taylor price
Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
if i look back, i am lost
Andulka
hello vonnie
Misplaced Lens Cap
we're not kids anymore.
Mike Driver
d e v o n
NASA
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
izzy's playlists!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
RMH
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
No title available
祝日 / Permanent Vacation
Cosimo Galluzzi
JBB: An Artblog!
KIROKAZE
seen from Germany
seen from Finland
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Dominican Republic
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
seen from Australia
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from Ireland
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Malaysia
seen from Malaysia
@justawhitewolf
Congressman James Barnes
Family: @mutantontheloose @they-call-me-birdsong @they-call-me-ricochet @just-a-fucking-civilian @poor-lost-leo @stream-fire @themagneticbarnes @captain-s-falcon @star-spangled-starboyyy
Friends: @americas-favourite-fossil @serenastark-official @pepperpotts-official
//having a go at something different with this account! Still all the same backstory etc just what happens if Bucky stayed in politics rather than be a Thunderbolt//
“Another year older…”
Do you wanna train with me later? Steve is making me :((
@emiliakane
Not training so much these days, but I can give you pointers?
Open RP: Housewarming
Becca has spent the past few months renovating and customizing the beautiful little house she’s bought, on the same lake her brother lives on. It’s clean, army-neat and bright, built to feel familiar to someone from the 40s, down to the appliances
She hosts a small housewarming to celebrate, the music playing and the voices making her smile. People have brought friends and significant others, and she’s happily chatting and sharing her home, the first one thats all hers. All the way from the tenements of New York to a modest but lovely home just a few minutes from family
When you arrive, she’s pouring a glass of lemonade in the kitchen, breaking into a grin
Mikey nervously stops and chews his lip.
“Oh, umm, hi Ms Barnes. My momma said you wouldn’t mind me coming and I wanted to help out with Wyatt and Em’s girls….it’s a lovely home.”
Becca smiles warmly at the sight. “No need for the title, Mikey. And I don’t mind at all, I’m always glad to have people.” She opens the door wide for him. “You don’t have to call me aunt or anything, but just Becca is perfectly fine. I’m physically not that much older than you, either”
“Okay, Becca. Thank you.” Mikey nods.
He seems to relax a little.
“Of course,” she smiles. “Feel free to come in, we’ve got loads of food in the dining room”
“Thanks. Um, Beau had to work but he sent Bredele?” He holds out the container.
“Who’s Beau- the fiancé I heard about?” Becca accepts it with a grin. “I like this guy already, this looks amazing”
“That’s him. He loves cooking.”
“Cooking is always a very good use of time,” she winks, slipping the box into a cupboard so he doesn’t have to share it. “You’ve seen nothing”
Mikey suppresses a laugh.
“Absolutely. Especially if you like French food.”
“The worst part of the war wasn’t the battles, it was that when I went to France the restaurants were struggling with rationing,” Becca chuckles. “Someday I’ll be back and doing things properly. With all of the amazing food”
“In the meantime, you could always come for a meal with us.”
“I’d love to,” she smiles. “I’ll have to host you as well”
“That would be nice.”
“So, how’s the move going?”
“Good. Finally got everything from California, just sorting what needs to go into storage. Hopefully taking Leo for some decor and art shopping soon.” Mikey smiles, taking a sip of lemonade.
“I think he’d enjoy that, from what I’ve seen,” Becca smiles. “You should see some of what he’s gotten into. I asked him if he took commissions — I wanted a mantelpiece with some custom carving — and he went and re-did the banisters for free. I still haven’t convinced him to let me pay him so I’m just starting to hand him bits here and there”
“Sounds like Leo. Maybe give the money to Em, she’d either convince him to take it or keep it safe for him.”
He pauses for a moment.
“I like having siblings.”
“That’s smart. Maybe she can invest it or something, I know she learned some about that. Though I don’t trust stocks, and barely banks. Great Depression and all. Wall Street crashing wasn’t fun to watch.”
Becca softens, smiling. “Yeah? I do, too. I mean, my brother is still vaguely annoying at times, but he’s always been my best friend. Steve was his, he was mine, I always loved him so much. And Steve was great too.” She glances over. “It’s nice having people to share life with, eh?”
“Yeah, I imagine living through it would’ve been scary. I don’t blame you, but Em’s clever, one of the most clever people I know.” He smiles softly.
“It was the best, finding Momma and Da- um, Bucky, and the siblings. I have a grown up niece, it’s terrifying and amazing.”
“Agreed. And besides, banks are insured, so that’s very good.”
Becca smiles slowly, then touches his hand. “May I hug you? Trust me, he wouldn’t mind you saying that at all if it’s what you want.” She squeezes him gently. “Trust me, I get it. I went into the ice barely twenty six, and when I came back in the wrong universe I have what, six great nieces and nephews? And two great-great granddaughters? Your oldest sister is my age, biologically. It’s okay to be scared, it’s natural my dear”
Mikey nods, letting Becca wrap him up in a hug.
“He’s been a better dad than my…dna donor.” He says quietly.
“I’m glad he is, then. You know he would accept you, okay? You don’t have to say a word, doll, but he’ll still care like you’re his own.” She strokes his hair quietly
Mikey just cuddle in, Becca’s presence and care is comforting.
“I know he would…it’s more…I don’t want to step on the others toes.”
“You do realize that the man we’re talking about half raised me, then adopted Leo, who was at the time half dead, in the throes of a severe addiction, sixteen, and had hitchhiked several hundred miles with twins on the way? Who adopted his sister even though she was just as stubborn as you are about not getting in the way?” Becca squeezes him, the cool metal of her left arm brushing the back of his neck. “He doesn’t care. He loves being a dad”
“I’ll…I’ll talk to him…just not today.” He mumbles.
“Doesn’t have to be today. Today, just enjoy the party, and if you want to stay after and just… be, you’re welcome to”
“Thanks.” He smiles and wipes his eyes a little.
“Of course, darling. I’m always here”
Mikey nods and smiles.
There’s a cacophony of noise from outside, Lucie’s excited giggling squeal, shouts of encouragement from Charlie and indignant protesting from Wyatt.
“Uh oh.” He grins.
“There’s trouble,” Becca grins, scooping up the great-niece who comes racing in
“Hello princess.” Mikey coos, tickling Lucie.
“I feel like your Auntie Charlie has been causing chaos.”
“Lunita! Ah, all my favorite nieces and nephews,” Becca exclaims, moving through hugs and swinging Charlie around quickly
Wyatt wanders in, a moonboot now instead of crutches. His hair and tshirt are soaking wet.
“Charlie taught Luce how to use the water pistol.”
“Goodness, I hope you taught her properly?” Becca raises an eyebrow. “Good form, yes? And proper safety?”
“Naturally. If you’re going to chaos, do it properly.” Charlie grins, a glint in her eye.
