"Why do you want such a fancy dinner today Stevie?" Bucky asked he looked over his shoulder. Steve shrugged as casually as he could. His head turned slightly to the left, looking at the Christmas Tree still up. He hated that he didn't even get to spend Christmas with his Bucky.

"I just feel like it's close to dinner, and we've been out and about. I just want a nice dinner with just the two of us." There was a barking and Steve looked down. Jackie was looking up at him expectantly. Steve smiled and rubbed the top of her head without leaning down. "Well, you and me and Jackie."

"You can never forget our little drama queen." Bucky rolled his eyes and grabbed his apron from a hook next to the stove. The sight brought a smile to Steve's face. It read, 'Don't kiss me, I already kiss a Captain'.

"That apron is still inaccurate." Steve pointed out, he stood up from his chair trying to catch a peak of what Bucky was making.

Bucky looked down at his apron and shrugged, he tied it tighter around his waist. "It's factual enough for me."

"I wasn't even a Captain you know, I was a Sargent."

Bucky rolled his eyes and picked up a mixing spoon and open a lid to one of the pots. "I know, you tell me all the time. I don't care if you weren't a Sargent or not, you're a Captain to everyone else."

"Well everyone else is wrong." Steve, walked over to him. Bucky put a spoon to his chest and pushed him back lightly.

"Not so fast Stevie, even your presence in the kitchen is enough to burn something randomly.

Steve feigned a small pout. "You could at least tell me what you're cooking."

"Well, this is some sticky rice for the steak tip shish kabobs that I'm making." Bucky stirred the contents of the inside a bit and closed the lid again.

"What are shish kabobs again?" Steve asked, he went back to the table and leaned against it again.

"It's just meat and vegetables on a stick, your favorite."

Steve cocked his head, not following. "I don't think I've had a shish kabob before."

"No, you enjoy meat and hard sticks." Bucky turned around with a mischievous look in his eyes.

Steve blushed slightly, but remained unimpressed. "That was stretch even for you."

Bucky frowned and huffed softly under his breath. "Go play with the dog, you are not allowed to comment on my inappropriate jokes. Now shoo."

Steve laughed and unconsciously rubbed the ring on his finger. "It's your own fault you've conditioned me to expect a higher standard, than subpar inappropriate jokes."

Bucky scoffed dramatically loud. "Subpar? Wow, well if you think those were higher standard comments prepare to have your face red constantly."

"Oh, you were going easy on me?"

"Yeah, well not anymore. Prepare yourself, Stevie." Bucky winked ominously and bent down to open up the oven. Steve rolled his eyes and looked at his engagement ring. He sat down on the floor next to Jackie. She laid down and rested her large head on Steve's thigh.

Steve rubbed the top of her head, scratching at a specific spot near the back of her ear. He glanced at his ring again and took it off. He loved looking at the stone and remembering the moment. Something dark caught his eye on the inside of the ring. He raised the ring higher so that it met his eyes. A gasp got caught in his throat and his heart began racing faster.

"Til' the end of the line?" Steve read, he looked to Bucky silently asking for an explanation.

Bucky looked over his shoulder then looked back at the stove. He made a small sound of realization and looked fully at Steve. "Oh, you finally found it. I almost forgot I even put it there."

"Forgot! Bucky you had a ring inscribed for me, how could you forget that?"

"Well if you were in my spot it'd be pretty easy. You looked so happy, I was so nervous, you were so damn attractive that night. It was easy to forget about it. Do you like it?"

"Of course I do Buck, it's perfect." He slipped the ring back on, he felt a heavier feeling in his chest. He didn't know where he'd find the moral strength to leave this mental utopia.

"I'm glad, wouldn't want my special guy doubting my ring picking talents." Bucky grabbed an oven mitt and took shish kabobs out of the oven.

"I just wish I could get you one."

"What do you mean?" Bucky looked back at him tongs in his hands.

Steve's eyes widened, realizing what he had said aloud. "I just mean that you're not much of a ring guy. And you work too much with your hands,"

"And an artist doesn't?" Bucky turned back around and continued flipping the shish kabobs.

