The compound was too quiet. Not in the peaceful way, no, it was that kind of silence that hovered thick in the air. The kind that weighed on his chest, nagged at the back of his mind. The kind that said something’s off.

He noticed it three days ago. Maybe four. Hard to tell when the days bled together the way they did in this place.

You weren’t talking much. That wasn’t new. But you weren’t really present either. Didn’t show up for dinner yesterday. Missed the team debrief. But tonight was the one that did it.

You crossed the kitchen at nearly midnight, slow and half folded into yourself. Opened a cabinet, stared at a can of soup, and then closed it again without touching anything.

Bucky watched from the couch, unmoving. Then, spoke.

“Get your coat.”

You turned, surprised. “What?”

He stood. Pulled on his own jacket. “I’m serious. C’mon. We’re going out.”

Your brow furrowed. “It’s past midnight.”

“Exactly. Nothing good ever happens after midnight except greasy food and questionable music in my truck. Let’s go.”

You hesitated at the door. He held it open anyway. The McDonald’s three towns over was still glowing. Half the letters in the sign were dead, and the girl at the drive-thru window looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. Bucky didn’t care.

You sat in the passenger seat, arms tucked tight around your stomach, the wind from the cracked window ruffling your hoodie. There were deep shadows under your eyes.

“Order whatever,” he said. “They have those apple pies. I used to like those. Don’t remember if they still taste good or if it’s just a memory.”

You looked over at him, the golden flicker of the streetlamp outside painting his jaw in soft light. “You brought me here for apple pies?”

“I brought you here,” he said, eyes on the menu board, “because you look like you’re about three days from falling over. I can’t fix much, but I can sit here and make you eat a cheeseburger.”

A pause.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he added. “Just eat.”

And maybe it wasn’t much. A quiet truck and Bucky caring about you.