Chapter Text
Bucky woke to warmth, soft kisses along his shoulders, and purring against his ribs. He smiled and gave a delighted sigh, eyes flickering open. He looked down to look at a curled up Kermit and then twisted his head to take in the sight of Steve.
He was leaned up on one elbow, cheek propped against a closed fist. The look on his face was pure love as he stared at Bucky, a look that he was sure was reflected on his own face.
“Merry Christmas, Stevie.”
“Merry Christmas, Buck.” he leaned over and pressed a kiss to the brunette’s lips the pressure firm and loving, coaxing him to deepen the pressure and drag the blonde on to his chest.
He had just tangled his fingers into Steve’s hair when an irritated mew reverberated right in his ear, causing both men to turn their heads and look at the small kitten that seemed to be giving them a stink eye.
“I think your baby is jealous.” Steve remarked with an amused grin, which Bucky returned with a laugh.
“Awe, Kermit you poor boy.” he picked the kitten up and set it onto his chest between the two of them. “Don’t feel jealous little baby.”
“You choosing the kitten over me?” Steve teased, and then gave a pout when Bucky pretended to think about it. “Well, then, see if I share the cinnamon rolls.”
Bucky’s eyes grew wide and he shook his head. “No! Stevie! Share the delicious gooeyness!”
Steve laughed and kissed his nose before sitting up. “Okay, okay. I guess I’ll share, but you have to come into the living room.”
“I’ll be right there oh light of my life!”
He beamed and almost appeared to bounce out of the room. Bucky couldn’t help but to giggle a little at his punk’s enthusiasm. Christmas always seemed to turn him into an adorable little kid. He was so happy that even in a new century that hadn’t changed.
He scooped up little Kermit and hurried after his boyfriend. He reached the living room just in time to plop down onto the couch as Steve walked in with two plates topped by giant cinnamon rolls.
Bucky cheered, gently set the kitten onto the pillow at his side, and made grabby hands for the delicious breakfast pastry. Steve set it in his hands and pressed a kiss on his cheek as he sat down beside him.
He instantly took a giant bite and let out a delighted moan. “Mhhm, Stevie, best cinnamon rolls to date!”
“You say that every time I make them, Buck.”
“Because every time they get better!”
Steve laughed and gave a bit of a shrug. “If you say so.”
“Mhhm, I do.”
They ate their giant breakfast in delighted silence, leaned together as they soaked in the ambient Christmas cheer that seemed to just float around them. As soon as his food was gone, Steve eagerly took his plate away and bounced in place.
“You ready for your present now?”
Bucky beamed and nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Let me grab yours!” he hurried to his hiding place and pulled the bag out. Steve returned from his studio and Bucky let out a small gasp.
“You finally painted me something?”
“I finally painted you something.”
He let out what was not, he swore, a squeal and ran toward him, arms wrapping around Steve’s waist as he moved the precious piece of art out of the way. “You are the best! Gimme!”
“You don’t even know what it is yet, Buck!”
“You could have painted a jar of dirt and I would have been happy.” He grabbed Steve’s hand and pulled him towards the couch. Once they were both seated, he snatched the wrapped canvas from his boyfriend and delicately peeled the paper away.
As soon as its face was revealed, another gasp left him as tears sprung to his eyes. Steve had painstakingly, and perfectly, painted his family. It was the photo they had taken right before Bucky went to basic training, and he let out a small whimper as his hand hovered over his mom’s face. “Stevie.”
“I know, Buck.” Steve smiled softly. “I wanted to give them back to you.”
Bucky couldn’t keep the tears away anymore and very gently set the painting onto the coffee table and tossed his arms around Steve’s shoulders. He buried his face into the blonde’s neck in order to hide the tears in his warm skin. Steve’s arms wrapped around his waist tightly as one reached up to rub his back.
When his tears finally stopped, he pulled back and gave his boyfriend a watery, touched smile, hands instantly going to cup Steve’s face. “You’re the most amazing man in the history of the world Steve, and I love you so much.”
His face flushed beneath Bucky’s hands and he shrugged. “No, I just wanted to give you your family back. I know you miss them, and I hate that we don’t have any pictures. I tried to make it as accurate as possible.”
“It’s perfect.” he leaned forward and pressed a series of pecks to his lips, unable to stop smiling long enough to give him a full kiss. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Steve smiled dopily at him, which prompted him to lean back and snatch up the bag containing the other’s gift.
“Coincidentally, we were kinda thinking along the same lines.”
Steve stuck his hand in the bag and pulled out the shadow box, his mouth falling open. Inside the high quality wooden box was the photo of Sara and Joseph Rogers’ wedding day that had sat on their mantle as long as he knew them. Beneath it was an original copy of their wedding certificate.
“Bucky, how on earth did you find this!”
“It took some hunting. Do you like it? I kinda wanted to give your family back to you too.”
“I love it Bucky.” he also set it aside gently, both of their family’s staring out at them. “You’re my family Buck, you know that, right?”
“You’re my family too Stevie.” he laid his head on the blonde’s shoulder. “And you’re all I really need. But seeing them again…?”
“It’s like coming home.” Steve finished for him, head resting against Bucky’s.
Soft padding sounded and Kermit was suddenly sitting on his thigh, the warmth slight but far welcome. Bucky gently rested a hand over his small back and pressed a kiss to Steve’s shoulder. With both the Rogers and Barnes family watching over them, it truly felt like they were where they really belonged for the first time in years.