An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 34/? Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Captain America - All Media Types, Captain America (Comics), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Tony Stark, Howling Commandos, Gabe Jones, Jim Morita, Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan, Jacques Dernier, Clint Barton Additional Tags: Shrunkyclunks | Modern Bucky Barnes/Captain America Steve Rogers, Service Dogs, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Anxiety, Therapy, Steve Rogers Has PTSD, Steve Rogers Needs a Hug, Dissociation, Steve Rogers Feels, POV Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers and the 21st Century, Steve Rogers-centric, Mental Health Issues, Outdated Views on Mental Health, Steve Rogers Struggles, Steve Rogers Needs Therapy, and he gets it, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff and Angst, Dogs, So Many Dogs, because dogs are wonderful and amazing, Shelter Dogs, Slow Burn, REALLLLLY SLOOOOOOOOW BUUUUURN, Because it's me, Idiots in Love, Mutual Pining, Road Trips, Unfortunately there are always two beds, As well as two idiots, but they do eventually get their act togehter, Post-Movie: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Angst with a Happy Ending, Food, Sooooo much food, Vet Bucky Barnes, Protective Bucky Barnes, Protective Steve Rogers, Not Canon Compliant, Modern Bucky Barnes, Animal Trainer Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers heals, And finally gets his happy ending, They both do
Summary:
The biggest lies are usually the ones we tell ourselves, and Steve has been telling lots of lies, especially lately. That in spite of how he can’t stop chewing his fingernails bloody, the never ending nightmares chasing him out of bed, and the way merely seeing ice sends him into a panic, he’s fine.
But when his latest mission with The Avengers goes horribly wrong, Steve can no longer keep lying, not even to himself.
Diagnosed with PTSD and placed on medical leave, initially Steve is resentful, stubbornly refusing the idea there’s anything that can make it better. Until Sam suggests a Service Dog, and introduces him to James Buchanan Barnes, a fellow vet and trainer who swears one of his dogs can help, if only Steve can summon enough bravery to take a leap of faith and accept a four-legged companion in his life.
What follows is a long and winding journey of fear, doubt and self-recrimination. But also hope, acceptance and redefining what it means to be a hero, as Steve finally faces the issues that have been haunting him his entire life.
There is also a lot of fur, conversations with dogs, and a cross-country road trip, as Steve rebuilds his life and maybe, just maybe, falls in love along the way.
Chapter 34
Snippet:
“But this Wilson, he was persistent,” Bucky scoffed. “Kept calling and calling, and when I stopped answering my phone, he actually showed up at RBR to plead his case. I recognized him immediately, we all know about the Avenger who works at the VA, but I still wasn’t going to give him any special treatment, Falcon or not. Until he said your name. As soon as he did, my first thought was, Guy finally gets to come home after surviving a war and saving the world, but his home’s gone. If there’s anyone who needs one of our dogs, it’s him.
“And I knew right then and there why I’d been hanging on to Margot, why no one else felt right. Because she was always meant to be yours, and I was just keeping her safe for you.”
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