The Dark Captain

Chapter 25

The four of them made their way back to the palace. Steve and Arianna didn't want to let each other go, so when the way was rough, Steve carried her. She had fallen asleep in his arms and laid her down in his room for the night. It took some doing to pry her fingers from his shirt, but he managed it without the fabric tearing.

He made his way back to his common room, where Bucky sat, waiting. He was having so many memories playing through his head, he didn't want to intrude if Steve and Arianna were having alone time. But seeing his best friend come out and make himself a strong drink, Bucky knew that was the furthest thing on Steve's mind. Though, it did surprise the brunette to learn how he went from drinking shots of whiskey and vodka like water before the blip to thinking like a parent and finding alternatives to alcohol.

"Hey," Bucky said after a while. "Everything okay?"

Steve looked up at him and answered, "She almost didn't let me go." He downed the brandy and poured a second glass. "But why is she here, Buck?"

"Mama Romanda kept me updated. I had hoped you'd get through it on your own, but you needed Ari."

Steve knew that Bucky thought he would be strong enough to fight the brainwashing on his own, but the truth was, until the blond man had seen Arianna, he didn't have a reason to fight. As soon as she was in front of him, in possible danger, Steve fought harder. He couldn't risk taking her back to that hell. Not again. Steve carried the bottle with him to the couch across from Bucky and sat hard, looking at the drink in his hand.

"You've been there," Steve said before gulping the second glass. "You know it was a terrible idea."

Bucky took the bottle away before asking, "It worked, didn't it?"

Steve sat back, arms crossed. "If something had gone wrong-"

"I get it, but you love her." Bucky moved to put the bottle up and grab some soda. "You wouldn't-"

Steve snatched the brandy back. "I used to beat her, Buck. That's not love."

Bucky stopped his friend from drinking from the bottle and set it aside before staring Steve in the eyes. "Captain Hydra used to beat her and he's gone. You can have a relationship with her."

Bucky handed Steve a Coke and he took it with a sigh. "Not really an option. Tony told me to stay away from her."

Bucky tried to hide the hurt he felt just hearing Tony's name. "He's not the only one that can give permission." He then gave a conspiratorial smile. "You're going to rest and then you'll plan to take her on a date. A real one."

Steve scoffed. "You act like it's just so-" Then, he realized what Bucky said and tried to let the words sink in. "What did you say?"

Bucky chuckled. "I said it's a good thing you're a super soldier because you're dumber than a bucket of rocks." He gave a stiff smile when his friend didn't respond to the ribbing. "You have my permission to date Arianna."