It took them about a week of marching across Europe until they found their first hydra base. It was a large site in the middle of the woods, only accessible via a dirt road. From their view on the ridge opposite, they could make out at least two factory buildings and a main central building that might be the testing rooms. The mere through of them made Basil shudder. The team watched as trucks and motor cycles went through the open gate. Black armoured soldiers moving around them to unload crates.

The team had been watching the base for the last two days, recording what came in and went. The patrol times and what supplies the base seemed to have. There were a convoy of trucks and tanks that seemed to leave and enter the compound every other day. Weapons supplied by the hydra facility being sent out to the German lines and the empty trucks coming back for more.

"So", Dum sighed. "What's the plan cap?"

"Jim and Frenchie, you two have the bombs right?"

"Yes Cap. A lot of them". Jim's smile was gleeful.

"Good", Steve peered round at the hydra base through his binoculars. "See those trucks and tanks coming in now? When they come in again tomorrow that's when we attack. The gates are the most vulnerable then. We blow the bombs as soon as they are inside and use the confusion to quickly take out the ground troops. Bucky will watch from here with his rifle to have out backs" he gestured with his hands as he talked. The whole squad listening carefully. "I'll enter first and create a cover for the rest of you to enter. While the rest of us take out any opposing forces and keep the attention on us, Basil, Jim, and Frenchie will use the chaos to sneak in and place as many bombs as they can. The aim is to blow this place sky high. Send a message".

Dum dum nodded sharply. "Sounds good. Any questions?" The squad all shook their heads.

"Let's kick some hydra butt", Gabe grinned. There were laughs of agreement and Frenchie exclaimed something very loud in French that Basil guessed included a lot of expletives.

"Glad to know that everyone agrees with the plan", Steve smiled.

"Who will indeed lead the call for America", Basil sung with a shit eating smile. Bucky, who was standing next to him, smorted at the song lyrics and joined in. "Who'll rise or fall, give his all for America?"

The others had stopped at the song and they all cottoned on, jointing in as the singing grew louder. Steve lowered his binoculars and turned to give them a dead eyed stare. "Who's here to prove that we can? The star spangled man with a plan!" The song broke off and the squad burst out laughing.

"Guys come on. Are you going to sing that every time?" Steve sighed but his lips were twitching.

"Of course Stevie", Bucky grinned as he clapped him on the shoulder. "It's a classic. Almost as classic as the knocking out Hitler".

"You've never even seen the stage show", Steve grumbled.

"Yes but well, we have heard the stories", Monty chuckled. Steve rolled his eyes.

"Oh just go and check the supplies". He waved them away and they all began wandering back to camp, laughing like school children.

"Basil". He turned back at Steve's call. The blonde gave him a mock serious look. "Just for starting that you're on first watch tonight with Bucky". Basil tipped his head back with a loud groan, mostly for show. Steve laughed as Basil jokingly flicked him the bird before jogging back to their temporary camp. Steve and Bucky laughing they were blocked behind the trees.

——

"You got everything Parrish?" Bucky's voice made him glance up. The sky was dark and their small camp was gloomy. The tents only lit by shuttered lanterns. They were too close to the hydra base to risk lighting a fire so the night was dark and the air chilly. Basil was sat on a log a short distance away from their circle of tents. His medic bag open on his lap as he counted up all his supplies again.

He looked up as Bucky stepped carefully closer. He was carrying one of their small lanterns, only one shutter was partially open enough to give him light to see by. He sat down heavily on another log and frowned at Basil in the dark. "Why the fuck do we have lanterns? Why can't we just have flashlights?"

"Because lanterns draw less attention", Basil murmured. He was counting his bottles of plasma. There was enough in his bag for two per person. "Flashlights are too bright and obvious. You're a sniper, you know this".

Bucky just made a grumbling noise. He fell silent for a moment. Bottles clinking as Basil took out half of his supplies and repacked them into a separate bag. Then he frowned and began to double check the bandages. "Hey. Parrish", Bucky broke the silence. "How many times have your checked your bag?"

Basil looked up, eyes wide for a second in sudden anxiety before forcing himself to calm. He plastered on a smile, grateful that the darkness hid the panic from Bucky. "Probably enough", he let out a dry chuckle and shut the bags. "I just want to make sure I have everything".

