Happy Saturday!

The weekend is here, and so is a new chapter. This one has a decent amount of fluff, which I hope you'll remember when you see what I'm going to do to Bucky in the next chapter.

Chapter Forty-Three

The moment Bucky walked into the living room of Tony's penthouse at the Tower, the room erupted with cheers and applause. A moment later, he was surrounded by Sam, Rhodey, Clint, and Wanda, who slapped him on the back, tousled his hair, and—Natasha, who kissed his cheek.

Bucky let the joy fill him, adding to the wonder he already felt, and enjoyed the closeness he felt with them all in that moment.

When they had parted, Bucky caught sight of Vision standing by the couch, his eyes the shade of yellow which meant it was Mind. He nodded once and said, "Congratulations, Sergeant Barnes. Peter is waiting to see you whenever you are ready."

With a nod of thanks, Bucky turned, intending to head back to the lab to fetch the BARF glasses, but a hand clamped down on his shoulder and Clint said, "That can wait, Barnes. We've got food coming, and Pepper's bringing up some of Stark's good champagne."

Bucky shook his head. "I'll be back soon."

Clint grumbled. "Damn, this kid has you all hooked."

"And you don't care about him at all?" Natasha asked. "You're not the one quizzing me about him?"

Clint shrugged. "He's a good kid, interesting, yeah, I like him, but I would not walk out on a party to go see him when we've got some of Stark's ten-thousand-dollar-a-bottle champagne coming."

Bucky shrugged. "You wouldn't get it—you don't really know him yet. I've got to go see him, though."

Clint threw up his arms and said, "Fine. Go. Say hey to World-Savior version of Spider-Man for me."

Bucky laughed and headed back into the elevator. He rode down and hurried along the hall, grinning when the door beeped open before he reached it, and Friday said, "Feel free to go in, Sergeant Barnes. Mr. Stark was expecting this happenstance. What you require is on the bench."

Bucky rushed in, expecting to need to search the mess on Tony's desk for the glasses, but he'd clearly tidied up. He'd also set a surprise, which Bucky was sure had amused him. There was a red bow around the glasses and a note which said, "Say hey to my kid for me as a free man."

Chuckling softly, Bucky pulled off the ribbon, threw it onto the bench, and put on the glasses. The scene formed around him, the lake outside the Tool Shed where he'd spent some of his favorite times with Peter, and the person he longed for was perched on one of the rocks.

At Bucky's appearance, Peter jumped off the rock and ran forward. Bucky didn't even have a chance to get his arms around Peter before he was being lifted off his feet, just as he'd done to Peter in the courthouse.

He laughed, and his hands came around to embrace Peter as he was set down. "You did this, bud."

Peter pulled back, his head whipping from side to side wildly. "No! Yeah, I found some of the evidence, but you were the one that sat in that courtroom and heard all the awful things people said about you and didn't quit. You could have walked out on the first day and not returned. You could have gone back to hiding at the compound, and no one could have stopped you. But you didn't! You went back, day after day, and faced it. This is your win, Bucky. Not a pardon, not a reward for fighting—the world knows you're innocent now!"

Bucky stared at him, taking in the words, and considering them, seeing that they were true. More than once, he'd thought about refusing to go back, not putting himself in the position of hearing his crimes read out, the witnesses he'd left behind—which were few and far between and had mostly been the very young. He had kept going, though, facing the evidence and guilt, because he told himself he was doing it for Peter.

But perhaps it was for himself, too.

And Peter was right: he was a free man now. He was innocent, judged by a fair jury. The pardon had been Ellis' in return for the things they'd done—and in large part in repayment for his return to office.

Bucky was innocent now for real.

He hugged Peter again, cradling the back of his head in his metal hand, and he said, "Maybe it wasn't all you, but you were a huge part of what gave me the strength to sit there every day." He pulled back and held Peter's face in his hands. "I love you, bud."

Peter blinked, his lips parting. "You've never said that before."

