Bucky leaned against the locker across from his bunk watching Steve shine his boots. "Hey Rogers, you're friends with that Stark kid, right?"

"Yeah, we grew up together. He's one of my closest friends, why?" Steve dipped the cotton ball into the black polish and swiped it against the heel of his boot.

"Over heard the instructors mentioning something about his dad. Said he was in—"

"Rogers!" The recruits both stood at attention.

"Sir!"

"Get your butt in here." One of the older instructors barked.

Steve rushed to his office and waited at the door before being waved in. "Have a seat. You have a phone call."

Steve scrunched his brow in confusion. The instructor handed him the phone, pressed the hold button and walked out closing the door behind him.

"Hello?"

"Steve?"

"Loki? Hey, what's going on? Someone was talking about Howard earlier. Is everything alright?"

Loki took a deep breath. "Howard died last night in a car accident."

"W-what?" He gasped. "Is—how is Tony?"

"Tony is Tony. He is trying to act like it doesn't faze him, but he is struggling to keep it together." Loki spoke softly. "He doesn't know I called you. I just wanted you to hear it from one of us instead of the news or tabloids. I wasn't even sure if you were allowed to watch TV."

"I'm coming home."

"No, Steve. You will jeopardize your career if you do."

"I don't give a damn, I'm coming home." Steve stood up.

"Steve, please." You may not care but I do and so does Tony, and I know you will in the long run." Loki sighed. "Please stay there."

His lips pressed in a tight line, Steve breathed heavily through his nose. "When is the funeral?"

Loki paused unsure whether or not to tell in.

"Loki—"

"It's in three days. In New York, Green-Woods cemetery."

There was a long silence. "Will you tell Tony I'm sorry?"

"Of course."

"And that I love him."

"Yes, Steven."

"Loki?"

"I love you too. I have to go." He said solemnly.

"Thank you for calling." Steve hung up the phone and stared down at nothing for a moment. There was a knock at the door and the instructor stepped back in. Steve stiffened.

"Everything alright soldier?"

"Yes sir."

The instructor eyeballed Steve; his jaw tight and knuckles white from being clenched too hard. "Not planning on doing anything stupid now are you, son?"

Steve lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. "No, Sir."

The instructor moved from in front of the door. "All right then. Get yourself on out of here."

-xxx-

"You don't have to do this." Steve whispered.

"Bullshit, Rogers. He needs you. Plus, I know you'd the same for me."

"Thanks, Buck. I owe you one."

Bucky gave a lopsided grin. "That is if you don't get court marshalled. All you have to do is make it out the gate. My girls' cousin will be waiting." He gave Steve a pat on the shoulder. "She's a looker, Steve. May get you to where you need to go in more ways than one."

Steve blushed and looked away. "Uh, yeah. Um, 'fraid that's not gonna happen."

"Yeah, I figured." Bucky winked. "I'm not sayin' anything. Not my business."

Steve turned bright red. "How did you know?"

"Not many people would risk jail time and a permanent record for 'just a friend'. Bucky smirked. "So, did you ever check me out in the showers?"

"Bucky!" Steve whispered loudly. "No I—I couldn't, I—"

Bucky snickered softly. "I'm just messing with you, relax. Look, you probably have about twenty minutes before someone starts missing you. Make it count."

They shook hands. "Thanks again Bucky."

"Hey quick questions. Are you with the tall skinny one too?"

He tucks his head down and smiles, bright blue eyes looking up at the soldier. "Yeah, we're all together."

Bucky's smirk grows. "Never would have seen that coming."

-xxx-

By the time they stood at the grave site waiting for the final words to be spoken and the great innovators casket to be lowered into the ground, Loki was annoyed. Annoyed with the paparazzi at the service (they were forbidden from coming to the cemetery), annoyed with the false concern from supposed friends and ass kissers of the late Howard Stark and more than wary of one Obadiah Stane.