"You nervous?"

"Of course I am. Especially after last time", the last part was a murmur. Basil rubbed his hands across his face and sighed. Memories of the lab swirling along with the nerves in his stomach. He didn't want to go back there. The idea of stepping foot in another hydra facility was not exactly welcoming to him.

Bucky exhaled deeply. "Of course not. Are you okay Parrish?" His tone was soft and honest.

"Are you okay Sarge?" Basil shot back defensively.

Bucky fixed him with a analysing stare, which only worked because Basil had night vision. Then he huffed. "Actually I'm feeling nervous and very glad that I'm not the one stepping foot in that building".

"Haha. Thanks. But at least I'll be blowing that building up".

"Have you ever blown up a building before Parrish?" Bucky joked. "Excited?" He stood up and crossed over to share Basil's log. Sitting down and crossing his ankles as he tipped his head back to peer at the dark mess of tree branches above them. He leaned over and their shoulders brushed. The warmth causing Basil to fight the urge to lean against him.

"No but I've blown a few men's minds". Bucky groaned as Basil grinned smugly.

"Oh god", Bucky chuckled. "That was terrible". Basil sniggered as Bucky put his head in his hands. "You have such a dirty mouth for a posh Brit".

"I was raised by crazy parents who are the definition of the word eccentric and by half a dozen private schools", Basil shrugged. "I am not your standard toff".

"If my mother heard your voice then she would tan your hide".

"I have been known to make Scots men blush", Basil smiled. Bucky snorted.

"Honestly you're a handful".

"Gonna punish me yet Sarge?" Basil was only half joking. Their familiar banter relaxing him better than any other tactics he had used. It was easy to ignore the bubbling anxiety in his stomach. The fear of the oncoming battle changing into the welcome thrill of flirtation. Basil leaned closer to Bucky, a slow smile moving his face.

Bucky's eyelashes dropped as his gaze flicked between Basil's lips and back up to his eyes. "Really? Why should I punish someone who's asking for it? That ruins the point of a punishment". His tone was low and teasing. Basil felt himself flush and was once again glad for the darkness.

"That just takes all the fun out of things", Basil grumbled. He rested his arm on Bucky's shoulder and half turned to face him. "Then how about a kiss for luck, since we could get killed tomorrow".

"Didn't you say that due to those questionable injections hydra gave us, we could die at any time?"

"All the more reason to kiss me then", Basil leaned closer, close enough for his breath to brush Bucky's cheek. "There's no one to see".

Bucky smiled widely, blue eyes sparkling in under the moon. Basil's night vision able to see the way the stars glinted in Bucky's eyes, the blue darkening to match the cosmos above. "You may be a sweet young thing darling, but I'm not a penny from heaven. Live past tomorrow and try again", Bucky grinned.

Basil poured and leaned back to sit on his own. He sighed in disappointment. "Shame".

"If you want a kiss then feel free to ask someone else", Bucky suggested.

Basil chortled. "Really? Could you imagine me kissing Dum dum? Ewwww. Moustaches are not my thing". He pulled a face as Bucky began laughing.

"What about Stevie? Since he became all big, girls seem to love him".

"Aww Sarge, are you feeling insecure? No worries. I like the dark hair and blue eyes. The all good blonde American type doesn't hold my interest. Also, he's a pure puppy", Basil waved a hand. "Plenty rugged but never wild".

"Oh he definitely isn't", Bucky nodded. "Glad to know that he hasn't changed since joining the army". His tone was fond and nostalgic. Basil felt a sting of sadness and slight jealousy. He had never had a friendship like that, a brother ship that wasn't tied by blood.

"You don't know that I am not pulling your leg, right Sarge?" Basil muttered softly. Bucky turned and the smile slid off his face. His eyes were clear and questioning. "I may fool around but I don't want to string you along Sarge", Basil smiled wryly. "You're not the type to let someone use you". As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he knew that they were right. He wasn't stringing Bucky along. He didn't want a quick fuck behind the tents or a make out in an alley with this man. Actually, he didn't know what he wanted, but he knew that it was more than he had ever wanted before.

Bucky inhaled slowly then sighed. He spared Basil a soft smile. "Try again after tomorrow".

Unedited