Back on Track

Bucky obediently followed Steve through stairs and corridors.

“Is this Stark’s home? Do you all live at his?”

“It’s- He built this, yes. But it is, or it used to be, everyone’s home. Actually, he didn’t even live here at first.”

“Does he pay for everything?”

“Well, most stuff, yes. I take- Used to take care of some things. But not everyone has a regular income.”

“You do?”

Steve blushed slightly. “I own my image rights now. Every Captain America t-shirt, baseball cap, teddy bear that is sold. I receive part of the benefit.”

Bucky’s face lit up. “There are Captain America teddy bears?”

 “They’re not even a new thing. Apparently they’ve been around since the 1940s.” Steve rubbed his forehead, embarrassed. He was sure he was getting redder by the minute.

Bucky chuckled. “They didn’t have those at the exhibition.” He raised his eyebrows while pointing  at Steve.  “There were action figures, though.”

Steve laughed as well. “It seems like they’re making a comeback.”

“I understand. They’re great!” It was great, hearing Bucky laugh, however…

“Did you know they made some of you too?”

Bucky stopped laughing. “WHAT?!”

“It was long after we were both gone, apparently.” Steve then imitated a broadcaster’s voice. “‘Bucky,: Captain America's sidekick’. ”

“That-“

“I listened to the radio advert on a website.”

Steve had heard that recording for the first time more than three years ago. Back when he thought Bucky was long gone. He had laughed imagining Bucky’s indignation if he knew he had been turned into a sidekick. Then he had cried, realizing he would never hear him snort about it. But he didn’t mention that.

He had acquired one. It had been his first internet purchase, some time after Tony explained him how all that worked. He had kept it inside the box in which he stored his drawing tools ever since. It was nice to have something to remember him by. He didn't mention that either.

“A sidekick!” Bucky was still baffled.

Steve tried not to laugh. “We’re here.”

They were at the door of what would be Bucky’s room. Steve was glad they had gotten there. There was no way he could keep a straight face longer. Bucky’s surprised face was too much for him to handle.

The room was right in front of his, and next to Nat’s. It had been Clint’s for a brief time before he retired, and had been empty ever since. He had nothing left there, so Tony had decided it was the best place for Bucky to stay, and Clint and Steve had agreed.

Steve opened the door. The room looked pretty much the same as his had when he first moved into the compound. Plain sheets and drapes, some plain grey and metallic furniture, big windows… A big built-in wardrobe on the left, and the door to the bathroom on the right.

“Nice, isn’t it?”

“And big. Do you all have one of these?” Bucky walked into the room, looking around, and even touching the finished surfaces.

“Yeah. Mine’s on the other side of the corridor. You’ve got Nat here on your right, and Wanda’s in front of hers.”

“Who’s here? He pointed towards the bathroom door.”

“That…should be Sam.”

Bucky frowned. Steve knew they didn’t like each other. He couldn’t quite put the finger on why, though. He wouldn’t say that it was because Bucky had ripped off Sam’s wings. Sam had helped him look for Bucky after that. Maybe it was because their first experience together had been a six hour long drive from Vienna to Leipzig.

“Scott’s taken Rhodey’s room now that he’s set downstairs…and the rest of the rooms are basically empty for visitors.”

“Visits?” Bucky raised an eyebrow. “In a house with five fugitives from justice?”

“You’ll get to know Tony better. Understand him…probably not so much. ”

They both turned when they heard the sound of a door being opened. Sam poked his head round Bucky’s door.

Bucky forced a smile. “Please, come in.”

“It’s really good to see you, Barnes.” They stared at each other and shook hands. It was awkward. For everyone. Specially Steve.

“Hey! I didn’t know your metal armed friend was going to be here so soon.” Scott entered the room. He must have heard the, talk as well.

Sam stepped back and Bucky and Scott shook hands.

“This is amazing. Right?”

“Never had such a big room before.”

“Have you seen the screening room?” Bucky looked surprised. “You have to see it.” Scott looked at every one of them. “We have to watch something there.”

“It’s great.” Steve conceded.

“Natasha’s here. She brought…company.” Wanda had just entered the room. She directed a welcoming smile towards Bucky, but then addressed everyone in the room. “I think we should go say hi. Dinner will be ready soon.”

“Who did she bring?”

“You always want me to spoil everything for you.” Wanda smiled. Steve raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to speak. “Rhodey. And the lawyers. I guess Tony really trusts them.”

Steve tried to keep a straight face. Tony had unknowingly invited Daredevil to their home. To have dinner with a telepath on the other side of the table. That should be interesting.

Sure Wanda wasn’t reading his mind or anyone else’s. But that of those who were to defend them in court…he could bet she would have a look.

“I do too. They’re good people, you’ll see.” He started walking towards the stairs and they all followed. Except… “Wanda?”

“Go ahead, I forgot something. I’ll be downstairs in a minute.”

Steve looked at Sam and moved his head, indicating them to go without him. Scott and Sam continued walking, but Bucky doubted for a moment. Steve mouthed ‘be right back’, and he followed them.

Steve then followed Wanda into her room. She was inside but had left the door open. The place was just as she had left it, except for the half unpacked suitcase.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I just need a minute.” Her voice trembled slightly.

