Okay, I wrote it. I might make it multi-chapter if folks want more.

Winter in New York – Winter in New York City is always cold, but at least Steve has Bucky to keep him warm.

teaser below the cut

Bucky wiped the blood from Steve’s lip. His friend had shown up on his doorstep, battered and shivering. His coat was gone. The one he’d worked at the grocery until he nearly collapsed to save enough money to buy. ”Stay here tonight, Steve.”

Steve grumbled, but he always said yes. Not like he had much to go home to, not with both his parents gone. He pulled away from Bucky and curled up on the couch. Bucky got up and grabbed a blanket, putting it over him. “It’s gonna get cold tonight.”

“It’s New York City in January, of course it’s going to get cold.” Bucky never asked about the fights, never questioned when he showed up on his doorstep. He didn’t ask about the coat. If Steve was ever asked why Bucky was his best friend, it was all of this and more.

Smiling and squeezing his shoulder, Bucky turned off the light. “See you in the morning.”

Sometime later, Steve woke up shivering. He tried to keep quiet, but a cough escaped.Bucky appeared outlined in the doorway a few moments later. “Steve?”

“F…fine,” he stuttered, trying to curl into a smaller ball.

“Hey, you know that’s no good for your asthma. Come on.” Bucky went to him and helped him sit up. Steve knew he could carry him if he had to; he’d done it before. The fact remained that he let Steve make it to the bedroom under his own power.

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