Work Text:
Prologue
“Come on. We should get going.” Bucky said as he dragged Steve away from another potential fight.
“I could have taken them!”
“You would have ended up on that pool table with a fist in your mouth.” Bucky sighed and rubbed his face. They looked around the 1940s Manhattan’s scenery. Both of them heard familiar footsteps nearby. A small girl ran up behind them.
“Our little shadow is back.” Steve chuckled. Bucky sighed and looked at the kid.
“Hey Birdie. What are you doing out so late?” Bucky questioned her.
“You disappeared from the park!” Birdie said as she wrapped her arms around Steve. Steve chuckled and patted her head. Bucky just shook his head, chuckling a little bit.
“You wanted us to stay in the park?” Bucky looked down at their shadow.
“I don’t mind if we leave. But you could have said something, so I didn’t get left behind.”
“Sorry kiddo.” Steve chuckled.
“Shouldn’t you be home right now? It seems way past your bedtime.” Bucky unstuck the little girl from Steve’s leg.
“I don’t have a bedtime. Momma isn’t home at night.” Birdie said as she moved to cling onto Bucky now.
“No? Was she there to make you dinner tonight?” Steve chuckled as he watched her climb on Bucky’s back. She shook her head in response to the question. Steve and Bucky glanced at each other, sharing the same thought. Bucky shifted the little shadow further on his back.
“Let’s go get some grub.” Bucky walked with Steve to a nearby dinner as he had Birdie on his back. He nodded at the hostess and sat them down at a booth. Bucky sat his shadow down on the seat then sat on the other side with Steve.
“Alright munchkin. Order whatever you want.” Bucky slid a menu over to her. Birdie sat up on her knees and looked over the menu. She pointed at an order of chocolate chip pancakes.
“Can I get those please?” The child looked up at them. Steve let out a chuckle. Bucky just nodded his head,
“Get what you want kid.”
“Thank you!” She handed him back the menu. Another soft chuckle left Bucky’s lips.
“No problem.” Bucky took her menu. A waitress came up to the table. Bucky motioned for Birdie to order first. The little girl looked at the waitress. No words could come out of her mouth. Her expression became more nervous. The young shadow looked at the men. The soldiers looked at each other. “Can she get some chocolate chip pancakes and a glass of milk please?”
“Of course. And for you two?” The waitress wrote the order down.
“Can I get a breakfast plate and some water please?” Steve requested. The waitress nodded and wrote on her notepad.
“I’m not- '' Bucky started, but was cut off by Steve nudging him. The younger one nodded to Birdie. She was looking up at them with curious eyes. “I’ll just have a coffee please.” Bucky smiled at the waitress. She nodded her head and walked away to put in their orders. The two men looked at their shadow.
“I feel like we need to give you a nickname.” Steve chuckled. Birdie smiled at them. “What’s your name again?”
“I’m Birdie. Birdie Jones.”
“Well Birdie, why are you hanging out with two grown men at 10:00 at night in the streets of Manhattan.” Bucky raised his eyebrow.
“You’re soldiers. You won’t hurt me.” Birdie smiled as the waitress brought her milk. But instead of the order, she brought the girl a chocolate milk. Birdie looked at Bucky and Steve with a bright smile. Neither of them could stop themselves from laughing.
“Alright. You’re right, we’re soldiers, and we won’t hurt you.” Bucky nodded. “Is that why you hang out with us?” The soldier raised an eyebrow. Birdie nodded her head. Both men smiled at each other. “Looks like we have a shadow.”
“We’ve had a shadow. You’re only now accepting it.”
“Alright, fine. We have a shadow. A very young shadow. How old are you exactly?” Buck nodded as the waitress placed their orders on the table.
“I’m 8!” The girl started playing with a radio on the table. A wave of sadness hit both adults. But they didn't let it affect their expression. They kept up a smile for her.
“So where is your mom?” The older soldier posed.
“She’s a dancer. Someplace called a gentleman’s club.” Birdie started eating her pancakes. Both soldiers shared a look again. Both silently agreed. They were now watching their little shadow.
“I got it!” Steve got a questioning look from Bucky. “Your nickname is going to be Little Bird.” The new mentors shared a laugh as the girl smiled at them.