Notes: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIII BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! Okay, first of all, holy Lord, I hope you guys have been well! It's been about 2 months since I last updated and I'm SO. FREAKING. SORRY. This has been the hardest chapter to write thus far, and it didn't help that there were a boatload of things happening at the same time for me. So again, my bad for being a loser with time management, but at least YAYYY we have a new chapter! Hopefully I'm going to resume my usual updating schedule, so once every fortnight, but MAYBE I'll be able to squeeze in a few extra chapters here and there.
ANNDDD on a side note, I released a one-shot a few weeks back, which was basically something I'd written a while ago in my spare time. It's about Mel and Richy (who are seriously such fun to write) and about their little arc. Please check it out in my profile, it's under the title 'A Bit of This and That'. I'm gonna post my one-shots there from now on, and I hope they give you a bit more of an idea about Mia and Bucky's world, including the people that are most important in it. So have a read, lemme know if you love it, hate it, are completely unaffected by it, WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT :'))) Much appreciated and much love,
- M
Chapter 21
Truth be told, there were a great deal of things that Mia wasn't good at. Though she'd tried many times, she couldn't land a cartwheel, nor could she do a back-flip. Even having grown up on the sandy shores of Australia, she wasn't particularly good at surfing and could only swim about a lap of the pool before feeling winded. She couldn't speak French and her mind refused to understand any question that was mathematically inclined; but having said that, all these drawbacks paled in comparison to the one thing Miriya Alfiyan was worst at.
…Waiting.
Whether it was for a job interview or a parcel to arrive, any form of waiting left Mia a nervous wreck at the mercy of her own devices. She'd pace the house 'til her soles were worn in, and would obsessively check the time as she passed a clock. Her senses would kick into overdrive and an appetite was something that always took the backseat when these situations came about.
That's why when her foot nervously tapped the kitchen floor on a beautiful Saturday morning, she knew the scenario awaiting her wasn't going to be easy. Somehow after half an hour of agonisingly orchestrating her first message to Bucky, Mia had found the courage to send a text that hinted at what had happened the night before. Khaala had decided that she wanted to meet him, by any means necessary. Mia had tried to steer her in a different direction again in the morning, but khaala wasn't hearing any of it. And when Liliane Alfiyan set her mind to something…
Well.
So, there hadn't been any real point in arguing a different conclusion. Mia had immediately taken to her phone and deleted then rewritten a text that ended up being short and succinct, and exactly what needed to happen.
Hey stranger. I wanted to ask just in case you were busy, but can I call you? Kinda urgent. - m
She'd sent that 43 minutes ago, and after not having received any sort of reply, she was sure that he'd been swallowed by a sinkhole, abducted by Oompa Loompas, or perhaps gotten caught up in a wind-sailing accident. To subdue her nervous energy, Mia had cleaned the already-spotless kitchen, as well as begun a crossword puzzle that had 398 clues to it. She was well into Googling the 12th one when luck managed to strike, and her phone began buzzing on the countertop.
Seeing his name on the phone, she snatched it up immediately and answered with a nervous smile, "Hello?"
"Are you okay?" asked a slightly harried Bucky. "I just got your message, are you alright?"
Mia replied immediately, "Yes! Oh God, yeah, everything's fine. Nothing too pressing."
Bucky let out a small sigh. "I'm sorry it took so long, I was with Steve. And I'm still getting the hang of this…fruit salad shit."
Mia laughed. "It's literally just 'Apple', Buck."
"Still confusing." He seemed to be moving about as he said, "Hold on." Mia waited patiently until his voice resurfaced. "I'm outside now. What, uh…what's goin' on?" he asked unsurely.
Mia cleared her throat. "Well, I…first of all, I, uh…" she smiled giddily. "I had fun…last night."
She could hear Bucky smiling as he replied, "I only came for dinner and I didn't even get that."
Mia feigned insult. "Well, I think you were compensated quite handsomely, don't you?"
He clicked his tongue. "I don't know…"
"Well then, this conversation's run its course. I'll catch you later, Barnes," said Mia with a laugh.
"Alright, alright," he succumbed. "I guess it was okay."
Mia squinted, "I'm sorry, what? I can't hear you, I think the line's breaking up."
"Mia—"
"I can't hear—"
"You gonna make me say it?"
Mia began making crackling noises into the phone. "It's all the static, you're gonna have to say that again!"
"I had a good time. Ya happy?" he said with a small grin.
Mia smiled triumphantly. "Ecstatic." She hopped up onto the bench and dangled her feet off the edge as she began talking tentatively. "So, uhm, something might've happened…after you left."
"Hmm?"
Mia cleared her throat. "Okay, I'm just prefacing this by saying that I did not know that she would come into the room, and I also didn't know that she'd see—"
"Mia," he interrupted. "What happened?"
She took in a breath and rambled beautifully. "Khaala came into my room and saw your jacket in my wardrobe, and then just when I'd made up some story, she noticed your tank top on the floor, and I told her that it was mine, but obviously she didn't believe me, and she was onto me the moment I opened my mouth, so instead of lying, I just told her that I'd been seeing you for a few months and now she wants to meet you. Like really wants to meet you. Please don't be mad."
It took Bucky more than a few moments to comprehend exactly what she'd said, but the general gist of it was clear; the woman who held the title of Mia's guardian wanted to meet him. The idea of such a thing should've frightened him, or left him completely immobile and distraught at the possibility. But truthfully, he didn't feel an ounce of that. There was nervousness alight in his stomach, sure…but when he tried to verbalise what he felt, it didn't sound too bad.
"Bucky?" she asked quietly.
"I'll do it."
Mia paused. "You…what?"
"I'll meet her. And your brother," he said with surety in his voice.
Mia's eyes were widened and her mouth had fallen agape. "You're…you're not…mad? I mean, we kinda…I thought you wouldn't want her to know."
"I didn't know you'd want to tell her. But everything you said last night, about wanting to move forward with her…this might help that. And if that's what'll make her happy…" he paused. "If it'll make you happy…then I'm in."
The phrase 'melted to goo' just wasn't enough to describe what Mia was going through, and she was lucky that her aunt and brother had gone on their trip to the Arboretum while she was smiling like a hysterical bullshark in the middle of her kitchen. "I'm…I don't know what to say." She shook her head, "I can always make a last minute excuse if you don't feel up to it later on."