"Did you ever doubt it?" Bucky asked, eyes troubled.

"No, not at all, it's just you've never said it."

Bucky sighed. "There's some things I find it hard to say, like they've got too much weight and risk. Not to me," he rushed on when Peter opened his mouth. "To the people I give the words to, like it can hurt them. I've not felt like a good man in a long time, bud, The Winter Soldier was always on my heels. I don't feel that now, though, so it feels okay to say it—safe." He stared into Peter's eyes. "I love you, Peter."

Peter beamed. "I love you, too. Really, Bucky, you're one of the most important people in my world, and I trust you completely. That's why I sent you to 2016, even though I knew it was going to be hard for you, because I trusted you. I knew Tony and Steve would do what was right for me, and I knew Natasha would work the mission for the world, but I trusted you to do both for me."

Bucky had sometimes wondered why Peter had sent him because he'd been in the most difficult position of them all in 2016. Mind had said Peter sent the people he thought he needed to 2016 and kept Rhodey in 2023 to take care of the people left behind. Now Bucky understood what it was that Peter had needed from him and no one else, when he could have taken Rhodey's place in 2023, giving the people in 2016 an advantage with a person that was free to act.

Peter led him to the rocks, and they sat down, looking out at the lake.

"I can't believe Tony sent me back to school," Peter grumbled. "I'm so pissed right now in 2017."

Bucky chuckled. "I know, it's not fair. But I think he's more than a little scared of your aunt. Did you know she punched him?"

Peter's eyes widened. "No! Wow, May."

"She was angry," Bucky said. "She had good reason. It was after the plane crash."

Peter waved a hand. "Yeah, but that's all over now. Things are good. We don't have to hide from each other ever again."

"I don't have to hide from anyone now," Bucky said. "Even in 2023, it's not like we ventured out into society much. That's all different now." He grinned. "I can meet your aunt!"

Peter nodded eagerly. "Yeah! You can! Oh, you'll love May. She's awesome."

"You miss her a lot," Bucky guessed.

"I do, but I get to see her all the time now. It's not just my time with you all that I see change. I get all those new memories with May. It's a gift. It was great to see her in The Soul Plane, especially as Ben is there, too, but she's alive now. We get to go out to dinner together. Thanks to Tony's lessons, I can even cook a couple simple meals for her. It's great."

"Well, now I don't have to hide in the compound all the time, me and you can pick up your cooking lessons again," Bucky said.

"That'd be awesome," Peter said.

Bucky grinned. "That's decided then. Though we're going to have to deal with Tony pouting about sharing."

"He's getting better about that, isn't he?" Peter asked, head tilted to the side.

"He complains less," Bucky said with a laugh.

Peter smiled. "He'll be fine. For me, as I am there with you, I'm having the best time getting to know you all."

"And they're loving it, too," Bucky assured him. "It's interesting for us—me, Tony, Steve, and Nat—who know you and what you'll do, to see them getting to know you and wrap their heads around what's coming."

"And fifteen-year-old me is totally oblivious. I just think most of them are tolerating my presence for Tony. Not that I mind. Really, for me, seeing you all, is mind-blowing." He looked out at the lake as a flock of geese splashed into the water. "How long do you have here?" he asked.

"As long as you do. I can stay until you get too tired."

"No," Peter said. "As much as I'd love that, you've probably got a party waiting for you there."

"I do," Bucky said. "And Tony's planning to send Happy to come pick you up after school for what your aunt is going to think is an internship weekend stay."

"He is?" Peter asked eagerly. "Awesome. That'll be great. You better get back."

"Not yet," Bucky said reluctantly. "You won't be here for a few hours yet."

"No, but everyone else is already there. I'll be fine. I'll hang out with the Stones for a while."

"With Power?"

Peter laughed. "He's okay. I like him. Besides, I'm teaching them about life in the twenty-first century for a teenager—we're on memes and Vines now." Seeing Bucky's doubtful look, he laughed and said, "What? It's not like we can spend all our time discussing ultimate power and the threats we face. Sometimes we've got to chill."

