PSL for semistableman

[beardednomad]

[Everything had happened so fast. One minute everyone was fighting Thanos. Well, everyone they had left and even a few new faces, like the girl. Carol Danvers was the name she'd given them along with the explanation of her powers. Captain Marvel. He'd studied her a bit and they'd talked and he'd found that he'd liked her.

But that wasn't important now. During the battle there had been a moment. Steve wasn't sure what had led up to it, what had happened to give him that window of opportunity but they had all been fighting, everyone using everything they had left in them to battle Thanos and the next moment Steve had watched the gauntlet fall to the ground just within his reach. Really, there hadn't even been a moment of hesitation before he was picking it up. It was just like his thoughts had cleared and he knew what he had to do.

He hadn't even heard the others yelling at him at first as he'd slid the gauntlet on. The thing was huge, but he managed to make it work. His thoughts on everyone they had lost, on the mourning they had gone through. Tony said there could be a way to bring them back. What if it was as simple as another snap? Like the one Thanos had made, only with the intent of bringing everyone back? He didn't hear or see Tony, or Natasha, or any of the rest of the team yelling for him to stop. That they didn't know what could happen. All he could focus on was bring Bucky and everyone else back to them. And with that he closed his eyes and snapped.


-Weeks Later-


Even Steve should have known using something as powerful as the gauntlet would have come at a price. When he slowly opened his eyes he noticed just how weak he felt, how tired. Oh and he was sore. So very sore. He shifted ever so slowly, groaning quietly as his eyes started to adjust and almost immediately he saw the difference. Things didn't look quite the same as he expected. The colors off. He turned his head, lifting his hand to scrub his face which was when he noticed how small his hand and arm were.

Within moments, he was sitting up, staring down at himself in abject horror.]

Whats going on!?

[It was shouted as he looked around before his eyes landed on an all too familiar figure sitting in the chair next to the bed. It was then that everything was forgotten. The changes to his body, the pain and soreness, the confusion. It all melted away the moment he laid eyes on Bucky.]

Comments

[beardednomad]

[After the two had left he shifted, grasping at Bucky before laying his head down on his chest. He didn't want the other going anywhere yet and he hoped that he wouldn't try.

He was strangely quiet though, obviously deep in thought over what the king and his sister had offered him. It was at least a good fifteen minutes before he finally spoke, voice low and distant, like he was distracted.]

We've been fighting for a long time, haven't we, Buck?

[Of course, he knew the answer to that. They had both survived through so much at that point, so much war and fighting. And he knew that even before this last conflict, before Thanos, Bucky had been tired. He'd been ready to bow out completely.

And then they had come along and pulled him right back in. His fingers moved absently, tracing unseen patterns as his thoughts continued to shift before he tilted his head and looked up.]

Been thinking...maybe its time we retired. I...I don't need the serum anymore. I don't need to be him anymore. We deserve it, don't we?

[He wasn't really sure what Bucky would think to be honest. There was a chance the man could have changed his mind and decided he wasn't done saving the world yet for all Steve knew, but he could hope. This was their chance to have a real life together, in a time that would actually accept them and their relationship.

He just wanted to grow old with the man. That was all he'd wanted since they were younger.]

[semistableman]

[Bucky doesn't try to get Steve to talk once the two have left, brushing his hand through Steve's hair, down his back. Steve being quiet doesn't worry him. Not right now. He'll need than that to be concerned, because as far as he can tell, Steve is healthy right now. They have modern medicine on their side, Wakandan medicine. He doesn't think there's another country on Earth where they'd be better off.]

Yeah. Across lifetimes, it feels like.

[He's been ready to quit for a long time now. So he doesn't have to keep fighting, so he can finally move on with his life. Being a farmer isn't easy work by any stretch, but it's work he wants to do. It's work he can do without fear of harming anyone else.

When Steve speaks, he leans his head onto the other man, looking at him warmly.]

Gonna have to make sure our house has some good heating, it can get cold at night.

[His smile is happy, because he's tired. Because Steve's tired. They're a couple of centenarians who pass as thirty-somethings. They have a lot of time left. Most of their lives.]

I hope you don't mind helping with the goats.

[beardednomad]

[He wasn't sure what he'd expected when he'd brought it up or how he'd expected Bucky to react but just the fact that the man seems to be totally on board has him giving one of his bright smiles.