“And you always treat a gun as if it is loaded, and keep them off of your mother’s carpets,” Becca adds proudly
“Yes! Remember that Luce!” Charlie grins
Becca laughs as the toddler gives a big thumbs up, accidentally adding another finger.
She moves through the family, making sure to greet everyone individually and ask about their lives
Bucky grins proudly, from where he’s sitting with Luna and Olive.
His sister deserves this.
“Hey,” she smiles, leaving him for last as everyone mingles with the few other guests. She sits down, and watching as the two girls pick up a chess set and start getting ready. “What do you think?”
“The place looks amazing, I’m so happy for you.” Bucky wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her into a side hug.
She smiles, hugging him back. “I’m so proud of it. I never even dreamed I’d get this and now… it’s all this and more and so full of family”
“You deserve this.”
Open RP: Housewarming
Becca has spent the past few months renovating and customizing the beautiful little house she’s bought, on the same lake her brother lives on. It’s clean, army-neat and bright, built to feel familiar to someone from the 40s, down to the appliances
She hosts a small housewarming to celebrate, the music playing and the voices making her smile. People have brought friends and significant others, and she’s happily chatting and sharing her home, the first one thats all hers. All the way from the tenements of New York to a modest but lovely home just a few minutes from family
When you arrive, she’s pouring a glass of lemonade in the kitchen, breaking into a grin
Mikey nervously stops and chews his lip.
“Oh, umm, hi Ms Barnes. My momma said you wouldn’t mind me coming and I wanted to help out with Wyatt and Em’s girls….it’s a lovely home.”
Becca smiles warmly at the sight. “No need for the title, Mikey. And I don’t mind at all, I’m always glad to have people.” She opens the door wide for him. “You don’t have to call me aunt or anything, but just Becca is perfectly fine. I’m physically not that much older than you, either”
“Okay, Becca. Thank you.” Mikey nods.
He seems to relax a little.
“Of course,” she smiles. “Feel free to come in, we’ve got loads of food in the dining room”
“Thanks. Um, Beau had to work but he sent Bredele?” He holds out the container.
“Who’s Beau- the fiancé I heard about?” Becca accepts it with a grin. “I like this guy already, this looks amazing”
“That’s him. He loves cooking.”
“Cooking is always a very good use of time,” she winks, slipping the box into a cupboard so he doesn’t have to share it. “You’ve seen nothing”
Mikey suppresses a laugh.
“Absolutely. Especially if you like French food.”
“The worst part of the war wasn’t the battles, it was that when I went to France the restaurants were struggling with rationing,” Becca chuckles. “Someday I’ll be back and doing things properly. With all of the amazing food”
“In the meantime, you could always come for a meal with us.”
“I’d love to,” she smiles. “I’ll have to host you as well”
“That would be nice.”
“So, how’s the move going?”
“Good. Finally got everything from California, just sorting what needs to go into storage. Hopefully taking Leo for some decor and art shopping soon.” Mikey smiles, taking a sip of lemonade.
“I think he’d enjoy that, from what I’ve seen,” Becca smiles. “You should see some of what he’s gotten into. I asked him if he took commissions — I wanted a mantelpiece with some custom carving — and he went and re-did the banisters for free. I still haven’t convinced him to let me pay him so I’m just starting to hand him bits here and there”
“Sounds like Leo. Maybe give the money to Em, she’d either convince him to take it or keep it safe for him.”
He pauses for a moment.
“I like having siblings.”
“That’s smart. Maybe she can invest it or something, I know she learned some about that. Though I don’t trust stocks, and barely banks. Great Depression and all. Wall Street crashing wasn’t fun to watch.”
Becca softens, smiling. “Yeah? I do, too. I mean, my brother is still vaguely annoying at times, but he’s always been my best friend. Steve was his, he was mine, I always loved him so much. And Steve was great too.” She glances over. “It’s nice having people to share life with, eh?”
“Yeah, I imagine living through it would’ve been scary. I don’t blame you, but Em’s clever, one of the most clever people I know.” He smiles softly.
“It was the best, finding Momma and Da- um, Bucky, and the siblings. I have a grown up niece, it’s terrifying and amazing.”
“Agreed. And besides, banks are insured, so that’s very good.”
Becca smiles slowly, then touches his hand. “May I hug you? Trust me, he wouldn’t mind you saying that at all if it’s what you want.” She squeezes him gently. “Trust me, I get it. I went into the ice barely twenty six, and when I came back in the wrong universe I have what, six great nieces and nephews? And two great-great granddaughters? Your oldest sister is my age, biologically. It’s okay to be scared, it’s natural my dear”
Mikey nods, letting Becca wrap him up in a hug.
“He’s been a better dad than my…dna donor.” He says quietly.
“I’m glad he is, then. You know he would accept you, okay? You don’t have to say a word, doll, but he’ll still care like you’re his own.” She strokes his hair quietly
Mikey just cuddle in, Becca’s presence and care is comforting.
“I know he would…it’s more…I don’t want to step on the others toes.”
“You do realize that the man we’re talking about half raised me, then adopted Leo, who was at the time half dead, in the throes of a severe addiction, sixteen, and had hitchhiked several hundred miles with twins on the way? Who adopted his sister even though she was just as stubborn as you are about not getting in the way?” Becca squeezes him, the cool metal of her left arm brushing the back of his neck. “He doesn’t care. He loves being a dad”
“I’ll…I’ll talk to him…just not today.” He mumbles.
“Doesn’t have to be today. Today, just enjoy the party, and if you want to stay after and just… be, you’re welcome to”
“Thanks.” He smiles and wipes his eyes a little.
“Of course, darling. I’m always here”
Mikey nods and smiles.
There’s a cacophony of noise from outside, Lucie’s excited giggling squeal, shouts of encouragement from Charlie and indignant protesting from Wyatt.
“Uh oh.” He grins.
“There’s trouble,” Becca grins, scooping up the great-niece who comes racing in
“Hello princess.” Mikey coos, tickling Lucie.
“I feel like your Auntie Charlie has been causing chaos.”
“Lunita! Ah, all my favorite nieces and nephews,” Becca exclaims, moving through hugs and swinging Charlie around quickly
Wyatt wanders in, a moonboot now instead of crutches. His hair and tshirt are soaking wet.
“Charlie taught Luce how to use the water pistol.”
“Goodness, I hope you taught her properly?” Becca raises an eyebrow. “Good form, yes? And proper safety?”
“Naturally. If you’re going to chaos, do it properly.” Charlie grins, a glint in her eye.
“And you always treat a gun as if it is loaded, and keep them off of your mother’s carpets,” Becca adds proudly
“Yes! Remember that Luce!” Charlie grins
Becca laughs as the toddler gives a big thumbs up, accidentally adding another finger.