"And the Infinity Stones find that interesting?"

Peter nodded. "Soul and Power love it. Space and Reality are interested." He laughed. "Time and Mind talk amongst themselves."

Bucky laughed, wrapping an arm around Peter, and said, "That's one crazy life you've got, bud."

"And it's a brand-new life you've got waiting for you now," Peter said. "You're free!"

"I am," Bucky agreed. "And in a few minutes, I'll go enjoy my party, but I want to just sit with you a little longer."

Peter rested his head against Bucky's shoulder and said, "Okay. That's fair."

Bucky leaned his cheek on Peter's hair and smiled. He would go back and enjoy what promised to be a great party, but he'd enjoy just a little time with Peter first.

Then he'd go back to the promise of the other Peter, who he was just now getting to know.

Peter was still a little grumpy about Tony sending him back to school, though his afternoon had been pretty exciting, finally being able to tell Ned about Bucky and how he knew him.

Ned's mouth had gaped open the whole time Peter had been talking, with occasional interruptions of, "Dude!" and "That's so cool!" coming from him.

At the end of the last class, Peter had got outside to find Happy waiting for him, the front passenger side door propped open, answering Peter's inquiries of what he was doing there with a simple, "Boss says you're invited to a party in the penthouse. Your aunt knows. Your overnight bag is in the trunk."

Stomach fluttering with excitement, Peter had snapped on his seatbelt and then extolled on what he had seen in the court to a seemingly disinterested Happy.

"Yeah, great, kid," he said, finally coming to a stop outside the Tower. "Now go play with the other superheroes."

Peter thanked him and climbed out, then grabbed his bag from the trunk before Happy drove away. It was still chilly, though Spring would be there soon, and he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he crossed the sidewalk and stepped through the revolving doors into the lobby.

He swiped his security card, waved to Juliet at the desk, then entered the elevator as the doors opened to meet him and Friday said, "Welcome back, Peter. Boss has asked me to take you straight up to the penthouse. He's waiting for you."

"Thanks, Friday," Peter said.

He rode up, and the doors opened to Tony leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He stepped forward as Peter stepped out and guided him left with an arm around his shoulders to the left.

Peter hadn't gone this way before, as the kitchen and living room were to the right. He didn't ask what was happening, though, knowing Tony would tell him in his own time.

Tony opened a door at the end of the hall and gestured Peter in. Peter entered what he guessed was the guest bedroom he'd be using. It had a bed as big as the one Peter had used in the compound, a bedside table, and a dresser, but it was otherwise bare apart from a blanket.

"This," Tony said expansively, spreading his arms, "is your room—if you want it."

"My— my room?" Peter asked, eyes wide.

"Yep. Now Bucky's case is done, I'll have a lot more time to spend here, and I was thinking we could make these overnight stays more of a regular thing. Sometimes we'll be at the compound, since I'm not having that group of miscreants moving back into their rooms here long-term. Hell, me and Pep need our space."

Peter frowned. "If you need your space, what am I doing here?"

Tony waved a hand. "You're not a problem, kid. Pep loves having you around. It's them"—he thumbed towards the door—"that are the unwanted houseguests." He gave Peter an expectant look. "But I thought maybe we could have a weekend here now and then, you, me, and Pep, so we can put more time into the lab together without a curfew. Not that I'm letting you stay up all night. Don't need you picking up my bad habits. But, yeah, we could have more time this way."

Peter nodded eagerly. "Yeah! That'd be awesome, Mr. Stark. I don't think May will mind because she worries about me when she has to work the long shifts when I'm not in school."

"That's decided then," Tony said, clapping his hands. "Which means you've got to decorate. This looks like a hotel room since no one I ever cared about stayed in here before. I want you to make it yours, though. I've set up an Amazon account for you on Friday—go nuts."