He turned, wrapping his arms around Bucky as tightly as he can, fingers slipping into thick hair before he pulled back and pressed their lips together like he'd been wanting to do since he first woke up again.]

We'll get it figured out. We'll get it all figured out. We got a long time ahead of us for it.

[Especially now. Maybe he would see if they could find a way to modify the serum. He didn't want the super soldier body back. He didn't care about that anymore, but the serum had all but gotten rid of his medical ailments. Maybe it could do it again.]

[semistableman]

[He runs his flesh hand through Steve's hair, playing with the longer strands happily, tipping his head closer to Steve, loving the feel of Steve's fingers in his hair.

The kiss is warm and welcome, and he purrs into it, wanting more than ever to just spend time with Steve, to keep him here, without either of them having to worry about aliens, or evildoers, or whatever the hell else disaster might happen tomorrow. He's tired, and if he never has to deal with the end of the world again, it'll be too soon.

The fact that he pulls a possessive hand around Steve's waist.]

Wakandan medicine is incredible. I'm sure they'll think of something for you that works, so we can pick our lives back up. Maybe actually start living for a change.

[He's forgotten how much he likes curling up against Steve. How it feels at once nostalgic and coming home for the first time in years.]

[beardednomad]

[At the feel of Bucky's hand moving through his hair, his eyes close and he leans into the touch with a sigh. Moments later he tries to push even closer, smiling softly and humming as he bumps his nose playfully against the other man's.

Sure he knows there are chances that the world will want him to fight again. Bucky too, but if he has anything to say about it? They're done. Both of them. Perhaps maybe he can even suggest someone else to use the serum on. Sam, maybe. For now, that isn't important.]

You think so? I wouldn't mind that at all. Just the two of us...we could even get married now.

[His smile is warm and soft, wrapping both arms around the man and just staying as close as possible.]

[semistableman]

[Bucky can't help the smile on his face, nudging at Steve's nose with his own. He feels more relaxed than he has in a very long time, because part of him wants to believe it's over. That other people can take over for the two of them, people who are younger and haven't been through nearly as much as they have.

He might not look 101, but he had moments when he definitely feels his age.]

God, can you imagine?

[His tone, his expression is happy at the suggestion, curling up against Steve, against that familiar bony chest of his.]

It's such a normal thing here the only looks we'd be given would be as Captain America and White Wolf.

[beardednomad]

[Steve laughs at the nudge to his nose, his fingers moving to tangle deeper into Bucky's hair before he shifts his body to settle more into the other man.

He relaxes even more, laying so he was practically on top of Bucky, stretching out and letting his head be pillowed on his chest.]

It'll be a lot different now though. So much has changed from before. All that matters to me is finally getting to build a life with you.

[semistableman]

[This is just what he needs right now. Something to take his mind off of everything that has happened.]

Yeah. No more fighting, no more needing double dates...

[He feels wistful, and happier than he has in a long time.]

[beardednomad]

Definitely no more hiding what we are to each other. And I'm sure that even with me being like this, the media is going to have a field day with it, but we will get through it.

[He takes Bucky's hand, pulling it up to his lips and brushing them across his knuckles slowly.]

Tony knows. The whole team does now. After how hard I fought...how could they not? Before the last battle with Thanos, he offered to help us with the media outburst if we decide to go public.

[His head tilts back and he cranes up so he can kiss Bucky once more, sighing happily into it.]

[semistableman]

He does?

[Bucky's tone is curious, especially considering the last time he'd met Stark, things hadn't exactly gone well. It had been why Steve had ended up in Wakanda as Nomad to begin with-- he still felt regret over it, Steve throwing his life away for a man who had committed so many atrocities Bucky still doesn't remember them all.]

...I'd like that.

[He smiles into the kiss, only speaking again once they've pulled away to breathe.]

If we stay in Wakanda, it might be a while before word gets out, too.

[beardednomad]

Me and Tony...during the time you and the others were gone...we had a lot of time to talk and work through things.

Its not all perfect, but he certainly isn't going to try to kill you again. He understands now that you weren't...well, you. You were brainwashed.

[He smiled back then, nodding a bit.]

I mean, Wakanda is opening up a lot more. They've had more and more people coming in just to see the place, to share in the technology. Shuri was in charge of it, but now that T'Challa is back they'll be doing it together.

