Ironstrange/Stony/Stucky (Closed)

It's not like that Part 2(Stucky)

Bucky sat on the bed of his new room. He couldn't believe he was going to be living with the Avengers. It felt odd to him. Sam had shown him around the compound before leaving to meet the others for dinner. He didn't know what he was going to say to Steve when he arrived. He'd been dwelling on it for the past thirty minutes and had gotten nowhere.

"Mr. Barnes, Captain Rogers has entered the compound."

Bucky stiffened at the sound of Friday's voice. Tony had told her to alert him when Steve got there.

"Shall I send him to you?" Friday asked when Bucky didn't respond.

"Uh, no that's okay. Th-thank you," Bucky responded unnecessarily loud. He slowly made his way down the stairs towards where the kitchen was.

"Tony?" Steve's voice called out then causing all the breath in Bucky's chest to be punched out of him. He paused just inside the kitchen unable to move. He hadn't actually seen Steve since Siberia.

"Friday where's Tony?" Steve asked. His voice growing louder as he neared the kitchen.

"Mr. Stark is out to dinner," Friday answered.

"He specifically asked me to meet him here," Steve huffed, tossing up his hands.

Bucky decided to make his presence known.

"It's actually me you're meeting," Bucky stepped around the counter.

Steve stopped short. His eyes widened at the sight of Bucky in front of him.

"Buck?" Steve asked as if he thought it might be some sort of trick.

"Heya Stevie," Bucky gave a small smile. He hadn't seen the blonde since Siberia.

"What are you doing here?" Steve asked, pulling Bucky into a tight hug.

"Stark sent a jet to get me," Bucky answered nervously. He wasn't sure how Steve would react.

"He what?" Steve frowned, pulling back.

"He offered me a room," Bucky gestured over his shoulder.

Steve looked past him towards the hallway Bucky had come from.

"Is this a joke?" Steve demanded, the frown not leaving his face.

"I thought the same thing," Bucky shrugged.

"You talked to him?" Steve's eyes widened again.

Bucky nodded.

"Alone?" Steve seemed uncomfortable with the prospect.

"Sam was here."

"W-what'd he say? He didn't hurt you, did he?" Steve glanced over Bucky as if to spot an injury he hadn't noticed earlier.

"He apologized for what happened. He said he wanted to put it behind us, and he said..." Bucky trailed off. He wasn't sure he was ready to have this conversation yet.

"What? What else did he say?" Steve urged him to continue.

"He said you missed me and that you were miserable without me."

Steve tensed.

"Look, Buck, I'm glad you're here but...I don't know that this is a good idea," Steve glanced around like he was waiting for a punch line.

"Right," Bucky nodded, trying to hide this disappointment.

"Son of a bitch," Steve swore under his breath. He could tell Bucky was upset.

"Buck-"

Bucky cut in. "If he's okay with it, why are you so upset?" He stepped forward then.

Steve turned to his best friend. "I can't play the middle man with you two. It's not fair."

"I would never make you do that," Bucky frowned.

"It's just too hard, with me and Tony and your past and-"

"So that's what this is about. You don't trust me?"

"What? No, of course I trust you, but Tony..." Steve let out a heavy sigh.

"It's always Tony, isn't it?" Bucky sighed. He should have known.

"You couldn't come with me to Wakanda cause you had to go back for Tony. You couldn't come see me cause of Tony. I couldn't come here cause of Tony. When were you going to tell me you and Tony broke up?" Bucky found himself asking. He hadn't intended to ask that, not yet at least.

Steve's head dropped in shame, "He told you."

"Yes, because he was talking about you and I together and I was afraid it was going to ruin something between you two. But then low and behold, you two are already done. Have been for a while actually."

"I wanted to tell you but..." Steve trailed off.

"But what? You were hoping to get back together with him? You were afraid I'd ask too much of you? You were worried I'd put more distance between you two? That's why you're upset that I'm here, right? Because I'm the one thing that will keep Tony away and you can't bear the thought of that," Bucky's tone was accusing and bitter. He never should have agreed to come here. He never should have listened to Sam. He should have stayed in Wakanda where it was safe, where Steve couldn't hurt him any further. He knew Steve would never love him like he did Tony.

"Buck, no, it's not like that," Steve took a step towards Bucky. He looked tired suddenly.

"Then why?" Bucky's voice broke slightly. This hurt.

"Bucky, you have to understand, I lost you once, I couldn't lose you again. Tony was so pissed. My only concern was getting you away from him. Keeping you safe. I didn't want to give Tony any more reason to hate you. If you had found out that he and I weren't together anymore, I couldn't keep the distance between us. It was hard enough. But I was afraid of what Tony would do. I don't know what trick he's playing by bringing you here but if it's some way to get back at me then...I can't lose you Buck. I won't do it. Even if that keeps us distant. He's a huge part of the avengers and without him we're not nearly as good. We need him and as the lead of the avengers I have to put the team first," Steve reached out for Bucky. His hand cupping the side of Bucky's cheek.

"He said he brought me here for you. That he couldn't see you like this anymore," Bucky leaned into Steve's hand instinctively.

"See me like what?" Steve frowned, not releasing his best friend.

"I dunno, he said you were miserable," Bucky shrugged.

"I don't know what goes on in that head of his sometimes," Steve sighed, shaking his head. His hand fell from Bucky's face.

"Let's get something to eat, we can catch up over dinner. Sound good?" Steve offered gesturing over his shoulder towards the elevator.

Bucky nodded. He tried to hide the disappointment. He'd hoped for a much more positive reaction from Steve. Dinner would be nice though. They could hash the details of everything with Tony later. For now he was just going to enjoy spending time with Steve.