I'm With You To The End Of The Line [STUCKY]

Chapter 15

Steve sat at the desk, pen in hand as he wrote his words carefully for the third time.

'Tony,
I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The avengers are yours - maybe more so than mine.'

The words were the truth, but they still stung. Tony was self-destructive. He needed someone, James most likely, to get him through this.

'I've been on my own since I was eighteen. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My faith's in...people, I guess. Individuals. And, I'm happy to say that for the most part, they haven't let me down. Which is why I can't let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn't.'

Their friendship, Iron Man's and Captain America's, was destroyed at this point. Steve didn't think it would be threaded back together either.

'I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but...I can see now that I was really sparing myself. And I'm sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. He's my Rhodey, maybe even more.'

He didn't know about Tony's life love that much, but he was extremely close to the War Machine. They were best friends, and Bucky was his best friend and lover. He only hoped Tony would understand why he gave up being Captain America.

'I wish we agreed on the Accords, I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do - it's all any of us should.

So no matter what, I promise you. If you need us - if you need me - I'll be there.'

He didn't sign his name. He knew Tony would know who he was. He didn't bother lying either. If Tony needed him, and one day he would, he'd be there.

So he placed the letter in the envelop, slipped it in the box with a small black flip phone, and sent it off.

❄️❄️❄️

Bucky looked at cryo-pod as scientist and doctors past him by. It was fascinating as much as it was daunting. He heard boots padding softly on the floor and turned to Steve, looking resigned but still holding a strained smile.

"You sure about this?" He asked. Bucky swallowed thickly and tried to find the right words.

"I can't trust my own mind." He gave a soft, bitter huff of amusement. "So, until they figure out how to get this stuff outta my head, I think going back under is the best thing." Steve almost looked like a kicked puppy and Bucky pierced his lips. "For everybody."

"Yeah... I'll be here when you come out." Steve promised, stepping a bit closer to hug him. Bucky rested his forehead against Steve's shoulder, content to just take in the warmth and security the other gave. It would be the warmest he'd be for a while.

"I'll see you soon. Well, as soon as possible I guess." He gave a trying smile.

"I know. I love you." Steve whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. Bucky sighed inaudibly and nodded.

"Love you too, Punk."

"Jerk...Don't be too long. I want to still be handsome when you come out."

"You'll always be handsome, pal." Bucky chuckled as the doctor came up to him. Steve put some distance between them and watched as they readied him into the pod.

In a matter of seconds, Bucky had closed his eyes and became a sleeping beauty behind the frozen glass.

❄️❄️❄️

After the room was quiet and it was only Steve and Bucky left, Steve placed his hand on the cold glass of pod. He could see the frost on the clear surface. He smiled bittersweetly as he watched Bucky's content face. He could see his own reflection, the redness of his eyes from unshed tears and his tightly pierced lips as he tapped the glass gently with his fingertips.

"Till the end of the line, Buck. Always. If I can love you a hundred years, I can wait a hundred more."

15 LINES SEWN