Chapter Text
"Hey, buck. Do me a favor and toss me that wrench." Tony waved a hand toward the general direction of his tool box while he kept his face stuck to the bot in front of him.
He felt a heavy weight be placed in hand "You do know you have more then one of those, so I picked one at random." A featherlight kiss was placed on top of his head, making him grin.
"I know, you have a knack for picking which one I need way better than Dummy or U." Tony glanced at the wrench making sure it was the right one.
"I think you just keep the one you want on top so I feel useful." Tony loved this side of Bucky, he became more playful over the months since the Stane incident.
"Hm, you have quite a few uses. Picking the right wrench or tool I need just happened to be one of them." The genius went back to Butterfingers in front of him, tightening the bolts that were to loose they were causing a rattling in Butterfingers. Tony thought he probably loosened them when he was wheeling around the workshop and banged into something.
"Sir, your guests are arriving." Jarvis voice interrupted anything Bucky was going to say back, he didn't have to look up to see any trace of a smile was gone and he had that look of focus when he was on a job.
"Lead them to the front room, and tell them we will be joining them shortly. Thanks J." Tony finished up the work in front of him, adding a few things so it was less likely of them coming loose when he ran around. He patted the bot and turned to the other. "If you want to hang back you can, I can handle them for awhile."
"No, they'll want to meet the full unit to assess us." Bucky handed him a rag to clean his hands off because Tony always managed to get grease on him no letter what he was working on.
"And you know I don't like being assessed in any terms." Tony patted his jeans before standing "Let's go say hello to our lovely guest." Tony put on his showman smile and headed to the elevator, Bucky close behind him. Before they reached the floor Tony grabbed Bucky's hand "Do you want to play this like we always do? Cold and assessing?" Buck looked at him already falling into that mindset "Alright, let's see what they'll think." Tony let go of his hand.
The howling commandos were making themselves comfortable when the two walked in, three crammed onto a couch and were bickering over something. Tony was only slightly surprised to see Natasha sitting on the arm of the couch, the rest were sitting a bit too stiffly. The Mechanic was already picking up on weaknesses and what they're strong suits were just from the display here, they obviously didn't think too much on this meeting if they were messing around.
"Well I see you're making yourselves at home." Tony smiled and stood a little bit in front of his Soldier taking most of the attention of the room.
"Your voice from the ceiling said that we could and honestly these couches were too good to pass up on." Sam Wilson aka Falcon spoke up, the man was a good sniper and even better at recon. He elbowed the man next to him to get more room, they sat at attention as soon as Tony spoke.
"That's Jarvis, he's a computer system who controls the house, so put the glass back Barton." The thief looked surprised at getting caught, Clint Barton aka Hawkeye another sniper maybe better than Bucky was, he was a thief who was raised in a circus.
"I thought I said no stealing." Steve's voice was all authority, at least he was taking this seriously. Steve Rogers aka The Captain great tactician, leader of the Howling commandos, and could be one of the best hand-to-hand combatants anyone will ever meet.
"Yea, especially from a man who has an AI system that is nearly thief proof." Tony crossed his arms, this was ridiculous. "I'm going to suggest we take this to the conference room."
"He has a conference room in his house, weird." Clint said in an almost whisper which was rewarded with a hit to the back of the head. Tony turned and gestured them to follow, Bucky stuck close to The Mechanic no need to draw attention to himself when playing the businessman was Tony's strong suit.
The commandos followed still goofing around, if The Soldier didn't know how deadly efficient they all were he would think they were a bunch of punks who were trying to fit in with the other crews, but this was one of their own tactics play the goofball so that their enemy's underestimated them. It was as good as Tony and his tactic. They filed in the room Tony took the head of the table, the ‘place of power’ Bucky stood at his shoulder both watched where and how the commandos sat. Bucky gave Tony a look, trying to express the need that they couldn't even for a moment lose the coldness since Natasha has been thrown into this mix. Tony gave a barely there nod understanding.
Steve sat on Tony's right and Sam was next to him. Natasha and Clint took the seats to Tony's left, next was Thor Odinson no codename he was from a family in the baltic states probably with the commandos for his own interest him as well as his brother, Loki Odinson, who sat across from Thor. There was some discord there, it was obvious but a chance for reconcile since they sat across from one another.
"I do hope these chairs are just as nice as my couches." Tony smiled widely, focusing on Sam for a moment.
Steve looked at Bucky for a few moments, Bucky held his gaze giving nothing away. Steve broke the staring first turning his eyes on Tony "Why did you contact us?" Steve probably already knew if not from Natasha then he learned himself, he was not one to walking in on a meeting blind especially with two of the best assassins even he saw one of them as his lost best friend.
Tony leaned back in his seat giving off an air of arrogance and confidence, it made Steve clench his hand it was obvious from the way he sat he already had a very low opinion of Tony. "I'm sure you heard about the incident about what?" He looked up catching The Soldiers eyes for a moment before looking back at Steve "three months ago? Right Soldier?" Tony this time turned to look at Bucky a cold smile playing at his lips, all part of the game, Bucky met his gaze coolly giving a short nod. He saw Steve clench his jaw, anger, anger was good made people lose their focus on their objective. The Mechanic turned back to the table. "With the group Ironmonger, I believe, well before Mr. Stane met his unfortunate end he said a very interesting fact."
This had the group sit straighter "You took out that group? By yourself?" Thor's voice definitely fit his look, it was loud and deep.
"With the help of this one." Tony tilted his head toward Bucky "We left a few who could spread the story." Tony once again had that slow smile as if he enjoyed the news, he'd rather all of them dead but they didn't have the time to track each person down.
"You said Stane, your family friend? He was a part of this group and I'm assuming you killed him." Natasha looked calm, but she was collecting every bit of information they allowed her to maybe even a bit more.
"One and the same, I don't like being sold out miss Romanov. He was in charge of that little ragtag group." Tony made a show of clenching his hand, it was probably to keep his hand away from the scar on his chest. "The Soldier and I had a run in with this very group a couple years back seems Mr. Stane escaped our massacre then."
"Then why call us in," Steve gestured to his group "If you already have the situation handled?"
