GROW (BUCKY BARNES x OC)

20

On their last day in Malibu, Tony insisted they all wear their matching t-shirts. Between their matching shirts, hats, and sunglasses, Aurora joked that they looked like either a crazed group of tourists or a cult. Tony seemed dedicated to making them come across as the former.

They rode around the town on a sightseeing bus, and Tony obnoxiously began singing songs, starting a group karaoke session. Aurora was sure if the bus driver didn't have a sneaking suspicion that he was Tony Stark, she'd have kicked him off the bus. Actually, she'd probably have kicked them all off.

Aurora felt guilty about the disturbance they were causing, but after much prompting, annoying, and encouragement, she joined in their chorus. That made Olivia even happier than she'd already been. When they left the bus that evening, Aurora apologized to the bus driver for the commotion.

The woman just waved her off.

"It's nice to see you kids have fun, even if it gets a bit loud." She joked.

"Well, still thank you." Aurora repeated again, turning to get off the bus.

Everyone else had already stepped off. The bus driver stopped her for a moment though. She leaned in like she was going to tell Aurora something confidential.

"Are you guys the Avengers? I won't tell anyone- well, maybe my grandkids, but only for bragging rights." She confessed.

Aurora beamed.

"Yeah, they're the Avengers." She said.

"You're not one of those heroes too?"

"Oh, no! I'm... a friend." Aurora said.

"Well, you fit right in with that batch. Have a good night, hon."

Aurora hoped off the vehicle and joined her friends entering the penthouse. They stood in the entryway landing for a while, just looking at the house they'd had so many good memories in.

"I'm gonna miss this place." Natasha sighed.

"You? Natasha? It couldn't be because you had fun, right?" Tony teased.

"Whatever."

"Nope! I wanna hear you say it!" He insisted.

Natasha fixed her eyes on him. They narrowed a bit.

"Fine. Because, and only because I don't think they'd let us on the plane back home without you there to hand over the tickets... yes. I had fun." She sighed.

Tony cheered and when he turned to brag about what he'd gotten her to say even though everyone else was right there and heard it firsthand, Natasha smiled. Aurora knew she going to miss this place too.

They got ready for bed after staying up for a while, reminiscing on the memories they had made there. Aurora came out of her room and said walked downstairs for a cup of water. Bucky was sitting in the kitchen already, on a stool. He watched her enter the room.

"You okay? Trouble sleeping?" He asked.

"Nope. Just thirsty." Aurora smiled.

Seeing her so at ease, relaxed, and happy made him realize two things. One, he didn't really want to leave this place either. And two, he liked Aurora way more than he'd originally thought. In fact, it was hard, if not impossible to get her off his mind. She and her daughter had become the center of his universe.

"Why're you up?" She asked as she filled up her cup.

"I just wanted to spend a few more moments here. You know, to remember this place and stuff. I'm going to miss it here." Bucky said.