Chapter Text
There’s another person visiting Tony’s grave when Bucky arrives at the cemetery. This alone isn’t surprising, and Bucky usually hangs back, waiting until they leave before visiting. Bucky doesn’t mind being around people, but he also doesn’t like letting other people see his grief. He’s content to wait; the cemetery is peaceful, and he has no plans for the rest of the day.
The visitor straightens, and turns to look directly at Bucky, eyes widening in recognition.
Bucky blinks in surprise. He hasn’t seen Doctor Stephen Strange since…since Tony’s memorial, really. Not that they’d really conversed before then, either; it was more that they knew of each other.
Despite not being acquainted beyond friends of Tony Stark, Bucky finds himself walking over to greet the doctor.
“Sergeant Barnes,” Dr. Strange nods. “Good to see you.”
Bucky opens his mouth to return the greeting and freezes. It’s not that he’s never seen the man in civilian attire; Bucky is also wearing jeans and a hoodie. But he’s pretty sure Columbia University’s school colors are blue and white, not green and gold.
Seeing the wariness in Bucky’s expression, Dr. Strange lifts his hands in a gesture of surrender.
“I’m not here to cause any harm,” he says quietly. “I’m just visiting, and I’ll move on soon enough.”
“So, you are from a different world,” Bucky states.
Dr. Strange nods.
Instead of putting him on higher alert, the admission sets Bucky at ease. There’s no deception involved, that Bucky can sense.
“Are you here to visit anyone in particular?” Bucky asks.
Strange’s eyes dart back towards Tony’s headstone, and Bucky wants to kick himself.
“He died in my world, too,” the doctor says. “I was hoping maybe…well, it doesn’t matter.” He shrugs, then shakes himself. “I should go. Take care, James.”
“Wait,” Bucky holds up his hand as if to stop him. “How did he die?”
“How do you think? Saving the universe, like he always does.”
Bucky isn’t even surprised. Of course, Tony would sacrifice himself to save the world, whatever world he lived in. Then Strange’s words sink in.
“How many worlds have you visited?”
Strange smiles, but Bucky can plainly see the sadness behind it. “Let’s just say, a lot.” He looks back at the headstone and sighs. “Was he married, here?”
Bucky’s heart clenches at the question. “We didn’t get that far.”
“I’m sorry,” Strange says softly. “We didn’t, either.”
“Was he, anywhere?” Bucky isn’t sure why he asks; would it have hurt more, if he and Tony had made it down the aisle?
“A few places, yes,” Strange answers. “It isn’t difficult to fall in love with Tony Stark, as I’m sure you know.”
And Bucky does know. It hadn’t taken him long at all; even before he’d worked up the courage to ask Tony to dinner that first time, Bucky had known where they were headed. Tony was so earnest, and brilliant, and caring, and he only wanted to improve things, make the world better for everyone. How could Bucky not have loved him?
“So, you’re traveling the multiverse, looking for a place where Tony’s still alive?” Bucky can’t blame him. He’d be tempted to do the same, if he could. Not necessarily to bring him back, or stay with him; just to see Tony alive, and happy, would be enough.
Apparently, Stephen Strange has the same goal. “I just want to know that somewhere, he gets his happily ever after.”
Bucky feels himself smiling. “Yeah, I’d like to see that, too.” He clears his throat, then asks, “Would you want to stay for a coffee, before you take off for the next universe? I wouldn’t mind hearing about your Tony, see how he compares to mine.”
Strange hesitates, eyes searching Bucky’s face. Seeming to find what he’s looking for, he nods. “I think I’d like that, James.”
“How well do we know each other in your world, Doctor?” Bucky hasn’t missed the use of his first name, but plenty of people still call him James instead of Bucky.
“Hardly at all, but still, please call me Stephen.”