"Because Mr. Rogers," Tony turned his gaze on Steve, "Ironmonger was a small part of something much bigger."
"Which is what?" Sam spoke up looking in between the Steve, Tony and Bucky.
"Hydra, as I stated before I don't like being sold out and I don't like having a target on my back." Barton snorted at that drawing the eyes of the room.
"You're a Stark, you've had a target and price on your head since before you were born." Clint put his feet up on the table "Why should we care what happens to you, the reason we came here is because Bucky gave us a call."
"I haven't had an attempt on my life for many years Mr. Barton, would you like to know why?" He rose an eyebrow "Because any who did were sent back in pieces, some weren't even allowed to be in pieces when I was done with them. You came here for your lost little lamb, but The Soldier will not be joining you so get that thought out of your head right now." He met each of the commandos eyes.
"See, that's the thing. You treat him like an object, how are you different then Hydra?" Natasha asked, cutting off the captain who had opened his mouth, probably to yell at Tony.
"I'm better looking? I'm smarter than any of them could ever hope to be?" The arrogance was back.
"Stark is not like Hydra, I can you tell you from experience. We don't get along that is true but he's not like them." Bucky spoke up, eyes snapped to him "We could probably take down Hydra ourselves."
"Think highly of yourselves do you?" Clint rolled his eyes
"We are the best in the business so yes we do. I'm not taking the chance of dying against the people who tortured me." Bucky nearly stepped forward almost losing his mask.
"Enough Soldier." Tony's voice was harsh and it shook Bucky back to himself. "We are the best at what we do, but from what I've read, seen and heard. It wouldn't hurt to have the howling Commandos on our side. If this was an in and out job, Hydra would be underneath our boots and screaming for mercy but nothing is that easy."
Steve looked at Tony, he was assessing the risk of a partnership between a group of hired guns and assassins who weren't known for playing nice with each other. "What would we get out of this?"
"You would be getting more territory for one, two nobody likes Hydra they're assholes who take and kill as they see fit, though I doubt I need to tell you that dear captain." The genius gave a pointed glance towards Bucky. "Im also willing to pay for any expenses needed for this excursion and provide you weapons."
"Aren't you out of the weapons business?"
"I am, but I'm not selling I'm giving after that I'll only build what The Soldier and I need to get our jobs done."
"Seems a little hypocritical."
"Starks are rarely ever straight forward with what that want." Clint crossed his arms and glared at Tony.
"Met many Starks have we Mr. Barton?" Tony was met with silence "You will find I am not like Howard," Tony looked at his watch "I have a another meeting in an hour." He was met with more glares "This is Stark industry business, I haven't contacted any other groups." Tony sighed and leaned back "You have until tomorrow to decide." The genius stood and walked to the doors "And Captain if Hydra is not dealt with, you can rest assured they will take out any competition; and you would be high on that list, I'm certain. Ask Jarvis to show you the way out." Tony left the room, Bucky moving to follow.
"Bucky wait." Steve called out, he could hear shuffling behind him which signaled the Commandos were taking the dismission. Bucky tilted his head but did not turn. "I don't trust Stark, but I do trust you." He shouldn't, he was no longer the man Steve use to know. "Do you think we should help him?”
Bucky turned to face the blond "The Mechanic is rarely wrong about what gangs or people will do."
"That wasn't what I asked."
"Hydra shouldn't be allowed to roam free, Stark wants to show them that they don't have as much free reign as they believe. If I didn't agree with what The Mechanic did, he would have a bullet in his head."
"Stark doesn't seem that much better than the ones he wants us to fight." Sam stepped beside Steve
"Then you don't know Hydra, count yourself lucky because I do." Bucky took steps forward making Sam step back "They aren't type the kill you, they will torture you, break you until everything you were is gone. And when you think it can't get worse they'll prove it can. So yes Stark is better than Hydra. Help don't help, I couldn't care less. It was his idea to call you." Bucky shrugged and followed after his Mechanic.
Jarvis told him Tony was in his room getting ready for the meeting he really did have in an hour. "What do you think?" Tony said when Bucky stepped into the bedroom.
"I think they are necessary. We are good, but how long until someone figures us out and come hunting for Tony Stark or your business?" Bucky stepped behind the genius, pulling him against him and resting his chin on his shoulder watching him through the mirror in front of them.
"That's not what I was asking and you know it." Tony glanced at him as he finished tying his tie.
"They will work with us, I'm sure about that. Whether it's because they think they can whisk me away or they think Hydra is a serious threat, waits to be seen." The Soldier sighed, turning his head into Tony's neck.
The Mechanic placed a hand on Bucky's head "You won't go where I can't follow?" It was probably meant to be a statement, but it came out as question.
"I won't, I'm not the man Steve use to know I don't fit in their group anymore." He gently kissed Tony's neck above his collar "I fit in right here."
"Should we keep this up? Playing aloof? They might sniff us out, Clint acts oblivious but he seems the type to be like Natasha and so does that Loki, he didn't say a word the whole meeting just watched."
"If we started acting like we are right now, they would find it suspicious. They probably think you are my handler of sorts. We will have to watch every step we make if you move them here. Which I'm sure you are planning to." Bucky looked at the mirror to catch his Mechanic's eyes.
"You're probably right, we will play for now see what they'll do. If they do try killing me to steal you away," Bucky's arms tightened around him at that "I know, but if they do Buck I won't hesitate."
"Neither will I." Bucky sighed and backed away from the other, moving to sit on the bed. He fidgeted for a few seconds before settling on something in his mind, but as he opened his mouth Jarvis spoke up.
"Sir, Happy is waiting outside and your guest have placed a few bugs in the house. Shall I remove them?"
"No, keep them. When I see them I'll mention it." Tony put on his suit jacket, straightening it. He turned to the soldier holding his arms out, he got a nod in return good enough for him. "J, I want every bit of information on the Howling Commandos, operations, contacts,meeting points, strengths, weakness everything." He walked over to Buck kissing him before walking out the door. "There is a vantage point on the building next to my meeting, if you plan on tagging along." He threw a soft smile at Bucky as he walked out, leaving him to throw on civilian clothes and camp out in the building across from Tony's meeting.
