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Mistaken Identity
Being an Avenger is nice, privileged even, but there are some days when Steve really wishes he could just be another guy on the street. He just wants to pick up dinner and get home without having to stop and kiss a baby or take a selfie. Today's issue is that he’s been stopped by one too many women that want a picture, but when they put their arms around him, a hand just happens to slip down a little too far. The first time it happened, Steve jumped, quickly excusing himself.
He’s very aware of the allure of his backside. Maybe he became more aware after Scott called it America’s Ass. That doesn’t mean that anyone, anywhere can grab it. There are decency laws, damn it, and Steve would like everyone to adhere to them. So, he’s trying to get to the bodega, around the corner from his apartment, and not get groped again.
Steve sees them coming as he’s within yards of the door to the bodega. Looking around, he sees a police officer coming out of the coffee shop next door. Breathing a sigh of relief, he runs over, tapping the civil servant on the shoulder, hoping to talk to the guy just long enough, so the groupies will leave.
“Officer?” The guy turns and Steve almost, almost smirks because this is, definitely, not a police officer. He wonders what this guy is up to that he’s dressed like a cop. However, Steve will use what he has at his disposal and not let on that he knows this guy isn’t really a cop, unless he’s up to no good, then Steve will do what Steve does.
Maybe it’s the badge. It looks fake. Maybe it’s the slight scruff on the guy’s face. It’s not regulation. Maybe it’s the way the guy’s pants reveal a little too much for polite company in the way they’re hugging everything. With Steve’s enhanced eyesight, he can see that there’s a thick seam on the outside of each leg. This guy is wearing breakaway pants. And now Steve’s even more interested because everything points to this guy being a stripper or exotic dancer. Those are the only two professions that pop into mind anyway. Maybe Steve just needs to get laid, and this guy is hitting all those buttons.
There’s a label on the tight white shirt, that’s unbuttoned a little too much, that says Barnes. Before Steve can say anything else, the guy, Barnes, looks like he’s in trouble when his eyes nearly bug out of his head. Steve doesn’t want to make the guy panic and the easiest way to do that is to play into his original plan. “Listen Officer, I don’t mean to bother you, but I’m havin a hell of a day.”
At first it seems like he’s going to correct Steve, but then there’s a twinkle in his eyes and the barest smirk. Either the guy knows that Steve knows, or he thinks that Steve doesn’t know and he’s going to play it up and that just makes Steve like him even more. It takes a smartass to appreciate a smartass. Clearing his throat, Steve watches him swallow and takes a second to appreciate just how gorgeous this guy is. In Steve’s mind he doesn’t care what this guy does for a living, he’ll enjoy the company and the appreciative glances. “What can I do for you, Captain?”
So, the guy does know who he is. Offering his hand, Steve waits for the guy to take it. “You can call me Steve. We’re on the same side and everything.”
Taking the hand, Barnes grins. “Well, then feel free to call me James.” He leans in, whispering, “Or Bucky, it’s a nickname everyone calls me.” Steve smiles his most innocent, boy-next-door smile. “Now, what can I help you with?”
Steve rubs the back of his neck, acting embarrassed when he’s really not. “Well, you see, sometimes people...who want a picture...you know...with me...they sometimes, well, Officer Barnes, I mean, Bucky, they grab me in places that I’m just not comfortable with.” In a different setting, maybe a bar, Steve wouldn’t normally play up the bumbling, man out of time, Cap persona that Tony likes to believe is the real Steve, but he’s got to keep this guy interested enough to get these women to walk away.
Whatever Steve’s doing with his face must be working because Bucky puts a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?” Then he shakes his head. “I mean, of course you are, you’re Captain America, but you know that it’s not okay for people to touch you when it’s not welcome.” With that statement, Bucky pulls his hand away with an apologetic, shy smile. “Sorry.”
Steve’s going to go with his original assessment of what Bucky does for a living. He seems very well versed in boundaries. “I know.” Looking down at the ground, Steve tries to think of a way to phrase his words, so he gets a little more sympathy from a man that he’s starting to want to touch inappropriately. He’d never do that, but something about Bucky is soft in the way he cares about others and their comfort. “I guess I’m just not sure how to get them to stop.”
