Chapter 5
Bucky came into the room Pepper hot on his heels and Peter following behind. "WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU TRYING TO SET FOR HIM?" She had Bucky backed into the corner. "Stark help! Call off the pitbull!" He looked up from his coffee. "I wasn't about to help you and I sure as HELL ain't helpin' now."
"Christ it was a cigarette. I didn't give the kid one. I just had a smoke. It's not the end of the world. You are overreacting about this." Steve cautiously walked over. "Buck people frown upon smoking nowadays and the tower is a smoke-free place. Apologize to Pepper." He looked between them. "Sorry" she eased off but not completely. "You know how much Peter looks up to you. I can't believe you did that in front of him." Bucky frowned " you are actin’ like I took him to a skin bar or somethin', it was one time. What was I supposed to do, tell him to get lost because I wanted a smoke?"
"No you should have not been smoking." He sat on the chair near Steve. "How do you live with this? Every time I turn around I'm breaking some kinda rule around here." Natasha scoffed "well no one's been able to catch Smokey the Bear in the act but we have caught the scent on him." Steve rolled his eyes a bit "remember when Maureen made you eat a pack of lucky strikes?"
Bucky's face lit up "Sugar tits!" Pepper slapped him "that's what everyone called her. Man she knew how to fill out a uniform."
"No Buck only you called her that. That is why she balled up a whole pack of smokes and practically shoved them down your throat." Pepper hung her head. "I don't understand what Steve sees in you." He smiled "I treat him real nice toots." Tony made a noise but didn't move. "As you can see Bucky isn't always charming but he did behave a hell of a lot better than most other guys. Maureen just seemed to bring out the asshole side. Not saying she did anything of course. She didn't put up with his shit. Every time he called her that name he was……. Oh god Buck…..you liked that didn't you?"
He looked over "liked what?" Steve looked around turning red "you liked her…..um… handling your outbursts." He thought a moment and busted out laughing. "Sure as hell did. Damn that time she threw me down and…… oh that's not a story for present company" he said gesturing to Peter. Natasha got up "we should really find the videos they showed Steve on 21st century do's and don'ts." Tony laughed "I'm sure we can track them down. Perhaps Rogers can use a small refresher too since Friday just sent me this"
A picture appeared on the screen of Steve on the roof with a cigarette in his mouth as he was drawing. "Finally busted the old man." Steve didn't argue it. "It's not exactly going to kill me and it's only once and a while. Seriously Tony it's not a huge deal."
"My building, my rules enjoy your Saturday in culture training. At least Barnes will be there to keep you company."