[Bucky didn't change. He stayed a polar bear but he settled onto the ground, resting his head on Fitz's knee. Skye was right; being an animal was easier.
It was his fault.]
She wouldn't let me die instead. I wanted to, but-
[Bucky hadn't wanted Skye to suffer, either. He hadn't wanted her to die, but- but he'd been as good to her as he could. He made sure she hadn't had a lot of time to dwell on it before it happened. He would have done the same for any of them, if he'd had to.
But Skye would be back, and things would get better.
[Fitz outright flinched at the question, his hand stilling on Bucky's head as he stared down at it. On his palm a name was etched, burned into his skin and constantly throbbing. He was going to have to do something about it eventually but he was fighting it. Fighting every single urge and voice in his head.
But the question was, would he be able to hold out?]
[Gently, he bumped his head up against Fitz's hand, opening his eyes. He wasn't sure if that meant Fitz had already been through the same thing Skye and him had, or if it had yet to happen, but he didn't want to outright ask, either.]
[His ears flickered when Fitz kissed him, and he rumbled softly. He couldn't smile, and he couldn't kiss Fitz back unless Fitz felt up to being covered in bear slobber, so that was the best he could do.
Fitz also didn't sound too sure on that, but if he wouldn't accept help, Bucky didn't have the energy to push it.]
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[Action]
It was his fault.]
She wouldn't let me die instead. I wanted to, but-
[But Skye had been stubborn. He closed his eyes.]
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[Skye was just that type of person and Fitz knew it. He also knew that Bucky probably made it as quick and painless as possible for her.
So despite how much the situation sucked..
Resting a hand on the other's head once Bucky settles, Fitz gives him a gentle albeit sad look.]
She'll be back. And then it'll..everything will be okay.
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But Skye would be back, and things would get better.
He huffed out a breath softly.]
Are you- did- are you okay?
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But the question was, would he be able to hold out?]
..I'm alright. For now.
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Any way I can help?
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No, I'll be alright.
[Even if he didn't sound confident about that.]
I want you to just relax and rest. And look after Skye until she gets back, okay?
[Action]
Fitz also didn't sound too sure on that, but if he wouldn't accept help, Bucky didn't have the energy to push it.]
I will. I'll keep her safe.