"Harper?"

Harper watched James freeze halfway through his doorway. She nodded and smiled encouragingly. Slowly, he fully passed through the door and locked it behind him. His dark leather jacket was shrugged off and tossed on the countertop next to the cooling takeout. Once again, he froze. His body was tense, yet trembling.

"Yori knows the truth now."

A sharp sob parted his lips. Harper jumped to her feet. She rose on her toes, wrapping her arms around the former soldier. Her hand cradled his nape, gently coaxing him to tuck his face against her neck. He allowed her to do so, his tears continuing to pour down his cheeks. Shaking arms wound tightly around her, crushing her against his chest.

Harper whispered words of comfort, fingers scratching lightly at the short cropped hair at his neck. His much larger body curled around hers even in their standing position. Tremors passed through him, and Harper tightened her hold for reassurance. His breath came between sobs, breezing across her wet shoulder.

James managed a few half-formed comments, but they were nearly unintelligible. Harper hummed and pressed kisses to his temple when he did try to speak. Her chest was twisted painfully seeing her partner in such evident pain. She had only seen him break down to this extent a few times. Vaguely, she wondered if this was how he felt every time she sobbed her way through a cluster. If there was an ache behind his sternum or a sour feeling in his gut.

As his cries began to lighten, Harper moved her free hand to his back. With gentle pressure, she stroked her fingers up and down the taut plains of muscle. Even through his shirt she could feel the tight cords slowly loosening beneath his skin.

Finally, James pulled away. His hands scrubbed at his face, pushing away the last of his tears. His brilliant blue eyes were now ringed in red, moisture clinging to his dark lashes. His voice was weak and raspy when he spoke, "I'm sorry, Harper. I umm… wait a second."

He moved hastily to the plastic bins shoved into the corner of the room. Dropping to a knee, he rummaged for a moment and then returned to her side with a black t-shirt in his hand. The brunette took the offering, realizing he had noticed how soaked with tears and mucus her own shirt had become. With efficiency she made the swap, tossing her dirtied shirt atop her bag on the floor.

Harper slipped her fingers between his flesh ones, towing him back over to his bed and pulling him down with her to perch on the mattress. "Are you alright, James?"

He was silent for a moment, blue eyes roaming her face. Then his response came firmly, "For the first time in a long time, I feel like eventually I could be."

She squeezed his hand and offered a smile. "I'm glad. What about in this moment? After doing something so difficult?"

He gave a single jerky nod. "I'm glad to have given Yori some closure. And I think I can keep doing that for other people on my list."

"Good."

"But wait… how did you…?"

A nervous grin twitched on her lips at the confusion lining his brow. "I thought maybe after everything that has happened in the last week or so, ending with such a big thing tonight, that you could do with some company. I hope that was alright?"

"Of course, doll," he answered earnestly.

Harper hesitated before admitting, "That's a relief. When I was on the train, I was wondering if maybe I wouldn't be the type of company you'd find agreeable."

"Harper, I'm so, so sorry for that awful fight. For all the shit I said, and for leaving right after. I-"

"James," she cut him off gently, bringing his hand to her lips. She pressed a kiss to his knuckles and said, "We don't need to talk through the fight right now. I didn't come here to bombard you with our conflict. I truly just didn't want you to have to come home and sit with everything by yourself."

The brunet shook his head. Adamantly, he said, "No, I don't want what happened before all this to continue hurting you. We can clear this up now, so we should. If you want to?"

She nodded her agreement. With a deep breath, she said, "I've had time to think through everything and you were right. I was so excited that you were able to go to therapy that I forgot some of the absolute basics. How hard it is not to click with your mandated therapist, how things get worse before they get better, how important it is not to wear my therapist cap in my personal life. I was talking to you from a place of professional distress that was bleeding into worries for you, and that was unfair. And I was being pushy. I am going to try really hard to be only Harper with you, not Dr. Montgomery."

"Okay," he nodded his agreement. "I did overreact, though. If anything, I'm lucky to have you – a literal expert – to check-in on whether my best interests are being served. And your part in that conflict pales in comparison to mine."

