Chapter 12. In the Open

Author's notes: The Sokovia Accords were repealed in 2025 in the MCU timeline that I consulted. The original version of this story is set in 2024, and in my head canon they were repealed shortly after the battle against Thanos. The original chapter had Thaddeus Ross running for president in the 2024 election but Captain America: Brave New World is set in 2026 when Ross is President-Elect, so that 2024 date of the next presidential election been changed to 2026 for subsequent chapters. The Accords are brought up again, because the man just can't help himself, even if he has claimed to have changed.

Content warning: Contains brief, mild sexual content.

Bucky came over for breakfast the following morning, bringing Alpine in the cat carrier, just like he promised. The kitten didn't care much for Bobby, but she did like Kathy and the kids, prompting a competition of sorts over who Alpine liked best. Even though Bucky told them the kitten was deaf the kids still made meowing sounds trying to entice the feline into their lap. It was entertaining at how Joyce trumped all of them by bringing food into the mix, succeeding in proving that a little bit of canned fish was the way to Alpine's heart.

As Kathy and the kids got ready, and Joyce and Hope cleaned up breakfast, Bobby went out into the backyard for a cigarette, joined by Bucky. Offered a smoke, the super soldier declined, then looked back at the brownstone.

"I found Kane," he said to Bobby. "After Hope told me about him, I did some digging around."

The balding man looked at him in surprise. "Yeah? How is the bastard?"

"In prison," said Bucky. "He went right back to his old ways; except he didn't get away with it. His girlfriend had been through it before with her ex and she wasn't putting up with it again. He was arrested at his new job, who had no idea he'd been charged before the Snap. His lawyer didn't bother to get those charges expunged. I haven't told Hope as she's still pretty emotional about him, but I will someday, if she's feeling down and needs some good news." He took another breath. "I offered to find Adam. She's thinking about it."

"Are you going to take him out?" Bucky looked at Bobby with surprise, and a little frustration, considering the previous day's conversation. "I mean, that's what you used to do, right? You know how to do it."

"Used to. I'm not a killer anymore. No, if I did find him it would be to make him face judgement, perhaps make restitution, and definitely apologize for what he did to her. But it's Hope's call. I looked for Kane without telling her because I was angry and wanted to scare the shit out of him."

Bobby took a drag and blew it out, then shook his head. "Not sorry to see him in prison. He was bad news all around." He flicked the end of the cigarette. "I'm sorry for what I said to you yesterday and for assuming right now that you would take Adam out. It was unfair of me."

"I have a sister. I get it." Bucky shrugged. "Not that I was around when she did start dating as HYDRA had me by then, but she got lucky and was loved by a good man."

Kathy opened the deck door to tell Bobby they were ready, and he stamped out his cigarette, picking up the butt as he knew his mother didn't like it being left in the yard as garbage. Just before he went inside, he looked at Bucky.

"How serious are you about Hope?"

"Very serious. I want a future with her."

Looking through the window, Bobby smiled at how animated his sister seemed to be as she talked to his wife and kids. It was a far cry from the last time he saw her, just after she came back from Mexico. He hadn't been very understanding with her, allowing his anger at his mother losing money to that con artist colour his feelings for his sister. Then he went back to Baltimore, leaving her and Ma to deal with everything, because he was overwhelmed himself with taking over his father-in-law's business.

"Don't hurt her, or my mother," he said, without looking at Bucky. "I respect you. You seem to have helped them both, but I already feel guilty about not being here for them." He looked up at the taller man. "I won't let anyone else hurt Hope again."

"Understood," replied Bucky. "I respect that."

With a nod, Bobby went inside, followed by Bucky. He gathered his family, promising his mother they would be back for dinner, at her insistence. After staying to talk with Joyce and Hope, Bucky returned to his place, as Hope wanted to put some final touches on the pieces she was selling the next day. His offer to help get her set up at the park was accepted.

He was ready and waiting for her when she picked him up at 7:30 am Saturday morning. To say that Hope looked stunning would be an understatement. Wearing the yellow sundress that Bucky really liked and with a scarf used as a headband, she presented herself as attractive and friendly. He stared at her for several blocks until she turned briefly to him.