Bucky let out a small laugh. "Unless you change your mind, I'll be there." He asked, "Any idea where to go?"
Mia played mindlessly with her hair, "Uh, God, I hadn't even thought that far ahead. Uhm, there are a few nice restaurants near Nora's."
"You know your aunt best, we'll go someplace she likes."
Mia laughed, "Sounds like someone's really tryna get into khaala's good books."
"I haven't exactly got much goin' for me, might as well get the little things right," he half-joked, half-surmised.
Mia heard the slightest hint of insecurity in his voice as he spoke, and nothing about it sat too well with her. "You know you don't have to prove yourself to anyone, Buck. I have a feeling she's gonna love you, but regardless of whether she does or doesn't, it's not gonna change anything for us. Not a single thing."
Bucky stayed silent for a moment. "It's gonna be tough if they both think I'm not what's best for you."
Mia swallowed. "Well, if they do…then it wouldn't be the first time I did something behind their backs."
Bucky let out a small laugh. "That kinda thinking's gonna get you hurt someday, kid."
She nodded to herself. "It'll be worth it, though."
They both enjoyed the silence for a few moments before Mia brought things back on track, reassuring Bucky that everything would turn out alright and that he was more than able to back out at the last minute if he wasn't ready for it. They sorted out a few details, along with the back-story he'd be sticking with for the night, and within 10 minutes, Mia hung up the phone to scurry nervously around the house to release some pent up energy. Suddenly, she had less than 36 hours to prepare for a dinner with her aunt and brother, along with the man currently standing atop of 6the FBI's Most Wanted List.
Oh. Joy.
X
Being that khaala had come from Sydney, she'd grown accustomed to cuisines that hailed from all over the world. Located a few streets from her suburban home, she had Japanese and Korean restaurants, along with Lebanese and French cafes. Fish and chips could be found at every corner store in the area, and she never had the chance to miss some authentic Napoli pizza when she was in the mood for it. But one thing about khaala that only those closest to her knew was that all other cuisines paled in comparison when it came to the one she held most beloved:
Moroccan food.
So with that in mind, Mia had decided that a restaurant down on 9th street was the best way to go. It was a gorgeously traditional Marakeshi restaurant, with personable staff and a menu that could have the harshest of critics lining up in the dozens. Mia had gone with Mel and a few friends before, and everything about her previous visits assured her that they'd have a blast.
Hopefully…
She'd booked a reservation for Sunday night and had told khaala and Zeyn as soon as they'd gotten home from their trip out. They were more than a little surprised when they found out that Bucky had so readily agreed to meet them, but to their knowledge, there really wasn't any reason for him to have declined.
Saturday night and Sunday morning sped by fast enough, and before Mia knew it, she was driving her aunt and big brother to the restaurant. She fiddled with her white off-the-shoulder summer dress, which should've been rather conservative, but was anything but when worn by someone with a figure like hers. She'd found it hidden in the back of her closet, and the heat that stifled the night air warranted something as light as she wore.
Mia was well aware that Bucky had mostly seen her in comfortable, ill-fitted clothes due to the occasions on which they'd met. The mission had been filled with loose dresses and dusty trousers, and his inclination to turn up to her house unannounced made it hard for her to be seen by him in anything but pyjamas. That's why on nights like this, where she knew she'd be seeing him and she actually had the chance to dress up, an entirely new level of nervous energy clouded her senses at the thought of his reaction. She'd taken to some eyeliner and mascara, and had her hair pinned in loose waves down the length of her back. She actually really, really liked her little get-up that night, and it only added to her already brimming excitement.
When Mia finally found a parking spot and helped her aunt out of the car, the three of them walked over the restaurant's bustling threshold and sought out someone who could help them.
"Good evening, ma'am. Do you have a reservation tonight?" asked the friendly waiter.
Mia smiled. "Yes, I do. Table of 4, for Mia?"
The man grinned widely and nodded. "Ah, yes. One of your quatro has been awaiting your company for a while. Please, right this way."
Mia walked dumbly and wondered just how long Bucky had been waiting for them. The waiter wove them through several tables of laughing patrons, with charming traditional music backgrounding the scene. There were oil lamps strung up above each of the tables, adding to the theme of the restaurant. He led them towards the far corner, and that's when Mia had a chance to see the man anticipating their arrival.
"I will be back shortly with some menus," said the waiter before he departed.
Mia hadn't really heard what he'd said, because at that moment, her mind was busy formulating 1,387 different ways in which she could ditch her aunt and brother, and simply waste the night away with the suited and booted fella' at their table.
Apparently Bucky was really serious about making a good impression, because long gone was the dirty-green jacket and scuffed jeans he loved so much. He'd stood up from his seat in preparation for his initial greeting with everyone as they walked his way, and so Mia had a chance to take in every last inch of his appearance. He was clad in a casual black blazer with a crisp white shirt underneath, a few buttons undone revealing a sliver of skin. He'd donned a pair of black slacks Mia would never have thought she'd see him in, and some brown formal shoes to finish it off. Truth be told, all he was missing was a pair of suspenders plus a bowtie, and Mia wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between a gentleman of the 40s and her fella'. He'd shaved for the occasion and his hair was slicked back a little, all but hitting the nail into Mia's proverbial (or real?) coffin.
"Someone cleaned up nicely," whispered Zeyn chummily into Mia's ear. Mia wasn't even really paying attention, because Bucky was making his way around the table, the awe in his eyes mirroring hers, though she didn't know it. It was only as he neared her that she realised she had to meet him in an appropriate fashion, and formally introduce her family to him.
"I hope you weren't waiting long," Mia said with a small smile. As he came to a halt in front of her, she leaned up to give him the most innocent of kisses on his cheek, her skin all but erupting when she got a brief hint of his cologne.
Bucky peered into her eyes as he replied, "No, I…just thought I'd come a bit early." Though he wanted to spend his first few minutes just taking in the sight she provided, he knew better than to blow his chance at a good first impression with Mia's aunt. He glanced past Mia's shoulder and sent a charming smile her way.
Mia shook herself and turned to stand between the two of them as she spoke. "Bucky, you know Zeyn."
"How's it goin', man?" asked Zeyn with a warm smile.
