"Captain Latveria"

Steve observed the ravaged land before him, unashamed of the tears on his cheeks. Lives ruined because of Ultron. Pietro, only a boy, now lying dead and leaving a heartbroken sister behind. It wasn't fair.

"Such a terrible pity."

"Yeah," he agreed absently. "I wish we could've done more."

When there was no reply, he frowned, and turned to face whoever had spoken to him. He startled back when he recognised the figure… and the mask.

"As ruler of one of Sokovia's neighbouring countries, I must thank you for your timely assistance," Baron von Doom said.

"You're… you're Victor von Doom," Steve said. He felt stupid for saying this, but his brain was only just catching up.

"And you are Steve Rogers, Captain America. And my soulmate, I think?"

"I said your words," Steve said. It was half a question.

"You did."

Against his better judgement, he stumbled forward, tugging at his utility belt. He pried it off and parted the front of his uniform, displaying his mark. It probably wasn't the best time or place, but he never thought he'd have a soulmate. Not until he emerged from the ice and found the writing scrawled across his abdomen.

"This your writing?" he asked, part nervous, part excited, all hopeful. Was the wait finally over? Doom ran a thumb over the mark, and Steve shivered at the resulting buzz under his skin.

"Yes," he said, even though it was unnecessary. He pulled up his sleeve, and Steve exhaled in a rush when he saw 'Yeah, I wish we could've done more' in his own handwriting. He reached out to touch, only to pull back at the last moment, recalling his gloves.

"I can't believe it," he murmured.

"Because we are men, or because you are Captain America?"

"Because we're on opposite sides," Steve said. "You're a dictator, and you've tried to take over the world a couple of times, from what I hear."

"You'd fight me, wouldn't you?" Doom said, looking him over. "And yet we're soulmates."

"That's what I'm having trouble swallowing."

"Is that the only thing you would have trouble swallowing?"

He couldn't see Doom's face, but he could hear the smile. Steve smirked.

"Well, I couldn't say," he drawled. "Wouldn't you be a better authority on what I'd be workin' with?"

Doom snorted, and Steve chuckled to himself. He rubbed his warm cheeks, smearing the moisture. Doom moved closer and laid a hand on Steve's shoulder.

"Come and sit down," he said. "You must be tired."

"You have no idea," Steve said. He looked back over towards the Helicarrier, where SHIELD agents – he assumed – were taking people's details. Sadness welled up inside him again when he remembered what they lost. Who they lost. He allowed his soulmate to lead him to a bench nearby, noticing a Latverian helicopter in the distance. He sank onto the cold stone, rested his elbows on his knees, and buried his face in his hands. He wished Sam was there. He wished Bucky was there. He wished he knew where Bucky even was. Warmth surrounded him, and he realised that Doom had put his cloak around Steve's shoulders.

"Do you wish me to—"

Steve's cell phone rang, cutting Doom off. With an apologetic smile, Steve answered.

"Rogers," he said.

"Where are you?"

"Hi, Clint. How's Wanda?"

"How do you think? Look, we're all heading back to the States soon. Fury's giving us a ride. Iron Man and War Machine are travelling by suit, so you don't have to talk to Stark if you don't want to."

"Good, `cause I don't," Steve said. "Not until I know I'm not gonna punch his head off. Still too soon."

"Right. So are you coming?"

He glanced at Doom, who was watching. "Gimme a few minutes. I'm not ready yet."

"Roger that, Cap."

Steve tucked his phone away again, maintaining eye contact with Doom.

"What were you gonna say?" he asked.

"I was going to offer you a place in my country," Doom replied. "Do you wish to come home with me?"

He wanted to say yes, but he'd heard too much about the man. Besides, Steve was Captain America, not Captain Latveria. He had to find Bucky, and he had a home. He had a place with the Avengers, and now it seemed that SHIELD had started up again, so once he'd found Bucky he'd be investigating that next. He sure as hell wasn't likely to get any straight answers from Fury. (Did he ever?)

"I… I can't," Steve said. "My team needs me. And you're… Doctor Doom. You've worked with von Strucker, with HYDRA—"

"Never HYDRA," Doom said sternly. "I would never work with them, nor would I work for them."

"Oh." That was good, but… "You're still the bad guy."

"I have been far too busy making Latveria a great country again. Reed Richards really must learn to put the past behind him." Doom stood without warning, and Steve nearly jumped. "Please learn more about me. And remember, Steven Rogers, you will always have a place with your soulmate."

