#Selfish Bubba

[anothersmilingcrittersau]

Into The Bubba-verse??? perhaps--

SelfishCritters Bubba, Revived Bubba, and Tusker Tiredon belong to @smilingcrittersthingig!

Dumba Dumbaphant belongs to @eggritos!

Clay Paclayderm belongs to funny-critter-blog! (Won't let me @ them?)

Bubba Badass belongs to @blues-of-randomness!

Transparent versions of each of them (Manny and Badass share one due to their pose) under cut

[sctigthesecond]

The Selfish Critters

The Smiling Critters but most of them are self-absorbed and insensitive. Their pendants are shapes (Crafty being an exception)

Dogday

The only one in the group who seem selfless, maybe a bit too much. He does his best to keep his friends together and try to help them get better. Though it has been mentally taxing, he stays determined to fix the broken bonds.

Catnap

He's aware that this friend group is too far gone to fix, but he often dreams of a life where he and the others were happy. So he stays in those days. He starts snapping at anyone who would pull him out of it. This results in Catnap losing touch with reality, with Dogday currently being the only reason he's somewhat grounded

Bubba Bubbaphant

He believes everyone is not as smart as him and he doesn't plan on losing that belief. Closed and reserved, his words are brutal and straight to the point. He would never do anything to help you unless you offer something of worth in return.

Kickin Chicken

A narcissist. A conversation with him will always lead to the topic being about him. Likes being the center of attention and will try to overshadow anybody who tries to take it from him.

Hoppy Hopscotch

A short tempered girl. If things doesn't go her way she throws a fit about it. She's insensitive of other's struggles, often disregarding it as being too emotional or weak.

Bobby Bearhug

She loves everyone! And she wants to show them all how much she loves them! Much to the others dismay. Bobby tends to be very touchy around her friends, saying that it's how she shows her love. If someone were to ask her not to do that, she would get emotional and guilt trip them into taking it back.

Craftycorn

A certain incident scarred her, causing her to shut herself off from the outside. She stays inside her room most of the time, only ever leaving it if she needed something outside. Dogday often comes by to bring her meals and to check on her.

Picky Piggy

Always making sure she looks the best, she often talks down on the appearance of others to make herself look better. Tends to get jealous of anyone prettier than her and will attempt to sabotage them.

inspired by the problematic critters au by kickin._.chick3n on tiktok

[smilingcrittersthingig]

You know those AUs where the Smiling Critters are turned into unlikeable characters I made my version of it, I much apologize, I just got the idea and I had to make it--

Meet the Selfish Critters-

I'll probably change their designs in the future but let me introduce all of them- Dogday - The most normal out of the critters, he tries his best to be there for everyone but it's tough responsibility for one dog, bit of a people pleaser.

Catnap - Is not in touch with reality, he dozes off most of the time and has to be pulled back from his fantasies which he dislikes.

Kickin Chicken - Cares about being cool and himself, thinks he's above everyone else, will not listen if the topic's not about him

Bubba Bubbaphant - Thinks everyone's dumber than him, will not help unless it benefits him.

Bobby Bearhug - Does not respect boundaries, if you reject her uncomfortable affection she will guilt trip you into thinking she's the victim.

Hoppy Hopscotch - Impatient, has some anger issues, not very aware of other people's limits.

Picky Piggy - Tries her best to look pretty, would talk down on other's appearances to make herself look good, easily jealous.

Craftycorn - A shut-in, never comes out of her room unless she runs out of food or needs to do something outside

I swear there are reasons to why all of them are like that, you just have to find out..?

[sctigthethird]

Bubbaverse incorrect quotes I got from an incorrect quotes generator cause why not

(disclaimer, might be a little ooc for some of them idk)

Bubba Badass by @blues-of-randomness

Clay Paclayderm by @funny-critter-blog

Dumba Dumbaphant by eggrit0s

Manny Mammoth by @anothersmilingcrittersau

Reborn (R!) Bubba, Tusker Tiredon, Selfish(S!) Bubba by me

OG Bubba: *Holding up a picture of a seemingly young anime girl* WHO IS SHE?! IS SHE TWELVE?! 
Badass: No! She's a thousand years ol- 
OG Bubba: *Cocks shotgun* 
Badass: NO! NOOOOOOOOOO-!

Clay: Do you know the ABCs of first aid? 
Dumba: A. Bone. Coming out of the skin is very bad.

Badass, at an awards show: Well, first of all, I’d like to thank Manny, the homie of my life, for telling me Clay was going to win so I shouldn’t bother preparing a speech.

R! Bubba: A mosquito tried to bite me and I slapped it and killed it. 
R! Bubba: And I started thinking. 
R! Bubba: Like, it was just trying to get food. 
R! Bubba: What if I went to the fridge and it just slammed the door shut and snapped my neck? 
Tusker: Are you ok…?

Clay: Does anyone know how to relax? Asking for a friend.

S! Bubba: Well you see, the explanation is perfectly simple and scientific. It was because shut up. Shut up is why.

Badass to Manny: We smell of sweat and loss.

Badass: We’re getting married (platonically), bitches! 
Manny: And we're about to make it everybody else's problem.

Manny: Don’t worry, I have a permit. 
OG Bubba: ...This just says “I can do what I want”.

Clay: Quacking in my boobs over this 
Clay: QUAKING* 
Clay: BOOTS* FUCKER.

Manny: Anybody got any crayons so I can color in my Ph. D.?

Tusker: I only have 6 weeks left to live…
OG Bubba: Oh my god, really?! 
Tusker: It's just a guesstimate based on the choices I've made…

OG Bubba: You’re a loose cannon, Manny. 
Manny: No, I’m not. I’m a cannon, maybe, but a loose cannon? Is that what you think of me? 
Tusker: I think you play by your own rules…
Clay: No way, they think rules were made to be broken. 
OG Bubba: Those are all attributes of a loose cannon. 
Manny: No, I’m just a reckless renegade. R! Bubba is a loose cannon. 
R! Bubba: *smashes a chair* Aah! You shut your trap, Clay! 
Clay: I’d say R! Bubba’s more of a cop on the edge with nothing to lose. That’s an entirely different thing. 
Tusker: Now I’m just confused… Is Manny a loose cannon or not?…
OG Bubba: All right, put on a pot of coffee. We’re gonna get to the bottom of this. 
Clay: *groans* 
R! Bubba: Aw, man.

Clay: :) 
Manny: >:( 
Clay: Turn that frown upside down! 
Manny: ):< 
Clay: Not sure what I was expecting...

Manny: God has let me live another day and I'm going to make it everyone's problem.

R! Bubba: What the fuck. 
R! Bubba: ESPN is showing 2003 national jump rope championship. 
R! Bubba: Who the hell watches jump rope competiti- ooh bouncy.

Clay, to S! Bubba: Are you peanuts? Because I want to boil you alive.

Clay: What starts with F and ends with Uck? 
Manny: No it doesn't. (completely fucking with them)
Dumba: Firetruck! 
Badass: FUCK!

Dumba, holding a kettle: Coffee or tea? 
Clay: Tea. 
Dumba: Wrong! It's coffee.

Badass: I really like Eminem. 
Dumba: I prefer skittles. 
Clay: They are talking about the rapper. 
Dumba: Why would they eat the wrapper?

OG Bubba: Badass, are you drinking… drinking hydrogen peroxide-?
Badass: It says H2O2! That means it’s the sequel to water!

OG Bubba: It's called cauliflower, not ghost broccoli. 
R! Bubba, eyes wide: I know what I saw.

Manny, to OG Bubba: If Badass doesn't say "I'm King of the world" within an hour on that boat, I will give you my next pay check. 
Badass, within 5 minutes of getting on the boat: I'M KING OF THE WORLD!!!

Dumba: We’re going to a candy store?! 
Clay: No! It’s nighttime, candy stores are closed. 
Badass: We’re gonna ROB a candy store?!?! 
Clay, sighing: No-

Tusker: I’m doing my best…
OG Bubba: You’re not doing anything. 
Tusker: Yes… that’s what I’m best at…

Badass: Why aren’t you sleeping?

Manny: I’m too busy plotting your murder to sleep, Badass.

Badass:

Manny:

Manny: ...The nightmares.

[blues-of-randomness]

Bubbaverse incorrect qoutes

Og!Bubba: I dunno if I'm ready to process the ramifications of this bullshit.

Clay : Why were you up yesterday until 3am? Tusker: How did you know I was up until 3am? Bubba Badass: We could hear you clapping to the FRIENDS intro every 25 minutes.

Selfish!Bubba: The best person I know is myself.

Clay : Tusker, I’m afraid. Tusker: Just stay close to BBI Bubba. Clay : That's why I’m afraid.

Og!Bubba, to the Squad: If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! silence Og!Bubba: Damn, y’all depressed as heck! BBI Bubba: You didn’t clap either- Og!Bubba: SHUT UP!

