“Bucky?”
“Who the hell is Bucky?”
Recognition. Heartbreak. Hard and instant.
“I’m not gonna fight you, you’re my friend.”
Friend, because in the 1940s they could only say friend. Because in their time they hid. Because in their time, Bucky fell to his death from a train into a canyon and there was no way no way no way this was really Bucky, right?
“You’re my mission!”
“Then finish it, because I’m-“
Kiss me once.
Steve sat up gasping for air, nearly colliding with Bucky’s face as he did so, but Bucky jumped back, spitting river water to the side as he did. Bucky’s eyes were dark and wide, his breathing slightly shallow despite being standing. He was fighting an inner battle that Steve knew very little about.
The ache in Steve’s sternum made him realize Bucky did CPR on him. Bucky. His Bucky?
“Bucky?” Steve muttered, reaching out to him, ignoring the pain searing through his whole body from a combination of the fight, the fall, and nearly drowning.
Bucky blinked, some spark of recognition in his eyes. “I… I thought I said… Don’t do anything stupid until I get back?”
“How could I? You took all the stupid with you.” Steve said through tears on his cheeks, falling entirely backwards when Bucky pretty much crushed him in a hug.
Then kiss me twice.
Somewhere in the mess of movement, Steve captured Bucky’s mouth in a proper kiss, pulling him in, grabbing at his old partner like he would disappear again. Bucky parted long enough to choke out a sob, before pulling Steve in for a rougher, wetter kiss. A kiss that screamed you are here and I am here and we arefinally together again.
But their job was not over and the day was not over and eventually they had to part so Bucky could help Steve get back, which was the least he could do after actually shooting him.
Before Steve could clean up the mess of the day, Bucky slipped away, hindered by the very idea that if he slid into the ‘Winter Soldier’ again he could, and very likely would , kill his own lover.
~~~
Then kiss me once again.
Steve, if nothing else in his life, was a persistent bastard. He spent months chasing Bucky in between all the other hell the Avengers went through in taking down the remaining Hydra cells. When he finally caught up to him, they let themselves take a few minutes of comfort, time they both needed. Time they both deserved.
“Move into the tower with me, please?” Steve asked, squeezing Bucky’s hand. “You went missing for months, and now winter is around the corner and… please?”
Bucky leaned forward and kissed Steve’s cheek, then shook his head. “Not yet. I’m… trying to figure things out, Stevie. Please stop chasing me everywhere.”
“You know I can’t do that, Buck. I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth.” Steve muttered.
“Go home, Stevie.” Bucky responded before he pulled him in for a proper kiss, a kiss long enough to leave Steve yearning for more.
Then within a moment, Bucky slipped away and was gone. Again.
It’s been a long, long time.
“No luck, Cap?” Tony asked as he leaned against the bar in Avengers Tower, frowning at the sour look on Steve’s face. “Is that the stuff Thor gave you at the last party?”
“Only thing that gives me a buzz, Tony.” Steve was pouting and though Tony loved to see it, he sighed still.
“Hey, he’ll come back.” Tony settled a hand on Steve’s shoulder. “He’ll come back, Steve. He just… he’s been through a lot. You know that, we found the files and everything.”
“If he does come back, will you let him come here?” Steve asked, “Even now, after everything you found out about the Winter Soldier?”
“I’m not holding a grudge against my best friends uh… Boyfriend? Life partner?” Tony shrugged, “He’s been through some shit… And let’s be real, you knew Howard Stark. Someone at some point was going to do it. Now, you want me to find your man and talk some sense into him?”
Steve cocked an eyebrow and looked at Tony for a long moment before he nodded. “Well… You do have an effect on people. Sure, if you can.”
Tony hummed triumphantly, “Yes, I feel useful again. Friday! Call the compound, tell Vision we’re going on a run.”
“You’re taking Vision?” Steve asked with concern.
“I won’t let him blow your uh… Domestic partner? Boy toy?” Tony offered more titles, frowning when Steve did not take the bait, “Anyway, I won’t let him blow up your man. We’re going to snag you that happy ending you’ve been waiting for, Cap. But uh, I thought you always had a thing for Peggy? Run that by me again?”