[semistableman]

[Bucky makes a hn noise, clearly still wary at the idea, but ultimately he trusts Steve's judgement. He's too happy to be alive, too happy to have Steve back to want anything else right now.

He brushes his hand through Steve's beard, thoughtful and happy.]

Wakanda might be getting tourists, but I can't imagine most of 'em are going to have any interest in the farms.

I still think we'll be okay for a while.

[beardednomad]

[He leaned into that touch, making a face before laughing at how it felt.]

I think I need to shave. I don't know if the beard works anymore with me looking like this.

[He teased, catching Bucky's hand before pulling it to his lips and kissing his knuckles.]

The minute they come back in I'm telling them I want to go home.

[semistableman]

[Bucky can't help the laugh that escapes him, feeling some of the tension in his lips escaping his body.]

I think the look's growing on me. I might have to hide the razors from you.

[He smiles at the kiss, curling up against Steve.]

You want me to carry you to the bike?

[beardednomad]

[Steve made a face before laughing and settling closer.]

Even looking like this? I don't look weird being so small with a bushy beard?

[He brushed his fingers through his hair slowly again before pressing closer. He thought about the offer, biting his lip before nodding.]

You're gonna drive, right?

[semistableman]

I don't think so, no.

[His smile is mischievous, though.]

'Course I'll drive. You'll have to hold on tight. Think you can manage that?

[beardednomad]

If you say so, Buck.

[His own smile was the same and he nodded, raising an eyebrow.]

You think I can't hold on? Buck, if you think for a second I'm going anywhere...well, you got another thing coming.

[semistableman]

I say so.

[That's said with confidence.]

Just checking. You are in a hospital bed.

[beardednomad]

Well alright then.

[He laughs softly, moving around a bit again until he was facing Bucky and sitting in his lap. His legs straddled the other man's hips as best as he could, settling there and sliding his arms around his shoulders again.]

I love you, Buck. And I promise I'll hold on nice and tight. Make sure I don't go anywhere.

[semistableman]

[The closeness has him smiling, curling up against Steve. Even with him like this, back to the bony man Bucky first started getting feelings for, kissing at his temple.]

Love you too, Stevie.

[beardednomad]

[He blushed at the kiss to his temple, leaning into Bucky even more before glancing towards the door as Shuri walked back in. She didn't say anything at first, going over to the machines he was hooked up to so she could look over readouts. Finally she turned to them and smiled, watching them for a moment.]

If the two of you want to go, you can. We aren't going to hold you here since you seem to be stabilized. Just be careful and take it easy. Do not push yourself.

And you.

[She said, looking at Bucky pointedly.]

If he starts to have any problems, bring him directly back here.

[semistableman]

[Shuri walking in keeps him from doing anything else; not that he'd push it too far until Steve has officially been given the all clear. He was sickly on good days, the last thing Bucky wants to do is hurt him when they've both only just been reunited.]

Thanks, Shuri.

[It's not quite a smile-- those are tough, when it's not just him and Steve, but it is a gentle look.]

First sign of something going wrong and we'll be back.

[beardednomad]

You got it, doc.

[Steve teased a bit and smiled back at her happily, just ready to be able to leave. He'd never liked hospitals before and that certainly hadn't changed during his time as Captain America.

He was honestly just focused on the fact that he was going to get to go home with Bucky. His best friend and the honest to god love of his life.

So finally, when Shuri waved them off after double checking all of Steve's vitals and read outs he was off the bed, looking around for something he could wear before making a face and looking at Bucky.]

I don't have any clothes.

[semistableman]

[Bucky can't help the sheepish look on his face.]

I didn't have a lot of time to grab you much. I've got a change of clothes for you, though.

[He waves to a large satchel in a chair near the door.]

Wakandan-style, sorry. Easiest change of clothes to find around here. I can show you how to put it on.

[beardednomad]

Its fine, Buck. As long as I have something so I'm not walking out of here naked. Pretty sure you wouldn't like anyone seeing that.

[It was teasing and he leaned over, kissing his cheek and then his lips before slipping off the bed. Immediately he grabbed the edge of the bed, legs a little wobbly.]

I'm okay. I'm okay.

[He exhaled, pulling all the different sensors off himself. Shuri had already pulled out the IV he had.]

Wanna help me?