Winter Blues
.
Steve's sitting in the communal room, flicking through the newspaper on the tablet that Tony gifted him, when a familiar sound reaches him.
Now, the Steven Grant Rogers of the 20s and 30s was constantly in and out of hospital, the result of being a very sickly child. He knew how horrible it was to be stuck inside those buildings, ill, and unable to do anything other than wait for results, be they results of your healing or the statistics of the doctor's tests.
It's why he now goes out of his way to visit hospitals in his old tactical gear.
He greets all the children there, spends time with them to let them know that society hasn't forgotten about them. He loves seeing them, loves brining a smile to those faces.
And as a result of these visits, Steve knows the sound of a child's footsteps by heart.
Which is why he's incredibly confused to hear such a noise in Avengers tower.
None of the other Avengers have children, though Thor recently announced that he and Jane were expecting a small bundle of thunder in six or so months.
Regardless, that still doesn't answer his question, and Steve angles himself better to get a look at the approaching stranger.
It's a child alright, a little boy, with thick black hair that does an admirable attempt of hiding the fact he wears Bucky's face like a youthful mask.
Steve stares, wide eyes and lips parted, as the boy skids to a stop upon catching sight of Steve.
They stare across the room at each other for a second, the boy taking in the sight of Captain America in his down time, as Steve stares bewildered, at the sight of what can only be a miniature Bucky.
He barely registers the footsteps approaching, only really notices because the kid breaks eye contact and goes dashing off. The ever so light shifts in the air are the only give away that Bucky's arm has now, something that only he on the team can hear.
It's even more striking seeing the pair of them together.
The boy really is a miniature Bucky; the only difference is that his hair is black and curly, as apposed to the soft brown that Bucky now wears long.
Bucky's got the boy resting on the crook of his metal arm, clearly he'd been halfway through a sentence before he spotted Steve.
"You wanna go find your Ma, James? She might get lost in this place without you."
There's a pause, as the boy -James- gives Bucky the most sceptical look he can manage, but nevertheless toddles off as soon as Bucky puts him on the floor.
Steve barely lets the boy get to the elevator before he turns his gaze on Bucky.
The only reason he doesn't jump the gun is the expression on Bucky's face.
It's a look of such obvious guilt, of something so close to heartbreak and shame that Steve instantly knows he's not going to like where this is going.
.
Thor stares down at the small child that stares right back up at him.
The boy has the Soldier's eyes, his entire face actually, though the wild black hair certainly does not come from his father's side.
"Hello young one, are you lost?"
Kneeling, Thor found he was still a good several inches taller than the child, who blinks before a nervous smile spreads across his face.
"Looking for Mummy," the boy confesses, glancing around a second time before holding out his hand.
Standing back up, Thor takes a gentle hold of the boy's small hand, feeling warmth swell in his chest.
In six months, a half year, his Jane would provide him with a child of his own. A little one who he could run about after, whom he could show the world. Thor can barely wait.
"What is your name, youngling? I am Thor Odinson."
"James Sirius Potter," the boy answers, wide blue eyes taking in Mjolnir, which hangs proudly from his belt.
Thor knows of the Sirius star, his Jane told him of it but days ago. Perhaps they shall consider naming their child after one as well? It would be a fine tribute to his Jane's desire for knowledge.
James Sirius pulls him along, down the corridors, and Thor offers the Stark employees casual waves as he goes by, eagerly following the child about on his self appointed quest.
There are times now when a mood will just strike him, leaving Thor furiously impatient for his offspring to enter the world. Right now is one of those times.
"Mummy!"
The boy releases Thor's hand, taking off down the corridor to barrel into the woman currently conversing with Tony, leaving Thor feeling rather, well, thunderstruck.
He knew of course, that Death had brought its Master to their world; the being had been gracious enough to forewarn the AllFather of its plans.
He just, hadn't been expecting their paths to cross.
Nor for her to be a mother.
She's nowhere near the intimidating figure he'd pictured; especially not as she swoops down to snatch up the child that shares her hair, teasing her fingers along the boy's ribs until he squawks in joy.
Truly, she loves her child, no being of evil could ever wear such a tender love upon their face. Thor strides over, and young James Sirius angles his head back to grin at him.
"Mummy, look! This's Thor and he's helping me!"
His best grin is gracing his face before Thor even realises what he's doing.
But James Sirius' mother has nothing for him other than genuine gratitude, a soft smile upon her lips.
"Thank you, Prince Thor," here, she offers a little dip, half a curtesy given that she still holds her child, "I'm sure you're quite the expert with quests."
Tony looks annoyed over the fact Thor has stolen the woman's interest, but James Sirius is quick to start asking of his alter ego as the Man of Iron.
It is clear from the boy's face whom his father is, and Thor is glad to see his offspring shall have the chance to gain an older friend.
.
"Oh Buck."
Bucky is sat across from him, head in hands, and Steve can't even begin to imagine what he's going through.
"I don't wanna fuck this up Steve; he's my kid, ya know? As she's a real swell dame, and I really want a chance, but-"
"You've got a deep love for baseball while I'm more inclined to basketball?"
The two of them whip around, only to find the woman, Harry, casually leaning against the back of one sofa. She holds a can of pop in one hand, the other propping up her rad with a teasing smile stretches across her lips.
Her son, Bucky's son, clearly only shares his hair and accent with the woman. She is rather stunning, if only for the colouring of her eyes and the scarring that frames them.
Across from him, Bucky seems unsure of what to do, and he watches Harry twist around the sofa, coming to sit closer, but only just out of arm's length.
"Before I left, there was a piece of magic among my people that took complete control of a person; we don't hold their actions under that spell against them. Why do you think I'd do the same here?"
Steve freezes at the idea of another form of mind control, but the way Harry speaks implies she's far, far away from her people.
For a moment, he wonders if she is perhaps like Thor, a distant traveller.
Then, he remembers her inability to die, and decides that yes, she probably is.
"James is with his new buddy Thor, if your curious," she says this slowly, as if she's still trying to wrap her own head around it. Even now, years on, Steve's still not fully wrapped his head around Thor's existence.
"Are you sure you mean that, doll?"
The wom- Harry's eyes slide over to look at Bucky and she offers a cautious, tender grin.
"I am. I'd rather like to get to know Bucky Barnes, and not whatever they forced you to be. Though if Bucky turns out to be an ass, I'll pin the matching tail to you."
Steve cuffs before he can help it, and even Bucky cracks a grin at that.
So, disaster averted for now, it seems.
People wanted more if I ever waffled more out, so here you go..
Tsume
xxx