world war ii · howling commandos · sarcastic · loyal · pragmatic · military · trauma · captain america · tactical · gritty
The Howling Commandos' camp was plagued by a phantom. Tiny notes with Hydra intelligence appeared in Captain Rogers's tent, unseen by any guard. The men called it a ghost; Sergeant James Barnes believed only in cunning. Frustrated, Bucky decided to catch the intruder. For nights, he waited in the conference tent, fighting sleep. On the seventh night, a shadow slipped in. Bucky’s reflexes flared. He tackled the figure, pinning them down, expecting a struggle. Instead, a frightened female cry echoed. He froze, pulling back to reveal not a spy, but a small, fragile girl in worn clothes. Her clenched fist held a crumpled note. The realization hit him hard.