She moves through the family, making sure to greet everyone individually and ask about their lives
Bucky grins proudly, from where he’s sitting with Luna and Olive.
His sister deserves this.
“Hey,” she smiles, leaving him for last as everyone mingles with the few other guests. She sits down, and watching as the two girls pick up a chess set and start getting ready. “What do you think?”
“The place looks amazing, I’m so happy for you.” Bucky wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her into a side hug.
Open RP: Housewarming
Becca has spent the past few months renovating and customizing the beautiful little house she’s bought, on the same lake her brother lives on. It’s clean, army-neat and bright, built to feel familiar to someone from the 40s, down to the appliances
She hosts a small housewarming to celebrate, the music playing and the voices making her smile. People have brought friends and significant others, and she’s happily chatting and sharing her home, the first one thats all hers. All the way from the tenements of New York to a modest but lovely home just a few minutes from family
When you arrive, she’s pouring a glass of lemonade in the kitchen, breaking into a grin
Mikey nervously stops and chews his lip.
“Oh, umm, hi Ms Barnes. My momma said you wouldn’t mind me coming and I wanted to help out with Wyatt and Em’s girls….it’s a lovely home.”
Becca smiles warmly at the sight. “No need for the title, Mikey. And I don’t mind at all, I’m always glad to have people.” She opens the door wide for him. “You don’t have to call me aunt or anything, but just Becca is perfectly fine. I’m physically not that much older than you, either”
“Okay, Becca. Thank you.” Mikey nods.
He seems to relax a little.
“Of course,” she smiles. “Feel free to come in, we’ve got loads of food in the dining room”
“Thanks. Um, Beau had to work but he sent Bredele?” He holds out the container.
“Who’s Beau- the fiancé I heard about?” Becca accepts it with a grin. “I like this guy already, this looks amazing”
“That’s him. He loves cooking.”
“Cooking is always a very good use of time,” she winks, slipping the box into a cupboard so he doesn’t have to share it. “You’ve seen nothing”
Mikey suppresses a laugh.
“Absolutely. Especially if you like French food.”
“The worst part of the war wasn’t the battles, it was that when I went to France the restaurants were struggling with rationing,” Becca chuckles. “Someday I’ll be back and doing things properly. With all of the amazing food”
“In the meantime, you could always come for a meal with us.”
“I’d love to,” she smiles. “I’ll have to host you as well”
“That would be nice.”
“So, how’s the move going?”
“Good. Finally got everything from California, just sorting what needs to go into storage. Hopefully taking Leo for some decor and art shopping soon.” Mikey smiles, taking a sip of lemonade.
“I think he’d enjoy that, from what I’ve seen,” Becca smiles. “You should see some of what he’s gotten into. I asked him if he took commissions — I wanted a mantelpiece with some custom carving — and he went and re-did the banisters for free. I still haven’t convinced him to let me pay him so I’m just starting to hand him bits here and there”
“Sounds like Leo. Maybe give the money to Em, she’d either convince him to take it or keep it safe for him.”
He pauses for a moment.
“I like having siblings.”
“That’s smart. Maybe she can invest it or something, I know she learned some about that. Though I don’t trust stocks, and barely banks. Great Depression and all. Wall Street crashing wasn’t fun to watch.”
Becca softens, smiling. “Yeah? I do, too. I mean, my brother is still vaguely annoying at times, but he’s always been my best friend. Steve was his, he was mine, I always loved him so much. And Steve was great too.” She glances over. “It’s nice having people to share life with, eh?”
“Yeah, I imagine living through it would’ve been scary. I don’t blame you, but Em’s clever, one of the most clever people I know.” He smiles softly.
“It was the best, finding Momma and Da- um, Bucky, and the siblings. I have a grown up niece, it’s terrifying and amazing.”
“Agreed. And besides, banks are insured, so that’s very good.”
Becca smiles slowly, then touches his hand. “May I hug you? Trust me, he wouldn’t mind you saying that at all if it’s what you want.” She squeezes him gently. “Trust me, I get it. I went into the ice barely twenty six, and when I came back in the wrong universe I have what, six great nieces and nephews? And two great-great granddaughters? Your oldest sister is my age, biologically. It’s okay to be scared, it’s natural my dear”
Mikey nods, letting Becca wrap him up in a hug.
“He’s been a better dad than my…dna donor.” He says quietly.
“I’m glad he is, then. You know he would accept you, okay? You don’t have to say a word, doll, but he’ll still care like you’re his own.” She strokes his hair quietly
Mikey just cuddle in, Becca’s presence and care is comforting.
“I know he would…it’s more…I don’t want to step on the others toes.”
“You do realize that the man we’re talking about half raised me, then adopted Leo, who was at the time half dead, in the throes of a severe addiction, sixteen, and had hitchhiked several hundred miles with twins on the way? Who adopted his sister even though she was just as stubborn as you are about not getting in the way?” Becca squeezes him, the cool metal of her left arm brushing the back of his neck. “He doesn’t care. He loves being a dad”
“I’ll…I’ll talk to him…just not today.” He mumbles.
“Doesn’t have to be today. Today, just enjoy the party, and if you want to stay after and just… be, you’re welcome to”
“Thanks.” He smiles and wipes his eyes a little.
“Of course, darling. I’m always here”
Mikey nods and smiles.
There’s a cacophony of noise from outside, Lucie’s excited giggling squeal, shouts of encouragement from Charlie and indignant protesting from Wyatt.
“Uh oh.” He grins.
“There’s trouble,” Becca grins, scooping up the great-niece who comes racing in
“Hello princess.” Mikey coos, tickling Lucie.
“I feel like your Auntie Charlie has been causing chaos.”
“Lunita! Ah, all my favorite nieces and nephews,” Becca exclaims, moving through hugs and swinging Charlie around quickly
Wyatt wanders in, a moonboot now instead of crutches. His hair and tshirt are soaking wet.
“Charlie taught Luce how to use the water pistol.”
“Goodness, I hope you taught her properly?” Becca raises an eyebrow. “Good form, yes? And proper safety?”
“Naturally. If you’re going to chaos, do it properly.” Charlie grins, a glint in her eye.
“And you always treat a gun as if it is loaded, and keep them off of your mother’s carpets,” Becca adds proudly
“Yes! Remember that Luce!” Charlie grins
Becca laughs as the toddler gives a big thumbs up, accidentally adding another finger.
She moves through the family, making sure to greet everyone individually and ask about their lives
Bucky grins proudly, from where he’s sitting with Luna and Olive.
His sister deserves this.
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Luna eventually dozes, and Olive keeps herself tucked close to her cousin and second cousin. She looks quietly at Bucky, just studying him.
“How do you do it?” She asks quietly. “How do you handle everything? You and Mrs. Lehnsherr-Barnes… you guys and Em and everyone… is living normally. How do you do that?”
