WinterIron one shots

Ghost of a Saviour

Word count: 1434

Summary: Tony and Bucky meet again. 

Part 2 of Ghost of a soldier. 

for @-glaucous- thanks for inspiring me to write a second part. 

Go check out @-glaucous-  winter iron book!!

-----

"What are you doing out here in the cold!" 

Tony glared at his feet as his friend slammed the car door shut behind him and stomped over to where he was standing. Continuing to shout at him, he realised that tony had fallen silent. 

"Tones...." Placing a warm hand on his blazer shoulder, he inspected his friend. Apart from the shivers, he seemed -physically- fine, but he knew tony well enough that that was not the case. 

"Tony, we should get back to the tower now, or get a cheeseburger and coffee on the way there-"

"Can we go straight home, I need to speak to you, and Pepper."

Rhodes nodded, and guided tony into the back seat of the car, as they drove home in silence. 

 ----

He reached into his pocket to fetch his keys, feeling the chain around his neck feel so much lighter was putting him off. It felt off balance. Wrong. Yet the added weight on his right wrist felt comforting. Warm. 

Finding the small bundle, he struggled with the old lock on his small apartment door, pushing it open with some force as he hadn't got round to sorting out that rust in the hinges. 

He was ready for a nice night in, focusing on his achievements this week, and writing a list of everything he had to remember for the next. And Tony. He wanted to write about Tony. He wouldn't forgive himself if he forgot the man he saved tonight. Another achievement he should be proud of. For the first time for several decades he didn't feel like a villain  - a monstrous killer, but a good civilian. 

However, as he stepped into the darkness of the single room flat, he knew something was off. His senses hadn't failed him yet, so he trusted them. One of the few things he could trust about himself. 

Reaching out for the light switch, he hesitated. 

Then the room flooded with light. 

A man stood with his back to him, looking over the bills and various other random letter Bucky had received the night before but had no time to look over. He wasn't armed -Bucky noticed immediately. So why was he here. 

The man span round as soon as the light filled the room, looking at Bucky with familiar fearful eyes. He held up his hand in front of him, offering Bucky a clear view of the lack of self defence he possessed. 

"James? I'm not going to hurt you." When Bucky didn't move, the man continued. "My name is Sam, I'm know Steve - Steve Rogers. I'm here to help you. "

"I'm not ready to see Steve yet ."

"Then you don't have to. But I can help you. I promise."

----

 He stared down at the tag in his gloved hand. 

It had been a while - since the last time he was sat in an isolated area with a bottle of whiskey by his side. He knew this time he wouldn't touch it, although it was very tempting. So was the idea of complete nothingness, floating away into an abyss to find peace.