Chapter 69
"You know where you're heading?" Pepper fussed, making sure that not only Harry, but Bucky and Steve were prepared to brave the outside world.
Harry was excitedly awaiting his trip to visit Jacob and meet Newt, but an incoming snow storm was threatening his plans. Even still, Bucky and Steve had insisted on taking him.
"We'll be fine, Pepper, I promise," Steve assured her as he tied a baby blue scarf that Bruce had made him around his neck.
"I've driven through worse," Bucky shrugged with a sly grin, and Pepper shot him a look.
"You're not making me feel any better," she warned, but her tone was playful. She grabbed the basket of treats from the counter, and handed it to Harry who accepted it gratefully. He had never seen his mum so stressed about something so trivial, and he wondered if it was because he was going to meet Jacob, and the last time that he had done that, it had ended up with his being kidnapped by Death Eaters.
"You'll be back before supper?" She asked, but the question was phrased more as a statement.
"Yes mom," Bucky playfully nudged her before growing serious. "We'll make sure we're back before it starts getting dark."
She glanced at the three of them, and Harry wordlessly moved towards her, silently welcoming her motherly embrace. She fondly ruffled up his hair before holding him out at arms length.
"You have fun, alright?"
"I will," he responded, giving an excited nod.
"Well then, off you go. Don't want you three to be late," she ushered them out the door.
On his way past, Steve placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. "I've got them Pep. Don't worry."
Pepper reached up and placed her hand atop Steve's for a brief moment before taking a deep breath and releasing it.
"On that note, I think it's about time for my hourly check on my other child-- Tony."
Steve let out a hearty laugh, and gave her a wave as she retreated down the hallway, before closing the door behind him.
*
"Is this it?" Steve asked, pulling the truck up along the curb and looking out at the building.
"Yeah! He lives in the apartment above the bakery," Harry explained, gazing fondly at the faded sign that read "Kowalski" hanging above the snow-covered awning.
"Do you want us to come in with you?" Bucky turned around in his seat to face Harry, who had just unbuckled his seat belt.
"You can if you'd like to. I don't mind," Harry replied, his answer taking Steve aback. He couldn't help but be proud of the kid, because a few months ago, the idea of meeting with two men that he either barely knew or had never met would have sent him spiraling. But now, it sounded as though he was offering more for Bucky's ease of mind than his own.
"I'll tell you what, we'll come in and meet them afterwards, alright? Don't want to embarrass you," Bucky winked at Harry, who gave him a beaming grin.
"Have fun, alright kiddo?" Steve turned to face him. "And don't forget that basket of treats. Otherwise I'm going to feel obligated to eat them so they don't go bad."
"Thank you for driving me!" Harry exclaimed, his hand hovering over the handle to the door. "You said you'll be back around 4?"
"On the dot," Steve promised.
"Okay! Have fun... doing whatever you two are doing," Harry spoke, climbing out of the car and hurrying towards the door yet minding the ice that covered the sidewalk. Snow was beginning to fall once more, flurries picking up into something a bit heavier.
"He'll be alright, don't you think?" Steve asked his fiancé as he watched Harry pull open the door to the bakery and disappear inside.
Bucky reached out and took Steve's hand in his own. "For the first time in a while, I actually do."
*
"Harry?" Jacob called down the stairs, hearing someone enter the shop doors. He was about to make his way down the stairs when he saw Harry's unruly locks of raven hair, now coated with a light layer of snow, appear below.
"Hey! How're you doin'?" Jacob exclaimed cheerfully. He gestured for Harry to take off his coat as he got to the top of the stairs, and hung the wet article of clothing on a coat rack.
"I'm doing pretty well, thank you," Harry smiled, following Jacob further into the apartment.
"Please, have a seat. Make yourself at home. Can I get you anything?" Jacob bustled around, motioning to some outdatedly patterned furniture. Harry smiled, taking a seat on an overstuffed floral sofa.
"I'm alright, you don't have to get me anything," Harry protested as Jacob disappeared into the kitchen. A moment later, however, the man's face appeared.
"Ah, ah, ah," he held up his finger to the teenager. "Remember my mom's rule."
Harry laughed as he remembered the way Jacob stuffed him full of treats during his last visit, per his mother's rule of never letting a guest go hungry.
"I'm going to put on a kettle of tea for Newt, would you like any?" Jacob called, causing such a clattering that Harry was sure he had dropped every pot and pan that he owned.
"Sure, if it's not too much trouble. Can I help you with anything?" Harry offered, rising to his feet and entering the kitchen.
It was the most modern part of the apartment that Harry had seen so far, but it didn't feel cold and unwelcoming, but instead had been lived-in and decorated in such a way that emitted a cozy feel to whomever stepped foot inside.
Jacob smiled as the younger boy lingered, looking around the kitchen.
"Here, I want to show you something," Jacob waved Harry over after setting the kettle on the stove. He opened up a cabinet above the stove, and pulled out an old book, handing it to Harry who flipped it open.
