The Collection- Bucky Barnes

Off the Clock- vi

"We need to find you a replacement."

Bucky hates to say it, he does. One, because it sounds wrong. And two, because there's no replacing Y/N. But, they're in a pickle with their current situation. She's been the babysitter for the past three years, one of the few people he's trusted to watch his boy. Now, she's his girlfriend.

They need a babysitter so he can take the old babysitter on a date.

He knows he can always ask Steve or Nat or Tony or literally anyone on the team. But they're not always free. He'd feel better having a set person. Especially since he'll need one once Y/N leaves for Albany in May.

"Do we, though?" She scrunches her nose in disinterest. "You know I love hanging out with Will."

He's never doubted that for a second. And unfortunately, that's part of the problem.

"Someone's got to watch him when we're out. Unless you want all our dates to be at Chuck E. Cheese." She looks like she's seriously considering the suggestion. "Y/N, as much as I love being able to hang out with my two favorite people at the same time, I'd also love to take my girlfriend out. Sans son."

Said son is currently on a play date with a friend. They're due to pick him up from the park in a little under two hours.

"Ugh, I guess you're right." She groans. "Just don't ever call him or her my replacement ever again."

He cracks a smile before pulling her into his lap. "No one could ever replace you." A swift, sweet kiss to the nape of her neck. "Plus, we need someone who's gonna be comfortable with Will by the time you leave in May. Better to get ahead of this now." It'll be easier for Will to make the adjustment while Y/N is still around to help.

Y/N stills. He hopes he hasn't upset her by talk of the imminent future. But it is, in fact, going to happen soon. She'll be leaving and he needs someone who can adjust to life with them while she's there and when she's gone. Someone who would be comfortable watching Will for a whole weekend if Bucky wanted to visit Y/N on his own a few times.

Neither of them wants to think about her leaving. Will is going to be devastated by it for the first little bit, until he gets used to seeing her only a few days a month instead of a few days a week. They all wish she could stay, and they all know she can't. Bucky constantly thinks of asking her to stay and really knows he can't do that.

She's got her thinking face on. Eyes focused hard on something across the room, mouth pursed. He can practically see the gears turning in her head. "What if..." She trails off, lost in the process of trying to string words together perfectly. "What if I didn't leave in May?"

"You are not skipping out on pharmacy school, Y/N." He says immediately. No way he's letting that happen. No matter how much he wants her to stay.

"Chill out." She turns all the way to straddle his lap. "I am still very much going to Albany. I just want to adjust the plan a little." He has no clue what she means. It's fascinating and sometimes a tad bit frustrating that she speaks vaguely. "I always thought it would be best if I moved right after graduation in May so I would have time to get settled before classes started in the fall. But what if I...don't? What if I moved in July or at the beginning of August?"

She's watching him carefully. Trying to gauge his reaction. In truth, he doesn't know what to think. He's definitely flattered by the thought. But he doesn't want her to uproot and completely change all her plans for him and Will. What if things go sour? Not that he thinks they will, but there is always the off-chance.

"Bad idea?" She reclines away from him.

Once again, he's taken too long to formulate a response.