The two men shook hands as Bucky replied, "Doing well. Yourself?"
"Moroccan food on a Sunday night? Can't complain," quipped Zeyn. The two shared a brief smile before Mia continued her little introduction.
"And this is my khaala, Liliane."
Liliane had already looked Bucky over a few times with appraising eyes since they'd walked in, and what she'd seen thus far was promising. He looked to be a handsome, well-dressed suitor who had a liking for punctuality. He'd greeted Mia respectfully and had done the same with Zeyn, all things that were green lights in her mind.
But regardless of her inclinations, no one had expected just how charmed she'd be with Mia's new man by the end of the night.
Liliane extended her hand to meet Bucky's as he said warmly, "I'm glad I can finally put a face to a name."
Khaala's mouth curled into a kind smile, "And likewise, young man."
HAHAHAHHAHAhe'sliterallytwiceyourage,khaalaHAHAHHAHAHAHHA.
Bucky invited, "Please, take a seat."
He let the women choose their spots before pulling Mia's seat back a little to settle her in, while Zeyn did the same for khaala. Making sure that they were seated and comfortable, Bucky shot Mia a discreet smile before sitting himself, hoping to God that his confident façade was impermeable.
"Well, I must say this setting is lovely. Have you been here before, Bucky?" asked khaala conversationally.
He shook his head. "I haven't, no. But I hear it's good."
She nodded. "Miriya has certainly raised our hopes."
Mia put her arms up in surrender. "Hey, you can't blame me if it's not up to scratch."
Zeyn added, "That's exactly what we'll do, kid."
Before the siblings had a chance to start their bickering, the waiter came back and placed a menu in front of each person, promising to be back in 5 minutes. For all the nervousness that Bucky felt, he did damn well to show none of it as they exchanged ideas out loud as to what they'd each get. He made it a point to relax his shoulders and loosen his clenched jaw, nuances that would make him seem a little more comfortable in such a foreign situation.
Only a few moments of deliberation were needed before the waiter returned and took each person's choices. Khaala relayed her order in fluent Arabic, making sure that there was extra chilli and no onions on her spicy chicken tagine. Following suit, Zeyn ordered the lamb kofte in Arabic, and jokingly asked the waiter how he got any work done when there was literally a belly dancer shaking her goods on the stage near the kitchen. Mia opted for the chicken couscous and told the waiter not to mind her brother in her native tongue. The table was relatively relaxed up until the point where the waiter began taking Bucky's order, after which mouths fell agape left, right and centre.
"Can I please get the chicken rfissa?" asked Bucky in flawless Arabic.
The waiter nodded. "With extra chilli?"
Bucky let out a small laugh. "Sure, why not. I think I'll need a soda to wash it down, though."
The waiter smiled and replied, "Any true Arab would know that milk is the only cure for chilli."
Bucky smiled a little sheepishly. "How could I forget?"
The waiter grabbed the menus from the table and payed no mind to the way khaala and Zeyn hadn't moved from their frozen spots for about a minute. "I will be back shortly," he uttered in Arabic as he left.
Mia had been paying such close attention to the way words in her language sounded as they rolled off of his tongue, that she didn't realise her other family members had gone catatonic. When Bucky caught her staring a little unashamedly, she felt her cheeks darken a few shades before shaking herself and trying to regain some semblance of normality.
Mia turned her head to catch Zeyn and khaala's dumbfounded reactions to Bucky's faultless Arabic. After a moment of silence, khaala asked with no small amount of shock in her voice, "You…speak Arabiya?"
Bucky's nodded tentatively, having assumed that Mia had already told her aunt about that little detail. "I…ehm, a little." He shook his head, "I'm not terribly good, though."
As if to test that theory, khaala asked in Arabic, "Which dialect do you speak?"
Bucky replied a little quietly, "Yemeni, mostly."
Her lips curled into a small smile. "So, you're ancestry is Yemeni?"
He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "No, but I've always been…fascinated with the language. I learnt it a few years back, and it's…". He paused and smiled a little shyly, "It's come in handy since then."
Even judging by the confidence with which he spoke the foreign tongue, khaala could tell that he wasn't an amateur by any means. "Am I right in assuming that Miriya has been of some assistance in improving your skills?"
Mia turned to wearily gauge Bucky's reaction, but he simply let his mouth voice the thoughts in his mind. "She's made all the difference."
I am on fire, I can literally feel my skin burning through my dress. Now they're all looking at me—Jesus, khaala's giving me that "I want you to give me 6 grandchildren right now" look. I'm trying, woman!
Thankfully, Zeyn was smart enough to cut through the quiet and begin their first solid conversation of the evening. "So are you from DC, or did you get a good scholarship to Georgetown as well?" he asked with his trademark grin.
Mia waited anxiously for his reaction, ready at any moment to call it quits for the night so he didn't have to go through anything he didn't want to. But she was pleasantly surprised when Bucky just shook his head good-naturedly and replied, "No, nothing like that. I grew up in Brooklyn for the most part."
"Ah, from New York, then?" asked Zeyn.
Khaala added unexpectedly, "I have a cousin in New York."
This was news to both Mia and Zeyn. "…You do?" she asked.
Khaala nodded. "Arsala. I haven't met her in years, but we've stayed in touch. I think she's situated somewhere in Manhattan." She leaned in and said conspiratorially to Bucky, "I'm just repeating what I've heard, habibi. I haven't any idea where Manhattan actually is."
For some reason, just that little quip put Bucky's mind at ease greatly, letting him crack a small grin and feel the tension in his shoulders start to let loose. Khaala only continued for a moment before the waiter returned with their drinks, making small talk about the muggy weather outside and how they couldn't wait for autumn's arrival.
As the waiter left, khaala noted, "But I must say, the weather here is much more pleasant than the desert heat we live through in Australia's summer."
Mia leant her head back and sighed. "Here we go."
"One day it'll be 30 degrees, and then the next day it'll be 45 degrees. Ridiculous!" she said animatedly.
Bucky furrowed his brows. "30 degrees? Isn't that…cold?"
Mia nudged his shoulder softly. "Celsius, Buck. Y'know, the right measurement for temperature," she said with a smug grin.
Bucky nodded in understanding, and to Mia's unending surprise, replied with a joke. "I forgot you guys take a few more years to catch onto new trends down there."
