Two weeks later, Steve and Bucky drive into a small town several miles from their house. Along with the real estate property, Steve also bought an SUV to get him around. He still has his bike that he takes for a spin once in a while and reserves for special trips. They park in front of a diner and go inside. Steve spots a corner booth at the far end wall of the diner and they take it. They give their orders to the waitress, who is trying so hard to keep herself from blushing when Bucky called her 'doll'. Steve shakes his head and tries to hide his smile.
"What?" Bucky asks, acting innocent. "She is!"
Steve raises his arms in surrender, "I didn't say anything."
"I'm not gonna stop just because you got a girl," Bucky defends himself.
"I don't expect you too," Steve chuckles. "And, I don't have a girl. So, I'm more than okay to be your wingman. I might just ask Sam for pointers -"
Bucky looks surprised. He props his elbows on the table to lean in closer. "Wait, what happened to Sharon? Didn't you just go out on a date a month after we moved?"
Steve shakes his head and says, "Nope. I'm not doing this, not until you spill on you and Nat-,"
"Oh, Come on!" Bucky says in excitement, almost yelling.
"Fine," Steve surrenders and keeps a small smile, "It didn't work anymore."
"What do you mean? You're on your phone all the time, texting her!"
"It's not -," Steve tries to explain but stops abruptly to gather his thoughts. It takes him a few seconds before speaking up again. "Thanos, the snap, that last fight changed everything. It changed me - somehow. When I started wanting, planning things for myself she suddenly didn't fit anywhere anymore. And believe me, I tried to find her a place, you know that, you saw that I tried, but, I don't know what happened." Steve finishes with a defeated shrug. "Don't worry, it was amicable."
Bucky studies Steve. He's sad that his best friend, who managed to save the world time and time again, couldn't get a win in the relationship department. But what puzzles Bucky is that Steve doesn't seem heart broken at all. There's sadness, sure, Sharon is a nice woman, she's Peggy's blood, but Steve's not too shaken about it.
"Sorry, man. I guess fate does have its own way of putting things in perspective for us, right?" Bucky simply says in an attempt to salvage the mood from getting too sullen. Bucky's relieved when Steve smiles brighter. "Don't worry, someone's out there for you."
Steve shrugs his shoulders again, "If you say so. But I'm not holding my breath."
Moments later their order arrives and they start eating. Bucky keeps glancing over his watch. "He's not usually late, right? You said eight, it's almost nine."
Steve shakes his head and speaks in between chews, "No. He has impeccable timing, always. You saw that before. I respect that about him. We're just early."
Bucky looks at Steve puzzled. Steve finishes chewing, swallows his food and takes a sip of his coffee before continuing, "He said nine, but I thought making him look like a slacker will change your mind or at least rattle your resolve. Which brings me to my question, have you changed your mind?"
Bucky smiles at his friend's unexpected slyness. They've know each like the back of their own hands, but he must admit, Steve's changed in certain aspects.
"Man, you've been hanging around spies too much," Bucky teases and Steve only shrugs.
"Speaking of the devil with an eye patch," Steve whispers. Bucky turns around to see the super spy enter in his usual all-black ensemble, minus the trench coat. Good thing there are only at least three other customers in the diner to bear witness to these three strangers huddle in a corner booth. But Bucky's sure the entire town will learn of their visit before the clock even strikes noon. In towns like this, something this strange will spread like wildfire. Soon Bucky finds himself staring up at Fury who stops and stands by the end of their table.
"Cap," Fury greets Steve. They shake each others' hand. Steve's not overly friendly or excited to see him but their mutual respect is definitely there.
"Nick," Steve greets back with a courteous nod but formal tone in his voice.
Fury seems to take no offense, Bucky observes.
Then Fury turns to Bucky and suddenly Bucky doesn't know if he should offer his hand. Good thing Fury makes that decision for him. A small smile eases into Bucky's tensed face and gladly accepts Fury's handshake.
"Scoot," Fury orders Bucky and he slides down the couch to give Fury some space. Why Fury chose to sit next to him is beyond Bucky. He just tries to relax which he realizes isn't really that hard to do, even if he is almost rubbing shoulders with Nick Fury. He's scary and intimidating as hell, but Bucky's dealt with far worse people before and he has seen enough of Fury's actions and demeanor to conclude that he's not bad at all. Besides, Steve seems to trust him enough.
The waitress comes around to pour Fury his coffee and they wait for her to walk away.
"So, to what do I owe this pleasure, Cap?" Fury goes straight to the point, keeping his eye on Steve as he sips his coffee.
"Actually, it's Bucky who wants to see you," Steve replies and leans back on the couch.
