Chapter Text
Equilibrium
Chapter 30: Epilogue
It happened by inches. First sketch pads found their way into the living room, taking up space on the coffee table inter mingling with Darcy’s notebooks. Then his shield found its way to the empty guitar stand, after she’d finally put away her mother’s broken guitar. The furniture in Bucky’s room disappeared and was replaced by book shelves full of Bucky’s Science Fiction novels and Steve’s historical fiction; the bottom shelves reserved for Darcy’s collection of sundries. Steve set up a drafting table in the corner, his pastels staining the wood and smudging into the paint on the walls. Bucky’s gun safe became Steve and Bucky’s.
Darcy stood at the doorway of her room, Bucky’s tactical gear sat on top of the hamper, spilling out onto the floor with Steve’s suit peeking out underneath. Both of the boys’ gloves were tucked into their respective head gear on the dresser next to her Bucky Bear, who had lost his place on the bed when the boys moved in and took up the space. On the walls were sketches Steve did of them, including the one he’d given to Bucky for Christmas. Framed photos had sprung up like spring flowers on the nightstands, and now her trusty reading glasses lived in a drawer.
“You know,” Steve slid in behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist. “I didn’t think I’d ever see that again.” They both looked down at Bucky sprawled out on the bed, one arm over his head and a book open on his bare chest. “When we were younger, and Bucky was still working on the docks, I’d come home from selling papers and I’d find him on the couch, out like a light, book on his chest, just like that.”
“You tell me that story every time we find him sleeping,” Darcy leaned back into Steve’s embrace, holding his arm with both of hers. “I learned early on, though, if you try to take the book away, he’s on his feet like he’d been born with springs.”
Steve laughed, pulling Darcy into the living room and closing the bedroom door. From out of the depths of Bucky’s nieces’ attic, the three of them had unearthed the old music chest that had sat in their apartment before they’d left for the war. Once it had held their old gramophone, now on the top was Steve’s Metal of Honor and his Purple Heart in their glass display case, right next to Bucky’s newly received Metal of Honor, still in its velvet case.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Steve pulled her down onto the couch astride his lap, and sank his fingers into her hair.
“Nothing doing, Cap,” Darcy looped her arms around his neck and curled into his embrace, letting her lips rub gently against his. It’s happened slowly, both boys sinking gradually into her home and her life. One the wall next to the door, the keys to Steve’s apartment still hung on his hook, sad and neglected. Darcy made plans to throw them into the junk drawer, but later.
*****
Bucky rolled off the bed, his book falling to the floor with a muffled thud as it landed on the thick pile carpet. He scooped it up and dropped it onto his pillow before leaving the room, kicking part of his gear that was doing its level best to escape the bathroom, back through the door.
Bucky leaned against the door jamb taking in the sight in front of him. He watched as Steve’s hands ran down their girlfriend’s magnificently bare back as she rocked above him, her hair spilling down to touch Steve’s finger tips. A soft smile pulled at Bucky’s lips as he watched them together, fully aware that they both knew he was there, but choosing to ignore him.
“Guess I’m making dinner, then,” he pushed away from the door jam and let his long legs carry him through the living room. Steve’s dry chuckle following him into the kitchen. That moment, right there, was heaven. He pulled things down for pasta and watched the two most important people in the world to him, making love on their couch, in their apartment.