Mia raised her brows in jest. "Oh, so that's how it is?"
Bucky shrugged softly. "M'afraid so."
Zeyn joined in on the age old 'America v Australia' debate. "C'mon, Jesus," he said to Bucky (still insistent on calling him by his 'surname'). "I'm pretty sure America's the only country that uses Fahrenheit, you might as well join the winning team."
Khaala added, "So do the Bahamas, darling."
Mia squinted. "Why…why do you know that, khaala?"
Khaala's cheeks fought off an uncontrollable blush as she looked down at her cutlery and cleared her throat. "No reason."
Shaking his mind of whatever that was, Zeyn turned to Bucky and asked, "So, have the States always been home? Ever taken a trip across the pond?"
This was the part where the back-story Mia and Bucky had mapped out would come through. Clearing his throat, he began, "Yeah, I've been around. I was in the army for a while, enlisted when I was pretty young. That got me to a few places all over."
Zeyn nodded, knowing that Bucky couldn't outright say 'I work alongside Captain America' in front of their aunt. "And where'd that take you?"
"Mostly Europe. I spent a lot of my time in Russia."
*cough* back when it was the Soviet Union *cough*
"And a while in Italy."
Back when Mussolini still had a full head of hair.
Zeyn nodded, obviously impressed. "That sounds wicked, man. How about our neck of the woods? With Arabic like that, I bet you've snuck into a few wild parties thrown by Saudi princes."
Bucky couldn't help but laugh, not just because Zeyn was kind of the male Xerox copy of his sister, but also because attending functions thrown by rich foreigners wasn't too far from what he'd done in the Middle East. "I went to Yemen briefly, managed to pick up some of the language while I was there. They're, uh…very passionate people," Bucky worded carefully.
At that, both khaala and Zeyn let out genuine laughs. "Oh man, that's a nice way to put it. Yemeni's can't get a sentence across unless they scream it at you. Passionate is just another way to say 'really freaking loud'."
Bucky quirked a grin. "They've got alotta spirit."
"No doubting that."
Khaala questioned, "And what do you do for work now?"
Mia felt him tense up slightly next to her as he replied, "Mostly contracting for government agencies."
Khaala nodded. "And what do you specialise in?"
"Data analytics," said Bucky, just as he'd rehearsed. "It's not my first choice, but…someone's gotta do it, I guess."
Khaala nodded understandingly, and Mia did her best to be discreet as she looked Bucky's way with only concern in mind. Meanwhile, Zeyn shook his head as he seemingly remembered a strange detail about their guest. "So Trinidad, huh?"
Bucky blinked slowly, apparently having forgotten that his genius little sidekick had decided his lineage was from Spain's obscure neighbour. "Pardon?"
"Mia told us that your family's Trinidadian. Which city are you guys from?" asked Zeyn with genuine interest in his eyes.
Unfortunately, Bucky knew the geographical properties of Trinidad about as well as he knew the lyrics to 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley. "Oh. Uh…it's…it's a small town."
Mia raked her brain in a bid to conjure up a name that sounded even half-believable. "I think it was San…Fer…nand…o?"
"Oh, yeah. I've heard of it," said Zeyn confidently.
This time, both Mia and Bucky asked in unison, "You have?"
"There was a documentary on their labour problems, and the guy was talking about how San Fernando's the most populated city in the country."
Making a mental note to compliment his girl on that absolute fluke, Bucky tried to steer the conversation away from rocky territory. "My folks grew up here, so…I don't know all that much about their history."
"And what do your parents do?" asked khaala kindly.
Bucky's frame grew a little rigid as brief flashes of his dad coming home from a day's work at the factory scurried through his mind, with his mother always daintily situated in the background of his memory. He lowered his gaze and cleared his throat. "They've passed away."
Khaala's face fell as she reconciled, "I'm so sorry, darling."
Bucky waved a hand. "S'no problem. It was a long time ago."
Being that she was sat closest to him, Mia took the added advantage of the long tablecloth to sneak her hand onto his knee in a comforting gesture. His eyes flitted to hers, and words needn't be said for meanings to be understood.
Before the silence could elapse for too long, the group was blessed with the sight of the waiter making his way towards the table with a large tray in hand. He smiled brightly as he placed each plate in front of the respective patron, and Mia couldn't help but buzz with excitement at the realisation that a guy, that Bucky, would be sharing in a meal with her family.
"Alright, alright, alright," said Zeyn in his best 'McConaughey'. "Come to papa."
Khaala batted a hand at Zeyn to stop him from digging into the steaming food in front of him. "Perhaps our guest of honour would like to have a turn at saying a prayer before we begin."
Bucky's eyes widened ever so slightly, because he couldn't remember the last time he'd said grace at a dinner table. Mia looked at him reassuringly, letting him know without a single utterance that he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to. It was obviously a practice that khaala stuck to determinedly, even if her niece and nephew didn't. But aside from the nerves aflutter in Bucky's stomach, he saw no harm in saying a few words of thanks with joined hands in his present company.
Khaala held onto Mia and Zeyn's hands, while they joined with Bucky. He shifted a little in his seat and cleared his throat before shutting his eyes as the others did, hoping that words would fall from his lips that did justice to all that he felt.
Come on, Barnes. You remember this. Just like you did when you were young.
"Thank you God, for blessing us with this meal." He wet his lips, trying to catch onto the faint prayer he remembered his mother having recited when he was a wee lad. "We thank you for sharing in your bounties, and delivering us all that is good." A final thought fleeted through his mind, the only thing that had never really left. He continued, a little quieter than before. "I thank you for her…and all those she brings with her. Amen."
He made no effort to open his eyes immediately, so the knowing looks on both khaala's and Zeyn's faces went unnoticed. But when his gaze drew to the woman at his side, he knew there was nothing short of adoration brimming behind her long lashes. Her full lips had parted like they always did when she was at a loss for words, and Bucky would ever remain proud of how he didn't verbalise the many thoughts waging in his mind in front of her loved ones.
Zeyn clapped a solid hand to Bucky's shoulder – thankfully, his right one – and shot him a lazy grin. "Good man." Bucky nodded and smiled in reply, and no sooner did Zeyn announce, "Alright folks, can't keep the chow awaiting."