"You know for a guy who doesn't like Stark, you sure do protect him an awful lot." A voice came from the corner of the room, The Soldier was quick to pull out his gun and aim it at the intruder. "And Stark seems to always allow you to have a vantage point, odd isn't?" Natasha said as she stepped further into the room not looking worried about the gun trained on her.
"Explain." Bucky said lowly not dropping the gun, he had shot her once and she probably would love to do the same, he also didn't trust people from Shield.
"I think you and Stark are more buddy buddy than you let on." Bucky stopped her with a growl, not what he wanted. He sometimes forgot people can't read him like Tony.
"Not what I wanted to know, explain why you are here." Bucky stared coldly at the redhead
"Why don't you put the gun down then we talk." Her voice became slightly sweeter, she was trying to manipulate him.
"Not an option."
She stared at him for a moment, maybe she was surprised he didn't go along with what she wanted but Bucky didn't care she was dangerous. "Fine, I wanted to talk about a few things." She sat down on one of the chairs in the room seemingly at ease, but Bucky read the tension in her shoulders she was ready to protect herself at a moment's notice.
"Speak." He would have to watch what he said and how he said it around her, she was a good covert agent.
"You and Stark have an odd relationship." She tilted her head as if confused "You act like his protector and he treats you like a weapon."
"The Mechanic and I have an agreement."
"Which is?"
"None of your concerns Widow." He glared at her, the agreement was to use their tactics to their advantage whenever they could even at the cost of each others name and to go where the other could follow. Which meant leaving clues to lead one to the other when separated.
"Oh I think it is, see Steve wants nothing more than to storm Stark's house and steal you away." She seemed to read the tightness that he showed "I told him that was a bad idea, even if Stark wasn't one of the best assassins we would also have to deal with his AI and the fact that Stark doesn't like to lose his stuff."
"This is irrelevant information." She was toying with him perhaps? Try to get him to drop something, he didn't have the pieces so he couldn't say.
"Steve is going to agree to work with Stark, but told me to gather any information I could about the past four years. There is very little data about it though." She looked thoughtful
"Stark doesn't want evidence that he is a killer, could ruin his career." It was a partial truth, they both wanted to hide their work the less people that knew their faces the better.
"That's what I thought, but if that's true then why erase you? You no longer exist within Hydra's archives, you barely exist outside Hydra."
"Part of our agreement." He offered gruffly, he would have relay all this to Tony later to warn him that they were sniffing them out earlier then they would've liked. "If that is all, then leave." He motioned to the door.
"Why protect him? He's capable on his own, why?" She stood but made no move to leave.
"He's a valuable asset, he dies our agreement is null. I need him alive."
"I doubt that, you do need him but I think Stark would make plans for you if you died that's the kind of man he is." She waved her hand as if this was a trivial matter "I think you know that though. I think you’ve grown attached."
"I do form attachments, they are weaknesses." He glared at her now.
"That's true, but he's special isn't he? I think he's grown attached to you as well, you two either play a very convincing act or you don't want the other knowing." She tapped her mouth, this conversation was going south to fast for Bucky’s liking.
"There is no act, Stark is a means to an end. As I am to him, we are a necessary evil to each other." There was expression that crossed her face, but Bucky couldn't read it.
"I think you mean that. Tell me would you kill stark?" Bucky nodded "And you would kill for him?"
"No, but as I said he is necessary. I need him living."
"You've said that, but why?"
"Leave, I've shot you once and I will again."
"Steve will try to take you from Stark, I don't think it'll work, but he'll try. You mean a lot to Steve and he doesn't want to let go, at least consider leaving Stark you are a person with choices." That was genuine pain, she couldn't fake that, but why? Did she feel sorry for him? Or maybe she sympathized with him?
"I've made my choice, I will not be going back to Steve or his group. You tell him that, I know I have choices and I'm choosing to stay with Stark." She looked conflicted, like she wanted to say more but she kept her mouth closed and walked to the door.
"You don't have to be treated like a weapon, you don't deserve that." Were her parting words. Bucky waited until he could no longer hear Natasha's footsteps to put his gun up. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, Intel gathering The Widow was good at that. It was tiring to control every move he made like that, he hoped she learned nothing. Bucky sent a quick text to alert Tony of his visitor, before going back to watch his meeting unfold.
“That's all she want to know?” Bucky had told him of the conversation he had with Widow when they were both safe back in the house and free of listening ears. They were in the bedroom, Tony had took off part of his suit leaving him in an undershirt and slacks he was laying against Bucky.
“I think there was more, but I was making her leave.” Bucky ran his hand through the genius's hair, pulling him against his chest as he leaned against the headboard.
“Who knew we were that good, good enough to fool Natasha.” Tony seemed to think over his sentence “Or not, maybe she is see through the act and was trying to play you.”
“It's a possibility.” Bucky shrugged "I think she was also giving me a warning about Steve. Or about you."
"I think I've warned you about me enough times already and yet you've stayed so," he drew out the word "She probably warning about both honestly, you know how she loves to play both sides." Bucky nodded, he did he had a mission to watch her during Hydra and it proved that Natasha was a good double agent. "At least we know for sure Steve will work with us. I'm thinking we move to that compound I have. It would allow us more space and not have to worry about them wandering in here."
"As if Jarvis would let that happen."
"Yea, Yea smartass I know. I'm-" Tony started
"I know antoska. Go get a shower, it's late and I'm sure you still have grease somewhere." Bucky kissed Tony's head before the genius got up.
True to her word, Steve was calling but it was before either of them got their coffee it was actually before either of them got out of bed. "Who the fuck is up at," he looked at Bucky who mouthed the time "Seven am, I know I'm not. So this better good or I'm shooting you."
A sigh was heard over the line, Bucky got up kissing Tony before he left. "Figured you wanted to know we've agreed to work with you."
"That's great, would've been greater after coffee."
"How am I supposed to know when you get up?" It sounded like Steve was grinding his teeth.
"I'm assuming that you have people that get up late." Tony spoke as if it was most obvious thing in the world "Just assume that a genius who binges on technology for days on end doesn't like to be woke up before twelve, it'll make it easier on both of us."
"Fine, just expect us back at your place by six." He didn't wait for Tony's affirmation before hanging up.