"What?"

"You look great," he replied. "I was just thinking you looked radiant. Did anything happen last night? You didn't come over."

"I'll stay over tonight," she smiled. "I just had a really good talk with Bobby. We got a lot of things resolved between us. He admitted that I was right. I'm meant to be an artist."

"That must have meant a lot to you." Bucky placed his hand on her knee and gently squeezed it. "He seems to care about you."

"Yeah, he does. Mom did a video call with Tom, so they've met. Bobby suggested they spend a weekend in Baltimore to meet him person." She stopped at a red light. "He likes you and thinks we're good together."

"Well, when he's right, he's right," joked Bucky. He was quiet for a few moments. "So, after I help you set up, do you want me to hang around? I can watch your paintings if you need to take a break, or get you coffee, or something. I brought a book to read and can find myself a quiet spot if you don't need me."

A ready smile appeared on her face. "Whatever works out. I know some of the others in the artist's group bring their spouses or partners with them. Most of them do exactly what you proposed. I am going to be working on a watercolour while I'm there, so my attention might not be fully on my paintings. I did bring a chair for you." She looked briefly at him. "I really do appreciate your offer to help. It means a lot."

Upon their arrival they were directed to where the artist's group was set up for the day. Hope parked the car in the nearest parking lot then pulled out a folded-up wagon with cloth sides that she loaded up with her paintings, blank canvasses, display easels, a painting easel, and her watercolour set. She gestured to a cooler and two chairs.

"If you could bring those, we can get it done in one trip."

Bucky noticed a closed-up patio umbrella in the trunk. "What about that?"

"I'll see if there is a shady spot to set up in first," she explained. "If there isn't any then you can come back for it."

Slinging her small purse over her shoulder so it hung cross ways on her body, she pulled on the wagon handle, while he followed. Several artists were already there, setting up and greeted her on her arrival. They were early enough to get a shady spot and staked out their place. It took about 45 minutes to set everything up, then Hope put a large apron on to cover up her clothing, and moved her painting easel, so she was facing a nearby grassy area. She had enough time over the next hour to get her background up before she was interrupted enough to put it aside for a while. She took several pictures of the scene then moved her painting easel to where Bucky was sitting with his book. Opening the cooler, she took out a bottle of juice, offering him one. He nodded and she pulled out another bottle for him. She took several sips of hers before putting it back in the cooler.

"I took the pictures of the scene so that I have the light down right, but once it slows down after lunch, I'll go back to the painting and get the closer trees and bushes in, then fine tune the colours. By the time we're ready to leave I should have something ready to sell next time."

"What do you do in the meantime?"

"I people watch, sketch, talk to the other artists." She shrugged. "It's a long day but I'm outside, it's nice out, and if I sell a canvas or two, I'm happy. On a cooler day I might paint with oils or acrylics. There are usually fewer people around so I can go longer between interruptions."

They heard familiar voices approaching, with Stacey and David, Hope's niece, and nephew, running a race towards them. They were joined shortly after by Bobby, Kathy, and Joyce.

"Did you paint all of these?" asked Stacey, gesturing to the canvases on display.

"I did," answered Hope. "Do you like them?"

The girl nodded, then pointed to one of them, a painting of children at a pond, feeding the ducks. "This one is really nice. It feels like I'm there." She pointed to one of the children, lying on their stomach and looking into the water below. "That reminds me of me, looking for what's underneath."

"It is you," confirmed Hope. "I saw a picture of you in Baltimore looking into the water of a pond. When I was painting the scene here at the lake, I put you into it. Even though you can't see your face, it's you." Stacey looked up at her aunt, then hugged her. "Would you like it? It's yours, if you want it."

She looked to her parents, who both nodded, then hugged Hope again. "Thank you. I'll keep it in my room."

"Promise that you keep looking at what's underneath, okay? Not everything is visible, until you start looking for it." She looked at Bucky while she said it, who smiled at her. "Now, let me wrap this up in paper to protect it until you get home."

