Steve’s mom comes home unexpectedly, by herself, unannounced, one glorious day after the world is saved and Steve’s family are all around. They’re out, shouting and splashing in the pool when they see her and everyone gets quiet.
Julia Harrington sees the kitchen- plates stacked in the sink, bags of chips and the bowls of fruit Steve insists they each take at least something from everyday to ward off scurvy. The floor might be slightly sticky.
She sees her perfect dining room, the polished mahogany table strewn with dice and figures and maps.
She sees the living room, clearly slept in by more than one person. Her carefully installed conversation pit has been completely covered (too risky for Max to maneuver around in her wheelchair). Several other pieces of furniture have been moved or stored for the same reason, she’ll find.
She sees the group of people her son has allowed into her home. The Wheeler girl of course, and that other odd girl who neither she nor Richard had understood Steve’s infatuation with. Those unruly children he insisted on looking after. They’d assumed it was an attempt to win back the Wheeler girl by a misguided show of paternal talent- as though Steve would ever be driving his own children anywhere but home from the hospital.
And the boys, oh the boys. There was the oldest Byers boy, the first person Steve lost to. One she doesn’t know who looks like some misplaced hippie. And the one from the newspaper who may not be guilty of murder but is still certainly guilty of not belonging in her house.
She sees all of that while the rest of them seem to hold their collective breath. Steve was mid-chicken fight with Eddie on his shoulders, Will on Jonathon’s, when his mother approached the pool and everything froze, Eddie slipping quietly off and down into the shallow end as Steve turned. “Mom— ”
“Steven— ” A hint of the flavor of everything she’s about to say in the tone of her voice when she says her son’s name. Steve swims to the edge of the pool, it’s easy to forget how fast he can be in the water when he tries, hoists himself out and walks towards his mother hands out, placating. “Please can we just talk for one second?”
But Julia drops her bag, stares at Steve. Suddenly the ice is gone, the fury is gone, she gazes at Steve’s scars. Sees, for a moment at least, past what has been wrought upon her house to what has been wrought upon her son. “Oh what- what happened?”
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Bucky obsessing over barista Peter Parker across the street from where his apartment is and gets angry when he finds out that Peter is dating someone(not beck though) and hurts Peter in the process, but immediately regretting it and forcing Peter to forgive him or something. I like sad angst dark fic where someone just isn’t right in the head. Bucky’s just lonely :(
Today was the day. Bucky was finally going to ask Peter out. They met for the first time a few months back at the coffee shop. Steve had agreed with his therapist that he should try to step out of his routine - try something new. So thats how Bucky ended up at the coffee shop across the way.
First he just got himself a plain coffee, then he asked if they did one of those cups for animal, but would it be okay to give to his cat. Peter was happy to explain how they are safe for cats just as long as ita not an everyday treat. But one once a week wouldn't hurt. They bonded over the cat video Bucky showed Peter the following day.
Now Bucky doesn't show up there everyday. But he is there often enough, a couple of late nights and a few early mornings. Always chit-chatting with Peter. They got along, the joked some, the bonded the few times they got personal.
Peter telling Bucky about his parents and how his Uncle passed away. His uncle was a Vietnam veteran so he understood. Bucky told Peter him how he lost his arm while serving. His Ptsd. And it Peter was good looking, Bucky just loved his smile and his laugh.
But the day arrived, Bucky knew that Peter would hang out in the side alley, either reading a book for one of his college courses, wrapping up a phone call or just playing a game on his phone. There was a make shift " break area " for the employee in the cafe set up there. He peeked around the corner, saw the mop of brown curls. Smiling a little but before he fully steps into the alley he freezes. There was a tall redhair man pressing close to Peter, the man leaning down to pull Peter up into a kiss.
Bucky leaves. He didn't want to do anything that he would regret. He knows that nothing he had found out led him to believe that Peter was seeing anyone. He goes home and gets on his laptop. It didn't take him long to find out who the man was. Harry Osborn. Been friends with Peter for a long time. He has been in a variety of photos over the years. But nothing that leads him into believing that Peter and this Harry were an item. He does find it ironic that most of the photos Harry is tagged in are with women. None with men. So either this was new... or this relationship is a secret.
