Reality returned slowly. Sound first, high-pitched whistle (a song) that meant someone, somewhere, was watching a (get on) television, walls and rooms and corridors away. The strange dry clean taste of oxygen; scent of (nerves) bleach and blood and poor quality food and all the ways it had reappeared. Scratchy sheets and waffled blankets; the uncomfortable angle of (know) his neck.
And threaded somehow through it all, woven over and under and between it, a pleasant voice made deliberately obnoxious and still somehow the best thing he’d ever heard.
“ – know a song that’ll get on your nerves -”
Bucky’s eyelids were weighed down with ten ton trucks, impossible to open, but maybe there was something in the smile his brain was wearing, even if the rest of him wouldn’t respond.
“Hey,” a voice said, warm and drawling, “you’re back.”
He didn’t remember anything past the corner of El Paso and Mason, sure as hell couldn’t recall whatever the hell made it hurt so much when he shifted his arm just the slightest.
“Hey no,” the voice said, dismayed, “no, stay here, you’re going full on deep end -” crash into frozen water, the only thing cryo could ever be compared to – “so we need to edge you up to where it’s shallow, with me.”
Somehow depth became clear and green-blue; somehow there was golden sand and rippled light and a pair of legs treading water – truly hideous purple shorts – stupid choices in every scar on him and fuckin’ exuberance in the sheer volume of them.
Bucky sucked in a breath like he was breaking the surface, and the wave of approval was almost a touch – tanned fingers tangled in salt-stiffened hair.
“That’s better, right?” His voice was warm like sunlight. “Float right here like a boat. I’m great at boats.”
“Guide Barton!”
The new voice was cold and edged around with teeth.
“Aw,” the warm voice said, “busted.”
“What have you been told about bothering the unbonded? If you cannot remain at your assigned post you will -”
The voice faded quicker than it ought to – senses were messed up for a while after a zone – but sun-warm words somehow still made their way through.
Yes! Sentinel AUs are my favorite. Thank you!
Tumblr Exodus 