"Bucky.....there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"asked his oblivious friend,looking up at Steve.Bucky seemed to be unaware of the sexual tension that the super soldier was feeling in the room.Everything seemed to be more cramped and humid.

Steve felt himself stumble back,unaware of how to say three simple words:I love you.He felt ashamed of himself.

Steve could do many things.Save a band of soldiers.Win against a force that had more advantage than him.Protect the world.He was freaking Captain America,why can't he do something as simple as this?

They were just three simple words,yet they felt like if he said them,those words would cause an earthquake powerful enough to tear apart the whole room.

"Steve,hello?"Bucky asked,waving his hand across Steve's face,causing the super soldier to blink rapidly and bring his focus back.

"Oh,yeah......right."He forced a smile,mustering up all the confidence he had."I....meant to tell you something,really important.If I don't tell you now,I'm afraid it'll be too late,as I may never see you again."

Steve's friend flashed a sad smile,showing that he too would miss him when Bucky would get put into cryogenic sleep a month later.Time was ticking,and the days seemed faster than they really were.

"It's actually something I've wanted to say for a long time,"Steve continued honestly.",but I didn't have to courage to tell you.It's something really simple,but it could change the way you think of me."

Bucky chuckled."Old friend,I'll always see you the same of who you really are:The man who's my best friend,and saved me from myself.Besides,I thought best friends didn't keep secrets from each other."

The avenger gulped,swallowing down his own nervousness."Ever heard of athazagoraphobia?"

The once notorious winter soldier gave a confused look."No.Fear of what?"

Steve looked straight at Bucky,his gaze hollow."Fear of being forgotten or forgetting,or sometimes replaced.In my case,all three of them.It's pretty severe."

Bucky's expression quickly changed into dear compassion,like he was truly feeling his friend's pain."This must of formed when I came back.I'm sorry."

Steve brought back his forced smile."No need to be,it wasn't your fault,anyways.It's just that I'm scared again that you'll forget me when you go back into cryogenic sleep,and I'll be replaced with something better in your life."He bit his lip,holding back the tears."I was always a burden holding you back,anyways.You saved me so many time when we were kids,but I couldn't save you from being damaged.I was always trying to do the right thing,but everytime I failed."

"That's not true."He protested,putting a hand on Steve's shoulder."You saved the world multiple times,risking your own life.You have gotta be the bravest person I know."

"Yet I couldn't save you."Steve shut his eyes and relaxed,a river of tears dripping down.He quickly turned away,embarrassed that he was crying in front of Bucky."I couldn't even save my best friend."

"Hey,hey."Bucky touched Steve's cheek softly,causing him to turn around."That wasn't your fault.It isn't anybody's,except Hydra's.I'll just have to deal with being a brainwashed assassin,and maybe one day....I'll get fully healed."

That's how they ended up there.Silence prevailed.Bucky gently wiped the tears off of his friend's face,smiling comfortingly.

"Trust me,I'll be better someday."He said,still smiling."So what did you want to tell me?"

Steve gulped."It's just three words.Three common words."

"Well,then why don't you say the damn words?"Bucky asked,before cracking a grin and said,"No pressure."

"Language!"Steve scolded,and Bucky chuckled a little.

"Of course,profanity is offensive to the nation of America,isn't it?"He bumped Steve lightly on the shoulder,and the superhero felt his face burn up.It probably was the bright shade of a tomato now,considering the burn felt like lava layered on his face.

"Anyways,going on..."The burn got hotter,as if Steve were a volcano and more lava would come spewing out at the spew of his emotions."I always admired you,Bucky.It started when I was that scrawny kid from Brooklyn and then you came in my life.Protected me.Defended me.You were everything I wanted to be."

"You had a great reputation.You were funny and charismatic.You had a great way of hitting it off with the ladies.I aspired to be like that.You were so strong,so brave."

Bucky's eyes lit up with pride,but he blushed."I'm a humble man,but what you said is fact.Go on."

"Then the serum came along,then suddenly I was someone new.It was like I turned into you.I had that super strength now,which helped me with a lot of things.Then the girls started to come to me.I'm not sure if I liked the attention.Then missions and stuff came along the way,and I thought you died."

"That's when my admiration,changed and escalated,"Steve stuttred and fake-coughed,a sign he was nervous."Changed into something else."