And with that, the table of 4 began their meals in unison, each savouring the first few bites before letting out the highest of praises simultaneously. Khaala raved about how well the chef had captured the traditional flavours that are usually overlooked in higher classed restaurants, while Mia and Bucky nodded along.
…And Zeyn might've been tearing up because of just how fucking good his kofte was.
Throughout the meal, khaala made it a point to ensure that Bucky was as comfortable as possible with the questions she asked. She tried to stick to safe topics, like his interests and hobbies. He answered as well as he could, and went out of his way to reciprocate the curiosity. Though it didn't seem forced, the onset of comfortability was only really felt when each person recognised just how many things they had in common.
It began when Zeyn made a point about how he loathed most aspects of modern technology, ranging from the complexities and safety concerns that came with it. All it took was a few words of agreeance from Bucky for the two of them to embark on a wondrous journey exploring their common hatred for the 'iOrange-Sumsing-Shitty-Laptop' era.
Keeping true to the theme, Zeyn and Bucky veered into a solid 15 minutes talking solely about vintage cars, which just so happened to be something Bucky was well-versed in, both prior to and following his time with HYDRA. It'd been one of the first things he'd caught up on as a free citizen of the world, and the fact that he was engaged in conversation with someone who was just as passionate about the topic was a rush in itself. They spoke about makes and models of vehicles that Mia had never even heard of, and though her focus was on Bucky, she didn't miss the unreserved excitement her brother showed at every advance in the conversation.
Soon after, khaala joined in and seemed to be an open book that night, easily relaying stories of her younger years in Syria and her travels as a woman of the modern world. All the while, Bucky listened intently. He asked questions when appropriate, and remained observant when it was warranted. And thankfully, within 45 minutes of them all having sat down for dinner, the dialogue was flowing as though they'd known each other for a lot longer than just that night.
That was probably what stumped Mia most, the ease with which Bucky seemed to fit into their little dynamic. And dare she say, there were more than a few moments when she noticed his accent grow a little more exaggerated, probably like how it'd been when he was a young bachelor loitering the footpaths of Brooklyn in '39. When he fell into a one-on-one with Zeyn, she caught glimpses of someone who was completely immersed in the now, without a trace of the world's burdens on his shoulders.
It seemed easy.
It seemed right.
"—then she came out of the room with her hair—," khaala tried to control her laughter as she recalled one of Mia's darkest, most haunting memories.
"Khaala, no! Please," Mia pleaded as she buried her head in her hands. "God, why?"
Zeyn added with a laugh, "Oh, hell no. This is the good part, c'mon khaala."
Bucky revelled in Mia's embarrassment, the crimson in her cheeks evident even through her attempts at hiding it. Without making it obvious to the others, Bucky crept a hand innocently onto her thigh and squeezed lightly, a silent show of solidarity in this time of great hardship. She brought down her hands from her face and looked at him, melting a little when he quirked a small smile and tapped her clothed skin once more. But alas, even the closest of allies can wield back-stabbing knives.
Bucky turned his gaze to her aunt and pleaded in perfect Arabic, "Please continue, khaala."
Mia's eyes widened and she shook her thigh of his gloved hand, evident betrayal on her face. "How could you?"
"Oh, snap! Jesus take the wheel," sung Zeyn. "You're outnumbered, kid."
Mia glared daggers at her big brother while Bucky contributed, "It's a good story so far."
"Khalas, that's it," determined khaala with a smug grin. "I must respect our guest's wishes, Miriya."
Mia shook her head and declared, "I'm gonna egg all of your houses."
"Yes, yes, do what you must," hushed khaala. "Ayna kuunt (Where was I?). Ah, yes! So I called her from her room, thinking that she had only trimmed the split ends. And when she emerged," khaala slapped a hand on her forehead exaggeratedly. "She had cut her hair to her neck, unevenly, and coloured all of it bright orange!"
Mia decided against watching Bucky's reaction, and instead wallowed in her pity by covering her eyes. She tried to ignore the easy laugh that spilled from his lips, but couldn't help but smile along at the misadventures she'd experienced at the ripe age of 14.
"I hate all of you," she said, still shrouded behind her hands.
"If Lord Farquaad ever had a ginger brother, it'd be Mia," said Zeyn with tears threatening to spill from his eyes at the clear memory.
Bucky didn't know which Arab Royal 'Lord Farquaad' was, but the idea of Mia having ever looked any less beautiful than she was now proved laughable on its own. While Zeyn and khaala went on with a different conversation, Bucky leaned in and gave Mia a small nudge, followed by, "C'mon, it's not that bad."
Mia looked up at him, evidently unimpressed. "I blame you for this."
"For colouring your hair orange?" he asked smugly.
She pursed her lips. "No. For double-crossing me. You sided with them!" Mia clicked her tongue. "No point being in khaala's good books if you aren't in mine."
Bucky couldn't help but marvel at the mischief in her eyes, paired with the soft glow she seemed to have as a result of how wonderfully the night was unfolding. Without making things too obvious, he leaned in and murmured, "I think I can manage my way back in there."
Her eyes widened ever so slightly and the presence of her family all but fell into the background as she relied on her wit to come through when it mattered. "Sounds like wishful thinking to me."
Without missing a beat, he replied, "Wishful thinking's what's gotten us here, doll."
It wasn't a moment she was proud of, but the whimper that left her lips at the sound of him addressing her by anything aside from 'Mia' was hardly something she could've controlled. But that didn't stop the other two patrons at the table from whipping their heads in her direction, evident shock on their faces.
Mia violently coughed and cleared her throat to salvage some dignity. "Man, that was spicy."
"…You weren't eating anything," pointed out Zeyn.
Either because she sympathised with her niece greatly or because she actually really had to go, khaala chimed in, "Miriya, accompany me to the washroom, please."
Mia shot up and out of her seat, not thinking twice before leaving Bucky alone with her big brother for the first time since they'd met. Things could go either way, and Lord knew that it'd been a while since Bucky's last 'brother talk' by anyone. But this is what he'd wanted, what he'd hoped would result from meeting Mia's family. And more than ever, he was ready.
…Or, so he thought.
