I'm sorry this is such a short chapter, but I think it concludes what I want it to. And unless anyone has another good idea, this is probably the last chapter. Thanks for reading! And please review!

It's been several months since his relapse and everything is finally going well for Steve. They even found Bucky and were able to convince him to move into the tower. It's been hard, sure, but just having Bucky back was enough for Steve. And recently, he's finally been acting like his old self. Bucky's not been around Steve in over seventy years, but it only takes a month before he notices something's different. He decides to ask Clint about it. Bucky walks around for hours until he finally finds Clint in one of the air vents.

"Yes?" Clint speaks before he sees him.

"How did you?..." Bucky begins to ask, then decides he really doesn't need to know.

"Listen, I don't know you very well, but Steve says you are like his family now." He sighs, "I guess I was wondering what I missed. Steve seems…..different now."

Clint laughs, "Of course he's different. He had to wake up after seventy years to find himself in an entirely different century."

"No, I mean something else. We've been best friends, family really, since we were kids. I know how he reacts to everything. He's sickingly optimistic sometimes, but now, it's like he's changed. And not just because he's older." Bucky pauses, "You all know something, I know that much. What is it he's not telling me?"

"I'm sorry man, I really am, but you'll have to ask him." Clint replies.

/

Bucky waits a week until he and Steve are alone. They are cooling off after sparing in the gym.

"Hey man," Bucky begins, "I noticed something's off with you. What's going on? I mean, besides the obvious man out of time, my best friend is an assassin thing."

"Nothing Buck. I'm fine." Steve flashes a smile and turns to leave when Bucky grabs him.

"Don't lie to me Steve. You know you were never really good at it anyways."

"Well, I've had a rough time lately. But I'm better now. That's all." Steve shrugs.

"I don't buy it. If you want to brush it off in front of anyone else, fine. But not me Steve. Tell. Me."

Steve knows he'll find out eventually anyways.
"Fine Buck. Only if you promise not to overreact." Steve recalls how furious Bucky was when he found out he crashed a plane…on purpose.

Bucky doesn't respond. He just nods and waits for Steve to continue.

And Steve does. He lets the entire story spill out. From the cutting, to the (almost) suicide attempt, he tells it all. He even includes the relapse and the team's reactions. Steve didn't realize how much he wanted, no needed, to tell Bucky all of this. He speaks of how hard it was to think he was the only one left when Peggy passed. Bucky just sits, taking it all in. Steve continues to talk about his struggle with PTSD and therapy sessions. When he's finished, he looks to Bucky, gauging his reaction. Bucky's jaw is locked, his eyes glazed over when he finally clears his throat.

"Let me get this straight. You hurt yourself. On. Purpose." He says gruffly.

Quietly Steve responds, "Yes."

"I always knew there was something more to the fights you used to pick," Bucky whispers. "Why do you keep punishing yourself for things that aren't your fault Steve? What have you ever done that was so bad?"

"I don't know Buck!" Steve paces in frustration. "Sometimes, I just hate myself okay?"

Bucky stands and grabs Steve, roughly pulling him into a hug. By this point, Bucky's face is streaked with tears. "Don't. I need you Steve. You've always been the better one out of the two of us. Please don't ever hurt yourself again. How would you feel if it was me?" He speaks into Steve's ear.

And it clicks. Steve finally understands the horror his team has been going through. Why they were always so worried about him.

"I'm sorry Bucky. I'm so sorry. I can't promise I won't cut again, but I promise I'll try. I'm doing better, really."

"Really?" Bucky asks as he pulls back and looks Steve in the eyes.

"I promise." Steve responds.