"I mean I do, but you'd take your ring off to do push ups then forget which pocket you put it in," Steve said quickly, he didn't actually mind. If he had the time he wanted to get Bucky a ring as well. "And I'm not an artist."

Bucky laughed his head tipping back a bit. He wiped his eye then put the shish kabobs back in the oven. "You're not wrong about that, I'm really not made for rings. But I love that you know me well enough to say that." He turned the stove and moved the pot off the burner. "And you are one hundred percent an artist, I don't understand why you don't think you are."

"I don't know..." He trailed off, thinking of all the opportunities he wouldn't have back in his other world. "Real artists sell their works and have galleries. I just occasionally teach at Xavier's orphanage and draw pictures of Jackie."

"Then we'll throw you a gallery. We'll invite all of those aristocrats and pish poshers, and they'll eat up all your paintings." Bucky walked over to Steve and put an arm around his waist, he rested his chin on Steve's shoulder.

"I don't even use paints that often." Steve mumbled, "I'd have to do a lot more practice before even imagining people buying my works. And my art would not just be for articorats and pish poshers." Steve smiled at Bucky's weird words. "It'd be for anyone who would want something interesting in their home."

"Of course you would baby, I'm just busting your bum." Bucky lightly patted Steve's butt, making Steve bite his lip.

"Isn't the term balls?"

"Not if I want to keep your balls intact. Your bum on the other hand..." He trailed off as the oven's timer began beeping. "Foods ready, set the table, Cap." Bucky took his hand off Steve's waist and walked back over to the oven.

Steve fanned his face to cool it down and walked to the cabinet. He hated that he wouldn't be able to leave this Bucky with anything. Even if he would just disappear as soon as Steve left. He grabbed two plates, two napkins, two forks and two cups, and brought them back to the table.

As he set up he began wondering things he could do. Something meaningful he could do with his last night with Bucky, and even Jackie. He doubted he'd be able to ever find a wolf dog like her.

There was a bark from below, Steve looked down and smiled at Jackie. "It's your dinner time too huh?" Steve went grabbed Jackie's bowl from the top of the fridge and brought it down to the ground. "Bucky I'm going to open up a can of the nice stuff!" He called out, already grabbing a can of wet dog food.

He used the easy open tab and pulled back the metal cover. "I know you're already doing it, so I'll just give my approval," Bucky called back. Steve smiled to himself as he poured the contents of the can into the bowl. He knew that he'd probably give her part of the leftover shish kebob as a thank you gift.

He dusted any remnant dog food off his hand and stepped back, making room for Jackie. She barked and pranced forward, she had to sit down to reach her food bowl. She was already too tall to stand and eat. "Need to buy some sort of stand later" Steve mumbled.

He walked back to the kitchen table, Bucky was already sitting down with two bowls of food in the middle. One filled with steaming shish kabobs, the other filled with white sticky rice.

"That looks amazing Bucky." Steve sat on the chair next to Bucky instead of the one across from him that he usually sat at. He stared at the bowl for a bit silently, wondering if he'd ever had these moment with the other Bucky when he returned.

"Thanks, Tony sent me a recipe. Or more accurately FRIDAY did." Bucky chuckled, but Steve didn't reply. Still looking at the bowls of food. "Stevie?" There was still no reply. "Hey? Hey!" Bucky said repeatedly.

Steve blinked his eyes rapidly and looked at Bucky. " Hm, what did you say?"

"I was just saying that T- Ah nevermind, you've been distracted tonight. Anything the matter?" Bucky put three shish kabobs on his plate and loaded up on sticky rice.

"It's nothing," Steve said unconvincingly, he had evidently left his ability to pretend to be okay in the other universe. He grabbed the bowl of shish kabobs and put four sticks on, only putting a medium-sized portion of rice.

"Was it the kids again? I know they are young but they have mutations so therefore I am not afraid of kicking those kids asses. They're bothering you again huh?"

Steve almost said now, but he needed some sort of alibi. "Yeah, but I'll be fine. I just need to figure out a way to make them like me."

"I already told you, either charm them and bribe them. Or just make them scared shitless."