"A book of my gran's old recipes. I know 'em by heart now, and I want you to have it," Jacob explained as Harry thumbed through it. The teen looked up in shock.
"I couldn't possibly. These are your family recipes! And you... you barely know me," Harry stammered, eyes wide as he stared at the man before him who just wore a relaxed smile.
"Well the way I see it," Jacob started, rounding the counter and heading back out into the living room area. "I never got around to having kids of my own. I've only got a few years left that I'll be able to run the bakery on my own, and I know that those recipes need to be shared with the world after I'm gone."
Harry's brows furrowed as he stared at Jacob.
"Are you sure?" Was all he could think to say as he hugged the book to his chest. As far as he was concerned in that moment, this was his most valuable possession.
"Positive," Jacob winked. "Now, let me go see if I can pull Newt away from his writing. I'm sure he's lost track of time again- he's been dying to meet you."
Jacob disappeared down the hall, and Harry heard him knock softly at a door.
A moment later, Jacob appeared once more, this time followed by a tall man with stark white hair that stuck up in all different ways. His face was weathered, but kind, and his eyes sparkled youthfully.
"I must apologize, I believe I lost track of time," he crossed the room, and Harry noticed that despite the excitement that seemed to have been expressed in his letter, the man was avoiding eye contact.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Newt extended his hand towards Harry in a shy manner. "And I believe that I must thank you."
"Oh, no sir, the pleasure is all mine. There's nothing to thank me for," Harry blushed, now feeling quite shy himself.
"But there is!" Newt grew a bit more excited, his eyes sparkling happily as he made eye contact for the first time. "I've heard all about how you saved the hippogriff, Buckbeak, during your third year at Hogwarts. Thank you! I was up in arms with the Ministry about it, but they just wouldn't budge."
Harry couldn't formulate words, the shock of Newt's words rendering him completely speechless.
"You heard about that?" Was all Harry could think to ask, and Jacob snorted.
"Oh yeah he heard about it," the American replied, "he stormed the grounds, he was so pissed off about it."
"He was so gentle when he let me ride him. It wasn't his fault that Malfoy started insulting him," Harry frowned, remembering how unfair the entire matter had been.
"He let you ride him?" Newt's eyes shone even brighter, and he sat up a bit straighter.
"Oh now you've got him," Jacob chuckled, and Newt swatted in his direction to signal for him to be quiet.
Harry fell into a comfortable conversation with the man, discussing the events of his third year with Buckbeak, but transitioning into a simpler version of how he had ended up in New York. He knew that he had given basic information to Jacob when he first met up with the man, and it wasn't that he didn't feel comfortable explaining his story.
It was that he didn't want the pity that was sure to come if he explained it. These were two men that had evidently gone through a lot together, and they seemed to have a bit of respect-- admiration, almost-- for Harry. He didn't want that to go away.
"Oh, Mr. Scamander, I almost forgot," Harry exclaimed, remembering suddenly the basket of treats that he had brought for the man. "We were doing some baking yesterday when I received your letter, so I brought you a little bit of everything."
Newt's face broke into a shy grin as he looked up at Harry.
"I do suppose that between you and Jacob, I'll have gained a solid two stone," he chuckled, one hand patting his stomach lightly while the other accepted the basket that Harry handed him.
Harry watched eagerly as Newt pulled a pastry out of the basket and took a bite, not noticing the soft chuckle that came from Jacob. The man remembered a time when he was just as excited to share his baking with others, and equally as nervous.
"Mmm," Newt hummed as he chewed, covering his mouth politely with his hand. "This is absolutely delightful."
Harry beamed at the compliment, which made Jacob smiled even harder. Harry knew deep down that his baking was good, but the validation of his friends and family never failed to make him feel even better.
"Thank you, sir," Harry blushed.
There was a buzz from his pocket, and Harry apologized to the two men as he pulled his phone out.
"It's a text from Bucky," Harry announced to Newt and Jacob. "He said that he's on his way with Steve, and they're going to pick me up a bit earlier before the weather gets bad. I'm sorry to cut our time short."
"That's alright, Harry," Jacob smiled, rising to his feet. "I'm going to go fix up some hot chocolate for the three of you for the road."
Jacob disappeared once more into the kitchen, and Harry let out a small laugh.
"He has a mother hen quality to him," Newt chuckled, "he's mothered me since the day we met. Sometimes I don't always have the best self preservation skills."
"Damn right you don't," Jacob hollered from the kitchen, earning another laugh from Newt.
"All of my creatures love him," Newt told Harry. "That's how I know that someone's a good person. My creatures like them, and they like my creatures."
Newt gave Harry a lopsided grin. "And I know that you're a good person. For Merlin's sake, you've ridden a hippogriff, and have flown on thestrals. They don't let just anyone do that, you know. It proves that you've got heart."
Harry's face burned red with flattery. He didn't know what to say to this man that he had only just met, who had dedicated his life for advocating for both the wizarding world and its creatures.
Jacob came back in a few moments later, carrying thermoses of hot chocolate.
"Thank you Jacob," Harry accepted it gratefully. "I hope we can meet again soon after the holidays."
