Reb - 3
This is in Steve's POV
But then she told stories from her life out in the world. Told them with wonder, and joy. She saw the world through eyes that had left him long ago. She saw it as beautiful and new. Brimming with hope and possibility. It was contagious.
Then again maybe it was the season. Steve hadn't had a real Christmas since well, the 40's. The last three years had been hard. Natasha and Sam had tried but home was beyond his reach by a few decades. Christmas blurred into just another day. Now with old Christmas music per his request and a house decorated for the joyous season paired with his best friend twirling a woman around her home oblivious to the world he saw, it was as close to home he had gotten.
He thought of Peggy at that moment. He still couldn't dance, not that he really cared too deeply. Bucky had always been the one to ever really care about that stuff. But her words reminded him, we can't go back.
She was right, the world had changed. He wished that he could call Shannon. She wasn't one to fuss but she'd worry. It was far too risky for that now.
He watched Bucky spin Reb dancing with her as best he could. There was too much at stake anymore. If he called now, led them here, they both would likely end up dead. T'Challa now was their only hope of getting out alive.
It was odd how fast enemies could turn to friends. Villains and Victims, the hurting, or the ambitious. The lines were blurred. Now there really was no difference.
Steve forced himself to stop and enjoy what sanctuary they had for the time being. He rose, putting the last box away.
In the front room, the fireplace was on along with a Charlie Brown Christmas and old music. Bucky was still dancing with Reb, slowly.
Steve had never seen his friend like this but it was closest to the young man from before the war he had gotten, It was the same brightness in his eyes that was giving him away.
He was careful with Reb, well aware that in normal straights a wrong move would hurt her in her state, a wrong move could paralyze her or worse.
They had talked about it a little, Buck's curiosity strong. He had always been one for science. Steve had cautioned Bucky to not ask her about it, people these days weren't open to questions like those.
But Steve could see it and it scared him. His best friend was falling for a dead girl walking. He'd seen some bills and paperwork. She was almost in the last months of independence and she was fighting being sent to a care center. Her time was short. Bucky, he hoped, understood that if he didn't the backlash could shut him down. But that also was pushed away.
"It looks great in here. All that's missing is the tree." Steve remarked watching in amusement as they ripped apart.
Reb laughed, "Oh I'm afraid that's outside of my capabilities. I haven't had one in years."
Steve shrugged, "I'm sure between me and Buck we could get you one. If you're up for one."
She shook her head, "That would be overstepping my bounds. You two have done enough."
But Steve had already decided, "Nonsense. You asked us to do a job it's not finished yet. Buck go find your coat we're finding a tree."
Bucky shrugged at Reb as though to say don't bother before heading upstairs for his coat.
Reb glared and frowned at his something fierce but there was a twinkle in her eye. She wanted that tree.
Steve laughed off her protests and insults as they headed out of the door. It was crisp and cool outside but nice. The two best friends walked silently to the town center before finding a tree lot.
"So what kind of tree are we exactly looking for?" Bucky asked, looking at the many green wonders.
Steve shrugged, "Nothing extravagant, just a mid-sized nice tree."
"That's the kind everyone wants. But no two trees are the same." An old man said walking over.
Bucky looked away knowing his face was plastered pretty much everywhere. Steve also looked off to the side but answered the man, "You got a suggestion?"
The old man considered before nodding off to the side, "Follow me."
The friends shared a look. Without the star on his chest Steve could almost pass under the radar Bucky had more of a problem but they both knew one swing from either of them would have the man out flat. Silently the trailed begins the kind, old man.
He led them off to the side where there sat a row of perfect looking Christmas trees. "I think one of these ought to do."
Steve nodded letting Bucky pick.
"Hey, aren't you the man who was asking around for work yesterday?" The old man ask.
Steve nodded, "Yeah, Rebekah let me help her decorate for Christmas." Bucky stiffened at the name. His little sister's name.
The old man tsked sadly, pulling on his hat, "Poor girl. I've offered to help but she's darn as stubborn as a mule. Wasting away yet determined to live her life independently. Word is she used to travel the world before coming on back here."
Steve chuckled, "Stubborn’s a word."
Bucky scoffed at that, "Look who's talking Punk."
The old man laughed, "You picked your tree yet?"
Bucky pulled it out with his hand. The biggest bushiest fullest tree there was. Steve shook his head but agreed, no use settling for anything less than the best if he could afford it. Steve took it and the old man led them off to the place where they bound them.
Bucky noticed something, "You served?"
The old man turned around displaying his World War 2 veteran's hat. "That I did. And before you ask I served on the tail end after Captain America crashed into the Arctic so I never met him."
The friends chuckled at the old man's jump.
"Thank you for your service," Steve said with a smile as the man picked the tree through the net that would bind the tree tightly together.
"Yes, well I'm gonna guess you two served as well?" The old man ask cutting off the net.
Suspicion flooded both men, "What makes you say that?" Steve ask locating the nearest blunt object he could use if this turned ugly.
"Oh call in intuition. You carry yourself like you expect to be listened to in military-style and your friend is jumpy as a jackrabbit. PTSD if I ever saw it. So educated guess." The old man tied off the net and pulled down the tree balancing it, "So Marines? SEALs?"
Bucky silently took the tree. Steve fished out his wallet, "Something like that."
The old man waved off the money, "For fellow servicemen and that poor girl just take the tree."
Steve smiled lightly and put the money back. "Alright and thank you again." The two men pulled the tree upon their shoulders, Steve taking most of the weight letting the stump settle on Bucky's good shoulder.
"No, thank you two for your service as well and Merry Christmas." The old man bid them farewell and they set off back to the house.
Once they were a block away they both relaxed a bit.
"That felt wrong. I didn't serve." Bucky muttered.
Steve abruptly stopped and turned around holding the tree off to the side looking at his friend, "Yes you did in the 107th and in the Commandos. You may have been him longer than you've been you but you did serve. I was there, remember?"
Bucky silently nodded knowing Steve was right but not really wanting to have the conversation now. They walked back in silence.
Steve knew recovery for Bucky wouldn't happen overnight with over 70 years to heal he'd be lucky if it took half that time but he could hope, a month a year, two. Before he could have his friend back, the man he knew and had grown up with.
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