A Stucky Story

The Asset and Father's day

When the idea of being celebrated on Father's day came up during the cruise, Steve wasn't sure he had earned that privilege. Sure, he fathered Bucky but Steve always saw Father's day for the biological fathers, step-fathers and father who adopted children.

And Steve had, unfortunately, accepted the fact he will most likely never have children. He had been asked about it from Sam when he learned Clint had kids, but he wasn't even interested in women and Peggy hadn't been anything serious. He had always loved Bucky and he still does. But having children had became a foreign subject when he realized how severe Bucky's age regression was and he would never have time for children while he was Bucky's permanent caregiver.

Then Sam mentioned on the cruise that even though he didn't consider himself a father, he was. Bucky looked up to him for guidance, support and love. All things fathers gave for a child. And maybe he did give all that Bucky but he still couldn't see himself as a father.

"Daddy. Daddy." Bucky whined and pulled on his arm.

"You don't need to pull on me, what do you need?"

"That. Want that." Bucky pointed to the popsicle some kids had on tv. Today wasn't blistering hot, but it wasn't sea breeze cool either. Steve had opened the balcony door to let some fresh air in and Bucky was pacing, not nervously, from the kitchen to the balcony. Steve asked him what was going on and he responded with candy to which he was denied because they didn't have any.

It was a good time to go to the store. Still early and only two hours until nap time. "Alright, we're going to the store." Bucky smiled and they went in the bedroom. Steve had Bucky start picking his own clothes as an independence exercise, sometimes they didn't match but it was a work in progress. After they both got dressed and cleaned up, they went in the garage and was about to leave then Tony came from his private work space.

"Aw, going out to eat to celebrate father's day?"

"No, we're going to the store. Who goes out to eat in the morning?"

"Anyone who wants to be spoiled." Steve shook his head and got in the car. "You can't deny yourself, Steve."

"What are you talking about it?"

"Being a father."

Steve sighed. "Not talking about this right now, Tony."

"Okay, how about getting a new car? Let's talk about that."

"You can't fix my old car?"

"Steve, I did you a favor and sold it. You now have an extra thousand dollars in your account."

Steve put his head on the steering wheel and whined "Tony."

"It was old and falling apart. You've been driving this one for months, it was time to give it up."

"Without my permission?"

"Oh yeah, that thought came up after the guys left."

"When did you sell it?"

"Uh, before the cruise." Steve froze, the car was gone that long and he didn't tell him. Was he insane? "Now before you yell at me for doing that, I want you to consider the cars we looked at. I really think you'll like those."

Steve took a few deep breaths and sighed. "Tony, I understand the car was struggling but selling it and not telling me, why would you do that?"

"Because we needed to make room for stuff. Have fun at the store." Tony patted his shoulder and went back to his shop. Steve rubbed his temples then looked at Bucky who was playing with Harley's ear.