AN: Hello! Thank you for reading and sticking with! Thanks you for the feedback
Usual disclaimer applies.
I made a bit of an error here, I always thought in Civil War 'wow, they are back at the compound quick!' After the Lagos attack, but when I re-watched, AFTER writing this, I picked up on a subtle 'one month later.' In this story, it's only a couple of days later. You will see I have tried to justify why they are back in the US so soon, so yeah… sorry about that! If I hadn't written it from scratch without the film inspiration, everyone would be stuck on the events a lot more and for longer.
Chapter 32: The Day After Tomorrow
Bucky wanders the empty house, Rosie at school, everyone else being useful elsewhere. He looks into Amelia's bedroom and sighs at the rumpled bed, Andi still sleeping in there, acting as if it's because her sister needs her. He looks up and spots a long white garment bag, no doubt containing Andi's wedding dress. He walks in, oblivious of the inappropriateness. He touches the bag lightly, his metal hand contrasting against the soft fabric. He thinks about looking inside but decides that's an overstep. Dropping onto Amelia's bed and staring up at the dress, he wonders what she went for, he pictures her at the weekend all in red and he meant what he said, he would have married her then and there, just them. Maybe he should have?
He's under no illusions that this wedding is bigger than both of them intended and he kicks himself for not sticking to his guns. He questions if she even wants to marry him anymore, he recalls what he said, wincing with shame. He looks up again and considers if she will even get to wear the dress at this rate.
Peering about, he's reminded of the night Amelia was bleeding. The fear in her eyes, the way she gripped his arm, screamed his name, relied on him. Turning away, he decides he needs to fix this, he remembers Dana's words once upon a time, life is too short. At least try again and a much better effort than at breakfast. He pulls out his phone, a missed call showing. He tries to access it, no luck. 'FRIDAY?' Nothing. 'Siri?' Still nothing. 'FRIDAY-SIRI? Hello?' He struggles and eventually taps the right button.
Her voice fills his ears and it's warmer, but still sombre. 'Hey, it's me, I'm at MIT, some fancy presentation thing for Stark. I just wanted to say, I'm sorry I was so hard on you over the party and what happened. Bucky thinks he deserved it, again picturing when he questioned proposing to her.
I… I love you and if you're in, I still want to marry you, of course I do, so bad. He straightens, relieved to hear that but pausing on the love part. He has never told her he loves her. He knows he does, but confessing was always hard and then one day, it felt stupid, like it had been too long. He pictures her, so candid and real with her feelings, he envies that.
Tony says you can come back from tomorrow. There should be a letter in the mail, I know you don't go in for that sort of thing, but just open the damn letter, yeah? He pauses and leaves the room quickly, walking down the stairs and spotting a pile of envelopes on the hallway floor.
Then come back to work, let's just go back to normal, please? I have to go, Tony's got something special planned, he claims. Umm, there's an envelope on my desk, you should take a look.' Bucky can't decide which envelope to collect first, but settles on the most important and turns back, climbing the stairs to her room. Pushing the door open, he looks to her desk. A large brown envelope there.
He pockets his phone and picks it up slowly. Sitting on a different bed this time, he tears it open and digs inside, pulling out a pile of typed pages.
Flicking through, it quickly becomes apparent what it is. James Barnes, Character reference - Dr Bruce Banner; James Barnes, Character reference - Sam Wilson; James Barnes, Character reference - Captain Steve Rogers and finally, James Barnes, Character reference - Andrea Miller. There's more, one for every colleague he admires and considers a friend. He stares at the pile, words jumping out, reliable, resourceful, kind, professional, good hearted… He nods to himself, his hearing scheduled for tomorrow and he had prepared nothing, willing to wing it, leave it to fate, whilst she had prepared everything.
He flicks to Steve's and reads it quickly, smiling to himself. It's professional, but honest, as only Steve can be. Andi's is next and she's signed it Andrea, so he knows she means business. He begins to read it, but struggles, something clouding his eyes and he turns away. Looking up and thinking of something suddenly, he abandons the documents on their bed and heads for the front door.
