Siren

This isn't goodbye

Having just come back from lunch with Steve, Sam and Thor, Buck was in a decent mood for once and that was something that been in short supply for him since Juno and Henri had become official. He was happy for her of course, but... No, he wouldn't, couldn't go there. He was happy for her. Truth be told he hadn't had much time to think of her lately what with chasing after the dead ends and cold trails for the Power Broker. This guy was slippery as an eel and had the crime underworld either completely loyal to him or in total fear of him because no one was talking. After a couple of weeks hopping from one country after another Sam and him had decided to go home and regroup. Maybe if they weren't running around blind they could take a step back and try to see the bigger picture.

So here he sat hanging out with his friends when Natasha, Tony, Peter and the rest of the team trickled in. It'd had been a minute since all of them were in one place together and it was good to see them. Well almost everyone. Speak of the beautiful angel and she shall appear. Juno came into the room without her usual effervescent bubbly pep. She looked sort of sad. For half a second he thought that maybe things hadn't worked out with Henri after all, but then she cleared her throat and dashed that right to hell along with any hope that they'd ever work together again. Having garnered everybody's attention Jun stayed standing as the last straggler settled down on one of the large couches.

"I have an announcement to make and I'm really glad you're all here so I only have to do this once." Taking a deep breath in through her nose she let it out through her mouth before nervously licking her lips. "As of ten minutes ago I officially retired from SHIELD and the Avengers. Taking this sabbatical has shown me that I'm ready for the next step in my life which is one day having a family. And I can't give my future kids the kind of mother I want to be and still do this job."

Heart sinking straight into his gut, Bucky sat there stunned like all the rest of them as they all stared at Juno. The only person who didn't look surprised was Tony and that was because he knew she'd told him before today. She viewed Stark as her big brother as well as her closest friend so that made sense. Didn't hurt any less, but what could he do? Nothing. He sort of figured that this day was coming, he just didn't know it would be so soon.

A hundred questions swirled in his mind. Like, would she still come around to see everyone? What was her plan until she started a family? How serious was her relationship with Henri? Was marriage on the table, was she already pregnant? The most important question of all was; what did this mean for their sort of friendship? Unable to open his mouth Bucky sat there arms tightly crossed over his chest to hold himself back from running off so he could maybe get some answers to his questions.

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You'd have thought she'd told them all the world was ending by the reaction everyone was currently having at her news. Juno didn't think they'd be happy with her decision to officially retire from SHIELD and the Avengers, but she hadn't thought they'd be this in an uproar about it. The only people on her side were Tony and Steve. Tony was a no brainer because she'd come to see him as soon as the jetlag had worn off. She'd called a family date night and told him everything over hotdogs in the park. Knowing exactly what she'd gone through he understood her choice. While he said he'd miss seeing her nearly everyday he told her he was happy for her. As for Steve, Juno knew he'd support her no matter what. As long as this made her happy he was happy.

She'd been a little nervous when she called a family meeting and Bucky had been sitting in the living room between Thor and Sam, but she muscled through it. While the others were trying to make arguments for her to stay he'd sat back not saying a word. Hell, he had barely even looked at her. Sending Natasha a pleading look for her to be on her side, Juno was grateful when the redhead sounded a shrill whistle calling a halt to the noise. "Quiet down! While none of us are happy that Juno is leaving us, we need to remember that this is her decision and if this will make her happy then we should all support her just like she would for any of us."