Chapter Text
08 Jan 2026
The first ping is enough to wake Bucky up, his hand reaching for the phone on his bedside table before he even opens his eyes. He checks the time through blurry eyes. He still has - or had, apparently - another half an hour of sleep before his alarm is supposed to go off.
Wiping his eyes, he opens the message, a smile growing on his face.
It's from Steve.
Bucky still can't believe he actually did it. After months. Months.
He did it, he finally asked Steve out! And they kissed!
And what a kiss it was! It was passionate and wonderful, soft and sweet, everything he ever dreamed about.
The last time they'd kissed was in that cave, both dirty and sweaty... last night was much different. Both clean, no hurry, no imminent danger... It was amazing. They kissed for nearly ten minutes before Bucky's stomach growled with hunger, causing him to blush, and Steve to laugh.
Steve's soft laugh still makes Bucky's day, every time.
They kissed again when they went to their rooms for the night, each with a huge smile...
His phone pings again, breaking him out of his daydreaming.
Steve: Bucky?
Steve: Buck?
Steve: Are you awake?
Bucky types back quickly.
Bucky: Yeah, what's up?
There is no way he's going to tell Steve he woke him up.
Steve: Good morning 🙂❤️
Bucky smiles. A heart! He knows Steve is good with technology and all that goes with it. Of course he uses emojis.
He types back.
Bucky: Morning, Steve 🌸 sleep well? He, conservatively, opts for a flower
Steve: Yes, thank you. I was wondering...
Bucky: ?
Steve: Can I come over for a while, just until we need to get up?
Bucky smile broadens. He would love to see Steve before the busy day starts.
Bucky: Yes, I'd love to see you 😊
Bucky has no time to even get out of the bed when the door opens and Steve walks in, carrying two coffees. Bucky frowns slightly.
"Did you wait in front of the door?"
Steve shrugs. "No? I was on my way back from the kitchen.”
Bucky sees through the lie, but lets it pass, fond.
Handing Bucky his cup, Steve moves to sit on the chair, but Bucky pats the space next to him. Smiling shyly, Steve climbs onto the bed next to Bucky, their backs resting against the wall.
The silence is comfortable, both enjoying the coffee. Bucky loves the presence next to him, the way they fit together. They've come a long way. They both still have a long way to go, too, but these past few months were spent learning and relearning each other, talking about things... wiping the sheets clean, starting fresh. Both still see their respective therapists and it makes a huge difference.
With the coffee almost up, Steve glances at Bucky.
"I'm going to tell the kids about us, tonight. I sent them a message last night, saying we should meet up, have dinner somewhere. JJ said we can go to his place, it's the closest and the biggest."
Oh, that's big. Bucky thought Steve would wait a while, this is a major step. He's basically telling his kids he is starting a new relationship.
Bucky looks back at Steve, who's still staring at him. A hint of fear and trepidation there, yes, but also stubborn and relentless.
"Okay, you sure you want to tell them so soon? Don't want to wait a while?"
Steve shakes his head. "No, I've waited months for this, and I'm not going to wait a minute longer. I wanted to tell them last night, but I don't want to do it over the phone. They deserve better."
Bucky's heart swells with pride. They both waited a long time, Bucky waited a lifetime, literally... nearly two. Steve is right. It's their time now. Still, they have to do it right, that was the condition all those months ago in Wakanda, when Steve woke after his cryo stint. They promised each other 'right'.
"I'm sure it will go well,” Bucky says finally. “They understand, right?"
Steve takes a breath. "Buck... I'm hoping you would go with me? Please?"
Bucky can only blink for a moment as he looks into those blue eyes, looking at him for some sort guidance, or advice, or just support.
"You want me to go with you? Telling your kids that we are going on a date, that we are, as they say, an 'item'?"
"Yes," Steve replies, his voice strong. "Please. I love you and I want you to be a part of my life with them. I don't want to keep anything from you, and I certainly don't want to hide you, but I understand if you don't want to..." Steve trails off uncertainly.