"Rude." Tony said before getting up to get his coffee. "They've agreed to work with us and will be here around six." Tony sat beside the soldier at the island, which had a cup of coffee in front of it. Bucky reached to entangle their fingers together, as Tony drank from his cup. "This is why you're my favorite, you make amazing coffee." Tony grinned at him.
"Figures you only want me for my coffee." Bucky huffed and put on a pout, which had Tony laughing and leaning over to kiss him.
"Yep, it's only the coffee." Tony leaned against him. They would enjoy the contact because both knew Tony would convince the Howling commandos to stay at his compound and they wouldn't be able to touch as freely as they would like. "You know."
Bucky squeezed Tony's hand "I know, let's just enjoy this."
They spent the day packing up what they needed, Tony made plans to move Dummy, U and Butterfingers to the compound and a few components he would need at the lab. At six they had their stuff ready and already in the conference room, the Commandos sat just as they had yesterday.
Tony greeted them and then placed a handful of small devices on the table "I'd thank you if you didn't bug my house. I told you my AI is almost thief proof which in turns means it is spy proof. Try something like that again and I'll take you out of commission." He smiled again "Good on to the fun parts." He held his hand out for The Soldier to put the folder in his hand. "This is a few contract things, like you don't tell anyone else of our contact and you will not sell my tech after we are done. You may keep it but not sell. It also has pictures of the compound I'd like us to stay at during this." Tony planned for the long run, he had plans A B all the way to Z in his mind. "The place is secure, unknown to almost everybody. My AI is already installed there as well, it's a place we can come together so to speak."
"What if we don't want to live in a place with your AI?" Clint spoke up, he probably didn't like the disembodied voice that caught him stealing.
"I'd say too bad, because Jarvis is as much if not more help than me since he doesn't need to sleep he can run things while we are away." Tony would never go anywhere without Jarvis willingly, he was as much part of the team as both of them were.
"Why should we go to place where you can monitor us?" Steve was full on glaring at Tony ever since he walked in, it made Bucky itch to place Tony behind him.
"My job is not to monitor but to make sure that wherever sir stays is secure and he is safe. I report to him of any activity I feel is dangerous or harmful." Jarvis' accented voice came through.
"You're a robot you can't feel." Sam said, looking more curious than anything.
"He's an AI, different from the bots I have he is able to make decisions on his own but within his coding." Tony glared at Sam for implicating that Jarvis was a simple bot, none of his bots were simple they all had personalities.
Natasha was quick to move the conversation along, they worked out anything they had questions about and grudgingly agreed to stay at the compound.
"Does Bucky agree with all this?" Steve looked at The Soldier as before Bucky just stared at him.
"He hasn't said otherwise." Tony shrugged moving to stand "Th-"
"You didn't ask?" Steve glared at Tony, standing himself. Bucky put a hand on his holster.
"I don't need to." Tony faced the captain "He hears everything if he has a problem he would say so."
"You are not his handler, you could treat him like a person. He has opinions." The rest of the commandos were standing now, ready to defend.
"How would you know? Have you had contact with him?" Tony moved around the table to stand in front of Steve.
"I know him." Steve insisted.
"No, dear Captain you knew him, do not mistake this one for the one you use to run the streets with." Steve went to move closer to Tony, but Bucky was in between them.
"You will not harm The Mechanic." Bucky dared him to make a move against him.
"Buck, you can't be serious." Steve adopted his wounded puppy look that could almost anyone to do as he asks.
"He very serious Cap," Tony back away far enough to give Bucky room to move if he needed to take Steve down."Look, I've been working with The Soldier for four years I've learned a few things in that time. We are leaving Soldier." Bucky moved to stand behind Tony again "None of you have to like it, you just have to deal with it. Especially you Rogers, your friend is gone Hydra made sure of that." Tony walked out and this time Bucky followed closely behind.
"Don't say it." Tony said as he slammed open the door.
"Say what?" Bucky closed the door more gently than it was opened.
"About how I should play nice, but he keeps pushing and I just want to hit him in his smug face." Tony ran an aggravated hand through his hair, tugging at it as he did. "This was a stupid idea, calling Steve. Of course he would fight me to get you back. Doesn't he think if you wanted to be back in his crew you wouldn't be with me?" Tony sat heavily on the bed.
"Hey, Steve doesn't know the real you. He knows what the media says you are and how we allow him to see you." Bucky sits next to him. "We know his crew is the best, beside Shield."
"And you won't work with Shield." Tony sighed and leaned against his Soldier.
"Exactly," Bucky smiled a bit "We also can't take Hydra on our own, we need someone backing us. Since we all will be living together they might warm up to you." Tony said nothing at that just made a small noise of disbelief "They might, I did and I'm not exactly the most welcoming person."
"Yet here we are." The genius said softly "As long as we can work together the rest doesn't matter does it?" Tony stood and grabbed the last bags that weren't already on there way to the compound. "Let's go, I'd rather be there before them."
The next weeks were filled with getting everyone situated, looking for any other branches of Hydra, Steve and Tony fighting, Steve and a few other Howling Commandos trying to get Bucky alone but Bucky was almost always with Tony so that plan didn't work to much in their favor. Though Bucky was right some of the Commando like Thor, Clint, Loki and surprisingly Sam started to come around.
Tony was stuck on one of his binges for the last couple of days, he thought he was close to cracking the code of the security to a group they suspected of being a branch of Hydra. Bucky took up the couch making sure the genius didn't push himself too far, he would also slip food where his tool was meant to be at times, it made Tony smile when it happened. "I think that should do it, J could you pull up-"
"Yea, no. It's bed time Antoska. Way past actually." Bucky stood and walked over to him.
Tony turned to face Bucky "It's a small project. I can complete it in an hour."
Bucky shook his head and smiled when he heard Tony huff and stand closing down his programs, he gave Jarvis a few more instructions as he left the room. He held out his hand for Bucky, the Soldier entangled their fingers together when he grabbed Tony's hand. They didn't get the chance to casually touch each other since coming to the compound, Tony complained about it very loudly when he got the chance Bucky was more subtle about his frustration, they had become so use to just small touches over the past four years that when they were suddenly taken out of the equation it caused some frustration.
