Be Careful what You're Dreamin cause It Someday May Come True
Oh, music springs under the galloping hoofs,
Out on the plains.
Where mile after mile drops behind with a smile,
And tomorrow seems always to tempt and beguile—
—"A Prairie Song"
Steve.
His name was Steve.
He had buried his name in his deepest chasms.
His ma had told him that there's magic in a name.
Names identify you and remind you of who you are.
His name had been one of many things taken from him.
Hota.
They had named him, hoping that he would forget where he had come from and who he was.
But Steve had never forgotten. He'd held on as tight as he could because if he forgot, it would be like losing his ma all over again.
"You never give up!" Sarah said fiercely. "Your name means victorious, so no matter how hard life pushes you back, you will always be victorious."
Steve blinked back tears. He would keep fighting, no matter what.
Staring at the Alpha walking in front of him, he had a dreadful feeling that Bucky might be his toughest battle yet. He was so tired of fighting, so tired of being alone.
Bucky was not a bad Alpha.
Steve had almost liked him, but Steve knew better than most what happened when one let an Alpha control them.
"I-I do not want to go," Sarah whispered.
Joseph growled. "I didn't ask what ye wanted!"
"Joseph, please!" Sarah begged. "I have a life here!"
"You call this a life?" Joseph laughed.
Sarah nodded. "Yes, we have all that we need."
"Well, it's not enough for me!" Joseph shoved her.
Sarah cried out in surprise. "S-Stevie can't handle a journey like that! Please, Joseph—"
"I don't care about yer pup!" Joseph glared at her with such hatred in his eyes. "He's evidence of yer sins!"
Sarah was crying. "Joseph, please!"
"I'm the Alpha!" Joseph screamed. "Me! I make the decisions, and I've decided we're going out West!"
"Hota, I mean, Stevie!" Peter stumbled over his words catching Steve's attention.
"Yes?" Steve asked. He couldn't help softening around the pup. He'd always wanted pups...
"Are you sad that you're my Oma?" Peter's voice was quiet. He didn't want his father to overhear him.
Steve sighed and lifted the boy into his arms. "No, I am not sad about being your Oma."
Peter sniffed. "A-Are you going to d-die like my first Oma?"
"I should hope not." Steve held the boy a little tighter.
"We'll be home soon," Peter mumbled sleepily.
Steve could tell that the pup was exhausted. "I think we should rest."
Bucky jolted to a stop. He turned back and looked at Steve holding Peter. "We only have a little longer to go. If you'd like, I can carry him."
Steve shook his head.
"T-Thank you," Bucky said.
"For what?" Steve asked.
"Peter's Oma died when he was born," Bucky's voice was filled with longing. "I did my best, but I could never be an Oma."
"He's not suffered for it," Steve offered.
Bucky clearly didn't believe him. "T-This doesn't have to be like this."
"I don't know what you mean," Steve said.
"You hate me," Bucky whispered.
"You bought me," Steve replied.
"I know this isn't what you want, but it doesn't have to be bad." Bucky raked his hand through his hair. "We don't have to hate each other."
"What would you have of me?" Steve asked. "I can't give it to you!"
Bucky closed his eyes. "Just try. That's all I'm asking."
Steve didn't quite understand what Bucky was asking for. He didn't hate him, but it was safer if the Alpha thought so. He didn't know anything else.
His mother and father had loved each other before the war.
But his father had gone to war and not come back whole.
Steve had never seen his parents in love. He'd only seen the worst of it.
Bucky wanted something from him that he didn't know how to give.
***
Follow me on Facebook: Facebook.
Follow me on TikTok: freddiegene (@freddiegene) | TikTok.
Check out my website and blog: Freddie Gene (godaddysites.com).
Follow me on Tumblr: @greekgeek24 on Tumblr or @freddiegene on Tumblr.
Follow me on Instagram: Freddie Gene (@bookswithfreddie) • Instagram photos and videos.