Looking down at the ground, nudging mail with his foot, searching for the familiar logo. He snatches a couple envelopes and tears at the second, dropping two back on the floor.
Reading it as fast as possible, he breathes out in relief, a warning on his file for a year and he can go back tomorrow. Just like she said. But he didn't believe it, not until he read it himself.
He's not sure how things got this bad and he looks about the house. It's not home and he realises he doesn't really have one right now. The tower is tainted, but then he remembers Andi and maybe she is could be his home. He feels a stir in his stomach picturing the impending wedding and he quickly squashes it down. 'Don't you love her?' A voice teases in his head and he physically shakes his himself, 'why do you never tell her? She tells you.' He searches for a distraction from his thoughts, peering into the lounge and spotting some shelves propped against the wall. A promised job never completed. Deciding to make himself useful, he gets to work.
…
Steve stares around the long table, looking at his friends and colleagues. Most worse for wear, all tired and ashamed. He sighs, peering over at Tony sombrely, sat behind him, subtly distancing himself some more. He knows this is wrong, they should still be in Lagos, assisting, making things better.
His eyes trail to Andi and he questions why she's there. She stands silently in the opposite corner, looking down at the ground, like she's been warned to remain silent.
'Well, this will be fun,' Rhodes announces and Steve keeps his head lowered. 'You all look a state, saw the news highlights, what a colossal mess,' he states bitterly.
Wanda wrings her hands, staring ahead with a glazed expression. 'The least you could do is stay and help clear up,' Rhodes criticises, and he is quickly interrupted by the Secretary of State, himself, 'we brought them home as quick as possible, a different kind of damage control.' Steve swallows, events from the last forty-eight hours flashing in his mind. Lagos. Rumlow. Innocent people, dead. He sighs, 'we should be there, helping.' The government official cuts him off, 'don't want to hear it, Rogers.'
General Ross is his usual self, but worse and Steve props himself upon his hand. He listens carefully, alarmed by where this is going. Video clips play out before the team and Steve tries to remain straight faced and unmoved. Rhodes looks away, Sam staring at the ground and Steve attempts to remain focused. Washington D.C. flashes past and Andi bites her lip, thinking of Bucky and Steve quickly looks to her and then back to Sam with guilt. Wanda inhales anxiously, anguished by the scenes and reminders, her own pain, grief and guilt radiating from her. Steve picks up on her tension and advises 'that's enough.' The team look wounded and exhausted and Tony says nothing, hunched over in the corner.
Steve listens carefully, as the General puts forward his solution for their so-called problem. He drops a heavy document on to the high gloss table. Steve questions the motivation, but when asked about Thor's whereabouts, he has no answer. He keeps a steely exterior, focusing on the official at all times.
As he continues to talk specifics, Steve looks across at Tony. If he was expecting help or defence, he realises it's not coming from him. Looking back at the document and then the others, Natasha smirks a little challenging the General and clearly masking her own torment. At the mention of retirement, Steve shakes his head, suddenly it's the furthest thought from his mind.
With a final warning, Ross departs, 'do us all a favour and keep a low profile, the lot of you, ok?'
The team exhale as Ross leaves with very little of a goodbye. The confusion and concern can be felt throughout the room, most staring to where the clips were previously presented.
Time passes and Steve peruses the manuscript, his colleagues bickering around him. Tony lies on a couch, covering his face in exasperation and Andi stays back.
Steve looks around and notices divides in the team forming already. Vision speaks calmly and with the sense that the others lack right now. Natasha calls out Tony for his silence on the matter and Steve knows the reason, 'it's because he's already made up his mind.' The others look to the billionaire for answers and he wanders to the kitchenette. Steve shakes his head, 'this isn't something they came up with overnight, is it, Tony?'
