Dark and Forgotten • (Bucky Barnes) • CAPTWS (Slow Updates)

1.9

Take my hand
Take my whole life, too

。.✦ ☾

January/1992

Tony Stark stood in his new office, everything that was once his father was now his. His fingers curl over the brown leather, still not used to the pitying looks from Rhodey and Obadiah.

The 21-year-old wasn't ready for the position of power, he avoided all his duties as heir. But now he's thrust into it. He should've asked Sloan for help, for guidance, but he ruined even that.

Suddenly there was a knock at the glass window, his head popped up and as if he was plucked straight from his thoughts. Sloan stood at the entrance, wearing his coal grey three-piece suit. He was perfect.

Realizing he had been staring, Tony clears his throat. "Come in."

Sloan offers a small hum, entering the office. "What are you doing here?" Tony asks, he assumed the CEO would've stayed far away after the whole kiss thing.

Sloan presses a hand on the chair across from Tony, while unbuttoning the first button of his suit jacket. "I didn't like how we ended things.....especially after the kiss.....I admire you Stark, you are bold, innovative, and electrifying....you draw me in....your mind draws me in. I couldn't end our friendship because of a fleeting attraction. That's what it is Stark, fleeting. I don't make attachments, I barely keep friends, but I don't want to lose you." Sloan says

Tony stares at him with unblinking eyes. "You waited 23 days to tell me that?" Tony asks, scoffing.

Sloan inhales sharply. "I am not the best at this Stark and you were still mourning, not just for your father but your mother as well. My rejection was ill-timed and I wanted to give you space." Sloan says

Tony understood he did need space, but looking at Sloan. Perfect Sloan, with gorgeous dark hair and dark eyes. He carried himself with confidence, he spoke with confidence. He would've been happy if Sloan was just there with him.

"Why are you here now? I get the apology, but you could've called, you could've sent an email for Christ's sake, why rub it in?" Tony asks

Sloan sighs. "I care about you Tony, and I can't just ignore what you're going through. We are friends Tony." Sloan says softly

He wanted to be more. "Thanks, Sloan, but before I can focus on your wants and needs, I need to fucking figure out how the hell I am planning to do any of this!" Tony hisses, waving around the room.

Sloan approaches Tony, "I can help you, Tony. If you let me. I've been through this. I had to start my company from the ground. I was poor, a loser, and now my company is thriving. Let me help you." Sloan asks

"If I didn't need it so much, I would've kicked your ass right out that door and into the curb. But as much as it pains me, I need you." Tony says

"Well, you have me."

....

New York/2012

Black Widow walks up to the CMS machine. Selvig slumped down, weakened, and looked at her desperately.

The Tesseract's energy is firing towards the portal, gaining in strength, at the surge of energy moving through the sky. "Doctor," Natasha says

"Loki's scepter, the energy...the Tesseract can't fight. You can't protect against yourself." Selvig says

"It's not your fault. You didn't know what you were doing." Natasha says

"Well, actually I think I did. I built in a safety to cut the power source." Selvig says "Loki's scepter." Natasha says