family matters
By Tuesday night Bucky was practically vibrating with excitement. Sam arrived that night and they were all going to drive down to Delaware together for Thanksgiving with his family. They would be meeting his younger sister Rita and her husband August this time around as well as their daughter Harmony and son Jackson. Sam had already warned Steve that the kids were excited to meet him and wanted to see the shield which he happily packed up to go. Thankfully they were older kids so they understood that Steve was still recovering from the mushroom incident and might not be 100%. There would also be some aunts and uncles from his dad's side and some people from his mom's church. Now that she had the room she was happy to play host to everyone that she could but the only people staying at the house were him, Steve, and Bucky.
Bucky slept a little here and there that night but he was honestly happy to be seeing Bea and even happy to see Gina again. Loki was called back to New Asgard on business so they were unable to attend, something about a festival coming up, he was sure he would hear about it more later. Bruce was going with Tony and his family to the cabin and Wanda and Nat were already at Clint’s place. He wasn’t sure what Peter was doing but he was sure that Happy and May were together wherever they ended up. The thought of family sobered his excitement a little. Despite his best efforts he was having a lot of memories he couldn’t push back the last few days after his breakdown with Wanda. He still felt kind of embarrassed about that even if she assured him it was ok. He heard Steve’s alarm go off and made his way up to the bathroom to shower and get changed. He was waiting at the kitchen counter when he and Sam finally made their way out. He had breakfast ready for them so that they could get going.
“Well I see someone’s excited. Normally we gotta drag you outta bed.” He grinned at Sam. “Well what can I say, a chance to see my mama bear really gets me going if ya know what I mean.” Sam rolled his eyes. “You better ease up on that around my family.” Bucky feigned a hurt expression “Sam,” he gasped “I am an angel and a gentleman around your dear sweet mother.” Steve began to laugh so hard he choked on his breakfast. “What? You trying to say something Rogers? I didn’t get and comments on my character when I brought you that stupid carmel apple thing to drink. I endured Wanda’s driving for that.”
Steve shook his head smiling “You chose that don;t even try and guilt trip me.” Sam began to snicker “Oh trust me you were not there when we had to get Steve an ACTUAL drivers license. Everyone assumed he had one and when S.H.I.E.L.D. crumbled Stark was alerted that he had an unlicensed driver using his cars occasionally.” Bucky laughed “I don’t doubt it. If he handles cars the way he handled tanks in the war it was probably a real treat to teach him.” Steve frowned “It was one time I backed into another car. I was still learning.” Sam nodded “Uh huh. Uh huh. How many motorcycles have you “tossed” while in a battle?” Bucky shook his head “He still does that?”
Sam looked at him “Still? You mean he was throwing vehicles in the war too?” Bucky chuckled. “Best day was when he rolled a tank down a hill and squashed a Nazi officers car.”
“Poor bastard was still inside,” Steve said wistfully. Sam snorted “You two are both crazy. I always wondered if Barnes was the bad influence but now I’m not so sure.” They both laughed “Oh not Steve is absolutely the bad influence”
“Yea Bucky is the stupid one hence why he takes all the stupid with him when he goes somewhere.” He crossed his arms “I wouldn’t go that far. Nat has told me you have had some pretty stupid moments. Seems like in my absence you adopted the stupid and raised it as your own. You are the step father to stupid.” Sam grabbed his bag “Well Captain and Sergeant stupid lets get moving we have a lot of driving to do.”
Bucky made himself comfortable in the back seat so that Steve and Sam could talk upfront. He was talking about his niece and nephew and how excited they were to see him. As they spoke Steve was stedy drawing in his sketchbook. He took a peak over his shoulder to see a very sexy picture of Hela.
"Got someone on your mind punk?" He startled a bit and closed the book a little. "I...um… it's just. She has a very commanding presence. she's very….authoritative." He grinned as Steve stammered. He always knew that intimacy was the one place Steve would sooner have anyone else take charge. "I see. You never did like to be the Captain in the sheets." Steve blushed. "Buck…."
"Oh come on. You can talk about that stuff with us. We've all had experience. Hell even Sam's been laid at least once."
He could see Sam give him a quick glare before turning back to driving. "If Steve doesn't kiss and tell that's his choice. You could stand to follow his lead since I've heard my fair share from you about sleeping your way across Brooklyn and parts of Europe." He leaned back in his seat and smirked "man's gotta have a hobby and sometimes it's gotta be more than cleaning his gun." Steve shook his head. "You gotta make everything an innuendo?"
"Who said I didn't mean a gun. It was a war Steve, even you carried a handgun."
They talked and horsed around stopping for lunch at a diner and switching drivers. Bucky paused as he sat in the driver's seat. "I promise not to tear this wheel off." Sam rolled his eyes while Steve laughed so hard he snorted. "Glad Steve thinks that time you nearly killed us and totaled my car was funny." He grinned "As long as Stevie's happy I'm happy."
