Thank you to Harliquinn for beta editing!
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Morgan was the first one up on the morning of Christmas and ran into her parents' room and jumped on their bed.
"It's Christmas!" she said loudly as she jumped up and down on their bed.
Pepper and Tony woke up with a start.
Tony looked at the time. It was only five am.
"Squirt, it's too early to be awake," Tony said.
"But it's Christmas!" Morgan said again.
"Why don't you lay with us for a while," Pepper said.
Morgan sulked but climbed in between the two of them. The three of them fell back asleep.
A couple of hours later the house was mostly awake.
The only two who were still asleep were the two teen girls, who had been up very late talking. Only after being told to go to sleep for the third time or they would be in trouble had they listened.
"Are we waiting or waking them up?" Clint asked.
"Wake them up!" Nate said excitedly.
"I'm all for waking them up. They should have gone to sleep the first time I told them to," Steve said.
"How many times did you have to tell them?" Clint asked.
"Three times. Third time came with the threat of consequence," Steve said, "at two am."
Clint and Laura shook their heads.
"Nate, go ahead. Wake them up," Clint said.
Nate ran off to the bedroom and went into the room.
"Wake up!" he yelled.
Skye shot up. "What! Shit, sorry! I'm up," she said.
"Nate! Why are you in here? " Lila asked, annoyed.
"Daddy told me to come and wake you up! It's Christmas!" he said excitedly.
Lila sighed. "Okay. I'll be out in a minute."
"Skye, too!" he said.
Skye sighed and nodded as she calmed down. "I'm coming, too."
Nate ran out of the room.
"You okay?" Lila asked Skye.
"Yeah. I just don't like being woken up like that," Skye said.
"Sorry," Lila said.
"It's okay," Skye said.
Lila and Skye both got up and went out to the living room and sat down in the only two empty spots. Skye looked around the room, half of which was covered in gifts and the other half with people.
Presents were opened.
Skye started to zone out at one point from being overwhelmed by everything. She was used to large groups. But Christmas morning was never this big for her. She would get a gift, maybe two, most years, but this was so much more. She knew it all came from people who cared about her. She understood that. She was unbelievably grateful for all of it, but it was a lot.
Once the presents were all opened and everyone was playing with everything they had received, Skye got up and excused herself from the room. She figured no one would notice and for the most part, she was right. She went to the bedroom and dug into the bottom of her dresser. She pulled out a small box, opened it, and took out a joint and a lighter. She snuck down a set of stairs and outside a back door and sat down on the ground against the building.
She twiddled the joint in between a couple of her fingers, trying to decide if she wanted to do this. The back door opened and she closed her hand, hiding the joint as Steve sat next to her.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," she responded.
"You okay?" he asked.
Skye nodded. "Just warm in there."
Steve nodded a little. "You sure?"
Skye nodded.
"You know you can talk to me about whatever you are feeling," he said.
"I know," Skye said.
"So, what is going on in your head?" Steve asked.
"Nothing," Skye said.
"Okay. So why the marijuana?" Steve asked.
Skye closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the building with a sigh.
"I would like an answer," he said.
"Okay, I'm a bit overwhelmed," Skye said.
Steve nodded.
"I feel like such a jerk because of it," Skye said.
"Because you feel overwhelmed?" Steve asked.
"Because of why I feel overwhelmed," Skye said.
"You are never a jerk for, however, you feel. But what is overwhelming you? Maybe I can help," Steve said.
"I am so grateful. Please don't think I'm not, but I have never had such a big Christmas," she said.
Steve nodded. "You're not used to being spoiled you mean?" he asked.
Skye nodded.
"You are not a jerk. You are in a new environment. So much has happened in just a few short months, and you are not used to being treated the way you deserve to be treated. It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by changes," Steve said.
Skye nodded
"I remember telling you on Thanksgiving if you need to take some time and space no one is going to blame you. This applies to everyday, big holiday or otherwise," Steve said.
"Okay," Skye said.
"However, that doesn't mean you can do drugs," Steve said, holding his hand out.
Skye sighed and handed it to him.
