Not the End 2
Steve was exhausted, he was already half dozing when Hannah took the trash away. Once she was back however he was out cold. For once he slept hard the battle and relief of Hannah back affecting him more than he realized. Sun rose and for an early rise the man never stirred.
Morgan was fast asleep long before Bucky made it back. Her body remembering what it was like to sleep next to him as she cuddled in close. Morning however she was still fast asleep. Sibling Roger’s having been for the whole battle and last 5 years just needed time now to cope.
Hannah felt refreshed when she woke up. She slowly and carefully removed herself from Steve’s grip as not to disturb him. He needed and deserved his sleep. She didn’t even bother changing from her pjs as she went down to the kitchen for some breakfast, but she did grab a hair tie and shoved hair into a messy bun. She searched through the cupboards and the fridge for something she could make. She may have eaten in the early hours of this morning but she was hungry, she guessed that was mainly the pregnancy and maybe even her body trying to get used to being…well, alive again. Fury really had stocked up and got them everything they’d need for a while. She settled on making a full English breakfast since it was the only thing that sounded appealing right now. As she was cooking, Bucky cake into the kitchen and she gave him a smile. “Morning. You want some breakfast?” she asked him as he sat at the kitchen table. “So how are you dealing with being back in the land of the living?”
Bucky was unusually awake first. He was just about always woken up by Morgan leaving but this morning….she was still sound asleep. What had started the night as cuddling was now her curled up away from him. It hurt him a little but he wasnt suprised. He would need to talk to Steve about it more later to see what really had been going on last 5 years….his guess wasnt a plesant one if she was acting this out of contact with people. He slowly got out of bed as to not wake her and headed downstairs. Coffee and food sounded good right now. He heard pots and pans as he rounded the kitchen and just smiled seeing Hannah awake. “Breakfest sounds great,” Bucky said as he moved to the coffee machine and started it. “Weird really….like…..I dont think thats how dying is supposed to be? if that makes sense? All we really did was a long slow blink,” He said pulling out two mugs. “I have a question though is Steve acting odd? like more than hey youve been dead 5 years odd?” Bucky asked as maybe it was just people who had to survive the 5 years alone.
He poured out the coffee and Hannah thanked him. “Yeah, you and me both. My body just feels really strange and maybe that’s just from being turned to dust and then being brought back and now my body’s just trying to adjust…but I don’t know,” she told him. “That’s what I told Steve. That it just felt like I passed out. There was no pain, no fear. There was…nothing. It’s weird.” Hannah grabbed two plates and dished out breakfast. She set a plate in front of him and sat down opposite him with her own plate and her coffee. She was in the middle of chewing a bite of food when he asked her if Steve was acting odd. She thought about it and swallowed her food. “Thinking about it now? Yeah he is,” Hannah responded. “He’s seems a little…distant. Not too distant but still distant. I mean, I didn’t know what to expect, but I don’t think I expected this. I think it’s just because they’ve gotten so used to being on their own over these five years,” she shrugged. “I take it Morgan’s acting odd?” she asked. “I don’t even know how to respond to the way he’s acting or anything. It’s confusing. There’s a lot going on.”
Bucky thanked her for the food and started digging in. “Seems better than Morgan,” Bucky scoffed. “She seems like how I used to be, wanting nothing to do with human contact cause it usually ended with me hurt,” Bucky sighed out. “They will come around….I think Steve a bit quicker,” Bucky sighed out. “For now guess let them sleep,” he laughed. “Not sure I’ve ever seen both of them out this hard…ever even way before,” Bucky added with a smile as it really was kinda cute. “What about you feeling ok?” He asked as well he needed to worry about someone.
Hannah ate as she listened to him. Food tasted good. “I think they both just need time to adjust to us being back,” she said. “She’s gotten so used to being on her own that she’s bound to be a little distant. We just gotta give them time,” she added. Hannah nodded in agreement when he said to let them sleep. God knows they needed it. “Yeah, in all the years I’ve known Steve, I don’t ever remember him sleeping past dawn.” Hannah ate some more and swallowed her food. “Uh…ya know. Okay I guess, for the situation we’re in. Little bit off but I don’t know,” she replied, not sure if she should tell him about the pregnancy without Steve here. “What about you?”
“Yea im hoping it just that,” Bucky said as the thought about it. “Ill ask her one of these days when the times right,” He added as he wasnt sure if he was ready to open that can of worms yet. He had a feeling it would be quite alot. He smirked at them both being alseep, “Im going to assume those last 5 years wasnt restful for either of them, let alone they are pretty battered from yesterday so just gonna let Morgan sleep till she wakes,” Bucky added as she needed it broken body like she had. “Me? Ill be fine was used to not really being in sync with the world so not much has changed here,” He said as he stood and gathered up the empty plates and put them away. “Mean time what do we wanna do?” He asked cleaning the pots now.
