i hate you but

After the mission, y/n and Clint headed back to Clint’s farmhouse where y/n dropped the kids off to be watched by Laura.

“Can you not mention anything about what happened in the Quinjet? They’re going to school tomorrow, it’s not like they’ll find out about meeting with their grandparents,” y/n requested, earning a nod from Clint.

“Of course. They’re your responsibility, there’s no way in hell I’d meddle with your family life, l/n. Calm down,” Clint chuckled, hopping out y/n’s car and leading her into his home. At the sound of the door opening, the kids made their way to the door, greeting them.

“Auntie y/n, you’re back!” Jackson exclaimed, rushing over to y/n.

“Cooper! Lila! Daddy’s home!” came Nathaniel’s, Clint’s youngest, voice as he wrapped his arms around Clint’s pant legs.

“Wait! We need to finish this last round!” Cooper called out, the audible sounds of a gaming console and controller clicking in the other room.

Besides Cooper and Ethan being cooped up in the other room, Lila and Olivia emerged from the back door, both with a bow each in their hands.

“I see you’ve been teaching Liv a few tricks,” y/n remarked, earning a quick nod from Lila.

“At least we aren’t doing stuff like Cooper and Ethan in the other room,” Lila chuckled, motioning to Cooper’s room.

“Auntie y/n, can we stay for a little longer?” Jackson looked up at her with his big e/c eyes.

“Sorry, Jackson, we don’t want to overstay our welcome,” y/n chuckled nervously as Laura walked into the room, Allie in her arms.

“Oh, no, it’s fine. The kids seem to be getting along well plus it’s been a while since any of them have been this tiny,” Laura chuckled, reminiscing on the times when all three of her kids were as tiny as Allie was.

“Oh, well in that case, I guess we can stay for dinner,” y/n chuckled nervously. It looked like she was going to have to cram planning her outfit for everything.

Dinner, besides the fact that y/n was already planning out what she would wear for the brunch with the Langdons. Hell, she was already planning out how she would do her hair and how she would do her makeup. Would a wig be okay to wear to a brunch?

y/n noticed it was starting to get a little late. Although she didn’t want to interrupt the kids’ fun, she also needed to be a responsible guardian. The kids needed to get home to shower before getting some sleep; they had school.

“I think we should head out, now. The kids have school in the morning and I don’t want to mess up their sleep schedules. They’re getting along well, though. Do you think that we can come over again another time?” y/n questioned, crossing her legs over the couch, holding a sleeping Allie in her arms.

“Of course, you can! Lila and Liv seem to be getting along pretty well. I just hope they don’t end up both working as SHIELD agents. Having to worry about Clint’s enough,” Laura chuckled, motioning to where Olivia and Lila were shooting arrows outside the house in the barely lit archery range Clint set up outside.

“They would make an amazing duo, though,” Clint muttered under his breath, pulling a glare from both y/n and Laura. There was no way in hell they were letting the kids become SHIELD agents.

“I’m letting you train our kids in archery, don’t test your luck,” Laura shook her head as y/n called the kids down to the living room.

“Do we really have to go?” Jackson questioned, a pout on his face.

“Jackson, you have school tomorrow. If it’s okay with your uncle Clint and Aunt Laura, we can probably go here next week?” y/n chuckled, gathering their things.

“Really?” Jackson questioned, looking up at y/n with his big e/c eyes.

“Yes. Now, go call your siblings,” y/n smiled, as Jackson rushed to go find his older siblings.

A moment later, Olivia and Ethan walked into the room, being led in by Jackson. They all said their goodbyes to the Bartons before heading to the car.

The car ride was silent—well, mostly because the kids were asleep—and y/n sighed, enjoying the rare moment of silence. Though living with four kids could be rowdy at times, y/n wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, neither would she give them up to Mister and Mrs. Langdon.

The night came to an end—for the kids—when they got back to their place and in their beds after warm showers. For y/n? God, she had to patch up any of the wounds she wasn’t able to on the ride on the Quinjet, and she had to plan out her outfit for brunch.

Finally, she settled on a stunning velvet black long sleeved-dress partnered up with a gold necklace, a gold bracelet, and pearl earrings. After all that, she collapsed onto her bed, completely exhausted.

The next day, after dropping the kids off at their schools and Allie at the Bartons’ once again, she headed to the compound to pick Bucky up.

She parked her car in the parking space and took the elevator up to the main area of the compound, where she was met by Sam.

“Damn, y/n. Bucky is going to look like shit next to you. I mean he already does, but you are a goddamn stunner!” Sam exclaimed, hyping y/n up as she made her way to the couch.