He turned to Steve, and then removed his mask. He wasn't disfigured like the others said, but he did have his fair share of facial scars. Steve would look much the same if he didn't have his super-healing. Still, it was the face of a man who'd fought in battle, the kind of man Steve could respect if he'd fought on the right side. He looked like a leader, more than baby-faced Captain America did.

"Is that a promise?" Steve asked, holding out his hand.

Doom tucked his mask under his arm and shook on it, nodding. With his free hand, he cupped the back of Steve's head, stroking the fine hairs at the base of his skull. It sent tingles down his spine again, and Steve licked his lips absently. Something triggered Doom into leaning down, although he waited for permission. Steve wrapped his own free hand around the back of Doom's neck and tugged him in, breath catching in his throat as their lips met. He opened up, and his heart thudded rapidly as Doom's tongue twined around his own. Steve rose from the bench, trying to get closer, and felt himself getting hard where he was pressed against his soulmate. He scrunched his fingers in the front of Doom's shirt, only pulling back when he felt the buzz of his phone again.

"Goddamnit, Hawkeye," he said, checking the screen. He regretfully passed the cloak back to Doom while he answered. "I'm coming, I'm coming. Keep ya pants on."

"Do you wanna still be here when the press arrive?" Clint said.

Considering the state he was in, Steve definitely didn't want that. "No."

"Then hurry up, captain!" This time it was Hawkeye who hung up first. Steve's heart sank as he returned his phone to his pocket.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

"Reconsider whenever you wish, Captain Rogers," Doom said, replacing his mask.

"No," Steve said. "Call me Steve. Please."

Doom inclined his head. "I will avoid any attacks on America in the future. I would hate to have to fight my soulmate."

"Me too." He itched to reach out – still had those gloves on! – but the next person to call would probably be Natasha, which he wanted to avoid. "I'll see you around again… maybe… I hope?"

"Tell me if ever you need help. And call me Victor."

Steve watched as his soulmate retreated, presumably to get ready for some European leader press conference. He picked up his shield, and then ran all the way back to the Helicarrier. As good a cover as any for the red cheeks and unruly hair.

And Pietro's death was as good a cover for any new tears.

Months later

K-THUNK!

Tony's head jerked up, and he noticed the shield embedded deep into the opposite wall of the workshop. He turned his head slowly and glared over his shoulder.

"You're getting that out," he said.

"No, I'm not," Steve said, his arms crossed and feet shoulder-width apart where he stood in the doorway. "Y'know, I really tried to see your side. Hearing the kinda man Howard became I almost felt sorry for you. I still remembered a brave man, and I even thought you were brave after you proved yourself. But you're a great one for forgetting what it's like for people who weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouth. You've been responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people. I know it was partly Howard's fault for getting into weapons production in the first place, but there was a war on. And you got outta v'it, at least until you built Ultron."

"Here we go again," Tony muttered.

"But you don't care about ruining the lives of superheroes who don't have your resources," he continued. "Superheroes who have families, like Clint and Scott. I honestly have no idea why Natasha is on your side. But all this because the public's out for blood."

"Hey, I'm the highest profile superhero there is! I'm the one they try to get blood out of when buildings go boom!"

"No, they try to get money, which you have plenty of," Steve said. "Do what other people do, and set up funds to rebuild after supervillains try to destroy the world. People like Sam and Wanda shouldn't have to pay for the damage caused while trying to save lives. You don't have children to consider. You don't have to rely on government benefits to get by. You weren't brainwashed and mind-wiped for seven decades."

"As always, it comes back to Barnes," Tony said, dropping his screwdriver onto the bench. "Jesus, why don't you just marry the guy? Anyone would think you were soulmates."

"Platonic soulmates, yes." What? "Didn't you know? Oh, that wasn't in the history books, was it? Buck and I are platonic soulmates, and I'm getting him the hell out of America before you and the government get your claws into him."

"Where will you go?" Tony asked.

"To my soulmate," Steve said. "My non-platonic soulmate, that is. So you see, I have no need of that, or this." He indicated a large plastic bag at his feet. Tony could see what looked like the Captain America suit. "I'm thinking of taking up a new identity. Of course, it'll be even less secret, but then I'm ready to make a statement."

"You'll never be able to leave the country—"

"Special dispensation for soulmates and diplomatic immunity. Got immunity for all my friends, in fact. And no, that list does not include you. I don't think it ever really has. Not for me. We're too… different." Something like regret passed over his face, Tony thought. "I'm sorry for it. At least I'll be able to escape the red, white, and blue colour scheme for awhile. I was getting sick of it. It'll be nice to go green."