"Now, you can stay out here as long as you would like. I can stay with you. if you would like. But no more of this," Steve said, holding up the joint.
Skye nodded. "We can go inside."
"You sure?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
They both got up and headed back inside.
Skye went and changed out of her pajamas before joining everyone who was in the living room. A movie was on the TV. The young kids were playing with their new toys.
Skye sat next to Lila, who was on her phone.
"What are you doing?" Skye asked.
"Scrolling Instagram," Lila said.
"Ooh," Skye said, looking over her shoulder.
"You get an account yet?" Lila asked.
"No," Skye said.
"I can help you get one if you want," Lila said.
Skye shrugged. "Maybe later."
Lila nodded. "You okay?"
Skye nodded. "Just tired," Skye said with a small smile.
Lila nodded.
Skye closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep on the couch.
Steve came into the room and sat next to Bucky. He looked across the room at his sleeping daughter. "She fell asleep I guess," Steve said quietly.
"Yeah," Bucky said.
"I found her outside, with a joint," Steve said.
Bucky took a breath. He thought he had gotten the girl to trust him enough to come to him if she felt like doing that. They had made a deal. "Ah, well, we knew she had been involved with drugs."
"Yes, I just didn't think she had brought any here," Steve said.
Bucky ran a hand over his face. "Yeah."
Steve looked at Bucky. "Did you know she had some?"
"Not now, no. I caught her on Thanksgiving with an unlit joint. I took it from her. When I asked her if she had any more, she said no. I don't think she was lying. I made a deal with her. She agreed to come to me if she felt like she was going to do that again, and we could talk it through," Bucky said quietly.
Steve let out a breath. "And you would not tell me."
"That was the deal, yes," Bucky said. "I thought I had gotten through to her. I'm sorry, Steve," Bucky said.
Steve nodded. "It's okay. I get you wanted to try and be someone she could come to and trust you wouldn't tell me."
Bucky nodded.
"Did she promise you that she would come to you?" Steve asked.
"She did," Bucky said. "And she broke that promise."
"I plan to talk to her more about it later. But if you want to call her on breaking the promise, go for it," Steve said.
Bucky nodded. "Maybe."
Steve nodded.
They were quiet as they watched the movie.
A few hours later they were all called into the kitchen, where a feast had been prepared. They all sat down to eat. They all ate and chatted and had a good time.
Afterward, clean-up was done. Skye and Bucky were working on filling the dishwasher.
"Steve told me about finding you outside," Bucky said.
"Oh," Skye said. "I'm sorry. I know I promised. I just…"
"You what?" Bucky asked.
"I was worried if I did you would go to Steve," Skye said.
"So, you broke your end of the promise because you were worried I would break my end?" Bucky asked.
"Yeah," Skye said.
Bucky nodded.
"I'm so sorry," Skye said.
"You're forgiven. I let Steve know about you having some at Thanksgiving," Bucky said.
Skye nodded. "Understood."
"But I still stand by if you need to talk, I'm around," Bucky said.
"Thanks," Skye said.
They finished clearing up and went back into the family room. Steve put a hand on Skye's shoulder. "Come. Let's talk," he said.
Skye let out a breath and went with him. They went to the office and sat down on the couch.
"When and where did you get it? And do you have any more?" Steve asked.
"I'd rather not answer those first two questions, and yes," she said.
"Did you get it from someone I know?" Steve asked hesitantly.
"No," Skye said. "I promise, no."
"Okay. Well, I'd still like to know where and when you had the chance to get it. You have been with someone I know and trust since Thanksgiving. Did you have it before? Did you lie about having more to Bucky?" he asked.
"No. I got it after Thanksgiving," Skye said.
"So, you have been either here with people I know, with Thor, or with the Bartons, all of whom I know. And, you said you didn't get it from someone I know. So, when did you have time away from one of them to get it?" Steve asked.
Skye let out a breath. "I'm not answering that."
"You sneak out of here somehow?" Steve asked.
Skye chuckled. "No."
"A friend of the Bartons' that I don't know?" Steve asked.