“Yeah, it’s why I just left Steve to sleep too. Can’t have been easy for them at all,” Hannah said. She knew Steve needed the rest. Yesterday, like she assumed the past five years, had been hard. Now that he was retiring, he deserved the rest more than ever. “I still can’t believe it’s been five years. It’s so weird,” she added. He took the pots and started washing them and she got up and started drying them. “Uh, it’s a nice day out. We could go for a walk around the property? This place is huge and I could use the fresh air.” The property was secluded so it wasn’t like they’d bump into any members of the public who’d have questions for them or anything like that. “Should go get changed first though,” she smiled. Hannah quickly ran upstairs, quietly slipping into the room. She smiled when she saw Steve was still out cold. Once changed, she left again, quietly closing the door. Bucky was already there waiting for her and she smiled at him and they left the house. She shoved her hands into the pockets of the jacket she was wearing. “So, uh, Steve told me last night that he’s retiring from all of this.”
Walk sounded good place was big enough private enough. “Sure,” he smiled. He moved finish cleaning up and headed to his room. Morgan had turned over and was gripping his pillow hard making him smile as he changed and headed back downstairs. Hannah came and both left. Morning was nice and place seemed to have a path through the woods. “Really? Good for him wondered when that would happen,” he smiled as good was about time. “Didnt think I’d be the one retired before him but here we are,” he laughed as they walked through the wooded are. “You going to retire?”
The fresh air felt amazing. It was nice have somewhere so secluded where they could walk around freely. She walked with him along the path with him. “Yeah, I think he’s ready for it and god knows he deserves it. Maybe he’ll relax more now,” Hannah chuckled as Steve was the guy who rarely chilled out. “Me? Yeah, I’m gonna leave the life of saving the world to the next generation of superheroes,” she smiled. “I thinks it’s about time I retired,” she added. “You think Morgan will?” Hannah asked as they continued walking through the woods. She couldn’t remember the last time she and Bucky had spoken like this. It was nice. “Wonder if sleeping beauties are awake yet,” she smiled.
Bucky laughed. “Steve relax? Sure you just think that way he will find something to do for sure in his spare time so you better watch out,” Bucky winked as they rounded a nice corner with a bench overlooking little creek. “Mo? Cant tell you honestly,” he said sitting down. “I’d like to say yes after what they went through but I dont see her sitting still just yet not doing this cushy life, if Steve retires, Clint without saying retiring again, Thor headed back to space, Vision gone, Natasha gone, Tony….” Bucky paused a moment but didnt say it, “ I dont think shes comfortable leaving the world without any of the original Avengers,” he sighed as spelling it out like that it was little more shocking. “No I’d like her to but she does her own things,” he smirked as that was how she always was.
“James Barnes,” Hannah chuckled at his teasing about Steve finding something to do in his spare time, slapping on the arm with the back of her hand. “Believe me, Steve will have plenty to do,” she mumbled. She sat down by his side and looked out at the creek. It was pretty. Fury really did pick a nice place for them to reciprocate and relax. He mentioned Tony and she looked down at her legs for a moment, her eyes filling with tears. She blinked away the tears as she looked back at the creek and cleared her throat. “It’s okay, Buck, you can say it. Tony’s…gone and I have to make my peace with that. We all do. He and Nat sacrificed themselves for all of us. We’re here now because of them. All we can do now is be happy that we have those memories with them and make sure they’re not forgotten but we also need to move on,” she said. Hannah nodded in agreement when he spoke about Morgan. “Yeah, I don’t see her leaving yet either. Without Steve, Thor, Nat, Clint, Bruce or…Tony or even me, I don’t see her stepping down no matter how much you or Steve or anyone else would let her to. That’s just who she is,” she said. “But who knows, maybe she’ll end up leading the team. Might be a good role for her.” It would be nice for the new Avengers to have at least one of the original members among their ranks, especially if she was leading them. “So, what are you gonna do with your retirement, Buck?”
Bucky didnt mean to make her cry as he moved and held her hand gently. “I wish I had meet him in different times not how I did,” he sighed as it wasnt good. “Think she could do it…but still doesnt mean im not gonna have good nights about it,” Bucky sighed as she was every bit of Steve and then some. He smiled at that remembering the past, she got into just as many fights trying to save Steve from them. “Me? I’d be happy going back to my little farm in Wakanda but….seems like I wanna be a bit closer if you and Steve are retiring….plus able to see Morgan easier when shes back. Cant say I will stay on base though,” Bucky added stretching out. Sun was warm it felt nice. “Well better go see if they are awake or not, if not we could catch up on movies I’m sure we missed,” he laughed as…well….he was always behind on those but still they hadnt hung out in ages.
