Traitor

Chapter 15

Tony kept his hands busy by clearing off his desk, which was littered with all sorts of blueprints from old projects. Bucky was bombarded with attention the moment he crossed the threshold.
Dum-E and U were ecstatic to see Bucky again, if their incessant beeps and erratic movements were any indicators.

Bucky was just as pleased to see them; he spoke his greetings and made sure to give both of them the scratches they were seeking. Tony couldn't suppress a smile, they were like domesticated animals.

"I've missed you guys." Tony felt a surge of guilt at that.

Tony had intended to avoid the conversation as long as possible, but he could only organize so much before he ran out of things to do. He looked up warily to see Bucky looking right back at him.

"Can we talk?" Tony had only ever heard such insecurity in his voice when he had requested plums the night they first met. That seemed like so long ago, five months had passed since then.

It was daunting that Bucky was one of the few people who knew him best, and that it had happened in an incredibly short window of time.

They both opened up about their past traumas and bonded over their pain. Tony wasn't expecting Bucky to share much about his experience as the Winter Soldier. Then again, he hadn't expected himself to share much either.

Words were endless when shared with him, much like the unwavering support Bucky had provided through it all.

Tony hummed affirmatively, not trusting his voice just yet. Bucky walked forward uncertainly, making sure Tony was comfortable having him so close.

Tony's hands were itching to touch the other man. Bucky looked so very sad. He wanted to comfort him, to apologize and explain everything.
His tactile nature won in the end and he surged forward, immediately being enveloped in the warm embrace he had deprived himself of for too long.

Bucky took it in stride, resting his cheek on Tony's head. Tony was a fool for ever thinking he could give this up.

"I'm sorry." Tony didn't elaborate, because he had everything to be sorry for.

"So it's not true?" Bucky asked brokenly. 

"You're not scared of me?"

With much effort, Tony drew back to look at Bucky in confusion. "What, no. Of course not." Tony assured him hastily.

He sputtered uselessly, baffled.

Bucky, thankfully, continued to fill the silence.

"This whole time I've been so worried." Bucky was looking down, much too overwhelmed with the truth. Tony stroked Bucky's arm comfortingly.

"Worried about what, Buckaroo?" Bucky scoffed with no real heat at the ridiculous nickname.

"About you hating me, I couldn't take that."
Tony ran a soothing hand down Bucky's unkept scruffy cheek.

"Well, you don't have to worry anymore. I could never hate you." Tony realized just how true that was. There wasn't even anything about Bucky he disliked, much less hated.

He knew and accepted all of him, including the Winter Soldier. Which is why he couldn't fathom how in the world Bucky was led to believe such a thing. What was going on?

"That's not the only thing I was worried about." Bucky replied honestly.

Tony looked at him expectantly, allowing him the chance to speak. "I worry about you, Tony." He was frowning now, because hadn't they just gone over this?
"I already told you that I don't ha-"