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John cursed, disconnecting the call with a particularly vicious press of his thumb. Immediately, he glanced down at his side, where his son was curled against him. Thankfully, he didn’t move, and John relaxed infinitesimally. He rubbed his hand over his forehead and wondered how these things always seemed to come up when he was otherwise occupied.
“Something wrong?”
It took everything in John not to startle when Bucky’s voice cut through the quiet of the living room. His tone was pitched low in deference to the small child tucked up against John’s side. Things between them had been at a simmer ever since Bucky’s declaration a couple weeks ago, with John unsure how to process Bucky’s declaration. Bucky hadn't pushed for more, just stated he'd wait until John was ready.
Now Bucky was looking at him with undisguised concern, and John was fairly certain that if he looked deeper, there'd be affection there as well. As much as John wanted it, he wasn't sure he was ready for it. He'd always admired Bucky from afar- nothing had prepared him for the possibility of having his affections returned.
And there was also his son to consider- how would Bucky fit into his life?
“John?”
Bucky's voice pulled him back to the present. “Oh, uh, Val wants to meet,” he said, rolling his phone in his hand. “But I've got this little guy for the week, so…” Just then, his son shifted, snuggling in further against his side. He smiled down at the boy, brushing his hair back off his small forehead.
“I can watch him.”
Surprised by the offer, John stared up at him. “Uh, no offense, but do you even know how to take care of a kid?”
“Offense taken,” Bucky huffed, but his gaze was soft. “I had four younger sisters,” he murmured.
John looked away, embarrassed. He'd forgotten, for a moment, that Bucky'd had a whole life before the 21st century. Family, friends- hell, probably even food- that he could never get back. The last John had heard, only Bucky’s youngest sister had still been alive by the time he'd been wrested from Hydra's control.
It was still a big ask- to have Bucky watch over a child he'd only met twice. “You sure?”
Bucky nodded. “I'm sure,” he said, gazing down at John’s son. “I miss kids,” Bucky added softly.
The decision was easy after that. John gently woke up his son, explained that he had a meeting, but Uncle Bucky would stay with him until he got back. John wasn't sure if the boy was awake enough to understand, but he let John go easy enough, and with a smile and a few instructions, John went.
A few fruitless hours later, he was on his way back home, texting Bucky that he'd just left.
We're at the nearby park.
John detoured slightly, writing back that he'd meet them there if his son was still having fun. When he got there, the boy was climbing his way up the playhouse with several other children. Bucky stood firm on the ground nearby, arms crossed over his chest. The light jacket he wore pulled tightly across his back, outlining the thick shape of his shoulders.
A woman was standing next to him, smiling warmly. Something in John’s gut twisted painfully.
As he got closer, he was able to hear what she said.
“-- Is yours?”
“Oh, uh, I'm actually just watching my friend's kid for a couple hours.” Bucky’s tone is warm and mellow. The thing in John's gut soured. “He had a sudden meeting he couldn't get out of.”
The woman's gaze sharpened. “So you don't have any kids? A wife?” Bucky shook his head. “You're a really great friend, to look after a child that's not yours,” she simpered.
Bucky shrugged. “I like kids.”
The woman leaned in closer. John was near enough now to make out her features- dark blonde hair, hazel eyes, young, but not too young.
She was beautiful. And together they made a stunning picture against the fall foliage of brilliant yellows, deep reds, and playful oranges. They looked like they belonged together.
John hated it.
“Ever think about having a few of your own?”
“All the time,” Bucky answered. “Don't think that's in the cards though.” He smiled ruefully.
The woman laid a hand on his arms. “Why not? I'm sure there's a woman out there that would love to have kids with you.” Her tone heavily implied that she could be that woman.
It was here that Bucky started to look uncomfortable. He started to pull away. “Uh-”
“Because he's with me.” John nearly looked around to see who had spoken, before recognizing his own voice.
Bucky turned slightly to face him better, eyes widened in surprise. “John, what-” he started to ask before cutting himself off.
The woman looked confused. “But he said-”
John shut her up by the expedient method of grabbing Bucky by his coat collar and pulling him into a kiss.