Bucky sighs, remembering when he wondered how this life could ever be possible.
“It took time and it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. I found it helpful to not be so hard on myself.”
Olive nods silently. “But it’s possible?”
She looks away. “I can’t go easy. The only way out is to get perfect grades, perfect records, get everything right.”
“I can tell you, the people in this room don’t care if you are perfect Olive.” He smiles.
“I’m a girl raised in a trap house, with a shit police record for petty crimes and who spent months in the NICU because i was born with drugs in my bloodstream. Perfect is my only chance,” she says softly
Bucky doesn’t say anything, he knows not to argue right now.
Olive gives him a thankful look, quietly. “My therapist says thats not true. I don’t know how anyone manages to actually internalize what therapists say”
“Just keep an open mind for now. Don’t close yourself off.”
“I’ll try.” She smiles shyly. “By the way. There’s like, a shrine to you at my school. It’s really funny”
Bucky groans quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You have my permission to graffiti it.”
“It’s fun,” Olive grins micheviously. “Besides, Charlie helped add on”
Bucky snorts a laugh, then quickly covers his mouth, not wanting to wake the baby.
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Luna eventually dozes, and Olive keeps herself tucked close to her cousin and second cousin. She looks quietly at Bucky, just studying him.
“How do you do it?” She asks quietly. “How do you handle everything? You and Mrs. Lehnsherr-Barnes… you guys and Em and everyone… is living normally. How do you do that?”
Bucky sighs, remembering when he wondered how this life could ever be possible.
“It took time and it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. I found it helpful to not be so hard on myself.”
Olive nods silently. “But it’s possible?”
She looks away. “I can’t go easy. The only way out is to get perfect grades, perfect records, get everything right.”
“I can tell you, the people in this room don’t care if you are perfect Olive.” He smiles.
“I’m a girl raised in a trap house, with a shit police record for petty crimes and who spent months in the NICU because i was born with drugs in my bloodstream. Perfect is my only chance,” she says softly
Bucky doesn’t say anything, he knows not to argue right now.
Olive gives him a thankful look, quietly. “My therapist says thats not true. I don’t know how anyone manages to actually internalize what therapists say”
“Just keep an open mind for now. Don’t close yourself off.”
“I’ll try.” She smiles shyly. “By the way. There’s like, a shrine to you at my school. It’s really funny”
Bucky groans quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You have my permission to graffiti it.”
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Luna eventually dozes, and Olive keeps herself tucked close to her cousin and second cousin. She looks quietly at Bucky, just studying him.
“How do you do it?” She asks quietly. “How do you handle everything? You and Mrs. Lehnsherr-Barnes… you guys and Em and everyone… is living normally. How do you do that?”
Bucky sighs, remembering when he wondered how this life could ever be possible.
“It took time and it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. I found it helpful to not be so hard on myself.”
Olive nods silently. “But it’s possible?”
She looks away. “I can’t go easy. The only way out is to get perfect grades, perfect records, get everything right.”
“I can tell you, the people in this room don’t care if you are perfect Olive.” He smiles.
“I’m a girl raised in a trap house, with a shit police record for petty crimes and who spent months in the NICU because i was born with drugs in my bloodstream. Perfect is my only chance,” she says softly
Bucky doesn’t say anything, he knows not to argue right now.
Olive gives him a thankful look, quietly. “My therapist says thats not true. I don’t know how anyone manages to actually internalize what therapists say”
“Just keep an open mind for now. Don’t close yourself off.”
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Luna eventually dozes, and Olive keeps herself tucked close to her cousin and second cousin. She looks quietly at Bucky, just studying him.
“How do you do it?” She asks quietly. “How do you handle everything? You and Mrs. Lehnsherr-Barnes… you guys and Em and everyone… is living normally. How do you do that?”
Bucky sighs, remembering when he wondered how this life could ever be possible.
“It took time and it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. I found it helpful to not be so hard on myself.”
Olive nods silently. “But it’s possible?”
She looks away. “I can’t go easy. The only way out is to get perfect grades, perfect records, get everything right.”
“I can tell you, the people in this room don’t care if you are perfect Olive.” He smiles.
“I’m a girl raised in a trap house, with a shit police record for petty crimes and who spent months in the NICU because i was born with drugs in my bloodstream. Perfect is my only chance,” she says softly
Bucky doesn’t say anything, he knows not to argue right now.
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Luna eventually dozes, and Olive keeps herself tucked close to her cousin and second cousin. She looks quietly at Bucky, just studying him.
“How do you do it?” She asks quietly. “How do you handle everything? You and Mrs. Lehnsherr-Barnes… you guys and Em and everyone… is living normally. How do you do that?”
Bucky sighs, remembering when he wondered how this life could ever be possible.
“It took time and it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. I found it helpful to not be so hard on myself.”
Olive nods silently. “But it’s possible?”
She looks away. “I can’t go easy. The only way out is to get perfect grades, perfect records, get everything right.”
“I can tell you, the people in this room don’t care if you are perfect Olive.” He smiles.
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Luna eventually dozes, and Olive keeps herself tucked close to her cousin and second cousin. She looks quietly at Bucky, just studying him.
“How do you do it?” She asks quietly. “How do you handle everything? You and Mrs. Lehnsherr-Barnes… you guys and Em and everyone… is living normally. How do you do that?”
Bucky sighs, remembering when he wondered how this life could ever be possible.
“It took time and it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. I found it helpful to not be so hard on myself.”
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em smiles, tucking close to Olive. The movie continues, and she smiles at every one of the funny moments and mumbles about the characters being idiots. It’s relaxing, a wholesome moment between family.
Olive seems to feel it too. Bucky’s never seen the girl so relaxed, especially compared to her first appearance. Now she’s less on guard, her pocket knife still within reach on the bedside table but within a clear box that’s Lucie-proofed. Luna is stroking her hair and Em’s pressed in, her free hand letting her sleeping daughter grip her finger.
Bucky smiles, a sense of relief at seeing the change in Olive. He makes a mental note to add a few extra books to the family’s collection she might like.
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Shyly, Olive reaches out and offers him some of a bag of candy, the movie continuing on
Bucky takes one, saying thank you quietly.
Em wanders into her father’s office in Washington later in the day. She’d come out with him to show her daughters around the city, staying in the same rented apartment and helping care for him.
It’s evening, her kids both probably asleep. Luna’s so much older now, she’s probably promised to watch Lucie for a bit.
“Hey, dad”
@just-a-fucking-civilian
“Hey little fox.” Bucky puts down the papers he’s reading. He gets up and offers her a hug.
Em smiles, hugging him back tightly. “Pizza in thirty.” She sighs softly. “And… me and Dom just got off the phone. We’re breaking up, formally. Just didn’t work out, I just… we couldn’t do long distance. That job in France… it’s destroying us, and… yeah. Right person, wrong time.”