He dropped his gaze to the metal hand clenched on his knee. With remorse in his voice, he continued, "I'm so sorry I yelled at you. I shouldn't have snapped or raised my voice to you. I love you, you're my partner, and I shouldn't have treated you that way. And I'm sorry for saying you weren't supporting me. God, you've supported me since the very beginning. Through terrible times, through really fuckin' low points, you've been more supportive than I could have ever imagined someone could be.

"I'm also sorry for denying your grief for Steve. I understand you two became close. You had five years together going through some serious shit."

"I still shouldn't have tried to equate our feelings."

He raised his eyes to hers. "I am sorry for your loss, too."

Harper heaved another deep, steadying breath. Forming tears stung the back of her eyes and she looked up toward the ceiling in an attempt to hold them back. "Can you tell me about the date?"

James reached for her other hand, gathering both of her palms together between his. "Harper, that was a bomb I shouldn't have dropped on you, especially not in that way. I immediately wished I hadn't done it. So I'm so sorry for that, too."

"James," she practically pleaded.

"It wasn't a date," he assured quickly. His thumbs stroked along the hills and valleys of her knuckles. "Yori and I went to lunch and he was determined to set me up with a server there, much to my surprise. He wouldn't listen when I told him his efforts were unnecessary, and it all got away from me. But when I met up with her, I immediately told her about you. It was totally platonic and nothing happened. I promise."

Slowly, Harper nodded. "Okay."

"Promise, darlin'," he muttered again.

"I believe you," she assured. Her teeth gnawed her lower lip for a moment before releasing it and saying, "I also apologize because I was holding back on something I now realize is important for you to know. I was trying not to burden you, but all I did was make things harder and more painful for both of us."

The former soldier released one of her hands, his free fingers rising to her face. His thumb ran across her abused lower lip before he tucked a wavy lock of espresso hair behind her ear. "What is it, Harper?"

"I know that this isn't rationale," she prefaced. James nodded, prompting her to explain, "Since you've been back, I've been stuck in this fear that you're going to leave again."

His hand cupped her cheek. His skin was warm and freshly callused. She could see in his face that he was desperate to respond, but was waiting for her to finish. The brunette continued, "In Bucharest, our happy little world came crashing down. In the span of five minutes, everything changed. James Rogers was gone and the reality of losing James Barnes hit. Then we didn't see each other for ten months. We had a beautiful month in Wakanda and were so optimistic for our future together. And then in a moment, war was coming. A war against a horrible person who took you away for five years. I know none of that was your fault, so please don't take on any blame. I only mean that I've lost you so suddenly so many times. And I'm terrified of losing you, of you leaving again, in whatever form that could take. Experiencing that pain again…"

By the time she finished, tears were running down her cheeks. James wrapped her in his embrace this time, kissing the top of her head. In a low voice, he muttered, "So when I moved here… and mentioned a date…"

He squeezed her tighter with the realization that he had inadvertently exacerbated her fears and insecurity. Harper rubbed at her eyes and said, "I was honest when I said I wanted you to do what felt best for you. But I should have told you what I was feeling and asked for the reassurances I needed."

"I can always reassure you. I want you, I need you in my life, and I love you. So much, doll."

Harper lifted her face from his shoulder and they met in a kiss. It was soft and earnest, a promise being sealed. She pulled back slightly and James rested his forehead against hers. Their noses brushed and she could feel his breath on her skin.

"Are we okay?" he whispered.

"No more dates, yelling, pushiness, or bottling things up? At least to the best of our abilities?" When he nodded, Harper confirmed, "Yes, we're okay."

He tilted his head down to press their lips together again. She hummed her happiness into it, her arms coiled around his neck and pulling him closer. The former soldier mimicked her, looping his own arms around her middle and lifting her into his lap. Time was lost as they connected for the first time in weeks.

Finally, Harper settled one last peck on his lips and leaned back. Her eyes scanned his face, settling on his loving gaze and the relaxed, uneven smile on his lips. She grinned and asked, "Want some late night dinner?"

He breathed a chuckle and asked, "Is that what's in the bag on the counter?"

She nodded. "Pad Thai and shrimp rolls."

James grinned more widely. "Gosh, I love you, doll."