Bucky takes a couple of breaths, then puts his empty mug down and takes Steve's hand. His voice is thick as he looks at Steve.
"I would love to. I would love to go with you."
Steve's eyes are a bit red as well as he twists so he can hug Bucky. His voice tickles Bucky's ear. "From now on, you and me, together. In every way possible. I love you, Buck, and even though you had to wait a lifetime for me... you never gave up on me, and I will spend every moment I have showing you you didn't make a mistake in giving me this second chance. Not without you, never without you."
Bucky wraps his arms tight around Steve, unable to say anything. He settles for whispering, "I love you, I love you," over and over.
Bucky finally shifts, so they're looking at each other. They're both smiling, eyes shiny. Steve glances to Bucky's mouth, back to his eyes...
Bucky knows that look already. He loves that look.
"Buck..?"
"Yeah, Stevie?"
"Can we make out until we need to start working?" Steve asks, grinning.
Bucky bursts out laughing and nods. "I would love to. But first..."
Bucky smiles mischievously, then places his arms around Steve's waist and in one move lifts him and places him on his lap. Steve recovers quickly, shifting so he's comfortable.
"That's better than twisting sideways, right?" Bucky asks, placing one hand on Steve's hip, the other on his cheek.
"Yeah, it will certainly work," Steve replies, then closes the distance and kisses Bucky. For someone who isn't used to being with a man, and hasn't been in a relationship for a long time, Steve sure knows how to take initiative.
Instead of just soft kisses, Steve takes charge and probes with his tongue, deepening the kiss. Bucky smiles, but lets Steve set the rhythm. His arms wrap around the smaller man. Steve has one arm around Bucky's neck, the other on his shoulder, holding him close.
They spend a long time making out, smiling at each other and just whispering whatever comes to mind, until Bucky's alarm goes off.
"We need to get up," Bucky whispers, but Steve makes no attempt to get off.
"We're already up!" he whines as he tightens his hold, dropping his face to Bucky's neck.
Bucky rolls his eyes. "Don't you have a training session with Sam?"
"Yeah... but I like this more."
"We can do it again tomorrow morning, if you'd like. Set your alarm."
"Did last night-" Steve replies, and his eyes widen in surprise.
Bucky tilts his head. "Stevie-"
"You're right! We should get ready, we can discuss plans for tonight later!" Steve makes to get off Bucky's lap, but Bucky holds him tight so they're flush together.
"Stevie. Did you set alarm earlier on purpose, with the sole intention of waking me up to make out?"
"No! For the coffee-"
"Stevie."
Steve sighs and looks down, his ears pink, a blush high on his cheeks. His lips are swollen from their kisses. Bucky loves it.
"Yeah, okay. I did. We didn't kiss much last night, and I really liked it, and wanted to start my day good, and-"
Bucky pulls him closer, kissing him again. When they break apart, he rests their foreheads together.
"I don't mind. You wouldn't be yourself without some reckless streak, so... Tomorrow morning, same time?"
Steve smiles and nods. "Do I have to bring coffee? It was just a pretense, you know?"
"I know. We'll see."
With one last kiss, they get out of bed. Steve picks up the mugs, looking completely disheveled. Bucky tries to flatten the blonde locks and arrange his clothes as Steve just stands there with a huge smile.
"What time is dinner tonight?" Bucky asks when he finally realizes it's no use.
"Eight, but we usually make dinner together, so sevenish."
"Okay, I will be ready. One car, two cars? The bike?"
"We can take one car."
"Do I need to bring something?"
"No, just yourself." Steve smiles reassuringly.
"Okay."
They share another look before Steve opens the door.
"Thank you, Buck. For agreeing to go with me."
"Not without you, right?"
"Right..."
"So..."
"So."
"See you at breakfast?"
"Yeah, see you in a couple minutes." With one last smile, Steve goes out, leaving Bucky to get ready.
Bucky takes a deep breath, running his hands through his hair. It's officially one of the best mornings he's ever had. And although a bit anxious, he is really looking forward to the evening.