Bucky holds her and strokes her hair.
“I’m sorry kiddo.” He comforts her as best he can.
“You never know what life will bring. But your mama and I are always here.”
She shrugs gently, hugging back. “It’s okay… I’ve had time to process it. And it’ll take a long time. But this isn’t working for me, or for her. And maybe if she decides to move back I’ll try again. But for now…” she sighs, tucking in close. “And I know. I’m gonna be okay. And Dominique is insisting on paying alimony despite us never being married so… I’m set up, we have agreements. She’s still amazing even as an ex”
“She still cares and respects you. I’m glad about that.” He nods.
“C’mon, come sit. I had the mini fridge restocked with yours and the girls’ favourites.”
“It’s not… it’s not that we don’t love each other. It’s that we love each other too much and can’t manage being an ocean apart without hurting each other and ourselves.” She sighs, sitting down by the side of her father’s desk and accepting the snack she’s handed. “Merci, papa”
Bucky nods, just listening, sitting down but focusing on her, not the work on his desk.
She leans against him quietly. “Reminds me of being younger,sitting by your desk…” she sighs. “If I’d been younger when I got to you I would’ve been here all the time”
“I would have loved that. I do love having you here.” He wraps an arm around her.
“I do have a little surprise for you.”
She smiles, leaning against him. “The girls are loving it- I convinced Olive, even. She’s liking the museums. Spent so much time in them.”
Em glances up curiously. “Yeah?”
Bucky pulls out an envelope.
“There’s a local production of Hadestown, I got us tickets, so we could have some time together.”
Em lights up, grinning. “You didn’t!”
“I know how much you love it. And don’t worry about the girls. I called Leo, he’s coming out. We can all have dinner together before. I know Luna’s grown up, but if Olive needs some extra support I thought it’d be better for her to have someone else there too.”
“You’re amazing…” she hugs him tightly. “No, you’re right. You thought of everything”
“I promised I’d make more time for family, and I’m sticking to it.” He kisses her forehead.
“You’re a great dad”
“I’m trying to be.”
“Mmm. You’re doing a lot better than you were a bit ago, and it means a lot you saw the problem and decided to change.”
“I love you all very much.” He strokes her hair.
His phone buzzes and he goes to silence it with a scowl, but it’s from Wyatt. He opens it and chuckles, turning the phone to Em.
Wyatt’s selfie in the physical therapy clinic, poking his tongue out at them.
Em grins. “Well he’s doing better now. A bit anyways”
“I think the mental side is getting hard on him. Impatient to get going again.”
“I get that. I spent way too much time in PT as a kid- hockey mostly was for the sake of beating the shit out of people, in my case”
Bucky nods understanding.
“You should see it. Charlie bought a water pistol and every time she catches Wyatt over exerting himself or doing something she shouldn’t, she attacks.”
Em bursts out laughing. “Of course she did.”
“She’s like her big sister.” He nudges Em playfully.
She grins. “And Luna considers her her bet friend. They’re closer to sisters or cousins than aunt-niece with their age gap”
“I’m glad they’re close.” Bucky grins.
The pizza arrives, and Bucky hunts down some paper plates and sodas.
“Definitely — Luna’s trying to get Olive to open up with all of them a little more, but I think Nov’s having a the luck. Possibly because my cousin is more or less a skittish cat who is scared to trust anyone but wants to, and Novie has plenty of experience with those?” Em laughs
“By the way. Can you find a way to memo your staff that just because my youngest is adorable and very convincing to please put a tally on her hand per cookie and she can’t have more than three? She’s already too good at puppy eyes,” she chuckles
“Noted.” Bucky laughs, Lucie had wrapped several of the staff round her little fingers.
“How is Olive settling in?”
“But also she loves it here because everyone enjoys a break to show the kid around. And because she adores you,” she grins. “She wants to be president. Or a ballerina. Or both”
“A lot better. She’s loving her room and Luna and her are really close, I think shared experiences. She hates therapy, which is fair, but also loves my cats. And Lucie is oddly healing for her and she won’t let me not let her volunteer for babysitting — plus I think she enjoys the extra pocket money,” em smiles. “She has her own bank account which helps her feel more secure. I’m backup contact but don’t have access and put her money there, and she’s gotten some meds that help with sleep. And she loves going to you all’s house even if she doesn’t talk because of the people.”
“Whatever Lucie decides, I’ll support her. She’d certainly make a good president, she can get a whole room full of people’s attention.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad she likes our home. She’s welcome any time, even if she just wants to hide out and read.”
“Absolutely,” Em laughs. “And me too… she’s so wonderful as well, her therapist is helping. Also possibly martial arts”
“That’s good.”
“Oh, and how’s couples therapy? Like not specifics. Just… you guys seem to be doing loads better. It’s helping?”
“It is. Some days aren’t easy, but we’re working through it.”
Em smiles. “Good. You guys both are happier.”
“We are.”
“When are you planning to head home?”
“Two more days. I have a meeting and a press conference I need to attend. Pushing for better mental health services.” Bucky says seriously, “Otherwise I’d come home sooner.”
“You’ll do great,” em smiles. “And besides, that’s just in time for the weekend”
“How much food do you think your mama’s made?” He says with a laugh.
“Too much for the number of planned people but enough for how many will show up?”
“I think Mikey’s due back from California as well, so even more food.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” em smiles. “I miss him so much”
“He mentioned something about a surprise.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Em winks
“It sounded important anyway.”
She nods, yawning
Bucky smiles, kissing her forehead.
“Come on little fox, let’s get you home.”
“Hotel, but yes,” em yawns
“Well, somewhere you can get some sleep.”
“Mmm…”
she stands up, stretching. “Do you have to keep working?”
“Not tonight.”
“Walk me home?”
“Of course.”
As they walk through the chilly streets, Em draws her coat up, thankful the hotel isn’t far.
“Do you want to come say goodnight to Luna before you find your room?” She offers softly. “I don’t know if Olive is awake, and I know Lucie isn’t”
“Of course. Her big surprise is ready once we get home.” He smiles, not feeling the cold as much but still wrapped in a coat.
Em grins. As they walk through the quiet lobby she reaches for her father’s hand out of habit, waiting for the elevator as they step inside. “You have no idea how excited she’ll be”
Bucky grins, not minding at all.
“I hope she likes it.”
“There’s no world in which she won’t,” Em chuckles. “Even if you hadn’t made her dream come true, she’d love it.” She lowers her voice as they approach her hotel room, and as the key buzzes she lets them in. There’s a historical drama playing on the TV, and Luna and Olive are tucked together on one of the beds, with Lucie cuddled up safely
Bucky smiles, walking in quietly not to startle anyone.
