Author's note: Okay I know New Year's is over.. and I may have been procrastinating a bit.

Summary: Bucky is once again on babysitting duty. But then KIDS?!

Bucky Barnes love his family. He loves them. He truly does love them with all his heart and would put them first before anything, even New Year's Eve plans with his boyfriend. He's been called a sarcastic asshole before, he knows.

Did he also mention he made these plans days in advance?

Bucky groans and thumps his head against the doorway. He's not going to fall for this. He's not. He made plans with Steve, and that's final. End of discussion. Nope, not falling for this.

"Uncle Buuuucky." Peter's lower lip starts to tremble and the beginnings of a pout are evident in his features. His eyes are wide as saucers and Bucky's pretty sure no one taught him the puppy dog look except for his damn mother who Bucky currently hates right now.

"Yeah, Uncle Bucky, come on," Rebecca goads on. Her face is slowly starting to resemble Peter's and Bucky's about up to here with it.

"You realize not everyone is at your beck and call, right?" He sighs and crosses his arms. He throws in his best stern face in case that'll help.

"Okay first off: I'm gonna ignore that pun. And second: I really really REALLY need you to watch Peter-Poo—" A very judgmental eyebrow arches up which Rebecca blatantly ignores "—and I have plans."

"Okay well first off," Bucky begins in a tone nowhere resembling Rebecca's, "I have plans too with my really hot boyfriend. And second: it's New Year's Eve. You cannot just throw babysitting duty on me like that."

"Yes, I know and I realize that James and I will forever owe you but I really need this tonight."

"Oh really?" He asks skeptically.

"Yes, really. I have a date tonight," she states and raises her chin defiantly.

Bucky's face remains unchanging as he blinks at her.

She huffs and rolls her eyes. "Yes, believe it or not James I actually do have a life."

"And so do I—"

"Which is why I REALLY need this." The words come out in a rush over Bucky's own words.

No, this cannot be happening no. He and Steve need this. Okay, well maybe he needs this but he's pretty sure Steve is just as eager! And he had a whole night planned out for them (mainly some celebratory kissing and sex but that's besides the point).

"Peter! Rebecca!"

Bucky jumps at Steve's presence right behind him and glares back at the man. No no NO if Steve hears about this then Bucky will never hear the end of this.

Steve smiles adoringly at Peter and ruffles his hair who giggles and reaches out for him. Steve is more than happy to oblige and Rebecca is definitely more than willing to haul off her son on him.

"No, Steve don't fall for it," Bucky warns.

"Hmm?" Steve bobs Peter up and down against his waist without paying Bucky any mind.

"It's a trap, don't do it," he warns again.

"What trap?" Steve asks distractedly. He's clearly not paying attention to the warning signals or the look Bucky's directing his way which basically screams NO DON'T DO THIS OR YOU'LL NEVER GET CELEBRATORY SEX AGAIN.

Rebecca rolls her eyes at Bucky's antics. "James is upset because apparently I'm messing up your New Year's Eve plans."

Steve's eyes widen in a comical way and he quickly waves her off. "No, of course not no it's no trouble! We'd be more than happy to watch Peter for tonight. Isn't that right, Bucky?"

Bucky deflates at that and yep he's officially lost this battle tonight. There's no point arguing because Steve really is the next Jesus reincarnated and he's about as stubborn as Bucky. "No celebratory sex for you," he mutters under his breath and stalks away. He slumps down on the couch and pouts at the TV.

Steve and Rebecca continue chatting animatedly, exchange their good-byes, and now it's the just the two of them. Plus a kid.

Steve plops himself right next to Bucky with Peter settled in his lap. He stares over at Bucky in amusement.

"Hey," he knocks the other's shoulder lightly and gets a grunt in return.

"I know we had plans tonight—"

"Dam— darn right we did."

"—but we're just doing your sister a favor. No need to get all ruffled up over it, right?"

Bucky slinks further down in his seat and sticks his lower lip out.

"Cooome ooooooon." Steve starts poking his arm, and when that stirs up no reaction he begins poking Bucky in the knee, his chest, his cheek, even his goddamn stomach.

"Alright, alright!" Bucky sits up and huffs out in frustration. He swats Steve's hand away and screw him for looking all stupidly arrogant like the punk he is.

"Great!" Steve beams and places his hands underneath Peter's armpits so he can insert the little boy in the space between them. "I'm gonna go set some snacks out. You two behave, got it?"

He gives them what Bucky likes to call his 'Captain America face,' because Steve is an all-around American boy and still likes to believe he's in the army directing orders.

And he was so looking forward to getting those orders in bed, Bucky thinks mournfully.

As Steve bangs around in the kitchen pulling out all sorts of snacks, Bucky leans back and sighs. Well, this could be a lot worse. They could have kids. They could be those kinda parents with no lives or sex life whatsoever—

He jolts up and woah. Just—woah. Where was that train of thought even going? Kids? Parents? No sex life? Where did that even come from?

