After years and years of fighting, Bucky is so very aware of how fragile people can be. He had known that since the war — it was impossible to ignore the fact that death had followed him from such a young age — but since HYDRA and the serum and everything that followed, it had only become more apparent to him.

Bucky is aware that he probably goes a little overboard when it comes to you, but he can’t bring himself not to worry. You’re his partner, something that he didn’t think he deserved, but absolutely would not take for granted under any circumstances. As far as he’s concerned, you can do whatever the hell you want as long as it doesn’t put you in harm’s way. In fact, he’s pretty much powerless to ever say no to you.

That’s how he finds himself in this situation — crouched at your feet with a pile of protective gear next to him. He’d already given you a whole lecture about wearing a helmet, and that was when he was busy securing your elbow pads. Now, he’s got a roll of duct tape that he’s using to make sure your shin and knee pads don’t come loose.

When your mouth opens, Bucky cuts you off with a hard stare. He can practically feel the question you’re about to ask, and he is not having it.

“Before you ask, yes. This is absolutely necessary.” He grunts, focusing his attention on making sure every inch of you is padded. To be honest, he’s actually really looking forward to this. Having you pressed close to him on his bike, just driving in each other’s company without the need to talk? It sounds like a great night for him. He isn’t great at talking, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t perfectly content to bask in your presence.

It also doesn’t mean he’s about to let you get hurt.

Bucky rises, taking a step back and placing his hands on his hips to admire his work. He circles you, gaze appraising before he gets to your front again. With a short nod and a barely perceptible smile, he moves away and sets the tape down.

“Alright. You should be all good to go.” He murmurs, as if you couldn’t survive a nuke with how wrapped up you are right now. Bucky shifts to straddle his bike, gesturing you closer. “Put your helmet on, hold on tight, and do not let go. I will kill you myself if you do something stupid.”