A/N: So, I am rewriting this story! And it's got a totally different premise, and it revolves around Bucky and Steve and Bruce, because how can I resist that much angst? Also, there WILL be SPOILERS in this story for Captain America 2! If you have not watched it, then do not read this!
I'm setting it about...six months to a year after the movie, so Bucky has had some time to figure out his past and all that. Basically, he remembers a little more about himself, and he is figuring a lot of it out.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers, or anything else you recognize!
Put to rest
What you thought of me
While I clean this slate
With the hands of uncertainty
-What I've Done, Linkin Park
Bruce looked up and sighed when the phone rang. It was the extension to downstairs, which meant there was a problem with something in the lobby. And he was the only one in the Tower at the moment. The rest of the team was off doing some meeting that he'd managed to get excused from, Pepper was at a board meeting, and Betty had gone back to the university to finish out the semester. He sighed and put down his book and grabbed the phone.
"Banner." He said, leaning back in the seat. He was getting far too comfortable around here.
"Dr. Banner, we've got someone here who wants to see the Captain. Says he'll want to see him." The security officer's voice was skeptical, and Bruce couldn't help but sigh, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. All he wanted was a relaxing day off, and he got this instead.
"Hold on a second." He told the guard, then covered the phone. "Jarvis, can I get the security feed for the lobby?" He requested.
"Of course, sir." The feed popped up on the television and Bruce studied the figure that was in focus in the middle of the screen. He was tall, wearing a pair of jeans and a dark hoodie that obscured his face, but Bruce could just make out dark, intense eyes that stared out at the guard. He was hunched strangely, as though he was used to standing tall and being intimidating. Bruce found some part of himself empathizing with the man, at least with the fact that he obviously felt the need to keep his face hidden. And some part of him saw something in the man's eyes, something haunted. He sighed again and uncovered the phone.
"Send him up." It wasn't like he couldn't defend himself.
It took longer than one would think for the man to reach the floor that the Avengers lived on, but it was at the top of the Tower, and Bruce knew that he'd have to go through security and everything else to get there. Which meant that by the time the man stepped out of the elevator, Bruce was already engrossed in his book again. He looked up and the two regarded each other silently for a moment. The other man was the first to speak, looking around the living room.
"So this is where Steve lives." His voice was low, raspy. Bruce recognized the signs of disuse, and he nodded, setting his book on the end table and motioned at one of the chairs.
"He comes and goes. He has his own apartment. At a meeting now." He answered as the man sat down. "I'm Bruce." He introduced, brown eyes sweeping over him. The man was clearly uncomfortable, he'd guess he wasn't used to being around people. Not that Bruce could really talk. The man didn't offer a name in return, so Bruce decided to try and figure this mystery out.
"How do you know Cap?" He questioned. The man gave a small, almost bitter smile.
"We're old friends."