Bucky chuckles. “Well, Steve, you just tell them that what they're doing isn’t appreciated and that you want them to stop.” He pats Steve’s chest, which could be seen as unwelcome, but instead, Steve nearly snorts because Bucky’s hand pats his chest again like he’s unaware of what he’s doing, and his eyes have glazed over. “You really are just one big muscle, aren’t you, Steve.”
“Uh, Officer, are you okay?” Bucky looks up, locking eyes with Steve and blushing. Ripping his hand away, he realizes what he’s just been doing. Steve was okay with it, but it goes back to the touching thing.
“Oh...uh...yeah, just,” He shakes his head, “Where are they touching you that’s upsetting?”
Leaning in, Steve gets right next to Bucky’s ear. “They’re grabbing my ass.”
There’s a deep inhale and a shaky exhale, then Bucky clears his throat. “Okay, that’s, definitely, not okay!” Looking around, Bucky sees a couple of women, leering at Steve’s ass. “Excuse me, Steve.”
The last thing that Steve expected was for Bucky, a fake cop, to head over to the women with an air of indignation in the way he moves. Steve watches in fascination as Bucky dresses down the two women. “I’ll be damned.” So, this fake cop just addressed a situation with Steve and Steve’s willing to bet that if he is a stripper or exotic dancer, Bucky has to deal with this kind of shit all the time. Instead of telling Steve to grow up, he’s trying to help. Steve absolutely wants to know this guy better.
When Bucky comes back over, his brow is furrowed. “Do you know what they had the nerve to say?” Steve shakes his head. “That you are a public figure and because of that, they can do what they want.”
It never occurred to Steve that people thought this way and it gets under his skin. Clinching his fists, Steve wants to shout that he’s allowed to have a private life. “It’s that kind of thinkin that makes me want to never go out anywhere.”
Bucky grabs his arm, pulling him closer to the building. “Now, Captain, you can’t isolate yourself. But you do have to speak up when things like that happen.”
Leaning against the wall, Steve lowers his head, looking up at Bucky through his lashes. He’s very aware of the effect that it has on people, even if his team doesn’t know he’s aware. “Or I can just depend on New York City’s Finest.”
Steve sees the moment when Bucky realizes his predicament. “Uh...about that...”
“I’d really like to buy you a drink for your help, but you’re on duty.” The guy’s mouth hangs open and before Steve can say anything else, Bucky closes his eyes and blows out a deep breath.
Steve’s going to wait it out and see what he does. “I’m not really a cop!” Bucky’s eyes and teeth are clinched shut, so when nothing happens, he cracks one open and sees Steve smirking. “You knew that.”
Chuckling, Steve waves his hand at Bucky. “Yeah, I knew. Doesn’t matter how good looking the guy is, no one can make those uniforms look sexy. You however, your uniform is definitely working in your favor.”
Bucky smiles, then it fades. “Yeah, but you don’t need to be seen with me.” He doesn’t explain further, just walks away.
He doesn’t get far before Steve grabs his arm. “You mean because of what you do for a living?”
Turning back, Bucky nods. He leans in, so no one else can hear, still thinking about Steve’s comfort. “Captain America can’t be seen with a stripper.” Trying to clarify in a panic. “I don’t sleep with people for money, let’s just be clear on that.”
“Hell, I don’t care what you do. After my Ma died, I lived with a couple of prostitutes because the rent was cheap, and they were great models for my drawings. Part of what’s wrong with our society is how people view others for what they have to do to get by.” Bucky smiles and it lights up every part of his face. “So, about that drink.”
Bucky will be home soon, and he’ll give Steve hell for the girls still being up. Since they started seeing each other months and months ago, Steve’s fit into Bucky’s life like he was meant to be there. Meeting Bucky on the street that day gave Steve a sense of belonging that he hadn’t felt for a long time. The team is great, Steve truly does care about them, but there’s always been a feeling that Steve can’t truly open up. The only one that’s met Bucky and the girls is Sam. He asked Steve, a second time, what made him happy and for the first time, Steve had an answer.
Hedy comes back into the room, carrying a book they’ve been reading together. Becca is already in Steve’s lap, when Hedy crawls up. Steve’s thumbing through the book, playing like he doesn’t remember where they were. He just came back from a mission, knew Bucky was working, so relieved Mrs. Harris of babysitting duties. “Now, where were we?”