“Peggy was my cover up for Bucky. And having Captain America at her side kept her from having every man from here to Germany flirting with her. It was a win-win.” Steve pulled out his compass and held it up, peeling back the picture of Peggy to show a picture of Bucky.
“You sly dog.” Tony laughed.
~~~
Haven’t felt like this my dear-
Bucky stared up at the ceiling of his motel room, his heart heavy in his chest. He was still struggling, still remembering - still running . If Steve could find him then anyone else could too. And he could never take the chance of getting Steve hurt again, not because of him or whatever they did to Bucky’s mind.
But still, his heart hurt. They were days away from Christmas and Bucky would give anything to watch Steve open the only brand new art supplies he would normally get all year, watch his smile and the way he lit up like the Christmas lights themselves. Even now, knowing Steve probably had whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it, just seeing Steve’s smile, hearing his thankfulness for anything would help Bucky feel better at the very least.
But he could not trust his own mind enough to be around Steve, and that made him want to self-destruct.
The lock on the door beeped before it opened, and Bucky was standing faster than the hinges could squeak. He grabbed for his gun but was met with nothing, then turned in horror to realize that someone was behind him and standing there calmly.
“Looking for this?” Vision asked, holding up the gun he had grabbed before Bucky had even noticed him.
“I wouldn’t suggest it.” Tony said as he stepped into the room, stepping right out of his Iron Man suit as he did so.
“You’re- you’re Steve’s friends?” Bucky asked with a hint of annoyance now.
“The Avengers, yeah. That’s kind of our thing. Tony Stark and that’s Vision.” Tony crossed his arms. “So uh, here’s the deal… Not to go all Mariah Carey on you, but all my best friend wants for Christmas is you , and I don’t tend to disappoint people. So! Ready to have a half organic robot with an infinity stone root around in your brain for the better part of a couple days so we can make you useless to your ‘handlers’?”
“I - what?” Bucky asked, pretty much frozen to his spot in uncertainty. “Aren’t you… shouldn’t you hate me?”
Tony shrugged, “It wasn’t you who did it, right? Blaming that on you, on Bucky , would be like blaming Sokovia on me instead of Ultron.”
“ Well… ” Vision caught the glare from Tony and just grinned instead of finishing his thought.
“I can’t trust my head to be me and no one else.” Bucky countered, “It’s just as bad as being with Hydra. And if they find me again...”
“Good thing for you we took down the majority of Hydra cells. Well now, how about we get you dreaming about something else while Vision takes a tour through your brain and I take a look at that monstrosity of a contraption they grafted onto your arm?” Tony asked, making a motion to Bucky’s metal arm.
Bucky furrowed his brows again, “What?”
Vision rolled his eyes and stepped closer, “He is saying: why don’t you take a nap for now?” He spoke as he held up his hand, the mind stone glowing for a moment as Bucky stumbled and fell right to sleep, being caught by Vision and lifted into the air.
“Great work, Vis.” Tony said as he stepped back and got into the suit, then picked up Bucky’s one and only bag.
“It is easier work when you talk less, Tony.” Vision said with a smirk as he followed Tony out the door.
“You know… I liked it better when you were a sassy program that called me sir.”
“Yes, but I am not Jarvis. So I do not call you sir.” Vision chuckled in return as they started towards home.
~~~
Since can’t remember when.
December 1943.
“I still can’t believe a serum turned my little Stevie into Captain America .” Bucky hummed as he snuggled in closer to Steve’s chest, reveling in his ability to be held by the other man for once.
“And I can’t believe how long it took the army to realize I can actually be useful in this war.” Steve huffed in response, holding Bucky securely to him. “Speaking of which, you’re not leaving my side again. Not after the condition we pulled you out of there in.”
“HYDRA was just trying to get information out of me. Nothing big.” Bucky shrugged.
“Nothing big? Buck, you were chained to a gurney and half gone!” Steve shifted to sit up on his elbows, forcing Bucky to sit up enough to make eye contact. “I can’t risk losing you to something like that. I wanted to be here because you were drafted, remember?”