Tusker and Selfish bubba belong to @smilingcrittersthingig

Bubbaverse belings to @anothersmilingcrittersau

Clay belongs to @guppieishere

[mintsuwu]

MORE SMILING CRITTERS FAMILY HEADCANONS WAHOO!! I do apologize in advance as this post will be shorter BUT THERE ARE MORE PICTURES!!!

Bubba Bubbaphant

Bubba Bubbaphant comes from a family deeply rooted in love, passion, and a sense of responsibility towards others. His mother was a botanist, brimming with a profound affection for plants, while his father embarked on adventurous explorations as a researcher. Despite their differing pursuits, they formed a tight-knit family unit where love and care flourished.

Sadly, his mother's life was cut short by a debilitating disease that drained her vitality, leaving an indelible mark on Bubba's heart. Witnessing her struggle ignited in him a fervent desire to become a doctor in the future, driven by the aspiration to alleviate suffering and potentially save lives, just as he had hoped to do for his mother.

But even after the profound loss, the relationship with his father remained strong, as the latter balances his adventurous spirit with unwavering dedication to his family. Despite the demands of his work, he cherishes every moment spent with Bubba, recognizing the importance of being present in his son's life. He carves out moments to spend quality time with him, sharing experiences and imparting valuable knowledge gained from his explorations as the young one shares information about the adventures he has with his friends

Mr. Bubbaphant embodies the essence of a true gentleman, extending kindness and assistance to those in need without hesitation. His demeanor and wisdom reflected the refinement and kindness instilled in his son, earning him a reputation as an absolute gentleman.

Their familial circle extends to Kickin'Chicken´s family, as he is friends with his mother, Clucketta, forging a close friendship between families. Recognizing the demands of parenthood, Mr. Bubbaphant would occasionally assist Clucketta by taking on babysitting duties, providing her with much-needed respite while her husband Rockin´ Rooster is away on his own endeavors.

Through their shared experiences and mutual respect, Bubba learns the value of compassion, friendship, and the importance of standing by those they care about.

BONUS: Kickin´ was the only one of the Smiling Critters who got to know Bubba´s mother before she passed away. And after her loss he made sure to be there to support his friend all the way just like the young elephant had done for him in the past.

Kickin'Chicken (Part ||)

Rockin'Rooster is a renowned singer in the Smiling Critters universe and the father of Kickin' Chicken. Despite his fame, Rockin' spends little time with his family, prioritizing his career over them.

Kickin' idolizes his father, despite his older sister Pecky harboring resentment towards him for his selfishness. Though Rockin' favors Pecky, hoping she'll continue his musical legacy, but she rejects his expectations. Instead, she enjoys music with her friends for fun as she even plays in a band with them, but she doesn't seek for fame or fortune. Rockin' later shifts his attention to Kickin', who adores his father but longs for more family connection. The young boy feels overwhelmed by his many younger siblings, as his father's absence is often filled with new additions to the family. But despite this, Kickin' loves his family deeply.

Clucketta, Kickin's mother, once shared Rockin's passion for music, but she now focuses on supporting her family. She sacrificed her own career as a dancer before moving to Jolly Valley (I still have to think of a name for the town though) in order to live a happy and peaceful life... Despite the family's imperfections. And though she no longer wears her Merry Charm, when she does, she keeps her pendant hidden as it makes her feel nostalgic of the times where she could pursue her passion for dancing.

BONUS: Adult Kickin' design! I like to imagine that he becomes some sort of dancing teacher in the future.

[bitchyfoxymama]

Sucking Off The Slashers Headcannons Pt 1

Warnings: SMUT SMUT SMUT, cock sucking, Micheal Myers gets his own warning.

...

Thomas Hewitt

He is very caring when you suck him off, does not force his cock any further than is comfortable for you.

Will rub his thumb gently against your cheek as you have his cock all the way down your throat while coating your throat with his come.

Thinks you look so pretty with tears streaming down your face

Bubba Sawyer

Like Thomas will rub your cheeks as you take him down your throat

Is not a selfish lover, will return what is given 

Likes it slow, loves when you edge him.

Micheal Myers

DOES NOT GIVE A FUCK IF YOU CANT BREATHE!! However, he will let up if you are close to passing out. 

You got your hair in pigtails? Will use them to throat fuck your throat

Gets off and when he's finished don't expect any after care

Billy Lenz

Drool. So much drool 

“Such a pretty piggy. Taking billy’s cock so well”

“Look at how pretty piggy is with Billy’s come covering your face” loves to come on your face instead of your throat as much as he does enjoy that as well

Brahms Heelshire

Likes when you play with his balls while you have him balls deep, your nose pressed against the curls above the base of his cock

Loves when you suck him off in the walls, he finds a big enough gap to where 2 people can comfortably be 

Enjoys tasting the left over come in your mouth when you kiss him after getting him to finish

[justuraverageweirdo]

God au critters 3/4

Fun facts under the cut!

CraftyCorn

Crafty is the goddess of the arts. Theater, dance, crafts, painting, weaving, you name it.

Crafty’s fighting style is like a ballerina, let’s just say. She moves so gracefully, as if she’s dancing, before she suddenly makes a strike. I just love her so much she’s such a girl boss ahhh-

Huge introvert. Barely socializes unless she has to (or Bobby or DogDay or Picky make her)

She is EXTREMELY flexible. You’ll walk into her quarters and find her doing some ungodly yoga pose in the corner of her room. CatNap was the same way, and before everything happened, sometimes they’d be yoga buddies lmao

Speaking of CatNap, her and him were extremely close. Both had similar personalities and sheltered upbringings. They spent a lot of time together before everything. To Crafty, he was a shoulder to cry on.

She’s ace here. She wants to feel romantic attraction, but always feels like she’s physically having to force herself to have those feelings. So she just decided to not get involved in all that.

She’s very observant of her surroundings and can often easily tell when something is wrong. The others occasionally will come to her for advice.

She does have a small ability to be able to grow flowers. However, her flowers never look as though they were naturally created, always having some supernatural element to them. She doesn’t use that ability often though, as it’s hard for her to control.

Bobby Bearhug

Ah, the goddess of love. All different types of love, in fact. Familial, platonic, romantic, she knows it all.

She has a bow and quiver that had been passed down for centuries by different love gods in her line. There are different types of arrows. Arrows that can make you fall in different types of love, and arrows that can make you feel hatred. And then she just has normal arrows lmao.

You must be wondering if she returns Hoppy’s feelings for her? If so, yup, she does. However, despite being the literal goddess of romance, she has no clue that Hoppy returns her feelings. In all honesty, she thinks that Hoppy is too good for her, and way out of her league. Even though Hoppy literally blushes at every single word she says, this girl does not have a clue. And she then precedes to laugh about how Bubba is completely clueless about Kickin’s feelings towards him. It causes everybody in the room to facepalm.

Bobby has the power to charm anybody into doing her bidding. Flutter her eyelashes just a little bit and the mortals will be all over her. It even works on her fellow gods, although not even nearly as strong. She so takes advantage of this.

Bobby is the therapist friend. She’s extremely close with DogDay, as she’s the only one that he feels safe enough around to vent his frustrations. Well, and CatNap of course. All of the gods tend to come to Bobby for advice and love when they need it. Sometimes though, Bobby gets frustrated that she doesn’t get that kind of out in return. She thinks that she’s selfish for that though, so she tends to bury her feelings.

DogDay and CatNap are next!

God au critters 1/4 link

God au critters 2/4 link

[estrellami-1]

If I Should Stay

Part 1 | . . . | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26

They watch her go, and Hopper remarks, “She seems like a good kid.”

Steve chuckles. “She’s great. Part of it is due to you.”

Hopper looks at him incredulously. “Me?”

“Sure,” Steve shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know how much I’m supposed to share, or not supposed to share, about the details of the future, but you end up basically adopting her. Joyce helps a lot, and for a while she moves to California with them.” He tilts his head. “It’s a weird custody thing that somehow works. I don’t really know the details.”

Hopper sighs. “Kid, you’re gonna drive me to drinking more.”

Steve smirks, fully giving in to the temptation to fuck with Hopper. “Eh, the Russians pretty much fix that for you.”

Hopper drags a hand down his face with another sigh. “I don’t want to know.”

“Probably for the best,” Steve agrees. “Especially since we plan on that not happening this time around. Hopefully with me not fighting anyone.”

Hopper squints at him. “How many people rocked your shit?”

Steve tilts his head. “I don’t know if Jonathan gave me my first concussion, but he definitely beat me to hell. Then the Russians, and there was definitely a concussion with that. Then Billy, he broke a plate over my head, so that’s another concussion.” He shrugs. “So like… two and a half, probably?”