At seven on the dot, they stop in front of JJ's house. Chrissie, JJ's daughter, comes out of the house, a bag over her shoulder. She watches them climb out of the car smiling, the front door still open.
"Chrissie, you're leaving?" Steve asks and hugs her close.
"Yeah, Pops. Jessica got ill, so I'm on call, I just dropped off Jake for the night. Hey, Bucky," she answers, hugging Bucky as well.
"Hello, Chris. You're going to be okay to drive? I mean you didn't get much rest today, you always work mornings...?" Bucky asks, worried.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Will buy a Red Bull or two."
"You sure? I can-"
"Oh, you sound just like Dad... I'll be fine, thank you. I'll call once I'm at the hospital. Don't worry so much."
Steve watches them interact, comfortable and familiar. He knows he did the right thing, inviting Bucky along. He befriended the Rogers-Carter clan this past year, and Steve is very grateful they've accepted Bucky so fully and without any bad feelings. He is proud of them. It seems like the real bonding took place while Steve was in cryo - Bucky met all the kids and grandkids... Steve knows Bucky feels a little overprotective about Chrissie, as she is a single mom with a three-year-old, and a trauma nurse.
Chrissie gives them both a look, then grins mischievously and turns to the open door.
"Dad!!! You owe me twenty bucks!"
Before Bucky or Steve could ask what she means, they hear loud commotion as the 'mature' part of the gang, Steve's three kids and their spouses, clamor out onto the porch.
"No way!!!"
"Oh, called it!"
Bucky stares at Steve in confusion. Steve just sighs and blushes furiously.
"Stevie?"
"Oh god, I didn't think... I'm so sorry, Buck..."
"For-"
"God, finally!” Sarah exclaims as she comes out, hugging first Steve, then Bucky. “See, I told you guys we have to open the good wine!" she yells to her siblings. "It's about time, we've been waiting for months..." she adds more quietly.
Bucky hugs her back, still confused. Chrissie walks up to him.
"They have a pool going on. Then suddenly Pops calls, saying he needs to speak to them... now you're here and he can't keep the smile off his face, that spark of joy in his eyes! You asked him out and you're here to tell us you're officially a couple." She grins smugly.
Bucky and Steve stare at each other. Everyone's smiling wide, but Bucky's eyes are shiny, and Steve actually has a few tears running down his face. Bucky looks at Steve, who nods.
"Yeah... I asked him on a date last night," Bucky admits.
Chrissie hugs him again before whispering, "Welcome to the family, and thank you for making Pops happy. He was sad for many many years, since I can remember... I've never seen him so radiant."
Bucky kisses the hair on her temple.
"Thank you. All of you, for accepting me."
"Shall we go in? Let's pour some drinks," Sarah asks, and Steve follows her inside. JJ stands to the side, watching his daughter leave, and Bucky waits with him.
"She's just as stubborn as her grandfather,” JJ says. “I wanted to drive her, but she insisted."
"She's going to be okay, right?" Bucky asks.
"Oh, yeah. Not the first time they call her, not the last."
Waving at the retreating car, Bucky and JJ make their way inside to the sound of laughter.
They hear Sarah saying, "Okay, before those two come in, I have to ask. So, Dad... is Bucky a great kisser?"
"Sarah Jane!!" Steve yells, and JJ shakes his head, stopping just outside.
"She's always, always been the eccentric one in the family. Never could keep her in line."
Bucky giggles softly. "Yeah, I'm starting to realize that. I like it. She is strong, independent but still so caring, so genuine."
"Yeah, she is."
"JJ?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you guys really have a pool going?"
"Oh yeah, and the stakes are high. Come on, let's get you a drink, and save Dad from the interrogation. Be warned though, you will get your fair share."
Bucky shakes his head and stares outside for a second. JJ sees the look on Bucky's face, the emotions, still so raw. Bucky came a long way, and still has his vulnerable moments.
"Just remember, Bucky... your pace, okay? If things get a bit too much, you can hide away in Jake's room for a while, pretending to check up on him."
Bucky smiles, grateful. "Thank you, JJ."
They head into the raucous room side by side.