Chapter Text
"Are you sure about this?" asks Steve for the millionth time since they started packing.
"Yes, Steve" answers Bucky bordering on insanity. The rouge Avengers have gotten permission to return to the compound, and Bucky did as well. Which prompted Steve to become an overprotective mother hen. He kept wondering why Tony would want both of them back to the compound even after ever thing that happened, and why the American government would allow them back. Bucky wasn't too worried though, he'd been ready to pay for his crimes as the winter soldier and now they were pardoned and his name cleared. It seemed like some sort of miracle. Which would prompt Steve to rant about how he didn't do anything wrong in the first place, and from there turn into a lecture about how Bucky needs to eat more.
"It's not like I have much choice in the matter," mutters Bucky. He realizes his mistake however, when he meets his best friends eyes from across the room, crap.
"You do have a choice Buck, and from now on you always will. Just because the government says it doesn't mean it has to be done. We are people with our own hearts and minds-" Bucky throwing a shirt in his face cuts him off.
"Forget I said anything," says Bucky with a sigh. Don't get him wrong he loves Steve he's like a brother to him, it's Captain America he has a problem with. If he has to hear one more speech during breakfast about human rights he's going to throw himself out a window.
"Alright fair enough," mutters Steve a smile on his face as he folds the shirt. After a minute of silent folding Steve starts taking again "it's not that I don't want to go back I do. I miss the compound and the team. I also miss Tony and his lab explosions, but if he doesn't want us back then I don't think the situation should be forced. He might need a little more time and space before he's ready to forgive us. And if that's true I don't want you there blaming yourself every time Tony glare at you".
Bucky sits down on the edge of his bed with a sigh. He understands where Stevie is coming from he really does, but he can't help but feel like he needs to go and apologize face to face. Being able to talk to someone that the Soldier has hurt probably won't happen often or ever. Bucky feels like he might be able to sleep at little better a night afterwards even if Tony doesn't accept his apology.
"Everything will be fine Stevie, you'll see," is the only answer Bucky gives.
Before Steve could comment Natasha walks through the door "The jet will be here in about an hour, so you old guys might want to speed things up".