Tony refused to be an obstacle to his own happiness. The team had been torn apart and scattered but now they were finally all together again, and he had never been happier than when he was part of the Avengers. It had taken a lot of tears, numerous apologies, some activities of questionable legality and a near death experience to get them here. A lot of bridges had to be rebuilt, but they'd managed it. As far as Tony could tell there was only one link that threatened to unravel the whole thing and he wasn't going to let that happen. It was why he'd re-engineered BARF and why he was on a mission to find Barnes now.

He figured the most obvious place to look was by Steve's side and he was fortunate enough to catch the former assassin on his way out.

When Barnes spotted him the tension level shot up and this was exactly what Tony meant to erase, he wasn't going to let anything, including helping the man that murdered his parents, get in the way of keeping the Avengers together.

"Got a second?"

"Um, sure," Barnes allowed, watching him carefully.

"Relax. I just want you to know there's no hard feelings."

Barnes looked understandably wary of that statement.

"I know you had no control over it, and that's something I want to help you with."

"Why?"

The question Tony had expected was 'how' but this one was valid too.

"The Avengers are family, and families stick together. You're part of that now."

When Bucky choked up at the statement, eyes glistening with unshed tears, Tony saw him in a whole new light. It was the first time he'd really thought of the guy as human. It made him want to forgive this person, and made his next words all the more sincere because suddenly he felt like he was fighting for something more than his own happiness here.

"But I... I took your family."

"Nope, pretty sure that was HYDRA and I'm not gonna let their poison take this one too. I've got a way to get rid of the brainwashing if you're interested. Well not just me. Bruce too. The engineering stuff I can handle, but the bio stuff, he's way better at that. Synapses and benzodiazepines and whatnot. Anyway, what I'm saying is there's a cure if you want it."

This time he actually rendered the guy speechless. It was nice to know some of the old Tony Stark shock factor still existed.

"Well there it is, just let me know what you wanna do. I'll see you around, I guess. I do own the place after all."

xxx

Bucky was stunned. Followed by amazed, grateful, hopeful and terrified. It was too much. Tony was too generous. He didn't know what to think, or what to do. Was he allowed to dream? Was he allowed to refuse? Could he really be forgiven?

He glanced at the door he'd just walked out, Steve was right there, he could talk to him, Steve would understand, but Steve wasn't the one he wanted. Bucky turned and took off in the opposite direction heading straight for the one person he trusted completely.

xxx

The second he saw Bucky, Sam immediately knew something had happened. He was pretty good at reading the guy these days.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Bucky looked like he was in shock.

"Hey, c'mon," Sam said, laying a hand on Bucky's shoulder. "Talk to me."

"I... I talked to Tony Stark..."

"Did he give you shit? I swear I'll-"

"No. No, he was really great actually."

"So what's the problem?"

"He made me an offer."

"To do what?"

"Remove the brainwashing. He really thinks he can do it."

This was huge. It would give Bucky his life back.

"Well that's good, right?"

But Bucky didn't look so sure. In fact he looked downright terrified.

Instead of answering, Bucky did something that took Sam completely by surprise. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him. For a second Sam was frozen with shock, but when he felt the sigh of relief ripple through Bucky, he returned the embrace, willing to provide whatever support Bucky needed.

"It's okay. You're okay. I've got you."

Bucky tightened his grip, painfully so, and for a second the thought flashed through his mind that Bucky could crush him to death right now if he chose to, but Sam didn't dwell on the thought, Bucky's pain was all that mattered.

"I don't think I can do it again. I can't have people inside my head."

This was too good of an opportunity to pass up, but Sam understood that Bucky needed time to get his head around the idea.

"It's just something to think about for now. No one's saying you have to do anything. But if you decide you want to, you're strong. I know you can do it. And I'll be right here if you need me."

Bucky pulled back to study his face, weighing the sincerity of his words.

"Promise?" In that one word was more trust and vulnerability than Sam had ever seen from him. It was the first real time Bucky had ever asked him for anything. Sam wanted to be worthy of that faith.

"Yeah, that's a promise."

Bucky hugged him again, holding on super tight, and this time he thought Bucky seriously might kill him.

"Okay," he wheezed, tapping Bucky's back. "I kinda need to breathe now."

When Bucky drew back and gave him a shaky smile, the most precious thing in the world to Sam, he knew in that moment there was nothing he wouldn't do for this person.

"I mean it. I promise I'm not going anywhere."