"Barnes, you've got a visitor," a voice muttered.
Bucky turned his head away from the small window he was looking out of, gaze meeting the warden's. A visitor? he thought. The brunette moved away from the window as he followed the warden out of his cell. Several other prisoners started yelling and slamming their hands on the metal bars as Bucky kept his head low. He'd began asking to stay in his cell more often because now everybody wanted to pick a fight with him. It didn't exactly help that they all knew who he was...or once was.
"Who's my visitor?" he asked, voice hoarse.
It'd been a while since he'd opened his mouth to speak.
"No idea why he's here, but Tony Stark is here to visit you," the warden replied.
Bucky simply nodded as they walked down an empty hallway, before stopping at a room. It wasn't the usual visitor room where it was filled with other inmates meeting family or friends. He chewed on his bottom lip nervously as the door was opened and he was ushered inside. The door was closed behind him, his eyes darting around the room, until they stopped on an older man leaning against the far wall.
"Sorry if I'm not the visitor you were hoping for," Tony spoke.
"Tony," Bucky answered.
"You know who I am then?" Tony asked.
"I-" Bucky paused.
Memories flashed in his head of a man and a woman. The names Howard, Maria and Stark fizzled in his mind as he closed his eyes. His metal arm tried to recalibrate when he clenched his fist, but it simply groaned in protest. How could Tony even stand in front of him after what had happened to his parents?
"Relax Capsicle 2.0, I'm not here to fight with you, or argue with you. Or tell you how much I hate you for what you did. Because that wasn't you," Tony mused.
"What are you saying?" Bucky replied. "How can you stand there and say that?" he added.
"Because if you saw me now you'd probably try and kill me too. Am I correct? That used to be embedded in your brain. That was The Winter Soldier that did this. There's a difference between Bucky and him. He was a weapon, you're just a soldier trying to find his way home," Tony answered.
"I'm sorry," the brunette whispered.
Tony sighed.
"Don't be," he murmured.
"Why are you here?" Bucky questioned.
"Because by request of your dear Captain, he'd like me to fix your arm," Tony replied.
"Oh," Bucky breathed out. "Wait-my what?" he continued.
"Oh please, we all know you and Rogers made heart eyes at each other back in your day. You spry old fellows, your 'till the end of the line sort of thing," Tony quipped, sitting down at the table. "Come on, show me this bad boy," he added.
The brunette wandered over to the other chair and sat down, bringing his metal arm up onto the table. Tony whistled and grinned like a kid in a candy store, tracing his fingers over the grooves. Bucky watched him intently, curling his fingers every now and again to stop his anxiety.
"How's Steve?" he asked.
"Cap? He's good, got a little battered in the last mission. But, that's Steve I guess," the brunette answered.
"Typical," Bucky scoffed.
"Oh he asked me to give you this," Tony issued, pulling out a letter.
Bucky took it in his right hand and peeled it open, folding out the familiar paper from the first one. It had been five days since he'd heard from Steve and he'd thought that maybe he'd scared Steve off with his last one. But seeing this one out his mind at ease.
Steven Grant Rogers
Avengers Tower
Manhattan, NY
March 18th 2015
James Buchanan Barnes
Newgate Prison
Manhattan, NY
Cell 107
Bucky,
Sorry it took me so long to send this, but I was sent on a mission for a few days and didn't come back until yesterday. Besides, I had to wait until I got back to give this letter to Tony so he could give it to you. I hope it's alright that I sent him to come and fix your arm. I know you would probably prefer to see me...but I want to save that moment for when you're out of prison. I'd like to see you out in the open, not behind bars, or surrounded by other people. There's so many things we've got to catch up on pal.
I have to admit, getting a reply from you, I didn't expect you to write so much. I also didn't expect that drawing. It's beautiful, Bucky, it's exactly how I remember you drawing. You were so good at it. Maybe you could use that as a way to help you through the tough times. Your letter worried me Bucky. Hang in there pal. Do it for me? It broke my heart to hear how bad you're coping. But trust me, I'll figure this out, I promise. I won't fail you this time Bucky.
I'm glad you at least have someone to talk to. Just keep yourself out of those fights, I want you to be safe. Remember all those times I used to get beat up? You always saved my ass, but, I never backed away from a fight. Remember back,when I asked if you'd follow Captain America into the jaws of death and you said "Hell, no. That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight, I'm following him." I still kept that with me when I woke up in this modern world. You were my best friend Buck. You still are. And I'll help you when you're free. Promise. When did I ever break a promise?
Also, I didn't laugh when you said you had tears in your eyes. I would have too if I was in your situation. I'm glad the dog tags made you feel better, that's what I intended. Stop blaming yourself for what happened. That wasn't you. Well all know it Bucky. We're all slowly starting to settle down from that, everything is going to be okay. You just gotta' hold on a little longer Bucky. It could be weeks or months but I'll work as quick as I can, I'll round up some help too. Every bit of spare time, I will devote to you pal.
I promise you that.
Stay strong, be the strong Bucky Barnes I knew seventy years ago. You are not a monster. The Winter Soldier was a monster. Bucky Barnes was far from it, and it know you'll remember this. You'll remember all the good that you did.
Bucky...you're perfect, you always were. Whatever anybody else said, that's not how I saw you.
Still missing you.
Yours,
Stevie
P.S. Don't get caught with your new gifts, they'll keep you going for a while.
Bucky kept reading over the 'you're perfect' and 'you always were', his heart starting to hammer in his chest. He put the letter down and ran his hand down his face, sighing deeply. Tony was too busy being engrossed in his arm to see the brunette responding to reading the letter. He twisted a joint inside the arm, Bucky's metal hand suddenly clamping around Tony's wrist tightly. Bucky's eyes widened as he stared at Tony, who had an equally as shocked look on his face.
"I'm so sorry, it does that sometimes. I had it jammed like that once for an hour before one of the scientists at the bank vault could fix it," he confessed.
"It's fine, it's not hurting me. Relax," Tony soothed.
"Why are you helping me?" Bucky queried.
"Because Steve needs you. And the only way to do that is to make sure you're in tip top shape when you're ready to leave," the brunette responded.
"If I ever get out of here," Bucky scoffed.
"You will, I'll try my hardest, I'll help Steve," Tony hummed.
He was telling the truth, and Bucky could see it in his eyes.
"I believe you," he mumbled.
Tony smiled softly, turning his attention back to the arm as he fixed the joint, feeling the pressure relax on his wrist. He sat back and reached into his jacket, pulling out an iPod and a small tablet. Bucky eyed them curiously, leaning forward slightly.
"iPod for music, Steve put a bunch of songs on there for you. Tablet has books, some games. I'd say keep them safe but I told the wardens if they take them away from you there will be trouble," the brunette huffed.
Bucky let out a short laugh.
"I guess I should say thank you," he mused.
"I can quickly teach you how to use the tech. We've still got ten minutes," Tony offered.
"Sure," Bucky replied, a small smile following afterwards.
Yet even as he listened to Tony ramble on, he still couldn't get over what Steve had said in his letter. It stirred a feeling that had lingered deep inside Bucky for years.