Bucky had watched her grow up. Literally. From when he found out Pepper was pregnant with her, to when Tony was running around exhausted because he had had no sleep the night before; trying to get his little girl to fall asleep. Esther Stark, was never allowed to go into the fights her dad fought; and for good reason. Thought Bucky. It was sad though, to see this 16 year old girl staying at home, keeping the tower clean, cooking, and doing all these house - wifely things, while Pepper ran the business and Tony was out fighting.
Bucky laughed softly to himself, wondering why he could even be falling for Esther. She was Tony's kid; after all. But, if Tony even trusts me, he'd be okay with it. But I know that IF I do anything bad, I'll have Steve AND Tony AND Pepper to answer to. He figured he was safer crushing on someone else. But he knew that someone would figure it out anyway. What if he told Steve? You could give him a secret and it would die with him. Bucky figured it was safest. Esther was out shopping, and wouldn't be back for awhile; he reasoned. He might as well tell Tony too, and not be punched to the kingdom come.
Steve had reacted about the same way he'd reckoned he would. "Bucky, you realize if you do ANYTHING to this girl," "Yeah. Tony, Pepper and you'll be on my backs faster than I can say Thor's Hammer Mjǫ… Mjǫllnir. I still don't know how I say that." Man. He knew the dangers of going into this. "You should tell Tony." Steve said, looking up from the crossword puzzle he was attempting to do; exhausted, and understanding. "Will you come with me?" was Bucky's scared reply. " 'Course. What friend would I be if I didn't?" Steve replied like a posh Brit.
Tony knew something was up when Bucky entered the lab. Buck never came down here unless Tony demanded that he did; and even then, he was always 'late' to escape the talking before the meetings. "What's up Buck?" " I, uh… I uhh… I like… um." "Come on Bucky!" was Steve, cheering him on; silently. Steve was wishing he was back upstairs with his crossword puzzle, but he knew he couldn't be. "I uh.. I like… um… I like your… I like.. Esther. I have… a crush on her?" Bucky stuttered out. "Bucky." Tony started; clenching his fists, as if to punch him, the Iron Man suit clenching as well.
"I know who I will have to answer to if I hurt her. I know. I'll be good." Bucky cried; trying not to scream. Tony sighed; thought for a few minutes; and finally said "I know you will. That took guts Bucky, good job my man." Tony clasped his back in congratulations, but then his world went black. Pepper had heard the entire conversation, and now She had punched the lights out of Bucky. He woke up later, and Pepper was standing over him, fuming. "How could you? I… I.." Pepper was stuttering. "I wanted Tony to know. I was going to tell you later. Jeez Pepper." He said rubbing his swollen head. Wincing, he sat up. "What the HELL is going on here? I left to go grocery shopping, I come back, Bucky has a swollen head, Mom is fuming, and dad and bruce are gone heavens know where?" Cried Esther; oblivious to the present blush on Bucky's face.
AN: Want more? R&R. CLIFFHANGER EXTRAORDINAIRE! MWAHAHAHAHA!