A/N: Haven't seen any similar stories so decided to make my own! The idea of Steve finding an aged Bucky instead of Peggy seemed like a sweet story that needed to be told. Only doing it as a one-shot, but depending on how well it does I can try more chapters so let me know!
Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one from Marvel. Just the idea :)
How Steve hadn't found him sooner, he has no idea. Being out of the ice for some years now he had alot to catch up on with the world and how it now worked differently than back then in the 1940's. His small notebook with almost every page filled with movies, music, shows, everything that he was slowly catching up on. He already had a few pages crossed off, but he continued to take it slow. Otherwise he knew he'd only confuse himself.
He wasn't sure what tempted him to do it, maybe it was because of the "Captain America Museum" they had constructed at the Smithsonian, showing all of his accomplishments during the War and all those involved in those feats. But seeing all the pictures of those he knew, he needed proper closure, to see how their lives carried on without him.
And that was how he ended up searching any and all history records to see what became of the Howling Commandos. Dum Dum, Morita, Falsworth, all of them. What lives did they have after? He remembered walking through the museum and going into a side room that played films of his old performances when they first had him selling war bonds. Then interviews with various soldiers or agents who had worked with Captain America and sharing their experiences.
That was when he saw her. Peggy. It pained him to see her older in the video, how she had changed after he went down in the ice to save them all. How she carried on without him. He was glad to see that she had been able to go on, he would have wanted it that way. But the thought that he was never able to have that last dance with her was a pain he'd always carry with him.
He was about to get up and leave when another familiar figure appeared and stopped him. There was no sound as the narrator spoke of the on screen figure.
It was none other than James 'Bucky' Barnes. The best and only friend he ever had growing up. He slowly sat down as he listened to the voice describe him joining Peggy at S.H.I.E.L.D and taking on a few of his own missions throughout the years before retiring completely and settling down.
So with the power of the Internet, and the help of Natasha, he was able to discover that his friend was still alive. And that was where he now had ended up. Walking into a care home for old veterans. He had walked right up to the front desk and asked for James Barnes. The lady recognized him instantly and was more than happy to help him. She had him write his name on a sign-in sheet before escorting him down a hall, third door on the right.
She knocked lightly before peeking her head in, the sound of music coming from a record player in the background. She smiled at Steve telling him he could go in before walking back down the hall, reminding him he can come to her if they need anything. He took a deep breath before he moved inside, closing the door behind him. His eyes looked around the cozy feeling room before landing on the older figure sitting in a bed. He swallowed nervously. Would Bucky even recognize or remember him from seventy years ago? He wasn't sure what to say and was thankful when his friend beat him to it.
"You haven't aged a day. Too bad I'm still better looking than you." The old voice said causing Steve to break out into a grin and moved closer. The wrinkles on his face and hands showing he had lived a full life. The hair on his head was thin, but at least he still had some and wasn't bald. Steve surely would have teased him for that.
"It's good to see you again Buck." He gently wrapped the man in a hug, and gave a soft pat on the back before pulling away and sitting in a nearby chair.
Bucky chuckled as he looked at Steve. Everything on him still looked the same as when he disappeared and it still amazed him to see his best friend standing in front of him.
"I had seen you on the news" He said with a small cough, causing Steve to quickly grab him a glass of water. "At first I couldn't believe it, thought my damn eyes were playin tricks on me. But then you kept showing up. The Star-Spangled Man was back."
"Well I wasn't given much of a choice on the matter. But I'm glad I've been able to help around still and save some lives."
Bucky just waved him off, giving his familiar eye roll Steve knew too well. "Would you have even walked away if they did give you a choice?"
Steve grinned guiltily and looked down. From the moment they met in grade school he always tried to stick up for himself and others, even if he still got beat up for it. Even if he was skinny and sick, he still tried his best. Up until he went into the ice, he did everything he could to serve his country and keep others safe. But he knew Buck was right, if he was given the choice he'd still choose to stay and do what he could.