She pulled out some folded pieces of kraft paper, taping them around the frame, then tying a string around it to make it easier to carry. As she was doing that, another couple came and browsed her paintings, choosing one of them. They haggled a little on the price but were satisfied with Hope's final offer. She wrapped up their painting just like she did for Stacey, giving them a receipt when they handed her the cash. After they were out of earshot, Bobby faced his sister.

"1500 for that?"

"Yeah, they got a good deal," she replied. "They were here last week when I was finishing it up, and I knew then they would come back. They just made it look like they weren't really interested in that particular one. If I sell two paintings here on a Saturday, I'm satisfied. I've been toying with setting up a website to display all my works and possibly making prints of some of them. Prints are more affordable, and I can sell more of them. If I hand sign and number them, they can easily fetch 300 - 500 each, unframed."

"Huh, here I thought you were struggling by being an artist," he said. "I'm sorry I doubted your abilities."

"It's still hard work. I put many hours into each one and even with what I sell, I still have to keep track of it all for tax purposes, putting a portion aside. I'll probably clear what I make as an instructor, assuming they keep me on. If I can get my pieces into the galleries then I can up the prices considerably, although I have to pay the gallery a commission." She looked at her remaining paintings. "I like doing it, though. It feels right."

Bobby squeezed Hope's shoulder, then looked closer at all of her paintings with his wife. They didn't just look; they looked as if they were in a gallery, studying each one closely. Then Kathy whispered in Bobby's ear while they were in front of a streetscape that showed Joyce's brownstone. He nodded as she spoke then they smiled at each other.

"How much for this one?"

"Bobby, you can have it," smiled Hope.

"No, I want to buy it because I like it, and it brings back memories of when I lived in that house. Good memories of my parents and my sisters and being from Brooklyn. I'm not your brother now. I'm an interested buyer. How much?"

"1500."

"Would you take 1300?"

"Bobby," laughed Hope. "Are you haggling with your sister?"

"I'm haggling with the artist," he laughed back. "Give me a counteroffer."

"1400."

"It's a deal but I have to go to an ATM to get the cash." He opened his wallet. "If I give you 200 to hold it, you won't let anyone else buy it, will you?"

"I'll start to wrap it now."

He smiled at her, then at his wife and headed towards where a mobile ATM station was located. Hope looked to Bucky and her mother, who both shrugged. What just happened was between her and her brother, as artist and customer. By the time Bobby returned, the canvas was wrapped and had string tied around it. He handed Hope the balance of the money and she wrote out his receipt. It looked like he wanted to say more to her, but another couple came to look at the paintings and asked a question about one of them. Hope squeezed her brother's hand and joined the couple. With pride on his face, Bobby watched her make another sale. As the other couple walked away with their painting, he gave Hope a one-armed hug, then squeezed her shoulder.

"I'm proud of you," he murmured. "You keep true to yourself and if I ever forget that you just remind me, okay?"

After Bobby and the others left, Hope sold two more paintings before she and Bucky packed everything up for the day. It was the best day of sales for her, and she was buoyant on the drive back to the brownstone. They stayed for dinner, with an invitation extended to the couple to join the family at Coney Island the next day. Bucky declined, stating he found the noise and activity level there hard to withstand, but he encouraged Hope to go. With both kids pleading for her to go, she agreed then she and Bucky headed out for his place. As they walked hand in hand for the short walk, she glanced up at Bucky several times.

"What?" he asked, after the third time. "Do I have food on my chin?"

"No," she shrugged. "I just feel good and wanted to look at you. You know that you're a handsome man."

"So I've been told." He looked back at her. "I think you're very attractive, inside and out."

"Yeah? Even with all my issues?"

"We all have issues."

His cell phone buzzed, and Bucky took it out of his pocket, then frowned when he read the text message on it.

"What is it?" asked Hope.

"Sam says to watch the news."

Bucky stopped walking and texted back. They picked up their pace and were soon in Bucky's apartment. As Hope turned the television on Bucky fed Alpine, then they both sat on the couch, watching a news channel. As it cycled through the stories of the day, he texted Sam back.