"Stark said he was making me a bow, cool huh? He saw that I'm better with it then a gun. He's also making arrows to go with it." Clint's voice carried down the hallway, Tony sighed but let go of Bucky's hand as he took a step back to walk behind the genius as they turned the corner. "Speak of the devil." Clint sent a smile at Tony as he walked in, the archer was talking with Natasha, Steve was off to the side they seemed to be heading for the lab.
"You do know it's like," Toby tried thinking of the time, but he really didn't know "It's late and I do have a bedtime."
"I doubt that, you'll stay in that lab for days on end." Clint was still smiling at Tony, which was really weird to the genius at least.
"How do you know I don't sleep? There is a couch down there." Tony rose an eyebrow at him. "Anyway besides the point, what brings you to my lovely lab?"
"Steve wanted to check on your progress." Natasha was leaning against the wall next to her looking the picture of ease. "Clint and I wanted to know about the gym you have. It seems well stocked and very sturdy."
"Jarvis is running through the last of the firewalls." Tony looked at Steve as he spoke, making sure that he had no objection to that. Not that Tony would listen to any objection Steve had in all honesty. "The gym was built to withstand The Soldier's metal arm, so it needed to be reinforced." Tony rolled his shoulder in a shrug "I also needed a place to spar with him, since we work together. I'm assuming that everything is up to satisfaction."
"Yep, just wondering if we could use some of that for target practice. Can't have these guys getting rusty." Clint pointed his thumbs at his companions.
"There is actually a room for that, I'm surprised you haven't found it. I'll show you to it if you want."
"We don't want to bother you, you look like you could use a really long sleep." Natasha was shaking her head when Tony offered to show them.
"I can show them to the room." Bucky spoke up, stepping beside Tony.
"We can just wait until Stark has woken up." Surprisingly it was Steve so spoke.
"Once The Mechanic is awake he will have no time, so I will show you and it can be done." Tony looked at him from the side of his eye, and Bucky gave a small nod.
Tony sighed dramatically "He's just doing this because he no longer wants to deal with me." He puts a hand over his heart "I'm hurt, just go leave me to bleed." Bucy had to bite back all the responses he had to Tony's dramatics as well as the urge to smile at him. Tony waved a hand to shoo them away, "Off you go, I've got a bed calling my name." The genius breezed past them and disappeared down the hall.
"I'm surprised he let you go." Clint said to him as Bucky started to lead them.
"Stark isn't my handler, I'm free to roam if I wish."
"Then you don't want to leave his side? Because you two are attached at the hip it seems." Natasha was speaking, it was more likely she was getting information than just asking a friendly question.
"No. We are a unit, if I leave his side I leave him vulnerable." Bucky once again to bite down on the urge to say something more.
"You said you don't like Stark, yet you protect him as if he was something more." There was a note of curiosity in Steve's voice, which surprised Bucky. Did Natasha not tell him of their conversation? Did she lie to him and he didn't catch it? Bucky glanced over his shoulder at the redhead, who shrugged he frowned at her before facing ahead again.
"He is an asset to me, I'd rather he not die." Bucky was feeling the need to leave them in the hall and go somewhere away from their questions. Lucky for him the door for the practice range was just ahead. "That's the door for the range. Stark has it stocked for guns and knives, if you want anything else to be put in there just asked him and he might do it." He was directing the last part at Clint, who would want an archery set.
"Hey, Bucky." Steve stepped up as The Soldier went to walk away. Bucky looked at him, he wanted to get away from the as soon as possible. "I just want to know if you are happy working with Stark." He looked so earnest.
"I-" Bucky sighed and nodded "He allows me the freedom I need, he's not Hydra."
"So you've said. Buck when this is all over would you at least consider coming back to the crew." Bucky watched as Natasha and Clint went inside the range, leaving Steve and him alone.
"I don't think so." Bucky took a step back, putting more space between him and Steve. He could see the small punk who was always sick and he couldn't handle it, it brought out a feeling of wanting to protect him and tell him it's alright.
Steve looked crestfallen, he dropped his eyes to the floor. "I know things are different, but I want to help. You're my best friend Buck, you knew me before I was The Captain, you kept me grounded when it became too much. And losing you on that train, I thought I was going to break Bucky. Now you're here, so close." Steve met Bucky's eyes and if Bucky wasn't trained to notice every detail of someone, he would've missed the way Steve's mouth trembled. He took another step back, away from the man who he had called his brother. "If you won't come back," Bucky steeled himself asked the threat he thought would come. "Then at least come see us more, please."
It felt like the air was taken from Bucky, this was Steve accepting his choice. Before he would've always choose Steve no matter what, but he couldn't leave Tony not like everyone else did, he couldn't. Bucky reached out to touch Steve's arm "I'll try." Steve was smiling at him, Bucky dropped his hand to his side. "Thank you." He turned on his heel and walked quickly away from Steve. Thoughts were swarming him, thoughts of before. A smaller Steve, a punk who couldn't stay down, a kid who was always sick but would go with Bucky when he asked.
Tony was lying in his bed when Bucky walked in, he seemed to be sleeping but was sitting up when the door opened. "Buck?" He shook his head, he wanted Tony call him James even hearing his childhood nickname was to much. Tony was getting up, but Bucky was sliding to the floor hitting his head against the wall behind him. These were the times he missed not feeling, he wished it would stop it was hurting his chest like a chasm had opened up there.
"I thought it would be easy, ignore him and he wouldn't bother me." Bucky slammed his head against the wall again, Tony was quick to put his hand behind the soldier's head to act as a cushion. "I was wrong, Hydra tried so damn hard to rid anything related to Steve that was in my head. It was like a dam broke, seeing him, him allowing me to walk away." Tony was silent, Bucky knew it was him allowing Bucky to just get everything off his chest. "It's like suddenly there is Steve everywhere, little Steve and bigger Steve. I wanted to hug him and tell him everything was alright."
"He was big part of your life before. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for you." Tony threaded his fingers through Bucky's hair, moving them in small circles. "Maybe it would be easier if you spent more time with him."
