Chapter Text
Steve is not a fan of whatever Bucky has going on with Howard. Officially it's called a friendship. Apparently Phillips just told them to keep it down. Not like they are following orders. Steve should have told on them. The hour long lecture he and Peggy had to endure maybe would have helped with that. So embarrassing. You better wrap it up! And boring.
Sure, Bucky seems happier. When she's laughing now, it isn't the fake one she used ever since he found her at the HYDRA base. Peggy says he's jealous, but that's not it. It's just that there is a increase of explosions in Howard's workshop when they are together. When they are back in base, it's to strengthen up for the next mission not to get in unnecessary trouble.
There is still a smudge of ash on her right cheek when she slides into the chair next to him. And her ponytail didn't look as messy when she went into the workshop. At least the occasional fire is the only trouble she got herself into with Stark until now.
“Your Ma won't be happy with her grandchild's exploding toys.”
The guys think it's funny. Bucky not so much if she pulls away his meal. Even now, that he isn't constantly on the brink of death, Bucky sometimes tries to sneak him food.
“At least my kid will have a flying car.” She slaps his hand away when he reaches for the tray. “And yours will be stuck with a funny accent.”
“Don't drag my beautiful language into your domestic quarrel.” Monty's plead starts an argument about the most beautiful language. Dernier is probably going to win even though he still refuses to talk English with them.
“Seriously, Steve. What's the problem. You like Howard.” Somehow she manages to spread the smudge even more.
“I do.” He really does. Howard is a little pompous but funny and not so arrogant as one might think. “But I'm not sure he's right for you.”
“Not right for what? I'm not going to marry him.”
“Why not?” He's great and you like him.”
Wait! He's contradicting himself. Bucky's eye rolling shows that she comes to the same conclusion.
“Make up your damn mind.”
“I just mean, why not marry each other if you get along?”
“Howard Stark can do better than me.”
“That's not true!” Every guy would be lucky to have Bucky as his girl. He doesn't know why she would say such a thing. Unless. Steve is going to kill him. “Did Howard say he can do better than you?”
Considering that he guys are suddenly in a hurry to leave indicates that he sounds a little to angry. They didn't reach a decision in their argument, but concluded that German is the least beautiful language.
“Despite what everyone things, he doesn't have a death wish.”
“But why would you say such a thing?”
“I'm just not marriage material. Why do you think they turned me into a boy in the comics?”
“So children could relate better?”
“Or because nobody wants Captain America to associate with an nurse he's been living with in Brooklyn and he drags around to hang out with him and his team.”
That cannot be right. Bucky is a valuable part of the Commandos.
“Howard is a genius who will have a valuable part in winning this war. There's no way he'll marry a poor girl from Brooklyn with a questionable history. It's the same reason Carter is nowhere to be found in the comics.”
“What?” Steve is still hung up on thinking that the army might think Bucky, the Bucky he knows, isn't good enough to be Captain America's best friend.
“Do you think they will let you marry a British girl? Once the war ends, you'll be shipped back to New York and introduce to some nice wholesome American gal.”
“We'll see about that.” By now everybody should know that he's not good at following orders. Besides, he's not sure he wants to marry Peggy. Or Peggy him for that matter. She has so many plans. Steve's not sure if being his wife is one of them.