The song Bucky sings is All The Things You Are by Oscar Hammerstein II, written for the musical Very Warm For May. ################################################## ################

"You better write me at least once a week. Or else," Bucky threated cheekily.

Bucky and Steve stood across from eachother at the train station. Bucky's train to Texas was scheduled to leave in ten minutes and this was the last time they'd see eachother for the next three months. Steve was silently crying inside.

"I promise."

Steve smiled and hugged Bucky to him. For a fleeting moment Steve could feel Bucky clutch at his shirt, as if not wanting to let go. As if to say, 'Stop me from going. I can't stand leaving you like this. Please.' Bucky basked in the warm comfort that was Steve and hugged him so tightly it almost hurt.

Reluctantly, they pulled apart when the Conductor gave the last calls for boarding. Bucky rose up on the tips of his toes and wrapping his arms around Steve's neck, he pecked him on the cheek. He bent down to get his suitcase and saluted Steve. Seeing Bucky do that without a uniform on almost felt unfamiliar, but Steve saluted back.

He watched Bucky disappear onto the train and frowned slightly. Steve couldn't remember the last time Bucky went away, he felt like someone was ripping out his heart whilst being stabbed in the gut. He lowered his head. He didn't feel like watching Bucky leave.

"Hey Stevie," Bucky called out from a window,"I'll be back before you know it!"

The train's whistle went off and the engine started to rev up, the wheels moved sluggishly and Bucky yelled something out that Steve couldn't quite hear.

"What?" Steve called after.

"I'll miss you!"

He faintly heard it, he could tell Bucky sounded upset about leaving, but he had to. He had a job to do and he'd be back in three months. It wasn't that long, but to Steve it felt like he was going to be gone a whole year.

What was he going to do for three months?

Steve sent the first letter. It was a few days after Bucky initially left.

Hey Buck,

How are you? What's happening over there? Is it hot? I'm doing alright, just learning to live on my own. I don't know how I'm surviving without you. It's strange. Hahaha. Anyway, Peggy was trying to get me back on their side, but I told her I was done with that Captain America stuff for awhile. I just need a break, ya know? There's just this weight I can't get of my shoulders. They're pressuring me with responsibility I'm not ready for. I don't know...

I saw Vanessa the other day. You know, the dame that likes you so much. She asked about you. I told her you'd be away for awhile. I said you had to whip some recruits into shape, teach 'em a thing or two. I think you should take her out when you come back. She sure is pretty. Anyway... I'll hear from you soon. Seeya.

I wish you were here, Bucky...

-Steve

When Bucky got Steve's first letter his gut twisted a little. He was happy to hear from him, but the way his tone was written down on this sheet of paper seemed wrong. Like he was panicking or distancing himself from his true feelings.

Or maybe it was shock. They've never been separated for long. He felt silly when Steve mentioned Vanessa, or rather, he felt silly for Steve. Did he honestly think bringing up a dame would sidetrack him from Steve's problems?

When he read the last line though, his heart sank a little. He grabbed some paper and a pencil, eager to reassure Steve.

Stevie,

Everything's going well over here and, yes, it's unbelievably hot here! Feels like summer all over again! How's cooking for yourself going along? You haven't burnt down the apartment have you? Vanessa? She sounds familiar. I think I took her to the movies once, but I can't be sure.

It must be hard trying to convince them that you're not ready. After all, they're both hard heads and don't go down so easily. You'll manage, though. You were always so much stronger than I ever was. Even before you got big. I've always been jealous of you Steve. You're so strong and selfless.

I wish I was home with you right now. I know it's only been two weeks, but I just wanna hug you 'til you stop breathing. I miss you.

P.S. Never bring up a dame ever again. I wanna hear about YOU.

-Bucky

He felt satisfied with his letter and sealed it in an envelope. He'd mail it later that day, after he was done running the obstacle course for the recruits. He was tired, to say the least. Bucky would give anything to be home, in his bed, around Steve's warm presence.

Bucky wiped the sweat from his forehead and left his barracks. He made his way over to the training grounds. When he got there all the men were all ready and at attention. He blew his whistle and the men fell into an orderly line,. Bucky scanned the course as the men ran through it. Some were faster than others, but Bucky's attention was drawn to a smaller man who lagged behind a little.

He reminded Bucky of Steve. Bucky wanted to go over and help the poor kid, but he knew he couldn't.

That night Bucky laid awake in bed for hours, thinking about home, about Steve. About the day he left. Bucky should've kissed him or told Steve he loved him, but something stopped him. He wasn't exactly sure about his feelings toward Steve, yet. He just knew he missed him.

Steve stayed home most of the time, moping around their apartment, laying in bed. He went to the bar a few times, even though it was pointless since he couldn't get drunk anymore, but it was just him getting out of the house for awhile.

Whenever he went out it was almost impossible not to get hit on by women. Steve was always polite, but it was just starting to get annoying. He didn't want a dame, he wanted Bucky. He knew he was missing Bucky as a friend, but Steve couldn't deny that he absolutely loved Bucky. He has for a longtime, it just showed more since Bucky left.