"Who's your soulmate?" Tony said as Steve stepped out the door.

"You're welcome to the shield, if you think you're worthy enough to wield it," Steve said. "As for my soulmate… you'll find out. It'll be all over the news by nightfall."

He stalked away, and Tony turned back to the project he'd been working on. He stared at the screwdriver, trying to remember what it was for. In the end, there was only one thing to do.

Call Pepper.

"What is it, Tony?" she asked, sounding irritated.

"Steve's gone," he said.

"What?"

"He left behind his shield and his uniform. Told me he's moving overseas. Said he's moving in with his soulmate, or some shit like that."

"Tony!"

"What? He's never mentioned soulmateship before, and suddenly he's telling me that Barnes is his platonic soulmate and that his non-platonic lives… I don't even know where! He even wrangled diplomatic immunity somehow. Can you find out, Pep?"

"Wha… no, I can't and I won't, Tony! Steve is his own person. If you compromised over the registration act, or gave up the whole idea altogether, this wouldn't have happened."

"And now you're on my case. Why am I even surprised? Clearly the only woman I can trust is Natasha, and she stabbed me in the neck once."

"…You can trust me, Tony, but I'm not sure whether I can trust you. I don't know whether you even know what you're doing. Don't call me again unless it's an emergency. If Steve really has met his soulmate, he's within his right to emigrate to be closer to them."

"He wouldn't give me their name."

"Leave it, Tony!" she snapped. "Only. Call. If it's. An emergency."

She hung up, and Tony wished he'd called her on a phone so that he could smash it on the ground. Destructive, but satisfying. Instead, he had to put up with FRIDAY ending the call.

"FRIDAY?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Track the news. As soon as it's announced who Captain America… who Steve's soulmate is, let me know."

"Yes, sir."

Steve had read everything he could on his soulmate, as well as everything on the history of Latveria. He read authorised and unauthorised biographies, scrolled through social media, watched videos, even called the Fantastic Four in hopes of getting some idea of what he'd been like at college.

It helped him understand and appreciate his soulmate some more. He noticed that after Ultron, Latveria employed fewer androids. Steve wasn't sure whether it was because of the swarm in Sokovia, but he liked to think that maybe his distress had touched his soulmate. Stupid thought, but it comforted him whenever he recalled that kiss, and tried to imagine what might've been.

Then the superhero registration act cropped up, just after he'd finally been reunited with Bucky. He regretted Sam and Bucky meeting when they started swapping stories about his 'near-suicidal acts of bravery', as Sam put it. Scott enjoyed listening to it a little too much as he gently worked on Bucky's arm.

"You're sure about this?" Bucky asked, sitting beside him in the VIP section of Doom… of Victor's private jet. "I know you'll miss the others."

"You'll be safer away from there, and I… I wanna see my other soulmate again. I can't look at Tony without wantin' to punch him in the face, and that could kill him."

"No more'n he deserves."

"That's not fair!" Steve said. "He's tryin' t' do good. But he lost any sympathy I might've had when he went after you. If you did kill Howard and Maria, it wasn't your fault. HYDRA was at the wheel, pullin' the trigger—"

"Mixin' your metaphors there, Stevie."

He gave Bucky a withering look. "I know what I'm doing, okay? This isn't just about keeping you safe, or about flipping the American government the bird. This is about following Fate's plan for me, whatever it is. If I can stop any villainy on my soulmate's part, I will. Maybe I can be Captain Latveria?"

"Will you wear tights?" Bucky said.

"Jerk."

Steve couldn't really regret bringing Bucky, though. Not even when he was introducing his two soulmates, and Bucky embarrassed him within thirty seconds.

"You're Victor, right?" Bucky said, shaking Victor's hand enthusiastically.

"Yes."

"Stevie hadn't told me your first name. I just figured that was it considerin' that when we were on the run, I heard him sayin' your name while he was asleep."

Victor hummed. "Really?"

"More like moanin' it. You must've made a real good first impression on him."

"Bucky!" Steve hissed, mortified. He dreamed about Victor sometimes, but he had no idea he actually verbalised anything. Bucky's grin was all too shit-eating.

"I think we're going to get along very well," Victor said, and he clapped Bucky on the shoulder. "Let me give you both the grand tour of Castle Doom."

"No one could ever guess your last name from all the places called Doom-something," Bucky said. Steve face-palmed, and Victor laughed.

"No one else has done as much for Latveria as I," he said. "The people those places were named after were not fit to call themselves rulers."

