Bucky’s strong, incredibly strong. He knows it, you know it, everyone around him knows it. You knew very well how easily he could pick something up - big or small, heavy or light, and carry it around like it was nothing.

And of course, that included you. Bucky always wanted to find any excuse to pick you up and carry you, hold you close and hear those surprised laughs that came from you when he appeared out of nowhere to scoop you up in his arms.

Lately, Bucky had noticed that your mood had taken a bit of a plunge. You were a little more drawn into yourself, and you weren’t as spry and lively as you were normally. And Bucky did not like that.

He knew that he had to do something to get your attention off of whatever was getting you down, and he had a few ideas up his sleeve that he hoped would uplift your mood.

With some convincing, he’d managed to get you to take a day to yourself and relax in your shared apartment for that time. From the moment you opened your eyes in the morning, Bucky had not let you lift even a finger. All of the chores, all the meals - all done by him, and all done with a big proud grin on his face; also accompanied by as many jokes he could crack to get even a small smile from you. Any upwards twitch of your lip was a win to him.

Along with the little chores around the apartment, there had been another little something from Bucky that had earned him a few chuckles. Even a breath of wanting to go to another room, and he was immediately up, slipping his arms under you and carrying you around to wherever you wanted to go. No questions asked, not even a huff of strain as you were hauled around like precious cargo - Which to him, you very much were.

Much like now. You’d been in bed for a little while now, catching up on some sleep and scrolling a bit, but your phone screen was only so big, and you really wanted to watch some TV instead.

The moment you shuffled under the covers, mumbling about watching a film, Bucky had heard you from the kitchen and immediately bounded over with a mock disapproving glance at you moving around, before it shifted to a playful smile.

“I heard TV? Your chariot arrives!” He beamed, stepping up to you and wasting no time in slipping one arm under your knees, the other under your back as he lifted you with ease.

He took his sweet time striding into the living room, gently setting you on the couch with a soft kiss to your forehead.

“I’m takin’ care of ya. That means no effort from you. I’ll hold you down to this couch if I have to.” He huffed, leaning down to press another little kiss into your hair. He stepped back and turned around to make his way back into the kitchen, but not before sending you a playful glare and a little hand gesture that said ‘I’m keeping my eyes on you.’