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All that he had wanted to do was tell him how he felt. That’s it he wanted to tell Steve that he was in love with him but then Steve told him what he was doing. Where he was going or when to be more exact. Steve said that he could come with him but Bucky knew that he couldn’t go back… he wasn’t that person anymore and he couldn’t act like he was.
“Steve, you only knew her for a year. Are you sure you want to go back?”
“Yeah… she’s all that I can think about. That dance. I owe that to her at least. Maybe more if she wants but you get it right? Do you get it… why am I doing this?”
“I don’t know. Sort of I guess? But how can you leave this life behind… how can you leave everyone behind?” How could you leave me behind?
“You didn’t know her… Nat. She was brilliant and kind and the strongest woman I’ve ever met, including Peggy. I just don’t know how I could stay here without her. I don’t think I could stay in this time without knowing she’s out there somewhere.” There was silence. Long. Dreadful. Most of all sad. Tears were flowing down Steve’s face and Bucky was fighting his which were wheeling up in a dam that was about to burst. “I just, you weren’t here those five years… they were hard and lonely. Nat had her own way of dealing with it and I had mine. I know that if she was still here that I wouldn’t leave, couldn’t leave. But if you want me to stay I can. If you want me… to stay with you I can.”
“No,” he paused, realizing what he was saying, telling the man he loved. “Go be with her. Go get your happy ending. You have that right. You have that right to be selfish this one time because you damn well deserve it!” That’s when the floodgates were released.
He knew what this meant Steve on the platform, they already said their goodbyes but none of it was processing, none of it was okay. With that Bruce sent Steve back to the past. “He’s gone, '' Bucky thought. He’s going to live the rest of his life without him.
“Steve, you bloody idiot!” The brunette woman yelled, who was very tempted to whack him. “You Americans truly are blind!”
“Calm down, Peggy. What the hell are you talking about?” Replied the blond, bewildered man.
“What am I talking about? What are you talking about? Bucky’s alive and you came here?“ Her yelling was growing quieter and quieter, becoming almost sympathetic but she was still astounded by what she was hearing. “You left him, to see me, to be with me?”
Steve was stunned by this response, why would she care so much about him leaving Bucky behind?
Peggy studded his face realizing that he truly is clueless. “He loves you, dumbass! He’s IN love with you!” She was practically pleasing at this point for the man to understand.
The soldier’s face was in complete surprise, his eyebrows lifted and his mouth agape.
She knew it, she already knew that Steve loved Bucky back but this was what confirmed it, what tipped the scale. That little twinkle in his eyes, the corner of his mouth that was slightly upturned. “And you love him back.”
“I can’t…”
“No, Steve, you can’t stay here. I’ve moved on!” She really had. She had healed and him dancing with her for the firs-last time had answered those questions that had remained. The fear that he was dead, captured, tortured was gone because he was right there. A fog covered her eyes. “You have to go back, you gave me that dance and now you have to go on and live without me. Be happy without me because I’ll be just fine. Just like I have been, I'll be happy and now it’s your turn to have that! I know that you love me still but I love you too much for you to stay.”
The man stared at her having so much he could say, he gave her one last goodbye. After that, he was gone.
He knew what this meant Steve on the platform, they already said their goodbyes but none of it was processing, none of it was okay. With that Bruce sent Steve back to the past. “He’s gone, '' Bucky thought. He’s going to live the rest of his life without him.
But then there he was again, with a round case one hand and a smiling teary face, and Bucky smiled back.
“You came.”
Steve walked down handing Sam the case he was holding. He stood before Bucky looking him up and down. “I really am an idiot aren’t I?”
“The biggest,” the brunette beamed. Was this really happening? Did Steve really not leave him? Is he really standing before him about to do what had wanted to do for too long?
The men stared at each other for a second but just a second because in the next their lips had clashed together. They took in the moment remembering the pine smell, the birds chirping in the trees, and the surprised look on Sam’s face that they had seen the moment before. Their lips departed both of them drunk on that first kiss that was overdue by about eighty years.
“Um, do y’all need a moment? Cause we can leave.” Sam turned to Bruce motioning him to leave.
A laugh escaped Bucky’s lips. “Don’t worry we’re leaving.” He wrapped his arm around Steve’s waist and started to drag him to the car. “And that’s yours.” He motioned to the round case.
“Congrats, Captain.” Steve allowed Bucky to drag him while he saluted their friend.