Andi watches again, as Tony captivates a different audience. He blanks Steve and begins to describe a young man, his photo displayed on his phone. He talks of the man's hopes and dreams, as if he met and spoke with him that very morning. Suddenly, Andi remembers the woman he said he spoke to earlier today. Tony reminds them of Sokovia and the devastation they left behind, Wanda looking down, recalling her own painful loss. Andi eyes Tony, he's clearly affected and she's not sure she's ever seen him like this. Looking around, she's not sure she's seen any of them in this way.
Tony makes his feelings known and Andi suddenly realises if the others oppose him, then she doesn't know what the future looks like. If Bucky opposes it, she doesn't know what their future looks like.
Andi looks over as Steve calmly challenges Tony and Rhodes calls him out. Tony is having none of it and she looks down again, doing her best to blend in with the walls, wishing her boss had left her at home.
When Natasha suggests Tony might have a point, the mood shifts, Steve looks up at her, respecting her voice, but surprised by her U-turn.
Tony announces, 'Clint's not here, nor Banner and Barnes will be back tomorrow, someone else can break it to them. Unless you want General Golf coming back for a re-do.' Everyone looks up at the mention of Bucky and Steve turns to Andi who nods a little, confirming it. 'As far as I'm concerned, you should all still be out there, clearing up this goddam mess. Now, do me a favour and keep a low profile. All of you, no headlines, no romantic rendezvous.'
Andi watches as Steve gets distracted and secretly checks his phone, then he announces he has to go and she stares after him, concerned at what that could be. He looked uptight and suddenly she's panicking a little about her sister, checking her own phone, but there's nothing. Tony calls to her, 'come on, PA, we're done here.' Andi agrees and follows him to the door. 'I'm taking the jet back to the city, I've got room for all of you.' Andi looks back at the group, his offer clearly a double meaning. 'Clean this place up a bit, will you? Take the jet offer, I want you all back in the city by tomorrow, we need to talk properly.'
Steve finds himself in a stairwell and returns the missed call, 'hey, are you ok?' He asks, a little concerned. He can hear her breathing on the other end and he utters her name softly. She sniffs, trying to find her voice, 'you're ok,' Amelia breathes. He closes his eyes, he should have told her, made contact. 'I'm so sorry, I didn't, I should have… I'm, we're at the compound…' Amelia cuts him off, 'it's ok, as long as you're safe. Promise me?' Steve nods, he's not sure he is, 'everything will be fine.' His use of the future tense doesn't go unmissed and she continues.
'Steve, all those people…' Amelia begins, and he hums in agreement, pinching his nose and praying this would all go away. 'I know.'
She senses his upset and tries a different topic, 'umm, I know the timing isn't great, I uh, I… but I had a fall at work, so I've moved my scan up to tomorrow morning, just to be safe.' Steve stiffens, asking loudly 'what? Are you ok? What kind of fall? How bad?' She scoffs awkwardly, to keep from crying 'just a couple steps, bruised my leg, cut it on one of those metal edges. But I'm fine, just thought it was better to be safe and Dr K could fit me in tomorrow, so, yeah.' Steve pauses as she tries to bid him goodbye. He panics and insists 'wait, hang on. Umm, I'll be there, and I'll be home tonight. I'll take a jet, I will be there.' Amelia sounds shocked, 'oh, sure, ok, great.' There's silence and Steve cradles his brow, closing his eyes 'I love you.' Amelia hesitates, but admits lowly 'that looked really bad, Steve.' That's all she says, and he moves his mouth, trying to find the words, 'it wasn't good.'
Natasha strolls into view and he looks up at her, 'please, just uh, be safe and we will talk tonight, yeah? Ok, you too… bye.'
He hangs up and peers over at the red head, 'she ok?' Steve frowns, shaking his head in disbelief, 'she fell and I… I have to go.'