Robin taps his shoulder as she passes by. “You’re forgetting the demobat,” she says, then pauses. “And did the vines get you?”

Steve sighs. “Dammit. I knew I was forgetting something. Can we just call that an even three?”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Hopper grits out. “Were you dropped on your head as a child?”

“That implies I was picked up in the first place,” Steve fires back without thinking, then blinks. “Um. Sorry.”

Hopper squints at him. “I feel like you need a hug, but I’m the worst person in the world for that.”

From across the room, Alli calls, “Steve, stop fucking with the chief.”

He turns to her, jaw dropped. “I am not!”

“Bubba,” she says, giving him an extremely judgy look.

He squints at her, then pointedly turns away, only to come face-to-face with Eddie, who’s looking between the two of them with an amused look on his face.

Steve goes scarlet. “Oh,” he says. “Hi.”

Eddie looks like he’s considering something. “Hi.” He shuffles a little, looks down at his feet then back up at Steve. “Um. I wanted to thank you. I heard what you said to the chief, about me.”

Steve smiles. “I know it probably doesn’t seem like it, but I swear the guy’s actually a teddy bear.”

Eddie shrugs. “Well, still. Thanks.”

Steve smiled shyly at him. “You’re welcome,” he says quietly. “And thank you. For the gun stuff.”

Eddie grins. “Gun stuff?”

Steve flushed scarlet again. “Shuddup,” he murmurs. “But seriously. I- it was selfish, wanting you here this time, y’know? You would’ve been fine if I hadn’t dragged you into it. Shit- shit, you would’ve been okay, nothing goes after you yet…”

“Steve,” Eddie says, and his attention snaps to a soft smile. “It’s okay. I’m involved now, I’m here, and I’m not leaving.”

Steve takes a breath. It only stutters a little. “Okay,” he whispers, then takes another breath. “Um. Sorry.”

Eddie offers him a kind smile. “I think you’re kinda due for a breakdown, dude, after hearing what you’ve been through? I think you’ve more than earned it.” He looks around, leans closer to Steve, lowers his voice. “Tell you what. Tonight, or whenever it’s just us, I’ll bring out the lunchbox.”

Steve huffs out a laugh. Does his best to ignore the just us. “Sounds great, honestly. Thank you.”

Eddie leans back with a grin, then winks at him before he walks away.

Steve turns and catches Robin’s eye. He widens his, and she raises an eyebrow, nodding in the direction of the bathroom.

Steve considers it, then shakes his head, jerks it in the direction of the kitchen, walking that way without waiting for her.

He’s got his head stuck in the fridge by the time she gets into the kitchen. “I’m thinking a casserole,” he says, “I don’t know what else is gonna feed everyone-”

“Steve,” Robin says gently. “We don’t have time for you to deflect.”

He shuts the door with a sigh and leans his forehead against the cool metal. “He’s being so nice,” he all but whines.

“And you don’t know how to handle it,” Robin nods, patting his shoulder. “I know.”

“I fucked this up,” he murmurs.

“You didn’t. He likes you, Steve. It’s just shitty timing.”

He takes a breath, lets it whoosh out. “I can’t ask him to wait for me.”

“Maybe you won’t have to,” she says. “Maybe he’ll realize you’re worth the wait.”

He manages a grin. “I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

She rolls her eyes, but smiles. “Yeah, well, when you look this pathetic…”

He squawks and launches himself at her, and she yelps and runs out towards the living room.

He grins and turns around, back to the fridge. It really is time for dinner, and a casserole does sound good.

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[krislgfox]

Requested by: @642spaghettiprincess

Name: HugPup

Gender: Male

Pronounce: He/Him/His

Parents: Bobby Bearhug x DogDay

Orientation: Pansexual, Ace

Personality: Very talkative, active, always up for hugs and physical affection, very positive, loving and caring

Requested by: @skelexguts

Name: SmartChick

Gender: Female

Pronounce: She/Her/Hers

Parents: KickinChicken x Bubba Bubbaphant

Orientation: Demiromantic, Bi, Ace

Personality: Smart, a bit selfish, using her intelligent not for right things(mostly for pranks), understanding, doesn't like to show her fear in public

Two ready, who's next? :]

Idea and the template made by @steffani-milligan!

Edit: Forgot to write SmartChick's orientation xd

[anothersmilingcrittersau]

SO-- this was originally a little longer. HOWEVER-- the thing I downloaded only did a MINUTE AND THREE SECONDS(I didn't realize as I downloaded the song today)-- so I just-- I just rolled with it. I made more (it was supposed to go up to the other halfs verse. but it literally only did the first verse kjdnglsdg-- so-- enjoy what I have ig?? also, I just threw in the fin card because why not. why not add the fin card even tho it technically is not finished kngkjn--

ALSO-- this is slightly loud! so I'd turn down your volume just in case!

The few bubbas that are seen in the veebo are:

Manny, Fairy, Jester! Bubba - me

Revived! Bubba, Tusker, Selfish! Bubba - @smilingcrittersthingig

Clay Paclayderm - @funny-critter-blog

Dumba - @/eggritos

Bubba Badass n Bbi Bubba - @blues-of-randomness

and Eleanore Elements in the end frame - @daydreamer36

The unused frames 😔 vvv

[sctigthesecond]

More Selfish Starstudent (i'll stop after this-)

Bonus:

[smilingcrittersthingig]

On their way to the Bubbaverse! (they encountered traffic)

Bitty Bubba is stuffed in the trunk

[dreamofbecoming]

yeah alright this got away from me. posting in pieces, part one is just stobin, no shippy stuff. steddie and rockie to follow. i'll drop it on ao3 once all 3 parts are done

now on ao3!

platonic stobin

rating: t

wc: 3.5k

---

Robin stopped being surprised by Steve Harrington showing up at her bedroom window months ago. Jesus, there's a sentence her 16 year old self wouldn't fucking believe for a second. The Hair, climbing up the trellis her dad built for the roses her mom planted and then forgot about three months later? Yeah right, as if. But it turns out alternate dimensions and sci-fi movie monsters and Russian conspiracies in Bumfuck, Nowhere, USA are all real, so how surprising really is The King himself, collapsing through her window with all the grace of a baby giraffe, out of breath like he- holy shit, did he fucking run here?

"Dingus, did you run here? What the hell?"

"Had to- hang on, Jesus. Holy shit." He bends over, hands on his knees, panting like he just ran a marathon. Which, she guesses, he almost did.

"You have a car, you lunatic, what could possibly be so important?"

"Didn't think about it. Had to get here."

"Is someone dead?!" Oh fuck, Is the Upside Down back? Oh shit, oh no, it can't be back, right? Superhero girl closed the gates! Right?! Oh god, oh no, oh fuck, it's back, the Russians are back, they realized they couldn't let her live after what she's seen, her parents will never even know what happened to her, and they'll kill Dingus too, and dorky little Henderson, and that menace Erica, oh god, they're gonna die, and Hopper's gone and superhero girl is far away and she doesn't have superpowers anymore anyway, which is frankly bogus because what the hell, Robin never even got to hang out with a real live magic person before, which, ok, that's a selfish thought, but that's ok, we can think selfish thoughts and then set them aside and not act on them, thoughts are not actions, thoughts happen all the time without our consent, they don't determine our character-

"Bobs, you're spiraling. Nothing bad happened, I just realized something and I freaked out and I had to talk to you right away. Forgot to call. Sorry, I should have called. Ran straight out of the house. I don't even think my shoes match, what the fuck?"

She's gonna kill him, she really is.

She loves him so much.

"Jesus, you're insane. Sit, you absolute dweeb. I'm getting you some water, when I get back you can tell me what the hell is going on."

He's sitting on her bed when she gets back upstairs, staring at something in his hands. Christ, his hands are shaking. What the fuck, Dingus?

He takes the water and downs it in one go- ugh, sports guys- then flops onto his back and covers his eyes with a miserable groan.

"I know we've got the whole twin telepathy thing going on, bubba, but I'm gonna need at least a little bit to work with here. Give me something. Is it your parents? The kids? Uh, what was her name? From Thursday? Janice?"

"Janine, and no. Ugh. Here." The arm not covering his eyes flops out towards her, holding- ah. A zine. He had promised to drive up to Indy last weekend to the secret bookshop she told him about and get her some new ones, even though she couldn't go with him because her cousin Randy got caught cheating on his fiancée and her parents made her come with the rest of the family to help him move. Fucking Randy. Maybe he should make better choices, so the rest of them wouldn't have to clean up his messes. Jerk.

Anyway.

"Marked the page." Which, yep, there's a purple paper clip stuck to a page near the middle, because Steve knows how much she hates people who dogear books, even books that aren't really books at all, so he's been training himself out of it, because he's sort of the best. Again, 16 year old Robin would have her committed for thinking that, but here we are.

