Bucky couldn't ignore his chores because living a self-sustaining lifestyle requires constant attention and that pile of harvested Rhota plants wouldn't take care of itself. Other people depended on him doing his fair share. He returned to his small farm to consider his next step. T'Challa's observation of being rescued by an unseen force continued to resonate in his head. Was this unseen force friendly or some other thing biding its time, waiting to turn their lives upside down, again? Standing at his outside workbench his mind was far away from prepping the pile of vegetables.

Still no children. Smiling to himself, he thought about their latest project. They decided on their own he should help them with their English lessons, giving him no choice but to comply. They reached the point of mastering simple greetings before Thanos interrupted everything. It was a good thing they were leaving him alone today. He needed quiet.

Faint footfalls broke through his thoughts, the rhythm of the stride was familiar. He didn't turn around. "Steve," he said, pulling up another Rhota plan and placing it on the pile before turning to face him, waiting for the lecture he knew would come.

"Bucky," Steve said. Bucky turned back to his prep work. "Ton… Mr. Stark told me he talked to you." Tony.

"He told me he didn't put out the hit on me. It was the Consortium's breakaway factions still at large," Bucky said as he continued to work. That moment was calmer than he expected. "Or it could be the Hammertech people. They never forgave me for getting away. I never believed it was him, even if everyone else did, but that doesn't change my situation. I'm still tied to Wakanda."

"There are worse places," Steve said. That was something Steve would say, insinuating he shouldn't complain, but there was something off about the way he said it. He sounded almost reasonable.

"It's beautiful here, the people treat me with respect. I'll always be grateful… it's about… I don't know, being able to visit other places. Like Brooklyn. You remember Brooklyn?" Bucky separated the roots from the stems. Each time he picked up a new plant, his actions became a little more forced.

"Bucky, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I jumped the gun…" Steve said. He sounded too eager to apologize. That wasn't like him, not the way he was now. The old Steve, maybe. Maybe this separation had been just as hard on him.

"When you broke through my programming, the memories returned and the memories brought the ghosts," Bucky said, throwing the last plant down as he turned to face him. Neither of them moved. "Real honest to goodness ghosts. Every night the victims would stand by my bed and look at me, sometimes they brought their families with them just for fun… I could see them. It was probably part of the Hammertech programming. If too much time passed between wipes, I'd hallucinate my victims so I'd welcome the wipes and the sleep. After the hearing, after they declared me innocent of my actions, they disappeared. Then Mr. Stark found the file and Howard and Maria Stark showed up. Stood by my bed, every night, staring at me, following me around. I couldn't remember details… that's all I was waiting for, to know, so I could say it myself to Mr. Stark. That's the only way they would leave. I need them to go… rest. Leave me alone and then you did what you did…and then everything else went to hell," Bucky said, standing back waiting for the explosion that would come. Steve would be angry he didn't share this with him.

"I'm sorry Buck. I wish you'd told me this…"Steve said. Steve being...humble?

"Yeah, the Asset, he's crazy. Unstable. Who'd believe me? I could have told you but all you'd do would be lecture me about pushing through by the power of positive thinking or whatever the hell it is that you do...because that's you. No one else could see them. I knew it would jeopardize my position on the team and I had worked damn hard to get there. Part of me half convinced myself it wasn't me. I was just there when it happened or I had read it in a file... It was important that I say the words to Stark so they would go away. Even with the programming gone, I knew it was something I had to do, on my own, say the words. Own it."

"I thought it was the best thing for him to know," Steve said, staring past Bucky toward the lake. "He's a powerful man, his reaction might have…"

"He might try to hurt me? After knowing everything he did about me? That wouldn't have happened. He's not like that," Bucky said. Why was he getting the impression that the Stark Steve was talking about and the Stark that worked so hard trying to fix him were two different people? The Stark who gave that almost lighthearted report a few hours ago...the Stark whose reflection revealed a hidden side? If he was different, then what about this man standing right here before him?

Steve turned around and ran his hands through his hair, staying in that position for a few frozen moments. He took a deep breath before turning back around. "I missed you," he said.

"That's not fair," Bucky said. He picked up another plant so because he needed to do something with his hands to cover up the change from anger to having a regular conversation. "I missed you too…"

"I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you and it will never happen again. Are we good? Can… start over? And trust me next time?"

Bucky let out a sigh. Steve's act of contrition was all he needed "I suppose," he said but a part of him held back. Trust him? If he could just convince myself nothing had changed, maybe I can trust him.

"Good," Steve let out a sigh of his own Tears welled up in his eyes. "When you disappeared, I thought I'd never see you again."

"Hey, it's alright," Bucky said. This was pure Steve, the way he used to be. Holding it in, waiting until everything was over before breaking down. The way he reacted to bullies in the streets of Brooklyn. Fighting back with steel in his eyes then after it was all over and the bully gone, his ill health made it hard for him to breathe. Most people saw the abrasive sometimes rude leader but Bucky knew the real Steve, the guy he knew from Brooklyn still existed deep inside there. He saw enough of these tiny glimpses from time to time, holding out hope that maybe he would eventually come back. Memories of their childhood rushed back, of holding him until he calmed down.

Without hesitation, Bucky threw down the plant and walked over to him, enfolding him in an embrace was automatic. Steve's responded with a fierceness that brought back more old memories and his new arm felt the warmth. This was the same at least. "I thought we'd never be able to make things right… but I'm here now, we're together. It's ok," Bucky said as he pulled himself away. An idea occurred to him right at that moment and he acted on it. "T'Challa 's given you nice accommodations, but you're welcome to stay here, with me. It's not easy but I know you're not afraid of a little hard work. You'd have to put up with some curious kids but they're entertaining, in their way."

"Are you sure?"

"Hey, by staying with me, I mean, sharing accommodations. We don't want a repeat of… Paris." There, he had done it. Brought it up again, but he had to give Steve that assurance in case that made him have second thoughts.

Steve looked almost embarrassed, then gave a small laugh. "Paris," was all he said. "No, not Paris. Not again."

"Which we should have taken a blood oath not to talk about. But now I'm talking about it, which I probably shouldn't. It won't be like that, just so you know, nothing to worry about.." The less said about Paris, the better.

"Sure, yes," Steve said. His eyes were still red but now he was smiling. Bucky felt a great weight lift off him and a return of that familiar welcome rush of affection for Steve. He didn't understand how heavy his angry burden had become. His invitation had a two-fold purpose. He missed Steve and wanted to spend time with him, but he and had an ulterior motive, that thing that haunted him since the battle. This person looked like Steve, acted like Steve but there was that intangible thing that didn't quite ring true. He needed answers.

Actions