Bucky holds his breath as Fury shifts in his seat and turns to face him. Fury's eyebrow is raised and a genuine surprise glimmer in his eye.
"Really? And why is that, Sergeant Barnes?"
Bucky relaxes his shoulders and takes a deep breath first before responding, "I - I want to go back out there."
Fury doesn't react at first, but keeps his eye on Bucky. Bucky's not easy to intimidate but this is a first for him. He's glad to be sitting down because he thinks he just felt his knees wobble. He's never one to back down from a stare down, but man, it feels like the Winter Soldier in him is two seconds away from cowering under Fury's scrutinizing eye. They didn't exactly interact when they were all in the Facility eight months ago so he's a bit fazed to be at the receiving end of Fury's glare.
Steve watches the two from across the table. It was months ago when Bucky opened up that idea to him and he was honest enough to tell him that it made him uncomfortable so it would take time for him to process. Actually, Bucky didn't need his permission. He's his best friend, not his parent but still, Steve appreciated the fact that his opinion mattered to him. It took a while and a few a consultations with his devil's advocate until he acquiesced to the idea. But now, as he too waits for Fury's response, he finds a small part of him is hoping that Fury would decline, no matter how much he knows that Bucky needs this.
"Okay," Fury says bluntly before shifting again in his seat to face Steve. He takes another sip of his coffee.
Steve lets out a big sigh, whether it was of relief or disappointment, no one knows.
Bucky opens his mouth to say something, then closes it. He simply stares at Fury with complete disbelief in his face. He rapidly shakes his head, still not believing what just happened. He leans closer to Fury.
"Okay? Just like that?" Bucky blurts out. Fury turns to look at him again, with amusement in his eyes. "No questions, no contention, no conditions? "
"Oh, there are conditions."
Bucky and Fury both look at Steve. Steve raises an eyebrow at his friend. "What? Do you think I'm just going to standby knowing that you're going to work for this man? You don't know him. No offense."
"None taken. Okay, Cap. Lay it on me," Fury matches Steve's slight enmity.
Steve leans on the table. "First, no forcing him to take on jobs he's not comfortable with."
"I don't think that would be a problem, Steve. You know I'm comfortable with a lot of things," Bucky quips with a boyish grin which disappears quickly as soon as he sees the seriousness in Steve's face.
"Okay, anything else?" Fury asks.
"Total disclosure on info, on intel for every assignment. Enough of your compartmentalization," Steve says sternly and crosses his arms on his chest. "If you're good with that, then we're good."
Fury gives Steve a smirk then he turns to Bucky. "Look, I know he outranks you but you'll let him speak for you?"
Bucky smiles and responds in a heart beat, "I trust him with life. So yeah, he can speak for me."
Fury stares at him for a few moments. Bucky accepts the challenge and stares back. He finally has the guts to stare back. After a few moments, Fury finally stands up.
"Alright, then. We could have done this over the phone, you know," Fury says. "But I appreciate your old fashion ways, Cap." Steve smiles a bit. "Wait for further instructions," Fury tells Bucky. Fury turns to give Steve a farewell handshake, which the latter accepts, this time with a friendlier smile on his face.
Fury starts to walk away but stops and turns back. "One more thing, Cap. You don't happen to know where Romanoff is, do you?"
Steve shoots Fury a sharp look, his brows furrowed in concern. "You never learn, do you," Steve replies shaking his head. It's more of a statement than a question. Steve didn't shy away from showing the expected disappointment in his voice.
"I don't have control over my agents when they're out in the field, you know that," Fury answers back.
"I thought we agreed you'd give me the courtesy of letting me know when she goes out there," Steve quips, his voice slightly raised.
"What for? You know if you'd just suit up we won't be having -"
Steve cuts Fury off by shaking his head and sounding off his disbelief with an exhausted sigh. "That's not fair," Steve remarks.
Bucky watches the two and braces himself for whatever might happen next. He remembers months ago how Steve held back his displeasure over Fury when the spy broke the news of Natasha missing, but Steve's not holding back this time, not totally anyway. He anticipated a heated exchange of blames and guilt-tripping remarks but Bucky only sees a stare down. Fury, with his hands on his hips doesn't look at a disadvantage despite only having one eye, and Steve exudes authority even seated down with his shoulders squared and arms crossed across his chest. Bucky slowly starts to realize that he should probably step in to avoid things from getting out of hand. He cautiously starts to stand up but then an idea hits him hard.
"This is great!" Bucky exclaims. Steve and Fury break away from their stare down to look at Bucky with confusion splashed across their faces.