The pamphlet isn't one of the periodicals she sent him for, so he must have picked it up on his own. It looks handmade, just some folded sheets that look like they came out of a typewriter, bound with the kind of twine you can buy at the hardware store. It's called Awakenings. The page he's marked looks like a personal essay, no title, no real signature, just a pair of initials at the end of the page and a half of writing. She starts reading, trying to figure out what the hell spooked Steve so bad.

"I've always been normal. I've always had crushes on men, just like the other girls. There was never a feeling of "I'm different," or "Oh, this is wrong." There was never anything to think very hard about. I'd giggle and blush when the boys looked over at us on the playground, same as everyone else. Later on when I was older I looked at my poster of Harrison Ford, shirtless and hairy and sweating, and I touched myself, and it felt good, just like it was supposed to. I didn't mind thinking of my future husband, and our future kids, and the pretty house with the pretty garden we'd have, just like my parents have, just like they wanted for me. I was normal. Everything was fine.

I thought everything about me was normal. So I didn't understand why the other girls at sleepover parties would giggle and stop and say "Ew, gross!" when we practiced kissing. It felt nice! I wanted to keep going! But it seemed like no one else did. I didn't understand why none of them talked about getting butterflies in their stomach when Laura, who was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, transferred in our senior year, why they seemed so angry at her. Those butterflies were what jealousy felt like, right? So why did the other girls seem to feel so different?

I made my first lesbian friend in college, on the very first day, right across the hall in my dorm. We sat next to each other at Orientation and I thought I'd never have another best friend that wonderful in my whole life, so I'd hold on to her with everything I had. She came out to me the night before Christmas break, hiding under the blankets in my dorm room with the twinkling lights glowing. She was so scared. I held her and told her I loved her no matter what, and she seemed so glad, to have someone to talk to.

When she talked about falling in love with girls, I was so confused. The way she described it sounded like what it felt like to have girlfriends, I was sure. I felt that all the time. I asked her if she was sure she was gay, and she looked so shocked and angry and hurt, and I didn't know how to fix it, so I tried to explain. That what she felt couldn't be liking girls, because I felt that too, and I was normal. I liked boys, so I couldn't be gay. I couldn't be.

I'm glad it was her I said all that to. If someone else had told me about being bisexual, I think I would have hated them. I would have cried, and screamed, and said horrible things. Because I wasn't gay, I was normal, and it was so scary to think that might be a lie. Thank God it was her, my best friend in the world, who I never want to lose. Thank God I listened.

Because I'm not normal. I'm queer. I like men, and I like women. I can love them both the same, but it doesn't matter anymore, because I love her. I love her, and she loves me, and I don't need to be normal anymore."

Robin's face feels wet, which probably means she's crying. She cries a lot, reading these sorts of stories, in the zines she has to keep hidden under her bed, or, these days, at Steve's house. It's never going to be her, she knows. Not here in Hawkins, but it still makes something ache deep inside her, like pressing on a bruise, but in a good way, seeing love happen to other people. People like her. Seeing that it can.

"So?"

Oh shit. Right, Dingus. They're about him right now. Something about this essay in particular freaked him out.

"Uh. It's. A nice essay? I'm glad things worked out for them?"

Stevie lets out a pathetic whine, sort of like back at Scoops when he earned a particularly bad tally on the You Suck board. "Robbiiiiiiieeeee!"

"I'm sorry! I think I'm missing something, what's wrong with this essay? I don't get it, bubba, I'm sorry. I need some context." She does feel bad. Usually she can pluck whatever's bothering him right out of his brain and into the light, where it almost never looks as bad, but she's at a loss right now.

He's got both hands over his face again, and his response is so muffled she can't make out a word.

"Try again in human sounds, please."

"Ugh! I thought everyone felt like that!"

Huh? "Felt like...what, exactly?"

"Like that!" He flails wildly at the pamphlet in her hands. He's sitting up now, hair all askew from tugging at it, and there's a vaguely worrying crazed look in his eye, like right before he tackled that guard. "Like kissing boys and girls both feel nice, and like seeing a handsome guy and feeling jealous of him makes my stomach flutter, and like having friends feels the same as having crushes! I thought that was just how everyone felt all the time!"

Oh.

Oh.

Oh no.

Poor Dingus! No wonder he panicked and ran here like a crazy person!

"Stevie, can I hug you? Please?" She's not much for physical touch most of the time, but Steve is, and also she's found in the last few months that she doesn't mind so much when it's him. She sort of understands why other people like hugs so much, if they always feel like hugging Steve feels for her. And she really thinks he needs to be hugged, right now.

He nods miserably. She drapes her arms around his shoulders and holds on as tight as she can, hauling him sideways until he's practically laying down on her. He clutches her back and buries his face in her shoulder. She can feel her neck getting wet with tears, a sensation that would normally make her want to claw off her own skin, but this isn't about her. Dingus needs her.

"It's ok, bubba. I'm so sorry. I know how scary this is. When I first figured out I had a crush on Linda Sanderson I cried so hard I threw up, you know? I get it. It's gonna be ok, I promise. We'll make it ok. We faced down evil Russians and giant meat monsters, what's a little sexuality crisis, huh? We got this! We're the goddamn Wonder Twins!"

He snorts at that, which she's pretty sure leaves snot on her neck, which. Ew. Still. Problems for Later Robin.

"We are not, Will and El are the Wonder Twins."

"Uh, nope, no chance, I barely even met them so therefore I am vetoing their application. Sorry kiddos, better luck next time! Find your own nickname, losers!"

Steve sits back, laughing, and she preens a little at being able to bring him back from the brink so easily. She loves him so much she feels like she's glowing with it, sometimes. It almost makes her wish she was straight, because what girl is she ever going to find who loves her this much? But only almost, because. Well. Girls, amiright? Phew.

"So what now, Stevie? You wanna say it out loud? That helps, sometimes. You wanna not say it out loud? You wanna go to a gay bar and find you a boy? You wanna never think about it again? It's totally your call."

"Say it out loud, huh?"

"Hm. It took me like a month, and then the first time I could only say it sitting in the back of my closet with the bedroom door locked and the closet door closed, and I could only whisper it. Just "I'm a lesbian," to myself, like the world's most ironic little goblin. And I had to throw up again after. But it did feel good, once I rinsed my mouth out, anyway. Cleansing, you know? And it gets easier every time." Steve's eyebrows are raised and he's chuckling again, so that's a win. She's not lying, but it is sort of funny, she supposes. In hindsight, anyway.

"Ok. Ok, I can do that. I think. Yeah, I can do that."

She's so proud of him. He's the bravest person she's ever met, she thinks. "You wanna get in the closet?"

"Isn't the whole point to come out of the closet, Robs?" He's smirking at her. Bastard. She whacks him in the shoulder on principle. He may be having a crisis, but he's still a jackass. Her favorite jackass in the whole world, but still.

"Har har, you're a regular Bob Hope. Alright then, bigshot, let's hear it."

A little of that fear creeps back onto his face, and she wishes she could wipe it off, but that's not how this works. They can't make the scary things less scary. He couldn't make the Russians less terrifying, but he could hold her hand and make her laugh and carry some of that fear with her. She can do that for him now, too.

She grabs his hand, and he clutches back tightly. He takes a deep breath.

"I'm...fuck. Ok. Ok, I can do this. I'm...bisexual." The air leaves him in a big whoosh, and he laughs a little. "Yeah, ok, fuck. I'm bisexual. Holy shit, Robbie, I'm bisexual!"

"Hell yeah you are!" She's grinning so hard her cheeks hurt. She's so fucking proud of him.

He's laughing again, a little hysterically, and he hugs her tight again, and she holds him back just as close and thinks oh, he's like me. I'm not alone. I have Steve, and he's like me, and he's mine forever and ever.

When they separate, she looks at him seriously.

"So do you, like, want this to be a thing? Because we can totally make it a thing, and like, get me a fake ID and go to a gay bar and do all kinds of wild shit if you want, but we don't have to, you know? If you need to just, like. Digest this, for a while. It's totally up to you, I just know it took me a while to feel ok with it, and I have no idea if it's different for you but I just want to be what you need, you know? You've been so good with me, and I've never had a queer friend before, so I don't know how, but I want to be just as good to you. You're my Dingus and I love you and I don't know how much of a gay guru I can be on account of, you know, I've never met any gay people besides me and the pretty lady at the bookstore but I couldn't even get real human words to come out of my mouth when I tried to talk to her so I don't think that counts, you know? But I still wanna help! Let me help!"

"Bobbie! Bobbie breathe, you're gonna pass out. I don't think I need a gay guru, I just need a gay best friend, and I have that, so I promise I'm good, ok? Promise. Also I love you too.”