This distance between them was both literal and metaphorical, Steve thought. He knew Bucky loved him like a brother and that he was all about the dames, but Steve longed for a stronger connection than that. And when Steve made it to the apartment he realized he hadn't checked the mail today.

He looked in the mailbox and found one lonely letter with his name on it. Steve couldn't help but smile. This is all he looked forward to each week now. He went upstairs and sat down at the kitchen table. Steve hastily ripped open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

He laughed at Bucky's remark to his cooking skills, or lack thereof. He felt giddy when Bucky seemed to show no interest in Vanessa whatsoever. He cheered in silent victory.

STEVE: 1
RANDOM DAME: 0

He went on to read Bucky's encouraging words and his heart was thumping loudly. He blushed at Bucky's admission of being jealous of him and the fact that Bucky wanted to be home with him and hugging made his head swim. He read the post script at the bottom and held his breath. The word 'You' in capitalized letters as if it was of the utmost importance.

Steve's heart was soaring for Bucky, he was swooning and felt dizzy. And that was just the first of many heart-to-heart letters.

By the second month of Bucky being away, they were practically flirting with eachother. It started out as a joke between to close friends, then turned into something almost intimate. Something secret.

Stevie,

You keep saying things like that and you're gonna drive me crazy. You've always had a smart mouth, ya know that? I can't believe I've put up with it for this long. Maybe when I come home I'll have to put it to better use. Lord knows I've wanted to do it to the smart asses over here, but not in the same way as you, of course. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I hurt you like that.

I miss everything about you Stevie. Your eyes, your mouth, your body, your warmth. I can't stand it over here anymore. I'm going insane! I just need your arms around around me. This separation from you is a tragedy.

You drive me crazy Steve.

-James

Steve flushed at Bucky's words. Bucky wanted to out his mouth to a better use. It was so forward and sexual that Steve shivered. The fact that Bucky missed certain things about him was also a plus. He drove Bucky crazy. In what way? It must be a good thing, though. He noticed Bucky signed with his real name this time, as if telling Steve he meant every word and that it wasn't just him being horny. Not that he really minded the latter.

Steve made sure he responded quickly to this letter.

Bucky,

To what use do you wanna put my mouth? If you make a promise to me you better keep it, or Captain America'll have to teach YOU a lesson. Maybe slap you around a little, show you whose boss. You'd like that wouldn't you? You'd like feeling small for once, you submissive little nymph.

But seriously, if you were here I'd just wanna hold you in my arms and kiss you all over. On your lips, neck, chest, stomach. I'd never let you leave the bed ever again, James. I wouldn't let you go to places like Texas. I want you here, in New York, in our shitty little apartment.

You make me feel so goofy, Buck.

-Steve

The letters didn't get too dirty, just the little innuendo here and there, but they did get more sincere. The words 'I love you' were never mentioned, but they could always tell when the other wanted to say it.

Things were moving along smoothly with Bucky's recruits. They were hardening up more and the small man Bucky felt pity for was finally pulling his weight. He was proud, to say the least. He only had about three weeks left here and he was glad to be going home soon. Not only because he missed Steve, but because the food was unbearable. He couldn't wait to actually cook a meal.

Some nights he thought of Steve. About the things they'd do when he got home and how he felt about him. His pulse quickened just thinking about it.

Everyday was the same routine for both Bucky and Steve. They sang 'We'll be together soon enough, we'll be together soon enough, we'll be together soon enough' over and over again until they were blue in the face. But since they were so close to being together again, it seemed to take longer.

They were both nervous about the upcoming weeks and had a feeling the arrival home would be somewhat awkward, because they'd realize all the things they said, the promises they made, and have to step up to prove they weren't just leading the other on.

The letters were no longer every week, but every few days. It was like they couldn't stand waiting anymore. Sometimes the letters were written hastily as if they were desperate or urgent and neither seemed to realize just what it meant.

Bucky thought it meant that he just craved contact with someone he trusted and Steve thought maybe it was something strictly sexual between them, like long forgotten sexual tension they never knew they had for eachother.

But somewhere, deep down inside, they both silently hoped it was something more.

The final letter Steve received came a few days before Bucky was supposed to come home. Steve sat cross-legged on his bed and read it slowly, his heart pounding.

Stevie,

I can't believe I'll be home in three days. I can't wait to see you, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. I feel like such a girl with a crush when I write to you. Feels so forbidden and taboo. Dangerous. The feeling you leave me with is so true and undeniable, Steve.

When I get home I want to do everything with you and only you. Forever. This is real and I want to make it work, even if those words haven't been spoken or written. I can't begin to fathom how I feel and I'm sure you feel it too.

When I get home, I'm showing you everything.

-Love James

Steve's breath caught and his heart stopped. Bucky's words were surreal and Steve didn't know what to think. He was trying too hard to remember how to breath. His face was hot and he was shakey with adrenaline. Show him everything? What did 'everything' mean to Bucky? His body? His heart? Soul? Or was it just something as simple as love? Was love simple? He'd find out soon and it made him shudder so much, that goosebumps rose all over his arms.

Steve pinched himself to make sure he was awake and put a hand over his heart to make sure he was still alive.

There was no doubt that this was real.