The next day Skye didn't want to get out of bed at all. The guilt was gone but she was sad. The Norton's had been so good to her. And she understood that the loss of their child had to be the worst thing that happened to them. She could understand why they had had her removed at the time but they knew what really happened, they could have tried to talk to her after they knew the truth. She was so hurt that day and they knew that. They watched her sob and beg them to believe her and they didn't even attempt to fix things for years. And until she was seen at the mall by her.
Harley was lying on Skye's bed with her and was pressed right up against her. Skye had her arm around him and he was just watching her. He could tell that Skye was still upset and hurting and wanted to be her comfort.
There was a knock on Skye's bedroom door around eleven.
"Yeah?" She said softly.
Bucky stuck his head in, "You have a therapy appointment in an hour."
Skye groaned and pulled the blanket over her head.
"You need to get up and start getting ready," Bucky said.
"No," Skye pouted.
"Skye it's not an option. Don't make me have to drag you out of that bed," Bucky said. "I know yesterday was hard but that is another reason you need therapy."
"At the rate my life is going I'm going to need therapy til the day I die," Skye said.
"There is nothing wrong with that if that is the case. However, therapy is to teach you coping strategies so when things happen you know how to handle them," Bucky said.
Skye nodded.
"Now. If I have to drag you out of bed you will be in trouble," Bucky said.
"Okay," Skye said pulling the blanket off her head. "I'll be up in a few minutes."
Bucky left the room closing the door.
Skye got out of bed and went into her bathroom, she looked in the mirror at the bags under her eyes. She hadn't slept well. She forced herself to get in the shower before she put on the hoodie she had stolen from Tucker and her softest pair of sweatpants and went to the kitchen. Harley had followed her the entire time sitting outside her shower when she was in there.
"Eat, I will take the dog out for you," Bucky said placing a plate of food on the table.
Skye sat and ate while Bucky took the dog outside.
When Bucky came back in he filled up the dog's food and water dishes.
Skye smiled a little.
"What?" Bucky asked.
Skye giggled, "Just that I was told that Harley is my responsibility. But pretty sure more than half the mornings you and Dad have been the ones to take him out."
Bucky chuckled "It's mostly been your dad. And that's because he has wanted a dog since we were kids."
Skye smiled.
"So letting you have the dog was not a hard choice for him," Bucky said.
"Fair enough," Skye said as she got up and put her plate in the dishwasher.
Once they were both ready they left with Harley and headed towards her appointment.
After the appointment, Skye was quiet as they drove home.
"Went okay?" Bucky asked.
Skye shrugged.
"I'm going to take that as a no," Bucky said looking over at her when they were stopped at a red light.
"Papa, I-" she started.
"Yes?" Bucky asked smiling a little at the title.
"I don't want to keep going," Skye said.
"Okay, well I'm going to need you to tell me what happened," Bucky said as he started to drive again.
"I just don't want to keep going," Skye said.
"Because you don't like the feelings it brings up?" Bucky asked.
Skye let out a breath.
"Well I'm sorry if that is the only reason you are going to continue going," Bucky said.
"No," Skye said.
"Is there any other reason Skyler?" Bucky asked. "The truth please."
"No," Skye said.
"Then you will continue going," Bucky said.
"No," Skye said.
"I can actually pick you up and drag you there if I have to," Bucky said.
"You told me you'd do that the first time and then told me you wouldn't have actually," Skye said.
"Yeah, well doesn't mean I can't and won't this time," Bucky said.
Skye let out a breath.
"I don't want to have to do that. But I will if I have to," Bucky said as he pulled into the compound.
"Fine," Skye said.
When Bucky parked she got out and grabbed her dog before going for a walk with him.
Bucky went inside and went and found Steve in the library sketching.
"Hey Stevie," Bucky said sitting next to him and looking over his shoulder.
Steve closed his sketchbook, "hey. No peaking."
Bucky chuckled, "Sorry."
"Skye's therapy went okay?" Steve asked.
"I don't know exactly. I know she said she doesn't want to go anymore. And upon some questions, it's because she doesn't like the feelings it is bringing up. I told her that's not a reason to quit and I won't let her," Bucky said.
Steve let out a breath.
"I know you don't love the idea of forcing her," Bucky said
"It's not that I don't know it will benefit her. But it's the look she gives when she says she doesn't want to. I cave way too easily," Steve said
Bucky smirked but didn't say anything.
"Yeah. I know. I'm going soft," Steve said.
Bucky chuckled. "When it comes to therapy maybe. But you are not going soft on other things that matter just as much."
"Oh yeah? Such as?" Steve asked.
"Her swearing," Bucky said.
"Yeah, well I think I'm loosening up on that some even," Steve said. "I seem to be the only one around here who calls her on it."
Bucky let out a breath, hearing the slight annoyance in his voice. "I'll call her on it."
"I know you don't care about it the way I do. It's fine," Steve said.
