Everything happens so quickly, he barely has time to process it as it happens. None of it matters, none of it expect the second that door opens. Bucky is pulling Sam into his arms and rushing him out into the open hallway, which feels sticky and hot compared to the freezer but he barely registers this. All of his focus is on Sam.

He hears Steve and Natasha asking him things, giving him rundowns, but none of it sinks in. He’s too busy counting chest compressions and trying not to break any ribs in the process. Every new attempt to get him breathing again is more frantic than the last.

“Come on…” he murmurs, “this can’t be what takes you out…” he hasn’t even noticed the tears in his eyes.