Work Text:
"Come on, kids," Bucky says, "we're buying ice cream." His heavy eyes betray his light-hearted tone.
Wanda and Yelena are quick to agree. After the week they've had, they need all the ice cream in the world to feel better. Though Yelena thinks that might not even do the trick this time.
Several disreputable but nonetheless national news outlets had felt the need to do a deep dive into Bucky’s, Wanda's and Yelena's pasts after a mission gone wrong. Painting them as villains and imposters, as people who were up to no good and who had no capacity to ever be good. It stings. It always does. And they are never allowed to get angry about it because it proves that those assholes are right which is the most frustrating part. They have to sit back and watch, they have to hope someone else fixes it for them.
Bucky is the best at it by now. He's had more experience than Wanda and Yelena, with having his name dragged through the mud over and over and over. He just goes out and he's himself and he buys ice cream. He trusts Steve to step in and take care of things and he buys ice cream, because what else can he do?
He goes to a little place in Brooklyn run by the grandson of an old friend of Bucky’s to get his much needed ice cream. The guy always insists on giving Bucky a discount and Bucky always refuses. It's endearing to watch.
"I will always try to give you a discount," the guy says. "You are family, Bucky. Don't make me call my grandparents."
"Fine, fine, fine," Bucky says. "You may give me a discount this time only."
Everyone knows he will say the exact same words the next time around. It's all part of the game. It's fun and sweet. It's a good reminder that most people are good people, that not everything is totally awful. It dawns on Yelena that Bucky doesn't just go here for the ice cream, he goes to this place for the people. Friends, loved ones, good caring people.
They sit down together and eat their ice cream. Wanda's ice cream is strawberry and chocolate, Yelena's is caramel and Bucky’s is vanilla. They don't say much while they eat but it's nice to be together.
Just before they leave, the man embraces Bucky tightly and reminds him to come to shul this week.
"You need it and we want to see you," he says.
"I'm always there," Bucky replies.
"Good, good, good," the man says, smiling.
They say their goodbyes and step outside. Bucky links his arms with the girls and they walk back to the tower. Something hits Yelena. Bucky is acting like such a big brother. If she ever had to get a sibling besides Natasha, it would be Bucky. He used to have sisters, she knows. He must miss them terribly. Yelena wonders what happened to them, if he ever got to see them after his return. She doesn't know if she can ask. Not this week, not when they are all already struggling. One day, maybe, they'll all talk about their families and who they were before they met.
"Do you want to watch movies with me?" Wanda asks softly once they've reached the residential floors of the Avengers Tower.
"Of course," Bucky says and Yelena agrees, too.
They put on comfy clothes, grab a bunch of blankets and settle down on Bucky’s bed.
This is the first time Yelena has been in his room. She knows Wanda spends more time here. Bucky shields her from others sometimes, when everything feels like it's too much. Such a big brother.
The room is nice. It's not as utilitarian as one might expect from a guy named the Winter Soldier. It's pretty cozy, actually. There's art on the walls. Some of it is obviously made by Steve but there are also prints of art by Max Weber, Monet, Alex Katz, Van Gogh, and some contemporary artists Yelena doesn't recognise. Bucky also has an overflowing bookcase with books that are clearly well loved and well read. Yelena is grateful for this glimpse into Bucky’s life. It feels like she's part of a second family now. She likes that.
"I wonder if I should get a cat," Bucky says midway through the movie.
"You should," Yelena says.
"Yes," Wanda agrees. "Cats are nice. And you are always feeding stray cats anyway. So you might as well become a proper cat dad, Bucky. Have your own to care for and cuddle."
Bucky smiles. "You are right, I should," he says.
Just two seconds later they are looking at rescue cats on a website, trying to find the best cat for Bucky. There are so many adorable cats and all their heavy feelings are nearly forgotten. They find the cutest cat, too. A beautiful white cat with adorable eyes.
Bucky brings her home a week later. Her name is Alpine. Everyone loves her but Bucky clearly loves her the most. It's so adorable how besotted he is. One day Yelena will actually tell him that. Judging by the glint in Steve’s eyes and the pleased smile on Bucky’s face, she thinks it's obvious anyway.
The picture she takes of Bucky and Steve cuddling the cat and each other goes viral. For a moment people forget Bucky was the winter soldier, that a week ago they called him every horrible thing they could think of. For a moment he's just a cute guy with a cute boyfriend and a cute cat. Until the next time someone is cranky and decides to do a deep dive on all the Avengers' dirty little secrets that are hardly even secret at this point. The cycle is tiring but Yelena knows Bucky has her back and Steve has Bucky’s. She feels safe with them.
"You should come to mine tonight," Bucky tells her in the hallway a couple of days later. "Wanda and I are watching movies and eating ice cream. Steve’s got a thing and I'm too pretty to deal with stuffy boring business guys." He says the last part in the most serious voice until he cracks up.
Yelena smiles at him. "I'll be there." She pauses. "It's nice to have friends."
"It is," Bucky agrees, returning her smile.
She's glad she told him.