In All Our Years Series - 4 In 1 | Captain!Bucky, WinterSoldier!Steve | Stucky

2020

And Sam...Sam was still as sensitive, kind, and sarcastic as Steve had been desperate for him to be these past five years. He checked in on everyone, caught up with Steve, and he was just - he was Sam. And while this was happening, Clint had pulled Bucky to a side room in their hotel and told him what had happened on Vormir. They didn't leave that bedroom until long after they had both stopped crying over the abused girl they had cherished and cared for in their own ways.

It seemed like Bucky's eyes were permanently rimmed in red, the whites bloodshot. Surrounded by friends, family, and strangers; he murmured close to Steve's ear, "I never got to make it up to him."

Steve squeezed his hip. "He knew. I made sure of it," he whispered. Bucky had to know that. Steve and Tony had become friends during the gap. He visited at least once a month, Morgan called him Uncle Steve. Tony fought for him, instead of targeting him like he had in Siberia.

Bucky suddenly jumped under his arm, his neck going tense. Steve looked over his shoulder, not surprised to see Thor with his hand on Bucky's bicep. The God of Thunder said, "Your daughters are here."

"Dad?" Chrys's voice made its way across the Stark-Potts property, a hint of hysteria to it. At hearing her, Bucky immediately broke out from his hold, pushing past Thor and the rest of the Avengers on the dock. Steve followed, watching Bucky run and throw his arms around Chrys.

To Bucky, he hadn't seen his daughters in two years. For Bianca, it had been the same. But to Chrys, it had been seven.

Chrysanthemum Barnes held on to her father with strong arms, hands either gripping his shoulder or holding a fistful of his black jacket. She pressed her face into his collar, hiding her watering eyes.

Bianca folded her arms over the both of them, squeezing them for a minute. She then pressed a kiss to Bucky's cheek, and carried on to where Pepper and the Avengers were retreating from the edge of the narrow dock. Steve turned and watched her, as she walked toward Pepper and Morgan with purpose, her chocolate brown curls bouncing as she moved. They shared soft words, before the two women embraced.

Steve knew Bianca loved Tony. ("I'll always love him. I believe him, when he said that the woman came on to him. But he still let it happen, and I can't forgive him for that.") He hadn't been around to see it, but she and Bucky had mentioned it before. He made a mental note to give her a big hug soon, then looked away and ended up making eye contact with Henry behind Chrys. He sent the man a small smile, walking past Bucky and Chrys to speak to him, greeting him with a gentle, "Hey," though he really wanted to ask; Where's West? Didn't he come back, too?

Henry studied him for a few moments before saying, "Chrys's husband..." He fixed his teeth around his bottom lip, anxiously, before going on, "He just appeared out of nowhere, and immediately had a stroke."

Steve balked. "I -" It took him a few tries to get the words, but he was finally able to choke out, "Did she tell May and Dylan?"

Henry shook his head, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks. "No. But I'm excited to get to finally meet Chrys's kids," he confessed with a slight, quickly-vanishing smile. "She didn't talk about them too much, it would get her all worked up, so...this'll be nice, I hope."

In all truth, Steve liked Henry. He was supportive when Steve brought Bucky's belongings to put in storage in the basement, he made good comfort food and always made sure to make extra for Steve to take leftovers back to the Compound. He gave good advice, he was a great listener. He treated Chrys how she deserved.

"I think they'll like you, just give them time to get used to you being here and their dad not," Steve told him, speaking softly. "And, for the record, I think Bucky will like you, too."