"Or it will break that dam completely and I'll have no control over these emotions." Bucky was suddenly feeling anger curl in his chest, he should have a better reign on these feelings. He stood up and started to pace the room, it was too small and too big all at the same time.
"Bucky." Bucky glared at him, he didn't want to be reminded of his past right now. Tony held up his hands "James, the best way for this to get better would be to work through them. You can either lock them up and ignore them, which I don't recommend it never works, or you can be around Steve more and figure them out." Tony stayed sitting, looking up at Bucky.
"What would you know?" Bucky spat angrily at Tony. "You weren't tortured until you forgot everything except one name and it wasn't even my own." Bucky clenched his hands into fist. "You don't know what it's like to have everything torn away from you." Tony's hand was on his chest, a small part of Bucky whispered that Tony did know, that Tony understood, but he ignored it. "I shouldn't be feeling anything, I was made not to feel. I was content with being Hydra's weapon until you came along." He stopped pacing and faced Tony, the genius had on his neutral mask it was the one he wore when he was starting to hurt but Bucky again ignored it. There were poisonous words on the tip of his tongue, he knew Tony would take every word and not blame Bucky for any of it. "I should have never came with you. I should've dropped you off at Stark industries and left."
Tony flinched at that. "Why didn't you?"
"Because I thought being around you would've helped me, I shouldn't have let myself grow attached they are only weaknesses." Those were the words that made Tony stand, but instead of saying any angry words Bucky was expecting him to say, he smiled softly.
"I'm not forcing you to stay James, I don't pretend to know or even begin to understand what's it's like for you." Tony's hand was gripping his chest, but when Bucky looked at his hand he dropped it. "You can walk away from this." Tony waved a hand between them "I told you before I wouldn't stop you. If you need time and space I'll gladly give it to you." Bucky couldn't keep looking at that understanding look on Tony's face, so he looked over his head. Tony moved out of the way of the door and sat back on the bed, later Bucky would see that Tony was giving him a choice. The choice to walk away or stay, he would realize later he chose wrong.
Bucky tugged at his hair, he needed air needed to get away. He walked out the door and kept walking until he was at the garage, he took one of the bikes.
"Are you leaving?" Jarvis' voice echoed through the empty garage.
"I need some air." Bucky bit out, can't go anywhere without Jarvis looking over his shoulder.
"Is sir not joining you?" Jarvis sounded slightly disappointed.
"He needs his sleep. Can I go now?" Jarvis said nothing, Bucky rolls his eyes and hops on the bike driving out of the compound and down the dirt road to the city. He just needed a little time to think and get himself under control before facing anyone.
Bucky didn't resurface at the compound until the following afternoon, the Commandos and Tony were in the front room. "Ah, good now we can really start the planning." Tony flashed him his showman smile, before leaning back in his chair. Bucky went and stood behind it, it felt weird like there was something warding him from standing too close to the genius. "Let's catch him up to speed. I'd rather not let them escape because of miscommunication." Tony sounded off to his ears, it was to smooth, to nice.
"Hydra has a branch called A.I.M, there is a meeting between A.I.M and Hammer industries." Steve was sitting in a chair as well the others were on crammed on the couch.
"Stupid on their part honestly, Hammer's weapons are usually duds or worse they backfire. They are meeting sometime this week."
"If they wanted weapons why not just contact you. I'm sure they could make you work with them." Clint looked at Tony from his place between Thor and Sam.
"Not really, they can't exactly blackmail me with anything and they can't threaten to kill me. Assassins seem to tragically die when sent after me." Tony rolled his shoulders, he was tapping a pattern on his thigh.
"Alright, Clint. I want you and Sam to go scope this place out." They both nodded standing up to get suited up. "Natasha I want you on the inside, see if you can't find out exactly when this meeting will happen." Natasha nodded but stayed sitting. Steve looked at Tony, ready to order him as well.
"Not part of your crew Cap, I'll keep a watch on their security same with Hammer's. Need to be ready to erase any footage of us." Tony stood and walked out of the room, probably to head down to his lab.
"What will you do Buck?" Steve looked at him, Bucky hadn't made a move to go after Tony.
"Watch over Stark. We need him at his best." He nodded to the occupants before going after Tony. Bucky could hear and feel the music that Tony was playing, he walked in a sat on the couch. He meant it when he said he would watch over Tony. The Mechanic was messing with some holograms, he occasionally glanced at a screen that had numbers and a few camera screens on it.
Tony was ignoring him, not that Bucky blamed him. But where Tony would ask Bucky to grab something or come lean against him when he was waiting for a simulation to finish, Tony would just throw himself into another project or yell for one of his bots to get the tool he needed. Bucky needed to fix this as soon as possible, Tony thought that after this job was done, that they would be done as well. He couldn’t stand the feeling of a rift being formed between the two of them. Tony was the one who was always there and watching him shut himself away made it feel like a hole was opening in his chest over his heart, it was even worse because he was the one to push them toward this.
"Antoshka-" As Bucky started to speak, Dummy decided to flail the fire extinguisher around.
"Dummy, don't fling that around!" Tony stood, but Dummy stopped so he sat back down muttering about donating to a college. "U, help Dummy." Tony waved a hand toward Dummy who was apparently on a task.
"Steve is requesting your presence Mr. Barnes." Bucky looked up to the ceiling for a moment, but stood nonetheless walking out of the lab to see what Steve wanted.
Bucky started to spend less time with Tony and more with Steve, not out of choice but because they would end up bumping into each other and Bucky took Tony's advice to try to work through his feelings toward Steve. It almost hurt to see how quickly Tony could leave a room at seeing Bucky, he wanted to gather his Mechanic in his arms and apologize for everything he said to him. Tony didn't deserve that, he deserve so much better. But he's apology would have to wait until they got done seeing what A.I.M wanted from Hammer.
"I think Clint would be better suited on this roof, gives him a better vantage point and with his bow he'll be quieter than Sam." Tony had the map of the building in front of him, he spun it around to show Steve what he meant.
Steve nodded "I think you're right, Sam would be better at the back entrance covering us if needed." This time Tony nodded "Natasha is already on the inside, I'll tell her to meet us there."