"No, it's not. You're her dad and the other adults around her should call her on it because it's important to you," Bucky said.
"I know she doesn't swear at people. Often. And I know everyone would call her on that so it's really okay," Steve said smiling at his husband.
"Yes, that is very true," Bucky said.
"And of all the things she could do. Swearing really isn't the worst," Steve said.
"No. It's not," Bucky said slowly tilting his head at Steve with a confused look on his face.
"What?" Steve asked.
"I'm just trying to figure out if you are my Steve or a variant at the moment. Because what you are saying does not line up with my Steve," Bucky said.
Steve laughed. "When we went to the other universe. I saw firsthand what Skye's variant was like. And the way she acted, she was a brat. And that was because she didn't have her dad raising her and I don't know how much her mother let her get away with. And well our Skye is a good kid. So if the worst she does is swear I'm not going to come down on her for it."
"Yes. But you didn't see how that Skye was with her dad. And she was the way she was because she was protecting her own daughter," Bucky said
Steve nodded.
"Seeing that Skye and Tucker with their daughter was strange," Bucky said.
"Yeah. I can imagine," Steve said. "I just hope our two wait many years for that."
"Yes. I hope so too," Bucky said.
Skye knocked on the open library door.
Steve and Bucky looked up.
"Hey Skye," Steve said.
"So, um. I wasn't trying to listen but…" Skye said.
"It's okay," Steve said. "I know you know I want you to wait."
"I do," Skye said.
"If we ask if you are having sex with him will you answer truthfully?" Bucky asked.
"Urg, so weird how easy it is for you two to just ask me that," Skye said.
Steve and Bucky chuckled.
"Skye, we both know sex is a normal part of a healthy relationship. But we also know you are both young and things can happen when you have sex that you are both not ready for," Steve said.
"We are not having sex," Skye said. "But I'm doing what a responsible woman does to prepare for when it does happen."
Steve nodded slowly. "Do you need me to cover the cost of anything?"
"Possibly," Skye said. "I have an appointment in a few days to discuss options."
"Okay," Steve said. "Want me to go with you?"
"Nope," Skye said. "I have someone going with me."
"Someone I trust?" Steve asked.
"Yes, promise," Skye said.
"Okay," Steve said.
Skye looked at Bucky who hadn't said anything.
"Yes?" Bucky asked.
"You just went quiet," Skye said.
"Your dad had the questions handled," Bucky said with a smile.
Skye chuckled. "I have a question I think is fair given this discussion. Were you both adults when you first had sex?"
"I was," Steve said.
"I was, but barely," Bucky said honestly.
Skye nodded.
"We both know if you want to you will. But just remember it's a big decision and not one you can take back," Bucky said.
"I know," Skye said.
"Come here," Steve said opening his arms.
Skye went over and Steve pulled her into a hug that Bucky joined in as well.
"How is Carol doing?" Skye asked when the hug was broken.
"She is good. We have to speak to everyone else about it. But we are going to be having her come to stay here fairly soon," Steve said.
Skye smiled and nodded.
"I hear you are putting up a fuss about therapy," Steve said.
Skye sighed, "I will keep going. But I won't be happy about it."
"You will grow to appreciate it more as you continue going," Bucky said.
"If you say so," Skye said.
"I know so," Bucky said
Skye sighed. "Anything thing else you want to talk about?"
"No, you can go," Steve said.
Skye got up and left the library.
Steve looked at Bucky. "So who was she?"
Bucky looked at him, "who was who?"
"At eighteen. I don't remember you being involved with anyone in particular at that time," Steve said.
Bucky chuckled and gave him a name.
"I thought you two broke up before she went off to college," Steve said.
"We did, but we had sex first," Bucky said with a smirk.
Steve chuckled and shook his head.
"It was dumb, I know," Bucky said.
"Well at least it proves you did dumb things too," Steve said with a smirk.
Bucky chuckled. "I did. But I didn't bite off more than I could chew at the time."
"Did you ever see her again?" Steve asked
"Yeah. When she came home the next summer. But she was already engaged to someone else," Bucky said.
"Oh," Steve said.
"Better that way anyway. Wasn't who I was supposed to be with," Bucky said before he leaned his face closer to Steve's.
Steve smiled bridged the gap and kissed him. Bucky kissed him back.
"You know I pay good money for this place so you two have a room. Technically have two rooms you could be doing that in," Tony said from the door.
Steve and Bucky broke the kiss and smirked up at Tony.
Tony shook his head.
"What can we do for you, Tony?" Steve asked still smirking.
"Avengers are being called for a meeting with the UN," Tony said.
"I'm not signing anything Tony," Steve said.
"I don't think that is what this is about," Tony said. "But we are all being requested."
"Skye too?" Steve asked.
"No, the adults," Tony said.
"Okay," Steve said getting up. Bucky got up as well too to go start getting ready.
