#ashesofhale

" What, no hello ? No hug ? No ' hey awesome Stiles you are back, we have missed you in the last five years ? ' I am disappointed, Derek. " 

Escaping from Hydra was a bittersweet moment that never truly sat right with Stiles. Sure he and Derek were free and were able to forge their own path in life but there was always that empty spot that was the elephant in the room. There had been three of them but now they were down to two and Stiles couldn't help but think about the third man missing from their little 'team'-- if being forced to work together under threats of physical and mental torture could be qualified as a team. No matter how much they tried not to think about it both Derek and Stiles knew that James Buchanan Barnes, or Bucky as Derek often referred to him, was still out there.

Derek had all but given up hope on rescuing Barnes from Hydra as they'd both been looking for the man since Derek had woken Stiles up from cryostasis. There had been sightings of the man known as the Winter Soldier for years but they two always showed up twenty steps behind Hydra. It got a little better after they'd joined S.H.I.E.L.D. but even so they'd never so much as caught the other's shadow. Stiles, however, refused to give up the belief that they would one day see Barnes again.

"Status: Fury dead. S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsing. Winter Soldier in D.C. Get to D.C. now."

The message from Natasha was both relieving and terrifying. Stiles always knew this day would come but he didn't know if he was entirely ready for it to happen. Then again he doubted anyone was ever ready to truly fully face their achievements and failures.

"Derek gear up. We're heading back. Winter's coming after all."

; ✖ ———

         ❝If you're looking for Stiles or my dad, they're      not here. Something about a 'guys night' or      something else equally stupid.❞