"Since Thor is one of your more heavy hitters I'd stick him with Loki on a side entrance close to us." Tony zoomed in on a door that would be close to where the meeting was happening. "And we can go in as a small unit, Hammer likes to talk so that'll give us time." Tony looked at Steve "This sound good to you?"
"Yea, I'll let everyone know." Steve turned and walked out of the lab, Tony and Steve started to finally get along and not fight every time they were near each other. Bucky walked over to the genius who was still looking at the building and the notes Natasha sent, he was probably seeing everything that could go wrong and right.
"Tony?" Bucky stood on the other side of the table, he didn't want to invade Tony's space.
"Yea?" Tony didn't look up from the diagrams.
"Look at me, please." That got his attention, Bucky didn't say please. "The other night-"
"Don't worry about, I understand you were angry and Steve means a lot you. I'm just a guy who've been working with." Tony shrugged and put on a smile, it was to hard around the edges to be real.
"That's not it." Bucky sighed.
"I get Buck, I do. Nothing more needs to be said." Tony was looking at the diagram again.
Bucky wanted to shake the genius, he was trying to say sorry and Tony was deflecting easily. Maybe he didn't want to hear him say sorry, maybe Bucky screwed this up too badly. The air was gone again but this was like a punch to the stomach, he didn't want to leave Tony. Bucky looked at his boots, before sighing again he reached for his dog tags, pulling them off. He wanted to do this before this job started, wanted to give Tony something that meant more than just his presence. He walked around the table and turned Tony, before Tony could question him he let the dog tags fall around his neck. "Don't go where I can't follow." He turned and walked out the lab, not wanting to see if Tony ripped them off and threw it back at him.
Everyone was ready to their designated locations, Clint was the only one who had to take someone down before he could watch. They all had earpieces in that Tony made them wear, he didn't trust any other manufacture with technology.
Tony and Steve walked ahead as Bucky lingered back, he was the suppose to be the one who went around the room taking care of the guards that were stationed around the room. From what Natasha said Hammer was already going through his weapons.
"Well, isn't that just rude. You go to Hammer before coming to me, I wouldn't trust his weapons if I were you." Tony said as he swept into the room, Steve stood close to him and Bucky snuck away, he could hear the soft whiz of an arrow before it hit its target.
"Stark, why are you here?" Hammer sounded nervous whether it's because Tony discovered this meeting or because Tony was actually smarter than he could ever be was hard to tell.
"Well I didn't want to miss this little get together. And I figured I would warn your friends here about what they are buying." Tony smiled widely and clapped his hands. "Honestly, I made better tech when I was four."
"Why would you need your warning Mr. Stark? And how did you know about this?" One of the A.I.M guys asked looking at Hammer critically.
"Were you not here when I walked in, I told you Hammer's weapons are the worst. Most are duds and they ones that aren't are more likely to backfire on you." Tony rolled his eyes and leaned against a crate nearby, he had his hand on his gun that was underneath his jacket. "I also make it my business to know what he's doing, you really need to step up your security only took me less then ten minutes to hack it." He looked over at Steve "I'd say that's rather pitiful."
Hammer was trying to salvage the meeting by telling them the mechanics of each weapon but Tony kept interrupting to tell them why they wouldn't work, Tony was allowing Bucky and Clint time to weed out the guards around them.
"Sir none of the others are reporting." A man was running towards them. A beat passed the man found the courage to say more. "Its the asset."
"Oops, times up." Tony smiled and moved around a crate as the other A.I.M soldiers started to draw their weapons. Tony stood and shot at the men around Hammer's truck, he saw Hammer reach for a gun but stopped when Tony shot near his hand. "Don't think about it Hammer." He called as he ran towards the side door, he was sure Steve could handle some goons by himself. "Come on in, join the party." Tony smiled at the Nordic men.
"This shall be mighty fun, give them hell shield brothers!" He said as he went passed Tony, Loki just nodded as he passed.
Tony went back into the main room, Bucky had moved to cover him. They fell into a rhythm as they went, if one missed the other would handle them, they would take care of any pursuers that followed them. Tossing knives or ammo to each other when it was needed.
Protecting each other was what they were best at, "Buck, your left." Steve called but when Bucky turned the guy was already down, Tony smiled and twirled his knife before heading off again. Bucky felt that familiar tight feeling in his chest as he watched Tony move around the men who came after him with ease, it took his breath away for an entirely different reason than before. He realized he could not lose Tony, he realized the true extent that his feelings went for his Mechanic.
Clint and Sam were picking of the stragglers when they tried to flee. "Yo, move your ass Barnes." Clint's voice filtered through his earpiece, it shoved Bucky back in motion.
"I think that's it, all that's left is Hammer." Steve said when there seemed to be no one else to shoot or shoot at them.
"Good, let me talk to him." Tony was already striding over to his competitor as he spoke. "Justin, sorry about the mess." Bucky was a step behind him as he took a seat on the crate Hammer was hiding behind. Hammer stood up shakily, he had wary look about him. Tony barely looked roughed up, expect a bruise from a lucky shot forming on his jaw and a few blood stains on his white suit shirt.
"You a hired gun Stark?" Hammer looked ready to bolt but the gun in Tony's hand seemed to stop him.
"Hm, not quite. More of an assassin, but what's the difference really." Tony shrugged, he could see Steve moving to stand behind Hammer in case he decided to run. "Look, Justin I don't want to kill or even hurt you but you were dealing with a gang I'm trying to wipe out."
"Those guys?" He waved towards the now dead men. "This was the first time I even met them." Tony clucked his tongue at that.
"We both know that's a lie. Jarvis has found recordings of them and you together quite a few times." Tony motioned for Bucky to come closer. "Answer honestly or I'll have to break something. Do you know who this is?" Tony waved his hand toward Bucky.
"A.I.M mentioned him, wanted me to use my resources to find their lost weapon." He said as soon as Tony was done speaking.
"What did you find? And did you already hand any information over?" Tony leaned forward a bit.
"Only a few vague documents and blurry pictures, but there was always two men in these pictures. I thought I was nothing, now I assume it was you." Hammer was shaking at this point, "I didn't give anything to them." Tony lifted the gun and pressed it in between his eyes, Hammer whimpered and tightly closed his eyes "I swear, I didn't hand them anything." Hammer stuttered over his words.
