Chapter Text
Bucky pulled the blanket over Tony and himself, and snuggled closer to the other man. Tony turned in his arms to kiss him good night before curling up against Bucky and pulling his metal arm around him.
Planting a kiss on Tony's head, Bucky hugged him close. It was about time they went to sleep, Tony had been working too much lately. The new team, Tony's duties with Stark Industries, taking care of the younger heroes, it all ate up a lot of Tony's time. The bags under his eyes spoke volumes, even if Tony hid his tiredness behind make-up, coffee and being excited. All of it was something that meant a lot to Tony, work that he loved and deemed important.
Bucky closed his eyes, smiling contently in the knowledge that he himself was also one of the people Tony loved. After Tony had forgotten the civil war and the time afterwards, Bucky had spent years avoiding his feelings. Once Tony had at last remembered, Bucky took heart from that and finally confessed. He still sometimes couldn't believe his luck. They were together, happy, and both in it for the long haul.
Drifting off, Bucky sighed contently, with Tony secure in his arms.
~~~
Bucky startled awake when he felt the warm weight against him shift and disappear.
"Tony?" he slurred, looking around, his eyes still sleepy and unfocused.
"Shh, it's all fine." Tony appeared standing at his bedside and nudged him to settle down again. "I can't sleep," he whispered. "I'll go find a distraction, you should sleep." Tony squeezed his hand, tucked him in again and kissed his forehead. With a last look, Tony left the room and closed the door quietly.
Bucky sighed. Sleeping in the same bed usually helped Tony with falling asleep, but sometimes it wasn't enough. Bucky staying awake and worrying wouldn't help Tony, though.
Closing his eyes again, Bucky turned to the side and hugged the blanket closer. After a while, his breathing had calmed again.
"FRIDAY... Where is Tony?" he asked, barely loud enough for the AI to pick up.
"Tony has left the building, his armor is in do-not-disturb setting." FRIDAY replied.
Bucky squeezed his eyes shut tighter.
Tony did that sometimes. Sneaking out late at night, when he couldn't sleep, or sometimes during the day, when he was overwhelmed. It happened more when Bucky was away on a mission or not in the city for some other reason. But even when Bucky was there, Tony sometimes left, only to return a few hours later, usually more relaxed and calm. And then he lied about where he was.
It wasn't that Bucky was suspicious. This was Tony and Bucky trusted him.
However, Bucky might be a little worried. He'd seen Tony almost self destruct and try to keep it secret, after Steve's death, but this was different. And while Tony was willing to risk a lot to do what was right, Bucky could read him well enough to see when something was really bothering him. Or so he hoped.
He drifted off again, trying not to think about it.
~~~
Bucky awoke when the bed dipped next to him.
He let out a questioning grunt.
Tony slid under the cover next to him and chuckled lightly. "Just me. Let's just sleep for a few hours?" he whispered.
Bucky tugged him closer and felt Tony relax against him.
"Love you," he slurred clinging to Tony. Then, he fell asleep again, with Tony already snoring into his shoulder.