"You know I can't do any of that, I want them to respect me. Not just fear me, or expect candy from me." Even though he knew this scenario was fake, the portion of him that was still immersed in the fake reality played right along.

"Way too honorable Stevie." He took a stick and began eating.

"I think if they didn't respect me, it'd just create an even bigger monster." He began eating as well, the anxious feeling in his stomach just continued growing.

"Eh, you're probably right. Somehow over the years, your people skills became better than mine."

"Not true, I can just rally people under a common cause. You make friends easier."

"Eh, you can make friends too. You just choose not to form bonds stronger than vague acquaintanceship."

"I'm good friends with all the Avengers."

"Yeah, but after saving the world together it's kind of a given." Bucky took a large gulp of water. Steve sat on it for a bit then gasped.

"That it! That's how I'll get the kids to like me, ally them under a common goal."

"Which is?"

"Making an orphan feel okay for at least a little while. Maybe I'll even add in parts about even as Captain America I didn't always feel like I fit in. And art made that better."

"That's pretty smart. But if it's true then I'm afraid I'll have to give you a firm hug and a very prolonged kiss."

Steve had his mouth open for a moment, wondering how to answer the question properly. "It wasn't as bad when I joined the Howling Commandos..." He said slowly.

Bucky put down his fork and rolled up his shirt sleeve. "We'll talk more about that later young man, but for now..." He leaned over and wrapped his arms tightly around Steve's waist. He pressed a full-lipped kiss on the side of Steve's face.

"You can stop now," Steve mumbled, Bucky determinedly kept it on. Steve cracked a small smile and pushed lightly at his shoulder. "I promise I'm okay." Bucky made smooching sounds as he kissed Steve longer, he even moved them both side to side. Steve broke out into laughter and pushed at his shoulder more. "Fine fine I love you, and we'll talk about it later."

Bucky finally lets Steve go, his lips retracted from Steve's face. "Great! I love you too." Bucky went right back to eating his meal. Steve rolled his eyes but ate his as well, taking as many sneak peeks at Bucky as he could. Trying to remember him just as he was.

After dinner, the nightly routine went smoothly. Steve washed the dishes and cleaned up around the house. And they sat at the couch to watch whatever new show Bucky had heard about. Jackie watched with them for a bit until she grew bored and left to her own corner of the house. Steve hoped that he'd at least remember their little nightly routine in his dreams.

After the second paint commercial that they saw an idea blossomed in Steve's mind. He looked at Bucky and knew how he would make their last night special. He bit his bottom lip. "Hey, Buck?"

"Yeah?' Bucky answered, not looking towards him.

"Can I paint you? Naked?"

Bucky turned to face him his face asking a million questions. He looked into Steve's eye and bit his tongue. "Uh, sure? Where do you want to do it?"

"The bedroom." He didn't care how messy or paint filled their sheets would get. This would be his last night, his last night with the Bucky he wished he had.

"You sure? I mean-"

"Yeah I'm sure, I'll be doing your back so don't worry about...you know..." he gestured to Bucky's crotch.

Bucky laughed breathily and stood up. "Thanks for being so considerate, should I wait on the bed?" He pressed a kiss to the side of Steve's forehead.

"Yeah, I'll get my paints." Steve stood up and went to his art supply area. He grabbed all the colors he could and three of his favorite brushed. He had no idea what he was going to paint, he didn't even know if his paints where skin friendly. He shrugged all his doubts off and stood up. Balancing mini paint containers in his arms all the way to the bedroom.

True to his word Bucky was lying down naked on the bed, his back to Steve. Steve blushed at the sight of Bucky's butt. He mentally reminded himself to be professional and set up an area to put down all his paints.

"This all seems so ominous, you sure you're okay Stevie?" Bucky tilted his head so he could see Steve out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm fine," Steve whispered, they both felt it was untrue but neither said anything. Steve grabbed his brushed and climbed on the bed, he dipped his brush fully in blue and stared at Bucky's back.

