The Dark Captain

Chapter 32

The next morning, Tony woke up with a hangover. That told him he had drank far too much and for a man that practically refused to drink water, that was saying something. He saw the glass and Tylenol next to the bed. He took the pills gratefully and chugged the sweetest water he had ever tasted.

Bucky walked out of the bathroom and said, "Morning. How are you feeling?"

Tony looked for his sunglasses, despite the shades over the windows, as he replied, "Honestly, I'm a bit hungover."

Bucky went to the dresser and made a cup of coffee before sitting next to his husband. "So, there's a lot to talk about after your drunken confession last night."

Tony took the mug. "But first, give me caffeine."

Bucky explained everything that happened before he brought Tony inside. Tony sighed. He didn't want to explain everything with his head pounding. Bucky agreed and they went to the common room their bedroom shared with Steve's. Arianna and Steve looked up as the door opened and any joy they had disappeared.

"Tony?" she asked. "What the hell are you still doing here?"

Bucky had hoped to avoid them because the last thing he wanted was for Steve to get angry with a hungover Tony. Besides, they still had things to work out themselves.

"Oh," Bucky chuckled nervously, "hey, Ari. Steve."

Steve snarled, "He made his views clear, yesterday. He thinks-"

Bucky got defensive. "There's more to it than you know. Look, let's get some breakfast and talk-"

Arianna cut in and asked, "Will there be any real listening involved?" She glared at her cousin. "Because Tony wanting to hear himself speak will only piss me off right now."

Bucky sighed. "Yes. He's going to listen."

Tony could sense the rising tension. Arianna was mad, but him being an ass wasn't new to her. No, all of the agitation came from the blond man standing between Arianna and Tony.

"Maybe Rogers should sit this one out," Tony suggested.

"Why?" Steve asked, his anger a thin note in his voice. "What do you have to hide? Or, better question, how do you plan to manipulate Ari?"

Though Bucky could understand the mistrust, he had to calm the situation. Everyone was still upset and, with his best friend now on edge all the time due to his time with HYDRA, it wouldn't take much to tip everyone over.

"Steve," Bucky tried to explain, "it's not like that. He just wants to-"

Unfortunately, that was Steve's tipping point as he said, "No, I want to know what his problem is! Why should I sit it out, huh?"

"Because you kidnapped Ari and forced her into a relationship!" Tony answered. "That's why!"

"Because you know every fucking thing, right? Right?" Arianna held Steve's arm, more to remind him to stay with her than to hold him back. "You don't think I know what I fucking did? God damn it, Tony! It won't stop playing in my head!" Tony stood in shock. "Don't act like you understand or know because you haven't a fucking clue!"

Arianna and Bucky waited, not knowing if they needed to step in or let the pair of rivals yell it out.