Moments in Time

Ducks

In this story Bucky is about 2 years old.

Bucky yawned, pouting a little as he realized he was officially awake. He slipped out of bed, dragging his blanket behind him like some sort of wannabe cape, and tucking his toy dragon under his arm as he went in search of his Daddy.

Bucky entered the long hallway, peeking into his Daddy's room, the bathroom, and the linen closet as he passed by. His Daddy wasn't in the living room either, and Bucky began to get worried until the sizzling in the kitchen caught his attention.

"Daddy!" Bucky cried, running to hug the huge tower of muscle.

"Good morning, bug! How are you?" Steve gasped in mock surprise, accepting the hug his little boy gave him.

"Missed you," Bucky pouted, making grabby hands at his Daddy.

"Aw," Steve cooed, hoisting him up onto his hip, "Well, guess what I made for breakfast?"

"Bacon?" Bucky poked his head up, peering over his Daddy's shoulder hopefully.

"Nope. We have ham and eggs, and bagels and fruit!" Steve grinned, knowing Bucky's reaction would be priceless.

Bucky gasped, then hugged Steve super tight and giggled happily in the blond man's neck.

"Yes! Yummy!" Bucky approved.

"Go sit down and I'll bring your food in a minute," Steve instructed, watching as the tyke swept around the corner with a flourish.

Bucky could be dramatic sometimes, and he was very emotional, but he made up for it with his sweet nature and cute behaviors.

Steve grabbed the two plates of food and went back for Bucky's juice cup and his coffee mug.

"Daddy," Bucky said, chewing on his bagel.

Steve frowned as he saw Bucky's mouth full of food, "Don't talk with your mouth full, you'll choke. Swallow first, then tell me what you want."

Bucky did as he was asked, swallowing as quickly as he was able.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

Bucky looked down and didn't say anything. Steve waited patiently, but after a few minutes of silence, he knew he'd have to prompt the secretive boy.

"Daddy won't be mad, just tell me," Steve gently persuaded.

"Daddy, Auntie Nat said you be meaned to her," Bucky whispered, big tears filling his eyes.

"What?" Steve was befuddled.

"She said you hurt her feelin's," Bucky continued. "Why? Why were you naughty, Daddy?"

"Did she say how I hurt her feelings?" Steve probed a bit.

"You called her names," And then Bucky was crying, and it broke Steve's heart.

"What names? Did she say?" Steve desperately questioned.

"You called her a softie, and 'cused her of beein' mushy!" Bucky blubbered. "But she said she isn't! She's tough and strong, but you said, no!"

Steve sighed. He shouldn't let Nat keep watching Bucky. He took everything she said to heart and usually misconstrued everything.

"Bucky, baby, look at Daddy," Steve ordered, leaning across the table. "Auntie Nat doesn't like getting hurt, so she likes to think she's tough and strong - and she is. But when it comes to you, she's just an old softie that turns to mush. It just means that she loves you very much - "