Chapter Forty-Nine
Breakfast the next morning was a very awkward affair. The walls in the house were only the thickness of a single board, so everyone had heard what Steve and Bucky had gotten up to the night before. Steve and Bucky wound up emerging late, almost missing the start of the meal. They both looked rather sheepish, but no one could quite meet their gaze. Pietro was just shy of being openly hostile, directing furious glares at the two as they took their seats. Wanda was blushing and couldn’t bring herself to even look at the two, while everyone else exuded a general air of disapproval. Well, everyone except Runa. She tried to smile and make small talk, but her smile was fragile and slipped from her face too easily, while her words frequently faded into silence.
Normally, silence on Bluestone Ranch was companionable. That morning, it was oppressive.
Breakfast ended sooner than usual, everyone eager to escape the atmosphere of the dining room. Runa stood to head to the sitting room, still forcing herself to smile, when Bucky spoke.
“Runa, we need to talk.” He looked over to Happy Sam, who had also been preparing to make his way to the sitting room. “Would you mind sitting in the kitchen with Wanda for a bit? This conversation should probably stay between Steve, Runa, and me.”
“I don’t want to intrude.” Happy Sam agreed, “I’ll leave you three to it.”
“Thank you, Sam.” Runa murmured, Steve and Bucky echoing her with their own thoughts.
“Let’s go on in to the sitting room.” Bucky suggested, Runa nodded, and the three made their way to the siting room, none of them sitting down once in it.
“Runa, I’m sorry.” Were the first words out of Steve’s mouth.
“So am I.” Bucky ran a hand through his hair, “Neither of us was doing much thinking last night.”
“I… It’s not all right, I can’t say that it is, but I can at least say that I understand. We can’t help who we love, no matter how hard we try.” Runa said, clasping her hands in front of her and looking down at them.
“We’ve been trying not to, at least not a romantic love, since before you got here, but…” Bucky shook his head. “I’m sorry, Runa. I’m sorry as hell.”
“I know.” The room was silent for a few minutes before Steve spoke.
“Runa, I… I can’t put Bucky aside, God knows I’ve tried, but I can’t do it. I know I made vows to you, and I want to honor them, but…” He trailed off. “I wanted to be a husband. A father. Seeing Laura when she was holding Nathaniel when he was first born… I wanted that. Seeing you when you held Nathaniel… I dreamed that was our child you were holding, and I wanted that so badly, but… I love Bucky too much. I’ve loved him since I was little and first figured out what love was. I never meant to hurt you, sweetheart, and I know that’s what I’ve gone and done, but…” He trailed off, and there was silence. “I just don’t know what to do anymore.” Steve finally sighed. “What we should do. We can’t keep going on the way we were.”
“I could find a house in town, maybe, once the ranch is rebuilt. Or go further away, if that’s too close.” Runa ventured, wrapping her arms around herself.
“No. I don’t… I don’t want that. Bluestone Ranch is just as much your home as it is anyone else’s. We’re not going to chase you off.” Steve said firmly.
“We could… We could sort of go on the way we have been.” Runa suggested next. “Only with you and Bucky together, I mean.”
“That isn’t exactly fair to you, darlin’.” Bucky pointed out.
“I’m not used to life being fair.” She said so softly they had to strain to hear her. Both men winced, and Steve looked even more shamefaced.
“I’m sorry, Runa.” Steve said again. “I never thought it would end up like this. I just… I wish we could all be happy.”
There was silence again, heavy and oppressive, before Bucky spoke. “Why don’t we try and make it work?”
Runa and Steve looked to him, confused.
“Why can’t we both be with Steve?” He asked, “And be with each other too, I guess. All three of us, together with one another. I know Steve is fond of you, Darlin’, and I am too, no use lying about that, and I think you’re fond of the both of us.” Steve and Runa were staring at him in surprise. “We can have our cake and eat it too.”
There was a glimmer of hope in Runa’s eyes, and she looked to Steve, who looked completely flummoxed.
“I think… I think we can make that work.”
“If you think our hearts are truly big enough to hold more than one person… I’m willing to see this through.” Runa finally said.
“It’s going to take some work from all of us, but I think we can manage it.” Bucky agreed with a smile. “Stevie and I will share a room for now, until we can get the bunkhouse rebuilt. That way Wanda and your Iris can share with you, and we can shuffle people around a bit, try and make it more comfortable for everyone.”
“Wanda and I will work on reshuffling everyone today.” Runa agreed, “I’m sure she won’t mind sharing with Iris and I; it will be better than taking a bed while her brother sleeps on the floor. I’ll talk to them both about it.”