They finally arrived at the familiar driveway. After Hydra's trespass Tony insisted on a gated property so that they knew who was coming and going. They pulled up to the house and Steve whistled. "Really nice place." Sam shook his head in agreement. "Stark said she could have anything and she took him up on it." They were barely out of the car when two kids were peeking past the front door at them.
Sam got out and looked up. "I know you aren't just gonna stand there and not say hi." The two kids rushed him. "Uncle Sam! Did you bring him? Is he really here?" They looked past him to see Steve exit the car. "Yes I did. Harmony, Jackson, this is my friend Steve who is as you know, Captain America." He smiled at the kids. "Hey. Sam's told me all about you guys. Glad to meet you both."
They crowded Steve asking questions faster than he could answer. Suddenly a loud voice called from the porch. "Let the man breathe and get out of the cold." Bucky had grabbed their bags and looked up to see a man Standing on the porch talking to Sam. "This is my brother in law August. August, this is James Barnes and Steve Rogers." He smiled as he held out his hand. Glad to meet you both. Ma has been going on about you three showing up. Let's get inside and get warmed up."
They got inside and Bea was immediately wrapped around Bucky. "I got a new bed daddy bear. You wanna see what it can do?" There was a groan from the other room "Ma are you kidding me right now?" Followed by "I told you she was this bad." He pulled her close and whispered in her ear "I haven't broken a bed before but I wouldn't say no to a challenge." August rolled his eyes. "Rita has no room to talk, she's just as bad as her mama."
Regina took them upstairs to the new rooms. "Sam, here's yours. Rita and her family ended up staying here so I hope you and Steve don't mind doubling up." She turned to Bucky "you of course are in Ma's room. I will not hesitate to hose you two so keep it together." He waggled his eyebrows "Oh we will be keeping things together alright." She responded with a playful smack. "Seriously though, behave."
They returned downstairs to see another woman who he assumed was Rita, setting the table. Steve quickly jumped in. "Allow me. You must be Rita." She handed him a stack of plates and smiled. "Yes, you must be Captain Rogers. You look a little different than all the pictures." He blushed a little. "Well the uniform makes me look a bit different." He felt Bea grab his backside "it does him more favors than these jeans."
He gave her a hug. "Nat picked these out herself. I would hate to tell her you don't approve." They both laughed. "You could try the skinny jeans like James wears." Before she could stop herself Gina laughed "James hasn't worn anything skinny since you got your hands on him in June." Bucky pretended to be hurt but there was nothing but happiness. "If she stayed around the tower any longer I might be filling in for Santa at Macy's."
They all sat down to dinner. Steve sat with the kids giving them his undivided attention. He even allowed them to take a few selfies to show their friends provided they promise not to post the images online. Bucky got to know Rita and August a bit more. Once she warmed up to them he could see her relation to her mother especially when she playfully fed her husband, much to the kids disgust."
"One day it won't be so gross." Harmony looked over at them and wrinkled her nose "If I have food on my plate the only person I'm feeding it to is me." They all laughed at the declaration. The evening quieted and the kids were soon put to bed the adults following suit in preparation for the big day tomorrow. Bucky climbed into bed with Bea. He kissed along her neck and down her stomach. His hands moving along her body.
Without much effort they both fell into rhythm. He couldn't lie, he had been wanting this for a while. Just as Bea arched her back he bucked his hips and then he felt it. Every muscle in his back tightened and twinged in blinding pain. Bea immediately stopped. "What happened?"
He managed to maneuver onto his back, the mood completely killed. "My back….I...think….. I threw out my back." Bea chuckled and shook her head. "The universe can't give us a break. At least let a woman finish." He chuckled but was reminded quickly of the pain in his back. "Can you move at all?" He shook his head a little. "Not comfortable no."
She got up from the beg grabbing her robe and gently sliding his sweatpants back on him. Rita is a chiropractor. I'm gonna go get her and Sammy." He grabbed her arm “No wait, give me a bit. I might not be as good as Steve but serum should help. I remember tweaking my back before it will go away.” She looked at him skeptically as she sat on the bed but agreed. They did their best to get comfortable again and within a few moments he was sound asleep.
When he arrived at breakfast the next morning his back was still stiff but better than it had been. Rita took one look at him and smirked. He had no doubt she knew. “Ma says your back is bothering you.” At this the adults at the table busted out laughing except Steve who had turned several shades of red. He began to wonder if Steve heard them last night. “Mama bear why did you do that to me?” She threw up her hands “I didn’t give you away, Steve did.”
