Bad Blood
Tony was waiting with a car when Bucky was discharged. He greeted Steve with a smile and a kiss. All Bucky got was a glare. Steve helped Bucky get in the car, tucking him protectively against his chest.
"Long time not see, Steve" Tony said.
"Yeah, I've been really busy lately. I don't know if you heard but, I lost my job at the gallery. Had to take a job at a coffee shop" Steve said.
"Damn. Why didn't you call me?"
"Because I...well...you know we didn't really part on good terms"
"We're still friends though. I'd have helped you"
Bucky tugged on Steve's sleeve, drawing his attention away from Tony.
"What's wrong babe?"
He pointed to his bad arm and his leg.
"Pain meds wore off?"
Bucky nodded. Steve rummaged around the bag the doctors gave them and pulled out the pain meds. He gave two to Bucky who took them dry. Steve gave him a quick kiss, which earned Bucky a death glare from Tony.
Bucky didn't even notice because they had pulled up to Tony's place. For a kid who grew up with almost nothing Tony's place looked like a palace. Bucky was awestruck but, he was also disheartened. If Steve could have all this why would he want him?
He forced a smile as Steve helped him out of the car. He tried to keep as much of his weight off of Steve as he could but, Steve wouldn't let him. He finally picked Bucky up and carried him into the house. Bucky whined in protest.
"If you're gonna fight me then I won't sleep with you tonight" Steve threatened.
Bucky settled down then, allowing Steve to carry him into a bedroom on the third floor. Bucky gasped, in awe of the elegance of the room. A plush king size bed sat in the middle of the room. It was adorned with silk sheets. The room had beautiful prints of famous pieces and lush plants.
"Like it?" Tony asked.
Bucky nodded. Steve set him down on the bed allowing Bucky to marvel at the softness of the sheets. He tucked Bucky in before going to collect their bags. Tony dropped his pleasant façade the second Steve left the room.
"Look, Steve's mine. You can stay here until your leg heals but after that I want you out of Steve's life. You're a worthless piece of crap who can't give him anything. I can give him everything he wants and more. So stay away from him. Got it?"
Bucky nodded, wide-eyed. Tony was right. He could give Steve everything and Bucky could give him nothing. He sunk into the mattress, forlornly. Tony left him to wallow in his misery.
When Steve came back in he noticed Bucky seemed to be in a funk. He dropped the bags causing Bucky to jump. He plastered a smile on his face.
"What's wrong Buck?"
Bucky shook his head, hair falling in his face.
"Don't try to fool me, Buck. I saw that sad face. What's up?"
" 'M in pain" he whispered.
"I'm sorry. You can have some more pills after dinner" Steve said "Do you wanna take a nap?"
Bucky nodded, settling down under the sheets. Steve retrieved Bucky Bear and tucked him in tight. He gave him a kiss before leaving the room. Bucky waited about ten minutes before he struggled out of bed.
He limped his way over to his bags. With his good arm he fished out his pain meds. He fought with the cap for about fifteen minutes before it finally popped off. He looked at the pile of white pills nesting in the bottle.
Steve didn't need him. He had Natasha and Sam and Tony. They could give him everything, Bucky couldn't give him anything. A tear slipped down his cheek and landed on the metal of his arm. Bucky squeezed his eyes shut as he threw back the bottle, swallowing all the pills.
He dropped the bottle as he made his way back to the bed. He curled up as best as he could with Bucky Bear and drifted off to sleep, letting the pills take away the pain for good.