The guy was shady as hell. He would be the CEO of Stark Industries until Tony finished college and took the reins. His doting on Tony was a mask of fabricated trepidation. It sickened him. Loki had always had a knack for ferreting out a lie. And this guy was a liar. Underneath it all he could see how the man loathed Tony's very existence. His lover was the only thing standing between him and permanent residence as Stark's headpiece.

Tony couldn't see it. He couldn't see much at this point. Even though he and Howard were never close, he had never stopped seeking his father's approval and the sudden lose hurt him more than he was willing to let on. The fact that he had been in a drunken stupor for the past four days was a testament to that. He hadn't shed a single tear, keeping it locked deep down inside. All Loki could do was stay by his side and guide him through it.

Tony leaned on Loki heavily. He held his hand tightly as the priest spoke words that he assumed were supposed to sooth the broken hearted into believe their relatives are in a better place. He didn't want to be here. All he wanted was another drink to dull the pain. For what? The absentee father that never thought twice about him or that he wouldn't get the chance to show Howard Stark that he was better than him.

He was just so tired of thinking, feeling…being.

Loki squeezed his hand causing him to shift his gaze from the casket to his lovers face. He watched as his expression shifted becoming softer. His lips thinned out and a single tear slipped from the corner of his eye. He followed Loki's stare and gasped.

Across the cemetery was a man swiftly making his way towards them. His gait was sure and his shoulders squared as he strode with a purpose. He wore clothes that were two sizes too big. The baseball cap pulled low. There was a back pack hanging from one shoulder. The man lifted his head and blue eyes peered back at him.

"Steve." Tony whispered, slowly breaking away from Loki and the procession. Once Steve saw him, he began running. He threw his bag down as Tony crashed into him burying his head in the side his neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

Steve braced the back of his head as he held him close. He shushed him, kissing the top of his head. "I'm so sorry Tony." He pet his hair and silently cried with him.

Tony pulled back, watery red eyes looking up at him. "You came." Steve gave a small smile and nodded. Tony punched him in the arm. "You big dumb ass! You're gonna get in trouble." He hugged him hard.

Loki stood a few feet away waiting patiently. His lips pursed as he shook his head. Steve glanced at him and gave him a very disingenuous smile, "Sorry."

Loki rolled his eyes. Steve beckoned him closer. He pulled Loki in close as they held onto Tony. Loki tilted his head to Steve's ear. "Thank you." He held them tighter.

They lowered Howard Stark's body into the ground and finished the closing prayer. The crowd of colleagues and friends soon dissipated, all but one. His gaze was not on the casket of his fallen friend, but on the young men huddled together. He was unsure as to the extent of their relationship. He knew of Tony and the Odinson boy, but the other was a mystery. Narrowing his disapproving gaze, Obadiah Stane scowled at the trio. Especially, the heir to the Stark Empire. He would have to befriend the young Stark to make sure his play for control stayed its course. He had no intention of handing over the reins when Tony graduated. He had come this far, he would not lose what he had worked so hard for. For now, he would let them be. He walked back down the opposite direction to the car waiting for him pondering the best way to win Tony's friendship and oust him from SI legitimately.

"You shouldn't have come." Tony hiccupped into Steve's now damp sweatshirt. "But I'm glad you did."

"So foolish, Steve. You have just risked your entire military career." Loki chastised halfheartedly.

"I know, I don't care. They know where I am if they want to come find me." Steve spoke into Loki's shoulder.

"And what if you get court marshalled for going AWOL, hmm? Then what?"

Steve shrugged. "Then I come back home when they let me out."

Tony looked up at him again. "You are going back tomorrow."

"Do you want me to leave?" Steve spoke sullenly.

"No we want you stay, but you have to go."

"I'll leave in two days."

"Fair enough."

"You are a stubborn ass Steve Rogers." Loki muttered.

"I learned from one of the best."

"Can we go back to the Tower now?" Loki nodded and they separated. "I don't want to be around anymore of these suck ups and their false sincerity."

AN: Ok, had to break this chapter up..it was waaaay to long. Take care..besitos!