Luna grins, waving happily with her spare arm. “I’d come hug you, but I can’t move,” she whispers with a laugh.
Olive waves shyly beside her, tucking closer. “Hi Mr. Barnes..”
“It’s okay, stay there.” Bucky moves to kiss Luna’s forehead, “Hey sweetheart.”
He smiles and returns Olive’s wave.
“Hi Olive. And please, call me Bucky.”
Luna smiles again and kisses his cheek, and Olive slowly takes a breath. “Okay,” she says shyly, offering him some of their snacks. “Want some? Luna went to the gas station earlier, we’ve got a rink
Bucky takes one with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I won’t disrupt you guys too long, just wanted to say hello.”
“No- no it’s okay, we don’t mind…” she looks over at Em for reassurance then smiles at the nod slowly. “Luna’s showing me Pride and Prejudice…”
“A classic, how do you like it so far?”
“I love it. The book is one of my favorites so I’m really enjoying the move,” Olive grins shyly. “I want to watch the version with zombies thoughts
He nods.
“Zombies aren’t my thing, but Charlie says it’s good.”
“It’s really good!” Luna grins
“I’ll trust you on that.”
“As you should!”
Luna pats the space next to her with puppy eyes. “There’s only like half an hour left, grandpa,” she argues playfully, and Olive Nods along
Bucky sighs and sits in an available space.
“Alright, but I will not claim responsibility for tired grumpy teenagers tomorrow.” He teases.
She grins triumphantly, snuggling right against his side as always without letting go of Olive or Lucie.
Em rolls her eyes a bit, but climbs in, the large hotel bed just fitting everyone as she slowly slots in beside Olive. The younger teen pauses, but it’s adorable as she slowly melts, shifting and tucking closer as Em holds her softly. “Should I unpause it?” She asks quietly
“Sure thing.” Bucky grins, keeping an arm around Luna but careful not to invade Olive’s space.
Starter for @justawhitewolf
A week. That's how long Logan had been free of the laboratory that created him. He had travelled with nothing more than a battered old backpack and a set of clothes he had stolen from a thrift store along his travels. His travelling had taken him to New York with a stolen folder of information regarding his parentage, something that had intrigued him for as long as he could remember.
With the manila folder tucked up under his arm and his pair of worn headphones hung around his neck, Logan approached an apartment door and gave it a firm knock. He rocked back and fourth on his heels, anticipation rattling every fibre of his being. The name in the folder was James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes a.k.a The Winter Soldier, an old Hydra asset that broke free from their control. Like father, like son he supposed.
Logan looked up at the door again and knocked firmly once again. "Hello? Anyone home?"
@justawhitewolf
A dog barks on the other side of the door, and eventually it opens. Bucky shoos away a large, elderly German Shepherd.
“You lost kid?”
Logan jumped when the dog barked, but his eyes quickly darted upwards when the man appeared at the door. "L-Lost? Oh, no, I'm looking for Sargent James Barnes?" The boy explained whilst holding tight to the manila folder tucked under his arm. "He's supposed to live here."
He eyes the kid, tilting his head as he takes in Logan’s appearance.
Past him inside the apartment, the dog paces, cardboard moving boxes piled up.
“He might. Depends who’s looking.”
Logan held tight to his manila folder tucked up under his arm before handing it to Bucky, peering past into the cluttered apartment. "Uh, I'm his son. My name's Logan Barnes and well, the rest is sort of explained in the folder I stole." He explained with an endearing half smile that wad ever so slightly crooked.
"Sooooooo, can you help me or not?"
Bucky flicks through the files, face going pale. A wedding ring catches the light, slipped onto his human hand rather than the metal one.
“This…this isn’t possible.”
Logan rocked back and forth on his heels anxiously. "Well, uh, it is. Sort of made in an lab using his DNA and some woman." He explained. "That's as far as I got with the information to be honest." Logan rubbed the back of his head.
"Are you Sargent Barnes?"
He mutters something under his breath, cursing.
Bucky looks over Logan curiously, really looking at him. Something makes him tilt his head and blink away a tear.
“I used to be Sargent Barnes.”
Logan hadn't want to upset him, but he noticed the tear that got blinked away. "I'm sorry." He spoke softly. "I don't wanna make a mess of your life or anything, I just wanted to get away from that lab and speak to my dad." Logan explained quietly, playing with his fingers nervously.
“Hey, no, I’m just shocked. None of this is your fault, okay?” Bucky says gently.
“C’mon, let’s go for a walk and get ice cream or something.”
The way he talks he already sounds like a dad.
Logan looked up at him with a curious eye. "Ice cream?" He questioned in confusion. "Um I don't think I've ever had ice cream before?" He added quietly, rubbing the back of his neck out of embarrassment. There was a lot he hadn't experienced being locked up in a lab.
“Oh, right. Umm, it’s cold and sweet. Most kids like it.”
Bucky’s phone starts to ring and he looks at the screen, eyes flicking to Logan.
“Give me a sec.” He steps away and answers it.
“Hey doll, yeah I know…..something…something massive has come up…probably going to be late…might have someone with me….we need to talk.” Logan vaguely hears a woman’s voice on the other end of the phone.
Logan looked at Bucky, wondering who he was speaking to. The wedding ring and the woman's voice were strongly suggesting that it was his wife. He felt that he was just intruding on someone's life which only made him more quiet and embarrassed by everything he was causing.
"Is that your wife?" Logan asked curiously. "Is she gonna be okay with me just showing up?"
“Yes, her name is Lina. And don’t worry, she’ll understand.” Bucky notices the change in Logan, and wonders how much he should talk about the family, not wanting to overwhelm the kid.
“Let’s go for that walk? Get some fresh air, talk. Besides, Hedy really could use it.” He gestures to the dog, who’s sniffing in Logan’s direction curiously.
Logan looked towards the dog and tilted his head. "Hedy?" He asked curiously. "That's his name?" He giggled quietly.
The boy paused for a moment and nodded. "I'd like a walk. A walk would be good." He said and held his hand out for the dog to sniff. "Hi boy. It's nice to meet you." He gently pet his head.
“Girl. Named after Hedy Lamarr.” Bucky smiles, watching the dog’s tail wag.
“Give her a chin scratch and you’ll be best friends.”
Bucky pulls on his jacket and finds Hedy’s lead.
“There’s a good park not too far from here.”
"Girl." Logan reminded himself and gently scratching under her chin. The boy smiled. "I like dogs. They're good animals." He hummed happily before looking up at Bucky.
He still felt he was intruding on the man's life and family. Logan followed Bucky along the street towards the park, he was being very quiet.
“So…you said you wanted to speak to your dad…got any questions?” He asks calmly, Hedy staying close to Logan.