Becca snorts, turning the pages in the book. “We’re right here and I know you remember that because Bucky says you don’t forget anything.”
Steve chuckles and kisses each girl on the head. “Now, that’s not true. I forget a lot of things.”
“Not that I’ve seen. You even remember how to make the pancakes we like.” Hedy looks up, adoration on her face. Then, something changes and Steve stops. Hedy is the quieter of the two, but she’s also an observant little girl. “Steve, do you love Bucky?”
He hasn’t told Bucky, but Steve’s pretty sure he fell in love that day on the street. “I do, but you can’t tell him because I haven’t told him.” They look up, grinning. “Promise you won’t say a word until I can say it myself.”
“We promise.” It isn’t often that Becca seems more emotional than her sister, but Steve also doesn’t know the inner workings of a child's mind. “If you love Bucky, does that mean you love us too?”
Holding them a little closer, Steve nearly cries with how unsure she sounds. “I love you both so much. I can’t imagine my life without you.” He gets a nod from both girls, and they snuggle in for story time.
Later that night, when Bucky gets home, he finds Steve sitting by the window, book in hand with only a lamp next to him on. “Hey, I figured you’d be in bed by now.”
Bucky slips into Steve’s lap and the book is forgotten. “I was waiting for you.”
“A guy could get the idea that you like him a little, Steve.” Slipping his arms around Bucky’s waist, Steve pulls him close.
“I’d like to think, after the months we’ve been seeing each other, that you’d have figured out that I don’t just like you, Bucky Barnes, I’m in love with you.” Bucky sinks into Steve’s embrace a little more. Steve doesn’t tell Bucky this, but he hears giggles coming from the hallway, so the girls just heard his confession.
“You have no idea how hard it’s been to keep to myself from telling you how much I love you too.” Shifting, Bucky straddles Steve’s lap, staring down into misty, blue eyes. “I need to eat something, but I think we should go to bed after that.”
“Oh yeah, did you have something special in mind?” Bucky winks at him.
“I would tell you exactly what I’m thinking if,” he raises his voice for the girls to hear, “there weren’t little ears listening to our conversation!” The giggling starts again, then the sound of little feet running down the hall, back into their bedroom.
“I wasn’t sure you knew they were still awake.” This time, Bucky rolls his eyes.
“Those two are always still awake and I’ve just accepted they won’t go to bed until they know I’m home safe.” The implications of that aren’t lost on Steve, so he pulls Bucky closer, letting him cuddle against his chest.
“Cap, you want to tell us why we’re in a strip club to meet your boyfriend?” Tony’s pulled his glasses down his nose, looking around. “I mean, it’s a nice place, for a place like this, but why would he want to meet us here?”
Clint’s bounced into a chair at the edge of the stage and pulls out a wad of fives. “Hey, don’t hate on strip clubs! Some of the nicest people work in these places. I met a guy once that was a single parent and putting himself through school.”
Natasha slides into the chair next to Clint, grinning. “I was undercover once as a stripper, and it was a blast. Great people to work with.”
Thor doesn’t seem to know anything about strip clubs and starts talking to the waitress about the establishment. She seems smitten with the God of Thunder. “Bring me your finest bubbling wine, fair maiden.”
Tony snorts at that, but notices how she blushes at being called such a sweet name. Bruce is cleaning his glasses and checking out the dancer on stage. “She’s got incredible muscle definition.”
Tony snorts again.
Steve looks over at the bar, giving the bartender a signal for drinks. “Tony, just sit down and in about fifteen minutes you’ll understand why Bucky wanted to meet here.”
“He owns the place, doesn’t he?” Steve shakes his head and Tony seems like he’s trying to figure out the mystery.
Steve takes the seat, front and center, by the stage. As the woman finishes up, she waves at Steve. He grins, waving back. Bruce looks over. “You know her?”
“Yeah, she’s a friend of Bucky’s, so I guess she’s a friend of mine too.”
Donna breaks through the curtain, heading backstage and sees Bucky taking deep breaths. “Your boyfriend is out there, and he’s got the whole team with him, except Falcon.”