Bucky realizes his inappropriate remark and tone so he starts explaining. "I mean, this can be my first assignment, right? I have tracked down a lot of people before." Bucky waits for the others' reply, honestly anticipating that they would find it a good idea. But -
"No," Steve and Fury say simultaneously. Bucky opens his mouth to protest but is too astounded to make a sound. Meanwhile, Steve and Fury resume their stare down, a bit surprised at the other's reply, despite having the same one. Fury's the first to mellow down.
"Look, I'm sorry for not calling you. I assumed she'd tell you anyway," Fury admits. Steve calms down a little too.
"With what happened in Austria she knows we'd all be on our toes if we won't hear from her after a while. So, give her time. Maybe she's just in a bit of pinch right now and can't make a call. If after a couple more months and still nothing, then let's worry."
Fury still doesn't say anything. He just keeps his eye on Steve, and Bucky is sure he is scrutinizing Steve now. But why, Bucky thinks to himself. Steve's not the type to lie about these things. Besides, it's Natalia we're talking about. He looks at his best friend and is proud to see Steve not even break a sweat.
Finally, Fury gives up and gives the captain the benefit of the doubt. "Fine. But when she calls you, let me know. Good day, gentlemen." And with that Fury walks out of the diner. Bucky watches as Fury backs his black bullet-proof SUV out of the parking lot and into the highway. When his vehicle is out of sight he turns to Steve.
"Natalia's missing, Steve! We can't just sit here! What if it's like last time? What do we do?"
"Nothing," Steve replies calmly, trying to avoid eye contact with Bucky so as not to give himself and his lies away. Steve's a bit embarrassed of what he did to Fury, especially just minutes after calling out the spy for his own penchant for lying. Bucky's eyes slowly widen and his jaw drops after realizing what Steve's done. He shakes his head in disbelief and admiration for his friend.
"Damn, Steve! It's like I don't know you anymore. Two lies in one seating, really?" Bucky teases him. "So, wait, she's okay?"
"Yeah," Steve assures him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure, Buck."
Bucky waits for Steve to say more, to elaborate about Natasha's whereabouts but Steve leaves him hanging. He watches with disbelief as Steve pulls out money from his wallet, drops a few bills on the table and starts to stand up. But Bucky stops him.
"That's it then? You're not gonna share?"
"Now you know how it feels," Steve says with a smile, trying to guilt-trip Bucky.
"Come on, Steve. This is different," Bucky tries to explain his side again. "She's comfortable hiding her location from her boss but not from you?"
"What do you want me say, Buck? You're not the only one she has secrets with," Steve replies with a naughty smile leaving Bucky speechless and surprised. Bucky only manages to gape at his best friend in disbelief. Steve smiles broader seeing Bucky's confused and blushing face. He stands up and walks towards the door.
Bucky tries to think of something to say but hesitates and contemplates about it for a moment because the last thing he wants to come across is - jealous. He doesn't have the right to be, even after learning his history with Natasha in the Red Room. He shouldn't be jealous, not now, and not of Steve. Over the past months, he slowly came to understand and appreciate the kind of relationship Steve and Natasha have and the two don't deserve loathe, especially not from him. If you come to think of, Steve and Natasha had each other when they both didn't have him. And that thought finally brings a smile to Bucky's face.
Bucky finally follows Steve outside and back inside the SUV and is now more composed to match Steve's joking mood. "Should I be jealous?" Bucky asks, now more open too to joke about his misplaced jealousy.
"I don't know, pal. Do you have a compelling reason to be?" Steve challenges him. Bucky tenses up, not anticipating Steve's strong argument. He doesn't see it but he knows he's blushing again, judging by how hot his cheeks suddenly became.
Steve turns on the ignition and deliberately lets his question hang in the air. He doesn't have any idea what Bucky and Natasha talked about that special morning, and he's not overly eager to know either. He's curious, yes, but he respects their privacy. He's sure that he'll know of it at the right time. He just couldn't help himself teasing his best friend about it, especially after observing how it made the suave and gallant Bucky uneasy and shy whenever he brings up the topic.
"I can just ask her you know," Steve continues with a smile as he backs up the SUV and heads for the highway.
Bucky's eye widen, with a bit of panic in them. "Oh, man. You wont -"
"Yeah, I won't," Steve finally says with a comforting smile.
Bucky lets out a huge sigh of relief. He shakes his head with a boisterous laughter and punches Steve playfully on the arm. The SUV swerves a little and Bucky sees Steve immediately steadies the steering wheel back on the right lane, missing a head-on collision with an incoming vehicle by mere hairline.
Steve looks at him with surprise and a 'what the hell was that' look. Bucky realizing what he did smiles sheepishly and mutters an apology. He just uninhibitedly punched Steve with his metal arm.