"No. They didn't have anyone over when I was there," Skye said.
"You went on walks alone in Asgard. Someone there?" he asked.
Skye sighed.
"So yes," Steve said.
"Why does it matter?" Skye asked.
"Because I want to make sure whoever you got it from will not be around you to give you more," Steve said. "And because I need to make sure the people who are responsible for you know that you went behind their back to get it, so they can keep a closer eye on you in the future," Steve said.
Skye sighed. "So, you're going to tell Thor?"
"Nope," Steve said.
Skye gave him a questioning look.
"You are," Steve said.
Skye shook her head a bit.
"Yes, Skyler, you are," Steve said.
"I don't want to," Skye said softly.
"I know you don't want to. But you are going to," Steve said.
Skye crossed her arms and sulked.
"Skye, Part of growing up is admitting when you have made a mistake," Steve said.
"Doesn't mean I like it," Skye said.
"No, you don't have to like it. But you will do it," Steve said.
Skye sighed and nodded. "Okay."
"And I want all of the marijuana you have," Steve said.
Skye gave a little nod.
"Now," he said.
Skye got up and went to her room. She got the remainder of her stash and brought it to him.
"This is all of it?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Skye said.
"I'll get rid of it," Steve said. "Now, you know the rules."
Skye nodded slightly. "I know. I just…"
"You just what?" Steve asked.
"It's just been how I deal with things for a long time," Skye told him.
"Okay. Well, why don't we find a better way for you to deal with your feelings?" Steve asked.
"Okay," Skye said.
"If you promise that the next time you feel like you need to smoke marijuana you come talk to me, or talk to Bucky or any other adult around here. And, if you tell Thor what you did under his watch. We can find you better ways to deal with your feelings, then we can move on," Steve said. He didn't want to have to punish her, especially not on Christmas.
"Deal," Skye said.
"I will go get Thor. Stay here," he said.
Skye sighed.
Steve went and got him.
Thor and Steve came into the office.
"Your father tells me there is something you want to tell me?" Thor asked.
"Want to? Not exactly," Skye said.
"Skyler," Steve said warningly.
"Ah, something you need to tell me then?" Thor asked.
Skye nodded and looked down.
"What is it little one?" Thor asked.
"The day in Asgard when I left Valkyrie's place and went off on my own," Skye started. "I ran into someone. I don't know who she is exactly. But, I got something from her."
Thor looked confused. "What exactly did you get?"
Skye let out a sigh. "Weed," Skye said.
"I see," Thor said.
"I caught her with some today. And when she told me how she got it, I figured you should know," Steve said.
Thor nodded. "Skyer, I am surprised."
"I'm sorry," Skye said softly.
Thor nodded. "Why did you?"
"I was upset. It was offered to me, and I just took it," Skye said.
"Did you use any when with me?" Thor asked.
"No," Skye said. "I didn't get the chance."
"Have you used any here since then, or was today going to be your first time?" Steve asked.
"Today was going to be my first time, Skye said.
"Okay. Well, it's bad enough to use this stuff in the first place. But you should never take anything from people you don't know. This could have something else in it that could hurt you," Steve said.
Skye nodded and looked down.
Thor took a breath, then went over and lifted her chin. "If you are left with me again, you will not be out of my sight."
"Understood," Skye said, looking him in the eyes.
"And I would like a description of the person who gave it to you," Thor said.
Skye let out a breath.
"Do I need to phase it as an order?" Thor asked.
"No, I will give you a description," Skye said.
Thor let her chin go, "Good."
Skye told him what she looked like, and Thor thought for a moment. "She is about your age?" he asked.
"I think a little older," Skye said.
"I have an idea of who it might be," Thor said. "I do not think she would mean Skye any harm," he told Steve.
Steve nodded.
"I will inform her parents," Thor said.
Skye sighed. She hated that the girl was going to be in trouble.
"And I will let you two finish talking," Thor said before he left the office.
Steve looked at Skye. "You lived up to your end of the deal. Come on, let's go join everyone else again," he said.
Skye went with him and sat down next to Lila once again.