I know it has been ages since the last update, due to the reason that I am currently re-doing basically the whole plot.
However, I decided writing this next chapter would be very much possible as my current struggle (or rather having too many ideas and making things to complicated with too many characters and too many pairings) is referring to later years.
Please forgive any plotholes that might happen, I try to be as precise as possible.

Now, please enjoy some light fluff and some dubious relationship advise ;).
Also I am again dabbling around with age and introducting new characters.

Disclaimer: I neither own Marvel nor GOT.

Steven

Brookbridge, 280 A.C.

Steve wouldn't lie, he was very glad to see James Barnes again. He had some good sparring partners at Brookbridge, the best being his wife, but he was always happy to meet someone else to train with. Most of all, some council of a man about his own age would also be very welcome. There was a tension in between Maryah and him lately that he couldn't quite place - it wasn't hostile but it wasn't truly sexual either. Not that Steve was very experienced in that regard. If the rumours were true, James Barnes - or Bucky, as he had started to call him - was just the man to ask.

Steve was slightly concerned about what could happen between the roguish North and Bobbi, he knew very well that she had a weakness for handsome, charming men. Nevertheless, he also knew she could keep her own and he trusted that Bucky would behave himself - he had a little sister himself after all. Also, their father would have Bobbi married soon anyway and very likely not bother much about her approval, so who was he to keep her from having fun?

While they were discussing details of the travels from the North, Steve realized again how far Carol had come - while she had always been smart, classes had given her more knowledge and Maryah's education more poise. It was far from perfect, but it was a start. A necessary start, as Steve feared every day that Tywin Lannister would call his youngest daughter back to the Rock or pass her to another family to foster. So far, nothing had happened and instead Carol took the time making herself popular with her older brothers. It was very likely not even a political move but one of affection, as she admired Jaime very much and liked Tyrion's wit, not the least disturbed by his appearance. Steve had once remarked to Maryah that she reminded him of a younger Jaime, by character and by looks, Maryah had simply remarked that this might have been true had Cersei not been. Neither of the women in his household cared much for his cousin but Steve somehow pitied her. To a point he could understand her - she had always been the second choice, had always had to fight for everything and had been disappointed time and time again. Still, a lot of her actions were simply stupid and unnecessarily cruel. Steve only hoped Carol would never become that way.

The evening-banket was rather small, as Maryah had told him they had to keep track of their ressources, but the Northern party didn't seem to be insulted. It was cheerful and everyone seemed content, hopefully this would remain when the other parties arrived the next days. When Steve escorted his wife to her chamber that night - they still didn't share a bed, even after being married for years - he looked at her with a small smile on his lips.

"That went well."

She nodded. "Could have been worse."

Knowing this was a comment of satisfaction from her lips, he smiled a bit broader, pulling her into an embrace. She seemed surprised at first but quickly melted into his arms.

'Why don't we do this more often?' a little voice asked in the back of Steve's mind that he quickly silenced. Right now, he only wanted to enjoy how well she fitted against him. Her hair smelled of the mixture of smoke and ale that had been present in the main hall, but has he held her close, Steve could also still distinguish traces of rose. Why roses? Did she use rose water for washing her hair? She usually didn't, or did she? How could it be that he didn't know that about his wife?

"Do you wash your hair with rose water?" he heard himself asking and could have hit himself at the same moment.

She pulled away, looking confused.

"Sometimes," Maryah seemed a bit flustered, "why do you ask?"

"Uhm," he tried to answer, slightly embarassed, "your hair...it smells a bit like flowers and I noticed I...well..."

"Well what?" she asked.

"I sometimes feel I hardly know you."

She hummed thoughtfully.

"Well now you know."

Just as she was already turning away, she seemed to take a breath to say something, but then decided not to. Instead, she lightly toughed his cheek before turning away and disappearing into her room, leaving a stunned Steve standing in the hallway and wondering what had just happened.

The next day, Bucky asked him to show him the area, which was kind of surprising as the party had been on the road for quite some time. Nevertheless, Lord Starshield saw no reason to deny him, so they both set out in the pale morning light. The air was still cool, but Steve supposed the people from the North weren't much bothered by that. They spent some time mainly in companiable silence, from time to time pointing out and discussing landmarks.

"Are you looking forward to meet your sister?" Steve wanted to know.

Bucky smiled.