“I know, I know you always wanted us in the 107th together. I know Stevie.” Bucky leaned forward and kissed his cheek, then sighed and shifted so he could sit up and still straddle Steve’s lap. “But just because you’re a big strong super soldier now doesn’t mean I’m not gonna treat you like the kid from Brooklyn, got it? You’re still my doll. Bigger than me now or not.”
“You’re so stubborn.” Steve teased, shifting to sit up so he could hold Bucky just how they were sitting.
“So uh… how long did Peggy say she swung this hotel room for us?” Bucky asked, laying his arms over Steve’s shoulders.
“We have to report back the day after Christmas.” Steve responded as he started trailing kisses along Bucky’s jaw.
Bucky hummed happily, “I think we have some catching up to do in those four days… I feel like I have a whole new body of yours to explore.”
“Don’t worry, I still have the candle wax burn scar on my chest.” Steve nipped Bucky’s ear lightly, keeping in mind where they could leave marks.
“Good, because that is a night I don’t want to forget.” Bucky laughed, though he tilted his chin back to give Steve more access.
“You’ll feel the same about tonight.” Steve promised before he moved and flipped them both over in one fluid motion.
~~~
It’s been a long, long time.
Present day.
Bucky groaned as he lifted his head slightly, finding himself laying in a surprisingly comfortable medical bed. Every ounce of his body hurt, the same hurt he had when he would be brought out of cryo for those few minutes before he was activated .
The last few days were a blur, but he vaguely remembered being drawn in and out of compliance, and now he shifted, pulling against the restraints on the bed, but even his super soldier strength failed to break them. He had no idea what metal they were made of.
“He is awake again.” Vision’s voice spoke from the other side of the room.
“Nat!” Tony called, and the sound of paper shuffling confused Bucky. His code words were in a little red book, not written on loose paper.
“Here, Tony. The words are here.” Vision spoke again.
“Thanks, Vis.” Natasha said as she took the paper then rounded the medical bed, looking down at Bucky. “Bucky? Hey bud, sorry we had to strap you down. You got a bit violent yesterday we uh… We messed up a bit. But it’s okay, you’re okay and you didn’t hurt anyone.”
“Oh.” Bucky said as he recognized Natasha, and recognized her voice as the one that had brought him into compliance the last few days.
“But Vision worked on you through the night with his abilities… So we want to try this one more time now, okay?” Natasha held up a paper with the words written on it in English.
The sharp inhale from Bucky made Natasha hesitate, but then she shook her head. “You’re going to get past this.” She assured him.
“Is this gonna work?” Tony whispered from somewhere behind Bucky.
“I estimate a 71% chance of success.” Vision responded.
“Well… It’s a passing grade.” Tony sighed.
“Do it.” Bucky said to Natasha, though he was breathing a bit raggedly and overwhelmingly nervous . If they failed - he could never be with Steve again if they failed. Steve was his last mission, the one he would fall back into over and over again if his mind slipped up.
Natasha raised her chin and began reciting the words in Russian, clearly, and slowly. Longing . Bucky felt a twinge in the back of his mind, and scrunched his nose against it. The second word, rusted , hung in the air as he felt his breath coming easier, as if the word meant nothing.
Seventeen brought with it a spark of remembrance, of his birthday and birthdays celebrated in the past. A flash of his mother’s face and a single tear that ran down his cheek.
Daybreak, furnace, nine and benign all passed without so much as a flinch. Bucky heard both Tony and Vision move closer, but they did not speak, just watched and listened.
Homecoming brought tears, because Bucky could not remember a time he made it so far into the words without falling. One made him shutter at the realization that he did not even feel the pull anymore, he was just listening to words.
Freight car .
There was a moment, a brief moment, where everyone in the room stood there in absolute silence. Bucky broke the silence with a sob, unable to stop the tears that started rolling down his cheeks.
“Do it again.” Tony urged Natasha.
They worked through the words well into the night, even with Bucky unrestrained, to the point that he did not flinch when anyone spoke them, no matter how commanding. He was free.
~~~
You’ll never know-
Steve looked around at the gathered Avengers and agents at the Christmas party, unaware that Bucky was in the next room over. His Bucky , not the Winter Soldier. He had no idea what Tony had been working on the last few days. No idea that Vision and Natasha had been helping systematically break through the barriers Hydra had imprinted in Bucky’s mind.
