ᅠᅠTHE ⓕ𝔦𝔯𝚂𝚃 𝓐𝐕𝐄𝐍ᴳ̲ᴱ̲ᴿ̲

⠀⠀ ⠀⠀“ What's this, your inheritance? ” Serious look despite the nonchalant tone in his voice, he takes the papers his friend's handing to him. “ I swear if this is about you leaving again. . . ” ⠀⠀

a jittered breath inward——and out came a small sound as proof of him failing the previous task , tangled with his small chuckle . “ glued at the hip , “ bucky hummed , shaky and quiet . “ you might be the one that gets tired first . “

bucky’s head sank to his shoulder , trying anything just to hide the fact that his vision had become wavy with tears . no crying , barnes——come on . “ don’t think that could ever happen , bud . . “

ᅟ There’s a flicker in Bucky's eyes then—regret, disbelief, maybe something closer to hope, though he buries it fast. “Yeah, well… you left once. Felt like forever.” He exhales through his nose, arms still folded, like if he lets them drop, everything else might fall. ᅟ

“ i didn’t do anything stupid . “ it almost came out as a whine , a sound so distinctly * childish it felt ripped from their younger years . he knows it isn’t far off , though——there’s too * many things . “ you can’t leave again . you can’t . “

he doesn’t feel trapped——not by steve , at least . somewhere , he’s aware of the fact that he wouldn’t have to fight very hard to break free . . but the idea of removing himself makes him nauseous . “ . . ‘n i thought you weren’t comin’ back—— “

Darcy's smile twists into an amused laugh. "Great, I made Captain America laugh. That’s gotta be worth at least one ‘get out of trouble free’ card, right?"

his breath snags in his throat , something akin to a choked cry squeaking out——despite not being in pain . their frame shook against steve before fingers tug into the back of his shirt ; a sudden need to just . . be buried in everything that confirmed it was * him .

bucky knows . he knows that he’s having to be approached like a wild animal that might bolt , or bite . they hate knowing it . “ again , “ they repeated——did they forget something ? “ you’re here . * really here . “

ᅟ Bucky doesn’t meet his eyes right away. Doesn’t need to. The voice alone is enough to crack something he’s spent years keeping sealed. “Took you long enough... Wasn’t sure you’d come back.” ᅟ

they’re rigid , anxious yet unwilling to move even still . this is——this is * steve , he shouldn’t feel anything but relief . but suddenly the time away feels too heavy . “ i’m looking at you , “ he breathes slowly . “ so nothing feels like it’s slipping . . “