She takes a deep breath, following his lead the way they worked out in the horrible days after Starcourt, when she couldn't sleep without him next to her, warm and alive and breathing, and even then she would wake up in the night with her breath coming short and her vision tunneling and Steve would hold her hand against his chest and breathe slowly, in and out, until she could follow him, and the world wasn't so terrible and scary and loud anymore.

She still thinks about that awful hour underground, thinking she was strapped to the corpse of a boy she never let become her friend, but Steve is always there now when she needs him, and he never complains when she grabs his wrist or puts her head on his chest to make absolutely sure that big, stupid heart is still beating.

When she's breathing normally again, he drops their joined hands down between them, toying idly with the chain linking her ring to her bracelet. "I think...I think I'm glad I said it, and I'm glad we talked about it, but can we maybe just...put it away, for a while? Like it's not...ugh. I guess this is kind of shitty to say, so like, hit me if you want, I guess, but I kind of don't think it matters right now?"

"No no, that makes perfect sense! Like, you still like girls, right?" He nods. "And you don't like. Have a crush on any boys right now. Or do you? Oh man if you do you have to tell me though, it's platonic soulmate law. It's in the bylaws, Steve, don't make me soulmate fine you!"

He laughs and shoves her face away. "Jesus, Rob, no! I don't have a crush on any guys, who would I even crush on in this town? We're not exactly swimming in eligible bachelors. I don't have a crush on anybody at all, I'd tell you, I swear. I know the rules!"

"Oh phew, good. You have to tell me when you do, though, I'm way excited to get you back for making fun of Tammy."

"It was the God's honest truth, Bobbie! She sings like a muppet!"

"Oh my god, shut up, Dingus! Ugh! As I was saying, you super duper have to tell me when you do, but for now, I think maybe you don't have to think about it really at all if you don't want. I mean, practically speaking, it's not really relevant to your everyday life, so we can totally revisit when that changes, but you don't have to like. Join a pride parade tomorrow, you know? You are you who are no matter what. You don't have to prove anything to anyone, especially not to me, not ever."

He leans his head on her shoulder, and she scritches her nails through his hair. It really has no right being as soft as it is, with the amount of hairspray he uses. It's frankly rude, is what it is.

"Thanks, Bobs. I think I'm just gonna put it away for now. It just...another thing to know about me, you know? Like, I'm bad at fighting people but good at fighting monsters, all my best friends are kids except you, I'm bi but it doesn't matter because there aren't any boys to date in Hawkins anyway. Plus my dad would kill me if he found out. Like actually kill me, not "oh geez I missed curfew, my dad's gonna kill me" type kill me, like I think he'd actually try and beat me to death. So there's really no reason to talk about it right now, you know?"

There's a pit of ice in her stomach, and she tightens her arm around him like she can keep him safe just by holding on tight enough. She hates how casually he said that, just like she hates how casually he always talks about how his parents treat him, like he honestly believes it's normal. "Jesus, Dingus. You know you can come here if you need, right? My parents love you, they already think we're getting married. They'd make you sleep in the guest room, but I could sneak you in here easy."

He snorts again. "We're totally gonna end up married for tax reasons anyway, we're never beating the rumors." That makes her snort, too. He's not wrong, though. She isn't going to be allowed to have a wife anytime soon, and if she has to choose someone to be her next of kin, it's always gonna be him. They're planning to move in together when she goes to school next year anyway. No one is ever gonna believe them that they aren't dating, but that's...fine. Honestly, there are worse things. Better to have Steve by her side than not, and if no one else understands them, well, they understand each other, don't they? That's more than enough.

"Yeah, I know I can come here if I need, Robs. It's fine mostly, I swear. They're not home until Christmas anyway."

He takes another deep breath, like he's settling himself. "I'm just glad we talked about it. I feel better now."

She cards her fingers through his hair again, basking in the feeling of her favorite person so close, and so content. "I'm glad, Dingus."

They're alive, and they're together, and they're queer, and neither of them is ever going to have to be alone again.

"Hang on, did you say you've kissed girls and boys?!"

part 2 part 3

[blues-of-randomness]

Bubba: um...Why are Selfie and Manny on leashes

Badass: because they kicked a child.

source: Spongebob squarepants (with edits obvi)

Manny - @anothersmilingcrittersau

Selfish au - @smilingcrittersthingig

[crazyunsexycool]

My little love

Chapter 23

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x enhanced reader

Word count: 6.5k

Warnings: this is fluffy!! There is some angst with Henry remembering his time at hydra, Henry being a brave sweetie pie and facing his fears, Charlotte is a whole warning on her own,

A/N: here we are again with our favorite family! This chapter is kind of all over the place but in a good way. There is a guys and girls weekend. It ends with it being Steebie’s birthday and guess who is the most excited to celebrate her favorite person? That’s right our sweet Angel.

Series Masterlist

“Are you going to do anything fun this weekend?”

“Mhm. Habe a seepover wit Olibia. An mama say we habe tea pawty.” Lottie informs her father.

He was sitting on the floor of the living room with his back against the couch. His head tilted back so that it was resting on Lottie’s lap and she could play with his hair. It was their new night time routine. Bucky looks up to find Lottie smiling down at him while her little fingers tangled themselves along his dark silky strands.

“Dada habe fun?”

“Lots of fun, doll. I’m gonna go fishing and then some more fishing and then some more fishing and then-”

“Dada.” Lottie giggled.

“What?” Bucky replied with a chuckle of his own.

“Dada funny.”

“He’s hilarious.” You call from the hallway as you put your phone away after having taken a picture of the two of them. “But it’s time for bed missy.”

“But mama am making dada pwetty.”

“I see that. You’re doing a great job, he looks very pretty. But if you go to sleep now you’ll be able to see Olivia tomorrow.”

Lottie gasped at this new bit of information before scrambling off the couch, almost kicking Bucky in the face while she did so. She’s already in her pajamas so all she has to do is pick out which book she wants for a bedtime story.

“I was getting the best head massage and you just had to ruin it.”

“Oh I’m sorry baby. I’ll make it up to you.”

“And how will you do that?” Bucky’s expression darkened and he gave you his most devilish, knee weakening grin.

You don’t answer, instead you take a step back and then another as you watch Bucky stand and start stalking toward you. With a giggle you start moving down the hallway but Bucky is right behind you. His intentions were clear but the sweet melodic voice of your sweet Angel stopped anything from happening. For the moment at least.

“Dada, this one.” She held up a book for him to read. Bucky stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her, his demeanor completely changed.

“I’ll be waiting.” You call out after checking in on an already sleeping Henry.

Bucky groaned as he watched you saunter away. The sway of your hips and the flirty wink you send over your shoulder drives him wild. He walked into Lottie’s room where she was already sitting in bed patiently waiting to be tucked in with the book in her hands. Bucky’s eyes soften as he takes in his little girl smiling happily at him. Surrounded by comfort and love and happiness. He couldn’t help but feel selfish as he thought about wanting more of this life with you. He wanted his exhaustion to come from chasing little versions of you and him around and not from hunting down and getting rid of hydra.

“Dada?” Lottie calls him as she holds the book out for him to take.

“Alright, let’s see what you picked for tonight.” Bucky tucks Lottie in and sits at the edge of the bed and opens the book to the first page.

“You remember what I said right?”

“Yeah mama.” Lottie answered from her place on the counter. Her feet kicking in the air as she watches you fill a thermos with coffee. “Dada an bubba go fish wit gwandpa.”

“That right and they’re going to be gone all weekend so we get to have a girls weekend. Olivia and all of your aunties will be here soon.”

“Habe fun wit Olibia.”

“Yeah and uncle Clint’s daughter is going to be here too. Her name is Lila.”

“Habe seepover too?”

“We can ask her when she gets here.” You say as you clean up. The front door opens and you see a little head topped with light brown curls speeding in.

“Lottie!”

“Olibia!”

Both girls squeal in delight as they reunite. You quickly grab Lottie from her place on the counter before she jumps and set her down. They don’t waste another second as they embrace. Immediately they begin to talk about what they should do first before Charlotte takes Olivia’s hand and they run together into Charlotte’s room. As soon as they disappeared Molly, Sofia and your brothers walk in followed by Bucky and Henry.

“I think we’ve lost them already.” Molly says as she hugs you. “How have you been?”

“Good and you?”

“I’m ready for this weekend to get started.”

“There she is.” Luke said as he walked in and engulfed you in a hug of his own. Soon enough you were greeting and hugging the rest of the family.

“Where’s dad?”

“Tony stopped him, something about taking a jet?”

“Of course he’d rather take the jet.” You chuckle. “Coffee anyone?”

You get a chorus of yeses so you serve everyone a cup as you catch up.

****

Apparently it only took twenty minutes to convince Eddie to take the jet instead of separate cars. So now everyone was just outside the hanger as the guys packed their things in. They’d never admit it but you could see how giddy Eddie, Luke and Joshua were.