But god did he feel awful about being at the Christmas party, watching everyone else mingle while he sat sullenly in the corner, reminiscing about Christmases growing up with Bucky. He had mourned him once and now felt like he was mourning him again, even though he was alive now, for sure, but Steve had no way of breaking through to him.
“Capsicle!” Tony suddenly clapped Steve on his shoulder, plopping down on the couch next to him.
“Hey Tony.” Steve responded, glancing at the man next to him. “Very good party.”
“I know… because I threw it.” Tony teased then shrugged, “Anyway! It’s Christmas, officially! Clock just ticked over a minute ago. And I thought you should be the first one to open your gifts, since you’re the first Avenger.”
Steve furrowed his brows and shook his head, “Oh uh, that’s okay. We normally wait for the morning, or at least when most of you nurse off your hangovers, right?”
“This years different.” Tony stood and snapped his fingers, “Come on, chop chop. It’s in my lab up there.”
“This better not be another sentient robot.” Steve complained as he stood to follow Tony. “Because we barely got off the hook for that and you know it.”
“Details. But no, it’s not a robot.” Tony kept walking, leading Steve up the staircase then down the hallway.
How many dreams I dreamed about you.
“Actually,” Tony continued speaking, a bit more excited now, “I can confidently say this is something you’ve wanted for a long time. You’ve probably dreamed about it a lot.”
Steve thought for a moment, wondering what, other than Bucky, he could have possibly dreamed about. “Tony I know you put a lot of thought into things, but I’m not too sure… I mean, of course I appreciate anything you made for me, it’s just- this has been a long year, you know, and… I’m not really in the Christmas mood.”
Tony sighed and entered the lab, making sure Steve was following him. “Just shut up and accept the gift, Cap. It’s kind of a two parter. First part - I found these in my dad’s things, he kept them safe for you.”
Tony produced a small box, a really old ring box from the 1940s, and inside were four dog tags. One set was for Rogers and the other Buchanan , and Steve nearly choked at how he had forgotten he had given Howard their first set of tags to hold on to, since they got new tags when they became Howling Commandos of which Bucky’s was probably lost in the fall and Steve’s were lost in the ocean.
The pain in his chest grew as he lifted one set from the box, the chain holding his own tag at length, with Bucky’s on a short chain connected to it. He did not hesitate before putting the tags on, though they felt cold and just widened the sadness he was feeling.
Underneath the tags, still settled in a piece of age-old felt, was a set of wedding bands. Steve had bought them weeks before he lost Bucky, never had a chance to propose. Back then getting married was not an option, but having the rings was as good of a symbol as any.
Tony hesitated a moment, frowning, but he eyed the rings in the box with a wide eyed gaze. “Steve- you okay?”
Or just how empty they all seemed without you.
“I miss him so much, Tony. So much. I would walk through hell for him. And he- I nearly had him back, but he said it wasn’t safe for him to be around me!” Steve fought hard to hold back tears, shaking his head. “Christmas means nothing without Bucky around. Without listening to him sing stupid songs off key and demand that I try out my new art supplies before the nights over… Knowing he’s out there, somewhere, spending it alone just hurts - hurts so much more than thinking he’s dead.”
Tony frowned again and tapped a button on his watch, the far door behind Steve sliding open. “So you really love him, huh?”
“Unconditionally.” Steve admitted, “Honestly, I know saying I would take a bullet for him wouldn’t matter but that’s the thing - I would not take a bullet for him, too. If he told me to move so that I came back to him at the end of the night then I would let someone else take a bullet… My world is empty without him.”
“Good thing I’m with you ‘till the end of the line, Rogers.” Bucky spoke from the other side of the room.
Steve whipped around, eyes wide at Bucky’s voice. He felt his knees weaken at the sight of him, here in the tower, eyes bright and clear and a tentative smile on his face. A smile , a real smile that was really Bucky , his Bucky, not the Winter Soldier and not any stage in between.
“Bucky?” Steve choked out.
“Merry Christmas.” Tony said from behind Steve, patting his shoulder before he turned to walk out.
