Chapter Text
Break the ice apart and break the frozen heart…
Heaving and shaking, Irey lifted himself slowly back to his feet. His balance was lost, building itself back up at the look on his face. He knew his Bucky was in there somewhere. He ignored the two men crowding him to make sure he was okay. “James. It’s our James, Steve.” He sighed, back straightening as he moved; one foot after the other he strode over to free the man’s metal arm. Beautiful, powerful, dangerous, cold. The winter soldier stood before him a broken man. The ice that coursed through them both was a magic that couldn’t be controlled. “We’ve got you James..” He crouched down to be eye level with him, a hand gently placed on Bucky’s cheek. “My Jamie. I’ll help you up…” Something sorrowful and vengeful was settling in him pulling something evil from the darkness he’d buried it in.
With Bucky leaned against him, arm draped over his shoulder he glared. He had always managed to contain when his disdain crept up. “Steve. Get him somewhere safer, now.” Their fight passed in a blur, arguing with Tony.. it was just like old times. TImes before he hated Steve, before he wanted to kill Bucky for something he didn’t have a choice in.
Irey stood alone now, in the last place he saw Bucky. Steve was close by, watching for any sign he needed to step in. As they learned of an impending doom, he wasn’t ready to see Bucky again. He’d found him months ago… In Wakanda. It took everything in him not to betray the trust he so desperately wanted to keep built up. So he stayed away… now? Well, now Steve was asking him to join them in this fight, to see Bucky again. The idea of seeing him in the flesh hurt, to see him alive and healthy? After leaving without letting anyone know? Without letting anyone come with him? Irey knew it was Buck’s choice, his right to have peace. He’d heard it, the White Wolf. The village kids loved him, and he was great with them. Of course he had checked in. The princess of Wakanda was fast to catch onto the love and longing that harbored along with his anger and resentment. She kept him as in the loop as she could without disclosing too much. “Okay…” He muttered, turning back to Steve. “I’ll go… it… it should be good to see him again, yes?” Then he stood there looking at him, smiling at them. Bucky was happy to see them, or at least Steve. Irey wanted to run, and then Bucky pulled him into a hug like he had Steve. “I Had to leave… but I am sorry that it hurt you…” Bucky had whispered. When Irey turned around at the sound… “Steve…?” His heart broke, at Bucky’s side in an instant. catching his collapsing, disintegrating form. “No. Buck, no! NO! You’re okay, you’re… you’re gonna be okay…” His words were too slow, the man in front of him had ceased to exist. He felt it, that monster he buried, clawing viciously back out, he screamed out a sound inhuman, broken. The fight that ensued almost killed him. The animalistic features, being a mutant was no help. Being genetically modified and a mutant was.. No help in his efforts. He lay surrounded by the dead, as the killer, Thanos went off in his own grief. Grief he put upon himself. He would never understand. Because he killed her, his own child. Irey would never have been able to kill Bucky, the love of his life. His favorite person.
He felt like life was a blur, Thor let go of himself, the Avengers were too dangerous. They had to be controlled, like soldiers. They had rules and laws just for them because men who couldn’t protect anyone were scared of them. So much for being heroes, now they were the villains. Even though they hadn’t aimed to kill anyone or cost lives, they only knew what was at stake, to bring back Peter and Bucky. Lives would have to be lost, and something had to be done. Brothers, children, lovers, and friends had been stolen, but they were the evil ones, the ones who needed regulation. All the while.. Irey was losing himself to his insanities.
replaying that moment, the anguish, the fear. He could smell it on himself. What was left of him now? With everything gone? He knew as soon as everything was set right, everyone was back.. Steve would leave them too. Leave Bucky to figure it out alone, like he deserved it. It would kill Bucky or get close, he knew it. He Knew it. Of course he did, he could hear it all, the frantic beating in all of their hearts as they grew worried their plan would fail, as they grew frantic to be heroes again. It was all they had, to be heroes. He heard his screams along to the frantic beat of hearts.
Irey felt it creep up on him as they stood there, waiting for Steve to come back… He knew Steve was coming… just not as the Steve they remembered. His mind had been made up before even He knew it was. “You should look to ur left guys… You’ll find who you’re looking for by the water..” He knew it spooked them a little, they turned in time to see the old man sitting down. What would happen to them next..? Without Steve’s guidance… they’d all three be lost. Irey was, lost and losing it. FIghting Bucky, making a mess of where he was staying, and he loved it.
He hadn’t felt so sane since he learned Bucky was alive. He laughed, hips rutting against nothing as Bucky held him against the wall. “It’s been so long.. so long.” They were close enough to feel one another breath, and suddenly… Irey could think, not straight, but he was clear headed. “Do something crazy Buck…” And Bucky scoffed. “No. I’m not going to do a crazy fuck, because that’s what you want isn’t it?” And Irey was Fiending. Of course Bucky knew. “Jamie please.. Just a taste, come on, I’ll straighten up, I’ll quit making problems I promise.” He saw his resolve crack. Bucky knew Irey had been too stuck in his own head, he could see it in every expression the man wore, so he gave in, kissing him hard and angry. Irey loved it. His hands found Bucky’s hips and pulled them close, desperate for more. More, more, More. He needed him, all the time. To be silent in his head, and not thinking, James gave it all to him. James gave him back his sanity.