"I've got no idea what that kid's smokin', but I hope to God she's not that weird sober," said Zeyn with a laugh. Bucky smiled softly and fiddled with his unused fork, his gloved hand in his lap and away from sight. Zeyn observed him a moment before beginning to say what he'd hoped to say for a long, long time.
"I know," said Zeyn.
Bucky glanced up slowly at him, but didn't say a word. Zeyn continued, "I didn't wanna do this in front of her, because she'd find a way to stop me. And the last thing I want is to put you in a tough spot, but this can't happen any other way."
It dawned on Bucky that maybe khaala had deliberately taken Mia to the washroom for a reason, and Zeyn's body language only reaffirmed that they wouldn't be returning any time soon.
"I gotta admit, Jesus, I had some serious doubts about you." Strangely, Zeyn didn't speak with malice in his voice at all; rather, it was as though he were relaying a series of events to an onlooker, a third party. He was serious, but not scolding, and to a degree, Bucky could understand where it was coming from. "I tried to tell Mia more than once that I thought you were bad news, but she never even let me get a full sentence across. So, I cut her a deal. Told her I'd meet you once, give you a chance, a real chance. And after that," he trailed off, not needing to finish his words.
Though it may have been warranted, Bucky didn't feel like he'd been ambushed or sabotaged by Mia's aunt and brother. While the tension in the air was palpable, he couldn't help but be a little pleased that he had to rise to a challenge. So far, it'd just been him and his girl. But gaining the favour of her family was something he knew needed to be done, one way or another.
"Thank you for not stressing out my aunt," said Zeyn sincerely. "She doesn't know about the whole 'Cap/Batman' side of your life, and it's better that way. Listen, man," pleaded Zeyn. "I've had a great time tonight, and you seem like a stand up guy. But right now…you've gotta be straight with me. No bullshit. Because it's her. It's Mia. And I can't leave her with someone I can't trust."
That, Bucky understood wholeheartedly. In reality, Zeyn had already known that there was something odd about Bucky. It didn't take an astrophysicist to gather that he was different, or that there may be an unorthodox reason as to why he was the way he was. Steve had told Bucky not too long ago that there would come a day when Mia's brother would be clued into their lives, and as far as he was concerned, that day had arrived. Nodding once, Bucky prepared himself for the barrage of questions he'd be hit with, and the answers he'd undoubtedly have to give.
Zeyn took in a deep breath and asked plainly, "What's your real name?"
Straight-faced and well aware of what he was doing, Bucky replied, "Bucky Barnes."
Unfamiliar with American history and the significance of that name, Zeyn asked, "If I ran a search on that name, would you come up?"
"To an extent," he said.
Zeyn paused and asked wearily. "How do you know the Captain?"
He knew exactly what his answer to that question would mean for them, but without thinking twice, he replied lowly, "His father worked in my uncle's factory."
Connecting the dots and feeling a buried conspiracy theory unfurling in his mind, Zeyn catered the questions to his intuition. "Where did you serve?"
"Germany, Austria, Italy," he said, feeling the burden of falsehood leaving his shoulders.
Zeyn swallowed. "When?"
This is it. If you tell him, then there's no going back, Barnes. Remember that.
"In a simpler time."
It needn't be said any clearer than that for Zeyn to understand exactly what he was playing at. Sure, it would explain some of the strangeness that he'd noticed in Bucky, the 'other-timeliness' about him. But could it really be that Captain America wasn't the only person who'd managed to cheat nature's course? Was there a chance that another person, someone he'd known, was able to do the same thing and recommence his youth in a different era.
Zeyn swallowed. "How?"
Bucky hesitated for a moment before shaking his head once. "I can't, not here."
Zeyn nodded. "Did they…did they find you in 2010 as well? On the ice with him?"
Solemnity grew over his features as he replied, "My past isn't like his. It…" he cleared his throat. "It's not the same."
Understanding better than to egg him on, Zeyn asked instead, "Does she know? I mean, who you are?"
Bucky nodded. "Better than most." He paused, "She didn't tell you because I asked her not to. That's on me, not her."
Leaning in slightly, because he didn't necessarily want other patrons overhearing what he was about to say, Zeyn's armoured eyes swam with all the protectiveness that big brothers spend their lives hiding away, stored for this very moment. "Is being with you going to put her in danger? Of any kind?"
"I'm never gonna let anything happen to her." Bucky matched his intensity and sincerity when he said, "I swear by that."
Inwardly, Zeyn believed him. It was something about the way his brows furrowed and his eyes grew in desperation at the mere mention of her endangerment. He'd seen that look on a man before, a man that had died protecting Miriya, all those years ago amidst the rubble of Aleppo's City Hall.
"Do you have a sister?" asked Zeyn.
Bucky swallowed. "I did."
Zeyn nodded slowly. "Then I don't need to tell you how it feels to watch her look for protection from someone that's not me." He wet his lips. "Look Jesus, I don't know what happened to you. But if you break her heart," he promised, "I swear to God, it won't matter what you're made of. I'll kill you."
Bucky knew there wasn't any real reply he could give, only an indication of understanding. With an almost unperceivable nod, he felt his heart cease once more as Zeyn spoke a final time.
"She's all I have, man. And to a degree…I think she might be the same for you." He laughed humourlessly. "And I sure as hell hope I don't end up regretting this, but…you seem to make her happy." The two kept their gazes locked as he continued. "Don't fuck it up."
Not too long ago, there had been a time where Bucky was sure no amount of pleading or begging to God would have allowed him a future with someone. He'd told himself that his life after HYDRA would consist only of an eternal path to redemption, without respite. Never once had he considered that somewhere amidst the dizzying ache in his heart there would be a light, the same one that people promised lay awaiting at the end of darkened tunnels. The idea of Mia, of her very presence in his life was foreign enough. And now, to hear words of approval, no matter how harsh they may have been, from her closest kin…entire tales had been written to try and capture that feeling, but none of them could have sufficed.
At the sight of Zeyn offering a peace-making smile, Bucky replied in kind and marvelled at the lightened burden from his conscience. He watched as Zeyn downed the ice-cold shake near his plate before a thought dawned on him. His eyes widened as he asked seriously, "Wait, does…does that mean that you're 100 too?"
Bucky cracked a small grin. "A few years off."
Zeyn shook his head with gobsmacked features. "Fucking hell, Jesus. What…" he leaned in closer. "How long have you known Cap for?"
