"Bucky? Bucky? Buck?" Steve shouted, jolting Bucky away from his phone.

"What?" Bucky looked up, swiveling his head until his eyes locked onto Steve.

"Kit's got an ultrasound tomorrow," Steve started, pausing.

Bucky nodded, "And? You want me to come along and hold your hand?"

Steve laughed sarcastically, "I think I'll survive. We were wondering if you'd mind watching Liam and Mikey? Kit was supposed to watch both of them, but obviously can't."

"Obviously," Bucky parroted, and then looked down at his phone. He had been talking with Carter. But this was a chance to spend more time with Liam.

Carter wouldn't mind hanging out with Liam and Mikey.

"Yeah, I'll do it. What time?" Bucky leaned back against the couch cushions, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.

"Appointment's at 12, but I'm going to take her to lunch after," Steve paused to calculate the time in his head, "Say from 10 to 2? That work?"

Bucky nodded, "Works for me. I'll even come up at 9:30."

Steve dropped a hand to Bucky's shoulder, "Thanks."

Bucky nodded, "My pleasure."

They left the apartment, headed for Tony and Bruce's lab. The scientists had some new gadget they wanted to show off.

As they made their way to the lab, Bucky shot a text to Carter.

-babysitting tomorrow. Still want to grab coffee? -

Tony and Bruce were well into their third demonstration (read: blowing up things) when Carter responded.

-seeing as I like Liam more than I like you...most definitely still up for coffee-

"Alright men, salute," Bucky held back laughter.

Liam and Mikey giggled, before snapping into matching salutes.

"Bye, Mommy!"

"Bye, Aunt Kit!"

Kit laughed as she grabbed her purse, "Goodbye, men. Be good for your Sergeant!"

Matching grins on their faces, Liam and Mikey nodded, rushing forward to hug Kit's knees.

Steve poked his head back through the doorway, "Cab's here. Let's go."

"Coming right now," Kit turned to Bucky, "You've got this. If we get tied up, Betty will pick them up around 2:30. But if we're back by 2, don't worry about it."

Bucky smiled reassuringly, "Everything is covered, Kit. Go find out what the baby is."

Kit nodded, "You know, ever since you stayed with Liam in May, you've been calling me Kit."

"Have I?" Bucky said.

"Yep," Kit smirked, "I like it."

She waved and ran out the door before Bucky could say anything.

Shaking his head, Bucky turned back to his nephews, "Alright, men. What's the plan for today?"

The cousins, in matching immature army fatigues, began whispering to each other.

Bucky leaned against the wall, waiting patiently for them to decide. Even though he knew that they would argue over the activity and then he would have to pick something.

Mikey's brunet head popped up first. His dark green eyes sparkling, he said, "I wanna go to the library!"

Bucky knew what Liam's reaction would be before he even saw his face.

Liam's nose was crinkled up and he was shaking his head, "No! I wanna see dinosaurs."

Mikey's face crumpled.

Even though he was older than Liam, he was still getting used to his place in the family. Bucky noticed that for as much as they got along, Mikey often caved to what Liam wanted.

"How about we go get some books from the library and then go to the park?" Bucky asked gently, kneeling down to their level.

Mikey's eyes lit up and he gave a shy nod, "Can we, Uncle Bucky?"

Bucky grinned, "It's why I suggested it. Whattaya say, kid?"

Liam tilted his head to the side, contemplating Bucky's offer, "Can we get ice cream?"

Bucky paused, "I think we can manage that."

Mikey and Liam let out matching whoops of joy and ran for the door.

"Hey!" Bucky called after them, stopping the boys in their tracks, "It's 95 degrees outside, go change."

Liam grumbled, "But we're soldiers!"

"Yeah!" Mikey piped up, "Soldiers wear uniforms!"

Bucky shook his head, "Not in this heat. Change or we're not going anywhere."

Liam and Mikey trudged into Liam's room, whispering to each other the whole way.

Watching them, one blond head bent next to a brunet one, Bucky couldn't help but be reminded of himself and Steve.

He hoped Liam and Mikey would be as close as he and Steve were and are.

A friend -brother by choice- was the most important thing a kid could have growing up, aside from a family that would stop at nothing to protect each other.

Liam - and Mikey, now - had the family, it was the best friend that they needed now.

And judging by the way they came speeding back into the living room, cargo shorts dangling off skinny hips, one blue t-shirt inside out and the other, purple one backwards, Bucky thought that just maybe they had found lifelong friendship.

A/N: Hi guys *waves* I'm backkkkk! With more Bucky/Carter goodness this time.

I owe all credit for this story to the wonderful JuliaAurelia. Without her suggesting the upcoming plot point, I wouldn't have written it. So big thanks to her.

Additionally, this one will be ~~probably~~ three chapters. So a mini multi chap. On my page, you'll find the other 4 stories that go with this one, as a part of the Liam'verse.

Please let me know what you think of Mikey =)