Sentinel/Guide AU for starkingenuity

[starspangledspandex]

Things have been going remarkably well between them. Even if the beginning was somewhat rocky, their compatibility was obvious and not just to them. Steve was old-fashioned and though his instincts made it clear what they wanted, he did things the "right" way. There were dates and gifts and just general wooing. They talked about it and they were ready.

He smiled at Tony, watching him as he worked and couldn't stand it anymore. "Tonight," he said, then added, for clarity, "We should bond tonight."

Maybe not the most romantic proposal but he figured he shouldn't smother Tony in it anyway or the man would get sick of it. No the rarity made it special.

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[starspangledspandex]

He was watching the Soldier just as much as he was watching the video. The Captain was hoping that the man realized this was what he meant. There was no way that this was faked. It was impossible.

The Captain stood when he heard footsteps approaching and the door opened. If this was Tony... He was an idiot.

[starkingenuity]

Tony was more or less being sat upon so he wouldn't stupidly go down there and interfere. No, there was Sam and Natasha, Thor in front. He was grim.

"I would ask you to step to the corner, Captain. No harm will come to either of you."

[starspangledspandex]

"Why? What are you doing?" He demanded, expression pulling tight and wary. If they felt the need to bring this man, something was happening. He was strong as them if not stronger.

[starkingenuity]

"Because we need to talk to him," Natasha spoke up. "We're Guides. We have things to speak about that you wouldn't understand." The Soldier didn't feel like a Guide, but that was still how the Captain saw him. "Thor is not invited." She smiled ever so slightly.

[starspangledspandex]

He probably looked skeptical, because he was, because no one ever just wanted to talk when they were involved. It felt like they were prisoners here and they didn't have a choice.

The Sentinel's gaze shifted to his Guide and back to Thor. He couldn't protect him if he wasn't with him. Logically, the Soldier could handle himself but that didn't change the biological instinct and need.

"No," he said, finally. His eyes shifted back to his Guide. Ultimately, it was up to the Soldier if he wanted to go.

[starkingenuity]

The Soldier didn't want to go anywhere. Separation was punishment and he was afraid of what they would do to them when they were apart. He moved to stand with the Captain, causing Thor to lift his hand and call forth the hammer.

The room was made of Vibranium but that didn't mean that it wasn't going to get damaged. Either way, they would speedster the two. Bucky would be taken by the Guides. It was just that simple.

[starspangledspandex]

Thor knocked the Captain pretty solidly against the wall. It was hard enough to daze him and disorient him enough that could get the upper hand on his Guide.

He stayed where he had sunk down the wall, wrapping his arms around himself and waited for the shared pain to come down the bond. The Captain was failing his Soldier and went so far as to defend their captors.

All for what? Memories that may or may not exist?

[starkingenuity]

There would not be pain from the Soldier. Emotional distress, yes, but not pain. They were only talking to him. And to prove that, the video on the screen shifted to the feed inside the interrogation room where Bucky so happened to be.

No sound, but Steve could at least watch.

[starspangledspandex]

He was certainly no stranger to emotional distress. The Captain was experiencing his fair share right now. He still couldn't figure out what their game was--were they really trying to help them?

The Captain was relieved that they let him see the Soldier. He didn't know what they were saying but at least he could see that they weren't hurting him.

He watched with rapt attention, waiting quietly where he was sitting.

[starkingenuity]

And that was about the point that Tony came back. He was stupid yes. But the Captain had only not killed him but also saved him from being killed. And that was the important thing here.

He stayed by the door. Quietly. Okay, he was quiet for about five seconds.

"He was drafted," Tony said quietly. "Into the army you so desperately wanted to join. He was afraid, he didn't want to fight, and he never told you. But you saved him. He's your best friend."

[starspangledspandex]

His gaze shifted to Tony, frowning slightly at the man as he talked and finally shook his head. He remembered bonding the Soldier but not much else.

"I don't remember," his forehead creased. "Pieces, maybe, but nothing concrete." He didn't know why he felt so compelled to tell Tony.

"It hurts my head."

[starkingenuity]

"Sorry about that," Tony said. He didn't want to hurt Steve. "But you'll live. I promise. Learning sometimes sucks."

He recklessly joined his boyfriend on the mattress, close enough so that they could smell each other, close enough to be within arm's reach of one another.

He knew what he was doing. His eyes stayed on Steve.

"What do you remember about me? What bits and pieces?"

[starspangledspandex]

The man didn't sound especially sorry but then again, the Captain probably wasn't the best judge. He tracked the movement of the man over to the bed. He could smell him and that did things for him he was sure he wasn't supposed to feel.

It confused him.