But Bucky couldn't keep himself away. He showed up right before closing. He knew Peter would manage the front while the only other employee would stay in the back. After he orders, he sits down m, trying to remain calm. Why hadn't Peter said anything? What does this Osborn kid have that he didn't? Other than money, that is. Peter was too kind to be a gold digger, right?
"Here you go Bucky! Place coffee, and on the house a muffin, rather you have it since I know its the kind you like then throw it out."
Bucky looks up at Peter, he can see that Peter faltered back a little, a smalk frown forming.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend?"
Peter blinks " What?"
" The red head, saw yall in the alley earlier. I thought we were friends Pete." Bucky reach up and grabs Peter's wrist, yanking him close, squeezing.
"Friends don't keep secrets like that. "
Peter's eyes widen, he pulls at his arm.
"I... I'm sorry Bucky. Harry isn't out yet to everyone, it must of just slipped my mind to mention I was seeing someone" he tugs his arm again. " Your hurting me Bucky..."
Bucky's eyes widen, and he lets go. He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. " I'm sorry Pete. Sometimes I get triggered and can't control it...."
He can see that Peter's expression softens a little, he knew about his Ptsd, understood. God was he so lucky to have met Peter.
" It's okay Bucky. "
His Peter was so forgiving.
Some weeks went by, and it was like the event never happened. Bucky stilk showed up, they woukd talk. He even brought Alpine one time. And when he had to go out of town for a week, a retreat Steve was forcing him to go to. Peter, his precious Peter, offered to watch Alpine for him. Either he could go to Bucky's, or Bucky could bring Alpine to Peter's.
Bucky readily gave Peter a copy of his apartment key. Walking Peter over on a lunch break. He had spent the previous day cleaning and locking away anything that might be questionable. Peter had free reign of the apartment other than Bucky's office.
Which he had locked. It was the only rule he had. Peter just didn't know that his whole apartment was hooked up with cameras. Bucky was able to watch Peter whenever he entered the apartment.
He paid Peter of course, and once he was back invited Peter to a military event, as a thank you. Peter just didn't know that Osborn's company puts on the event. And he knew for a fact that Harry had called and canceled on Peter the previous day. Saying he wasn't feeling well. But he knew that the bastard was going to the event, and he had a model he was bringing.
He picked Peter up, made sure to be the perfect gentleman. Opened doors for him, complimented on how great he looked. He was even able to finally introduce Peter to Steve who was aslo at the event.
" Nice to meet you Steve, its nice to put a face to the name I kept hearing about... though your a lot bigger then how he tells it"
Steve shakes Peter's hand and laughs " I was a late bloomer, but once Bucky started working out and joined the military I soon followed. It's nice to finally meet you too. Bucky says you even have Alpine wrapped arouns your finger"
" Its the pet cups from work. She knows I was the first one to give her one a few months ago. That's how we met. "
Steve smiles and nods, he then looks at Bucky hard for a moment. " Let's go get a drink, Peter do you mind manning the table?"
" No problem! Could you grab a drink for me to while your up Bucky?"
" Sure Doll. We will be right back"
Steve and Bucky moved across the room, but instead of heading to the bar, Steve pulls Bucky to a small conference room.
" Bucky. Be honest with me. Are you doing okay? I know Dr. Zemo has praise how you are doing... but you would tell me, right?"
Bucky frown at Steve.
" I'm doing fine. Great even. Nothing for you to worry about."
" Are you sure? Cause Peter said you have met just a few months ago..."
" Yeah so?"
" Bucky... you have been talking about Peter for over a year now. Honest I almost thought he.. was a delusion until you told me he watched Alpine for you."
Bucky's face relaxed and he gave Steve a blank stare. " Things are fine. Just leave it Stevie"
Steve would always back off and ease up on him when he used his childhood name. He could see Steve was debating with himself.
" I just want to make sure you are doing okay. That Peter is safe... I don't want a repeat of Sam"
"Don't say that name! Peter is nothing like him. Peter is perfect safe. Peter understands my ptsd he doesn't hold it against me if I have... have an episode. ... we promised we would never talk about that. Stevie.. I'm doing my best. I'm doing everything you told me. I got an apartment of my own, a job, I stepped out ofbmy routine, I don't miss a session with the Doc. You... you can't hold my past against me Stevie... I haven't felt this.... this normal since I lost my arm... Peter is just a friend. Sure I want more but I'm not pushing that on him unless he wants that. I need more then just you and the doc to talk too.."
