The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

sixty-nine - all i want

Katherine sat on her bed, lacing up her boots. She wore jeans and a leather jacket - the first time getting dressed since the funeral. She heard approaching footsteps climb the stairs. Katherine finished lacing up her boots and looked ahead to her open door. Steve soon appeared, fully suited in his Captain America suit. 

Katherine couldn't help but struggle to catch her breath for a moment - the suit bringing back so many memories, good and bad. "You ready?" Steve asked, smiling weakly to Katherine. 

Since the funeral, Happy has done daily checks on the family bringing fresh food to cook and making sure that Pepper and Katherine were holding up. Two days after the funeral, Happy managed to coax Katherine from her room and have dinner with him. Rhodey visited often also, the closest thing Katherine now has to a brother. 

Katherine looked to Steve, scooting on her bed offering him a seat, "I can go with you if you want?" She asked as Steve crossed her room, taking the offered seat beside Katherine. 

Steve shook his head, "It's fine."

Katherine shifted herself sideways, crossing her legs and sitting facing Steve. Steve turned slightly also, looking to Katherine, noticing the warmness in her cheeks return. Katherine reached out and took hold of Steve's hand. She inhaled thickly, "Go back to her."

Steve furrowed his brows, bewilderment filling his face. "What?"

"Go back to her." Katherine breathed, her heart hurting with every syllable she spoke. Katherine lowered her head, glancing at her hand in Steve's. Her eyes began to well up slightly, "I saw your compass - when we were in 2012. I saw that you still carried it with you. And -" She inhaled, " - I can guarantee that if I reach into your pocket right now, it'll be there."

Steve lowered his head, swallowing hard. She was right. Peggy has never left his side since World War II. He clenched his jaw slightly, recomposing himself before turning back to Katherine. She remained patient, letting Steve process her words. "Kat -"

Katherine let go of his hand, reaching down the front of her shirt and grabbing hold of a chain. She pulled the chain from around her head and gently placed it into Steve's hand, "I lied." Katherine chuckled slightly, "I never threw it away. I've worn it nearly everyday since the day I put it on. Steve -" Katherine began to choke," - I don't deserve this. She does."

"No, Kat. I love you."

"I know," She forced a smile through her heartache, "But I can't let you stay here if you have the chance to go back to her."

"I can't leave you -"

" - Yes. You can." Katherine squeezed tighter to Steve's hand. Katherine leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his. They remained there for a moment, feeling each other's touch, breathing the same air as one another. "I'll be okay."

-

In the forest beside the old Avengers Facility, Bruce set up another and hopefully final Quantum Tunnel. This was much smaller than the one used for the time heist - made for one person. Katherine stood beside Bruce at the control panel as he prepped the Quantum Tunnel. Sam stood by, observing. 

Steve pulled Bucky aside, pulling him deep into the forest. "What is going on?" Bucky asked, as Steve looked to him with despair in his eyes. 

Steve took a deep breath, "I'm going back to her, Buck." Bucky didn't understand the context of what Steve was talking about. He looked to Steve with confusion written on his face. "I'm going back to Peggy."