February 14th, 2028

Bucky has found that loving someone means you never stop thinking of them, not truly. It means you give all of yourself to them, your body, your thoughts, even your future.

He never thought he'd love someone like that, never thought he'd have a chance. He hadn't ever pictured a future that wasn't with Hydra. A future without a gun in his hand never seemed to be in the cards.

It's jarring to see how different his life had become ever since she'd walked in. It was complex, oozing uncertainty but it was also full of color. A color so bright it blinded him sometimes.

He loves her and it's a fact.

The national day of love was something he'd used to get girls in his younger years. Never actually enjoyed it. Most girls had been simple; they wanted flowers, and to be told they were pretty. And he'd done it, sometimes he'd take two girls on Valentines day dates, and if he was lucky and nice and said just the right things, they'd let him put his hands up their skirts or his tongue down their throats.

That Bucky was such a different man from the one today that carefully wrapped a box in flowery tissue paper.

He absolutely adored Wanda. She had started working a day-job, some office in town where she put data into spreadsheets. Originally she tried being a saleswoman, making cold calls and selling insurance, but too many people recognized her, too many blamed her, and they found it was easier for her to work behind a desk at SWORD headquarters, lightly shaded from the public. She'd made a few friends, two women that didn't know much about Westview or the snap, and while Bucky was certain you had to live under a rock to not know about either of those events, he was happy she was being more outgoing. While she would dress, he had started packing her lunches as he packed his own, and she spent more and more time at his flat, returning to hers every so often.

It was normal and they loved it.

Quietly completing his wrapping, he listened carefully by the door to make sure she was still in the kitchen. Knives scraped as she placed them back into the drawer, and he tiptoed from the bathroom to his side of bed, slipping the wrapped box into his side table drawer.

"So, what does my lovely lady want to do tonight?" He asks, entering the kitchen. "I was thinking either dinner at that new Chinese place, or we get take out from old reliable El Lobo, and make a spread on the floor, binge some Full House."

He smiles broadly, he'd thought about how they could spend valentines day all weekend, and he was anxious to get started. He expected her to laugh, or roll her eyes in amusement at his velocity. What he didn't expect was to see her cellphone pressed to her ear, hand clenched in a fist, sitting stony-still at his dining table. Her eyes were shining, lips pressed tightly as she listened.

"Mhm. Mhm, ok thanks." She dropped the phone to the table, hands fisiting and letting out a frustrated groan.

"Something up?" Bucky asked, pulling his chair out and sitting down.

"That was Layla," she said, and when he gave her a confused look, she added. "From work. Her fiancé dumped her." Bucky nodded sympathetically.

"That's tough." He said, and Wanda nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, it's horrible actually." She hollered, pushing her chair back and marching to the front door. She grabbed her jacket, slinging her purse over her shoulder.

"Uh, where are you going?" Bucky asked, clearing his throat.

"Going to her," Wanda said, dipping to pick up her sneakers. "She's not doing great and we're gonna help her take her mind off things." straightening, she looks at him. "I'm going to sleep at mine tonight because I'll probably be there really late."

"I thought, uh, we'd spend the day together." He murmured, fiddling with the sleeve of his shirt. "Today's valentines day."

"Oh shit..."

He doesn't look at her, doesn't trust himself when his throat tightens. He'd been looking forward to today so much, specifically tonight.

"Buck, I didn't realize." She sighs, dropping her purse and walking back to the table. "I haven't celebrated today in...ages. I forgot, I'm so sorry."

He wants to tell her it's ok, that it's not a big deal, but it was a big deal. It was the biggest deal.

"It's alright," he clips, standing. "Have a good night, little witch." He walks into his room, shutting the door slightly, and sits on his side of the bed, elbows on his knees.

He was glad that she had friends, that she was healing and beginning to move on. She'd gained a little weight, and was eating more. She was growing, expanding. It isn't her fault she's all that he has.

Bucky isn't sure how long he sits like that, digging his elbows into his knees with his hands clasped in front of his mouth, balancing his chin before the door creaks as it's being pushed open. He shuts his eyes, taking a breath. A hand reaches for him, tries to pull his hands from his lower face. He attempts to resist, but she's adamant and its fucking humilating.

"Bucky..."

He looks away from her, instead looking over her head, then down to his covered feet. He's acting childish, he knows and he blinks rapidly, forbidding the hot tears to leak. This isn't the kind of reaction this situation warranted, this was an over exaggeration at its finest.

If 40's James could see him now. He cringes internally.

"Don't be angry with me," she whispers, pushing herself onto her knees in front of him, taking his face between her hands. "I'll come back tonight, and we can do whatever you want."

Pressing a kiss to his nose, Wanda tries to smile.

He doesn't reply, focusing only on the evenness of his own breathing, because he will not fucking cry over something like his.

"I've hated this day ever since...well, for a while." She says, her fingers light on his skin. "So I really just forgot. You didn't mention wanting to celebrate."

She's right. He thought springing it the day of would be romantic, make her feel special. But now he's blubbering like a fucking child and the humiliation is creeping up his neck.

She continues to hold his face, pressing a kiss to his nose or mouth or cheek every so often, and it grounds him.

"I wouldn't leave if it was important, Buck." Her breath fans his face.

"It was just for dinner, don't worry." He attempts to console her. He doesn't want her to feel bad, his reaction isn't her responsibility.

"When I get back, let's get some take out, yeah?" Another kiss pressed to the corner of his mouth.

He shakes his head, and kisses her palm. "Let's just do it another day."

She frowns, stroking his cheek with her right hand. "I'll make it up to you ok?"

"I have a gift for you."

Her eyes sparkle. "And I'm sure I'll love it. Can I get it when I get back?"

