His mom was back.

Bucky threw himself into her arms and she held him close, laughing softly as she stroked his hair. Rebecca joined them, and Teddy wrapped his tiny arms around her legs as Christopher hugged them all gently.

"You're okay," Charlie breathed as he wrapped them all in a crushing hug. Emma stood hesitantly back and waited for her siblings to move before gently wrapping her arms around her.

Winifred's medication had been changed to a stronger, better one, and while it was more expensive, George was more than willing to work late and earn the extra money they needed. Besides, he was expecting a raise any day -- he deserved it.

"I'm happy now that I'm here," she replied and smiled over at George, bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked. She looked better than he'd seen her in a long time. When the kids gave them space, George gently took her hands within his own and kissed her. Christopher made a gagging sound and Rebecca socked him on the shoulder.

Bucky gushed about everything that had happened while she was gone and they chatted on the couch. He also mentioned that Steve apparently had a surprise for him.

"Oooh," Christopher crooned, leaning forward and grinning. "Bet he's gonna propose."

Bucky scoffed. "Right."

////

"Hey, sweetheart. I'm not gonna marry you, but here."

Steve pulled a face at his own reflection, smoothed a hand over his hair and tried again.

"Bucky... I love you. You're... sweet, and you're funny, and you're all I want in the world. So that's why I got you this." He glanced down at the ring perched precariously on the edge of the sink, so he stuffed it in his pocket hastily. "It's a promise ring. My promise to you that I'll always be with you, as long as you'll let me."

He stared himself down in the mirror, stomach churning with nerves. "Also will you go to the dance with me. That too."

Satisfied, he stood up to his full height and nodded once, blowing out a breath.

"Go get him, Rogers," he breathed before heading out, renewed with an excited air.

////

Steve had said to be at the school at the end of the day, on Thursday. Apparently, "everything was set up", and Bucky couldn't have been more suspicious of what that meant.

He rocked on his heels and waited absently. Finally, Steve jogged towards him, and gave him a grin.

"Hey," he hummed, and Bucky smiled back.

"What's this about, Steve?"

"It's a surprise," he said simply and handed him a map with a flourish.

Raising an eyebrow, Bucky studied the map -- it seemed to take him on a loop of the neighborhood. Slightly skeptical, he looked back at Steve but was willing to try it.

"All right, no time like the present." He set off with Steve and began the adventure.

////

The first stop was the balcony, of course -- their getaway and where it all began. Bucky fondly remembered when they first met; if he hadn't intruded onto his property and introduced himself, where would they be?

"Aww, Steve," he crooned as he noticed the drawing. It was a cartoon depiction of their first meeting, and he adored the chibi style. Steve smiled and folded his arms, watching him. "You were so proper," he mused and looked at him.

"Fake niceties is the Devil's manners."

Bucky snorted and shook his head. "Nerd."

"Jerk," he retorted. They moved on to the next spot, the stream, and Bucky was surprised to see Nat there -- less surprised to see she had occupied herself with sharpening a stick with her knife.

That was the Nat he loved.

"Hey, took you long enough," she said with a grin as she stood, sheathing her knife and wrapping her arms around him. Bucky grinned and hugged her tightly. "I wanted to see you before I had to head back home."

He nodded in response, and his face must've fallen a little because she took on a softer look and dropped her hands to his shoulders.

"I'll email you, I'll write letters," she promised. "Don't go forgetting about me."

"How'd I forget about my best friend?" he replied, and she smiled gently and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Stay safe, Barnes." Turning to Steve, she folded her arms. "Treat him nice, Rogers."

"Yes, ma'am."

They moved on. Nat smiled as she watched them walk off, and took off in the other direction.

////

By the end of the extensive exploring, Bucky had three drawings and moments he'd never forget, and they arrived back at the school -- where Steve's soccer team and friends stood waiting, along with Bucky's siblings and April. A few were holding signs, turned backwards so Bucky couldn't see what it was.

"What's... "

Steve gave a whistle and the signs were turned -- they read 'You + Me = Spring Dance?'

"Couldn't think of anything witty," Steve broke in, sheepishly. "It was going to read 'roses are red, violets are blue, dance with me then we'll get some fondue'."

"Oh, my God, Steve," he said with a breathless laugh. "This is incredible, yes, you dork." He kissed him, and everyone whooped or yelled "Get a room!"

"Actually, there was one more thing," Steve continued, suddenly looking a little more nervous than before. He looked at Bucky, at his boyfriend, and his heart swelled. He truly loved him, and it had been almost a year together -- he made Steve happy, supported him, and loved him.

Steve found his words, and took his hands.

"Buck," he began and glanced up at him. Bucky was smiling as he watched him, and Steve flushed red and cleared his throat. "God, it's so hard to get the words out," he breathed. "Bucky, you're... incredible. My life before you was nice, but it was dull. There's never a dull moment with you.

"You're... smart, and funny, and just beautiful. I love how strong you are, how much you care, and how you've never quit. Even after the hell we've been through, you're still here."

"Steve," he hushed as he saw the emotion written on his face. He squeezed his hands and watched him.

"I know we're just kids, and I can't tell where the future goes -- but for here, right now, I know I want to be with you. So, I, um -- got you something."

With shaking hands, he pulled out the ring, and Bucky's eyes widened as they darted between the ring and Steve.

"It-it's a promise ring, not -- not proposal," Steve said quickly, managing an awkward grin. "I just wanted you to know. I love you, Bucky Barnes."

Bucky accepted the ring, speechless, face bright red. He threw his arms around him and kissed him, pulling him close. Charlie wolf-whistled and Emma shoved him.

"I love you too, Steve Rogers," Bucky croaked, a grin wide on his face. Everyone clapped as they kissed again, but Steve heard Sam call "So are we done here?"

He waved a hand and turned to them all. "Thanks, everyone, I appreciate it!"

After they all dispersed, the two were left alone at the darkening park, as the day drew to a close. Bucky stared at the ring in wonder, his heart racing.

"You're too nice to me."

"You always say that," Steve replied as they sat against the wall of the school, smiling over at him. "It's because I can be. Besides, it's the least I can do. I get to date Bucky Barnes," he bragged.

"Shut up," Bucky said with a smile, still blushing as he elbowed him gently. "What you said to me -- applies to you too. I'm not great with words, but you mean so much to me. It scares me sometimes, that you hold this much control, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

He sat closer and held his cheeks, kissing him. "I'm yours, Steve. For as long as you'll have me," he said softly.

Steve kissed back, closing his eyes as warmth flooded his chest and he pulled Bucky closer until Bucky sat straddling his lap with Steve's hand tangled in his hair. "Wait," Steve interrupted. "My place."

"Your parents -- "

"I don't care," he murmured. Bucky paused a second before nodding.

////

He held back a groan as Bucky sucked a mark onto his neck, pressing against him. Steve curled his hand into his hair, pulling it, and Bucky arched with his movement, his hands moving to clutch his hips.

"I love you so much," Bucky breathed as he sat up, rocking their hips together. Steve huffed in response, eyes closed, his entire body flushed with a pink blush as he held him steady.

"I love you too," he said, grip tightening. "Until the end of the line."

////

One more to go, folks, it's the dance and that'll be it!

Do y'all want anything specific to happen? Now's the time for requests. Do you all want a saucy scene between the two, because so far it's been kissing or just general "leading up to the moment", but never actually smut.

Completely up to you guys, lemme know what you think! :)