It's 2025, two years post blip and photography student Rosie Dylan is still learning how to rebuild her life. She's just trying to get to graduation and make enough cash to pay her rent. But then Captain America leaves her an unexpected voicemail.
...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
A/N: I was so excited to write this chapter, had it all planned and then really struggled through a huge lack of motivation to actually put words on the page. I worked through it but haven't proof read properly as it's nearly 1am so apologies if it's not quite up to scratch. I'll edit any mistakes in the morning!
Warnings: v mild Hawkeye and Spider-Man: No Way Home spoilers, smut, oral sex (female receiving) & fingering in a public bathroom, some good girl and sergeant action, a little bit of angst from Bucky's POV about Steve.
____________
"I haven't taken anyone out on an actual date in decades, Sam!"
Bucky is panicking. Rosie promised him one date, he has to get it right.
"And yet you have a collection of fuck buddies."
"That's different and you know it."
"Sorry, I forgot you just manage to somehow pick people up in bars and have them form a weird attachment to you instantly."
Bucky clicks his jaw. He keeps meaning to call things off with Jasmine, her cardigan is still stuffed under the seat of his truck. And Mimi. But they're the only two he still sees regularly. And Frankie in New York too, but she'll understand. They're friends more than anything now, haven't slept together in months. Bucky makes a mental note to do that later, before his date with Rosie at least. He'll call Mimi and Frankie, take Jasmine's cardigan to her and tell her in person.
"Where did you take Mia on your first date?"
"To see Hamilton."
"How many times have you seen that show?"
"Once a year since it debuted. Except for the five we weren't here for, obviously. Lin-Manuel Miranda didn't have to go so hard, man. That show still slaps ten years later!"
"Slaps? Seriously?" Bucky shakes his head, "where have you taken her in New Orleans? You guys go out all the time."
"As much as I would love to continue working through your little crisis, we've got a call with Peter and Kate in about two minutes."
They're in Sam's home office. Bucky doesn't go in there much. Sometimes the room feels like a permanent reminder of Steve, which he's learnt is something he could do with less of. It's his vintage desk that sits pride of place on the thrifted rug. Passed onto Sam before he left. Sam wanted to keep Steve's legacy alive in his own way too, and so the walls are adorned with a selection of Steve's medals and commendations alongside his own.
Bucky used to come in here a lot when Sam first renovated it. He would talk to Steve like he was still around, fingers tracing over the glass frames that held his medals. It helped for a little while until missing his best friend turned into resentment, anger towards Steve for leaving him. Bucky realises now that Steve leaving was a good thing. No longer tethered to Steve's Captain America, Bucky has since rediscovered who he is without him.
