Chapter Text
Thanksgiving certainly wasn't the favorite holiday in the world and got overlooked because of Christmas. But this year's Thanksgiving was a special one.
This will be Bucky's first Thanksgiving since he fell and his first with the Avengers. Everyone was excited about it, but also a little concerned that Bucky would get overwhelmed with everyone being there and also that he would be limited to what he ate. So in order to ease Bucky into Thanksgiving, Steve started putting more solids into his food. It was a work in progress, more choking and messy diapers, but he was getting them down.
Steve was also learning that Bucky hated vegetables. The only vegetable he could only ever get him to eat was mashed potatoes. Which was okay, but he needed to eat more.
Today for snack was only consisting of fruits and vegetables. Bucky picked around the carrot sticks and ate the blueberries. Steve left Bucky for one minute and saw that his plate was empty.
"What happened to your carrots, bud?"
"In tummy." He pointed to his stomach. Steve frowned but smiled.
"Just a minute ago, you refused to even look at them. Now you've eaten them? Do you know how odd that story is?" Bucky shook his head. Steve looked at Harley, he already knew Bucky had gave her the carrots. So Steve got up and got more carrots.
"Eat this." Bucky shook his head.
"So what happened to the carrots?"
"Doggy ate it."
"What did I tell you about giving your food to her?"
"No, give."
"That's right. So you are going to eat these four carrots right now." Bucky pouted. He didn't want these.
"No, please."
"Asking nicely will not get you out of eating your vegetables." Bucky refused, but daddy wasn't going to give him a treat if he didn't try. He took one carrot and bit it. Immediately, he spit it out.
"You get a whole carrot stick down, you'll get a treat." That seemed to motivate him a little. Bucky took another bit and swallowed. Chewing was still a big problem to deal with, so to save Bucky from choking too much he softened the carrots. Bucky took another bit, Steve knew he hated the carrots, but Bucky needed to learn that everything didn't center around sweets.
Bucky did managed to get the carrot down, he didn't like it but at least he tried.
"Thank you for trying, you can have a lollipop." Steve gave him a lollipop. Bucky quickly took it and drank his milk. Steve was about to lay on the couch with him then a door knock. He got up and open the door to Sam.
"Hey man."
"What are you doing here?"
"Did you get Tony's Thanksgiving dinner list?" Sam asked coming in.
"I haven't looked at my phone in a while, is it the usual stuff?"
"Let me just read it. Ham, turkey leg, corn bread, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy and bread rolls. Deserts include pumpkin pie that Steve will provide and apple pie. Any other foods must be approved by Tony and Steve. Also Steve must get in contact with Tony to make sure everything is alright for the kiddo."
"Okay, let's call him." Steve called Tony. Sam sat by Bucky, who smiled at him.
"Can I have a lollipop?" Bucky shook his head and pointed to him.
"Birdplane."
"Birdplane?" Sam asked. Steve mouthed sorry, then Tony answered.
"So do you approve of the list?"
"It's fine, I've been getting Bucky to eat solids this week, so he won't have much trouble eating. But really Tony, a pumpkin pie?"
"Hey, that thing was good. But you might have to make two."
"Why? How many people are coming?"
"Me, Pep, You, Bucky, Nat, Sam, Bruce, Clint, Rumlow, Thor and I think Loki. So eleven, twleve including Harley." That was expected since Bucky came around and made friends.
"Alright, I'll make two. Is Thor bringing anything?"
"I hope not." Tony hung up. Steve sighed and looked at Sam and Bucky. Sam was trying to get to Bucky's lollipop that was in his mouth. Bucky would growl at him then smile.
"Alright, I guess we have to go to the store today."
"Mind if I go too? Tony also put in the notice that you have to bring something from the list or else you're not invited. I got stuck with mac and cheese."
"Sure, just got to get him dressed. Come on, Buck." Said Steve. Bucky got up and went with him to the bedroom. Steve changed him and put on his plaid shirt and jeans.
"Are you still eating that thing?" Said Steve. Bucky took the lollipop out of his mouth, the actual lollipop was gone and he was just biting on the stick.
"When you get to this part, it's done and it's time to throw it away." Bucky threw the stick on the floor and laughed.