As he turns away, she calls 'what happened out there?' Steve pauses and Nat continues, 'Rumlow, you were distracted.' He nods, his jaw gripping 'he uh, mentioned Bucky. I don't know, it was like I was a kid in Brooklyn again and everything they put him through... I don't know.' Natasha looks sceptical, 'that's all?' Steve leans against the rails, he finally confesses, 'no. He… he mentioned her. Said he knew about my life, my family, kid on the way and my… TV producer... yeah.' Natasha hides her surprise, 'well that's worse than I thought.' Steve offers a stilted nod, 'I can't get it out of my head, it keeps replaying. That's why I need to go.' He walks to the door and she calls over, 'will you be back?' Steve breathes out, pausing, but just leaves.
…
Turns out, Bucky isn't as handy as he thought, stepping back and looking at the three shelves, not quite straight when you look at them head on. He sighs, the best part of three hours lost to the menial task. Placing his hammer on the last shelf, he takes a heavy seat on the couch. Hitting the TV on, he secretly hopes for that game show he's grown a fan of, during his stay at home. Instead, news clouds the screens, racing stripes of headlines at the bottom, shaky camera footage and an obvious disaster somewhere in the world. Leaning forward he knows it's his team. Checking his phone quickly, it won't light up and he bangs it on his leg, 'what is the fucking point?' He growls and throws the dead device down. Wiping his chin, he continues to watch the carnage unfold on the TV. The reporters commenting on numerous civilian deaths. He freezes, thinking the worse, his selfish thoughts drift to Steve. But he's handed clarity when multiple Avengers are shown assisting with the mass clean up. His mind taunts him, that should be you, you should have been there. He considers what to do, race to the tower, but for what? He pictures Andi's disappointed face last time he broke his furlough.
He stands quickly, searching for a charger and cussing everyone that lives in the house. Pacing the downstairs level, finally spotting a cable and grabbing it up, he nervously misses the hole four times, his hands shaking. Frustrated, he throws the phone to the ground, it lands with a crack on the stone tiled floor and he stares down at the smashed screen. 'Ah, shit.'
He hears a thud and closes his eyes, knowing that's one of his shelves.
…
Steve lets himself into his room at the tower. He pauses once inside and stares to the ceiling. 'Shit.' He stares about the room and forgets why he even stopped here, Rumlow's words once again echoing around his head. It's so full of thoughts and questions, but that one sentence keeps slicing through everything.
He checks the time, he needs to get out of here. He promised he'd be home, but at this rate he will miss Rosie's bedtime.
There's a tap at the door and he considers ignoring it, assuming it must be someone to try and talk him round, plead with him to sign the accords. He exhales and can't in good conscience blank it. He stalks over and opens the door forcefully, he stills, looking up and down at a very damp Amelia, stood shivering a little across the threshold.
'Hi,' she chatters anxiously, and he gapes at her, she's suddenly in his arms, her two around his neck. She squeezes him tightly, he strokes her back, 'umm hi, what are you doing here? Why are you so wet?' She steps in and tugs her long cardigan off, it's sodden and stuck to her skin. He looks down and notices her sheep skin boots, darkened from water on the ground. 'I thought it would be easier for us to talk here, alone. I was just staring at the clock and you didn't arrive… But I took a taxi, last minute decision and it's raining, real hard. He uh, the taxi, he dropped me at the front, but I didn't have my key card, or know the kid at the desk, long story, I walked around...' Steve feels terrible and he calls her to follow him, pointing to the bed 'sit there.' He's forceful and she looks back at the white sheets, 'uhhhh, ok.' He returns with a towel and she dries her hair a little, he passes her a sweater and she pulls it on over her damp dress from work. She zips herself into his hoodie, relaxing at the warmth and the familiarity. Steve walks over and bends beside her, 'it's like you are looking for a fight.' He can feel her damp skin beneath his hands 'do you like being a rebel?'