Bucky squeezed Harper's hand and flashed her a grin as they walked closer to the sound of music and mirth. She returned his smile and the pressure on his hand. His blue eyes roamed her form for the umpteenth time since leaving their small rental. She was beautiful in a pair of high waisted black jeans and black ankle boots with a modest heel. A simple black tank top covered her torso, tucked into the jeans. The neckline was a shallow scoop, providing the barest tease of cleavage while emphasizing the elegant arches of her collar bone. Over it all was an oversized rust colored cardigan. It was a thick, slouchy knit that kept the curves of her body hidden except for brief, tantalizing peaks as she moved. Her espresso hair was complimented beautifully by the burnt orange color, and she had done light, natural makeup to match. It had been so, so long since he had walked into a social gathering happy to show off the woman on his arm. Never before had he been so proud to do so.

As they waded their way through the crowd, he greeted some of the townspeople he had gotten to know while working on the Wilson family boat. With a laugh, he dropped Harper's hand for a moment. Sam's nephews bounded up to him, immediately jumping into a play fight. He met their dramatics, careful not to drop the cake Harper had labored over in the tiny kitchen of their brief apartment rental.

Beaming down at the boys, he took up Harper's hand again and led her to a table laden with food upon which to deposit the cake. Then he craned his neck, quickly finding Sam in the crowd. They approached and Sam's eyes immediately darted back and forth between them.

Slapping a hand to Bucky's metal shoulder, the new Captain America shouted, "What the hell, man?!"

"Sam, you remember Harper?" Bucky grinned wickedly.

Sam looked down at the dark haired woman who now appeared a bit nervous and confused. He said, "Yeah, I do. Hey, sorry about that. Not a great greeting after all this time. I was just taken aback that this idiot let me walk around thinking he was gonna flirt with and charm my sister the whole time he was here last time, when in reality…"

"I never flirted with Sarah," he defended, holding back a laugh. "And you never asked about Harper."

"You didn't bring her up!" Sam accused. "I thought maybe she'd dumped your ass and your stunted self couldn't talk about it!"

"Simple professionalism, Sam," Bucky jested. "Keep your personal life and your work life separate."

Harper nudged his side lightly and he glanced down at her smiling face with deep fondness. Sam insisted, "You still coulda told me you weren't goin' after my sister."

"You don't get to decide who can express interest in me, Sam," came a sharp voice from behind him. From the crowd materialized Sarah, looking pleased with the festivities around them.

"Hi, Sarah," Bucky greeted. Glancing at Harper for another brief moment, he introduced, "This is Harper, my partner."

"A pleasure to meet you," the brunette added brightly. She turned to Sam, "And to see you again."

"I take it we can thank you for that beautiful cake the kids have already half demolished?" Sarah asked with a laugh.

"Glad they're enjoying it. I haven't had cause to bake in a long time." Harper grinned and gave a playful, conspiratorial look to the siblings. "Despite what appearances might suggest, James has an unyielding sweet tooth."

Bucky's cheeks flushed lightly, but his heart warmed at the laughter her teasing garnered. He did twist around to look at the table, though, immediately dismayed to see that the cake had rather disappeared already.

Harper must have followed his gaze because she promised, "I'll bake you one when we get home, hun."

"Look at you, Bucky," Sam teased. "All domestic and shit."

"Harper is hardly a domestic housewife," he shook his head. Beaming with pride, he couldn't help but brag, "She's a psychologist up at a VA in Boston."

"Oh, really?" Sam asked, interest immediately piqued. "I ran a support group at one of the D.C. offices. What kinda work are you doing up at yours?"

"Mostly individual therapy," Harper answered, blushing lightly at the continued pride radiating off her boyfriend.

"She also had a paper published during the Blip that I understand has been quite highly regarded."

Harper swatted at his bicep in a bid for him to stop bragging, but he simply continued to smile at her. She gave him a light glare and said, "James is being too kind."

"I'd love to hear about it, all the same," Sam said. "VA work is something I'm passionate about. Would love to get back into it someday."

As Harper and Sam began to delve into the details of her work, Sarah caught Bucky's gaze. "How about we round up the kids for some games?"

