The stunned look on Bucky’s says it all; out of everything Steve coulda said, this is the last thing he expected. Not like Bucky skipped a couple of hours, dozing off after a drink and the fact he’s been running on empty for weeks, but time travel, straight out of Astonishing Stories? Bucky’s mouth works like he’s scraping for something to say and coming up empty. Come on, pal, time travel? Really?
Bucky’s mouth closes with a snap when Steve’s shoulders heave on a sob and laugh mangled together, on a sound that’s so broken and tired that it puts to bed anything Bucky could say. How do you explain this place? Steve looking the way he does? That worn look to his best friend’s face?
Normally he’d be thrilled to find this sci-fi stuff was real. But Bucky’s heart starts to sink as Steve clutches his hands like he’s afraid he’ll get whisked off otherwise. Or….maybe like it’s been ages and some change since they last saw each other.
The color starts to drain from Bucky’s face. Steve doesn’t even need to say the rest. Not when he’s looking at him like this, not when it sounds like every inch of Steve’s missed him, and now when that’s all Steve has to say. Bucky had figured he probably wasn’t gonna make it out of the War; sometimes it didn’t matter how good a soldier you are, because sometimes shit happened and everything could go tits up out on the field.
Turns out he was right all along. Turns out a guy isn't ready to hear it either.
“God, Steve. Don’t - Don’t tell me how it happens. Just don’t,” Bucky says thickly, feeling a little like he’s left out to sea. A fine tremor starts to needle through his hands, while a chill sneaks its way through his veins; nothing worse than knowing you got a death sentence, unless it’s knowing how and when, and apparently, if Steve knows, there’s not a damn thing you could do to stop it.
At least…at least Steve makes it out. Bucky’s knees give a twinge, but it’s hard to care because Bucky’s reaching up for Steve too. He winds his arms along broad shoulders, and drags Steve down into a hug, burying his face into his throat and closing his eyes like it’ll blot out everything he just heard.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-04-13 02:40 am (UTC)Bucky’s mouth closes with a snap when Steve’s shoulders heave on a sob and laugh mangled together, on a sound that’s so broken and tired that it puts to bed anything Bucky could say. How do you explain this place? Steve looking the way he does? That worn look to his best friend’s face?
Normally he’d be thrilled to find this sci-fi stuff was real. But Bucky’s heart starts to sink as Steve clutches his hands like he’s afraid he’ll get whisked off otherwise. Or….maybe like it’s been ages and some change since they last saw each other.
The color starts to drain from Bucky’s face. Steve doesn’t even need to say the rest. Not when he’s looking at him like this, not when it sounds like every inch of Steve’s missed him, and now when that’s all Steve has to say. Bucky had figured he probably wasn’t gonna make it out of the War; sometimes it didn’t matter how good a soldier you are, because sometimes shit happened and everything could go tits up out on the field.
Turns out he was right all along. Turns out a guy isn't ready to hear it either.
“God, Steve. Don’t - Don’t tell me how it happens. Just don’t,” Bucky says thickly, feeling a little like he’s left out to sea. A fine tremor starts to needle through his hands, while a chill sneaks its way through his veins; nothing worse than knowing you got a death sentence, unless it’s knowing how and when, and apparently, if Steve knows, there’s not a damn thing you could do to stop it.
At least…at least Steve makes it out. Bucky’s knees give a twinge, but it’s hard to care because Bucky’s reaching up for Steve too. He winds his arms along broad shoulders, and drags Steve down into a hug, burying his face into his throat and closing his eyes like it’ll blot out everything he just heard.