Not-Captain-America, now known as Adaptoid, remains beneath Bucky’s tree. It’s left arm, the one thing that’s not at all like Steve’s costume, catches his attention. Silver, like Bucky’s new one, it chirps and clicks as little plates move from shoulder to wrist. As if responding, his own arm mimics the motion, clicking and chirping.

Eyes widening in horror, Bucky watches Adaptoid’s head turn to look right at him. Only, he doesn’t have eyes, or a face, with which to look.

“I’m having a nightmare,” Bucky says to no one in particular.

“James Barnes,” the thing says in its inhuman voice. Shivers crawl up Bucky’s spine and he thinks it would smile if such a thing were possible. “Found you.”