Bucky's eyebrows raised up,as he hadn't seen this coming.Steve realized he might not be happy with Steve's crush on him,but he continued on with his story.

"I realized that I had fallen in love with you."He said,and his eyes gave Bucky's a quick glance.Disbelief,obviously."You don't fully appreciate something until you lose it:that's what I learned.And boy I was so glad when I found out you were still alive."

"I love you are the three words the nation's mascot was too ashamed to say."Steve said,and this time he and Bucky locked eyes.Dead silence for an eternity.

The ex winter soldier broke it by saying,"That's it?I thought it was something bigger."

Steve nodded,feeling a bit light-headed,still embarrassed.

Bucky grinned."You're in luck,pal.I've never told you this,but:I fell in love with you too.And darling,"He scrunched up his voice into an exaggeration of his Brooklyn accent.",I love ya too."

And that's when Steve's world exploded fireworks everywhere.

Bucky slammed his lips into Steve's,the super soldier was so shocked that his eyes widened so largely.He didn't know how else to respond besides his own instinct:kissing Bucky Barnes back.So Steve did,and he melted into the kiss.Pure bliss filled him,along with excitement and maybe even a bit of lust?

Bucky wrapped his arms around Steve,eyes lit up with happiness.This is what he wanted.To be with his best friend,two super soldiers expressing their love to each other.

Finally,Steve was the first one to pull back.His expression was dreamy,like he had went all the way to the brightest star in space.

"That.......was amazing."the captain breathed out,his lips twitching up into smile.

Bucky's face lit up like red Christmas lights."Sure was."he said with a chuckle.

"So,what does a confession and fiery kiss make us?"Steve asked teasingly,eyes leveling up to Bucky's as the two paced each other across the room."A couple?A thing?An item?"

"Whatever you want it to be."

Steve felt himself blush again,but this time it wasn't as explosive and dangerous."I say yes.Let's be boyfriends all the way till the end."

"Till the end of the line."Bucky put his hand on top of Steve's then held it to signify the beginnings of the most beautiful relationship that the Avengers will ever see.

Steve let the smile stay,closing his eyes."Till the end of the line."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the pass few weeks of little time the had with each other,the two were rarely seen apart.Bucky and Steve sent time in a small room hugging,talking,or just listening to the sounds of silence together.It was almost perfect peace and harmony.

Until Steve got extreme nightmares and anxiety.

Some of it was triggered by his athazagoraphobia,some of it was not.His worries were mainly about the future of his friends,the Avengers,and most of all the fight that he,Bucky,and Tony had all been in.It had really hurt Steve on what he had to do to him in order to protect Bucky.He didn't want to hurt Tony,and Tony probably didn't want to hurt him,but he had to do all that to make it up for Bucky.

"He's my friend."

"So was I."

Steve could just imagine the look of hurt and feel how betrayed Tony had felt under that suit.Even the strongest people made of iron break,and that was the genius's breaking point.Anger and a sense of wanting to avenge his mother is what drove Tony to hurt Bucky,even rip apart his metal arm.

But he was sure he made the right decision to save Bucky.He was the only thing Steve had left of his past and love.

Steve was mainly struggling with guilt,and Bucky hated to see him this way.He finally decided to talk to his friend.

"Steve,you're looking awfully pale,and often when you sleep I hear you scream."Bucky said,his words laced with concern for his lover.

Steve looked at him."I um,I just...bad dreams,that's all.Nothing much."he muttered.

"No."Bucky put a warm hand on Steve's shoulder."Something's bothering you.You have to tell me what it is,so I can help you."

"I don't need help."

"Admit it,you do."the super soldier said,eyes looking at Steve.He looked so depressed,honestly."You have to tell me."

"It's personal."Steve said,shifting a glance at Bucky."I don't want to catch you into my problems."

Bucky smiled."I'll fall into the web with you,then.We'll both be stuck."

Steve felt peace at Bucky's lightheartedness,and he relaxed."It's uh,it's mainly about everyone else.I feel as if I did tear the Avengers apart."

"You didn't.The Sokovian Accords did."Bucky's tone was very calm.

"I know.It's just I did wrong to a friend and I think--I think I hurt him a lot."Steve said,looking down at his hands."You were worth everything,I would sacrifice everything for you.But I can't stop thinking about what happened in our little battle."

"Well,if he really means that much to you as a friend,talk to him about it.Smooth it out.Show him that you're sorry for what you did."