“It’s almost eleven-thirty, where the hell is Bucky?” y/n huffed, burying her face in her hands, careful not to smudge her carefully-perfected makeup.

“Wanda’s helping him out with his tie. He’ll be out in a few minutes,” Rhodey explained, earning a sigh from y/n. She needed everything to be perfect and looks? Well, looks weren’t everything, but there was no way she would let the Langdons call her or Bucky out for not dressing for the occasion.

Minutes later, Bucky’s door swung open to reveal Bucky, his long hair tied up in a bun while he wore a stunning black silk suit, his beautiful blue eyes shining under the compound lights. y/n’s eyes widened as the breath got caught in her throat; that man was hot.

“Damn,” she found herself whispering under her breath, pulling a chuckle from Wanda who was right behind Bucky, her eyes glimmering with excitement as the two set their eyes on each other.

“Are you just going to stare or are you ready to go?” Bucky questioned, a smile finding its way to his face at the sight of y/n.

“I was staring because I didn’t expect you to clean up this nicely,” y/n chuckled, getting up from the couch and making her way to Bucky.

“I’m taking that as a compliment,” Bucky chuckled as he made his way to the elevator with y/n.

“Have fun, but not too much fun, if you know what I mean,” Sam giggled, wiggling his eyebrows at the pair as they got in the elevator.

“I’m about to meet up with these people I absolutely hate. I don’t think Bucky and I are going to be having any fun,” y/n scoffed as the elevator doors closed.

“You look amazing, doll” Bucky smiled, taking in y/n’s appearance.

“You know you don’t have to pretend anymore. Nobody’s watching,” y/n smiled nervously, feeling her cheeks heat up.

“Oh, I’m not pretending. This is one of those rare moments I’m nice to you, so be grateful for that,” Bucky chuckled, watching the way y/n shook her head, knowing damn well they often argued.

“Well, thanks I guess?” y/n chuckled.

“Keys?” Bucky questioned, holding his hand out as the elevator doors opened.

“Don’t need ‘em,” y/n rolled her eyes.

“Well, then, I’m driving,” Bucky smirked getting into the driver’s seat. Once he tried starting the engine, y/n chuckled.

“Nice try. The car won’t start unless I give you permission to drive,” y/n shook her head, telling him to move out of the seat.

“Well, can I please have permission to drive then? I don’t trust you to drive any vehicle I’m in,” Bucky shook his head, keeping his hands on the driver’s wheel.

“Why is it that you can’t let me drive?” y/n’s brows furrowed.

“Because you crashed a helicopter that one time,” Bucky pointed out.

“Well, fine! FRIDAY, give James Barnes driving commands and control,” y/n huffed, sinking into the passenger seat as the engine roared to life.

“Where to?” Bucky questioned, moving the car out the gates of the compound.

“FRIDAY, set the GPS to Le Plateau de Diamants,” y/n requested, earning a nod from Bucky as though to say ‘thanks’.

The pair made their way to the restaurant, y/n holding in her breath as she saw Mr. and Mrs. Langdon seated near the window along with another man. What time was it?

The moment they got out of the car, y/n and Bucky rushed to the entrance of the restaurant where Mike was seated in the waiting area.

“Ma’am, do you have a reservation?” the hostess, a tall sharply-dressed woman, questioned.

“I believe so. We’re here to meet Mr. and Mrs. Langdon?” y/n spoke nervously, her hand finding its way to Bucky’s.

“Of course. Follow me,” the hostess smiled, leading the three to the table where the Langdons and their lawyer sat.

Bucky, ever the (fake) gentleman, pulled a chair for y/n, earning a quiet “thank you” from her.

“So, how long have you been together?” Mrs. Langdon began to pry, her brown eyes piercing into y/n’s as she didn’t even give them time to order or to adjust to the atmosphere of the restaurant.

“We actually first hit it off before I went under the ice in Wakanda. It’s a kind of complicated story,” Bucky chuckled, his fingers still laced with y/n’s.

“I’m assuming you’re one of those Avengers too?” Mr. Langdon scoffed, looking Bucky deep in the eyes.

“Sergeant James Barnes. I’m better known as the Winter Soldier,” Bucky mumbled the last part out nervously, watching as Mrs. Langdon’s face contorted to one of shock.

“The same man the UN was hunting?” Mrs. Langdon’s eyes grew wide as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her husband’s expression, however, seemed proud; almost as though the new piece of information he was offered was going to play a part in his plan.

