AN: Apologies for the short chapter but it's an important one!

Steve did as Clint suggested. He spent all day Thursday and most of Friday thinking about it (and very nearly got into trouble with Rumlow he was so distracted). He finally decided he couldn't get any further without talking to Bucky. And they did need to talk, but Steve... wanted to give them a try. He felt lighter than he had in ages as he settled onto a park bench with his sketchbook. He could feel the Winter Soldier watching him, as he basically always did, and wondered how long it would take Bucky to realize he was waiting for him.

He couldn't imagine it would take that long. Bucky was smart and the Soldier was observant so he had to know Steve was living with Tony. This was the closest to a private meeting place as they could get for the moment. Steve just let out a breath and started sketching as he prepared to wait. He couldn't explain how he could tell, but he almost felt when the Winter Soldier's gaze shift into something softer. Bucky taking control or however that connection worked, Steve could only assume.

It was a strange conundrum, how they were the same person and they weren't. Looking at his picture Steve realized it was a familiar head and shoulders except half was Bucky, complete with that playful little smirk, and half (the side with the metal arm) was the Soldier. Stoic and expressionless, even with the mask. Steve closed the book because that puzzle could wait. Right now he wanted to talk to Bucky because he couldn't be that far away anymore.

At some point the feeling of Bucky's eyes had disappeared and after about an hour with it gone Steve was getting worried. He stood up, tucked his sketchbook away, and started searching the park. It got harder to see as the sun got low in the sky and still Steve couldn't find Bucky. He bit his lip and pulled out his phone.

Hey, Buck, you okay? He finally sent.

His patience only held out for about ten minutes, then he was calling. It went to voicemail. "Hey, it's me. Um, I know we never really decided on a time or place, but we said Friday and… well, it's Friday and I know the Soldier was following me so you know where I am and I was hoping I could see and talk to you. Just, I'm getting worried so at least let me know if you're okay, please? Thanks."

Steve had just hung up when he got a text, and for a moment his heart soared until he realized it was from Tony. Hey, how's it going? Do I need 2 brng a cleaver or rescue squad?

Steve couldn't help smiling a little despite the sinking feeling in his chest. It's not? He was following me, and I'm pretty sure he was going to come talk to me. Then he just disappeared and I don't feel him watching anymore. I'm worried, honestly.

U tried txting or calling him? Steve took a seat on the nearby bench. The sun had gone down completely, leaving the park in darkness aside from the periodic street lamps along the jogging paths. It creeped him out more than usual, without the Soldier watching him.

Of course. No response. Steve answered.

Well, it's alredy drk so jst come home & we'll figur it out. Tony ordered. Steve sighed and then stood. There wasn't anyone else in sight and Steve wasn't sure if that was comforting or concerning. But he did his best to ignore it as he walked.

It was strange, because once the sun went down he was almost always targeted by some gang or another, but he made it to the bus stop without incident. And onto the bus without incident. And even made it to Tony's apartment without incident. Steve had never felt more jumpy in his life. Even the elevator ding scared him.

"Welcome home, Mr. Rogers." JARVIS greeted as soon as he stepped into the elevator.

"Thanks, J." He replied, and finally he could let out the breath he been holding. "It seemed quiet on the street tonight. Is something going on?" He asked.

"Allow me a few moments to look." JARVIS said and he nodded. The elevator opened and Steve stepped out. Tony was sitting on the couch, eating something while using his shoulder to hold his phone to his ear. He looked back and gave Steve a quick wave before returning his attention to his conversation.

Steve just moved over to the to-go boxes on the counter and quickly filled a plate of his own. He sat down next to Tony and checked his phone. Still no messages from Bucky and he hadn't felt the Soldier's gaze the whole way back. Something was definitely wrong. He had just put his phone on the coffee table when Tony ended his call and offered Steve a smile. "Sorry, Obadiah is… Pepper is upset with him, let's just put it that way." Tony offered and Steve flashed a weak smile back. "Still no word?"

"No. And I didn't feel him the whole way back. I'm really worried, Tony. Something must have happened to him." Steve said.

"Well, not necessarily..." Tony began and Steve gave him a look. He didn't want false promises or silver lining right now. "But the chances are pretty high." He finished weakly.

Even though that was what he wanted to hear, it hurt. Steve sighed heavily as he put his face in his hands. They sat in silence for a while before Steve whispered "What do I do, Tony?"

Tony touched his shoulder and Steve looked up. "First, relax. Your boyfriend is the Winter Soldier. If he's even half as good as the rumors make him sound, I don't think you need to worry about him getting hurt. And second…" Tony paused, taking a deep breath before he met Steve's eyes and continued. "If you're really that worried I might be able to pull some strings."

"You could find him? How?" Steve asked, a touch more excited by the prospect than he meant to sound while also feeling inexplicably nervous. Especially when Tony faltered, shifting uncomfortably and refusing to meet his eyes for several breathes.

"SHIELD." He finally announced, still not meeting his eyes, and Steve could only blink.

"SHIELD? The SHIELD?" Steve questioned and Tony nodded. "I… but I thought you weren't associated with them."

"Not anymore." Tony corrected. He finally met Steve's eyes, let out a breath, and kept talking. "But my father was practically one of its founding members. And when I was younger, after he passed, I briefly did some commission work for them. I haven't done anything for them in years, but I know how to get in contact with them and if anyone will be able to find out what happened to your boyfriend, they will."

Steve struggled to say anything for a while. It was like his brain simply wouldn't acknowledge that Tony, his oldest and basically only friend, had kept a secret like this from him. He understood why and he wasn't upset (he didn't think he was, anyway) but he just couldn't reconcile the facts. "Tony, I don't… It could get you into a lot of trouble if HYDRA were to find out. I couldn't ask you to do that." He finally said.

"What's life without a little trouble? And besides, you aren't asking; I'm offering." Tony gave him a smile that lacked his usual bravado, but was infinitely warmer. "He means a lot to you, I think anyone can see that. And you deserve to be happy, whether that's with a boring ordinary office worker or the most notorious HYDRA assassin on the planet."

Steve couldn't help chuckling at that and a smile formed on his face. "If you're sure. Thank you, Tony. I don't know how I can ever repay you." He said softly and the billionaire shrugged.

"Just make me your best man at the wedding and we'll call it even." Tony set aside his food and handed Steve his phone back. "Now come on." Tony offered him a hand and pulled him to his feet easily.

"Are we going somewhere?" Steve asked and Tony nodded.

"Yep. We're going to see my… contact? I think that's the word." Tony glanced at him with a funny expression on his face, frozen from what he'd just said, and added "I'm not good with spy stuff."

Steve couldn't help laughing and silently he thanked whoever it was that had brought him and Tony together in college. He may not love Tony the way he did Bucky, but he simply could not imagine his life without the billionaire there to spice things up every once in awhile in the way only he could.