Chapter Text
“So, what are you planning on doing about him?” You glanced over your shoulder, seeing Zach.
“About who?”
Zach stepped up behind you, looking out of the bay window in the kitchen that overlooked the backyard. Where Bucky was currently sitting in one of Autumn’s play chairs as she held a tea party with him and her five favorite toys. You couldn’t pretend to ignore the warm feeling you got every time he came over to spend time with her. It was clear that he adored his pup with the same kind of intensity that you did.
“About him ,” Zach said.
“I wasn’t planning on doing anything about him,” you said, turning away from the sight of the two of them to start supper. Zach moved to help you, clearly intending on continuing the conversation he was determined to have with you.
“Seriously?”
“Why do I have to do something about him?”
Zach snorted. “Oh, c’mon, sis. Do you not see the way he looks at you?”
Pausing, you sent your brother a look. “Why don’t you enlighten me on how he looks at me?”
“He wants you as his mate, and you can’t pretend like you don’t know that. If I can tell that, you can. You’re way more observant than I am.”
“That’s true, I am.”
“So, what are you going to do about him?” Zach repeated.
You rolled your eyes, returning to cooking. “Nothing more than this Zach. We share a pup, that’s it.”
Zach made a disbelieving sound but couldn’t say anything more because at that moment, Autumn came running into the house with Bucky following behind. She was chattering a mile of minute and he was looking more than a little bemused. As she darted down the hall towards her room, Bucky paused in the kitchen.
“What’s she going for?” You asked, smiling towards him.
Looking bemused, he ran his fingers through his hair. “I—don't really know. She said something about someone called Laughy?”
Chuckling, you nodded, “Laughy is her new pet turtle.”
“Ah. I see.” Bucky eyed what you were doing. “I suppose I should get going if you’re gonna be eating dinner soon.”
“Why don’t you stay? Then you can help with the whole bedtime routine,” you suggested before you could think better of it. Zach’s eyebrows had shot up his forehead, but you ignored it.
Bucky looked a little surprised, but after a moment he looked relieved and agreed. Zach disappeared after you sent him a look and Bucky took over helping you finish.
“Can I ask you something?” He asked as he accepted the plates you handed to him.
Warily, you nodded.
“Do you have a job or career, or do you just take care of the house and stuff?”
That wasn’t what you were expecting him to ask, but it was better than what you thought he would. Smiling you picked up the silverware and led the way to the dining room table. “I’m a graphic designer. It lets me work from home, which is convenient for several reasons.”
“Like what?” Bucky asked.
“Like assuring I’m here whenever Autumn is, that I can take the time I need without having to worry about other people’s schedules when I go into heat. That kind of thing.”
“So, you aren’t taking suppressants anymore?” He must have realized how personal of a question that was because he winced and shook his head. “Never mind, sorry it just popped into my head.”
“It’s fine. To answer the question, no I haven’t taken suppressants since I went off them for that required heat. When we—well you know.”
~*~*~*~
Autumn had fallen asleep during the last story from her storybook he had read, and Bucky just took a moment to watch her as she slept curled against his side. Her long lashes rested against her cheeks, her hair a wild tumble down her back. She had begged him to read about a dozen stories to her, stretched out next on her bed, surrounded by the little nest she had made of stuffed toys.
Finally, he disentangled himself from her and went to find you. You were sitting on a swing on the porch, a blanket wrapped around your shoulders and reading a book. As he stepped out on the porch you glanced up.
“How many stories did she make you read?”
Chuckling, he moved over, sitting down next to you. “Like a dozen. She made me use different voices because she said that’s what you do.”
“Of course, that’s the best part.” you said seriously. You held that look for several long seconds before you grinned.
Bucky used his toe to gently rock the swing. “She’s amazing. You uh—have done well with her.”
There was a soft smile on your face. “Thanks.”
“I really am sorry that you had to do so much on your own.”
Your eyes met his, face shuddered. “It is what it is.”
“Yeah, but—”
“There isn’t anything you can do about it now. You can’t change the past. You’re here for her now, so just concentrate on that.”
Bucky moved the arm he had rested over the back of the swing so that he could stroke his fingers along your shoulders. When you didn’t move away, he took that as a good sign and said, “I’m here for you both.”
He heard the slight hitch in your breath as you turned to face him. “Bucky—”
Cupping your cheek, he leaned forward to press his lips to yours. You made a soft sound, your hand curling against his chest. He wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer to him. When your lips parted for him, he slid his hand around the back of your head deepening the kiss.
He could feel your walls breaking down, giving way as he held you against him. Bucky was about ready to just pull you into his lap when he heard the soft thump in the distance and the scent the wind brought. Sighing, he gently pushed you back.
For a moment you looked a little dazed, and then you pulled further away from him wrapping the blanket tighter around you. Bucky sent you an apologetic look as he stood up. Before you could ask what he was doing, you caught the noise from the yard.
“What do you want Sam?” Bucky asked with a sigh.
Sam Wilson walked into the circle of light from the porch. You stood up, blanket wrapping tight around your body as you crossed your arms. The new alpha smiled at you. “Hello, sorry to interrupt things.”
“You weren’t interrupting anything,” you said, ignoring the look Bucky sent you.
Sam’s eyes narrowed a little as he considered you before he turned his attention to Bucky. “Steve says we gotta go.”
Sighing, Bucky scrubbed a hand over his hair. “Did you bring more than your stupid flight suit?”
He grinned. “Well, Redwing is coming too.”
“You know what I mean jerk.”
“Yeah, Steve’s finding a spot to land the jet.”
“Okay, fine, I’ll be there in a minute.” Bucky said, glaring until Sam rolled his eyes and turned away. Once he had disappeared back into the dark, Bucky turned back to you. Your eyes had shuddered as you considered him.
“I’ve gotta go. So, I’m not likely going to be around this weekend like we planned.”
“I understand,” you said. “I’ll make sure to explain it to Autumn. She won’t be too upset, she kinda thinks it’s cool her daddy is a superhero.”
Bucky winced at the description, not a huge fan of being referred to as that. “Right. Look, doll, there’s something important that we need to talk about when I get back.”
“I’m not going to be with you Bucky, I’ve already told you that,” you said, your voice a little monotonous.
“No, it’s not—that, it’s something else. If concerns both you and Autumn.” He heard the whistle and barely restrained rolling his eyes. “I’ll explain when I get back. I’ll send you a message when we get back.”
You were curious, but you knew pushing would get you nowhere. “Okay.”
Bucky hesitated for a moment, then he let out a low curse and crossed the two steps across the porch to reach you. Yanking you against his chest, he kissed you hard and fierce before letting you go and jogging down the steps and heading in the direction where Sam had disappeared.