He tries to calm his mind down and steady his heartbeat. Relax Barnes, no one is asking you to marry Steve and have kids and move into a house with a white-picket fence or anything. It just popped into his thoughts, nothing more. He laughs nervously and settles back into his seat. Peter looks at his uncle funny but then goes right back to talking nonsense. Kids have it so easy these days.

Steve returns with two bowls filled with pretzels and chips. Peter squeals in delight and eagerly reaches into the bowls, making Steve throw back his head and laugh. Surprisingly, he doesn't look the least bit irritated that their plans are foiled. In fact, he looks relaxed and even happier now that Peter's here to join them this New Year's Eve.

Bucky eyes the scene before him, watching Steve tousle Peter's hair affectionately and Peter leaning into the touch and giggling, "Uncle Steeeb!"

The truth is, Steve loves kids and Bucky hasn't not noticed that. They'll pass a playground and Steve will follow it the entire time until they've rounded a corner. He'll stop them on the street just to coo at a baby in a stroller and compliment the couple on how cute their baby is. He'll even pause to look at baby clothes in the shop windows.

Bucky usually brushes it off as Steve being an only child, so naturally he adores kids and wants the chance to be a big brother for once or something. He does really well with Peter, and he's always happy to help when Bucky feels like he's having a bad day or he's gonna hyperventilate for the fifth time that morning because he can't believe he's watching a kid when he tried to bomb a whole village full of people in Afghanistan.

But then Bucky's staring at the interaction between the two and his eyes widen and his mouth drops open and it's like the universe just gave him this eye-opening… thing. This thing that Bucky can never give him because they're guys and… shit. Shit.

"Bucky?"

He blinks a couple times and looks up slowly at Steve, whose face is all pinched up in concern and his eyes have that nervous glint in them.

"Sorry just… thinking. About stuff." He brushes his hair back and pulls it into a bun to distract himself.

Steve is squinting at him now. "Are you—"

"Yes, Steve I'm sure," Bucky replies a little too sharply. He winces and mumbles something incoherent, then starts stuffing his face with snacks and playing with Peter instead to ignore that worried expression overshadowing Steve's face.

He'll deal with it later, but not right now.

Peter's body keeps drooping over, but then he'll jolt back up, blink blearily a few times, and do it all over again. Bucky chuckles at the sight and figures it's time to hit the hay.

He scoops Peter up into his arms without jostling him too much, then heaves himself up from the couch and walks to his bedroom. He hears footsteps behind him and speeds up the pace. Maybe if he walks fast enough he can take refuge in his bedroom and never come out again.

After that little incident the whole night has just been plain awkward. Every time a commercial came on it was always something to do with kids, families, babies, you get the picture. Basically Bucky would freeze up every time and Steve pretended not to notice but couldn't help looking over in concern a couple times.

He'll see Steve open his mouth and start to say something, but then he'll immediately close it and go back to staring at the TV. Bucky's been making him nervous the whole night and he doesn't blame him. He's acting suspicious and he's not hiding it at all it seems.

Bucky sets Peter's body down on the mattress and smoothes his hair back, drinking in every single thing about him. His mouth is slightly open as he breathes in out and out, and he'll use his chubby little fist to rub his eyes. He keeps watching until Peter sticks a thumb in his mouth and Steve sucks in a sharp breath beside him. He's just as in awe as Bucky is and Peter's probably the closest thing he'll ever get to a.. to a…

Bucky squeezes his eyes shut. God he can't even say the damn word. He promptly turns around and walks out. He stands in the middle of the room and waits for Steve to quietly shut the door and join him in the living room.

Steve stops a few feet behind him and waits patiently as Bucky gathers up his thoughts because he has no idea where he's going with this or how to even begin.

"He's out like a light, isn't he?" Okay, not a bad place to start. It's a safe topic and he can just go right into it from there.

"Yeah, he is," Steve chuckles and his throat vibrates around the sound.

"H-he's cute too, right?"

"Yeah, he is."

"Maybe not as cute as some kids, b-but he's still the cutest, don't cha think?"

Steve hums in agreement. He better get to the point now.

"Kids.. you know.. too bad! You know? B-because we… well, you.. I mean, you can't really…" He makes an exasperated noise and tugs at his hair.

"Bucky—"

"You want kids, okay?" He takes a deep breath. There, he said it. He finally said what's been bugging him all night. Bucky can feel his heart hammering in his chest and his hands shaking at his sides. He has to ball them up if he doesn't want Steve to notice.

His whole body tenses up as he hears the footsteps behind him get close and then pause. He sees Steve's shadow looming over his, and for a while he doesn't do anything. Bucky's starting to think maybe Steve fell asleep or something when suddenly arms come out of nowhere and wrap around the front of Bucky's body.

