A single glass filled with whiskey gleamed under the dim light, promising to take away the pain. How many he had drank? How many more he had to drink to forget the pain? To forget his best friend, his beloved little brother?
Rhodey sat in the dark corner of the bar, far away from the festive atmosphere of having back their loved ones. And, here were he, destroying the mood. A dark chuckle left his mouth. A bitter smile on his lips. A finger trailed on the rim of the glass
"Hey, Rhodey."
Rhodey raised his head and looked back at his drink.
"What are the two of you doing here?"
Sam and Steve stood a few steps away from his table. Sympathy in their eyes pierced his soul, made him uncomfortable and angry.
"We thought you need a friend, or two, to talk about... this," said Sam as he took a seat in front Rhodey.
"I know what you're feeling right now. I also lost a friend." Bitter smiled played on Sam's lips. Fingers intertwined to hide the slight shake. "I just want to say, I understand and it's okay to feel like this."
Rhodey stayed quiet. His mind played memory after memory of his time with Tony. He chugged down his drink, relished from the burn, chased away the lump in his throat. His hand raised to take the whiskey bottle. However, a white hand snatched it away.
"Give it to me, Rogers!" Snarled Rhodey without raising his head.
"Please, Rhodey. This isn't okay."
Rhodey gave bitter laugh. "What do you know? You never lost a brother."
Bloodshot eyes looked at Steve. "After all, your sweet dearest Bucky is alive, right?"
Steve dropped the bottle on the table, creating a clatter. Rhodey took it and poured it into his glass. He raised the glass, gleaming under the light, towards Steve.
"Ah, yes. How I forgot? You lied, killed, and blackmailed others just to save your Bucky," spat Rhodey. "I cheers for you, may you have a fucking good life."
Hand curled, head straight, and piercing blue eyes, Steve glared at Rhodey. "Bucky is innocent! The world already ask too much from him! He has the right to be himself! He has the right to enjoy his life!"
Rhodey put down his glass, looked straight at Steve. Stone cold look on his face. "So does Tony."