"You know I don't like bullies. Gotta stop every last one of them. Knowing Peggy helped start S.H.I.E.L.D and you fought with her is part of the reason I stay sometimes." He defended earning a side grin from the older man.
"I didn't stay with them long. Only a few years or so before I quit. I was tired Steve, I had no more fight left in me without you."
Steve looked away guiltily, "I'm sorry Bucky, I didn't mean to leave you behind."
Bucky just waved him off again with a face that said not to worry, "I did my duty and served my country, it was enough for me."
Leaning back in the chair he decided to look more around the room. Medals from the war hanging on the wall inside a glass case. A bookshelf in the corner with random books and knick-knacks. His bedside table had a few pictures. One of him when he was younger, the Bucky that he knew and remembered, with his arms wrapped around his sisters, all smiling at the camera. Another with two pictures inside, the first one of Bucky and him before he had the serum, and the one beside it of them after he took the serum and was now taller than him. The last few were of children he didn't recognize.
"They yours?" He asked with a raised brow.
Bucky glanced at the picture and shook his head, "Rebecca's. She was the only one who married."
Steve seemed surprised by that, "Just couldn't find the right girl?"
"Nah, I was a heartbreaker until the end." He laughed causing Steve to laugh with him.
They continued with small talk, Bucky went on to share how after he retired from fighting he started a small construction business which helped keep him busy. Eventually his nephew took over the business as he got older and was now being run by his great niece, the best company in Brooklyn. Bucky made Steve agree to go by sometime and see the place. He could see the pride of it in his friends eyes.
"I gotta admit it Buck, you look pretty damn good for your age."
Bucky only grumbled, "I've always looked good. But they all think it's because of what Hydra did to me back in '43. They ran so many tests but never got their answer, at least not one they were willing to share." Steve frowned thinking back to that day when he found him lying on that table, beat up and barely able to stand at first. He hated Hydra even more after that day and vowed he would stop them. And he did.
"Then got cancer, oh about 30 years ago now? They easily chalked it up to that, from not 'knowing' what all was put into me. But I stuck it to them and survived, gave those bastards a pretty middle finger after surgery." Steve got a bit teary eyed after hearing that, even after all those years Hydra still messed him up in a way. But he was still alive and kicking. He showed them he was still strong and ready to fight back.
"I'm so sorry Buck. I'm glad your better now. I'm proud of you." Steve said taking his old friend's hand in his. Bucky only smiled and used his other hand to pat his.
The conversation lightened again and went back to sharing memories of their adventures at Coney Island, chasing after girls, and days before the war. Steve had stayed for hours, feeling like his old self again. Just good times with a good friend. Eventually the sun was starting to set and visiting was over for the day.
"Thanks for coming back Steve. You better not wait another 70 years to come see me again" Bucky said watching his friend head for the door.
"Of course Bucky. I'm with you till the end of the line remember? I'll be here so much you'll be begging me to go back." Steve replied with a grin before walking out.
And he kept his word. When he wasn't on missions or taking down the rest of Hydra, he was there with his best friend. Bucky still hadn't changed one bit, most days it was sitting in his room reminiscing over old times or playing games, and others it was Bucky still being a bad influence and making Steve cause trouble. Nurses shouting after them as Steve flew down the hall making a jailbreak with Bucky in a wheelchair, shouting and whooping all the way out the door.
Eventually Steve had convinced some of the Avengers to come with him and meet his friend. Sam was the first since he too had been in war before. Sam was grateful for the opportunity and had told Bucky what an honor it was to meet him. He visited regularly after as well, some days with Steve and some days just on his own. Some months later and Natasha joined them once or twice. Bucky was warmly welcomed into their giant family and they all made sure he was taken care of and had regular visitors when his own family wasn't with him.
It made Steve happy that his past wasn't completely gone, and it made his outlook on the future much brighter.