"Pick it up and put it in the trash." Bucky got the stick and put it in the trash. They brushed their teeth and hair, they went back in the living room. Bucky saw that Sam had one of his lollipops, he immediately became aggressive. He nearly lunged at Sam, Steve sat Bucky on the ground and held his arms.
"Why are you trying to hurt Sam?"
"MINE!" He pointed at Sam.
"Kid, I swear I was going to ask you for one. I wouldn't take it without your permission." Said Sam. Bucky growled for a minute then relaxed.
"You cannot just get angry when people take your stuff, Bucky. He was going to ask. Now say sorry." Said Steve.
"Sowwy."
"It's alright. Do you want me to have it?" Bucky stared at him then nodded.
"Thank you for sharing, go grab your shoes." Bucky got his shoes and let Steve put them on, despite Steve trying to at least get him to put them on himself. Steve put on Harley's and Bucky's harness and they left.
Once they got to the store, it was apparent that they had came at a bad time. Everyone was in the store getting food. Bucky was already getting overwhelmed. Too many new smells and noises. Steve was only trying to get pumpkin puree and a few other things, but if Bucky was already overwhelmed, they might be in trouble. They went to the aisle and got four cans of pureed pumpkin filling. They met with Sam in the pasta aisle, more people were here. Bucky sat on the ground and chewed on his arm, Harley sat on his legs.
"Stop, I know you're nervous. We're almost done." Steve picked him up and held him to calm him. Sam picked out a few boxes of noodles and cheese.
"Sorry, that took so long, I didn't know what kind of cheese you guys like." They walked to the checkout lane. Unfortunately, they were in a long line. A parent came behind them. She was on the phone with her toddler, no older than five screaming. And her other two twin boys probably around seven or eight yelling and pushing each other. It was annoying, but it was increasing Bucky's anxiety. He started to shake more and cry.
"Steve, give me your stuff and go sit him in the car. There's too much noise around him." Said Sam. Steve nodded and gave Sam his items. Steve left the store with Bucky and sat in the car. Harley sat between the front seat and back seat and put her head on Bucky's lap.
"It's alright, Bucky, deep breaths." Bucky clung onto Steve. He was breathing very hard, which wasn't good for his recovering lungs. Steve rubbed his back and he slowly calmed down. Sam came back and looked at Steve.
"He alright?" Asked Sam.
"Just overwhelmed. Those kids must have scared him. You alright, Buck?" Bucky nodded a little.
"I know that was a lot and I'm sorry. But you did so good and I'm so proud of you. I'll let you have a lollipop when we get home." Bucky smiled, Steve kissed his head and strapped him in.
Once they got home, Steve gave Bucky a lollipop and Sam went home. Steve knew the pies wouldn't take long, so he could make them in the morning, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to escape someone's grabby hands. So he had the idea to make the pies now and lock them in the fridge when they were done.
"Daddy, doing?"
"I am making two pumpkin pies for tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so we have been requested to bring pumpkin pie." Steve emptied the four cans of pumpkin filling in a bowl and added sugar and other spices. Bucky sniffed the pumpkin filling and raised a finger.
"No. I'll let you taste later." Steve could tell Bucky was locked on getting his fingers in the pie filling. So to keep him occupied, Steve scooped a spoonful of filling and gave it to him. Bucky sat on the ground and savored the spoon. Steve finished the pie filling, making sure it tasted like how he remembered. He put them in the oven.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"More, please?"
"No. It's almost dinner." Bucky frowned. Steve looked at the bowl of filling, there was a little left. Maybe they could have it for dessert.
"Done." Bucky gave him back the spoon and licked his mouth. Steve got a napkin and wiped his mouth. Bucky still sat on the kitchen floor and played with his fingers while Steve prepared dinner. Chicken stir-fry with vegetables. Steve knew Bucky probably wouldn't like the vegetables, but he needed to.
"Daddy?" Steve looked at Bucky, he was shaking and biting his fingers. Steve turned off the stove and sat by him, taking his fingers out his mouth. Bucky wasn't focused on him, he kept repeating daddy. It was most likely a seizure, he was a little stiff. Harley was on her bed, asleep.
