Epilogue
Telling the Avengers didn't go as easy as Steve had hoped.
They were shocked, angry, and hurt.
Tony was livid.
Nat acted like she didn't care.
Clint was sad.
Bruce wouldn't talk about it.
Thor was sad, but he was also supportive.
Sam was happy for them.
But Steve knew that he was letting his pack down.
It was one of the hardest things that Steve had ever done.
It took time for the Avengers to come around.
Saying goodbye to Peter and May was even harder for Bucky. He wouldn't tell Steve what happened, but he came home covered in tears and barely holding back his own tears.
Steve almost thought that Buck would change his mind. He hadn't expected Bucky to even want this anymore.
But they were doing this for Winnie.
She deserved a childhood that was happy and safe.
It wasn't like they were moving that far away. Just outside of the city.
Steve's first home had been with his Ma. His second home had been in the small apartment he'd shared with Bucky. During the war, Steve's home had been a small tent that he shared with Bucky. But when Bucky had died, Steve's home had died with him. Steve's icy grave had never been a home. He'd lived in a lot of places, but his home was with Bucky.
They thought of just buying a place, but Steve wanted to build it.
He didn't know much about building, but Tony and Clint promised to help him.
Bucky and Steve picked everything out together. They built a cozy farmhouse on 200 acres with an exercise room, an art room for Steve, a playroom for Winnie and future pups, and a library for Bucky. It took more time than they had first expected, but the best things are worth waiting for.
Steve couldn't believe that they were finally coming home. He'd dreamt long ago of taking Bucky away and making their own place. But those dreams had died in the war. He never thought he'd have a chance like this again.
"You ready?" Bucky asked.
Winnie was nestled in his arms. Her blond curls looking more and more like Buck's dark locks.
"Couldn't be readier." Steve wrapped his arms around his family. "You?"
"I think it's 'bout time." Bucky kissed him. "You sure about this?"
"Yeah, Buck. I'm sure." Steve wouldn't miss being Captain America. He wouldn't miss fighting. He'd miss his friends, but they would visit.
The Avengers, Peter, and May helped them move.
Bucky was sitting outside on the rocking chair with Winnie letting everyone else do the work.
Thor and Clint were arguing about where to put the couch.
Tony was checking the security system.
Bruce was quietly putting books on a shelf.
"Think you'd ever quit?" He asked Nat.
"Maybe one day. Think you'll miss it?"
"No." Steve grinned at her. "I don't think I will."
"Cap, these walls are so empty. Whatcha gonna do about it?" Tony asked with a scowl.
"He's gonna paint!" Bucky hollered from the porch.
"Wait, Cappuccino paints!" Tony asked aghast.
Steve blushed. "It's been a bit, but I think I'm gonna pick it up again."
"Ooh! Paint me something, Steven!" Thor commanded.
Steve laughed. "Sure, I will!"
"No fair! What about me?" Clint asked.
"He's real good," Bucky insisted walking into the living room. "I'm gonna have him do all the artwork."
"Really?" Steve asked.
"Well, duh. You're still in trouble for almost dying." Bucky glared at him. "Speaking of, I want some plums!"
Tony chuckled. "I'm gonna miss you, Terminator!"
"Not going anywhere. You guys are all welcome to visit." Buck grinned wryly at the Avengers. He'd finally started warming up to them, and he wanted nothing more than to prank them ruthlessly.
Steve rolled his eyes.
But messing with the Avengers did sound like a lot of fun.
"You mean it?" Peter asked.
"Course kid." Bucky smiled at Peter. "You can come whenever. The rest of you have to ask first."
"Really!" Peter gave Buck a hug. "I can babysit whenever you need! Winnie's the cutest baby ever!"
"Course she is. She's mine!" Bucky puffed out his chest. "Steve's ugly. She got all her good looks from me!"
Steve laughed. "At least, she's not ugly."
"So, you're just gonna what paint and do what exactly. I'd be bored to death!" Tony said dramatically.
"Well, Bucky wants to get some goats, and I want to get some farm animals. I'm sure that will keep me busy." Steve threw a plum at Bucky.
"We're old whippersnappers, Stark. I want to watch the news from my recliner and shout at kids to get off my yard!" Bucky grinned wolfishly.
Steve snorted. "Not to mention, Winnie's starting to crawl. She's getting into everything!"
"Oh, yeah, she was using Stevie's shield as a teeter-totter last week." Bucky kissed Winnie's soft little head.
She giggled.
"You're gonna give your daddies a whole lot of trouble aren't you?" Bucky asked. "Of course, you are. You're related to this punk!"
Winnie's laughter filled the room.
"We'll be alright." Steve grinned at his family.
"I am very happy for you, my friend." Thor crushed Steve in a hug.
Steve hugged him tight. "I wouldn't be here if you hadn't saved me."
"You are my friend, Steve Rogers."
"And you're mine."
That night Steve curled around Bucky in their new bed. "I love you."
"I know."
"Marry me?"
Bucky wiggled closer. "Maybe, what you gonna do to change my mind?"
"So, it's like that?"
"Definitely." Bucky kissed Steve's throat.
Steve rumbled at his mate's touch. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"Really? What if I want you to never let me go?"
"I'll carry you down the aisle."
"What if I want plums for every meal."
"You'll have it! I already ordered a plum tree."
Bucky laughed. "I love you."
"So, you'll marry me?"
"If you'll marry me." Bucky kissed him.
"You stole my proposal, you jerk!"
Bucky rolled off of him laughing. "What you going to about it?"
"I'm gonna marry you!" Steve jumped on Bucky. "I'm never letting you go!"
Winnie cried from her crib.
Bucky smiled. "You wanna handle that?"
Steve kissed him. "Course, I do. You're not allowed to move a muscle off this bed."
Bucky purred. "Hurry back, soldier."
Steve picked up Winnie who definitely just wanted Bucky.
She was Bucky's little girl through and through.
Steve rocked her back and forth until she had fallen asleep again. He was so irrevocably happy.
***
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