"That's good, afraid I'd have to kill you if you did." Tony put the gun back down. "But the thing is Justin, how do I know you won't just tell people my little secret?" Tony smiled, it was to full of teeth, it was predatory. "See my friend here is very good at making people disappear. You breathe a word to anyone what happened here and he'll make sure you disappear." Tony tilted his head towards Bucky, Hammer looked him over for a moment then nodded.
"I won't, I'll take it to my grave." Hammer swore pressing a hand to his chest.
"Damn right you will. Get out of here, before I change my mind." Tony waved his hand, Hammer was quick to get in his car and speed out of the warehouse. Tony pulled out his phone and erasing the surveillance. "B- Soldier call in dinner reservations for these men." Tony didn't spare him a glance as he hopped off the crate and walked to Steve.
"You guys are efficient, I'll give you that." Steve said they walked over.
"Its our job to be, I'm going to see what I can pull from these guys phones or cars, whatever they have really. Your guys can return to the compound, but do something for me have one them trail Hammer." Steve nodded.
"If he talks?" Steve started to mess with his gun, checking how many rounds he had left.
"Let me know, I'd prefer if The Soldier and I dealt with him." Tony started to walk away from the blond. "Thanks." He threw over his shoulder.
Tony was back in his lab as soon as he and Bucky got back to the compound. "They know you're not working alone anymore, I don't think they know it's me but who knows how long that'll last." Tony sighed as he flipped through information "Hammer told the truth they didn't get anything from him but there are a few documents, pictures, and an encrypted video. I think us in," he paused as he took a closer look "Texas? Oh that was horrible week."
Bucky sat on the couch, listening to the genius but he was on edge waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak.
Tony turned to him "Alright, so we apparently need to talk." Tony sighed "I hate talks,they are never good." He muttered to himself. "Ok, first why give me these?" The genius pulled Bucky's dog tags from under his shirt. "I didn't even know you were in the army."
"Steve and I both were, it was a short time. We were on an ops when I fell from the train, they declared me K.I.A. We only spent a year in the army, Steve had finally bulked up I guess." Bucky shrugged "I told you I'm not good with emotions."
"I told you to come to me and I'd help you figure it out."
"I know, but the other night I was angry at myself. I thought I should have a better leash on my emotions, when I realized I didn't." Bucky sighed and ran a hand through his hair taking out the ponytail that he had in. "I didn't mean anything I said, I just couldn't process and it frustrated me so I took it out on you. I knew you would take everything I'd say to you and not blame me for any of it." Bucky looked at Tony "I know you understand, you lost your family within years of each other and were thrown to the sharks. You were tortured in Afghanistan, so bad you still wake up screaming for them to stop."
"Buck, bad things happen to me that true. But it doesn't-" tony started.
"Yes it does, you can't compared psychological damage. I know that, I gave you those." He point to the dog tags "Because I'm sentimental and I wanted to show you no matter how far you think I go, I'll always find my way back." He shrugged "it's stupid and sentimen-" Bucky was cut off when he got a lapful of Tony.
"It means a lot to me that you would give me something like this." Tony kissed him gently. "I think it's perfect and the list of things I think are perfect is super short, so it's a big thing." He smiled at Bucky and Bucky kissed him again.
"Antoska, I am sorry for what I said you know that right?" He looked at him.
"I know. I know Bucky, this talk was good now we all feel good and it was a good thing." Tony put his face against Bucky's shoulder. "I'm think you forcing me to sleep is screwing with me."
"We both know that's the adrenaline wearing off." Bucky smiled and kissed his head.
"I really do forgive you, I understand or I try to. It's a surprise we haven't fought earlier." Tony nuzzled into the side of Bucky's neck. "We are good okay?" Tony said something more, but it too low for Bucky to catch it.
"Okay, we are good. Now let's get to bed." Bucky adjusted his grip on Tony, the genius wrapped his arms and legs around Bucky so when the Soldier stood he wouldn't fall.
"I'm really glad this was resolved, I don't like sleeping alone anymore." Bucky knew, the couple of times Tony woke up alone he had shoved himself into a corner having a panic attack. Bucky still didn't know the full extent of what happened to his Mechanic in those months he was captured, but whatever it was made Tony fly into a panic with a few things still.
"Me too." Bucky said softly as he walked to their room, luckily no one was walking about to see them.
"I wish we had been upfront so we didn't need to pretend we aren't close." Tony slurred, he was almost asleep. "I wish I didn't have to pretend I didn't love you." Bucky's breath hitched and his steps stumbled. Tony seemed to fall asleep after that, Bucky sighed.
"I think I love you too my Mechanic." Bucky said as he placed him on the bed, the Soldier started to strip Tony out of his clothes. When he reached the undershirt, Tony gripped his wrist. Not asleep then.
"I don't want you seeing what happened. I can't even look at it." Tony looked at him with sleep blurred eyes.
"It's alright, if you don't want me to I won't." He took his hands away.
"Not yet. I can't yet." Tony masks fell away when he was this close to passing out, the hurt was plain to see. Bucky kissed his forehead.
"You won't have to show me if you don't want to. I'm not going to push." He moved to change into his own PJs, before laying next to Tony. Bucky covered them with the blanket.
Tony curled into Bucky's side, he traced the seam of flesh and metal on the Soldiers body. Bucky let him, he had gotten over Tony touching him after the first year. It was long year, he'd hit Tony three times when he was fixing something in the arm, they were accidents but it still happened. "We have to find the main group, I found some things on the files A.I.M had."
"Not tonight, not tomorrow either. We have a meeting with the commandos tomorrow." Bucky wrapped his arms around the genius. "I also expect an injury report. I didn't miss that bruise." The soldier reached up to gently touch the dark bruise on Tony's jaw.
"Nothing worse then that, one guy got me with a metal thing on my ribs." Bucky went to sit up to ask where and to see. "Just bruising nothing broken. I'm going to sleep now, but in the morning I want an injury report as well." Tony settled against Bucky, falling asleep.
Tony most likely wouldn't remember half the things he said by tomorrow, Bucky hoped he'd remember some of it when he woke up.