It started with a gunshot and Walker dropping to the ground. For a terrifying heartbeat, the team thought they had lost him. He was pale and still, hair matted with blood.
The Void burst from Bob like a terrifyingly silent thunderstorm, all pressure and cold and darkness until there was no one left. There were no screams, no more gunfire, they were all silenced in a pulse of frightening power.
While Yelena held on to Bob, giving him an anchor to find his way back to himself, Bucky scrambled to his knees beside John. Shaking fingers found a pulse and he started barking orders. The trauma kit from the jet, make a call to have medical standing by, warm up the engines. John had a chance but only if they were fast enough.
Back at the Watchtower, they all waited outside while John was stripped of his gear and evaluated. They breathed a little easier at the verdict. The bullet had creased his skull, but there was no damage to his brain. Even with the serum he'd be in and out of consciousness for a few days.
The first time John finds his way back to awareness, it's to the smell of chicken soup. But it's not chicken soup from a can or even a restaurant. It's the chicken soup he made for Bobby the month before when he was mired in a depressive episode. John had cajoled him to at least sit and watch and had gotten him to eat a little bit of it.
Bobby, his eyes hopeful, feeds John a few spoonfuls and it's perfect. He had remembered every detail of the recipe. "Proud of you, Bobby," he manages before slipping back under.
When John wakes again, it's to another smell and the quiet murmur of voices. "Nail polish?"
Yelena hums as she picks up one of his fingers, applying another coat. "I told you last night that if you did not wake up we were going to paint your nails," she says matter of factly.
John blinks as Ava tugs the hair on his feet before continuing her work painting his toenails. "You're lucky she said nail polish. I wanted to shave these Hobbit feet of yours."
He laughs as he slips back under, feeling both cared for and bullied. This is what it's like to have little sisters, he figures.
When John wakes again, it's to Alexi's voice. Not loud and boisterous, but deep and steady. He's reading out loud, holding John's well-worn copy of Catcher in the Rye in one hand. He lets the words carry him until he slips under.
Medical is dark when his eyes open again to something warm on his shoulder. With a grimace he shifts his head and finds soft fur. "Hey you stupid cat," he whispers fondly.
"She missed you." Bucky leans forward to brush his fingers across John's cheek. "We both did."
"Then get in here," he flips the blanket back. "No arguing, babe. Just get in bed."
As Bucky crawls in, wrapping an arm around John's solid chest, he can't resist pressing a kiss over his heart.
"Mm. Not tonight honey, I have a headache."
He snorts out a laugh, "Asshole."
"Yeah. But I'm your asshole."