Amelia eyes him, 'do you?' He doesn't answer and he moves to sit beside her. She turns to look at him directly. Gulping as her eyes float across his shoulders, checking for injuries, she hesitates in reaching for him. She bites her lip, tears forming, dropping her head. 'I thought you were dead,' she admits in a whisper. 'I feel so bad, but I was so relieved you're ok.'
Steve strokes her wet hair from her face, tugging at her chin softly and meeting her eyes, 'I'm still here.' Amelia nods quickly, gasping 'what's going on? That wasn't like other times, was it? What's happening?' Steve stares down at her hands as she subconsciously picks at her nails. 'It's… it's bad this time, we made a real mess, mistakes, errors and now every mistake we have ever made is being pulled up.' Amelia's confused, not sure what's going on. 'How's Wanda? I saw her on the TV, is she ok?' Steve tries to smile a little at her concern, 'she's hanging in there, everyone is.'
'What happens now?' She asks slowly and he sighs heavily.
Steve seems to stop, thinking hard, no easy answer to offer.
'They want us to sign something.' He's silent for a time, almost retracing what this may mean. 'Hand ourselves over to the government, work for them.' Amelia shakes her head, 'but don't you already do that? Work for the state? Saving people.' Steve shrugs, 'yes, but we call the shots, this would mean we go where they say, we would prioritise what they want.' Amelia catches on, dragging out slowly 'but you're not going to? So, what does that mean, you become criminals?' Steve squeezes her hand in his, 'we have a big decision to make, some people want to sign and others…' Amelia looks up to him, already knowing the answer 'what do you want to do?'
Steve pauses.
'I don't think I can sign that. I mean, SHIELD, Hydra, this. What's the difference?' Amelia doesn't have an answer. She strokes down his arm slowly, 'I'll stand by you no matter what. But sometimes you have to have faith. Not everyone is SHIELD, and once upon a time SHIELD was good. It was Peggy and Tony's dad. People you knew. It meant something good to a lot of people. Don't forget that.' Steve considers her words, she continues 'you have the power, the resources, the ability to fight back against that kind of evil, how many people can say they've taken down two evil corporations?' Steve scoffs, 'you make it sound simple.' Amelia nods, 'Bucky says the same thing. But I guess it could be, it's only as hard as you want it to be. I know you, Steve. You will do anything for the greater good.' He agrees, confessing 'but I'm not sure who's good this is for.' Amelia sighs, 'I can see you're in turmoil over this, have you spoken to Tony?'
Steve thinks back to the billionaire who is adamant that they should sign. 'You trust him, don't you?' Her question makes him wonder, 'yeah. Yes. I trust him.'
Steve suddenly panics, 'where's Rosie?' He stands up and she watches him, not sure on the change in him 'um, at home.' He looks desperately concerned, 'with who? Is she ok? Who has her?' Amelia is confused, 'umm Andi and Bucky, she's fine. Steve, what's wrong? Calm down.' He pauses closing his eyes, his back to her. He reassures himself Bucky and Andi, that's ok. Rumlow's gone.
'Is she ok? Is she happy? How was school?' Amelia laughs a little, 'she's fine, banging on about us getting another cat! But none the wiser, you don't need to worry about us. We're always here.' She's so flippant, carefree and Steve turns back quickly, 'no, no, I do. It might not be safe.' Amelia's face scrunches, 'because of this whole hero or vigilante thing? That's just the press, hyping it up.' Steve nods quietly, pretending that's what he meant. Amelia rubs her baby bump lazily, 'Richard is like that at work, he's really starting to let his walls down, show his true spots.' Steve looks up, suddenly alarmed 'wait, how did you fall at work?' He appears pained and she promises, 'I was rushing to call you and I slipped, just missed a step, my own fault.' He folds his arms, 'you need to be more careful.' She agrees, 'I know, I think the doctor is going to suggest I finish a little earlier, I really wanted to go as long as possible.' Steve wants that, but he doesn't want to sound out of touch and controlling, so he bites his tongue.
