It's Been A Long, Long Time // Steve Rogers

Chapter 27

Steve's POV

"What the hell are you two doing here?!"

I stared at my two best friends with wide eyes. They both stared back at me but Bucky was giving me a murderous glare. He clearly knew about Becca and I and he was not happy. "Sam, hold me back." Bucky growled.

"What?" Sam didn't react quick enough because suddenly Bucky lunged at me and tackled me onto the ground. "Barnes!!" Sam yelled. I dodged a punch to the face from Bucky's metal fist quickly. He went to try again but Sam grabbed it and was flung backwards into the dresser. That was enough for me to get the upper hand and use my strength to kick him off of me. "Buck stop." I held out my hands as Scout scrambled out of the room barking. Thank god Becca was at work. Bucky growled and lunged at me again and went crashing into the wooden side table and lamp when I dodged him. The items breaking immediately on contact. "Bucky! Calm down!" I yelled.

"Calm down?! You want me to calm down?! You're fucking my baby sister?!" Bucky yelled. He came at me again and I grabbed his metal fist as it came towards my face. "I didn't plan on it! Bucky!" He growled and pulled his hand back. "Outside." He grumbled. "I'm not gonna fight you, Buck..."

He ignored me and stomped outside. I looked at Sam, "What the hell?"

"Don't look at me. I'm not the one banging his little sister." Sam held his hands up in defense and I glared at him. We both followed Bucky outside and into the alley. "I'm not gonna fight you, Buck." I said. "Okay well I'm going to punch you." He started throwing kicks and punches again and all I could do was dodge them. "Fight back!" He yelled as I blocked punch after punch. "I'm not fighting you!" He grunted and ran at me again. At least he didn't have any knives. We fought back and forth, me dodging his punches and kicks as he came at me. Finally he was able to land a punch and a kick, sending me onto the ground. "Buck, I'm not gonna fight you." I said, leaning up on my elbows as he stalked towards me.

He was breathing heavily and instead of punching me again, held out his hand to me. "Get up, punk." I took his hand and he pulled me up. Once I was up he crossed his arms across his chest and glared at me. "What the fuck, Steve?! My little sister?!" He yelled.

"Bucky, hear me out..." I said while he continued to glare at me. "You weren't supposed to find out like this."

"Find out like this?! I wasn't supposed to find out at all, right?! How would I? I'm probably hidden away in some Hydra basement as we speak!" He yelled. I winced slightly. This could go better. I was already screwing this up. "I didn't mean for this to happen. Becca and I. I didn't even know she was alive or in Brooklyn when I came back. I had been going into the bar she worked at and one day she finally told me she recognized me. It was a shock seeing her here and then as we spent more time together...I tried to ignore my feelings for her and stay friends but I couldn't. One thing led to another and...I love her Buck. So fucking much."

His nostrils were flared and I knew he was pissed the hell off. Both Barnes had that same pissed off look when they were upset. "Where is she?" He growled. "At work. She can't know you're here...you both have to go."

"Fuck no. I'm not leaving without seeing her. She knows you're here, why can't she know I'm here?" He pushed back. "Bucky...the alternate realities. We have to be careful here. Didn't Bruce tell you anything?"

"Uh, yes he did. By the way he said only talk to Steve." Sam chimed in. "Shut up Sam. I don't care. Rogers, take me to my sister or I swear to god, I will hurt you."

Oh god, this wasn't good. "Bucky, please. She's in a good place. She knows about everything and she's at peace with it. Don't you want that for her? Seeing you will send her spiraling...Especially when you have to leave. It will break her..." I tried to reason with him but right now he only had one thing on his mind and it was seeing Becca again. I can't say that I blamed him either. If I had a chance to see my family again, I would probably try to take it too. Nothing was going to get in his way and he was just as stubborn as me. If not more stubborn now. "She's my baby sister, Steve and I never got to say goodbye before falling off that train. I need to see her. Please." His voice shook slightly and I nodded. I couldn't deny him or Becca the chance to see each other again. I just couldn't.