He turned to look at Steve “Seriously?” He looked down at his plate. “I just wondered if you were alright,” he muttered. Sam continued to laugh. “I think its pretty hilarious that the old man with the body of a 20 something got himself hurt and the lady in her 70’s is perfectly fine.” Regina cringed “Can we please stop talking about it?” Steve looked over at her “Thank you someone has some manners at the breakfast table.” Bucky and Sam both squawked at this. “Oh you save the dirty talk for when you’re at the tower?” He tried to defend himself but the kids came bounding in the room silencing the conversation.
They spent the day fixing the meal and welcoming more people into the house. Steve was inevitably placed on old people entertaining duty while Bucky helped in the kitchen to avoid being smothered by people. Sam pulled his attention away after a while to carefully guide him to the doorway. “Steve was telling a story and had Jackson on his lap, Harmony was sitting on the floor watching in awe and Regina was sitting on the arm of the chair with Steve’s hand holding her waist. He chuckled and looked at Sam “I guess Regina is a bit of a fan.” Sam laughed “When she saw me on the news with Steve she called and asked me so many questions. She will down play it but she had a Captain america Poster on her bedroom wall up until college.”
“You gonna be ok with Steve cozyin’ up to your Big sister?” He shrugged “can’t be any worse than you and mom.” Bucky laughed “You tell yourself that Sam but remember at the end of the day Steve has been around me and Natasha for most his life.” He shook his head “Yea yea I know but Steve has shame something I think died before you even got drafted.” Bea came up behind them “That would imply he was born with it to begin with.”
As the evening wore on Steve was still the center of attention and Gina was right next to him hanging onto every word. Steve was pretty oblivious to it. If she didn't have any restraint she would have been in his lap the way she was getting as close as possible. Bucky pulled Sam aside “Who’s gonna tell him?” Sam shook his head “He’s your best friend.” He looked back over at them “And she’s your sister.” Apparently as they tried to work this out Rita was already handling it. “Regina, either ask to sit in his lap or switch seats, I swear you are never this damn thirsty.” One of the aunts cackled “Hard not to be when Captain America is sitting at the table.” Steve was now red as tomato as he looked at Regina completely bewildered. Regina looked equally embarrassed as she inched her chair a little ways apart from his but still listened to him attempt to finish his story. At that moment Bucky was reminded of the scrawny little guy who was knocked down by a stiff breeze.
The next morning everyone was packing up to go. August was loading the car with Steve’s help as the kids raced excitedly around him playing with the shield and a toy nerf gun. As they said their goodbyes Bea smiled “Don;t be a stranger any of you. I have all this space. Who knows if Steve shares Gina’s room we could convince Bruce to come next time.”
“Mom”
“Bea”
They both hissed at her. “Well it’s not my fault. You brought it on yourself.” Steve held his hand out to Gina “It was a pleasure meeting you. I um...hope we can visit soon or maybe you can come visit us? I’m sure there are some things Sam wants to show you in New York.” She nodded “Oh um..yea that..I’ve never been before so it would be nice.”
Sam shook his head “Ain’t that just cute. Our little super soldier’s growin up.” He laid his hand on Bucky’s shoulder and dramatically sniffed. Steve rolled his eyes “Says the guy who hasn’t had a date since I met him.” He crossed his arms “Well it was hard to date when I was savin’ your ass from Hydra and your own stupidity and actually I’ve been seeing the lady who works the desk at the center. So the only one who hasn't really had a date is you unless you wanna count that weird Halloween booty call thing.”
“Sam..not here.” Bea rolled her eyes “No one here is a virgin sweetie not even Gina so there's no need for modesty.” Gina looked mortified. “Have a safe ride home...Sam has my number if that's a thing you want.” She then rushed back into the house leaving Bucky and Sam howling with laughter. Bea pulled Steve in for a hug. “You take care, sugar bear. You have to come back for a dinner where you can eat more than mashed potatoes and cranberries. I’m gonna hold ya to it.” She gave them all one last hug. “Be safe getting home. I’ll see you in D.C for xmas Sam.”
They piled into the car and once the doors closed the teasing started “So you can sweet talk a death goddess but you can;t handle my sister? She aint that scary I promise you man.” He had a feeling it was gonna be a long ride home. Thankfully Bucky had already put Gina’s number into his phone. He quietly texted her as Sam and Bucky went back and forth “It really was nice to meet you. I can’t promise anything serious but maybe you could come by after Xmas.” He was surprised with the reply “I would be thrilled if I could at least call you my friend. You take care of those two and I’ll see you before new years. I hear there are some great coffee shops in the city.” Bucky carefully watched him text back and forth and smiled. Steve might not be the settling down type anymore but he didn’t have to be so cut off from people and from what he could gather Gina was very much the same way. Some non avengers friends would do Steve a world of good.