"I can't do that!" Peter said. "Really, it looks like I've already got everything I need in here."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Kid, you've got a bed, a bathroom, and a closet. You need to make this place comfortable."

"I… uh… I've got a blanket, too," Peter said, pointing to the bed on which a navy blanket was folded, which looked so soft Peter kinda wanted to go touch it now. It was a little strange, though, as there was nothing else in here, though, like the room at the compound he'd used, there was that blanket. It seemed like something Tony had put there himself.

"Yeah, you've got a blanket," Tony agreed, "but you need more—posters and toys and stuff."

Peter quirked an eyebrow. "Toys? Mr. Stark, I'm fifteen."

"Games consoles then," Tony said. "Hell, kid, I don't know what you need. Get whatever you want." When Peter opened his mouth to protest, he said, "If you don't, I'll do it myself, and I'll be way more extravagant than you can possibly be. How do you feel about diamond encrusted alarm clocks?"

Peter laughed. "Okay, yeah, I mean no—you don't need to do it for me. I'll do some shopping later."

He felt a little awkward about spending Tony's money, but the idea that he could have his own space here, with things he'd chosen, was a good one. His bedroom at home had everything he could need, but a lot of it had been scavenged from thrift stores or gifts. There wasn't much in there that he'd chosen for himself from overwhelming options like Tony was offering him.

"Great," Tony said. "Now, let's go join the party before they all pass out. I'm warning you, though, kid, that won't take long since they've all been depleting my stock of good champagne for hours now."

He led Peter out of the room, along the hall, and past the elevator into the living room, which was a chaos of people, champagne bottles, glasses, rowdy voices, and takeout boxes that looked like they came from far fancier places than where he and May ate.

At their appearance, Clint, who had been downing the last drops of champagne from his glass, raised his hands and shouted, "Spider-Man has arrived!"

All eyes turned to him, and Peter met their welcoming smile and greetings with his own.

"You hungry, Queens?" Steve asked, getting to his feet, and crossing the room to them.

"Think who you're talking to, Cap," Tony said. "Pete's always hungry. What do you feel like, kid? We've got leftover Italian in the fridge, which we can heat for you, or I can order something in. Bucky and Steve are probably ready for their next meal, too."

"I'll eat anything," Peter said.

Tony snorted. "That I already know. What I was asking was, what did you want?"

Steve fixed his eyes on Peter and said, "Thai? Pizza? Chinese? Oh, what about sushi?"

Tony laughed. "What's that, Mr. No, I Don't Eat Raw Fish? Have you maybe changed your mind?"

Peter grinned. "I think that was obvious after his fifteenth salmon roll, Mr. Stark."

Tony tousled his hair. "True. But, come on, what are you in the mood for?"

Peter considered. "Do you have the stuff for grilled cheese? I can make that."

Tony looked scandalized. "Are you seriously asking me if I have bread and cheese? What kind of ingrate larder do you think I keep, kid? I've got about ten different kinds of cheese, including that gouda you like for your sandwiches. It's all in the fridge. Go nuts."

Peter went to the fridge and stared at the cheeses on offer as Steve called, "Buck, you want grilled cheese? Queens is making it."

"Definitely," Bucky said, climbing off the couch where he'd been talking to Natasha and coming to them.

"You need the provolone and Monterey Jack," Steve said.

"What?" Bucky said. "Don't mess with a classic, Steve. We just need American cheddar."

Peter grinned. "How about a combination of the three?"

Bucky looked doubtful, though his eyes were shining with happiness, and Steve said, "Sounds like a fair compromise. Bucky, get the bread. I'll slice the cheese. You can get the pan hot, Queens."

Feeling warm and content, comfortable, Peter grabbed a skillet and put the burner on, turning when he felt eyes on him and saw Natasha and Tony watching, a fondness in both their eyes which he felt was hiding something more.

Not for the first time when with these people, Peter felt like he was missing something big. However, he felt no threat or discomfort in his lack of knowledge and even had a sense that he would understand one day.

