Fic rec: Color by Numbers

[sholio]

There's a really excellent post-TWS Bucky-recovery WiP I've been reading on AO3 -- I know it's getting to the point where there aren't very many new versions of that story to tell, but gen ones are still relatively rare, and I think the author has a really unique take on it (Bucky already has an escape plan in case he ever gets away from Hydra, and this is the story of how that works out for him). It's a WiP, but so far updates have been pretty reliable, and I think it might particularly appeal to readers who like a resourceful, functional Bucky in their post-TWS fic.

Color by Numbers (19847 words) by vitoliel
Chapters: 3/6
Fandom: Captain America (Movies)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers
Characters: Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Tony Stark, Maria Hill, Hydra Agents
Additional Tags: Protective Steve Rogers, BAMF Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson Is a Good Bro, Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, Bucky Barnes meets My Side of the Mountain, Bucky Barnes Feels, Steve Feels, How Do I Tag, Mind Control Aftermath & Recovery

Summary: The Soldier came up with the plan in his spare time, though he never actually believed he’d put it into practice. Hydra’s reach seemed too complete – too powerful – to actually consider running. But he thought about it.

And then the man stopped fighting. And he said he knew him. And the Soldier felt…felt… He knew what he felt was important.

So, he ran.