“Yeah, we planned this and now I’m terrified what they’re going to think of me.” She goes over, hugging him and straightening his shirt collar.
“Listen, Sugar, that man loves you like nothing else and he’s not going to care at all what his team thinks.” She kisses his cheek. “Plus, once they get a look at you and understand why you’re doing this, they won’t care either.”
Bucky hears the announcer setting up his set and heads to the curtain. “Thanks, I needed that.” Donna just winks at him as the curtain pulls back and Bucky struts on stage.
Bucky comes through the curtain and Steve sucks in a breath. He’s been dating Bucky for months and every time he comes here to watch him dance, it takes his breath away. Leaning over, Steve watches in avid fascination at how Bucky moves. Even though he’s very aware of how limber Bucky is, especially in bed, watching him move to the music is magical.
Once the set is done, Steve’s on his feet, like each time he sees Bucky dance, applauding. He’s in nothing but a thong now and his sweat shining body is tense with muscles. Blowing a kiss to Steve, he struts off the stage to whistles and yells. Turning, Steve faces his team. “Everyone, that’s Bucky.”
Natasha and Thor are grinning, but for different reasons, Tony and Clint’s mouths are hanging open, and Bruce is watching the next dancer. Standing, Tony rips his glasses from his face, staring in disbelief. “You’re dating a stripper?”
Steve gets a soft smile on his face. “Yeah, and he’s somethin really special. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t pass judgement on someone that you’re about to meet.”
Tony turns, walking away a few paces, then comes back. “Okay, you’re dating a stripper and I’m gonna have to tell Pepper when I get back, so she can talk to the PR people.”
“Pepper already knows. I introduced them at lunch last week.” Tony flops back into the chair, giggling. “Tony, you okay?”
“My wife knows about this and didn’t tell me.” Steve just smiles.
“Yeah, she said it would be more fun introducing you to him like this.” Sitting back down, he swivels the chair to talk to them all. “I love him, and I want all of you to like him. He’s amazing and kind and so, so smart. Just don’t be rude.”
Bucky’s slipped into jeans and a t-shirt, coming out onto the floor. He stops and gets a bottle of water from the bartender and heads over to Steve, who’s on his feet, welcoming him with open arms and a tight hug. Bucky looks into his eyes and sees love shining. “How did I do?”
“As always, you were incredible.” Leaning up, Bucky gets a kiss, then turns to the team.
“I see you brought everyone, except Sam.” Steve nods. Bucky offers his hand to Tony first. “Mr. Stark, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Tony takes the hand, but doesn’t respond. He’s beyond the ability to talk because his WIFE KNEW! Natasha comes over, offering her hand. “Mr. Barnes, you are impressive. I did this while undercover and I’d be willing to bet you’ve had professional training.”
Bucky throws his head back, laughing and Steve’s face melts into a love-struck smile. “I have. I didn’t think I would end up here, but we do what he must for family.”
“Sit and tell us about that.” Natasha starts to get comfortable, but Bucky doesn’t sit.
“Actually, I think it would be easier if I show you.” Bucky gets his messenger bag from his dressing room, and they head out into the night. They stop in at a diner and the waitress has a bag ready for him. “Thanks, Diane.”
“Anything for you, Bucky.” Out on the street, they make their way about six blocks, turn down a side street, until they reach the apartment building. Bucky leads them up the stairs to the top floor. Steve never releases his hand and when they reach the door, he kisses Bucky’s knuckles.
Inside, Bucky speaks to an older woman, who kisses his cheek and leaves to go back across the hall. “Goodnight, Mrs. Harris.” She pats Steve’s arm as she passes.
“What are we doing here?” Tony’s looking around, interested in everything, but also confused.
Natasha finds pictures of Bucky, picking one up and turning. “You studied at the School of American Ballet?”
Pulling his lips into a thin line, he nods. “I did, but had to leave in my final year.”
Before anyone can ask why, they hear the bedroom door creek open and two sets of feet running down the hall. “BUCKY!”
Turning, Bucky sweeps one of the little girls into his arms and Steve catches the other one as she throws herself into his arms. “Stevie! We’re so glad you’re here. Mrs. Harris read to us, but she doesn’t do it as well as you and Bucky.”