"Ruler, huh?" Bucky glanced at Steve slyly. "Trust you to get a king for a soulmate."

"Hey!" Steve protested. "He's a doctor, too, y'know."

"Medical doctor? `Cause that would've been appropriate once upon a time."

"Bucky—"

"Listen," he said. "Why don't-cha drop me off at my room? I can unpack; you an' Steve can get reacquainted, which I know he's dyin' to do. If you've got a map for this place I can get food later, if you're still busy gettin' reacquainted." He waggled his eyebrows.

"That is entirely up to Steve," Victor said.

"I'm sure something's up—"

"Yeah, let's get Bucky to his bedroom," Steve said loudly, glaring at his so-called best friend.

"His quarters are right this way," Victor said.

"Quarters?" Bucky said, trotting beside him as Victor led them upstairs.

"A bedroom with fully-equipped en suite, a private study, and a lounge with adjoined kitchenette. The refrigerator and pantry are small, but well stocked with the freshest Latverian produce. If you do not see us until the morning…" He glanced at Steve, who felt his cheeks heat up. "You should be fine. Good night, and sleep well."

"Night," Bucky said, entering the door Victor indicated. Steve straightened his spine, hoping that no one had noticed his trembling legs. On a whim, he grabbed Victor's hand as they walked down the corridor, and entwined their fingers together. It occurred to him that this was the first time they'd touched since meeting in Sokovia, and his heart sped up. He was sure his hand was growing clammy, but Victor didn't comment on it.

"Do not feel pressured, Steve," he said as they arrived at an ornate door. "I have other guest quarters, all with fireplaces in case it gets cold."

"Yeah, we've both got a thing about the cold," Steve confessed.

"I can imagine."

"…I know what I want. I wanna get to know my soulmate." He faced Victor. "If you want, we can wait to bond. But I don't wanna wait another night before I at least get to kiss you again. Don't make me wait for that. Please?"

Victor twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. He gestured Steve to enter first, and followed behind him. When Steve turned to watch him close the door, he found himself being pressed up against it, Victor unmasked again, and happily submitted to one hell of an intense kiss. He tried to press into the contact, and it registered that Victor had a steel-tight hold on his wrists.

"Shit," he whispered against Victor's mouth. "How strong are you?"

"I can crush diamonds."

Steve whimpered. Hot damn.

"When can we bond?" he said. "Victor?"

"Let's talk first—"

"But we can bond, one day?"

Victor brushed their lips together. "Perhaps tonight, if you behave yourself."

"I'll be on my best behaviour," Steve promised.

The news was playing the umpteenth repeat of the short press conference Doom had held to announce that Steve was his soulmate. Bucky smirked, hoping that Stark and the government were regretting their actions. They'd lost their historical icon and his side-kick in one fell swoop.

He was worried about the people they'd left behind. The Barton kids were home-schooled or something for safety reasons, so Clint and his family would probably visit sometime, and Scott wanted to spend more time with his daughter now that he was out of prison. Wanda didn't want to return to Europe so soon, especially since she and the Vision were developing a relationship. Or had been, before the act. Sam had his work, although he had a standing invitation to come to Latveria as well.

"You go, punk," he said, studying the way Steve kept stealing looks at Victor. His feelings were painfully obvious to anyone with half a brain, and God knows Bucky's mind had been messed around with enough.

Briefly, he wondered when he'd find his soulmate, or whether he'd already found and lost them. Fucking HYDRA screwing with him.

Come to think of it, did he even have a mark other than Steve's? He didn't before he fell from the train, but Steve got one after he came outta the ice. Bucky wandered into the bedroom and found the full-length mirror. He stripped off his shirt and turned around, checking every inch of his upper body.

Nothing. Maybe he didn't have a soul? Maybe HYDRA found his soulmark and burned or cut it off?

Bucky had already kicked off his shoes and socks, Steve's words still inscribed on the sole of his left foot, indicating a platonic relationship. He thumbed open the button on his jeans, lowered the zipper, and pushed down. He left his underpants on, and turned around again. This time, he saw words. A mark! He backed up to the mirror, trying to get a better look at the lines scrawled on the back of his right thigh. Bit of a weird place, but it meant that there was someone out there for him. He had a soulmate.

Since it was still hard to read the words at a distance, and reflected by the mirror, he grabbed his phone and took a picture instead. He perched on the edge of the bed – a comfy one, by the feel of it – and played with the picture to clear it up. Once he read the words, he recognised them.

He'd… he'd heard them. Hadn't he?

'Let's take a look at you. Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you. Calm down.'