Harry turned to Newt. "And Mr. Scamander, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope someday-- if it's alright with you... I'd love to meet a few of your creatures."
Newt's face lit up, and he placed a light hand on Harry's shoulder and gave it a grandfatherly squeeze. He smiled at the young wizard before him as he said, "I think I'd rather enjoy that."
*
Steve and Bucky stepped out of a store, the snow fell heavier now, creating a white-out world around them.
Bucky looked at his watch, checking to see how close to 4 it was. He was beginning to get worried about driving conditions, and didn't want to be out in the winter weather longer than absolutely necessary. At seeing the time was only 3:15, he sighed.
"I hate to interrupt and cut Harry's time short, but I think we should call him and tell him we're going to be early. I don't want to stay out in this for too much longer, especially once people are getting off of work," Bucky told Steve as they walked to the truck.
Steve's hands were buried deep in his coat pockets, and he nodded once, keeping his head down. Bucky frowned at his lack of verbal response, but continued on as he climbed into the cab of the truck.
"I just hope he's had a nice time. He's a good kid."
Steve gave a small hum of agreeance and turned the key in the ignition, quickly reaching to the controls and cranking the heat. Bucky eyed him curiously-- Steve always ran hot, so the fact that he had dialed the heat up to the highest it could go was worrisome.
"Steve, are you alright?" Bucky watched his fiancé as they pulled out into the street. The tired crunched in the snow beneath them causing the truck to ride a bit more unevenly than normal.
"Fine," Steve answered shortly, but the white-knuckled grip he had on the steering wheel and the clenching of his jaw contradicted him. He stared straight ahead, focusing only on the road that spanned ahead of them.
"Okay," Bucky replied, backing off a bit. Pulling out his phone, he shot a quick message to Harry, letting him know that they were on their way to pick him up earlier because the weather was getting bad.
Steve took a deep, dragging inhale, breaking the silence in the car. Bucky glanced over to see tears slip down Steve's cheek.
"Stevie," Bucky sighed, placing his hand gently on Steve's arm only to jump away when Steve flinched away from the contact.
"Steve, pull over," Bucky spoke, voice gentle but firm. He was thankful when Steve guided the truck along a curb as soon as possible. For a moment, the two sat wordlessly, the only audible noise being the heat that was blasting through the vents.
"It looks just like it did in that plane," Steve broke the silence finally.
"Oh Steve," Bucky's heart shattered as he realized what the captain was talking about. "You're here with me now, in New York. You're not there. You're okay."
Steve stared straight ahead still, not daring to look at his fiancé. The fear of seeing disappointment at his weakness was too much for him to even bear the thought of.
"This is so stupid," Steve muttered, feeling ashamed for being triggered by something as simple as snow.
"Hey, look at me," Bucky cupped Steve's face with his hands, guiding his face to look at his own. "It's not stupid. It's not stupid at all."
He brushed a few tears away with his thumbs as he continued.
"I can drive, okay? All you need to do is just close your eyes and hold your hand. I've got you pal."
Steve blinked, another tear sliding down his face and he gave a weak smile.
"'til the end of the line," he murmured the line.
"That's right," Bucky smiled. "Til the end of the line. Now, are you alright to get out so we can switch seats, or do you want to sit here for a bit longer?"
Steve took a deep breath, wiping the remainder of his tears from his face.
"I'm okay now. Let's go get Harry-- I'm excited to hear about his day."
The two quickly traded places, and Bucky allowed Steve to keep the heat cranked up after they switched, even though he was sweating as if he had just run a marathon.
As they drove down the road, and eventually up to the storefront where Harry came bounding out of, Bucky's hand was intertwined with Steve's.
Just before Harry threw open the door to the truck, Steve reached over and turned the heat back down. He gave Bucky a small smile, before greeting the teenager who clambered into the backseat of the truck.
"How was it pal?" Steve asked, turning in his seat to look at Harry.
"It was so much fun! I can't wait to meet up with them again," Harry cried excitedly.
Bucky chuckled, glad to see the teen so boisterously happy about something.
"Today has been such a great day," Harry announced suddenly. "And I'm excited to go home and have dinner, and sit and watch Christmas movies with the team. Oh! And Jacob made us hot chocolate for the car ride back!"
He handed the thermoses to Steve and Bucky, who thanked him.
"I'm really glad you had a good day, buddy," Bucky spoke, pulling the truck into the street and beginning there drive.
"Thank you guys for taking me," Harry smiled, his appreciation evident through his tone.
"You're welcome pal. You're family, and we'd do anything to make sure you're happy," Steve replied.
"I know I say it to my mum and dad a lot, but I wanted to tell you that I love you guys too. I'm really glad that you're my family," Harry's words were much softer now, a tad unsure in his vulnerability. But the words make Bucky and Steve's hearts soar, and Bucky reached for Steve's hand once more, giving it a loving squeeze.
"We love you too, Harry, and we're so glad that you're our family," Bucky's voice was soft, but his words were true.
And in the backseat, Harry smiled the whole way home.