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1. Step Two: Building Morale by lightningskipper

   Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts (Movie 2025), Captain America - All Media Types, Captain America (Chris Evans Movies), Marvel  

   • Explicit
   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • M/M
   • Work in Progress

   07 Feb 2026

   Tags

   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • James "Bucky" Barnes/John Walker
   • James "Bucky" Barnes
   • John Walker (Marvel)
   • Ava Starr
   • Yelena Belova
   • Alexei Shostakov
   • Brock Rumlow
   • Robert "Bob" Reynolds (Marvel)
   • Bucky Barnes Feels
   • Bucky Barnes Has Issues
   • Bucky Barnes Has PTSD
   • Pining
   • Post-Movie: Thunderbolts (2025)
   • Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
   • Bucky Barnes is a Mess
   • Protective Ava Starr
   • Possibly Unrequited Love
   • Violence
   • Developing Friendships
   • One-Sided Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers
   • Regret
   • ava using her powers to avoid small talk
   • John Walker Being an Asshole (Marvel)
   • Protective John Walker (Marvel)
   • Loneliness
   • Bottom Bucky Barnes
   • Top John Walker (Marvel)
   • Porn With Plot
   • Unhealthy Relationships
   • Dysfunctional Relationships
   • Hydra (Marvel)
   • Creepy Brock Rumlow
   • Hook-Up
   • Quickies
   • Grinding
   • Dehumanization
   • Blow Jobs
   • John Walker as US Agent (Marvel)
   • Blood and Injury
   • Whump
   • Bucky Barnes Whump
   • Anal Sex
   • Rough Sex
   • Thunderbolts Team Members Live in the Watchtower | New Avengers Tower (Marvel)
   • Muzzles
   • Oblivious Steve Rogers
   • Hurt Bucky Barnes
   • Post-Endgame
   • Angst
   • Asphyxiation
   • Sadistic Brock Rumlow
   • Grief
   • Bucky Barnes is Bad at Feelings
   • Human Experimentation

   Summary

   Post-Thunderbolts. Despite what Bucky would have everyone believe, he's not so much living as he is managing. Especially when Steve's birthday rolls around and Bucky's reminded once again of what he's lost. He begins to wonder why Steve didn't ask him to go with, or if maybe…if maybe he could find a way to join him. If things could be different.

   When Bucky goes missing during an assignment, the Thunderbolts begin the hunt for him.

   (Bucky whump, angst)

   Series

   • Part 2 of Lessons in Teamwork

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   50,095

   Chapters:

   8/9

   Comments:

   108

   Kudos:

   291

   Bookmarks:

   53

   Hits:

   5,980