Moments in Time

Man + Man = ? (Part Three)

Bucky made his way down the hall and back to the couch where he and Steve were watching a movie. He had to take a break only thirty minutes in for the bathroom. He was seriously considering a catheter. At least he wouldn't have to stop every hour or two to use the bathroom. It made him feel ancient.

Halfway down the hall, a spike of pain shot through him, causing him to stable into the wall and grasp his belly. He wasn't surprised when Steve rushed to his side, eyes wide and frightened.

"Everything alright?" Steve asked, repeating the mantra of the past five and a half months.

"Yeah...it's just Braxton Hicks. I'm fine," Bucky assured him.

Steve sent him a wobbly smile, but proceeded to offer him an arm like a true gentleman. Bucky reached for it, returning the smile.

Curling up under the blankets, and leaning into each other, they shared affectionate looks and tender smiles. Steve started the movie back up, getting back into the scene. Neither of them had seen The Patriot before, but they could definitely appreciate the theme of it. Bucky cried when their home burnt down just after one of the sons died. By the end of it, they were both bawling and snivelling together.

"That was so sad!" Bucky wailed.

"But so good," Steve added, handing Bucky another tissue before blowing his own nose.

Bucky winced as another spike of pain hit him. Steve raised an eyebrow, but Bucky simply shook his head, soothing his counterpart.

~

Over the next few days, Bucky experienced the normal pain caused by Braxton Hicks. Bruce had explained that it was his body's way of preparing him for labor and delivery.

At nearly six months along, Bucky was as pregnant as most in their last few weeks. In fact, the baby had ready dropped, which was an indicator that the baby would be ready within a few weeks at most.

Steve was anxious as the baby showed more and more signs of coming. Bucky looked uncomfortable most of the time, and no position was agreeable. Bucky looked ready to pop, and Steve was sitting on pins and needles, watching him like a hawk.

~

"How did you sleep last night?" Steve asked Bucky, noting the dark circles under his eyes.

"I didn't. My back was hurting so bad I couldn't sleep," Bucky admitted, sipping his drink.

"Aw, babe, you could've woken me up. I would've rubbed your back you know," Steve pouted.

"You need your sleep too," Bucky protested.

Steve sighed, choosing not to argue with his spouse. Instead, he began cleaning off the table and doing the dishes.

"Are you still up for having Nat and Clint over for lunch?" Steve asked. "I'm sure they would understand if we reschedule."

"No, I want to see them. They're always busy!" Bucky frowned.

"Okay, just tell me if you change your mind," Steve nodded.

Steve gave Bucky a back rub which helped some. But throughout the morning, dull waves of pain would wash through his sore back. A bit of pressure also built around his bladder, and a little lower, but Bruce said that as the baby settled, it would happen.

"Steve, I'm going to take a nap. Will you wake me up when they get here?" Bucky yawned.

"Yeah, of course," Steve agreed.

~

Bucky had a great nap, and by the time Nat and Clint arrived, he was happy and giggly. He sat at the table with Clint as they watched Steve and Nat cook. They all laughed and chatted together.