The battle had been long and hard, well, both battles he supposed. It still hadn’t quite clicked that five years had passed and he wasn’t sure when it would. It made his insides twist up. He’d already lost seventy years when he was with HYDRA and now five more had been stolen from him just as he’d been beginning to make progress.
Since he’d come back, Steve had practically been plastered to his side, only leaving when it was demanded of him by others. Not that Bucky minded, he had missed his best friend while he was in Wakanda and soaked up every interaction and affectionate gesture like a sponge.
But then, in the days after the- Tony’s funeral, the Avengers had come up with a plan to return the stones to their respective timelines and Stevie had volunteered. Because of course he had.
Bucky watched with an aching chest as Steve spoke with Sam, patting the man heartily on the shoulder before walking over to where Bucky himself was standing, hands in his pockets. He kept his face blank as his best friend approached, a boy like smile lighting up his face.
“Don’t do anything stupid till I get back.” Steve said teasingly, a small smirk twitching at his lips. God, Bucky wanted to kiss those lips. He wouldn’t, of course. Just like every other time he’d had those kinds of thoughts in Steve’s presence, he promptly banished them to the back of his mind.
Huffing out a short laugh, Bucky smiled, though it felt like more of a grimace. “How can I?” He joked back, nostalgia making his throat close up. He could do this. He could fucking do this. He was the Winter Soldier for gods sake, he couldn’t say goodbye to his best friend. “You’re taking all the stupid with you.” He’d meant for it to come out teasingly but it just sounded sad. There was a bitter taste in Bucky mouth and he swallowed.
Leaning forward in unison, the two men grabbed each other in a tight embrace.
Bucky let himself linger for a moment too long before patting Steve on the shoulder with a small smile and nod. “Gonna miss you, buddy.” He muttered as they pulled away from each other.
He knew. He knew in his heart that Steve wasn’t coming back. His best friend, his partner, why would he when he was being given a chance to get back everything he’d ever wanted. He knew Steve didn’t enjoy the modern world, that he missed his life before the ice. Peggy. They’d talked about it plenty, sharing memories and stories as if it would turn back time. And now Steve had the chance to do just that, turn back time. Yeah, he wasn’t coming back. Not any time soon, anyway.
Steve was watching him closely, too closely, looking him up and down as though searching for something, before he suddenly smiled again. “It’s gonna be okay, Buck.” He reassured warmly and Bucky tried not to hope. Hope that he would come back. Hope that it wasn’t even a thought in his mind. Hope that Bucky’s years with Steve meant more to him than Peggy’s months. Not that he had anything against Peggy, but god he would do anything for Steve to stay with him. But he kept silent, Stevie deserved to be happy. Even if it wasn’t with him.
He gave a wan smile and watched as Steve confidently stepped back, brief case in hand and moving to the middle of the time travel machine. He grabbed Thor’s hammer on the way, letting out a small incredulous laugh as he did. Bucky couldn’t help his smirk, Steve had confided in him that he still didn’t understand how he of all people was worthy. Bucky thought he was the most worthy of all.
In a blink, Steve was standing in the time travel suit, the material crawling over his body.
“How long is this gonna take?” Sam called out as Banner went to activate the machine.
Bucky fought to hear Banner’s reply over the noise. Thank god for super hearing. “For him as long as he needs, for us five seconds.” The large green man shrugged. He then turned to Steve. “You ready, Cap?” He nodded. “Alright we’ll meet you back here, okay?” Another nod. “Going quantum. Three, two, one.” And then Steve was gone.
Banner flicked a few buttons. “And returning in five, four…”
Bucky braced himself for the disappointment and devastation he would feel when Steve didn’t appear in five seconds but was shocked silent when two figures appeared on the platform with a clutter.
His eyes went wide as he took in Steve who hadn’t aged a day and… and Natalia.
“Nat?!” Banner gasped, eyes filling with tears. “Oh my god! Nat!”
“Hey, Bruce.” Natalia smiled, eyes suspiciously shiny. She looked different from the last time he’d seen her, her red hair long with bits of blonde at the ends. Bucky knew it had only been five years but the woman looked as if she’d aged a decade. Not that she wasn’t still beautiful, she was, but she looked like everyone else who hasn’t been snapped, like a ghost. Even at a time like this, when she was smiling brightly, laughter falling freely as Banner enveloped her in a hug.
“Thought I’d bring back a present.” Steve said cheekily, arm still wrapped around Natalia’s shoulder as Banner squished them.
“Only you, Cap.” Sam sighed, shaking his head but moving forward to give Natalia a hug. “Hey Natasha. Good to have you back.” He said warmly.
Bucky only had eyes for Steve. Steve who was watching Bucky just as closely. He couldn’t help himself when he rushed forward, hooking his arms around the blondes waist and pulling him into him. Before he could even realize what he was doing, their lips were pressed together. Steve went stiff with shock and Bucky almost pulled back before Steve suddenly began… responding to him. Bucky couldn’t contain the groan that fell from his mouth as he leaned further into the kiss. He couldn’t believe what was happening.
Steve had come back. He was home.
Natasha let a smile creep up on her face as she opened the front door with a dramatic flourish.
Clint and Laura stared at her with wide eyes and gaping mouths. She couldn’t help the bright but short laugh that fell from her lips.
“Hey guys.” She whispered, almost afraid to break the stillness that had settled throughout the house.
“Auntie Nat!” “Nat!” “Natasha!” A chorus of cries, screams, screeches rang out as she entered the door. Yeah, Natasha was home.