“Don’t worry kitten, I’ll keep an eye on them.” Your dad said as he stepped up to say goodbye.

“Good luck with that. They’re trouble when they get together.”

“You forget I was in the military. Wrangling in troublemakers was my job.”

You smile as you hug him. “We’ll talk when you come back?”

“Of course. But you have fun too.”

“Sure will.”

Eddie moves to say goodbye to everyone else. It’s like the rest of the team has adopted him as their dad. It’s sweet and you know that your dad loves it and the team appreciates him. You watch Steve scoop up both Lottie and Olivia to say his own goodbye but not before they talk his ear off with everything they’ve planned. It felt like a glimpse into the future and you could totally see Steve being a girl dad. He gives you a quick hug and heads for the jet.

“Alright sugar, are you sure you’ll be ok?” Bucky asks as he hugs you for what felt like the 100th time.

“Yes baby, I’ll be fine. Go have fun and relax. You’ll love the cabin and so will Henry.” You say with a smile before your eyes start roaming. “Where is Henry?”

“He’s with A.J., Cass and Cooper.”

As if on queue Henry runs to you and throws his arms around your waist.

“You ok sweet boy?”

“Why can’t you come with us?” He says as he looks up.

“Because I’m staying here to hang out with the girls and you get to go fishing like grandpa said. I promise we’ll make a trip just the four of us ok? But this will be fun and when you come back you can tell me everything you did.”

“Ok.” He hugs you tighter though, as if he doesn’t want to let go.

“Think of it this way, it’s your first official mission. You have to have fun and report back to me. Now if you don't like it your dad can call me and we can talk on the phone for a while and if you really really really don't like it, I can pick you up and bring you home. But you have to try to enjoy yourself first. Promise?”

He smiles at that. “I will, promise.” Henry let’s go and you see him run toward Lottie and Olivia. He hugs Olivia first and then Lottie. This is what had worried both you and Bucky; they seem to be taking the thought of separation well though. You can’t make out what they’re saying to each other other than Lottie assuring him he’ll have a good time as she touches her head. Meaning she had a vision about it. He reminds Lottie to take care of Alpine while he’s out.

“Alright we should get going if we want to avoid any traffic.” Bucky jokes.

“Dork.”

“Ah yes, but I’m your dork.” He says before kissing you. “Have fun, sugar. But not too much fun without me.”

“Same goes for you.”

All the guys board the jet, leaving the women back at the compound. Once the jet has disappeared everyone starts to head back inside.

“Do you guys want to learn how to shoot a gun?” Nat asks Sofia and Molly.

“Shooting lessons from the widow herself? Sign me up.” Sofia says.

Molly looks over at Olivia as she thinks it over.

“Go. I’ll watch them. They already have a plan to watch Disney movies and dress up as their favorite princesses.”

“Really? You don’t mind?”

“Absolutely not. I’d like some time to get to know my niece better. Besides, Laura will be with me.” You motion to Laura, Clint’s wife. “I think the girls invited her daughter Lila.”

“Ok, thank you so much but I will watch the girls later so that you can do whatever you want to.”

“Have fun.”

You watch as Nat leads them to the gun range. Wanda and Sarah mention something about the pool and May tags along. It made you happy that Tony took Peter with him. He obviously admired the team although he hadn’t joined officially. He was young, he had time.

“Ready to get this show on the road?” Laura asked as she walked up beside you.

“I sure as hell am. Come on girls.”

The girls had taken over the living room. Although Lila was almost four years older than Olivia and Lottie she still played along and sang her heart out to the movie that was playing. While they were busy with that, you and Laura were sitting at the dining room table. Each of you with a cup of coffee as you chatted away.

“Do you miss it?”

“Working for shield?” She asks and you nod.

“Honestly. I do sometimes but then I hear the kids playing and laughing and I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Why, are you thinking of retiring?”

“Maybe. I mean just the going on missions part. I do work in the medbay and I could probably train some of the recruits on medicine in the field. I just feel like my focus has shifted, you know?”

“Well I’ll tell you one thing. I might miss it from time to time but I don’t regret it. If I had to go back and do it over again, I would.”

“Thanks,” you smile. “I don’t think it will be any time soon but it’s good to know.”

The two of you talked a bit more over coffee. It was good to be able to express your concerns with someone that had been in a similar situation.

“It’s really quiet.” Laura said suddenly.

“Oh no, let me check that they haven’t disappeared into the compound. Lottie has a knack for running around.”

“Or worse they’re making a mess somewhere.”

You sigh when you walk into the living room. “Or worse they’re torturing the cat.” You call over your shoulder.

Laura walks up behind you. In the living room the three girls were trying to put bows on a very grumpy looking Alpine.

“Charlotte, Al doesn’t like bows in her fur.”

“But make pwetty mama.”

“But she’s sad, sweet Angel. Why don’t you give each other makeovers instead?”

“Kay.” She says before running into her room to get her makeup kit.

Both you and Laura fell victim into what ended up being a whole salon. Lila was on nail duty, Olivia had hair and Lottie of course had makeup.

Fortunately the rest of the weekend would be a lot more relaxed. Tony had set up times for massages and facials and anything else you could have wanted. You made sure to take plenty of pictures of the girls together. Especially taking pictures of Charlotte in her little pink bathrobe sitting back and relaxing with a face mask on. Her eyes were closed but her little foot tapped along to the music that was being played. You promptly sent them to Bucky.

Everyone enjoyed the small break in their routine. There was a karaoke and game night. You had a movie night in the pool room, where everyone lounged in a floatie and watched a mix of shows and movies. It was a nice easy weekend and you enjoyed every minute with your sweet Angel.

“This place is great.” Steve said as he walked out of the jet. The cabin is a lot bigger than expected, which makes sense or else Eddie wouldn’t have invited everyone.

“It’s been in the family for generations. We’ve even added rooms to it to fit everyone over the years.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, we used to come up here for vacations every summer. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.” Luke says. He walks past Steve and right to the front door.

Eddie and Joshua head inside with Eddie ushering everyone in.

“Alright, I think we should start with everyone picking rooms. Mine is up stairs at the end of the hall. Josh and Luke will share a room and I think the boys can share the kids room since it has bunk beds. Everyone else go figure it out.” Eddie says as he stands at the bottom of the stairs.

All the guys do as they’re told. Bucky, Clint and Sam usher the boys into the room Luke pointed out and helped them settle which bed they’d be using. Henry, though felt a little unsure about the arrangement and held on to Bucky’s hand.

“What’s wrong bub?” Bucky took a knee to be at eye level with his son.

“I don’t like it.”

“Why don’t you like it? Is it because it’s a new place or because of the beds?”

“The beds.” Henry looks back in the room and shivers as memories come back. “The bad men used to have beds like that and they kept us in there all the time.”

Bucky remembered the pictures he saw of Henry and other prisoners of hydra of all ages being kept in rooms with bunk beds. Too many people in such a small space.

“Ok, so how about we find a room with a big bed and you can sleep with me instead?”

“Will they get mad if I don’t sleep here?”

“No, you can still play here and we’ll spend most of our time at the lake anyways. They’ll be too tired to notice.”

“Ok.” Henry nods.

“Hey, why don’t you take Y/N’s room?” Luke said from the door of his own room. “It’s that one.” He points over his shoulder to a door with a sign that says do not enter on it.

“Thanks.”

Bucky and Henry walk down the hall and open the door. It was like walking back into the past, your past specifically. It was obvious you hadn’t been here in a while. The room’s decor was meant for a teenage version of yourself. It was pink and frilly and there were too many posters of bands and actors on the walls. Was it normal for Bucky to feel jealous of a poster? Probably not but it wasn’t going to stop him. He took out his phone and told Henry to step inside so that he could take a picture and send it to you.

Bucky: Guess where we’ll be sleeping…

Sugar: oh my sweet boy!!!! I miss him so much already… also don’t let Steve see my room!

Bucky: Too late…

Bucky proceeds to send a video of Steve laughing as he looks around the room and pokes fun at your things. He holds up an old stuffed animal that has seen better days. Then he starts to goof off with some old accessories that were still on the dresser.

Sugar: I kicked his ass once, I can do it again.

Bucky: he stopped laughing. I might have to start threatening him with that myself. I’ll keep you updated. Love you. Give Lottie kisses for me, miss my doll!

Sugar: love you too, give Henry kisses for me!

Bucky puts his phone away and unpacks his and Henry’s things for the long weekend. He can’t help but smile the longer he spends in your room. He begins to think about spending some time away from the compound and missions and problems. Just you, him and the kids and Alpine of course. A family vacation. It spirals from there, Bucky starts dreaming about school plays and Christmas and all the memories he wants to make. All good memories to replace the bad ones.

“Daddy?” Henry calls from the door.

“Yeah bubs?”

“Can we go outside now?”