Bucky: What exactly am I looking for?

Sam: You'll know it when it comes up. It's better that you see it for yourself.

Several minutes later the news story was brought up again and Bucky's face darkened, as they broadcast an excerpt of an interview with Thaddeus Ross, where he pledged to restore a new and improved version of the Sokovia Accords for the United States if he was elected president. The new Accords were not just to register those individuals with special abilities, but also to legislate that they be "encouraged" to enlist in a special quick response tactical team to deal with terrorist activity, and to protect American interests in foreign countries from agitators. Bucky shook his head in disgust, texting Sam.

Bucky: Seriously? He's expecting us to be his personal task force?

Sam: Sounds like it.

Hope put her hand on his knee, squeezing it as she watched the news report with growing unease. The question about whether other countries should create their own version of the Accords brought the response from Ross that they were free to do whatever they wanted but if their laws affected American interests, it could provoke conflict. As he put it: "Considering we have more enhanced humans than any other country they may want to think twice about poking the bear." As Ross claimed that it would make the world a safer place, Bucky got up and paced around, barely able to contain his disgust. His phone buzzed several times as Sam texted him then it rang. Seeing it was Sam, Bucky picked up and answered.

"There is no way in hell I am helping that man throw his weight around," he barked.

"I know, and I agree," said Sam, "but if he is elected, there's a possibility that I'll have to be part of it."

"Why?"

"Because I'm still in the reserves, Buck, subject to recall. The shield is officially government property which means that I'll have to be part of any task force, or I lose it. They'll give it to someone like Walker and you can bet they'll build a whole propaganda dog and pony show around it, just like they did with him." His breathing over the speaker was audible. "That's the opinion of a legal expert I just spoke to. He's looking up about whether Ross can compel you and other enhanced humans to join. He says the 13th Amendment protects any of us from forced servitude, unless we've been convicted of a crime."

There was no response from Bucky, but Hope looked at him fearfully.

"Can he rescind your pardon if he becomes president?"

"Sam? Can he?" Bucky was trying not to sound desperate.

Sam's sigh was clearly audible. "I honestly don't know. I'll ask my guy and maybe you should ask your lawyer as well, although I'm pretty sure if he hears about this pledge, he should already be on it. Listen, it will only happen if Ross is elected, and even then, he has to get it through Congress and the Senate. It will be a while before it can be implemented. If worse comes to worse, you could always go to Wakanda. They'll give you asylum."

"What about you? They arrested you when you helped me, and Steve get to Siberia. They put you in the Raft, Sam."

"Yeah." He already sounded defeated. "I was pardoned for that and for escaping custody after, so there's a possibility he might rescind my pardon as well, if he can get away with it. I can't see it happening because there's an awful lot of people with presidential pardons who could be at risk if he does it with one of us. Just talk to your lawyer and make sure he's ready to go to bat for you. Okay?"

Bucky made eye contact with a worried Hope and nodded. "Okay. I'll try not to panic. I'll touch base with Peter because this affects him as well. It's the last thing the kid needs."

For several long moments he stood there staring at his phone while Hope watched him. When he did look up, she patted the couch next to her, smiling slightly. He left his phone on the counter and came over, sitting next to her. She murmured to him, and he placed his head on her lap, while she gently ran her hands through his hair. It helped, as his breathing evened out and she could feel the strain in his body slowly relax. Alpine watched from the floor, sitting upright and occasionally chirping softly at him. Lowering his hand, he smiled as she rubbed along it, then jumped up to the small space on the couch in front of his chest, curling up and purring. The three of them stayed like that for some time until Bucky reached for Hope's hand and kissed it, then sat up. Picking Alpine up, he moved her to where his feet had been then lifted Hope onto his lap.

