"Elaine's gone. Left town last night."

Steve lifted his head and stared at his father. "Really?" He sat up a little straighter, watching him. Joseph smiled a little and gave a nod.

"We're going out for dinner to celebrate," he spoke, standing and crossing to the counter, remembering to grab his wallet. Steve grinned and stood as well, hope flooding his chest.

"Can I bring Bucky?" Joseph gave him a look. "C'mon, he's basically family anyway," he added as an afterthought, under his breath, and Joseph smiled at that, finally nodding his agreement.

"Okay, he can come along," he relented, and Steve wrapped his arms around him. His father froze, and hesitantly hugged him back.

"Thanks, dad," he said softly before pulling away. He smiled and pulled his shoes on, then struggled into his sweater. "I'll be right back!"

Joseph shook his head and chuckled to himself, tucking his wallet into his pocket.

////

"Hey, Buck," Steve said at the front door as his boyfriend opened it. Bucky looked drained, his cheeks pale and shadows under his eyes -- still getting used to the idea of having only one arm. "D'you want to come out for dinner with my parents and I?"

Bucky instantly lit up, his eyes bright. "I'd love to," he promised. "What's the occasion?"

"She's gone," Steve breathed, and felt the weight of everything that that meant come crashing down, as if the world had been lifted off his shoulders. "She's really gone this time."

"Thank Christ." Bucky pulled him close against him and kissed the side of his head. Steve held him close and closed his eyes. Bucky looked at him, his face solemn-looking. "Are you okay?"

"I am now." He pulled back and gave him another smile. Bucky stepped into the house, gently tugging Steve with him, and he closed the door.

"Okay. I just need to say goodbye to ma, then we'll go." He kissed his forehead then ran up the stairs. Steve couldn't keep the smile off his face as he studied his hands.

"Hey, ma?" Bucky knocked gently before opening it, poking his head around the door. Winifred looked asleep in bed, eyes closed, chest rising slowly. He edged his way inside and crossed to her. Her hand was soft and limp, but after a moment her grip tightened and she opened an eye.

"What're you doing up here, dear?" she murmured, eyes glossy. "Thought I heard Steve's voice... "

"He's takin' me out to dinner," he answered, sitting on the edge of the bed. Winifred smiled weakly at that, and Bucky's forehead wrinkled in concern at her state. "Unless you're -- you doin' okay?"

"I'm alright," she promised, exhaling a shallow breath. "Just... need to rest." She looked up at him and smiled her soft smile. "Don't worry about me. Your father will be home in about an hour, and Becca's with her younger brother."

"You sure?" He tightened his hold and she patted his hand with her other.

"I'm sure. Go," she encouraged, shifting to sit up a little. Bucky, allowing himself to be convinced, quickly fetched her a water and opened the window, so the dying sunlight could reach her.

"Okay. I love you, ma." He began to retreat, but looked back at her.

"I love you too, dear. Forever and always."

He smiled gently and left. Steve, who had been humming a mindless tune to himself, looked up. "She okay?"

Nodding, Bucky grinned and pulled a jacket on. "We good to go?"

Winifred listened faintly from above them, her breathing laboured. She coughed, a hacking cough into her arm, and flecks of blood spattered the crook of her elbow. She stared at it and heard the door close behind the boys.

"I'm -- proud of you, Buck," she wheezed, wanting to say it, know in her heart that she announced it to the world and could live with that. She coughed harsher and tears came to her eyes, and she closed them tiredly.

////

"Mother, father: there's something I have to tell you."

He shared a nervous glance with Bucky, and the latter squeezed his hand.

Twenty minutes ago everything had been going well. Steve got steak while Bucky got pasta, the food was good and the conversation they tackled was safe. Joseph was laughing and brushing Sarah's hair off of her shoulder, and Sarah's smile was genuine.

Then Joseph jokingly asked, "Why do you dislike her that much, Steven?"

Steve's smile had dimmed some, but Bucky had chimed in, saying, "She was... difficult company to keep."

As the adults laughed, Steve steadily looked more anxious, and he tucked his shoulders in tighter. Bucky shot him a quick look to see how he was doing. Then Steve cleared his throat and quietly rose.

"I'll be right back," he said and gestured vaguely to the washroom. The conversation resumed, but when ten minutes flew by, Bucky politely excused himself and hurried after Steve.

"I can't tell them," Steve muttered as he saw him in the mirror, walking up behind him. He looked down at the running water and wiped his face. Tossing cold water at himself apparently did nothing to calm his nerves.

"They deserve to know, Stevie."

"It's... hard," he said through a sigh, closing his eyes briefly. Bucky rubbed his back and Steve let his head hang, collected his emotions, and let his shoulders slump.

Bucky watched him silently for a moment, let him collect himself. "I know you can do it," he said softly. "It's gonna be hard to say, Steve, but you -- "

"I know I need to." Steve glanced at his own reflection and clenched his jaw, taking a deep breath. "Okay."

So, they sat there after Steve announced he had news. Bucky had his hand on his leg to keep him steady as Steve explained the entire story; why he flinched when his mother raised her hand, why he came home with bruises that weren't from bullies, why he hated her so much, but loved her all the same.

He managed to keep his tears in check, but almost broke when his parents hugged him tightly, and Sarah was spewing apologies. Bucky, feeling intrusive, looked down and gave them their moment.

Sarah noticed, and with a cock of her head she gestured Bucky to join them. "Family matters," she murmured to him. Bucky stared at her, and her gaze softened -- she smiled genuinely at him.

Steve pulled Bucky closer and Bucky pressed their foreheads together. "I'm proud of you," he muttered to Steve, smiling a little. Steve laughed breathlessly and nodded, pressing closer to him and closing his eyes.

"Thank you, Buck."

"Always, doll."

////

Yep. We're reaching the end, I think -- there's a few more things to happen, though. Some good -- some bad. Be prepared! :)