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Bucky never thought that he would be in such a domestic situation after everything he has been through. Yet here he was, standing on the back porch of the Wilson’s watching his girlfriend’s son SJ running around playing with Sam’s nephews Cas and AJ in the backyard while his mother was inside with Sarah cooking their Thanksgiving meal.
Sam stepped up next to the super soldier handing him one of the two beers he was holding. Bucky took the bottle from his friend, his eyes moving back to carefully watch the smaller boy. “You don’t have to watch him like a hawk, he isn’t going anywhere.” The dark skinned man next to him chuckled leaning against the railing facing towards the back door where he could catch glimpses of his sister and you inside.
Buck glanced down at the bottle he spun between his hands as it rests on the railing in front of him. “Logically I know that. I just… the squirt means alot to me.” His eyes drift down to his vibranium hand that has not been covered since the day they went trick or treating. There was a slight jingle from his left that drew his attention to the small boy running up to him. Instinctively he lowered to a crouch in front of the young child. “What’s up, squirt?”
Sammy was frowning as he held out his hand. “It broke. Can you fix it?” Bucky held his hand out, his left metal one, to take what SJ was holding. Looking into his hand the older man was able to see that it was his dog tags. The old chain had simply snapped. “It just needs a new chain. We can fix it when we get home. Do you want me to hold onto it until then?” SJ nods his head quickly.
Sammy watched Bucky tuck the broken chain and two metal ID tags into his pants pocket before he ran back to continue playing with the older boys. Buck stood and moved to grab the bottle of beer to take a sip. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the sly smirk-like-smile that Sam wore when he noticed something that interests him.
“You seem more comfortable with your arm lately.” Sam comments trying to be as casual as possible as he mentioned it. Barnes rolled his eyes as he poured some of the beer into his mouth.
Bucky opened his mouth to make a snarky remark that he should mind his business when the back door opened. There you stood, a smile on your face. “Hey sugar,” he greets you. You step over towards him as you pull your cardigan closed around you to block out the chilly wind. “Hey. Dinner is almost ready. Can you get the boys to come in and wash up? SJ might need some help reaching the sink.”
“I got it. Get back inside before you catch a cold.” Buck gave you a gentle nudge towards the house, which you followed his instructions and headed back inside. Sam and Bucky called the three boys in to wash up. Buck followed Sammy helping him with his jacket, the zipper kept getting stuck, before he helped the boy wash up for dinner.
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The Wilson’s had a tradition in their family on Thanksgiving. After everyone had finished eating, while waiting for their stomachs to settle enough for room for dessert, they would go around the room and list what they were thankful for that year. Usually it went youngest to oldest, but given it was yours and SJ’s first time at a Wilson Thanksgiving Sarah had Cass and AJ go first. After they finished your son practically jumped out of his seat as he begged to go next. Sammy fidgets in his seat as he looks between you and Bucky.
“I’m thankful that I get to see Bucky all the time because he’s my hero and he makes mom really happy. And he let me talk to Spider-Man!” SJ smiled and his statement made your eyes water as you looked over at Bucky who had one of the widest smiles on his face. His eyes were shining as he looked down at your son with so much love that it made you all warm inside.
SJ leans over to whisper to Bucky, even going so far as to cover his mouth. Buck listened and his smile faltered just the smallest bit and for a second there was something visible in his eyes. Panic? Bucky nods his head, which must have been some kind of permission because SJ got up and ran towards the coat rack in the other room. He came back holding something behind his back that he secretly passed to his hero.
“Do you want to go first, Sugar?” Buck asked, looking over at you. You shook your head, “No, go ahead.”
Bucky clears his throat and looks down at SJ who gave him a double thumbs up. His blue eyes glanced over at Sam who gave the slightest head nod. Buck rose to his feet and moved behind where you and SJ were sitting, a nervous habit you had noticed. “This. I am thankful for this. I am thankful for my sugar, she has been a huge support and comfort to me. She helps me even if I’m being a.. uh.. “ He paused, glancing at the kids. “Dodo?” You supplied which was your pg way of calling him a ‘fucking moron’. Buck smiles and nods his head.
“I am thankful for SJ for believing in me and being the best partner I could ever have.” SJ grins and stands up on his chair. “Aaaand?!” The child was clearly excited which made you smile.
“And I am thankful for every moment I share with both of you. In fact, sugar, if you would let me. I would like to be with you until the end of the line.” Bucky Barnes lowered himself down to one knee at your side. Perfectly displayed in the shiny palm of his metal hand was a red velvet box holding the sparkling engagement ring inside.
You gasp looking between the ring and the bright blue eyes in front of you. “James…” You muttered awestruck. “Mommy, this is the part where you say yes.” SJ ‘whispered’ loudly as he tapped your shoulder. You look back at your grinning son before turned back towards Bucky. “I wouldn’t want anyone else with me. I’m thankful to have such a wonderful man in my life to love me and be a father figure for my son.” You say leaning over to press a quick kiss to Bucky’s lips. Bucky smiles against your lips before you both parted and he was able to slid the band onto your finger.
Sarah instantly reached over to coo over the ring. “It’s beautiful.”
“SJ picked it out.” Sam mentions making you gasp and look at your son. The small boy giggles and looks over at Bucky who gave the boy a proud smile. “He was a perfect partner.” Buck adds.
You smiled and looked over at Bucky again and he leaned over to kiss your head before picking SJ up so he could take the spot next to you with the boy now sitting in his lap. Your hand, now adorned with the sparkle of a certain ring entwined with his as you held hands listening as Sam went on to mention what he was thankful for.