Bucky sighed then looked at Steve and smiled.
"Hey, you alright?" Bucky nodded and patted his stomach.
"You're hungry. Dinner is almost ready. Can you go get your bowl?" Bucky got up and got his plastic bowl. Steve put some in his bowl and fixed his plate. They sat at the table, Bucky was usually quick to dive into his food. But he seemed hesitant.
"Everything alright?"
"What that?" He pointed to the green vegetable known as broccoli.
"That is broccoli and you have carrots."
"Bonkly?" Steve held down a smile and got one on his fork.
"It's really good, try it." Bucky took a shy bite of the broccoli then swallowed. He choked a little then spit it out.
"Yucky."
"You said that about carrots when you first tried it. Take another bite." Bucky took another bite and swallowed. He made a yucky face that was hilarious and adorable but he did finish the broccoli.
"See, good broccoli."
"Bad bonkly."
"I didn't give you a lot of vegetables, try to finish." Bucky ate around the vegetables and left the vegetables.
"Eat your vegetables."
"Yucky."
"You know daddy got big and strong because he ate vegetables, right?" Bucky looked at him, he frowned a little. Like adult Bucky just wanted to say something smart but couldn't. Bucky poked the carrot and the broccoli then he shook his head.
"Done."
"You need to finish." Bucky shook his head again.
"Then you are not leaving this table until you finish." Steve got up. Bucky looked around for any possible get away plans. Harley was eating her own food, so he couldn't give her any. And daddy wasn't dumb, so he couldn't do anything. Bucky put his head on the table and sighed. This wasn't fair.
Then Steve took the pies out of the oven. Bucky frowned at that.
"These are going to be so good." Bucky must have thought he was going to eat both pies and not give him any. Bucky started to cry then he screamed. He tried to get out of the chair belt, but it wasn't budging.
"Bucky, calm down. What's wrong?"
"You get." He pointed to the pies.
"Bucky, they are for everyone tomorrow. I wouldn't eat those for myself." Bucky settled down and frowned.
"Want."
"For Thanksgiving. Finish your vegetables."
"Yucky bonkly."
"Okay, just eat one carrot and broccoli." Bucky frowned then ate the carrot. He wasn't sure about the broccoli. He took a few small bites until it was gone.
"See that wasn't so bad." Steve unbuckled him. He put the pies in the fridge and he scooped a little of the pumpkin with his finger and let Bucky suck on his finger. He picked him up and brought him in the bathroom. But Bucky wasn't letting his finger go.
"Let go." Bucky let go, but not before nipping his finger. Steve tapped Bucky's nose and went to get his clothes. When he got back, Bucky was in the tub, turning the knob left and right.
"I thought we broke that habit." Steve took off Bucky's clothes and started the bath.
During the bath, Bucky kept frowning and looking to Steve.
"Something bothering you?"
"Whats thanks?"
"What's thanks? Are you saying what's Thanksgiving?" Bucky nodded. Steve really needed to start Bucky in a school program or something.
"Thanksgiving is a day in which friends and family come together and have a big meal. So tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are going to spend the day at the tower. And everyone is going to be there."
"Papa?"
"Yes, papa too. And Thor."
"'Oki?" Steve wasn't sure about Loki. But if Thor had convinced Loki that Bucky would be there, he might come.
"We'll see. But Thanksgiving is more than just food, it's about being thankful for what for you have. Like I am thankful to have you in my life every day. Even on your fussy days." Bucky smiled and tapped Steve's head. Steve dried him off and pit on his clothes. They went to the bedroom, Bucky got under his blankets and started to laugh.
"Are you being silly?" Said Steve. Steve tickled Bucky's stomach, his laugh was contagious. Steve stopped to give Bucky a chance to breathe. Bucky yawned, Steve climbed in bed with him. Bucky took his spot on Steve's chest and feel asleep.
Steve hoped Bucky would be okay with everything tomorrow. If he got overwhelmed being at the store, he wasn't sure how he would react with everyone being in one place. Bucky might get nervous and react negatively. Or he'll be calm and relaxed with everyone around. Steve could only hope Bucky would be alright with everything.