The teams stands stunned. “You have kids?” Clint loves kids and wants to know more about this because if Steve marries this guy, he’ll get to be an uncle.
Bucky and Steve turn to the team. Steve looks over, nodding for Bucky to share. “I do what I do because our parents were killed by a drunk driver.” The girls lay their heads on the shoulders of the men holding them. Talking about their parents is still hard. “I was already 18 when it happened, and the girls were so young. I took responsibility for raising them and needed to make good money.” He looks at Natasha. “I always wanted to dance ballet, but I...”
She comes over, placing a hand on Bucky’s arm and a pat to the little girl’s back. “What’s your name, Sweetheart?”
“I’m Rebecca, but everyone calls me Becca. I’m gonna be 8 soon.” She looks over at her sister, still resting her head on Steve’s shoulder. “That’s my twin sister, Hedy.”
Tony’s standing by the TV, watching all this and Steve could swear that his eyes are wet. “Tony, do you understand now?”
“Not only do I understand, but I’m going to support and protect you and the Barnes’s.”
Steve throws himself to the ground, landing with a thud next to Bucky and the girls. Giggling the whole time, the girls climb onto his back. Bucky takes out his phone, taking a picture of them. “Hey, don’t hurt him.”
Steve’s laughing and the girls are grinning. “We’re not gonna hurt him.” Steve reaches around, tickling Hedy.
“Can we hurt him?” Becca looks over at her brother turned father. “I mean, he’s Captain America.”
“Just because he’s Captain America doesn’t mean he can’t get hurt. It just means he heals faster.” Hedy crawls from Steve’s back, to Bucky’s lap. Becca follows, but stops when Steve sits up, staring down at her.
Her look is thoughtful. “Steve?”
“Yes, Becca.” He thinks she’s going to say something funny, but is surprised.
“Is that true? You get hurt when you go away to fight bad guys?” Hedy buries her face in Bucky’s chest, who is looking at Steve worried.
Clearing his throat, Steve pulls Becca into his lap. “Yes, sometimes I do get hurt. Most of the time, I don’t.”
“When you get hurt, are you scared?” The men exchange a look and Steve kisses Becca on the head.
“I get scared a lot.” Hedy raises her head, so Steve continues. “I get scared when I have to leave. I get scared when I don’t see you for a few days. I get scared sometimes just going to sleep.”
“Why?” Now, Hedy is part of the conversation too.
“Well, sometimes when I go to sleep, I have bad dreams that scare me.” Both girls nod at that. “But I know that I’m going to wake up and you’ll be there, and Bucky will be there, and I’m not scared anymore.”
Later that night, when the girls are in bed and sleeping, Bucky checked repeatedly, he crawls in bed with Steve. “Did you mean what you said this afternoon?”
Steve looks over, placing his book on the nightstand. “About the bad dreams?” Bucky hums, so Steve knows that’s it. “Yeah, I meant it. I still dream about before. You know, my mom and the war, even taking the plane down.”
“And we really help with that?” Steve sinks lower in the bed, so he’s face to face with Bucky.
Reaching over, he caresses Bucky’s cheek. “Yeah, I meant that too. Sometimes, the only thing that gets me through the day, or missions, is knowing that you’re here and the girls are here.”
Sitting up, Bucky pushes Steve to his back, straddling his lap. “I think I need to remind you how much you’re loved. Maybe it can keep those bad dreams at bay.”
Steve’s hands come to rest on Bucky’s hips. “Oh, yeah? I think that will help.”
Leaning in, Bucky starts to giggle. “You’re so easy, Steve Rogers.”
“Only for you, Bucky Barnes.”
Christmas in New York is an experience like nothing else. The city is lit up everywhere you turn, and the Tower is an array of green, red, and white lights. Bucky and Steve are returning from ice skating with the girls, hot cocoa in their hands when they enter the Tower. Pictures have been posted everywhere of Cap and his fella. The more questionable papers and social media sites did their digging and found out what Bucky does for a living.