A scene flashed before him. Yeah, he had heard them recently. He quickly scrolled through the list of contacts on his new phone, down the code names they'd established when sides formed. He nearly hit the wrong name, his hands were shaking so much.

"This is Formicidae," Scott said.

"Did I say your words?" Bucky blurted out. Smooth. There was silence for half a moment, and his worry increased.

"Yeah," Scott finally said. "I guess you were kinda out of it, weren't you?"

"I didn't know I had a soulmark. A-a non-platonic one. I didn't see it until tonight. Hang on, lemme send the picture." He hung up, before realising that that was rude. Too late, though. He figured out how to send the image, and waited tentatively for a reply. It came in the form of a picture from Scott, 'What're you gonna do to me?' in Bucky's writing. He almost leapt out of his skin when his phone rang, and he swiftly answered it.

"Nice to have the confirmation," Scott said.

"Yeah," Bucky agreed. "I'm sorry I didn't know."

"I didn't wanna mention it. It's not the first time I've heard those words before, and I didn't think… but I'm glad it's you. Don't get me wrong. You were always my favourite Howling Commando, y'know. Don't tell Steve; he's a great guy, and I wouldn't wanna hurt his feelings."

"Aw, aren't you sweet," Bucky said, and he reclined back on his bed. "I guess… this is complicated, isn't it? You've got family in the States, and I'm a wanted man there. Wanted pretty much everywhere."

"The only safe place for you right now is with Steve and his soulmate," Scott said. "Don't risk your life for me. I'll join you when I can… if you want me to?"

"Yes! Yes, please. I'm sure Doom will be happy to send a jet for you. You can bring your daughter. He's got heaps of guest rooms here. Would she like to visit a castle?"

"Are you kidding? I don't think she'd ever forgive me if I went to a real life castle without her."

"Would she… like me?"

"She'd love you."

"Would you?"

He feared he'd pushed it for a second there, but he was soon set at ease.

"What makes you think I didn't grow up with a boy-crush on you?" Scott said.

"Oh." Bucky was pretty sure he was blushing. He heard someone in the background call out to Scott; it sounded like Clint's wife. "I hope I get to see you real soon."

"You can count on it," Scott said. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For trusting me. With everything, but especially with this."

"I didn't give myself a chance to think twice," Bucky said. "I hate that we have to keep this quiet when we're in so much danger… damn it, I don't know how long I wanna have to wait to see you."

"I know what you mean," Scott said. "Look, I have to go now. Lunch is ready."

"Forgot about the time difference."

"Can I tell Clint?"

"Yeah. Yeah, of course. I'll be tellin' Steve and Doom tomorrow. But Clint should definitely know. And, uh… I'll be thinkin' about you. When I go to bed tonight. Probably think about you every second I'm awake."

Scott laughed softly. "I thought it was intense when I met Maggie, and she was only my platonic soulmate. Cassie came about because Maggie felt her biological clock ticking, and didn't want to end up like her parents, being so much older. She's still young, so maybe her fiancé… Anyway, I've gotta run before Laura sends one of the kids up to me."

"See you sometime soon, Scott," Bucky said. He bit his tongue before he could blurt out anything inappropriate or desperate.

"The sooner the better, Bucky. Stay safe."

"You, too."

Steve felt uncomfortable. He wasn't used to being served food someplace other than a diner, and for free. Also, Victor had been especially vigorous that morning, so until Steve's healing factor kicked in he was squirming in place, grateful for the padding on the chairs. Bucky was shooting him knowing looks.

"I didn't realise I'd met my soulmate," he eventually said. Fortunately Steve wasn't eating or drinking at the time. He dropped his knife and fork, though, and stared at his friend.

"When?" he asked.

"…It's Scott. I didn't see my soulmark until last night. I called him, so would it be okay… when he's able to… to bring his daughter out here?" He glanced at Victor, who nodded as he chewed. "Thanks. Apparently she'd love to see a real castle."

"There's a hidden staircase leading to one of the towers near the living quarters," Victor said. "I will arrange for them to be inspected, and if they are safe I will have them furnished for her to stay whenever she wishes."

Steve gazed at his soulmate. "I love you," he said dreamily.

Yes, I know I promised a happier chapter, maybe femme-slash. But then I couldn't get this idea out of my mind, and Mum and I watched episodes seven and eight of 'AoS' season three today. So I'm terribly worried about the escalating angst there, which makes writing fluff difficult.

This didn't start out as promising as the previous chapter, but it had a much happier ending, didn't it?

Please review!