They sit in silence, Steve deep in his muddled thoughts.
Amelia gnaws at her lip, 'hey, umm, left field, but I've seen a job advertised, close to my dad's… well ours, the house, you know… It's for radio, actually. Are we… are we still moving, maybe?' Steve strolls to the window, looking at his own reflection and then to hers. She's nervously sat on the bed, pulling at a loose thread. He watches her secretly and suddenly he realises he's gone from a man with nothing to lose, to a man with everything to lose. He questions why he wouldn't sign the document; he needs to protect his family. He remembers her question and turns sadly, 'um, I just can't think about that right now, I'm sorry.' It doesn't really answer her and Amelia accepts that 'no, no, of course not. It's just becoming more and more apparent; I can't stay at the show. I mean this stuff with you will be everywhere soon, I'm not happy there.'
Steve pauses, missing her last words, 'unless we get a head start…'
He walks over to her and she stares up at him, a sudden energy in his step. 'We have three days to think on it. But what if I do sign?' He sits down beside her again, suddenly alight with the idea. 'Umm, yeah, you can only try it, right?' Steve considers it, 'I'll just be honest with everyone, we can put our cards on the table, we sign, and we try. If it doesn't work, we haven't lost anything. But we will keep a lot more.' Amelia can only see one issue with that, 'Steve, what's the other option?' He sighs, pushing an uncomfortable hand through his hair, closing his eyes 'we go underground, we run it our way.' She leans back, asking innocently, 'what would that mean for us? For the kids?' Steve looks up, realising the impact of his words, 'I… I don't know… but I'll always be there for you.' Amelia bites her gum, emotions bubbling inside. She stands quickly, returning his jacket, she seems flustered, her cheeks warm with a blush 'you seem to have a lot to sort, stay here, I'll see you at home when you're ready.' He takes her arm gently, 'no, I'll take you home now. I'm coming with you. We have three days, we can meet tomorrow. I am done for today.' She nods slowly, 'uh ok, as long as you're sure.' Steve smiles weakly, tired and drained, 'I just want to go home, see our little girl, see my friend and hold you tight.' She softens, melting at his words, 'well, I'm sure we can manage that.' She leans in and kisses his lips lightly.
Steve stops her again, 'you know that I love you and I still want everything we discussed, the house, Rosie, the baby…' He touches her tummy softly, 'you.' She nods, 'I know, but it can wait. We'll wait.' He's worn out and torn, his mind flashing back to the scenes from Lagos and then to the thick document.
Amelia eyes him, 'Steve, you say you want this life? Us, a family?' He nods eagerly, 'like you wouldn't believe.' He strokes her cheek and then she asks, 'do you want to sign these rules? This agreement?' He drops her hand and she knows the answer. 'Steve, always follow your heart, it's what I love most about you. Do what you need to do.' He watches her retreat, staring after her sadly, knowing she's right.
…
Andi arrives home, she drops her stuff urgently, calling loudly 'Bucky?' There's no response and she listens for voices. She can hear something in the kitchen, and she races around the corner, through the dining room. She breathes out, seeing Bucky with Rosie. She's sat at the counter, leaning over, painting his hands. 'Then you put them on the paper… ok, go!' Bucky looks between her and his bright red painted hands, 'now!' Rosie calls impatiently. 'Next to my hands. Press hard.'
Andi watches in relief, desperate to get home to her family after the day she's had. She watched Tony pace the jet cabin all the way back to the city, her thoughts drifting continuously to the people in Lagos.
Bucky pushes both palms down hard on the paper as Andi walks closer, 'hey,' she whispers, trying not to scare either of them. Rosie grins up happily, 'you're home!' Andi nods, 'yeah, I made it.' Bucky looks up at her, his palms still face down and Rosie reminds him, 'lift them off!' He does as he's told and stares down at his prints next to her much smaller blue ones. Andi suddenly in front of him and throwing herself at him, Bucky tries to hug her back, not touching and Rosie groans 'ughhh yuk, nooo.' He smirks at the child but whispers to Andi, 'be careful what you say.' She pulls back and looks at him sadly, nodding and noting Rosie painting happily. 'Why are you crying?' The inquisitive child asks her auntie, Andi wipes her cheeks, 'I'm just glad to be home.'