“Are you sure?”

“I-“ She shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

“He’s there now, isn’t he? Vision? You knew he was somewhere else but now he’s downstairs with everyone else.”

Wanda looked him in the eye and said nothing. She looked worried.

“I thought we had talked about this. There was nothing wrong with what you did. You hadn’t agreed to be locked up.”

“I know. I know I had a reason to do it. But I- How can I talk to him after what I did to him?” She stared at her hands, while nervously playing with her knitted sweater’s sleeves.

“After what you both did. And you could always start by apologizing. Although, I warn you, if we  all start apologizing, we may never stop.”

He could have sworn he saw the shadow of a smile on Wanda’s face. She sat on her bed, and Steve joined her.

“How did you connect with Bucky… After everything. You both seemed at ease back when…all happened. Did he apologize? For-trying to kill you?”

“He- didn’t - He didn’t have to. We didn’t have much time anyway. But I knew he had no other choice but to do what he did.”

‘I didn’t apologize either’ Steve thought  ‘I shouldn’t have given up. I should have looked for him and save him before everything.’

“But I had other choice.”

“I’m sure he understands. He cares about you, Wanda. Just like I care about Bucky. That’s why he wanted to keep you here, and that’s why he should understand why you left and- attacked him.”

Wanda kept staring at the floor.

“Besides, you can’t avoid him forever. If you don’t want to talk to him in private, that’s fine. Maybe you should start by just being in his presence?”

Wanda took a deep breath and put her hand over his. “Thanks, Steve.”

He held her hand. “Come on.”

******

 “It’s just big. Like, really big. And bright.”

Foggy seemed amazed by the compound. He was describing it out loud for Matt to hear. Steve wondered if he needed that. Tony was with them.

“Hey, Steve!” Foggy shook his hand and whispered. “I know that you know. Cool, man.”

Steve got closer to him and whispered back. “My friend over there.” He subtly pointed at Wanda. “She reads minds. Better not think about it much.” Foggy’s mouth dropped. And Steve turned to Wanda.

“Wanda, this is Foggy Nelson.” She smiled and they shook hands while Steve saluted Matt. Then, he got closer to them.

“Matt Murdock.” The lawyer swallowed while shaking Wanda’s hand. Steve was sure he had heard what he had told Foggy.

“Should we join everyone else at the living room?” Stark was already walking ahead of everyone else. 

*****

Rhodey seemed to be showing everyone how Tony’s device allowed him to walk normally. Steve’s gut twisted with guilt, though. It was his fault. It was everyone’s fault for not being able to solve things in any other way.

Steve took a deep breath and followed Tony into the room. Matt, Foggy and Wanda were right behind them.

“Hey, Rhodey. How’re you feeling?”

He smiled “Happy my best friend designs walking machines.”

Steve smiled and nodded in agreement, while they shook hands. He was glad Matt and Foggy soon stepped in to admire Tony’s invention.

“You look really happy to be here.” Nat rested her hand on Steve’s shoulder, while looking at the main group. Only Bucky was a bit far from the rest, sitting on the corner of a black leather sofa. Wanda had just ‘joined him’. She was just uncomfortably standing by his side. “Should you formally introduce us to your friend? He has barely said a word.”

They both got closer to the sofa.

“Hey, Buck. Do you remember Nat and Wanda?”

“I’m not that damaged, you know.”

Steve regretted his poor choice of words.

“I tend to remember people who fly.” Bucky rolled his eyes and looked at Nat. “Or happen to save my bacon.”

Natasha smiled. “For a moment, I thought you were gonna say ‘try to kill me’.”

“I would need a list to remember that.”

“So are you all good up here now?” She pointed at her own head.

“Generally speaking, yeah.” He smiled. “They took those devices from inside my head.”

Steve was astounded Nat had gotten from Bucky what he’d been dying to ask. In less than a minute. He had so much to learn from her. In terms of spying. And socializing, probably.

“How about them?” Natasha looked at Wanda while pointing at Matt and Foggy, who were talking to T’Challa at the moment. “They seem like good people, but… A penny for their thoughts.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Steve had sure gotten his three friends’ attention. He wondered if Matt would be listening to their conversation. “They’ve been here, what? Ten minutes? And you already want to get inside their minds?”

“You’re right. They’re gonna stay here for a couple of days. There’s no rush.”

Steve sighed.

Suddenly, Pepper’s voice echoed in the room. “You can come to the dining room whenever. Dinner’s ready.”

Nat and Wanda rushed to the door. A nice way to choose where they sat, and who to avoid, Steve thought.

Bucky was still sitting. They probably had a few minutes until they started being missed at the table, Steve guessed, and sat by his side.

“You know you’re also invited to dinner, right? I know all these people…it may take some time to get used to.”

“I’ve lived in a PALACE for the past weeks. Don’t talk to me about getting used to stuff.”

“Woah. Rude.”

Bucky laughed.

Steve placed his hand over Bucky’s knee.

“We should join them.”

Bucky looked at Steve’s hand, then frowned and looked him in the eye, while nodding. And they both walked to the dining room.