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"WE looked for you after. Both of us did."
Anastasia ran her clammy hands down the skirt of her dress as Steve led Bucky and her up to his empty apartment. The church bell rang out in the distance, signalling another hour passing in the day.
"Folks wanted to give you a ride to the cemetery." Bucky continued on, shoving his hands deep in his trouser pockets.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just kinda wanted to be alone," Steve replied, keeping his gaze down.
Anastasia shook her head, although no one saw it, "You don't have to apologize, Steve. Never apologize for something like that."
Bucky shook his head, glancing down at her before at the back of Steve's head. "How was it?"
Steve shrugged, stepping onto the platform to his apartment. "It was okay. She's next to Dad."
Bucky glanced away, "I was gonna ask..."
Steve smoothed down his hair, suddenly turning to his two friends. "I know what you're gonna ask, Buck. I just..." He reached into his jacket pocket, fishing for something.
"We can put the couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids," Bucky finished his previous thought, watching Steve. "It'll be fun. All you gotta do is shine my shoes, maybe take out the trash. Come on."
He turned to look down at a random brick on the ground. Kicking it to the side, he found Steve's spare key. Bucky held it out to the smaller man, who solemnly accepted it. Steve paused, tapping the metal key against his palm. His blue eyes clouded in thought.
"Thank you, guys. But I can get by on my own."
Anastasia shook her head, pulling the thin sweater over her shoulders tightly. "Steve, you do realize you're not in this alone, right?"
"Yeah, the thing is, you don't have to," Bucky added after, smiling bittersweet at his friend. He clamped his hand on Steve's bony shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm with you till the end of the line, pal."
"We both are." Anastasia chuckled, stepping closer to the two. Bucky nodded with a smirk, using his other arm to wrap around her shoulders. "Now what do you say, a couple of drinks down at the bar?"
Steve was seemingly left speechless; only sighing quietly and smiling up at them. He felt so lucky to have both of them in his life.