Steve was not happy with the commentary on Bucky’s life, so he took to social media himself, without checking in with PR, and told the world what he thought of anyone that thinks they have the right to judge another person without knowing the circumstances. He doesn’t volunteer any of Bucky’s life, but does go on to say that anyone that thinks they have the right can fuck right off and never count on Captain America to save their asses when they need it. The night Steve did that, Bucky took him to bed, after the girls were asleep, and showed Steve just how bendy he really is. Steve walked around with a sappy smile for three days after that. The man can do things with his hips that should be illegal.
Christmas is in three days, and everything is ready for the celebration. Christmas night is also special because Steve and Bucky are getting married. Tonight though, tonight they took the girls out to celebrate the adoption. Steve and Bucky didn’t want them to ever be left alone, so Steve adopted them to make sure that never happened.
“Well, are we going to watch a movie or play a game?” Nothing has really changed with how they interact, so this is a normal night for everyone, but deep in Steve’s heart, he feels different.
Becca whispers something to her sister. “We need to get something from Aunt Pepper. We’ll be right back.”
They run from the apartment and Steve narrows his eyes at Bucky. The three moved into the Tower with Steve when it became apparent that reporters were going to keep hounding them at their old place. “What is that about?”
Bucky looks over, confused. “I have no idea.”
A few minutes later, the girls come back, handing Steve an envelope. “This is for you...and us...well, everyone.”
Steve’s looking at Bucky again and he’s shaking his head, telling Steve that he has no idea what they’re up to. Opening it, Steve unfolds the paper. His hands start to shake, his face gets blotchy, and he’s tearing up. Bucky goes to him, pulling him into a hug. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
Handing the paper over, Bucky reads it as Steve gathers the girls into his arms. “Are you sure?”
They’re all crying by the time Bucky finishes reading what he has in his hand. He didn’t know. This is a choice the girls made, but now that he sees it, he’s overjoyed because in a few days they all really will be a family. Looking back down, he reads: Rebecca Ann and Hedy Marie Barnes-Rogers. They’re a family.
Three days later, Steve and Bucky, with the girls, make their way to the communal floor to have Christmas morning with the team. Since moving in, everyone seems to have fallen in love with Becca and Hedy. They are spoiled, given comfort, and everyone at their school knows not to mess with them. On a few occasions, when Steve’s on a mission and Bucky’s working, one or more of the Avengers pick the girls up. To everyone else, it’s exciting, to the girls, it’s just family. On most days, Steve and Bucky drop them off and pick them up. Some of the kids, and even adults, have asked questions about the team and what they’re like. Becca and Hedy just smile, never volunteering information.
When the presents have been opened and the girls are giving hugs and thank yous, Pepper pulls out one last gift. She hands it over to Bucky. “What’s this?”
Pepper looks around the room. Everyone seems to be in on it, including the girls. Steve has no idea what’s happening. “We didn’t tell Steve because he sucks at keeping secrets from you.”
Bruce nudges Clint, laughing at the archer. Pepper clears her throat. “None of us have anything against what you do, Bucky. You know that.” He nods. “But we also know that it isn’t what your heart wants.” Looking down at the floor, he nods again. Steve reaches over, taking his hand. “So, I made a few calls.”
Bucky looks unsure. “What did you do?”
She seems really pleased with herself. She hands the box over. “For the next year, you’re going to train and at the end of that time, you’re going to...” She chokes up. “Just read it.”
By the time he’s done, he’s sobbing into Steve’s shoulder. Steve reads the letter. When Bucky’s year of training is over, Pepper’s gotten him a tryout with the New York City Ballet. “Pepper, this is...”
Bucky turns, tears stream down his face. “Thank you.”
That night, they stand, facing each other., Becca with Bucky and Hedy with Steve, and promise to love each other in every lifetime. Everyone is dressed in red, including the grooms and the twinkle of fairy lights in red, green, and gold sparkle above their heads. Bucky has a hard year ahead of him, but he’s looking forward to what it could mean. He wants the girls to see that dreams are possible and stopping on an average day, on the street, outside a coffee shop, and helping Captain America was never a dream he had, but it’s allowed him to live other dreams.
He never believed he would meet someone that would accept the life he has to live. Steve was different from the first meeting and each day; Bucky tells the universe thank you for bringing this special man into his life. As Steve slips the ring on his finger, kissing it to seal his love, Bucky thinks that Christmas does bring miracles and one of those is named Steve.