"Oh yes I do. Very much so, I have missed that girl. Though I am afraid she will hate going back North. Lucky for her, she will probably stay at Winterfell and not Howling Falls."

"I take it she doesn't want to leave her husband?" Steve mused.

The other man huffed.

"Yeah. I mean they are basically forcing her back less to cause a diplomatic crisis. But I figure you already knew that."

"I had some suspicions," he admitted, "there is quite a lot happening at the moment. Everyone getting married, or so it seems. Catelyn Tully and Brandon Stark, Robert Baratheon and Lyanna Stark, Stannis Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell - it will be interesting to see who will end up with my sweet cousins."

"Cersei and Tyrion? Poor sods," Bucky commented.

"Who? Cersei and Tyrion or their future spouses?" Steve joked.

"Well, it depends," Bucky drawled, "from what I have heard, I wouldn't like to marry Cersei though ..."

Steve coughed.

"If you are saying what you think you are saying - please stop it."

"Okay okay," the other one grinned, "I have never met Tyrion, but only heard about him and I think most of it is untrue. Also, I can relate."

He nodded towards his arm.

"I don't know whether this is comparable. From what I have heard, women deem you incredibly handsome and fall at your feet," Steve winked.

"Obviously - I am handsome," Bucky confirmed, flipping his hair back exaggeratedly, "though most women find my lack of arm disturbing, when it comes down to it. Also, Howling Falls up in the North isn't quite bad but also not exactly a catch." He looked a bit wistfully.

"Is there someone you have your eye on?"

"You mean other than Cersei Lannister?" he joked. "There was someone," he then conceeded, "but I am afraid it is rather hopeless. Anyway Steve - what is it between you and your sweet wife?"

Steve coughed, not anticipating that question.

"I don't know how this is any of your business!"

"Well, it is not - just curious. Because you sometimes look at her as if you want to drag her into the next corner," he wagged his eyebrows suggestively, "and then again you give her these stares as if she were - how do you Southern people say it - 'the maiden in flesh'. So that makes me wonder - what of the two is actually true? Also, this tension can't be healthy!"

"She is a beautiful woman and I won't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do," Steve settled on awkwardly.

"Hm," Bucky replied thoughtfully, "very noble. I mean, good on you. But I am not convinced your communication is actually working so well in that regard. After what happened last night -"

"Nothing happened last night," Steve protested.

"Well well Steve, your wife did look as if she wanted to drag you into her room and ravish you but was afraid you would faint like a blushing virgin," the other man teased, "no offense, I bet she is some hands full. Like - literally."

He grinned insolently, painting a picture of her curves with his healthy arm into the air.

"Would you please stop sexualizing my wife?" Steve huffed indinantly.

"No need to get jealous Steve, I am simply pointing out what every healthy man would think. And I am fairly certain you aren't blind either! Unless - no, you would have bedded her, for the sake of appearance at last, wouldn't you?" he mused loudly, "unless she protested too loudly, I am sure you would have never forced her. But I don't think so - she might not have loved you then, but she wanted the match and the security, I am sure of that, so she would have made sure the marriage was valid - wedded and bedded. Also, you are not unattractive I guess."

The blonde knight mumbled something unintelligeble, making his visitor grin.

"Speak up my friend, I won't tell."

"What would you know about my wife's political scheming?" he asked.

"Nothing," Bucky admitted, "but Nat made some comments at Harrenhal and she is usually right about these things."

Steve didn't gratify that with an answer, but after a while, he spoke again.

"If - and I am not saying it is - that were true, what would I do to get closer to Maryah?"

Bucky barked out a laugh.

"Show appreciation, give her attention. Maybe a gift or two. Woo her like the knight you are! I doubt you ever did that, didn't you? I mean, you were a political alliance, everyone knows that. You needed a wife, to please your family, I could imagine there was also quite a bit of pressure involved to take Maryah Hill because Tywin wanted her off the market. She was and is still dangerous but maybe also useful, so should not be distroyed but contained. You were ideal - honorable and able to reign her in. At least that was the plan. She is obviously running all over you my friend. And she needed a husband, quickly, to safe her pretty arse. Also preferably someone who would not be overly cruel and at least give the impresion of a minimum of common sense. Nat says she would have wanted Tyrion Lannister given the chance, but you were the next best option."

"Thank you, that was exactly what I wanted to hear," Steve commenetd dryly, "that my wife would prefer my cousin who is still a child!"

