i just got you back

3 | 𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

It's their last day in Tony's house before Steve and the rest of the Avengers head back to their homes. Bucky had nothing to pack at all—he didn't had extra clothes after he was resurrected.

Steve had lended him a few of his shirts and pants, and an underwear to spare. Steve told him that the rest of his clothes were kept in their apartment, with the help of Shuri, of course.

Bucky asked if he left anything back in Wakanda, and Steve said no. T'challa made sure of that. So he believed it.

Together with Pepper, Scott, Bruce and Sam, Steve and Bucky gathered together by the huge fireplace. Morgan was fast asleep from tiredness. Pepper offered them some coffee and bread, but Bucky took a pass. He wished he was fast asleep right now.

Bucky couldn't help but think of what happened earlier. It's what's causing him all the stress right now.

Seriously, Buck? He thinks to himself. At this point, you want inner peace. When you have none. Even in the old times. You never had one.

Just accept that your life is a complete chaos.

All that Bucky wanted for Steve is true happiness in his life...even if it meant without him. When Steve met Peggy, he thought that Steve's true happiness is with her. Apparently there's something fishy with that, now that he's here when he could've had a life with her.

As much as he did not want to, he knew he had to talk to Steve. He needs to.

What if I accidentally confess? That's a bad idea. Terrible.

Confessing differs much from just talking, or even confronting. He knows that. Everyone with enough range of vocabulary knows that. But sometimes, when you freak out, things could go the other way around, and boom. You say something that you wish you could take back. Bucky thought carefully. What if he does confess his love?

Doctor Strange is just around the corner, right?

No, that needs a lot of convincing. Besides, he has a lot more other jobs to do. Look to the future. Protecting Earth. He's the Master of the Mystic Arts, after all.

Steve had noticed that Bucky has been silent for the past couple of days. If he ever speaks, his voice is incredibly soft. Barely audible. A sign that he is lost in his thoughts. Of course, the star-spangled man doesn't know that.

Pepper smiled from the other side of the couch. "It's getting late. I'm assuming everyone would want a good night sleep."

Scott, Bruce and Sam agreed, despite the amount of coffee consumed. They got up from their seats, and exited the living room.

"You tired, Bucky?"

Bucky didn't realized his eyes were half-shut until he heard Steve. He slightly jolted from shock, and sighed. "Do you mind if I talk to you for a minute or so?"

"I'd love to talk to you, Buck," Steve smiled. "But as far as I'm concerned, you didn't sip any coffee tonight. And your face is pale. Are you sure everything's alright?"

It doesn't even bother him to lie at this point. "Yes. But I want to talk."

"Tomorrow, Buck. You have to sleep." Assuming Bucky doesn't have the strength to stand up anymore, he assists him, with one arm on Bucky's shoulder. Together, they got up the stairs to their shared room.

Once Bucky was laid on the bed, Steve insisted him to sleep.

"Buck, can it wait for tomorrow?"

Bucky moaned. "Mm, no."

"Bucky, please sleep." To Steve's chagrin, Bucky only whines in response. He finally decides to ignore his complaints for the rest of the night.

"Fine." Bucky gave up. "Tomorrow."

And it's sleepy night night for him.