It was checkered with different scars and various knicks. Even as Bucky moved slightly, Steve could see thick cords of muscle move with him. Steve ran his hand down Bucky back slowly, biting the corner of his lip. He put the brush close to the back of Bucky's skin. It hovered over his back, Steve's hand shook.

"It'll be okay," Bucky whispered. Steve doubted Bucky even began to understand what was wrong with him but his words were comfort nonetheless. Steve pressed the brush fully to Bucky's back and began making long straight strokes.

As he picked up the momentum he began adding more colors, swirling them together in various parts of Bucky's back. He had an idea what he was making, but he just followed the pattern of Bucky's back.

He outlined Bucky's shoulder blades in green, he followed the pattern of Bucky's muscles in blue and yellow, he accentuated Bucky's scars in every color of the rainbow. And the line of Bucky's spine was detailed like it was the only thing holding the story of Bucky's back together.

As he painted longer, tears began to drip from his face. He felt like he was holding his breath, each stroke of the brush was a moment with Bucky lost. Bucky's back soon developed into a mass of colors and shapes, and lines that made sense to no one but Steve. And maybe Bucky. He knelt there staring at Bucky's back, wondering if this was the same back that was turned to him in the other universe.

The more he looked and followed the direction of his painting his eyes landed on the base of Buck's neck. It was free from paint or any blemish. But it was missing something. Steve pressed his finger right under where Bucky's hairline began.

"Bucky?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember the time we were playing out in those fields behind the school. You would always carry me on your shoulders, you said I could see how tall I'd be when I got older."

"Yeah," Steve could see Bucky's smile. "We always said we'd get a trench coat so that we could pretend to be one long man."

"But we never had the money," Steve said softly. "Do you remember the day I wanted to do the reverse. I wanted you to see how it felt to be tall. So I made you agree to climb on my shoulders. But I was way too weak, and you were too heavy. So I wobbled and we fell and you hit the back of your head on the signpost. Then you cried and bled all over the place. And I felt so bad that I cried harder than you, then you stopped. With blood dripping from the back of your head you hugged me and told me that as bad as the fall was, you were honored to sit on my shoulders. For even a second."

"I don't remember that." Bucky said, confusion in his voice. Steve looked at the spot for a long time, and let out a shaky breath.

"I didn't either, until now." He dipped his paintbrush into the red and began painting over Buckies entire neck. When every inch was covered Steve wiped away falling tears and threw the paintbrush to the side.

"Bucky? You can sit up now."

Bucky slowly shifted just enough to fully look at Steve. "You sure? It doesn't feel dry." His face was nothing but confusion, and concern.

"I'm positive." Steve bent down and locked lips with Bucky, guiding him up as he did so. Bucky held Steve's arm and knelt up in front of him. He parted lips and looked at Steve.

"Steve. Are you okay?" He said each word separately, like his concern would hit home harder.

Steve shook his head and gave a small smile. "I'm not, I'm really not. But I will be, if you promise to be with me forever."

"Of course I promise, till' the end of the line, I promise."

"Not not just there, I want it longer. No matter where or when I want to know that you still love me."

Bucky held firmly to Steve's upper arm. "No matter what dimension, or location, or time, Bucky Barnes will never not love Steven grant Rogers. And that's the truth, no matter how hard headed or stubborn I may be. I always love you."

Steve smashed his lips against Bucky's his arms going around his neck. Smearing the paint there. Bucky hesitated for a second but accepted it. He continued kissing Steve slowly lowering him down to the bed, as Steve's hands roamed his back. Steve's legs even found themselves on either side of Bucky's hips.

Steve parted his lips just long enough to speak. "I want it Bucky," Steve said out loud, a confidence in his voice.

"You want what?" Bucky lifted his head from Steve's neck and looked at him.

"It." Steve articulated, Bucky's eyes widened and smile spread across his face.

"Damn, never thought I...whatever! I'm going to make it amazing okay?" He had his hand at the hem of Steve's shirt. The paint was smeared all over his hands and body.

"Don't you always?" Steve painted, a wider smile grew across Bucky's face and attacked his neck. Steve chanted how much he loved Bucky in his head, his eyes closed. He tried to remember as much as he could of his moment, just hoping that Bucky was right.