Work Text:
Sam can't help the burst of affection he feels when he glances at his husband seated next to him on the park bench. He's been on a long mission and just returned to Delacroix the previous evening. Bucky had suggested a family picnic to relax and unwind and reconnect as a family since Sam was away for so long. It was exactly what Sam needed after being away from his family. Sam missed his husband and his daughter.
Bucky is watching their daughter Rachael play on the playground equipment, but Sam's attention is on Bucky. It never fails to make Sam have that burst of warmth that comes from being overwhelmingly happy and content when he watches his husband be a parent.
Bucky has taken to being a parent seemlessly. When they decided to become dads, they agreed that one of them would retire and take care of their child. It was quickly decided that it would be Bucky. Sam's status as Captain America was too important and needed to be upheld and Bucky was tired of fighting. There was always a fight. At 108 years old, he deserves a happy retirement.
Sam's attention shifts from his husband to his daughter as she runs to her fathers.
"What's the word baby bird?" Bucky asks her when she gets within earshot.
"Just need a break for water, Papa!" Rachael reassures Bucky before taking a drink from her water bottle and running back to her friends.
"Did you? Did you give our daughter an avian nickname?"
Bucky's smirk is enough of an answer to Sam.
"Stop giving our child avian nicknames!"
And if Bucky's answering laugh endears him to Sam and makes Sam fall more in love with him, that's Sam's little secret.