“They were hunting HYDRA’s Winter Soldier. Bucky, he isn’t like that anymore,” y/n shook her head, giving Bucky a small smile.

“How are you sure he’s no longer working for HYDRA?” Mr. Langdon narrowed his eyes at y/n.

“Scientists from Wakanda. They helped me get the trigger words out my head. They were the only other hold HYDRA had on me,” Bucky admitted proudly, a smile making its way to his face.

“How can you be sure?” Mr. Langdon’s brows furrowed. y/n sighed in response, turning to Bucky.

“Actually, the king of Wakanda himself made a statement about it. Wakandan technology is much further ahead than any other countries’,” the Langdons’ lawyer spoke up, holding up his phone showing off his google search. y/n smirked, as though to tell the Langdons ‘I told you so’.

“Well, what about y/n? How do I know your career—if you could call it that—won’t get in the way of caring for the kids. I mean, I understand having James continue his work for the Avengers, but the kids need you to be there for them,” Mrs. Langdon shook her head in disappointment, her words echoing through y/n’s skull.

“I told the team I’d stop going on as many missions unless I’m actually needed, y/n smiled, her hand squeezing tightly onto Bucky’s.

“If it’s a mission where you’re needed, don’t you think it would be more lethal? I mean, the kids could lose you,” Mrs. Langdon tried to sound sympathetic, but y/n swore she could see the smirk on her face at the thought of y/n dying.

“That won’t happen,” y/n spoke proudly.

“But what if it will?” Mr. Langdon insisted.

“Well, once you’ve fought a mad titan and his alien army, I’m pretty sure you can survive anything,” Bucky shrugged, trying to lighten the mood.

“Well, what if y/n passes?” Mrs. Langdon continued to press them.

“What if I take a desk job? Or maybe, a trainer job rather than staying with the Avengers? The world could save itself, right?” y/n exhaled, her breath shaky. Her remarks caught Bucky off-guard, not thinking y/n would give up her spot on the team for the kids.

“A job like that surely would set you behind on the costs to take care of children. You can barely even afford to keep them,” Mr. Langdon smirked, leaning into the table.

“God, you’re insatiable. I don’t know what Ethan told you, but we just moved into our new place; a penthouse with more than enough room for everyone. Being an Avenger’s just as risky as being a civilian. We go up against world-threatening entities. If we lose, everyone dies. Without the Avengers, we all have the same risks to face,” y/n shook her head, starting to get annoyed at the Langdons.

“Very well. How do you know your job and home life won’t collide? How do you know nobody’s going to decide to threaten their lives?” Mr. Langdon narrowed his eyes at y/n, carefully watching the way she would react to his question.

“Let me reverse this question. If you get custody of the kids, how do you know nobody would kidnap them in return for money?” y/n questioned, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Well, then we’d call the police,” Mr. Langdon scoffed.

“Calling the police is a bad idea. You have to be able to take things into your own hands. Hell, I have a cutting-edge security system being installed in the penthouse. If a threat were to be identified, I’d take the kids to a safe house,” y/n smirked proudly.

“And if the safe house is compromised?” Mrs. Langdon raised a brow at y/n.

“Then I’ll take them to a safe house after safe house until the threat is eliminated. Hell, I’d keep them in my emergency bunker if it keeps them safe. I’ll eliminate the threat myself and I’d have my teammates help me out. There is no way in hell I’d let the kids get in harm’s way,” y/n shook her head bravely.

“Well then, with you, they’d have security, but would they have emotional security? Tell me, James, do you live with y/n?” Mr. Langdon questioned, turning to Bucky.

“Well, no, but—” Bucky started, only to be cut off by Mr. Langdon.

“Exactly. The kids won’t have a father figure around. How is y/n supposed to deal with Jackson when he starts to go through puberty? Hell, how would you deal with Ethan when he starts dating and everything?” Mr. Langdon scoffed.

“Then, we’ll move in together,” Bucky huffed, also getting impatient with the Langdons.

“Are you sure?” y/n, her face contorting to one of concern, faced Bucky.

“We lived together in the compound and I care about you and the kids and if it makes everything feel more secure, I’d gladly move in,” Bucky chuckled, earning a scowl from Mrs. Langdon.

“Well, you aren’t married! How would they feel a sense of permanence? Surely, as y/n’s boyfriend, the kids would see you as temporary,” Mr. Langdon shook his head in disapproval.

“Then we’ll get married! No divorce or anything else allowed!” Bucky exclaimed, rushing to combat against Mr. Langdon’s words, shocking everyone seated at the table.