“Yeah. Let’s go see what everyone is up to.” Bucky walks out of your room and follows Henry downstairs.

Everyone is sitting around on the large sectional sofa. Henry joins the boys after A.J. calls him over to play with the Lego sets they found.

“So what’s first?” Tony being the one that always needs to be doing something asks.

“You’re good with machines right?”

“I’d hope so or else those suits I use are made by someone else.”

“I need your help.” Eddie gets up from his recliner. “We have these golf carts and 4-wheelers we normally use to get around the property but they’ve been giving me some trouble. Think you can take a look at ‘em?” He says as he leads Tony to a stand alone garage.

“I’ll have them up and running in no time.”

“Good. Knock yourself out, kid.” Eddie walks out and heads back towards the house. “One troublemaker down.” He mutters to himself.

****

“What do you mean you’ve never watched Star Wars?” Eddie looked at Henry in disbelief.

“I think mama has it on a list but we haven’t watched it yet.”

“That is unacceptable and I’ll be talking to your mom about it.” Eddie gets up from his recliner and moves towards the tv. “No grandson of mine is going to walk around without having watched the Star Wars movies.” He sets out to play the first movie.

Henry giggles as he takes a seat on the couch. The conversation had gotten the attention of the others, who were just outside on the porch.

“Oh boy, now we’re talking.” Luke says as he takes a seat. Slowly but surely everyone finds somewhere to sit.

“If you’re going to be part of this family,” Eddie turns around and looks at each and everyone of them. “Star Wars are a must watch on every trip to the cabin, no exceptions.”

So everyone settles into the couch and into this new tradition. A silent agreement forms amongst the team. Eddie is the group dad and must be protected at all costs.

Everyone is up early the next day. Anything and everything that might be needed while out on the lake is packed and the men are off for their first day out. The team is surprised to see Eddie has a boat, they thought they’d be fishing from a dock. Eddie laughed at that before setting off. It was the middle of summer though and the lake was busier than usual. It didn’t stop the team from having a good time though.

The fishing was ignored since there were too many people swimming and partying and scaring off the fish. With swim trunks ready almost everyone jumped into the water. Henry overlooked the water as everyone jumped in, even Cass, A.J. and Cooper. Bucky swam up to where Henry was standing and looked up at him.

“Hey bubs, everything ok?”

“I don’t want to jump in.” He says softly. The truth was that he was afraid of lakes.

That’s where hydra ‘taught’ him how to swim. They would grab him from his cell in the middle of a cold night, put him on a boat and throw him overboard and expect him to swim back to shore. He was four.

“It’s ok if you don’t want to jump in. We can hang out right there. I’ll be up in a second.”

“I’ll stay with him.” Eddie said from his seat. “C’mere Henry.” He patted the seat beside him and Henry sat down. “Are you scared of swimming or the lake?”

“The lake. The bad men, they used to throw me in it at night and I had to swim back or I’d get punished.”

Eddie inhales a sharp breath. He knew about Henry’s past, you had spoken to him about it on one of your late night calls. By now Bucky was sitting on the back of the boat, legs hanging over the side and toward the water.

“That is scary. I don’t think I could have ever done that.”

“Really?” Henry looks at him with wide eyes. “But mama says you’re really brave.”

“I try to be but even brave people have things that scare them. But you know how you become brave?”

Henry shook his head.

“I bet your dad knows.” Eddie and Henry look at Bucky.

“When you have the opportunity to face your fear you have to try. And just by trying you become braver and then one day you’re not scared of it anymore.”

Henry bit his bottom lip as he thought about what his dad had said.

“Do I have to do it alone?”

“Nope. That’s why having a family is so great, they can be there to hold your hand.” Eddie answers.

Henry looked out toward the water and back at his grandpa. “Will you jump with me?”

“Sure thing kid.”

“I want daddy to jump with me too.”

“What do you say Bucky?” Eddie looked over to bucky.

“I say let’s do it.”

Bucky wiped away the water that was getting into his eyes before looking over at Eddie and Henry.

“Alright, let’s do this bubs.” Bucky smiles and nods. “How about we have uncle Steve close by just in case you need help?”

“Ok.” Henry stands by the side of the boat. He looks over the edge and into the water, he frowns but takes a deep breath. Henry doesn’t have an issue with swimming, he just prefers to be able to see the bottom. That’s why he likes pools. “Just gotta be brave.” He whispers to himself.

Bucky had called Steve over and then everyone was looking over and cheering Henry on. Eddie stands on Henry’s right side and Bucky on his left. They both take Henry’s hands. The boat bobs up and down as the three of them shift around causing a ripple effect in the water.

“Are you ready bubs?”

Henry looks at the water again and then up at Bucky. With another deep breath he nods.

“Ok bubs, ready 1… 2…3… jump.” Bucky says and all three of them jump into the water.

Underwater, Henry panics for a moment and kicks wildly before he’s pulled above. Bucky is holding him close and wiping away water from his face. There’s cheering around him. As Henry blinks and looks around he sees Steve, Sam and the others.

“How did that feel?” Eddie asks as he bobs around the water.

“Scary. But I was brave. Are you proud daddy?”

“Oh I’m so proud of you. You’re the bravest kid I know bubs. You should be proud of yourself too.”

Henry smiles and wraps his arms around Bucky’s neck. Bucky kisses Henry’s temple and mouths a ‘thank you’ to Eddie.

“Come on Henry, let’s race.” Steve says.

“Can I go?”

“Of course you can. Go kick his butt too.”

Henry giggles as he swims off in Steve’s direction. The rest of the day is spent either hanging out on the boat or swimming. Henry jumps into the water a few more times, each time is a little less scary but he still holds on to someone’s hand. First it’s Steve, then Sam, followed by Tony, who didn’t want to be in the water but one look from Eddie and he agreed. He wouldn’t say it but he was glad to be able to relax like this. Henry even jumped with Luke and Joshua and then with Cass, A.J. and Cooper. But his final jump was him alone.

By the time they got back to the cabin they were all exhausted. After showers and a quick dinner everyone was asleep in their beds. Henry even opted to sleep in one of the bunkbeds.

During the whole weekend he tested some limits. He still struggled with certain things but it was understandable. Before if he cried no one would comfort him but now he has a whole lot of people that would line up just for the chance to do so. Henry slept easier that night, there were no nightmares or waking up in cold sweats and tears, just exhaustion and pure joy.

The next few days they did manage to go fishing. Sam was in his element as he helped some of the others. There were late nights around the bond fire and even a lightsaber fight. That prompted Tony to start working on actual lightsabers even when everyone shut him down.

The guys were set to return today. It was going to be a great day because it just so happened to be the 4th of July. Upon learning that the 4th was also Steve’s birthday, Lottie lost her mind. She was so excited to celebrate her favorite person’s birthday and wear the outfit that you had bought for her. It was a dress in the same shade of blue as Steve’s original suit from the 40’s. The skirt was layered tulle with red trim. On her chest was the iconic white star and she even had a utility belt. It was full of candy. The look was complete with a plastic shield, fingerless gloves, two high pigtails adorned with red bows, white star shaped sunglasses and her little combat boots.

So while waiting for the jet to land you held Lottie’s hand. She was bouncing in place causing the ruffled skirt of her dress to bounce. Next to her was Olivia, who was dressed in something similar at Lottie’s request. When the jet finally touched ground and the ramp was lowered Lottie was practically vibrating. You expected some sweet reunion between your sweet Angel and her favorite person. What you didn’t expect was that she would attack him, playfully of course. More importantly it was caught on video

The minute she saw Steve she started running and threw the shield like a frisbee, hitting Steve square in the chest. He was absolutely taken aback since he wasn’t paying attention. He first saw the small shield on the floor by his feet and then he heard Charlotte’s laughter as she ran towards him. Steve’s face almost split in half with the huge grin he sported. He dropped to his knees and opened his arms. Still when Charlotte jumped she knocked him back on to his ass. Her laughter was infectious and soon Steve was laughing too.

“Happy buwtday Steebie.” Charlotte said as she hugged him tightly.

“Thank you sweetheart. You look beautiful in your pretty dress.”

“Tank you.” She said before she looked up and saw Bucky walking down the ramp. “DADA!” Leaving Steve completely forgotten Charlotte ran toward her father who also welcomed her with open arms. “Miss you dada.”

“I missed you too, doll. But what are you wearing?”

“Am Captain dada, wike Steebie.”

“Oh this is your uniform. Well you’re the prettiest Captain America I’ve ever seen.”

Charlotte blushes and hides her face in the crook of her neck as she says a little ‘tank you’.

“Mama.” Henry says as he runs past his dad and practically tackles you to the floor. “I missed you so much.”

“My sweet boy I missed you too.” You kissed the top of his head repeatedly while smoothing out his hair. “But did you have fun?”