Logan gently pet Hedy's head, smiling at her before looking up at Bucky. "Well, uh, I guess I just wanted to know about you?" He explained. "Cause like they always talked about the Winter Soldier and how I was supposed to be like him." Logan added.
“That…wasn’t me. Not really, the Winter Soldier was brainwashed and memory wiped.” Bucky sighs.
“I guess, about me? I like old music and books. I repair and rebuild cars and bikes in my spare time. Can’t cook, but that’s alright cause I married someone who can.” He shrugs.
Logan glanced up at Bucky. The Hydra lab he had been raised inside of had always told him he was to become the next Winter Soldier, the fist of Hydra 2.0 hence why Bucky's DNA had been used to create him.
"I don't know much about cars." Logan said, trying to find common ground with his father but he was obviously finding that difficult since the only people he ever spoke to were doctors and Hydra agents
“That’s okay. Do you know what you do like?” Bucky asks, he understands what being a lab rat is like, the lack of freedom.
There’s a hotdog stand just inside the park.
“Ever had a hotdog?”
Logan thought to himself. "Sometimes they'd give me comic books." He smiled a little. "I still have a couple of them in my backpack and they're really cool. I like superheros, I guess." He explained to Bucky.
His eyes glanced to the hotdog stand and shook his head. "No, I don't think so." He told Bucky, his hand cautiously petting the top of Hedy's head.
Bucky nods.
“I liked comics as a kid.”
He notes Logan’s expression.
“They’re not actually made of dog. Usually pork or beef.”
Logan relaxed a little when Bucky revealed that the food wasn't made of dogs. He looked down at Hedy. "Guess you're safe, huh girl?" He smiled softly, gently petting her head.
His gaze went back to Bucky. "I'd kinda like to try one?" He managed to squeak out nervously.
Hedy wags her tail happily.
“Yeah? I like mine with relish and mustard.”
He leads Logan over to the stand.
Logan peered over the stand curiously. "Maybe just a plain one for me to try first." He said quietly whilst watching Bucky curiously. He assumed this is what fathers and sons were supposed to do, it was still a little foreign to him.
The boy scooted closer to Bucky, his hand instinctively taking hold of his father's.
Bucky doesn’t flinch, just ordered and paid, grabbing some sodas too.
He guess Logan is eleven, possibly, who knows with Hydra.
They sit on a park bench and Bucky hands him the plain hotdog.
“Here you go kid.”
Logan swung his legs absentmindedly on the bench, glancing back at Bucky before taking his plain hotdog. "Thank you." He said sheepishly. He was cautious and sniffed at the food before taking a bite, pleasantly surprised by the taste. "That's good." He said quietly, still loud enough for Bucky to hear.
Bucky decides then and there. This is his son, he’s going to give him every chance just to be a kid, have a normal life.
“Would you like a family? Somewhere to stay?” Bucky offers carefully.
Logan looked up at Bucky, still cautious and partially guarded. However, he nodded slowly. "I would like that. A lot." The boy told him with a small smile. "But I don't wanna get in the way of your life, sir. You have a wife and a dog and other stuff to worry about." Logan added, already feeling like a burden to Bucky's life simply by sharing DNA.
“You don’t need to call me sir. And you wouldn’t be getting in the way, absolutely not. I’m your dad, I’m not gonna leave you to fend for yourself.” Bucky gently places a hand on Logan’s shoulder.
"I'm your dad."
They weren't exactly words he ever thought he'd hear, never in all those nights lying in his tiny cell in the lab facility. Yet, here he was. Sat beside the man who was his father. It was all a little too much for Logan and he suddenly hugged Bucky, burying his face into his chest.
Bucky’s startled for a moment, then carefully wraps Logan in a hug.
“It’s going to be okay, I’ve got you.”
Logan held onto Bucky like he might disappear if he let go even if just for a second. He sniffled a little. "I always wanted a family and a mom and a dad." He mumbled against the fabric of Bucky's shirt, his entire body visibly de-tensing the longer the hug was held.
Bucky smiles, rubbing Logan’s back comfortingly. He can see more and more of his own younger self in Logan.
“How about older brothers and sisters?” He asks, gauging the boy’s reaction. “Would you be okay having those?”
Logan looked up at Bucky with a surprised and intrigued look. "Older brothers and sisters?" He asked curiously. "Well, I guess that would be cool too? But what if they don't like me?" Logan asked, his voice growing a little quieter as he pondered his own question.
“I’m sure they will. Not all of them live with us all the time now.”
Bucky keeps his arm around Logan.
“You don’t have to meet everyone straight away, if you want, you can do one at a time?”
Logan nodded. "I think one at a time might be better." He said before glancing up at Bucky. "Your wife? She won't be upset about having an extra kid?" He asked curiously, leaning into Bucky's side and gently nuzzling close to him.
"Because I don't really want that to be the first impression I give, you know?" Logan chuckled a little.
“She might be a little shocked, like I was. If you like, I can call her?” Bucky offers.
Logan nodded, figuring that might be best rather than just turning up unannounced. He didn't want to be the bad kind of surprise for someone who his dad clearly cared about deeply.
The phone rings briefly, then a woman answers.
“Miłość? Are you alright?” Her voice has the slightest accent.
Bucky explains everything to her, about finding Logan. There’s a pause as she processes the information.
“When is he coming home?”
Logan was a little surprised when hearing the accent, but he was even more surprised when she asked when he was coming home. He wasn't expecting such a response. He was expecting fighting and yelling, but that wasn't what was happening.
The boy looked up at Bucky with a slight glimmer of hopefulness in his eyes.
“Soon, we’ll be home soon.” Bucky smiles, ruffling Logan’s hair.
“Can you give Charlie a heads up?” He asks.
Lina starts asking questions about bedrooms and clothes and food, wanting to know if there was anything Logan liked.
“Comic books, see if Wyatt has anything.” Bucky answers.
Charlie? Wyatt? Logan was assuming those were some of those older siblings that Bucky had mentioned, but he'd wait and see. It was odd that he couldn't come up with anything he liked on his own besides comic books. He was used to metal walls and a rather rigid schedule. He swallowed a little, the nerves creeping in again.
His hands gripped tight to the straps of his backpack, thinking quietly to himself before looking at Hedy who placed her head in his lap. The boy smiled and ran his fingers through her fur gently.
Bucky ends the call, putting his phone back in his pocket. He hands Logan one of the sodas he’d bought with the hotdogs.
“Thirsty?”
Logan nodded and accepted the soda. He took a long drink of it before looking at Bucky. "Your wife sounds nice." Logan mentioned, wiping his lips on his sleeve. "How did you meet her?" Logan asked curiously. There was so much he wanted to know about his father and this family he had.
Bucky laughs, remembering.
“I was on a mission with the Avengers. Little did we know the X Men were also involved. There was a bit of a stand off before we realised we were all on the same side.”
