AN: I wanted to write something to celebrate Bucky's 100th birthday today. I hope you all enjoy, despite how short it is.

Bucky sat on his bed in a pitch black room. He didn't move much other than to sniffle and cry silently, tears wet on his eyeliner-stained cheeks.

"Buck?" came Steve's concerned voice after a single knock on the wood door, "Can I come in? Do you want to talk?"

He sniffed a few more times, all while hating himself for it; the Winter Solider wasn't designed to be weak, and emotions were a weakness; before whimpering out his best friend's name.

That was enough of an invitation for Steve, who slowly opened the door and came over to the bed, sitting down gently while being sure to give Bucky space.

"Buck…" The name came out of Steve's mouth as a sad sigh, and Bucky flinched. He was hurting Steve even though he didn't mean to.

"I-I'm s-sorry… I shouldn'ta run off like that… It just- it's a bit much sometimes, ya know?" He looked up at his best friend, who smiled sadly.

"Yeah, Buck, I know. Our friends just wanted to celebrate your birthday. They didn't mean to hurt you."

Bucky looked away, guilty, "I know."

"No pressure though. Can I join you?" Steve moved as it was clear that he wanted be higher on the bed and comfort Bucky.

Bucky nodded, not saying anything.

Steve moved up the bed and lay down beside his still, stiff body, "What's wrong, Buck?"

Bucky was quiet a moment before licking his lips, "I miss Becca. And Ma."

"Oh, Buck… I miss them too."

"I want to go home, Stevie. Why did it have to be me?"

"I don't know, Buck. I wish I did. But I'm glad you're here with me."

"I shoulda died when I fell off the train. I shouldn't be here, Stevie."

"You know, I thought the same thing when I first woke up. Then I met the Avengers. They gave me a reason to live. They can do that for you if you want them to."

"I don't matter enough, Stevie."

"You do, Buck. I promise. You matter. I don't care how long it takes for you to realize that, it's the truth. You matter. Are you ready to go have some cake? We don't have to if you don't want to."

"I guess, as long as you're with me, Stevie."

"Til the end of the line, Buck," Steve stood up from the bed and offered his best friend a hand up, smiling at him as he accepted it and they made their way out of the room to join their happy, eager friends.