Inseparable

Steve's departure part 1

The next morning there was silent tension between them. Steve hadn't told Bucky he had changed his mind and he didn't even know if he had. The new day and what it offered was tempting.

When Steve finally turned to Bucky to say goodbye he couldn't help but notice how sad he was. Trying to cheer him up Steve said, "Don't do anything stupid until I get back." Bucky smirked and shook his head, "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." Although his tone started with a laugh it ended sadly with his eyes screaming hurt and betrayal. Bucky leaned into his hug slapping him on the back before pulling away and he looked down. When he looked back up at Steve his eyes were fond, "Gonna miss you, buddy." It was uttered softly as both had agreed not to tell Sam, but Steve felt like it was more of a whispered goodbye of painful acceptance. His insides hurt at this but he assured his friend with a smile, "It's gonna be ok Buck." Bucky gave him a hopeful half-hearted smile as Steve stepped onto the platform activating his suit. Sam, who was standing nearby, turned to Bruce. "How long is it going to take?" Bruce looked up from his equipment saying, "For him as long as he needs. For us five seconds." Steve picked up Mjolnir and turned back to face his friends, his two best friends in the world. Sam looked worried and Bucky looked worn as if he had given up. Steve's thoughts swirled to only be brought back by Bruce's voice. "Ready Cap?" He gave a short nod and turned back to look at Bucky. "Alright, we'll meet you back here okay?" Bruce called. "This was it, Steve thought. "I can be with Peggy or come back here to my best friend." At that moment he made up his mind. "You bet," he called back. The helmet closed and Bruce began counting down and with a flash, Steve was gone.

Ouch, that hurt. now get ready for a few unfinished endings.

also a content warning, near the end of this part there are some suicidal thoughts.

Bucky stood silently watching as Bruce began counting down again. "Don't do this to me, Steve." He whispered. He was still clinging to the hope that Steve would come back to him. If only Steve knew much how he relied on him, how much he had always looked up to him. If Steve didn't come back he didn't know how he would cope. But Steve was stubborn, he had always been. It was Bucky who got him out of trouble and made him think things through. Not this time though. Steve had shown he could make his own decisions and who was Bucky as his best friend to take away his happiness? As the countdown passed without a returning flash and Sam began to panic, Bucky just turned away. "Please don't do this. Don't leave me." He noticed an old man on a bench near the lake and immediately knew. "Sam! Sam come here." Sam joined him and for a moment they just stood there in silent thought. Sam shot him a questioning look, "Go ahead." Bucky assured him. As he watched Steve and Sam talk, his and Steve's conversation came back to him.

Steve: Hey Buck what if we could go back?

Bucky: What do you mean go back?

Steve: I could go back with Peggy and you could be with Gail once you make up of course. It won't affect the timeline at all. We could finally have a life.

Bucky: Steve, I am thought to be dead and so are you. How in hell are we going to explain us being alive?

Steve: We'll just tell them the truth. I could stay hidden. I wouldn't be Captain America again, just Steve. It could work. Think about it. We could have our lives back.

Bucky: No Steve, you could. I would never fit back in, not after everything I have seen over the years and knowing that there was another version of myself out there killing people without being able to stop him. I would be a suspect.

Steve: I guess you're right. If you did stay here I'd want you to take my place. *holds out shield*

Bucky shakes his head: No if anyone is to become Captain America it shouldn't be me. It should be Sam. He reminds me of you.