His forehead was going to be perpetually creased at this point. "I... It's flashes, like a photograph. It's hard to see some things. I remember... making you breakfast? Watching you work in... some kind of workshop."

[starkingenuity]

Those flashes were more precious to Tony than he had initially realized that they might. His eyes welled but he blinked away the moisture. He wasn't an idiot and crying was weakness. He couldn't be weak.

"You cook better than I do. You use to come over and surprise me." It wasn't like Steve could sleep over. They had been trying not to give in physically to temptation. Sex would have meant bonding.

It had been a rough patch for Tony, dealing with his hand.

"And we use to fix your motorcycle together."

[starspangledspandex]

He scrunched up his face like that might help him remember. The Captain was afraid to remember and wanted to all at the same time. It was obvious that Tony had feelings for him but what about his bond? He had a mate.

...though, he wavered on that point often enough too. The memory of his bonding was rough around the edges. He didn't know what led to the actual act. Tony kept saying he loved him. He didn't understand. There was an odd disconnect between his Soldier and Tony--why?

[starkingenuity]

It was all right that Steve didn't remember all of it. It would take time to come back and Tony was oddly all right with that too. He just wanted to stay here and watch some home movies and be with the Sentinel.

"You can ask me anything, Steve. If you're confused, I'll answer and try to give you proof that I'm not lying."

[starspangledspandex]

"I don't... I don't know where to start," The Captain murmured, because there was just so much.

No, that was a lie. He did know where to start.

"Why?" he demanded, finally. He gestured toward Bucky on the screen. "I have a mate. But you say you love me. We danced and kissed. I made you breakfast and you helped with my motorcycle. Often."

He added the last as an afterthought because it felt like more than once though he couldn't necessarily confirm it.

"I don't understand."

[starkingenuity]

"We were always planning to bond. You wanted to court me for awhile," Tony commented. "So we played by your rules. You know, supposedly we are one of the mostly highly compatible set ever recorded?"

Hey. He just really liked to brag okay?

"But we couldn't. Something went wrong...I was the only one that held the connection. Right up until you bonded to Bucky instead."

[starspangledspandex]

No, he didn't know and that was the whole point of this. If he knew, he wouldn't have asked. It was just as shocking to him now as it had been the first time. Of course, it explained why he felt weird around the man.

"Why would I do that?" he asked, forehead creasing. He could piece together some of their relationship but if they were as serious as Tony was suggesting... why would he bond someone else instead?

[starkingenuity]

Tony leaned back, his eyes fixed on Steve. There was so much he wanted to say any yet could not. Those things were reserved for when Steve knew him again.

"It's nature. He was specifically made to fit you. Hydra planned it." Bucky probably loved Steve too and while he was technically first, Tony wanted him more.

He had never clicked with anyone like he had with Rogers.

He couldn't give that up.

[starspangledspandex]

So their mating was engineered by their handlers and the man that was likely his mate was sitting here. It made him wary still. It didn't feel like a trap but yet he was conditioned to think that it was by Hydra.

"Show me more," he demanded. He wanted more proof. He needed to see it for himself.

[starkingenuity]

That was easy. Tony had a tablet with him loaded with all sorts of things. He and Steve had never mastered the selfie, but when they were going out, paparazzi followed. There were some fantastic candids on Tumblr and videos on YouTube. Tony watched them with Steve, wishing he could curl up against him.

It ended with the picture of their nest... The one that Tony had spent hours building for them. It was bittersweet.

[starspangledspandex]

Steve watched, horribly conflicted as he watched them smile and laugh with one another. There was so much he didn't remember. The more recent memories weren't there at all. The nest, in particular, but along the side he could read all the congratulations and finally!s as the world celebrated with them.

He tore his gaze away, wrapping his arms around his knees and brought forward the memory of his bonding with the Soldier. There was no nest, just scraps and desperation and hesitation on his part. It looked like a mistake compared to the nest that Tony had made them.

The proof was undeniable, even if he couldn't remember it, there was in front of him. The Soldier loved him and he had no doubts there. He loved the man in return but if they were friends... it made sense, didn't it? To feel that close to him?

He didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say.

[starkingenuity]

And he didn't have to say anything. Tony was washed with compassion... And honestly that was difficult for him. Steve brought out the best. He'd always had since they met and glared at one another and fell in love.

"Are you hungry? That's one thing I can fix. Pizza? I know the place you like."

[starspangledspandex]

He shrugged one shoulder, which is a habit, because he was trained to not want anything. Their handlers fed them if they were out of their boxes long enough. It happened increasingly more as time went on and they felt like they were getting a handle on The Captain. They also wanted their bond to be strong so it would be harder for him to stray or question his orders.

Obviously, it wasn't helping as much as they hoped.

Finally, he nodded, "I am."