Steve sighs, rubs his hand over his face before he stares again at Bucky.
" Oh Bucky. I don't mean to worry. But... I worry. I'm with you until the end of the line you know that. Just want you to be safe is all. " he pats Bucky on the shoulder.
"Peter seems like a good guy... just. If you start questioning things. Tell me first and maybe we can resolve it before... before anything else could happen"
Steve sighs again and stares at Bucky. He still remembers the distraught phone call. He raced to Sam's apartment, the blood stains, Bucky rocking on the floor, knife in his hand. The clean-up they had to do. Bucky wasn't meant for prison. He had an episode that was triggered by Sam saying he was moving. Got a job in DC. They could try long distance, but it might be best to break up. Steve helped clean up the scene, Bucky and him disposing the body.
There were warning signs that Bucky was close to a breakdown, but Steve thought Bucky was getting help. He hadn't realized that before Sam, that Bucky hadn't been to therapy for over a year.
" I promise... if I feel like I'm spiraling. I will come to you. " Steve didn't have to know that Bucky was already into deep with Peter. But Peter was different. He was special, and he understood.
They left the room and made there way tonthe bar, Bucky getting a sprite for Peter. Both men noticed a sad look on Peter's face once they got back to the table.
" What's wrong? Did something happen? Did someone say something to you?"
Steve puts his hand on Bucky's shoulder.
" Calm down Buck. This isn't the place"
Bucky was about to snark back at Steve when Peter shook his head. " No. Nothing like that... its just..." Peter turned and looked across the room. There was Harry, a model on his arm, laughing and drinking. Occasionally kissing the model as he jokes and makes small talk. Bucky's eyes narrow, he was already irritated because of his conversation with Steve and now he has to see his Peter being sad? Sure he had hoped Peter woukd see Harry and realized he lied about what he was doing. He didn't realize the bastard would be playing it up and basically cheating on Peter.
He clenched his jaw, before rolling his shoulder to try to relax.
" Let's just forget about him Doll. Why don't you dance with Stevie. Show'em you can find better too and then we can dance. Prove you got options too."
Peter sent a nervous glance at Steve, who gave him a small smile and a nod before he glanced back to Bucky.
" That should be fine... but... if this is the end... I'm worried Harry will tell his dad to remove me from my internship"
" You don't need the Osborn's Peter. You dance with Stevie, he might have two left feet but he is a gentleman "
" Hey!"
" and I will make sure you have a new internship by the end of the night"
Peter blinks and tils his head. " How?"
Bucky takes a sip of his drink. " Just leave it to me Doll. You're crazy smart. You've toldnme about some projects, with the right connections you will have offers by morning"
Steve walks Peter to the dance floor for the first round of dancing. Bucky smirked as he watched the moment Harry noticed Peter, and the jealous anger that appeared when he noticed the man dancing with him.
Bucky circled to the other side of the room. He stands next to a man who just snuck back into the room. He sips his drink before tapping his shoe against the other.
" I'm calling in my favor now"
" Hell of a place to do that... what is it."
" You are going to hire an intern, paid, he gets to pick his hours."
" I can't just hire anybody. I have a business to run"
" and you have this business because of the job I took"
Mr. Tony Stark turned to look at the man he hired years before. He contracted out someone to kill Obadiah. Obadiah had gotten the conpany in bad dealings, took advantage of a young newly orphaned Tony, who in his party days signed documents that he didn't realize. Tony needed Obe gone, and the ex military man delivered.
" Fine. Have them submitted an application and I will push it through"
Bucky nods and he wonders up to Steve and Peter. He smiles at them
" My turn now punk"
Bucky would do anything for Peter. And he had Peter right where he wanted him. Maybe during the dance he will let Peter know that he works part time for Tony Stark, that he would get him that internship. Or tell him he got him an interview.
The hug he got and the kiss on the cheek at the end of the night made it worth it. Even more so when Peter invited him to his apartment to meet his cat Murph, Peter's cellphone, on silence on the counter. Harry's name flashed across the screen. It gets ignored along with the text messages that were flooding in. Peter was choosing him.
But it's not like Bucky gave him much of a choice.
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