Morgan didnt want to wake but the pain and throbbing was making it hard to breathe. She was groggy and didnt recognize this place. Looking around she was alone. Well…..guess that was a weird dream or something. She shifted out of bed hobbling to the bathroom then back. She felt broken not just physically but mentally as she took more pain pills and laid back down again alone.
Hannah smiled at him. “He would’ve liked you if he had gotten to know you and the circumstances had been different.” She had forgiven Bucky for her parents, but Tony? Nope. “Maybe you’ll find another farm somewhere. Then we can all come visit farmer Bucky,” she teased lightly earning a smile and an eye roll from him. “But I suppose staying will make it easier for you and Morgan,” she added. “Yeah, Yeah you’re right, let’s head back.” Movies sounded good if those two weren’t awake yet, they’d missed a lot.
Didn’t take them long to get back. House was still quiet when they got there. “I’m gonna go check on Morgan.” He and Hannah parted ways as she went to check on Steve and he went to check on Morgan. He quietly opened the door so he didn’t disturb her if she was asleep. To his surprise, she was awake. She was still in bed, but she was awake. “Morning,” he smiled at her. He sat on the bed next to her, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. “How you feeling? Need me to get you anything?” he offered. “Hannah and I were gonna watch some movies since you and Steve weren’t awake. You wanna join? Or you wanna stay here and chill?”
She was quiet as she entered the room. The air and the sun had made her feel refreshed. Steve was awake, stretching out in bed when she entered the bedroom. “Hey, you’re awake,” Hannah smiled. It was well into the morning now, it was almost midday. She slipped off her shoes and her jacket before sitting on the edge of the bed next to him, her fingers gently running through his hair that was messy from sleep. “You sleep alright?” she asked. “Want some food or anything?”
Steve felt heavy with sleep still but he was rested at least. Side and leg weren’t hurting as bad as he yawned and turned onto his back. He peaked his eyes open when he heard the door open smiling at Hannah. That’s right she was here again…..he didnt have to wake up alone anymore. He yawned again and just laid there smiling as he felt her hand through his hair. Yea…he could get used to this. His long arm reached out and pulled her against him tight. “Mmm yea food sounds good in a bit just wanna stay like this for now,” Steve smiled burying his face into her hair.
Morgan was on the verge of sleep again when her door opened she didnt take much notice. She was groggy again but jumped when his hand touched her as she just about sprang out of the bed. 5 years she had no touch and now…..she was not used to it. Then her bit of jealousy kicked in. He was her boyfriend….she woke up alone a deal he himself said wasnt allowed now he was out with her? Foggy brain and drugs weren’t helping body tense under his touch. “No you go on…..I’m hurting too much,” she said being blunt as she just turned pulling the covers up again.
Hannah squealed a little when he pulled her against him. Okay, so he’d woken up in a good mood. She giggled as she buried her face in his neck. “You’ve never been so lazy. You’re really taking this retirement thing seriously aren’t you?” she teased. Not that she blamed him, the guy hadn’t had a lie in for god knows how long and now he was finally getting the chance to. “As long as you get up to eat at some point I don’t care how long we stay here,” she mumbled into his chest. She pushed herself up just enough so she could look at him. She smiled down at him and pecked his lips, she was just glad to be here again. “So I had a nice chat Bucky while you were asleep,” she told him.
Bucky quickly moved his hand when she jumped. Right, he should probably be careful. “Hey, hey, it’s just me. It’s Bucky,” he said softly. “I know I said you wouldn’t wake up alone but I didn’t want to stay here and risk waking you up. You needed the rest,” he told her. She turned away from him and he sighed quietly. He should’ve expected this. Five years without any touch…she was bound to be jumpy. He needed to take it slow with her. She turned away from him and he moved around the bed, kneeling on the floor in front of her. “Oh no, absolutely not. If you’re not gonna go then neither am I. We’ll stay here and watch movies on our own,” he said. She needed to adjust to him being around again. “But will you at least eat something? Please?” he asked as she did need to eat, especially with all the painkillers she was on.
Steve smiled, “Yea well would you rather me try and go to work again? Cause im sure they could use me?” Steve teased but laughed rather half heartedly as that wasnt happening he was done with all that he had alot more to think about now. Saving the world 4 times was more than enough excitement for him. He woke up a bit more before nodding, “I could eat but this bed is pretty comfy still now that you are here,” he smiled when she kissed his lips. She mentioned Bucky but he didnt want to talk about that right now. His hand moved gently behind her head bringing her back in for a kiss, a proper one this time.
