fall asleep at the drop of a hat". His face turned slightly serious and he gave Basil a considering look. "You okay? No more headaches?"

Basil shook his head. The wind tugging at his curly hair. After the bombs a two nights ago, the squad had been worried. Steve had taken him aside and asked if he was still able to go with them. ( "I don't want to jeopardise anyone. Are you sure you're fully recovered?").  Basil smothered another yawn. "I'm fine", he reassured. "The headache was a one time thing". He hoped so anyway.

"You sure? No more"- Bucky paused. "Symptoms?" Basil turned away from the disappearing cliffs of Dover to meet Bucky's blue eyes. "It's the stuff they were injecting into us right?"

"Have you been having any symptoms?"

Bucky took a second to clarify that there was no one near to eavesdrop. The ship was large for a fishing boat. Only the fishermen were out on deck, the rest of their small squad all having gone below deck to catch up on some sleep. Basil had only stayed to watch England as they left. He had the feeling that he wouldn't be seeing his home country for a very long time.

"I don't know", Bucky sighed. "I can't explain it but I feel different. Stronger maybe?" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. The wind was tugging at it.

Basil nodded. "I can see in the dark. And I mean everything, I can see in the dark as clear as I can see you now in the light. That's why I had a headache".

Bucky took a whistling breath. "That's new. I would not believe you but my childhood friend went from being two inches shorter than my shoulders to two inches taller than me. And it definitely wasn't army training that did that". He and Basil chuckled.

"I don't know what they put in us", Basil murmured. Britain was a blurry line now. "And I don't know what is going to happen now. The others, we can't tell them".

"Steve would worry too much", Bucky nodded. "And the others, wouldn't understand".

"No. They wouldn't". Basil turned and narrowed his eyes at his Sargent. "Sarge, I am now saying this as your doctor and the doctor of the whole team. But if you get anymore symptoms, you tell me. Anything changes or you feel weird, you tell me". He pulled a small notebook from his pocket. The leather was still shiny with newness as he opened it up and pulled out a pencil. "I'm going to keep a record of any changes. Since we have no idea how we are still alive. I mean, we could drop dead at any moment".

"That's a comforting thought". Bucky's grin was wry.

"I mean that we are in war", Basil shrugged with a smile. Bucky snorted and it was contagious. Soon they were both laughing. Basil's laugh high and deep. The darkness of their situation somehow funny. It was scary. He was scared of dying, either in this war, or due to whatever hydra did to him. And the fear showed itself via laughter. Instead of blinking in shock, Bucky laughed with him. For a minute they were both bent double clutching at their stomachs as if to contain the humour. It was stupid. It was a dark and depressing thought. It was hilarious.

"I don't even know what is so funny", Bucky gasped for breath. Tears glittering in the corners of his eyes as he tired to control his laughter. The water made his irises look a stormy grey/blue and Basil mentally absorbed the information as another eye catching thing about Bucky Barnes.

"Me neither", Basil huffed through his grin. "I suppose it's my dark humour. It's the academic environment I was raised in. Romancing pain and death. It's a national pride at this point". He began giggling hysterically again. One hand covering his mouth in a effort to smother the noise. Bucky watched him with amused eyes.

"Your terrible humour is contagious Parrish".

"Aw Sarge, you like it. Just admit it. It brightened up the torture well".

Bucky snorted loudly. "Is humour your standard mode?"

Basil smirked. "You know the answer to that already. I am entertaining and you know it. A doctor without a sense of humour has a terrible bedside manner".

"Baz", Bucky's face was deadpan. "You don't have any bedside manner".

Basil gasped in offence. He places a hand to his cheek as his mouth formed an o. The wind was cold and he fought back a shiver. "How dare you! I am an excellent doctor with a bedside manner that will put nuns to shame".

Bucky was grinning widely. His face flushed in the chill and with the added effect of laughter. "Parrish. You knocked Jameson flat in the dirt during training about five times and told him to go and cry to his mother if he wanted treatment for his bruises".

"Yeah but Jameson deserved it".

"You also told a guy with two fingers missing to jerk off with his other hand from now on".

Basil chortled at the memory. "The nurse laughed! And it was the truth. He only had two fingers on his right hand. Of course he would have to learn how to jerk off with his left".

"Yeah but you could have done it without the nurses present".

"Nurses aren't scandalised nuns. Trust me, I have heard filthier talk from them than from some of the barracks I've been in".

Bucky shook his head in fondness. "What Will I do with you Basil?"

Basil liked his lips and grinned widely, tilting his head slightly to peer at Bucky under his windswept curls. It was a look which had always gotten him what he wanted. "Oh I don't know. Luckily we have weeks to figure that out. I'm yours to command Sarge". He flicked his hand up in a lazy salute.

Bucky's eyes lingered on his face as his expression fell blank. His eyes were dark as he watched Basil's mouth. After a second too long to be normal, his gaze moved back up to Basil's eyes. "Parrish", he chided smoothly. One arm resting against the railing as he leaned against it. "Don't get too cocky. I am still your superior and I'd hate to write you up for discipline".

"Oh Sargent Barnes", Basil's tone was honey sweet. He fluttered a hand over his chest. "Only if you think I need it. My track record does show a unfortunate habit of angering my superiors", he mock sighed. "But don't worry. I'll be good".

"I'm sure you will corporal Parrish". Bucky smirked and they held each other's eyes for a silent moment. Only the faint background chatter of the sailors and the whistle of the wind audible. Deep green eyes set against blue, both sets of pupils wide as the tension bubbled.

It seemed like years in each second before Bucky straightened. He smirked at Basil smugly. Basil felt his breath stutter as Bucky leant in close. His heart thudding with surprising loudness in his chest. He wet his lips, eyes wide as the taller man leaned in close. "You", Bucky whispered. Hot breath dusting Basil's cheek. "Are a brat Parrish". Then he leaned back and gave Basil triumphant look as he took in his face. "Remember to catch up on sleep", he said louder. Sargent voice back on. "We have a long journey ahead of us Parrish". Then he winked and strolled off down the deck and towards the hatch leading below.

Basil watched him go and once he was sure Bucky was out of sight, he sagged against the railing. His cheeks were blazing and he turned back to the sea. The back of his hand feeling the warmth of his face in surprise. There was a weakness to his legs and he gripped the metal railing tightly with his other hand. His heart was still pounding in his ears. Blood racing. Basil was confused and blown away. Normally he was the one who left other men speechless. He was the flirt and the his targets were often repressed, scared men who were only looking for a dirty hookup in alleys or behind tents. Never before had he found someone who could match him. It was exhilarating and thrilling. Basil sucked in a deep breath. The cold air cooling him down.

Bucky Barnes was just full of surprises and he couldn't wait to see how far the man could go.

Unedited
AN: I wrote this chapter while slightly drunk. Which explains the bold flirting. I'm squealing.
Basil is such a bold character and I have to be a bit less shy whenever I write him.
He is such a brat.
But, you can't blame him. Have you even seen Bucky?