In the golden glow that filled the apartment in the minutes before the sun completely set, Bucky studied her face intently, running his eyes from her hair to her lips. Her touch had helped settle him down after Sam's phone call and he wanted to thank her for understanding his need for comfort. Threading his right hand into her hair he moved closer to her lips, gently kissing them, then intensifying his efforts as he felt the warmth building inside him. She returned it, pressing herself firmly against him as her hand went up the nape of his neck and into his hair. Lowering his right hand to her thigh, he sought under the hem of her dress, touching her skin up to the smooth roundness of her bottom. As his fingertips slipped under her panties she whimpered and shifted so that all of his large hand covered the soft skin.

"I want you so much," he whispered.

"Me too," she whispered back, between brushing her lips teasingly against his. "Take them off me."

"You're sure?"

She nodded, then said a breathy "yes."

Sliding them slowly off and dropping them on the floor, he could feel his erection building uncomfortably in his pants.

"Is that for me?" asked Hope, tugging his T-shirt up so she could slip her hand onto his chest.

"Depends on what you're going to do with it." He thought her lips were so plump and her teeth so sexy as she bit down on her lower lip. "You're killing me here, sweetheart."

"I'm sorry I made you wait," she began, but he raised her palm to his lips, kissing it before turning his mouth on her.

"Don't apologize," he murmured, breathing heavily. "You had your reasons, and I accepted them. But don't tease me now, not when I'm feeling like this."

"Alright, no teasing." She nuzzled into his neck, smiling as she felt his hard length pressing into the side of her leg. "Take me to bed."

He stood upright, with Hope balanced in his arms. Placing her beside the bed, he stood in front of her and took his T-shirt off before removing his jeans and briefs. Without apology he stroked himself as Hope took her dress and bra off, then pulled her into his arms, covering her face and neck with moist kisses.

"I love you," he uttered softly, finally brushing his lips against hers.

"Thank you," she answered, her eyes tearing up. "I love you, too, Bucky." A small sob escaped from her. "I'm scared of losing it again."

"You won't." Peering closely at her face and cupping it in his hands he rubbed noses with her, bringing out a smile. "This is us, stripped down to nothing, except for our feelings and desires. The world could end right now, and I would die happy because you're in my arms. Years from now archaeologists would find our bodies wrapped together and would call us the Lovers because of how we're embracing each other. It's got nothing to do with sex, although I gotta be honest and tell you that we're not going to get a lot of sleep tonight." She beamed at him. He held one of her hands in his, holding both between their chests. "It's because we're connected, here in our hearts, underneath the surface. I could pick you out in any crowd because I would know your heartbeat in an instant, just like I recognize the scent of your hair and your skin, and I can hear your voice from a mile away. You're part of me and always will be. The sex is just the physical expression of us."

Hope looked down at their enclosed hands still positioned between them.

"I can't hear your heartbeat, but I can feel it right now," she murmured. "It's beating a mile a minute. You've always smelled wonderful to me, like cut wood and a warm rain on a summer's day. I love when you get excited about something, and your Brooklyn accent spills out of you as if it's been set free. But most of all, I love how you make me feel; like I matter. I never had that with anyone else, and it's amazing and scary all at once. I'm tired of giving any more thought to my broken hearts. I just want to think of you and me and what's to come."

Bucky smiled lovingly at her and kissed her, deeply and passionately, with his hands roaming from her face to her hair and down her body. She did the same, as they both laid claim to the other, touching and tasting the one before them. His promise of little sleep that night was kept as they explored the physicality of their relationship, in ways that both exhausted and exhilarated each other, although it was Hope that fell asleep first, unable to keep up with the demands of Bucky's stamina. As she struggled to stay awake, he bathed her, dried her off and pulled out one of his T-shirts for her to wear, slipping it over her head, and raising each arm in turn to go through the arm holes. She bent her head to where she gathered the front of it in her hand, dreamily breathing in the scent of him that was imbued in it. With his body spooned behind her, he inhaled the scent of her hair, savouring it deeply. Hope pulled his right hand up to her chest, wrapping her hands around it to keep it close to her heart. Within seconds she was in dreamland, and Bucky, calm and peaceful, allowed himself to live in this moment, putting aside all other thoughts, to just be with her, his Hope.