He flexes the fingers on his vibrainium arm.
“Guy with metal arm meets girl who can manipulate metal.”
Logan giggled a little, his eyes looking at Bucky's metal arm. It was possibly the coolest thing he had ever seen. He carefully reached his hand out and brushed his fingers along the cool metal surface, his eyes just filled with wonderment. "That's cool." He whispered. "And how many kids do you have? Besides me?" He questioned curiously.
"Cause you mentioned Wyatt and Charlie?" Logan added.
Bucky watches him trace over the metal.
“Well. I suppose easiest is going eldest to youngest….Mikey, he’s actually my stepson, lives between here and California, Em and Leo, we adopted, but they have their own lives and places too, the twins, Wyatt and Novie, both at college, Wyatt’s home at the moment, injured. Charlie is…was…the youngest.”
Logan was a little taken aback by the amount of kids. Then there was him. He was another kid with a whole host of older siblings. That's not something he ever thought he'd have. "That's a lot of kids." Logan joked a little before looking up at Bucky. "So, I'm your 7th kid?"
“Huh…yeah I guess so.” Bucky smiles, a warm genuine smile.
Another one…seven kids. He blinks a little in disbelief.
Logan took another sip of his soda before nuzzling close to Bucky again, finally having found someone he felt safe with. It was a nice feeling, a feeling he never really thought he'd feel until he built the courage to break out. "I hope they like me."
“I think they will. They might even help you find more things you like. You can just be a kid, not a weapon.” He hugs Logan close again.
Logan nodded slowly. "I'd like that. Being just a kid, that would be good." He said with a small smile and nuzzled close to Bucky again. "You think I could learn to ride a bike? I saw that in a movie once."
“Absolutely. I can teach you if you like.” Bucky gives Hedy the last bite of his hotdog.
“We’ve got loads of room to ride a bike. We moved out of the city, have a nice quiet place upstate.”
Logan smiled. "That sounds good. The city's a little loud and has too much going on." He said, having had to try and navigate the trains to try and find Bucky to begin with. "I don't really enjoy the loudness of the city." He added.
“I think you’ll like our place. It’s a lot more peaceful and relaxed than the city.”
“There’s a smaller town, we can get you some clothes, anything else you need?”
Logan thought to himself and looked down at himself, unsure of what else he could need. "I, uh, don't know what I'll need." Logan explained to him sheepishly. Clothes sounded good, he'd never had much more than what he was currently wearing. "But I don't know what else I'm supposed to need."
“It’s okay. We’ll grab you some extra clothes, pyjamas, a toothbrush. Then once you find out things you like we can get things.”
Bucky stands up.
“Ready?”
Logan got up and nodded, taking Bucky's hand again. "Yeah, I'm ready." He said, although he was incredibly nervous about meeting Bucky's family. He looked at Hedy and pet her head gently. "Good girl."
Hedy stays on Logan’s other side, so he’s between her and Bucky, like the dog knows he’s nervous.
Bucky squeezes his hand as they walk to back to the parking lot.
“Slow and steady okay? If it gets too much just tell me.”
Logan nodded to Bucky. "Slow and steady." He repeated to keep himself calm. "Okay, I will tell you, I promise." He said and continued to pet Hedy's head to help him calm down further. Logan climbed into Bucky's car, buckling himself in with a small smile.
Hedy’s secured into the backseat and Bucky starts the car.
It’s not too long of a drive out of the city, stopping at a store on the way, Bucky helps Logan pick out two sets of clothes and pyjamas and some basic toiletries.
Eventually, the car turns up a long gravel drive, leading to a two storey farmhouse with a wrap around porch. There’s a barn, a garden with a greenhouse and a pond.
Two teenagers with dark hair and blue eyes like Bucky sit on the porch furniture, watching curiously.
Logan was amazed by the sight of the farmhouse with the big porch and the barn in the distance. It was like something out of a storybook to him. "Wow. You like here?" He asked in a whisper that was just loud enough for Bucky to hear. The boy then spotted the two teenagers and tensed slightly. He wasn't sure he was ready to meet them.
“We had to rebuild the place but yeah, this is home sweet home.” Bucky smiles.
He sees Logan tense.
“That’s Charlie and Wyatt, but you don’t have to meet them till you’re ready.”
Logan nodded slowly. "But they're right there." He motioned to the porch. "Aren't they going to say something to me?" Logan asked curiously whilst carefully petting Hedy's fur to relax himself.
“There’s another door.” Bucky points around the side of the house.
Logan nodded with a small sigh of relief. "Oh, okay. I saw that." He giggled sheepishly whilst continuing to pet Hedy's fur.
Hedy licks his face and Bucky gets out of the car. A silent conversation seems to happen between him and the teens, shaking his head before they can ask anything.
He opens Logan’s door, and Hedy jumps out, shaking her fur.
Logan climbed up, backpack hugged tight to his chest before smiling at Hedy with a small smile. Logan looked up at Bucky. "It's a really nice house. Do you keep animals?" Logan asked curiously, taking Bucky's hand again as it kept him grounded.
“Not really. Novie has a lot of pets I suppose, but nothing like chickens or cows. We talked about miniature goats for a while.” Bucky just holds Logan’s hand as they climb the porch steps.
The interior of the house is cosy, mid century style, teeming with house plants, and a floor to ceiling bookcase. Music is playing softly, and the smell of food cooking is coming from the bright kitchen.
Logan was amazed by the bookcase. He loved books and reading and learning, not that he was allowed to do much of that. Then came the smell of food which, when it hit his nose, caused Logan's nose to growl loudly. "Oh wow, that smells real good." He said, still holding tight to Bucky's hand. "You weren't kidding when you said your wife could cook."
Bucky sniffs.
“I reckon that’s a pot roast.” He grins.
“Would you like to meet Lina?”
Logan nodded slowly. "She sounded nice when you called her." He said quietly, glancing in the direction of the kitchen. He could hear the soft music coming from it as well as the smell that was weaving through the house. He followed Bucky into the kitchen.
The kitchen has large windows, sunlight spilling in. There’s a casual dining table as well as a breakfast bar, with a large white cat curled asleep in one of the chairs.
A woman with deep brown eyes and long wavy dark hair hums along to the music, chopping up some vegetables.
Logan looked around the light and airy kitchen, noticing the large white cat. "You didn't mention you had a cat?" Logan questioned Bucky, keeping his voice quiet not wanting to disturb the busy woman. The cat was beautiful with snow white fur and a loud purr as she slept on her chair.
"Is she a nice cat?" He asked curiously, still keeping his voice low.
“That’s Alpine, she’s friendly, but if you wake her up she might get scared.” Bucky explains gently.
Hedy meanwhile trots over to her water bowl and takes a drink.
The woman looks up and smiles warmly at Logan.