He makes a small squeaking noise and tries not to squirm too much as Steve settles against his body and rests his chin on Bucky's shoulder. Bucky tilts part of his face away and purses his lips. He hopes to God almighty Steve doesn't notice how nervous he is or see the sheen of sweat on his face or how fast his heart is beating.

"Bucky," Steve says in a low voice which startles him. "What's this really about?"

"I-it's like I said. Y-you want kids, right?" Bucky's face is still tilted to the side as he speaks.

He hears Steve sigh next to his ear and his face is brought all the way around until their eyes meet.

"Whaaa?!"

Steve chuckles as he squishes Bucky's cheeks in, making his face look akin to a fish.

"Steeeeeb! Sta-ahp issh!"

"Nope." Steve pops the 'p' as obnoxiously as possible.

Bucky makes a noise and has no choice but to surrender. And this is the second time tonight too! Finally Steve does let go and Bucky leans away to massage his now splotchy cheeks.

"God you suck," Bucky mutters.

Steve gives an airy laugh and hugs Bucky tighter. "Yes, I do love kids. I'm surprised you didn't notice before."

"Don't worry, I noticed," Bucky snorts and rolls his eyes.

"No, Buck. I said I love kids."

"Yeah, yeah, I know you big oaf I get that you want kids and you've probably been wanting them since like age 3 but—" Steve (the little punk) prevents Bucky from talking any further by planting his lips on his. He rolls their lips around and plays with Bucky's tongue until he breaks away leaving Bucky's lips swollen and wet.

They stare at each other for a while, Bucky blushing and Steve smirking in amusement.

"W-what was that for?" Bucky mumbles and licks his lips.

"Well you wouldn't stop talking, jerk. Figured that was the only way to get you to stop."

"I had a whole speech planned you know."

"Well that's wonderful and all, but before you plan your big speech maybe you should listen first."

"..Alright, I'm listening," Bucky says resignedly.

"Good, and now that you are please pay attention: I said I LOVE kids, not that I WANT kids."

"…Okay." He still doesn't get it.

Steve rolls his eyes so hard it hurts. "In other words, I don't necessarily need to have kids in order to be happy."

"Yeah, okay I got it but—" He stops talking halfway and has to let the words sink in. Steve.. doesn't want kids?

"Whaddya mean ya don't want kids?!" Bucky eyes him in disbelief and winces at the way his accent is coming out.

"It's just as I said. I don't need them," Steve shrugs.

"But… why?"

Steve looks thoughtful as he tries to come up with a reasonable answer. "I guess.. well, do you want kids?"

Bucky is a little thrown off by the question. Does he want kids? Does he even like kids? He guesses he does pretty well with Peter, but Peter's his nephew so that's a little different. Are kids even in his future? Would he even make a good dad? Will he even stay with Steve long enough to decide if they want kids? Further more, what are the chances he can be a good dad when he still jumps at small noises and the occasional nightmare from time to time? What if—

He's thrown out of his rambling thoughts when Steve knocks Bucky's forehead with his knuckle.

"Hey," he calls out gently. "Don't think too hard. You'll squeeze out all the limited brain cells you have."

Bucky gives him a withering glare for that. "Thank you, Stevie. I really appreciate that."

His mouth curls up half-way between a smile and a smirk. "Honestly, don't think too hard. It's not important."

"Well of course it is! This is important for our.. for our.. future…" Bucky's voice dies out towards the end. Honestly, he hasn't given a single thought as to what their future may be.

"Like I said, not important," Steve says and shakes his head. "This is the present, we can deal with the future later. Right now, I just want to watch the ball drop and look at the pretty fireworks and try not to get too worked up over the loud noises."

That's right, Bucky almost forgot. Steve still gets nervous around things like fireworks.

"Wait, will you be—"

"Bucky." Steve stares him down until he clamps his mouth shut. "Stop. Thinking. New Year's Eve, new year, new start, remember? Now can we please stop thinking about kids and whatnot?"

There's a beat of silence as the two men stare at each other, as if trying to decipher what the other is saying. Eventually Bucky's face softens out and he settles his back against Steve, who stands more upright to balance their weight.

"Alright, alright ya little punk. Let's.. go watch some fireworks then."

"Thank you, jerk."

They both chuckle and continue standing there, rocking back and forth and listening to the cheering on TV.

"Hey Bucky?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you, okay? And if you don't want something, we can always compromise and work something out."

Bucky almost stops breathing. See? Steve literally takes his breath away. It's unbelievable sometimes, what a person can do to you.

He turns around in Steve's arms, places his hand on Steve's cheek, and leans in to press a light kiss to his lips.

Okay, so maybe this wasn't the worst New Year's Eve ever. He can deal with this.