“So much fun. I have to tell you everything.”

“I can’t wait to hear everything.” You smile before looking up at Bucky.

He looked completely relaxed. It was different from when he relaxed at home. Sometimes he still had a bit of tension in his shoulders but now he looked like a completely different man. You loved it.

“Hi Sugar.” He whispered against your lips before kissing you. “I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you more baby.”

“What about me? Did no one miss me?” Steve says as he walks up to you.

“Charlotte did. Me? Not so much.”

“You’re so mean. Why did we ever become friends?”

“Because you needed someone to teach you about technology.” You say as you hug him. “Happy Birthday Steve. Now come on we made your favorite for lunch. Just the family.” You loop an arm around his and take Henry’s hand as you lead them to the shared dining room.

****

Catching up over lunch had been great. Now you sat in one of the shared living rooms with everyone. Henry sat at your side as he told you about what he did.

“We watched the Star Wars movies. My favorite is Obi-Wan Kanobi. Oh and we got to play with lightsabers and uncle Tony said he was going to make us real ones.” Henry explained to you excitedly as he played with Alpine. You’d never seen him more animated and it made you smile.

“He did?” You asked. It looked over to Tony who wouldn’t meet your eye. “Well I hope he makes me one too.”

“Grandpa and Uncle Sam taught me how to fish. I caught a fish this big mama.” He held his hands a few inches apart. “Uncle Sam said we can go down to his house and do more fishing too. Can we go? Did you know he has his own boat too?”

“I didn’t know he had a boat. But we can plan a trip to go down.”

“Hey Henry,” Cass came up to him. “We were gonna go play outside. Want to come with us?”

Henry looked at you unsure of what to do. You grabbed Alpine from him. “Go have fun. Remember to not go farther than the playground.”

They left after saying a quick ok. You smiled and turned your attention to the couch next to yours where both Bucky and Steve were sitting and listening to Lottie.

“Make A-pine pwetty wit bows. An habe moobie night and go swim too. An uncle Tony gabe toys. Oh mama habe pictuwes. Dada an Steebie habe fun?” She was talking their ears off and they made sure to pay attention.

“Lots of fun but it sounds like you had more fun than us.”

“No habe mowe fun. Missed you.” She leans first into Steve for a hug and then into Bucky. “But is Steebie’s buwtday, can habe fun now.”

“You know what, doll? You are absolutely right. We can have even more fun now since it’s Steve’s birthday. Why don’t we go see if the party is getting started?”

Lottie cheered as she stood up on the couch and hugged Steve again.

“What party?” Steve asked while looking from Bucky to you and then at Tony when the realization hit him. “I thought we agreed on no party for my birthday.”

“I’m not celebrating you, I’m celebrating America. Also it’s Henry and Charlotte’s first time celebrating the 4th of July.” Tony defended, knowing Steve wouldn’t take any experiences away from the kids.

“Yeah Steve, the fourth isn’t just about you.” You added with a smirk. “Let my babies experience this holiday. Besides, Bucky and I have a special gift for you.”

Everyone else started heading outside while Bucky moved to stand with you.

“So Y/N and I have talked about this although it was really a no brainer.” Bucky started.

“And we would like for you to officially be Henry and Charlotte’s godfather.”

“Really?” He looked at you like an excited puppy.

“Of course, we know that you love those kids as if they were your own and they love you too. There’s no one we would trust more with our kids than you.” You say with a smile.

“Other than the whole team.”

“Bucky.” You elbow him but chuckle.

“I would love to.”

Steve stands and scoops Lottie up in his arms. He gives Bucky a hug and then he hugs you.

“It’s the best present ever.”

“Habe pwesent too.”

“You have a present for me, sweetheart?” Steve looks at Charlotte who nods before wiggling out of his hold in order to go get said gift.

“She worked very hard on it over the weekend.”

Steve smiled as the three of you started walking in the same direction Lottie left. You loop your arm around his and smile up at him.

****

Like always Tony went all out for the celebration. The night was buzzing with excitement as music played. People busied themselves with all kinds of entertainment until it was time for the Stark fireworks spectacle. But the most interesting conversation was about to happen at the edge of it all. On one of the benches was Eddie, just watching as his kids and grandkids ran around and spent time together. Bucky approached him and took the empty seat beside him.

“How are you doing Ed?”

“Good. A bit tired is all.”

Bucky nodded in understanding. For a few minutes they sat in silence, both of them appreciating the lack of conversation. But Bucky was a man on a mission and he needed to talk with Eddie.

“I need to talk to you about something, Ed.”

Your dad turned his head slightly to look at Bucky. Half of his face was lit up by the lanterns that decorated the area. Instead of finding a century old soldier, Eddie saw a nervous young man with hope in his eyes.

“Go on then. I’ve told you before I’m here for whatever you need.”

“I want to ask Y/N to marry me but I'd like your blessing.”

“Buck this isn’t the 1930’s, you don’t need my permission. We both know that she’s a grown woman and she’ll do what she wants.” Ed says as he looks back to find you in the crowd.

“I’m not asking for your permission. I’m asking for your blessing. You are the most important man in her life and I don’t want to ask her without talking to you first. I know this is important to her.”

“I’m not the most important, at least not anymore and neither are you.” Eddie looked back at Bucky. “He is.” He said as he nodded toward the crowd.

Bucky turned his head and watched as you ran around happily with Henry. Even in the distance he swore he could hear your laughter as you brought Henry in for a hug after pulling a prank on Steve. His chest swelled with both love and pride that he got to call you his.

“That right there.” Eddie pointed at Bucky’s face. He had a goofy grin as he was watching you and a lightness about him that wasn’t seen when he was away from you or his kids. “That’s why I’ll give you my blessing. You look like an idiot when you look at her and I’ve never doubted your love for my girl. Truth is you’ve made her happier than I’ve ever seen her. You’ve given me a version of my daughter that I’ve never seen before and I’d be an idiot to be against that. You’ve also given me two amazing grandkids. There’s no way in hell I’d miss out on watching them grow up.”

Bucky offered Eddie his hand and the latter shook it.

“You’re a good man Bucky and you deserve good things too. But as father of the future bride you have to know that I’m also an expert marksman. So try some shit with my girl and you’ll never see it coming.”

“If I ever did anything to hurt her or break her heart, I’ll make sure to stand perfectly still.”

Both men nod in agreement just as you walked up to them and took the empty seat between them. You leaned into Bucky but faced your dad.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk.” You told him.

“There’s not much to talk about, Kitten.”

“Dad.”

“I’m ok, the lawyer is handling everything and I haven’t spoken to her since the day at the party.” He waves your concerns away. “When I got home the next day her things were gone. She probably went to stay with her sister.”

“Is there anything you need? Anything I can help with?”

“Not at the moment but I promise I’ll let you know.”

You leaned over and rested your head on his shoulder. Eddie leans down and places a kiss on your forehead.

“You don’t have to worry about me kid. I’ll be just fine.”

“Well I’m still going to worry. You promise you’ll call?” You look up at him through your lashes.

“I promise.”

You sit up and nod even though part of you knows he probably won’t call.

“Daddy it’s time for the fireworks.” Henry calls out.

“I’ll go get the headphones for them.”

“Meet you by the stage.” You tell Bucky as you walk arm in arm with Eddie. On the way you take Henry’s hand and find Charlotte sitting on Steve’s shoulders.

Bucky is next to you in a flash with some noise canceling headphones for both the kids. As the show starts Henry flinches the first few times a firework goes off but eventually is mesmerized by the display of colors.

Eventually the fireworks ended. A birthday cake was brought out for America and not Steve. Although Tony did tell him to blow out the candles.

It was a perfect ending to a great weekend. In his arms, Bucky held a sleeping Charlotte and you held a sleepy Henry. They tended to get clingy when they were tired but neither of you minded. Instead you appreciated every moment because you knew that one day they wouldn’t need you to tuck them in anymore.

After getting the kids in bed you and Bucky made your way to your room. After a quick shower and changing into clean pajamas both you and Bucky collapse on the bed. He holds you close and kisses the top of your head.

“I missed you. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep away from you for more than a day.” You mutter unto his chest.

“Me either. I was thinking that we should maybe plan a weekend away with just the kids.”

“Yeah, that would be great. We could go up to the cabin or plan something else, something fun. I know dad wouldn’t care if we used the cabin but I’ll look into other ideas.” You ramble on as you relax into him even more.

Bucky smiles as he begins to make plans of his own. The first thing he’ll do is go shop for a ring. Then he’ll have to decide where he’ll propose but most importantly he knows he wants to involve the kids. He knows you’ll love that. You’d probably lose your mind if you saw him and Henry in a suit and tie and of course Charlotte in a dress.

Bucky can feel it deep in his bones. This will be the true start of the rest of his life and he smiles as he finally falls asleep.

Ch 24

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