"Bucky, put the gun down," Steve's voice was calm, but the anxiety which was boiling inside of him couldn't be contained for long.
"They took everything from me Steve," Bucky winced, raising his head toward the clouded skyline. "I'm sorry Steve, but this is the only way I can save you."
"The war is over Buck! No one is going to hurt you, Hydra's gone!" He pleaded.
"I'm sorry."
"No!" Steve yelled definitely, leaping at his friend, trying to rip the gun out of his hands.
Bang. The scene ran red with the blood of the Winter Soldier.
Steve bolted up, reaching for his shield which lay next to his bedside. His chest was drenched in sweat, his sky blue eyes were focused across his bedroom at Stark Tower. He grinded his teeth and knitted his eyebrows together before he finally relaxed. He dropped the shield and lowed his head between his knees, leaning on his elbows.
The nightmares were getting worse. Ever since the defeat of Hydra a year ago, nightmares of what could have happened had been plaguing Captain America. They prevented him from sleeping well, and as a result, his work had been a lot sloppier; letting the occasional baddie run free, getting into useless arguments with Tony and the gang. It all seemed to be getting too big for him, a burden that grew in the shadows.
A knock on the door interrupted the Captain's thoughts. It creaked open and a groggy looking Bucky stood in the door. His tank top was placed sloppily over his body as if he had just thrown it on; his hair was sticking out in all directions as if he were a hedgehog. His eyes were filled with concern and a certain tenderness which he rarely displayed for anyone other than those closest to him.
"Nightmares?" He inquired.
Steve sighed in agreement. It was normal for their kind to have nightmares, but the dreams were so intense and vivid, it was hard to distinguish truth from lie.
He studied Bucky; he had known firsthand what it felt like to not know what not right. Brainwashed by Hydra, then frozen, only to be thawed when he could be used as an assassin against Hydra's enemies; Bucky's life had turned out to be that of one of misery and regret. Despite his crimson past, he was seeking help from the best psychologists in the world; although many of them were baffled on how to approach a 100 year old assassin who could break their necks but apologize right after for doing so.
The thought almost made Steve laugh. Bucky, the guy who had endured more torment than most ordinary mortals can stand was standing in his doorway, making sure that his best friend was okay.
"What's so funny?" Bucky mused.
"Nothing," Steve smirked "that bed head is really working for you."
Bucky ran his fingers briskly through his chin length locks, smoothing them into place.
"Punk," he whispered.
"Jerk," Steve retorted.
Bucky lumbered over to Steve and extended his arm.
"C'mon, I'm hungry," he declared.
Grabbing his arm, Steve lifted himself out of bed and grabbed a fresh t-shirt to throw on.
"Hey, I know you and I are close, but I'd rather no-"
"Way ahead of you," Bucky responded, the door shutting behind him.
Grinning, Steve adorned the grey t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans and black sneakers. He checked the time before heading down to the kitchen. The clock read 8:59. The Captain nodded with satisfaction and proceeded to make his way downstairs.
When he arrived, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner seemed to be in heavy discussion over some new technology, neither of them noticing the fact that their toast was no longer bread but resembled black coal.
A fire alarm sounded which startled Wanda Maximoff who was drinking orange juice by the windows; her cup began to fall which was caught shortly midair by her now boyfriend, Vision.
"Again you guys, that's the third time this week," exclaimed Sam who was poking his fork in a hardboiled egg.
Tony raised his arms in defeat.
"You want new toast? I'll buy you some," he said sarcastically.
"Yeah, and how about a new suit? You fried my last one with that magnetic ray thing you and Banner created," Wilson exclaimed.
"It's really unfair of you to put all the blame on me when Banner was just as involved as I was," Tony begun.
Eyes from all of the room stared at Tony.
"Nevertheless, I've ordered a new suit to be custom made for you. I even requested for one of those micro tracking missiles to be installed. How's that for generous?" Tony spread his hands as if asking for applause from the Avengers.
"Just open a window Tony," Steve said, grabbing an apple in his hands.
"Just open a window Tony," Stark mimicked Steve's voice in a girlish way and then commanded Jarvis to open all eastern windows.
About two years ago there had been some serious issues with the Avengers; Tony finally had learned the truth about his parents and how they died. Bucky, though he was brainwashed, felt the guilt very clearly in his conscience but due to the serum which had been marinating in his body for years, found it quite difficult to express the proper emotions to him. The situation hadn't improved at all when Steve Rodgers confessed to Stark that he had known all along that it was Bucky that assassinated his parents. As a result, there was a giant rift torn between the Avengers; a rift some doubted could ever be mended.
It took time, counselling, and a good deal of personal space, but the Avengers were able to assemble once again to defeat the remains of Hydra. Now, they were in New York City, living together at Stark Tower.
Not all Avengers were currently there of course; Scott Lang was trying to be a better parent and working full time with Hank Pym on new assignments and gear for the team. Black Widow was currently on a "business trip" to Italy (no one ever seemed to know the true nature of her trips). Thor was in Asgard with his father, preparing to take over the throne permanently, Black Panther was occupied in Wakanda and Peter Parker was still in school. Despite their absence, it always seemed there was enough trouble brewing in the tower to keep the smaller group busy.
Bucky sat down next to Steve with a bowl full of Lucky Charms. He insisted that it was the best thing he could eat to assure himself that he was in this century and not still stuck in the hand of Hydra; Steve just thought it was because since tasting the present day food, Bucky had developed a serious sugar addiction.
The chatting continued through breakfast time, discussion developments of rumors and crimes, recapping the latest scores in football, joking at each other's expense. Everyone seemed in decent spirits, which left Steve feeling reassured and content.
The doorbell rung.
"Tony, are you expecting anyone?" Wanda asked, peering outside the window.
Tony shrugged his shoulders.
"Not that I know of, but if they cleared security on all floors, it's probably someone we know."
"Since when is that good logic?" Bucky sneered.
"Well, open the door, be my guest," Tony gestured his arm in a swooping motion toward the door.
Steve got off the couch and rolled his shoulders in a stretching manner.
"I'll get the door," he decided.
He tossed his apple core into the garbage and proceeded to the door. He opened the door cautiously, ready to sprint in case of a sudden attack. At first glance, it appeared to be a shaggy looking man who could have passed for a college professor. He wore a tweed jacket that smelt like roasted coffee, rimless glasses, and a green button up shirt. The man sat in a wheel chair and over his legs was a green and brown checkered blanket, underneath which poked out a pair of leather shoes. His eyes were timeless, too old to fit into this man's middle aged body.
Steve recognized this man immediately, this man had coached him and trained him when he was a young boy; although he had never dreamed of seeing him again. Suddenly it occurred to Steve that almost, if not everyone in the room would have met this man too.
"Chiron?"
"Glad to see that you still recognize me Steve Rodgers, although I wouldn't be able to say the same about you, if it were not for your ever growing popularity," Chiron said in a critical tone. His voice was firm, but in a fatherly way, as if to say "son, eat your vegetables or else you won't be able to grow big and strong."
Steve stepped inside and in rolled Chiron. Everyone's expressions mirrored Steve's; disbelief, amazement and a slight twinge of horror. Their old teacher had returned.