"Since 1926," he replied.
"Get the fuck outta here," said Zeyn as he shook his head. "You've gotta be kidding me—"
"Who's gotta be kidding you?" asked Mia as her and khaala came quietly to rejoin the table. She glided a swift hand along Bucky's shoulder as she sat down, momentarily taking note of the changed look on his face. He sent a small smile her way, and she wondered what the hell the two of them had spent the last 5 minutes talking about.
Thinking on his feet, Zeyn said, "Your boyfriend here thinks that 'Shrek 3' was better than 'Shrek 2'."
It took a while for Mia to actually compute what he was saying, because she was stuck on the fact that no one had ever called Bucky her 'boyfriend' before. Her brows furrowed. "…Does he, now?"
Bucky grew conscious of 3 pairs of eyes staring at him. "Ehm, yeah. It…it was a…cinematic masterpiece."
Khaala looked on with only confusion. "Darling, even I did not like the third one."
Zeyn added, "Nothing beats 'human Shrek' in the second one. Nothing."
At a loss for words, because nothing about that sentence made any sense to Bucky's uneducated mind, he succumbed. "I…I guess you're right."
Thankfully, the waiter they had that evening seemed to have the best timing of any single person known to man, showing up at the very moment humanity needed him most. "May I ask if the meal was up to standard?"
Everyone began their praises in unison, and the waiter nodded along with much amusement. "I'm very glad to hear it, and I will be sure to let the chefs know. If you are all finished, may I take your plates?"
All 4 of them pitched in and handed their plates to him helpfully. "Ah, thank you very much. Well then, I hope you all have had a wonderful night. We look forward to seeing you again soon."
Without thinking twice, everyone got up from their seats and fixed their clothes momentarily, before meandering their way through the maze of tables once more. It wasn't long before they were at the front of the restaurant, and khaala and Zeyn told the other two to wait outside for them while they tended to the bill. Not wasting a moment, Mia and Bucky walked through the front doors and into the summery air, before stopping at the bricked alley adjacent to the restaurant.
It was a nice change from the loud music and chatter they'd just sat in for the past while, and the silenced murmur of the city was exactly the backdrop Mia and Bucky needed for their first moment alone together that night.
Wearing a content smirk, Mia stepped so that Bucky's back was flush against the alley wall, leaning in close to tell him, "God, you were so amazing tonight."
A small smile was all the warning Bucky got before Mia let loose her inhibitions and kissed him like she'd wanted to since the evening had begun. Her hands tugged on the lapels of his blazer as she melted into him, any and all tension having left her conscience the minute they'd touched.
They'd been together in this way for a while, but somehow, the charm of a shared kiss never quite wore off. It was safe and homely, and everything they needed to reassure one another that they'd be alright. Bucky's hands left their pockets to curl at her hips, keeping her steady as their lips moved languidly against one another.
Mia was the first to draw away slightly, only to look bashfully through her lashes and say, "I've wanted to do that all night."
Bucky let a lazy grin spread across his lips before leaning down and capturing hers once more, wanting to make the most of these little moments while they were still under a cloud of privacy. Mia's hand moved from his blazer towards the nape of his neck, and she carded her fingers through his hair like she knew he loved while he guided her closer still. His flesh hand ventured downwards to where he felt the band of her briefs through her light dress, immediately sending a series of giggles from her lips to his. "Hey, hey, hey. Not here, they could show up any minute," she said through infectious laughter.
Coming down from her tippy-toes all too soon, she leant her forehead on his chest and shook it softly. "Why on Earth were you and Zeyn talking about Shrek?"
He shook his head. "Someone needs to tell me who the fuck 'Shrek' is, and why he's so damn important to everybody."
Mia's eyes fell shut and her nose crinkled as she laughed elatedly. "There is literally no way for me to answer that. Wait, so Shrek was just a topic change, then? What were you two girls gossiping about before that?"
In his mind, Bucky thought about how the smug look on her face was about to be exchanged for utter shock. "He knows."
Bucky's prediction was correct.
"Wh…What? Knows what? What?!" She fumbled through words before asking, "He knows…who you are?"
He nodded. "Told him my name, and how I know Steve. Didn't get to explain it much, but it was enough."
Mia's mouth was agape for a few long moments before she asked, "What—How did he react? Was he upset? Shocked?"
"To be fair, he took it pretty good. He's smart, I think he knew something was up before we started talking."
"What else did he ask you?" she asked nervously.
He swallowed. "He had to make sure you weren't in danger because of me." He paused. "Told me he'd kill me if I broke your heart."
She shut her eyes and fell a little red with embarrassment. "God, I'm so sorry. I…I didn't know he'd say all that stuff to you, or I wouldn't have left."
"Hey," he tugged her hand. "S'nothing to be sorry for. He did what he had to do. I respect that." Mia brought her eyes to meet his. "I would've done the same."
Guessing that he might've been talking about Rebecca, Mia accepted his comfort and dropped her hand to let their fingers twine. Her palm smoothed over the glove's brown leather as the next logical thought in her mind fell from her lips. "Did you tell him about Syria?"
He shook his head. "That's not for me to tell, sweetheart."
She shivered, still not used to the ease with which he made her feel the way he did. She let out a breath. "So…he was…okay?"
"I think he's okay as he can be," said Bucky. "But I'm…I'm glad we did this, y'know."
Mia smiled with relief, still in front of him with his back pressed up against the brick wall. "I think khaala's in love with you."
He chuckled. "I like her, too. She has good stories."
Mia shook her head. "I hadn't heard most of them. I feel like I'm getting to know her from the beginning, just like you are."
"Maybe that's how it was always meant to be," offered Bucky.
Mia liked that thought and enjoyed the sense it made in her nervous mind. "Maybe."
Before she could get another word out, Bucky heaved off of the wall and glazed his eyes from the glimmer in her eyes to the tip of her heeled toe. "Look at you," he marvelled. "You're a vision."
Mia scoffed. "Don't even get me started. You wore a suit. I mean," she fiddled with the collar of his white shirt. "I could get used to this."
He smiled. "I kinda like how we were on Friday night better."
Mia giggled. "You mean half-naked and bloated from all that chocolate we ate?"