"Okay. Then just wait for her to come home..." If he had to see her, at least it would be at home where she would be more comfortable.

He reluctantly agreed to wait and we went back inside in warm apartment.

"So...You live here? With my sister?" He asked. I nodded. "How'd she end up here in Brooklyn?" He asked. "Um, well it turns out your grandmother had died only a few days before Becca received your presumed dead letter after the 107th was captured."

"What?" Bucky's eyes widened and I nodded. "She felt like she had no one left so she came back to New York. Then she found out you were actually alive with me in London and stayed here, waiting for you. But you never came home. She was alone until I showed up at the bar. After a while I stopped renting my Ma's place and moved in here with her. We've been together for a over a year. Almost two." I explained.

"And the dog?" He pointed at Scout who was soaking up attention from Sam. "Becca's Christmas gift, 1948. He's a bit over a year old."

"And she's happy?" He asked.

"She is." I smiled. He nodded and sighed as he sat down. "I'm not sorry I punched you. You deserved it. But I'm glad she has you." I looked at him and saw the realization in his face that she was safe and happy here with me. Away from Hydra. At least...away enough. We just wouldn't tell him about working for Howard and then Zola knowing who she is. That was a story for another time. Or a story never for Bucky's ears. He would flip.

In the meantime while we waited for Becca, they finally told me why they were here. Apparently some guy named John Walker was becoming the new Captain America. It was clear Bucky was pissed about that too. There was also this group called the Flag Smashers that were becoming a problem with acts of violence and threats. Apparently they believed the world was better during the blip. More united.

"Why didn't you keep the shield?" I asked Sam, "I gave it to you."

"They wanted to exploit it. That and I didn't feel worthy enough. It wasn't mine." He said, his head down. "That's where you're wrong Sam. It was meant for you. You're Captain America now."

"Not fucking John Walker." Bucky growled. "Buck-"

"You haven't met him Steve. He's an ass." Bucky cut me off and huffed. "Arrogant, overconfident..." Bucky mumbled. "A lot like you?" Sam laughed, nudging Bucky's arm. He quickly received a death glare and cleared his throat and looked back at Scout.

We continued to talk about the Flag Smashers, even Zemo until our conversation was cut short by footsteps running up the stairs and the door opening. Becca was back. Early. I quickly got up and stood right at the door, blocking Becca from swinging it open. "Hi." I smiled as I came face to face with my beautiful girlfriend. Her eyes met mine and my brows furrowed. "What's wrong?" I asked. She looked scared. Was someone following her?

"Steve he...he..." She started hyperventilating slightly. I quickly stepped out and shut the door behind me so she wouldn't see Bucky or Sam yet. Also so Bucky couldn't hear her if this was something bad. There was no doubt in my mind he would murder anyone who hurt Becca...and that was something that needed to be avoided. "Hey, calm down, what's wrong?" I wrapped my arms around her and her body melted into mine. "He threatened me." She whispered in my chest. My whole body stiffened. I knew exactly who she was talking about. Zola threatened her. "I'm right here. Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise." I kissed her head and held her tighter. I would get more information from her later, away from listening ears but I wouldn't let him touch her. I couldn't lose her. "I love you." "I love you too." She said, letting me kiss her lips.

"Stevie can we go inside? I'm cold and want to cuddle with Scout." She whispered. "Yes." I turned around but abruptly stopped. "Uh...wait. Before you come in...I need to tell you something." Her deep brown eyes peered into mine. "What?" "So um, someone's in our apartment." I said. I watched her brows furrow together and I held her hand. "It's going to shock you..."

"Steve what..."

"Just trust me okay?" I said, grabbing her chin and kissing her lips. "I'll always trust you." "Good." I whispered, kissing her one last time before I turned back around and pushed the door open wider. I stepped to the side so she could walk in. A gasp left her lips as soon as she saw who was on the other side of the door, standing in our living room. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her older brother. "Bucky..."

"Hey Bex..."