Happy at the suggestion of joining the laughing, squealing children, Bucky nodded. He pressed a parting kiss to Harper's cheek, received a warm smile from her, and followed Sarah.

Harper passed James the last of her shrimp, stealing one back on second thought. He chuckled at her, so she defended, "I'm so full, but they're so delicious!"

"You can pass me any of your food," he nodded. "Everything is great."

"Do you ever feel full?"

"Rarely," he answered with a shrug, finishing up his gifted shellfish. "The serum burns through everything pretty fast. Food, booze, sickness, whatever."

"Should I have been feeding you more all this time?"

"If you wanted to feed me more, I'll eat your cooking anytime, too."

The brunette laughed. "Not what I'm asking. I'm busy and can't spend all day in the kitchen to feed you for pleasure rather than necessity."

"I'm so tempted to say it's necessary," he grinned. "That cake you promised is, though."

"Yes, yes," she waved him off. "I will bake you your cake."

Harper looped her arm around his metal one, resting her head on his shoulder. Her eyes roamed the lively dock area, full of people still eating, drinking, talking, and laughing. The sun was setting, dipping down behind the dark line of the horizon. She cut her eyes upward to James's face. His expression was relaxed and he'd worn a smile since before they'd even arrived. Warmth rose in her chest. Seeing him at peace was beautiful.

"You're having a good day? Even without cake?"

He turned, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "A really good day. You?"

"I've had a lot of fun," she agreed. "It's been enjoyable seeing you have a good time like this."

"Everyone I've met here has been so kind and accepting," James said warmly, looking around. His eyes caught on something before he looked back to her. "Sam is waving us over. Want to see the boat?"

Harper offered her hand in response and he stood, taking her palm and pulling her to her feet as well. They made their way through the crowd that had not yet thinned until they reached the boat. James stepped across to the deck of the boat first, tightening his grip on her hand and watching her carefully as she followed. Her cheeks flushed lightly under his attention.

Sam handed James a beer and offered one to Harper too. She accepted it and James raised a brow at her. Sheepishly, she admitted, "I gave up my experiment with sobriety during the Blip."

"Oh, shit, should I not have…?" Sam asked, flustered.

"No, no," Harper answered quickly. "I have a chronic pain condition and I was trying to see if eliminating alcohol would help with it. I gave up on that rather quickly after the Snap."

Visibly relieved, Sam nodded. Offering the neck of his bottle toward them, he said, "Cheers then to a successful day."

The trio clinked bottles and drank to complete the gesture. Sam began chatting with James about some additional thing he and Sarah had done to the boat after they had last parted ways, and Harper looked out at the gently rolling waves. The conversation was above her head, but the dark waters and clean smell of brine captured her attention easily.

Her body was pleasantly relaxed. She withdrew her fingers from the former soldier's, hooking their elbows and tucking his metal arm into her side. It pulled James just a little bit closer without interrupting the conversation. She thought fleetingly about how this is what their life together could be like – happy, relaxed, socializing with the people they'd each brought into their shared life. It was a wonderful prospect.

Sarah joined them on the deck a few moments later. She rolled her eyes at the two men and addressed Harper, "Did they even give you a tour before they started yammering on about stupid shit?"

The brunette laughed and shook her head in the negative. She soon found herself whisked away to check out the refurbished spaces below deck. Bucky watched her go with a soft smile. He returned to the conversation with Sam who was smirking wickedly at him.

"What?" he questioned.

"You got it bad, don't you?" Bucky scoffed, rolling his eyes and draining his beer in lieu of responding. Sam snickered and continued, "You can't even deny it."

"I'm not going to deny loving Harper," he replied.

"Nor should you," Sam said, more serious now. "I know you've been doing better, made your amends, but… you and her have something really good going. It's clear even just from today."

Bucky nodded. "We fit together better than I ever imagined was possible. I'm grateful that we could start back up after the Blip."

"What you've got is worth continuing to do the work."

Bucky heard Harper laugh at something Sarah said as they trekked up the narrow stairs back up to the deck. "I agree."

A/N: I loved the scene at the end of TFATWS with Bucky and the cake and kids and everything. I just had to do more with it. Hope you all enjoyed!