'Where's your mom?' Andi asks looking around, sniffing 'she was here but then she went to get daddy!' Rosie beams at the adults and they share a look, 'oh, ok.' Bucky nods to Rosie, 'can I wash them now?' She agrees, Bucky intimates to the sink and Andi follows him over.
'You ok? You're pretty late.' Andi runs the water, watching it fill the china sink, 'I'm ok. I went to the compound, we flew there straight from MIT. I'll let Steve tell you the rest. You saw the news?' Bucky's confused by her comments, but she looks exhausted and he leaves it. He sighs 'yes, we saw the news, just… just distracting ourselves for a while,' he waves his paint-stained hands at her and Andi looks back to Rosie.
She steps in closer to Bucky, feeling his warmth beside her.
'I'm so sorry, for how I was, what happened… you and me…' She tears up, both their backs to Rosie, she calls over 'don't kiss now! Naughtyyyyy!' Andi smiles a little, Bucky reaches his hands into the warm water, watching her. 'I saw the news,' he admits again, she just nods, her tears mingling with the washing up water. 'I don't know what's wrong with me, I can't stop crying. Happy dropped me home, I just… all those people.' He finds her hand and pulls it softly into the water, along with his, massaging her small hand in his. The water turning red with paint, Andi sniffs. 'Everything was getting better this morning and now look.' Bucky crosses their fingers, squirting soap and rubbing her palms.
'Are we still getting married?' She whispers and he kisses her temple, 'you bet.' He smiles thinking back to her dress stowed upstairs. She stares at their intertwined hands, bubbles forming around them. 'You'll be there? Tomorrow? At work?' Bucky nods, Andi asking desperately, 'back to normal?' Bucky shrugs 'whatever that is. I'll be there.'
'She'll be there too, you know.' Bucky agrees, answering calmly 'she doesn't matter. She never mattered.' Andi leans against him and they hear a voice between them, looking down Rosie is stood there, 'do you have my dress yet?' Andi smiles, gasping, 'no, your mom is in charge of that. Oh, speak of the devil.' They hear the front door and Rosie inhales, running from the room, calling to her mother. Bucky reaches for a towel and dries his hands and then Andi's. She holds them out for him and he pats them dry with the cloth. She hugs him again, closing her eyes against his shoulder. 'Love you,' she mutters, he can feel her tears through his shirt. 'Don't die. Please?' Bucky isn't sure what's gotten into her, other than the obvious, but he promises 'I won't.'
…
Steve unlocks the front door, dragging his hood away from his hidden face and wipes his feet on the mat, Amelia close behind. She checks for anybody who might have followed or seen them, but it appears clear. Rosie jumping at their feet. 'Thunder! Thunder! Why are you wet?' Steve picks her up and holds her close, 'you didn't say flash,' she whispers and he apologises. He looks at her forlornly, his eyes flickering closed, she tries to pry one open, 'don't fall asleep, daddy! Not yet, I need to tell you about my day.' He smiles softly, squeezing her, pretending to wake up 'I'm just pleased to see you.' He lowers her down and looks at her freckled face, moving a plait over one shoulder. She has paint on her cheek and he grins, 'come see uncle Bucky's shelves.' Steve frowns, concerned and follows her into the lounge. Amelia watches them sadly, wondering how much longer this will last for, if Steve chooses not to sign.
She walks into the dining room, shaking the disturbing thought and looking up at Bucky and Andi, cuddling beside the sink. She feels bad for watching but it's the most comforting thing she's seen for a while. She wanders away, before they can see her. Leaving them to their moment and glad to see they made up.
