Deity

Riding Shotgun

"Are you sure you're ready to go back out into the Earth realm?" Kayla was asking for the tenth time, looking first at Bucky and then at Steve. She didn't want to make them leave the safety of the pocket dimension too soon. If they even hinted at being not ready then she wouldn't make them.

"Yes, Doll. We're ready." Bucky smiled at her gently, catching one of her hands in his and pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it. The former assassin looked much healthier and his eyes no longer held pain or self loathing. "We're sure."

"Yep, we are." Steve agreed, looking solemn as he nodded. He was ready to be back among others again and to see what's become of New York.

"Remember, things are quite a bit different now." Kayla reminded them yet again. "It's 2010 there now."

"Jeez. That's a long time. It's only been two weeks here for Stevie." Bucky wrinkled his nose slightly. The time conversion was always weird to him.

"Once we get this arm removed and the flesh healed, then you can become like Steve and I." Kayla kissed Bucky's cheek and then Steve's. She was just nervous about taking them out of the safety of the Pocket Realm.

"Won't it heal when you make him like us?" Steve looked puzzled, eyebrows drawing together in confusion.

"I just want to be sure." Kayla sighed dramatically. "Goodness. Forgive me for wanting to be thorough."

"You sound like an old married couple." Bucky teased playfully, nudging Steve with his shoulder. His grin looked almost identical to how it had before the War and before HYDRA.

"We are an old married couple. Been together for about 65 years now." Steve laughed and nudged Bucky back. It made the blond happy to have his best friend back.

"You're a Punk." Bucky put his face into his hand, sighing loudly. He was so over dramatic at times but it was often amusing.

"We're pretty good looking for being in our 90s." Kayla winked at Steve, smacking a loud kiss on his cheek like someone's granny at a holiday party after she's had too much spiked punch. Her lip balm left a slightly waxy mark on the blond's cheek.

"You're terrible." Bucky groaned in false agony. "You're killing me with that."

"Yeah but you like me." Kayla snickered, cuddling into Steve's side. "Let's get this show on the road. We're heading to Malibu."

"Why Malibu?" Steve tilted his head like a curious puppy. He was so ready to get back out in the world.

"Because that's where Howard's son lives." Kayla shrugged and patted Steve's arm gently. She had found the closest useful connection to the ones that Steve and Bucky had known.

"Why won't we go where Howard is?" Steve questioned and relaxed at the touch on his arm. It always helped when Bucky or Kayla was touching him.

"HYDRA has been trying to kill Howard Stark for years. They might have succeeded." Bucky had a distant look in his eyes like he always did when thinking back on what HYDRA did.

"In 1991. December 16th. They have a new Winter Soldier." Kayla frowned. "It was made to look like a car wreck. I've been checking in on the Earth realm a bit. But Bucky's recovery seemed more prudent than anything else from out there."

"Oh." Steve looked sad and less excited now. He wasn't sure why he was sad about Howard. The man had been a bit of a jackass at times but it still hurt to know that someone that he had called a comrade had been murdered.

"Sorry, Honey." Kayla apologized, hugging Steve tightly. She felt him hug back just as tightly.

"It's okay. We'll do right by his son." Steve's voice was hoarse. "Let's go."

Kayla opened the portal and stepped through, holding Steve and Bucky's hands. She was hoping they didn't make an awkward entrance.