Morgan heard Bucky come around infront of her more than saw as she had closed her eyes again. She sighed out both anoied and exhausted, “Buck honestly I just want to sleep only woke up to pee and take pills to stop the throbbing not even remotely hungry,” She said. She wanted to roll over, pull the covers with her but this was her good way right now, only way she could lay so her leg didnt hurt and the side of her ribs that werent broken were below her. “Go have fun with them im gonna be really boring,” She managed to mumble out before falling asleep again pained look still on her face.
“Oh no no no, you are not going back to work. You’re all mine now,” Hannah teased. “Well…ours I guess,” she added. “You’re not going anywhere, Rogers.” He said he could eat and she thought he wanted to get up so she went to move, until he finished his sentence. “Oh really?” she laughed. He kissed her and she couldn’t help but smile. Her fingers ran through his hair again. It was shorter than it was the last time she’d seen him, but still a bit longer than he’d had it before the accords. She liked it. Hannah parted from his lips to take a breath. “I love you,” she told him, lips brushing against his before kissing him again.
Bucky sighed again. He hated it when she was like this; distant and a little bit stubborn. He understood why she was being like that, but he still didn’t like it. She fell asleep again and he gently brushed her hair out of her face. “Nope, you are not waking up on your own again,” he said quietly. He quickly and quietly left the room and ran downstairs to grab a drink. Hannah and Steve were nowhere to be seen so he assumed they were spending time together. He grabbed a glass of water and went back upstairs and quietly slipped into the room. He pulled the phone that Fury had given him out of his pocket along with a pair of headphones and then sat on the bed next to her. This way he could watch a movie without waking her with the sound of the tv but could still be right there when she woke up.
Steve smiled at her at her confession but kissed her back more passionately. She was here she was back again. He could finally get his chance and have a normal life. He turned them gently hand moving down her side until he stopped at the now growing bump. He pulled away from the kiss and smiled. “I love both of you and I’m not going anywhere anymore,” he smiled as he kissed her gently again but like this his side was not the most comfortable. “Let’s go watch that movie,” Steve smiled pecking her before he rolled back stretching then getting up. His leg was a bit sore but he would be fine as he headed downstairs with Hannah. Bucky and Morgan were no where to be found, he just hoped she was coping with all this better than yesterday.
Morgan was out again but when Bucky came back her body responded again moving closer to him and turning over so her back was pressed against his body. Was a few hours again before she woke up long drawn out sleep sigh as she rubbed her eyes. Shower sounded good now she felt grimy like bugs under her skin but that also was the pain pills. She sat up oblivious to Bucky behind her as she winced aloud pulling her shorts up to look at the stitches. It looked fine…..little red and angry but she didnt clean it or take her antibiotics as she hadnt eaten yet. She sat there staring at it still sleepy and confused almost sleep heavy on her still.
Hannah smiled at the feeling of his hand on her bump. It was small, but there, only just visible. The feeling of knowing they were going to have a normal life again was amazing. She placed her hand over his. “We love you too and we’re never letting you go anywhere ever again,” she told him. He kissed her again and she happily kissed him back. “Always wanna move when I get comfortable,” she joked before stretching out herself and then getting up. She followed him downstairs and noticed Morgan and Bucky weren’t there, she was worried about Morgan, she hoped Bucky had had the chance to talk to her. But maybe he was leaving that for a little while until she got used to him being around again. She wasn’t oblivious to the fact that Steve was in a bit of pain with his leg and his side. He’d been limping just slightly and holding side as they came downstairs. “Okay, I’m feeling hungry again so I’ll go make us some food so why don’t you just chill on the couch and find us a movie to watch?” she suggested. “It’s been five years so I’m sure we have stuff to watch.” Hannah walked into the kitchen and started making sandwiches, making sure she made extra for Morgan and Bucky should they decide to come down. “Hey, you want any painkillers?” she called out to Steve as she didn’t think he’d taken any yet.
Bucky had been content sitting there next to her watching movies. A smile had formed on his face when her body automatically shifted closer to his. He didn’t know how long had passed since he’d sat down, but eventually she woke up. She didn’t seem to notice he was there so he just locked the phone, removed the headphones and watched her. A worried expression crossed his features when she winced. He grew even more worried when he saw the stitches. Sure, he knew her inguries were bad, but he hadn’t seen them yet. They were red and he knew that wasn’t right. “Morgan,” he said softly. He slowly got up off the bed and walked around it until he was in front of her. He knelt down. “You need to clean that,” he said. “Why don’t you hop in the shower and get cleaned up and then we can go downstairs and grab something to eat so you can take your antibiotics?” he suggested. She needed to eat something and he wasn’t going to let her not eat or not take her antibiotics.