Bucky smiled as he touched a lock of her hair. "Sounds like Heaven."
Extending that thought would've been ideal in both of their minds, but the sound of the restaurant door opening and familiar voices following pulled them from their little escape. Straightening their clothes and hair, Mia led them out of the alley and towards her family, only to see khaala a little shocked.
"You already paid for the food," she said to Bucky. "When did you do this?"
Zeyn shook his head. "You should know better than to mess with an Arab lady when it comes to paying for dinner, Jesus."
Mia turned to him. "You paid for dinner?" She winced, "Oh, that's not good."
Not fully accustomed to Arab traditions, Bucky was unaware of the usual half-hour battle that ensues whenever time comes to paying for a meal. Culture taught them to pay for collective meals whenever possible, in a bid to spread love and prosperity among people and family. There was never any 'each person pays for their own meal' business, and they prided themselves on that. But the fact that Bucky had arrived early to the restaurant just so he could pay in advance was something khaala was both unendingly impressed and bewildered at.
"You must let me repay you the money, habibi," she warned.
Bucky shook his head. "No, please—"
"But you were our guest," she reasoned. "This is not right, I will not accept it."
"But," he tried to intercede.
"No, darling, no."
Deciding to take a different approach, Bucky switched to Arabic and said, "Please, khaala. Tonight was wonderful, and this is just a small way of showing my thanks."
Still not used to his ability to speak her language, khaala pursed her lips and shook her head disapprovingly before giving in. "Next time, this should not happen."
Bucky cracked a smile."Fahum (Understood)," he said.
After a few more words exchanged, it was time for Mia, Zeyn and khaala to part ways with their guest of the evening. Khaala lay a customary kiss-on-either-cheek combo on Bucky, before telling him how much she'd enjoyed the night. She urged him not to be a stranger and to visit when he could, and that alone was enough to deem the night a success, meaning that he'd at least woven his way into her good graces.
Surprisingly, Zeyn didn't hesitate to provide Bucky with his customary level of uber-affection by holding him in a 'bro-clap-hug'. Not used to that level of endearment from someone he didn't know too well, it took a moment for Bucky to relax and reply in kind. As Zeyn went to thank Bucky one last time, he clapped a hand on his left shoulder and immediately grew puzzled at the obvious piece of metal he hit instead. His eyes widened fractionally, but one look at Mia and Bucky's faces told him that now was neither the time nor the place to ask questions of that regard.
"Ehm, well, we'll bring the car around while you say goodnight to your boyfriend," chided Zeyn.
There's that freakin' word again.
They bid their final farewells, and left the two of them standing on the pavement. Bucky broke the silence with a quirked brow. "Boyfriend, huh?"
Mia laughed nervously. "Don't listen to him, he's just…being stupid." She didn't know whether labelling their relationship was something too drastic for him, and ruining a beautiful night by pressuring him was not on her agenda.
Bucky put his hands in his pocket and looked at his feet reservedly. "You're okay with me being that?"
Mia was stumped. "I'm…I'm okay with whatever you're okay with." She put a piece of hair behind her ear. "But I don't…wanna force you into something you don't want. Some people don't want to define what they have with someone else, and even though I'm not that way, I completely respect it."
Within a moment, he dispelled all her nagging thoughts. "You're my girl, Mia." He shrugged softly. "That's the way I want it. I mean…if you'll have me."
…
…
IS THAT EVEN A QUESTION?!
"Is that even a question?" she unthinkingly said out loud. "I mean, I—Yeah, that's," she swallowed and couldn't look past the charmed look in his eye. "I'm yours, Buck."
Better writers could have spoken of the way the city lit up for the two of them where they stood, and how the crescent moon loomed a little closer to the Earth that night. They might have written sonnets about how the trees rustled in their background and the way the melodies of the footpath sang in harmony when Bucky and Mia walked upon it.
But simply put, the thing which moved them to the core was the realisation that they were twined with another person. It was no longer a matter of 'I' and 'me'. They were a unit, two parts of a whole. And even though this was only the beginning for them, it didn't make it any less real.
Mia's arms coiled around his neck as she kissed him once more, bending her leg at the knee behind her just like she'd seen every love-struck teen in movies do. Bucky's lips parted as they let instinct guide them, not particularly caring that they were on the sidewalk of a very busy road and in the midst of dozens of pedestrians. They decided that none of that mattered, because she was his, and he was hers. His hands fell back to her hips like they'd always belonged there, and her usual fear for social judgement was nowhere to be seen. Other people's opinions didn't matter. This was about them. This had nothing to do with—
"Y'know Google Earth's watching all of this!" shouted Zeyn from their car as it drove up to them.
Mia jumped away from Bucky within a split-second, feeling a blush radiate through her body at the fact that she'd let herself get so carried away. "God, okay. Okay, I'm coming!" she told a disapproving Zeyn and a slightly smug khaala. She turned to Bucky, "I'll talk to you soon, yeah?"
He nodded, a little out of breath. "Yeah."
She jogged to the car and opened the door, but not before sending a show-stopping smile over her shoulder to him. A wink and a little laugh was all she left him with, but boy oh boy, he'd be damned if that wasn't enough to last him a lifetime.
X
You have one (1) new text message from Unknown Number.
Hey, it's me. I'm sending this through a burner. I dialled your number to call but some girl named Pita Parker picked up instead. Do you know her? Anyway, I'll just ask through this instead. It's Rogers' birthday on Friday and the Bird's planning something at the house. A few new faces are coming. Please be there. Bring Mel and your brother. I'll tell you more later. Yours, B.
There were a great deal of things in that message that robbed Mia of her ability to speak, ranging from the fact that Steve Rogers was born on July 4th (really?), to her, Mel and Zeyn being invited to a kind of Avengers birthday party. Mia stood with her phone in her hands for a solid 3 minutes, rereading the text into oblivion.
Yours, B.
Wow, she wasn't about to get used to that any time soon.
Mia groaned out loud when she realised that she couldn't call Mel straight away with the good news, being that she was currently on a plane that wouldn't land in DC for another 3 hours. Tossing her phone on the kitchen bench, she all but ran to the guestroom her brother was staying in and flung it open, not caring that it was past 1 in the am.
"Zeyn, wake up!" she shouted. "Guess. What?"
X