“But- you were so determined it wasn’t safe, how? What - did Tony change your mind?” Steve asked, reaching out for Bucky as they closed the distance between each other.
“In uh, more than one way, Stevie.” Bucky answered, reaching both hands up, but hesitating a moment. When Steve leaned into his metal fingers, Bucky offered him back a smile again. “They… They fixed it. The reconditioning.”
“They fixed it?” Steve asked, reaching out to put his hands on Bucky’s hips, ever so slightly pleased that Bucky was still just a tad shorter than him now even though he had the serum too.
Bucky nodded, running soft trails along Steve’s cheeks, “Yeah… Vision uh, he looked around in my mind I guess? And changed everything? And Natasha read the words over and over and… Tony, he told me how much you miss me. I didn’t really think about how much it hurt, just… Just thought about not wanting to hurt you. Which I guess that’s uh, kinda wrong of me in the end because- well, I hurt you anyway.”
“You’re here now.” Steve gripped Bucky’s hips, tugging him in closer, their bodies pressed together fully.
So kiss me once.
“Stark’s a real genius, you know that?” Bucky asked as he glanced up towards the ceiling.
“Both of them, really, even though I hated Howard and kind of took that out on Tony when we first met. I feel like I owe him now, bringing you…” Steve slowly caught on and followed Bucky’s gaze, where a perfect bough of mistletoe hung precisely above them, as if Tony had perfectly planned every step of their reunion. “Well I’ll be damned.”
“ Stevie, ” Bucky actually found it in himself to chuckle, “Did you kiss your mother with that mouth?”
Steve pouted, somehow knowing Tony had gotten Bucky in on the ‘language’ joke. “No, but I’ll kiss you with it.”
Though that was probably meant as a joking threat, the words quickly fell into a reality. Both of them equally leaned in, crushing lips in a kiss meant to capture and claim. Their bodies pressed together and hands started to roam, to remember, to find the peaks and valleys that were familiar and the scars that were new. Both men parted at nearly the same time, taking deep breaths as if the oxygen between them had been stolen away.
They spent a few long moments casting glances between each other’s eyes and lips, letting the tension ease away, replaced only by fire and wanting, a yearning they both had been pushing aside for months upon months.
“ Sirs ,” Friday’s voice cut through the room, making Bucky jump but Steve just chuckled, “Your presence has been requested in the main room. Boss said, ‘ that is, if they aren’t naked in my lab right now.’”
“Such a Stark.” Bucky remarked, dropping his hands from Steve’s sweater so he could take Steve’s left hand in his own, practically melting into Steve’s side. His little Stevie , safely in his arms again, at last.
Steve gripped Bucky’s hand, letting out a content sigh as he did so. “This may honestly be the best part of waking up in a new era… That we can be open about ourselves around everyone.”
“I thought of that while I was running.” Bucky admitted, following Steve out the door of the lab. “I saw gay couples and thought of us, thought of getting to do this , something so simple…”
Then kiss me twice.
“Yet so important.” Steve finished, lifting Bucky’s hand to kiss the back of his knuckles.
Bucky actually ducked his head to blush. “God, Stevie, you certainly didn’t lose any touch in the last 70 years.”
Steve chuckled and stopped before the stairs, not caring if some wandering eyes from the party just below saw them. Ages ago, he would have had to duck around corners or jitter with anticipation until they could be in a room alone. Now, above a room crowded with people, under yet another bough of mistletoe, Steve pulled Bucky in for a softer kiss. Laced with yearning and remembrance, they kissed until Bucky let off a small whimper, not wanting the moment to end but keenly aware of how many eyes were on them now.
“Oh, no, don’t stop on our accord. I’ll make popcorn.” Tony joked from below.
“Haha, Tony.” Steve very nearly rolled his eyes, snaking his arm around Bucky’s waist to pull him against his side.
“Well, are you gonna introduce him?” Sam called.
“Everyone, I want to officially introduce you to Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes. You’ll know him as Bucky.” Steve turned and looked at Bucky, “Bucky, meet everyone.”
Bucky nearly did not take his eyes off Steve long enough to look at the gathered small crowd below them, but he did. “Hi, everyone.”