“Later.” Bucky looked at the clock and frowned, “I need to start getting ready to head into town.” He moved to hug Runa, who stiffened in surprise, before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him. “Steve’ll sit with you, Darlin’. Make sure you don’t do too much.”
“I’m running out of things to do.” She warned him.
“I’ll try and find something while I’m in town.” Bucky promised her. “After I pick up Titus and Iris. They can help me figure something out for you.”
“I could do light housework, like the dishes-”
“-No.” Steve and Bucky said at the same time.
~*~
Iris sat squeezed between Titus and Bucky on the wagon seat, looking over the remains of the ranch buildings with a frown.
“So he burnt down the ranch?”
“Either him or his hired man did.” Bucky agreed grimly. “We’re going to rebuild everything, no worries there. It’ll just take some time, but we’ve got plans. Especially Runa. She’s got someone coming out to design a house, instead of just building a plain one, but she wants to keep the stone tiles and add in a slate roof, so that’s probably for the best.”
“House like that will last longer.” Titus pointed out.
“Yeah, I’m just hoping she doesn’t want something too fancy, or else we’ll wind up with a mansion to rival Tony Stark’s.”
“I don’t think she’d want something ostentatious.” Iris laughed, lighting up when she saw the petite figure in the pale blue dress step out of the house and wait for them by the door.
“And aside from what Brock did to her, she’s been happy here?” Titus asked quietly, smiling as well. It was the third time he had asked the question, and Bucky knew it was because he had to be certain, that he loved Runa as deeply as she loved him. They were family, and Bucky could respect that.
“There have been some ups and downs, but overall, she’s been happy. And we’re happy to have her here. I don’t want to think of a life without her in it, after having her around these past two months.”
“Good. As long as she’s happy.” Titus said as Bucky began to bring the wagon around to stop in front of the house. He was down off the wagon almost as soon as it stopped moving, holding out his arms to Runa, who ran forward and nearly bowled him over with the force of impact as she embraced him. Bucky smiled as he set the brake, unable to overhear the quiet words the two were sharing with one another. He helped Iris down off the wagon, and then she was gently pushing Titus aside so she could embrace Runa.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Runa said, hugging her tightly. “Both of you. It didn’t feel right, being away from you for so long.”
“Well, we’re here now, and we’re both determined to settle in Amaranto springs.” Iris told her firmly, still smiling. “There has to be call for a cook around here somewhere.”
“And I’ll find something to set my hand to, never fear there.” Titus assured Runa.
“Well, until you get on your feet, you’re staying with us, even though it will be a bit crowded, and soon we’ll be living a little rough as we rebuild. Are you certain you want to help with the cooking here, Iris? You don’t need to, I can-”
“No.” Bucky interrupted, sauntering over. “You can help, or whip up a batch of cookies or a pie or two, but no heavy lifting. Doc Banners’ orders. Nothing heavier than your sewing basket, remember?”
She let out a huff, but she smiled. “All right. Nothing heavier than my sewing basket.”
Bucky leaned down and placed a kiss atop her head, not noticing Titus’ frown at the action, or Iris’ moment of confusion. “Take your friends inside, Darlin’. I’ve got some things to bring in, including their luggage.”
“He asked me to help him pick out an activity for you, so we’ve got knitting needles and crochet hooks and plenty of yarn for practice. I’m a bit rusty at knitting and crochet, but not so rusty that I can’t teach you.”
Runa smiled. “Learning something new will be a pleasant way to spend my convalescence. Come inside, it’s almost dinner time, but there’s coffee and cookies if you two would like.”
“We’ll be fine until dinner.” Iris assured her as Runa led them into the sitting room.
“What was that kiss about out there?” Titus asked casually, causing Runa to flush. “Your husband’s partner getting too friendly? I can-”
“It’s not like that, Titus. Well, it is, but it isn’t. It’s… It’s a little complicated. Steve and Bucky… They love each other. They’ve loved each other for years before I came along. We decided to try and make it work with the three of us. And… I have to say I don’t mind that in the slightest. I rather like it. Even though it was only just decided this morning.”
Titus frowned, but he nodded. “As long as you’re happy. I won’t claim to understand the relationship, or why you’d want to be with your husband and his friend, but as long as you’re safe, and happy. That’s all that matters to me.”
“After this morning, I’m very happy.” She assured him. “There’s a lightness to my spirit. Now, let me introduce you to Happy Sam and Wanda.”