Until then, he was going to just enjoy the place he was finding among them.

Tony laughed as he watched Clint and Peter try to explain Mario Kart to Vision, who seemed genuinely bewildered. He understood the mechanics, of course—he was partially Jarvis, who was among the most incredible tech Tony had ever created—but he seemed confused by the point of the game.

"It's fun, Vis," Clint said, slurring slightly, which was understandable as a large proportion of the dent in Tony's champagne stocks was down to him. "It's a race."

Vision nodded. "I see that, and you enjoy it?"

Peter nodded eagerly. "It's great. Really."

Tony thought Vision was enjoying the experience of talking to Peter when he'd had so little opportunity before. Mind made frequent appearances when Peter was around, perhaps judging the difference in the person he'd declared worthy in future to the kid he was now with none of that weight on his shoulders.

Tony could relate to that desire, but he knew Vision had been missing out with his frequent appearances. Vision was also having a chance to know Peter now compared to his rainbow-eyed version who he spoke to most of all.

"We'll buy a console so you can try it out," Clint said. "I'm the reigning champion at home."

"When did that happen?" Natasha asked, eyes narrowed shrewdly. "Last time I visited, Cooper was the champion on the leader board, and you and Yoshi were under Laura."

Clint waved an unsteady hand. "Things change, Nat."

"And you lie," Natasha said, turning back to Wanda, whom she had been talking to.

"I'm adding the console to the cart right now, Pete," Tony called to him.

Peter grinned. "You know, you're losing because you're playing Yoshi, Clint. If you want to win, you need Princess Peach."

Clint scoffed. "Peach! She's just a pretty face."

Peter shrugged. "When I play as Princess Peach, I win."

Clint leaned forward and held out a hand. "That sounds like a challenge, kid. You and me. Mario Kart tournament?"

Peter took his hand and grinned as he shook it. "I will enjoy kicking your green dinosaur ass, Mr. Hawkeye."

Clint's jaw worked, and Tony guessed he was struggling not to encourage the Mr. Hawkeye moniker again, even though he clearly loved it, as Natasha's threat was real.

Natasha smirked at him, eyes shining with mirth.

Bucky caught Peter's attention again, asking whether he wanted anything else to eat, and Tony smiled. Bucky was happier today than he thought he had ever seen him, especially since Peter had arrived. Tony hadn't realized before how much weight his identity had on him, but now he was a free man, found innocent by a jury, he seemed genuinely free. Even in 2023, he didn't have that—he'd only had a pardon.

Pepper wrapped her arms around Tony from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Did you show Peter his room?" she asked.

"Yeah," Tony said, smiling widely. "And I think he's actually going to use the Amazon account to decorate."

"Good," she said. "And I had an idea?"

Tony turned and wrapped his arms around her, pressing their foreheads together. "Yeah?"

"I think you need to make things right with May. If you get your way, Peter will be spending a lot of time here, and she should be a part of that. We can invite her over for dinner."

Tony nodded. He did want things to be better with May. When he'd last seen her, discussing Spider-Man and his role in keeping Peter safe and reinforcing her rules, things had still been frosty between them.

He wanted to be closer to May this time so he could be in a better position to support her when Peter was gone. Though they didn't know it, Peter only had one more year with his aunt, and when he came back, she would be gone.

Last time, he'd not been there for May the way he should have been after the Snap, but he would be this time. Losing Peter was going to devastate him, and he dreaded that day on a far-off planet when he would lose his son, but he would not let it break him this time. He was going to pull through with the strength Peter had shown in his suffering; he would have Morgan and Pepper and the promise of Peter's return.

And he was going to be there for May. They shared a son now, and together, they would share his loss. But that was still over a year away, and Tony was going to make the most of what he had until then.

He was going to enjoy his son and the rest of his family.

So… You sick of the fluff yet? Don't worry if you are—we've got some real plot coming soon.

Until next time…

Jadey xxx