A sequel-of-sorts to this.

——

Tony walks in on Bucky in the shower, sees the bloodied form huddled on the tiled ground, rocking back and forth. He climbs in the shower, clothes and all, and pulls Bucky out. The man doesn’t react, but is like fluid in his hands. There’s no response in his eyes, either.

He doesn’t say anything as he wraps a towel around the man, trying to dry him off quickly before leading him wordlessly to the other room. He sets Bucky down on the counter, making sure he won’t fall, before Tony goes in search of gauze and bandages.

Tony cleans the wounds on Bucky’s wrists with alcohol, surprised when Bucky doesn’t even flinch at the sting. The man continues to stare blankly at his wrists, watching the injuries as they bleed and drip. After taping gauze down and wrapping the wrists to stop the bleeding,  Tony presses two soft kisses to the abused wrists. He doesn’t need words to let Bucky know what he’s thinking and feeling. Nor does Tony need Bucky to speak for himself to understand Bucky’s thoughts.

It was one aspect of their relationship that came easily.

Tony looks up to see a silent tear fall from Bucky’s eye. He catches it with his thumb, rubbing it away. As Tony takes Bucky in his arms, he feels a quiet sob rack the man’s shoulders. He rubs Bucky’s back before leaning back to look at Bucky in the eyes.

At least he can see a faint glimmer of Bucky in the blue eyes.

“C’mon, James,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to Bucky’s forehead. He pull lightly on Bucky’s body, coaxing him to jump off the counter. Tony twists their fingers together and walks him over to the fireplace. He sits down on the couch, pulling the naked man onto his lap. He yanks the blanket off the side of the couch and drapes it over them both, making sure it covered Bucky’s shoulders.

They stare at the cackling and spitting fire in silence for hours, until the sun starts rising lazily. His fingers rub soothing circles along Bucky’s spine.

Eventually, Bucky’s haunted eyes fall closed, and he falls into a restful sleep on Tony’s shoulder. With a deep sigh, Tony rests his head atop the other man’s, still staring into the dying fire.

Tony stays awake all night, making sure no nightmares haunt Bucky in his sleep.