Various renditions of ‘hi, Bucky’, ‘welcome’ and ‘merry Christmas’ echoed from the Avengers and agents below, but not a single person looked nervous or scared to have him there. In fact, some of them even looked relieved .
“Cap.” Tony ‘ really should have been a spy with how quiet he moves’ Stark was suddenly next to them, making Bucky whip around in an instant.
“Shit, can you not do that?” Bucky asked, huffing.
Steve just laughed, “Don’t give the old men heart attacks, Tony. What do you need?”
“Two minutes.” Tony said with a grin that screamed he was definitely up to something.
“Bucky, are you okay mingling?” Steve asked, laying a kiss on Bucky’s temple.
Bucky cocked a brow, “Uh - Pretty sure I used to be better at social situations than you, Rogers.” He answered with a kiss on Steve’s cheek in return before he, more confidently than before, made his way to the stairs to actually meet people.
Even from up top, Steve saw Bucky immediately migrate towards Sam. Then he looked at Tony, “I can’t thank you enough, Tones. He’s probably going to be standoffish and recovering for a while, but that’s my Bucky. The spark in his eyes, the smile on his face… He’s there, and it’s thanks to you.”
“Yeah well, I didn’t give him much of a choice. Think of it as my way of getting rid of the Winter Soldier…” Tony motioned to Steve’s pocket, “I saw you slip that box in your pocket. Were those - I mean, did you ever ask him?”
Steve clicked his tongue and shook his head, “I was going to… But then the mission happened. I lost him. I was going to ask him that year on Christmas, ironically, and I’d given the box to your father for safekeeping until then.”
“War takes everything from everyone.” Tony let out a breath and looked over the railing to the gathering around Bucky. “But you get a second chance, something not a lot of people do. So, I mentioned what you had to Barton. You know he’s an officiant?”
“What isn’t Barton?” Steve asked, not even phased by this revelation.
“Uh, he’s not subtle?” Tony laughed, which spurred Steve into laughter as well. “Anyway, I’m just throwing the idea out there if you didn’t get him a Christmas present or anything… It’s legal now, you know?”
“So it is… Peggy used to call him my husband. Bucky never denied it. I… Think I should finally ask him, instead of letting the chance slip by.” Steve pulled the box from his pocket to take a quick glance at it.
“Do it in front of the tree. Bruce is totally going to take pictures.” Tony made the smallest, almost imperceptible motion from where they stood, and Clint grinned from across the room with a nod as he got up.
“Getting unexpectedly married at 1 AM on Christmas…” Steve blew a hard breath out, “Well… Maybe I’ve done crazier things.”
~~~
Then kiss me once again.
Nearly half an hour later, Steve had finally maneuvered Bucky away from the friends he was quickly making, even with Bucky barely saying anything. Though evidently answering long standing questions about Steve was the way to anyone's heart around here. Though Steve’s cheeks were still red after overhearing Natasha ask if Steve was a top or bottom and Bucky, excitedly, answering they were both switches, which prompted about a hundred other questions from the buzzed Avengers who had zero right to ask, but all the guts to do so anyway.
“Are they always like this?” Bucky asked in a hushed tone as they stopped in front of the massive Christmas tree.
Steve rolled his eyes, “Would it surprise you if I said yes? I think Tony corrupted everyone.”
“Sounds like a Stark for sure.” Bucky laughed, and it was honestly the most beautiful sound Steve had ever heard, which made the box burning a hole back in Steve’s pocket feel even heavier.
“I… Have a present for you, Buck. I’ve had it since before I lost you the first time.” Steve took a shaky breath, obscenely nervous.
“Well, sure hope it ain’t chocolate, doll.” Bucky commented, then looked at Steve curiously.
The curious look shifted to a wide-eyed look, complete with a soft gasp when Steve dropped to his knee in front of Bucky. The one movement alone had the whole room watching them with baited breath. Bucky shook his head with a grin, “Dammit Stevie, I always thought I would be the one on his knee.”
Steve snickered as he pulled the box out, “So I’m guessing you’ve put some thought into this?”
“What, marrying you? Hell, Steve, I would have married you back then on the spot if it were legal? And now? Now it’s actually legal, ain’t it? How fucking soon can we get to the courthouse?” Bucky asked.
