Avengers Imagines

Ch. 31~End of the World Part 2-Bucky and Steve Smut

Steve breaks the ice first. All he does is whisper my name. It isn't even really audible, but I know the way those lips move too well to think he said anything different. Suddenly all the complications are pushed to the side as I walk towards him and practically collapse into his arms. "Steve." I whisper back and tears prick my eyes. Tears of relief; sweet, sweet relief that he's alive, that he's whole, that he's in my arms wet my cheeks. His strong arms wrap around me, but much gentler than they usually would, and it takes me a moment to realize his arms feel strange around me because now I'm used to being wrapped in another's.

He pulls back and frames my face in his hands while wiping my tears away with his callused thumbs. My eyes rove over his face and see he's grown a beard to go with the exhaustion mounting in his eyes. Still, there's joy there at seeing me. "I'm glad you're okay." He tells me and brushes my hair back from my face.

"And you. I can't...I can't believe that you're alive. How...how?" I can barely speak from the shock, but his head shakes.

"Later I promise." He swears before releasing me and taking my hand, then looking towards Bucky. They stare off a few moments and the tension mounts in my heart before they both step forward at the same time to share an embrace. It's silent for a minute as they both hug, then both men turn back to me. "You should sit down." Steve says and both men step forward to help as I lower myself into a chair that Bucky made. Both glance to one another at the realization, but are too slow to react as I lower myself down alone. "You must be nearly ready, right?" He asks and I stiffen slightly as I stare down at my bare feet.

"Nearly." I respond without looking up.

"How long have you both been here?" He asks and now I risk looking up at Bucky, but his eyes are far away as he stares down at my growing stomach.

"A while. Few months." Steve nods and kneels next to me before taking my feet into his hands just as Bucky had a few moments ago when everything was different.

"Okay." He says simply and that's it for the rest of the night. None of us wants to talk about what's going on or maybe we all need time to figure out what we think about it first. Steve isn't an idiot. There's barely a chance that I'd be pregnant by him and even if I was, I'd be much further along. He has to know that this isn't his baby. But I'm not about to say that to his face and it seems like Bucky isn't either. Should we? Is honesty still the best policy after all that's happened?

That night, we enter the hut that Bucky built for us and I stop in the door at the sight of the double bed. "Go on. You need the rest." Bucky's voice is soft and firm as his hand nudges me towards the bed. "We're going to stay up a little longer anyway." There's an edge to his tone now and my eyes flick to his filled with all the words I wish I could say.

"Sorry." The word is barely said, but it's said all the same. It's a horrible thing to say really. What am I sorry for? The baby? Feeling the way I do about both of them? That Steve's alive? No answer is good, but the sentiment is genuine. I'm just...sorry. Bucky's sapphire blue eyes rove over my face before he nods.

"Me too." He says before ducking out of the hut. I take his advice and settle into the bed while trying not to let my mind run away with me. It doesn't help that I can hear whispers outside.

"Thank you for taking care of her." Steve murmurs and I hear the both of them settle into the dirt outside around the fire.

"We took care of each other." Bucky returns and my lips press together in bed as I try not to think about all of that. I'll just end up crying and then they'll know I'm awake. "I'm not leaving her." Bucky says suddenly and there's more life and determination in his voice than I've heard all day. "If she wants to go, fine, but I'm going with her. Anywhere. Everywhere." My heart squeezes at his words and I try not to hold my breath while waiting for Steve's response.