He kisses her, shushing her gently, and hoping he can contain his excitement. Because it isn't just a gift. It's a life changing moment. No flowers or jewelry.

Well, a type of jewelry anyway.

And that's how he ends up on a very familiar farm, knocking on the screen door. It's old, the paint chipped and there were small holes in the screen. He can hear kids screaming, the static of the tv playing from somewhere in the house.

He puts his hands in his pocket, hoping to warm his flesh hand as the February air nips at him. Leave it to the family man to keep him waiting.

A few more minutes pass, and he knocks again, this time with more urgency. The door inside the screen door finally opens, a short woman looks at him through the screen. Laura Barton was a lot smaller than he remembered, but yet again he'd only seen her a handful of times and all at a distance.

"Well look who it is," Laura scoffed, but her eyes are gentle. Bucky gives her a cautious smile, nodding. "Clint said you called." She leans back, her head disappearing behind the door frame and screams. "Clint!"

Her face reappears, and she presses against the screen door, opening it to him. "Come on in."
Bucky enters the Barton residence slowly, taking in the surroundings. One look around and you could tell a family resided there; a happy, large family. Two young boys are resettling on the ground, scattered toys and puzzle pieces laying on the carpet as they roll. Kate is sitting cross legged on the couch, cheering loudly.

"Come on Nathaniel, get him!"

"I see you've finally taken an interest in visiting." Clint says, jogging two steps at a time down the stairs. He gives him a teasing grin, holding out his hand. Bucky scowls, taking the hand to shake and both men shrug at one another. Laura rolls her eyes.

"Men and their communication skills," she huffs, turning her back to pick up a few toys. "more like lack thereof."

"Well what brings you by," Clint asked, gesturing for Bucky to follow him. They walk past the living room, and Kate gives him an excited wave. He nods at her, ducking out of sight quickly. "I haven't heard from you in ages."

"Oh come on, you know I'm a busy man." Bucky chuckles, shrugging. They enter a back room, what he can assume is Clint's office, and sit on two island chairs by a desk. Clint reaches forward, gripping an arrow that lays on the desk. "Sorry if I interrupted your work."

"No apologies," Clint replies, inspecting the arrow. He grabs a tiny screw, prodding it. "just working on some repairs for Kate."

"She living with you now?" Bucky asks, and Clint shrugs. He had heard about the events with the Kingpin from Wanda, and they'd visited Barton once while he was healing, and Kate always seems to be nearby.

"Well after her mom, I tell her she's welcome wherever." Clint says, leaning over the arrow. Bucky goes to open his mouth in reply, but Clint cuts him off. "Are you still seeing Wanda?"

The question catches him, and he can only stare at Clint, surprised that the words would leave his mouth.

"Well, yeah." He says after a few moments. Clint pauses, eyes trained on the arrow before he nods.

"So, what can I help you with?" Clint asks, and Bucky welcomes the change of subject. He doesn't want to talk about her when she isn't there, it feels wrong, feels shallow.

"I think I...no, I know I am," Bucky says, clearing his throat. He inhales deeply, trying to steady himself, hoping to act calm instead of how he's really feeling which is absolutely panicked. "I'm going to ask Wanda to marry me."

Clint freezes, his jaw tight.

Bucky clenches his fists within his pocket, breathing sharply through his nose. The surprise on Clint's face is completely hidden, aside from the slight twitch in his cheek. The twitch gives everything away.

"Listen, I know you care about her, I think you're the closest thing to a dad she has, but I love her and I don't care if you don't approve,'' Bucky panics at his own words, but continues. "I know I don't deserve her, but i-i'll try. I'll fucking try to be everything she wants."

Clint turns slightly, dropping the arrow before placing his hand on the table. "I know you will."

His words surprise Bucky, and the air is thick with something he can't quite identify. They're quiet for a few moments, Bucky's eyes on the wall to his left and Clint's eyes on bucky.

"That's wonderful news, Buck." Clint smiles, but his voice is strained and his mouth is too wide.

Bucky sighs, starting to stand so he can depart. To say he's disappointed is an understatement because he wants Clint to understand. He loves Wanda like Clint loves Laura. He's seen them together, saw how they reunited after the snap. That's all Bucky wants to give her.

He brushes his thighs off, bitterness encroaching him. It feels awful and heavy, and he wishes he'd just stayed home. His legs drag him through the hallway, past the living room with its screaming kids and to the front.

He can hear Clint calling after him, his footsteps echoing. Clint mutters something to Laura but he can't tell what was said as he grips the doorknob. "Buck, come on, man. I'm just surprised that's all. I'm happy for you."

Bucky stops turning the knob, looking slightly over his shoulder. Clint stands beside him, nodding slowly. "You would make... a wonderful husband to her."

Swallowing, Bucky mutters, "Thanks."

"Yeah, and as her step-daddy I grant you permission." Clint says and Laura gags, rolling her eyes.

"Oh gross." Kate said, walking into the room "Laura, you can't be kinky in front of the kids."

"I didn't say that- get back in there." She demands, pushing Kate. She gives Clint a look that Bucky can't decipher and pushes Kate into the living room.

"Well for what it's worth," Bucky sighs, sticking out his hand. "Thanks." Clint shakes it with a smile, gripping his hand with both of his. Bucky wants to squirm at the physical contact.

Anything for his little witch.

"Can I ask you about something SHIELD related, now that we're past that?" Clint laughs, releasing Bucky. The super soldier nods, but all he can focus on is the relief flooding his body.

He was going to marry her; he was really going to do it.

"What about?" Bucky asks. Laura steps back into the room, her arms crossed over chest. Clint looks between Bucky and his wife and clears his throat.

"It'd probably be better if we just showed you. Down for a drive?"