Bucky didn't seem fazed.

"He won't always be and she is smart - smarter than you are anyway. My sweet sister doesn't admit it, not even to herself, but the rise in status did appeal to her as well, though she loves Ned, I don't doubt it. But back to you. She married you knowing of all the consequences and with no romantic notion. But that doesn't mean she doesn't secretly wishes for it."

"She is not a fan of a waste of money," Steve remarked thoughtfully.

"Get something useful then! Just a bit of inspiration - Most ladies get jewlery or flowers, but I doubt you would consider that useful, Nat got a dagger, and I have heard the Dothraki get their women horses. Obviously. Or maybe you should start with trying to kiss her," Bucky offered ernestly, "the worst thing she will do is hit you in the face."

"Any experience with that?" Steve wanted to know.

Bucky only shrugged.

"The girl had quite a punch. Also a risk if you want to 'do the 7'."

Steve's jaw nearly dropped.

"I thought doing this was only a joke!"

"Oh my - you sweet summer child. This is very much a thing," Bucky corrected him, "and it is quite an interesting experience, let me tell you - don't look so shocked!"

"Well, you are deliberatedly getting women into trouble," Steve argued enraged, "and they will be stuck with the consequences you scoundrel!"

"Nothing they didn't explicitly consent to," the man defended himself, "also, I have to admit, there weren't as many as you might think - I am not away from Howling Falls often enough, and the woman I want... well. So don't get so angry, I am simply riling you up."

He grinned.

"So you are telling me you didn't get any woman pregnant?" Steve huffed, still not amused.

Bucky shrugged. "No, not that I know of. And even if I had I would care for my child. Though I admit to stealing kisses if I can. And I was hit by a Northern girl once, really hard, squarely in the face. We are friends now though, you would like her. Nat does. But, Steve, I can tell you, what people say about the Dornish..."

"Too many details Bucky," Steve sighed, seemingly slightly pacified now that he knew there were no hidden bastards around.

"So is it true that you tried your luck with Ashara Dayne at Harrenhal?" he asked nevertheless.

"Me and Ashara? Never!" the dark-haired man exclaimed, so surprised that Steve suspected it must be fake, "though I admit she is a beauty. Those electric eyes and that hair... the only awkward thing is that Brandon did too - the situation got a bit out of hand then."

"Did it?" Steve asked ironically.

"Well, Catelyn Tully was in the room too and was not exactly happy about that either. That woman is exhausting I can tell you. Intelligent for sure and loyal to a fault I think, she will make a good Lady of Winterfell, but very... stiff. But I guess this is not for me to judge. Now, enough about that, how is the training of your female household members going?"

"No complains, Maryah is mostly training Bobbi and Carol. While Bobbi as always been really good, Carol has been making exceptional progress since her and Maryah have come to an...understanding. Carol admires Jaime Lannister though, not that I can really blame her, he seems to genuinely like her and treats her well. At least he answers her letters, even though the notes are short. But, I know for a fact that this means a lot as written words are not Jaime's forte. So he is making a huge effort to making Carol happy, even though Cersei hates her guts. This makes it even more exceptional. She is a wonderful child and I hope she will be able to stay with us for a couple of years more. I am scared for Bobbi though. I think she will have to marry soon and you know as well as I do that she is beautiful, smart and well charming if she wants to. She will have suitors lining up, especially if Lannisport and Casterly Rock both have an interest in a favourable match and provide a proper dowry. I doubt she will be able to choose her spouse though. I could imagine them either giving them to one of their vasalls, as the marriages usually go, or maybe to some other Frey son. I mean, there are enough and they can always use a dowry. It concerns me."

Bucky hummed in understanding.

"Maybe she will work it all out herself - like my sister did. She would have probably ended up in the same situation otherwise, I know my father had plans to marry her to the second-born son of the Lord of Asgard. His name is Loki - ever heard of him? I don't trust the guy as far as I can throw him. So I am actually quite happy she disqualified herself for that - even though she is in even more trouble now."

"I doubt Bobbi will run off with Jon Arryn, if you are proposing that," Steve commented dryly, "these stunts are dangerous,even more so with Tywin Lannister as liege lord and uncle. I am afraid we will have to wait and see and act when we have a clearer picture of the situation."

Thank you for reading!
Who do you think hit Bucky in the face?