"I'm not sorry for saving you,"Steve retorted.",I'm sorry for really hurting him emotionally and physically."

"Then write a letter."Bucky said."It always helps.After all,a letter got me to a date with that one hot chick."

Steve chuckled."The redhead you fell head over heels for."

Later that night,Bucky walked over to Steve,who was sitting at a desk,looking very serious and focused.

He groggily whispered,"What are you doing?"(Bucky was feeling very tired,as he hadn't got much sleep recently).

"Writing a letter,"Steve whispered back."I have a friend who can help deliver it to me."

Bucky gave him a thumbs up and went back to sleep.

A few days had passed and Steve seemed to be more like his old self again.This made Bucky really happy.

"I'm still getting adjusted to the future."Steve said honestly suddenly.

"I know."Bucky said,smiling softly."It's hard."He put a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder,massaging it gently.

"There is a good outcome in the future though."Steve said thoughtfully,his sparkling blue eyes locking a gaze with Bucky.His eyes were like sparkling diamonds,piercing through Bucky,as if he were looking down to his soul."They wouldn't have accepted this back in the 40s and Brooklyn."

Bucky giggled and kissed the super soldier on the cheek."Even after this mess,I'm glad we winded up here together."

Steve blushed,cheeks starting off a sheer shade of pink.He was still astonished that somehow his best friend had winded up becoming his boyfriend.

"Me too,Bucky.Me too."

----------------------------------------------------

They say that time flies--it truly does.It grows wings and flies away,out of your control and reach.It soon became time Bucky be put back to cryogenic sleep,not knowing when he would be able to be released and awake.Steve felt his heart tighten,as he entered the room with Bucky,and also his buddy Sam by his side.

Bucky took a deep breath."This might be the last time we'll see each other."

"Pessimism much?"Steve joked,trying to make light of the moment,but his heart still felt tight.

"Let's just hope this won't be the final moment and if it is,let's make the most of it."He said,lips curling up into a sad smile.Steve felt his heart drop;this was simply too heartbreaking for him to bear.

"I'll miss you,you know."

"I know."Bucky said."I'll miss you too.At least I'll be in peace finally,away from the world and worries."

"Yeah."Steve said with a heavy sigh."But there was so much I wanted to do with you."

"Like what?"Bucky's eyebrow perched up,his tone curious.

"I'm still a virgin,you know."

Bucky let out and a long and loud laugh."You're kidding me,aren't you?Haven't you done it at least once since you woke up?I'm sure any woman--or man--would kill just to feel that smooth skin,rub those chiseled abs,and damn that super soldier serum made your di-"

"Enough."Steve exclaimed,cheeks all puffy and red.Bucky's words made him feel many different feelings,and one of them was embarrassed."But yes,I haven't done it yet."

"So,it is true.The good ol' Cap is a ninety year old virgin."Bucky said,chuckling."Nothing to be ashamed of,though.It's just you and me here,right."

"Don't forget about me!"called Sam from a few feet away.

Steve's cheeks brightened even more."Oh brother.I also wanted to um,take you on a date.You know,maybe watch a movie,drink some coffee.....cliche yet romantic."

The ex winter soldier closed his eyes."That would be amazing."

"It sure would."

"Steve.....I promise to take you on a date."Bucky said,clenching the other's hand in his."I promise.One day.One day."

"Wow.You went from pessimism to optimism."

"Yeah,it's amazing how fast emotions can change."He said,looking up."Steve,I don't have much time left--I have to go,now.I'm sorry."Bucky let go of Steve's hand,and walked to the machine.

"Wait....."Steve chased after him."I love you....just never forget that,okay?"

"I love you too,and I won't ever forget,again."He did a quick salute,and entered the machine.Bucky closed his eyes,the sad smile appearing on his face.

Steve looked at Bucky."Hope you wake up soon."He watched as his boyfriend shut down,going to cryogenic sleep.

As he and Sam left the building,something haunted him.It was something comforting,like a feeling of sad yet happy nostalgia.Bucky's sad smile would forever be ghosting his dreams,till the day he woke up.

//done!Over 2,500 words,whooo!Dedicated to you,my dude--colorfalls07 thanks for being my awesome pal for so long and giving me the prompt idea for this fanfic.Please,check out his account everybody,he deserves it!

~BandanaQueen,out!