Strolling into the lounge, she marvels at the shelves, noting they aren't straight but keeping her mouth shut. Steve smiles across at her, pleased to be home. Amelia thinks for a moment they could almost forget what lies outside the safety of the four walls they have built.
Rosie announces she's going to get her dolls, 'you know, for the shelf!' Amelia watches her run off, so carefree and happy. Steve calls her over and she struggles a smile as he holds out his hands, 'want to dance? Make up for the ones we lost at the weekend.' The offer is sweet but it never really reaches his eyes, it feels forced and as she gets closer, she can see the darkness under his exhausted eyes, bruises forming and the energy drained from him. She groans, 'I can't, my knee is…' he looks at her prudently, 'is great, what am I talking about?' She jests poorly.
Steve leans in and asks, 'Buck around?' Amelia nods, 'yeah, but just leave them a minute.' Steve isn't sure who she means.
'The guy, the name you said, Rumlow? Who is he?' Steve pauses, a chill shooting down his spine, thoughts drifting to his last words and final warning. He pulls her close, tightly squeezing her. 'He… he was a bad guy.' Amelia hears the past tense and decides not to push it any further. Steve's head balanced atop hers and they are so still, she wonders if he is asleep.
'What do you think of the shelves?' Bucky asks, walking in, Andi at his heels. Amelia smiles gently, 'they look great, they were actually for the other side, but thank you so much.' Bucky looks at her sceptically, she just chuckles. Every time it feels normal, each one of them feels the creeping reminder of recent events.
Bucky and Steve share a glance and Amelia picks up on it, 'I ordered pizza in the cab, so, yeah, listen for the door. I need to change out of these damp clothes.' She beckons Andi and they disappear as subtly as Rosie would, bumping into one another and whispering, looking back at the pair.
The friends stand there, side by side, staring at the shelves. 'Rumlow?' Bucky asks lowly, Steve sighs, 'it's over.' There's more quiet.
Bucky admits, 'looked bad.' Steve nods, 'yeah, this one's going to stick, I think. We made a real mess.' Steve opens his mouth, but quickly checks over his shoulder, he makes eye contact with his best friend, 'he knew about them.' Bucky knows who he means, by the way his eyes travel towards the stairs. Bucky looks down to the ground, 'but it's over now? He can't get to them.' Steve clenches his jaw, swallowing but saying nothing.
'We had a visitor at the compound, they want us to sign accords, hand over the reins, answer to the US Government.' Bucky's eyes flutter in confusion. 'Secretary of State delivered the message personally. We have three days to decide.' Bucky didn't see that coming. 'Tony thinks we should sign, you and I both know what not signing means.' Bucky looks around the room, taking in the life they would both be giving up. Bucky watches him, considering if he would really turn his back on all this.
Steve tries to shake it off, 'anyway, we have a little time and I just want to remember what's good tonight. We've had a hell of a couple of weeks. I just want to bury my head. I can't do anything else. Back to reality in the morning. We can talk about it then, do me a favour, play it down in front of…' Bucky can relate, nodding in understanding, 'sure.'
Steve forces himself to discuss something else. 'So, I hear I will be seeing more of your mug around the office from tomorrow?' Bucky looks down shyly, laughing a little, Steve raising a brow at him. 'I'm pleased for you, it's not been the same without you. Everyone has missed you.' Bucky smiles warmly, 'yes, looks like I'll be finishing my sentence with the team after all, or maybe not now… who knows. But I got lucky, you lot saved my ass again.' Steve shrugs, 'yeah, guess we are pretty fortunate. Not everyone is so lucky…'
They remain in silence and Bucky sighs, admitting 'Steve, you know I can't sign that, right? Not after everything.' Steve nods weakly, 'yeah, I know.' The doorbell sounds and they share a sad smile as Rosie announces 'PIZZA!' She almost trips down the stairs, sliding on her loose socks.
AN: Thanks for reading. Stay safe, take care.