Natasha smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked absolutely ridiculous, and she absolutely loved it. It was Halloween, and she had just finished putting on her costume. If she was being honest with herself, the cruella outfit she wore was rather impressive, it was as close to matching the movie as you could get; she even had on a sleek black and white wig. What really completed the look though we're the complimenting costumes her husband and son we're going to be wearing. Bucky was seated on the bed to her left, looking rather handsome in his jasper costume. As Natasha was turning around to ask Bucky how she looked, the door swung open, revealing her sweet boy; he was going to be a Dalmatian, though he wasn't dressed like one. He stood there clad in his underwear, costume in hand with a pout on his face.
It seemed like alexei was content to stand there looking sad, not speaking a word, so Natasha spoke up.
"What's wrong Малыш?"
"I can't zip it, I need help" Alexei answered, looking at the floor.
"It's alright sweetie, papa will help you. Right papa?" Natasha said looking over at Bucky while she applied some red lipstick.
"Of course I will. Put on your costume, and I'll zip it up for you kiddo." Bucky replied, waving to his son to join him next to the bed.
After getting Alexei zipped into his costume, Bucky turned his kid around to face him. A brilliant smile lit up the mans face as he took in the sight in front of him. Alexei looked adorable dressed up as a little Dalmatian, a spotted headband with puppy ears peeking out of his wavy hair.
"You look so cute bud." Bucky said, pulling the teen into a hug, tickling the boys sides.
Precious giggles spilled from alexei's mouth, unknowingly warming the room as he squirmed in his dads hold. Deciding to go easy on the kid, Bucky stopped his tickle attack. He hauled himself off the bed, guiding his little Dalmatian over to the mirror next to Natasha. Bucky couldn't help but feel smug as he placed a hand on his wife's waist. They were going to the annual Halloween extravaganza that tony held every year at the tower, and they were going to crush everyone tonight in the family portion of the costume contest.
Before said crushing happened though, they were going to take alexei trick-or-treating around Manhattan. They could have easily stayed and gotten candy from the various stations set up throughout the tower, but this was their first Halloween together, and both adults wanted some time with just the three of them. After they trick-or-treated in the city they would come back to the tower for the big party.
After an hour of trick-or-treating around the city, the Barnes family was back at avengers tower, gathering with the others on the common floor. Alexei, Peter, and Clint's kids were watching monsters inc. on the floor in the living room, while the adults were spread out on couches, talking quietly. Steve was an old time Brooklyn dodgers player, Sam was a storm trooper, Rhodey was a zombie. Pepper and Tony were dressed as Woody and Jessie from toy story, while Peter was dressed as Buzz Lightyear. Clint, Laura, and their brood were the incredibles. About 45 minutes into the movie, Friday informed the room that it was time to head down for the party. Fifteen minutes, and one extremely crowded elevator ride later, everyone was on the party floor. The kids immediately took off, running in the direction of candy and games. This left the adults to mingle, getting a small reprieve from the hyperactive children.
An insane amount of candy and soda later, it was time for results of the costume contest. Tony and pepper won best couple costumes, while Peter got first place in the kids portion. Steve and Sam were pouting because they lost to Rhodey in singles. A few categories later and it was time for best family costumes to be announced. It had already been narrowed down to three finalists; the Barton's, Tony, Pepper, and Peter -may had to work-, and the Barnes'. On the stage the announcer called for attention excitedly.
"And the moment you've all been waiting for! The results for best family group costumes!"
There were quiet murmurs around the room as the man read from the card in his hand.
"Coming in third place... The Barton's! Congratulations guys you look 'incredible'!"
The audience chuckled at the mans bad pun. Clint went on stage to collect his family's third place trophy.
Moving to stand center stage, the announcer began to speak.
"And the winner of the family group costume contest is!" The man took a long dramatic pause.
"The Barnes'!" The man crowed. "Congrats on the number one spot! Hah get it? Spot? Like on a Dalmatian?"
The crowd groaned at the mans terrible joke, and then abruptly broke out into applause for the winning family.
"Mama! Papa! We won!" Alexei exclaimed, vibrating with excitement, as he pulled his mom and dad up to the man on stage. Natasha and Bucky couldn't stop the wide grins spreading over their faces. Alexei had the most adorably awed expression when the man handed him the big trophy. Before leaving the stage, the three Barnes' had to pose for pictures. They would be featured in the stark industries company email, detailing the party and the various winners of the costume contest. Tony was probably going to pout all week, grumbling about losing at his own company party.
Natasha was going to enjoy teasing the billionaire about it.
The party only lasted about an hour after the costume contest, all of the SI employees and their families heading home. It was nearing midnight and all of the avengers went to their respective floors. After saying goodnight to Tony, Pepper, and Peter. Bucky, Natasha, and Alexei all got off the elevator at their private floor. Alexei ran off to snag a t-shirt from his dads closet, then went to brush his teeth, and change into the shirt before bed. Natasha and Bucky hurriedly went through their nighttime routines before slipping into bed, Natasha in one of Bucky's shirts and a pair of sleep shorts, while Bucky wore cotton sleep pants and a tank top. They were chatting happily about the day when there was a small knock on the door.
"Come on in kiddo", Bucky called out knowing his boy would be on the other side of the door. The door slowly creaked open, revealing a sleepy looking Alexei, one of Bucky's shirts hanging off his small frame, going down to his knees. Bucky smiled at his son, he was always the most adorable at bedtime. Knowing alexei wanted to sleep with them, Bucky pulled the blanket back, patting the space between himself and Natasha.
"Come on munchkin, bedtime."
Bucky instantly had an armful of sleepy child. Alexei snuggled close to his papa, laying his head on the mans chest.
Natasha scooted closer, rubbing her sons back while Bucky ran a hand through the boys hair. Both parents knew their son would be asleep within minutes, he was powerless against back rubs, and having his hair played with.
Alexei lay there in between his parents, smiling into his dads tank top as he remembered the day. It had been wonderful, the perfect first Halloween. A feeling of sleepy content washed over him, as his parents rubbed over his back and head. They had missed a lot of time together because of the red room and hydra, but they were together now. They were a family. Quickly losing the battle with sleep, alexei sighed out. "Night mama, night papa, love you."
The last thing he heard as he was drifting off to sleep, was his parents chorus of "we love you too baby" a feeling of warmth and love spread through him. Knowing he was protected in his parents arms, he let sleep overtake him, a smile on his face. His last thoughts of the night being, 'I'm safe. I'm home.'