I Thought You Were Different: Part 5

Destiny

As the conversations began to fade out and the team found themselves lost in memories of years gone by and the relationships that they had come to know, Rhodey couldn't help but notice that Sam and Bucky had yet to join in. They were still alone, sitting quietly together with their backs to the group and not showing any interest in moving. He had an idea of what they were talking about, and normally he wouldn't have interfered, but he had a unique offer to give them, and now more than ever, it couldn't wait.

"Hey, guys," he greeted hesitantly, coming armed with two beers in hand, "mind if I take a minute?"

"Sure, man," Sam nodded, a quick swipe of his hand over his eyes that wasn't lost on Rhodey, "what's up?"

"Well, I was noticing that you two haven't had much to say. I think I might have an idea why."

"Because it's a fucking depressing conversation?" Bucky answered heavily, taking the beer that was offered, nearly emptying it in one swallow. "Can't imagine why we'd keep our distance from that."

Rhodey followed suit and took a drink from his own bottle, sucking in a harsh breath at the pain he felt just by standing next to these two. It wasn't like they were the only two feeling it, but they sure were the two wearing it the most openly. "So, like I said, I have an idea. You two get a license yet?"

Sam and Bucky looked at each other, confused, clearly trying to have a conversation between them without so much as a word spoken, but all it did was muddle up their thoughts even more. It would seem that so much time together did nothing for their couple's communication, and Rhodey couldn't help but laugh at their ineptitude.

"Guys," Rhodey continued with a dry chuckle, "in case you've forgotten, I'm ordained. We can do this right now if you want to."

~~~

"Do I look okay?"

Bucky turned from the mirror to face you, his eyes filled with panic that he wasn't going to fill Sam's expectations, despite there being no way that it would ever be true. Steve's suit fit him pretty well, only a few buttons pulled to their limits, and a little extra length in the legs, but overall, as far as you were concerned, he was perfect. Tony had given him a pair of cufflinks to borrow, but the wrist of his metal arm was too big to make that side work so he wore only one, and he couldn't stop staring at the omission.

"You look great, Buck."

"You sure, doll? I feel like something's wrong."

"It's just because we're rushing, and it's not the way you had it planned," you tried to reassure him, "but like you said to me in the beginning, it's not about flowers and suits and what to serve at dinner. It's about you two, right?"

"Right," he sighed, dropping his shoulders in relief, "yeah...you're right. Thanks, (Y/N)."

You took a step closer and ran your hands over the jacket slowly, then reached up to straighten his bowtie, though you weren't seeing your friend at all. Your mind had taken you to when you had last seen Steve in this suit, and how handsome he was in it. Trying to meld the sensation in your fingertips to the images in your mind, you closed your eyes to allow yourself the moment, pushing away the sadness trying to take it over; it was trying to destroy your memory by reminding you that you might never see him in it again.

"Doll?"

"Hmm?" you mumbled, opening your eyes again with a shake of your head to clear it. "Sorry...I'm sorry, Buck, I just got distracted."

"Hey, I've told you, this isn't the end," he smiled weakly, "and we can't believe that it is, okay? If we go into this with that idea, we'll make it happen that way because you know as much as I do, this team has shit for luck."