For a moment, Steve just calmly pulled the rings from the box, letting Bucky spew off the questions while he got situated. When he looked up, he shook his head. “Well, let me ask first, Buck!”
“Sorry, sorry.” Bucky made a zipping motion over his mouth, watching Steve.
“James Buchanan Barnes,” Steve took a moment, collecting his thoughts as he stared up at the most beautiful face in the world, stared into eyes that made his very heart beat. “I’ve always felt like the luckiest man in the world around you. From day one. Growing up around you, being your best friend, your roommate, your lover, and eventually your protector. The day I fell for you, I fell so hard I thought that if anything ever happened to you I would die. The day you fell… I knew what it meant to feel dead inside. You took my heart with you off the side of that train - and brought it back over seventy years later. You may have a bit more muscle, a little less flesh, and more scars for me to learn, but you’re still my Bucky, and I love you, always have. Will you marry me, right now? ”
When Clint stepped up beside them and flashed Bucky a cheeky grin, Bucky’s eyes grew impossibly wider, threatening to just pop right out of his head.
“ Oh .” Bucky breathed, then looked at Steve. “I uh… You know, I’ve never been the best at telling you how I felt. You’re amazing, Stevie. There hasn’t ever been anyone like you and never will be again. And getting someone like you to love me , for not one lifetime but pretty much two? Damn am I lucky. I’d be the world’s biggest fool to give that up, especially with you asking after I spent months running from you… I’ve always loved you. Yeah, Stevie, yeah I’ll marry you. Right now.”
Clint nudged Steve so that he would stand, then he held both his hands out, “Well, looks like the grooms already did their own vows!”
The room laughed, then Clint continued, “So now, exchange your rings.”
Steve slid the ring firmly onto Bucky’s right ring finger, thankful that it fit, if a bit snugly. In exchange, Bucky slid the second ring onto Steve’s left ring finger. A bit unconventional, but both of them wanted the ring on Bucky’s flesh hand, no matter how advanced the metal arm was. Bucky turned Steve’s hand to admire the band, lifting his hand to lay a soft kiss on the knuckle above the band.
“We both know you take each other for better or worse, blah blah blah so, we won’t bore everyone with the long shit.” Clint beamed, more than happy to be marrying these old men on Christmas. “Now seal it with a kiss!”
They did not have to be told twice. Bucky was the one to grab Steve’s hips this time, pulling him close enough to force Steve to bend slightly, crushing their lips in a kiss that made the whole room erupt in cheers and whistles. Steve melted into Bucky, letting him take control and lead the kiss that was threatening to be a bit less PG than most wedding kisses were.
It’s been a long, long time.
Over seventy years it took for them to get engaged, and Steve was not as angry about the length of time as he thought he would be. Because that meant it was legal for them to get married , which they evidently had spent no time waiting for. Afterall, it was Christmas and they were surrounded by the only people in the world that mattered to them.
And if the party had been winding down before, it definitely was in full swing now. Everyone had a renewed energy, dancing like they would be at a real, fancy wedding reception. Steve and Bucky kept close, nearly inseparable for the rest of the night, dancing and kissing and only disappearing once for twenty minutes to blow off some steam in a nearby room.
The sun was starting to rise by the time the party was settling. Agents napping on couches and half the actual team having left for the rooms. Steve was holding Bucky close, watching the sunrise through the windows with the man he could now call his husband.
“Mhh… We don’t have a wedding song.” Bucky pointed out, dragging his eyes off the horizon line to look up at Steve.
“If I may?” Vision cut into their conversation, receiving a nod of confirmation from both Bucky and Steve. “Friday, play ‘It’s been a long, long time’ .”
The fake sound of a record crackle came through the speakers before the song began, an unfamiliar singer and acapella band coming to them. “ Kiss me once…”
A whole lifetime between the war and now, a whole night of dancing, and still Steve felt like as he pulled Bucky close to him and swayed to a modern version of an old song, this was his first real dance ever. His first, and last, dance partner, the only one he would ever need.
“Merry Christmas, Bucky.” Steve whispered as he kissed the top of Bucky’s long hair.
“Merry Christmas, Stevie.” Bucky hummed in an absurdly content return.