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Steve looked at the person in front of him and furrowed his brows. “Bucky?” He asked the man in the chair.
His hair was longer than it had ever been, and his face had cuts and bruises on it. Though Steve could still see who it was.
The man looked up at him blinking his eyes open slightly as he looked at the person in front of him. “Stevie?” He asked voice hoarse.
Steve froze as someone came over the earpiece. “Hey, Cap you’re going to want to get out of there soon. The place is rigged to blow in less than two minutes.”
Steve sighed as he pulled Bucky to his feet. “Alright, I’m on it. I’m going to need a ride. Got a hostage with me.”
“Alright, where are you?” Tony asked coming over the comms.
“I’m going to try and make it to the roof. Only have one or two flights of stairs.” He said as he headed towards the staircase. “Can you catch him?”
“How big is he?” Tony asked as he headed towards the roof.
“Roughly my size give or take a few pounds.” Steve said as he pushed them through the door. “I’ll be right behind you. Thor can you come help?”
“On my way.” He answered as Steve made it to the rood.
“Tony, the bombs got thirty seconds left.” Natasha’s voice came over the comms. “You gotta get them out of there.”
“Steve where are you?” He asked as he looked around the roof.
“Coming out now.” He said as he ran onto the roof.
Steve jumped off the roof passing Bucky to Tony as he started to fall. Within a few moments Thor grabbed him from the sky as the building blew up below them.
They headed towards the Quinn Jet as Natasha and Clint started it up. “Everyone in?”
“Yeah.” Tony said as he set Bucky down while Steve got out of Thor’s arms.
“Can you have JARVIS scan him?” Steve asked as he knelt beside him brushing his hair out of his face.
Tony nodded as he looked at him having JARVIS scan him as he looked at Steve. “Do you know him?” He asked making Steve sigh.
“Yes, this is Bucky.” He said as he looked up at him.
They looked at him and blinked for a moment before Natasha broke the silence. “You mean Bucky as in your best friend Bucky?”
“Exactly.” Steve said nodding as they headed back to the compound.
~*~
It had been a week since they’d found Bucky and Steve was sitting next to him in the S.H.I.E.L.D med bay. Steve was reading a book when Bucky shifted and opened his eyes slightly.
“Are you still reading that same book?” He asked voice cracking as Steve looked over at him.
“Buck. Hey, there you are.” He said setting the book down as he reached to grab his hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over.” He said groaning as he shifted a little. “Can I get some water?”
“Yeah, yeah of course.” Steve said as he reached grabbed the cup pouring some into it with a bendy straw as he helped him drink it.
After a few minutes he cleared his throat. “Where…uh…where am I?” He asked as he looked at him.
“That is a difficult question to answer.” Steve said as he sat down and explained a little bit of what he could.
Over the course of the next few months Steve helped Bucky get up to speed on everything that had happened over the past seven decades.
As Bucky got the hang of things he was introduced to the team and everyone else one by one. Soon becoming a part of the little family, they had created.
~*~
Steve went on a run like he did every morning before going to meet up with Bucky. Bucky had called him earlier and asked to meet up at his place.
Steve knocked on the door wiping using his shirt to wipe his forehead.
Bucky opened the door and saw Steve smiling as he leaned against the door frame. “Well, that certainly is a nice view to open the door too.” He said making Steve chuckle.
“Sorry, you caught me at the end of my run, so I just extended it here.” He said putting his shirt down. “So, what did you need to talk about?”
“Us.” He said as he opened the door a bit. “Come on in.”
“Normally a statement like that means trouble.” He responded stepping into the apartment. “Where’s Sam?” he asked not seeing him around.
“He’s out. He’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about.” He said rubbing the back of his neck.
Steve looked at him raised an eyebrow as he tilted his head. “Okay? What does that mean? You guys aren’t having problems, are you?”
“No, no, of course not, far from it.” He said smiling as he moved to sit down. “You can sit.” He said gesturing to the couch.
Steve nodded as he sat down making sure not to lean on the back of it. “So…what’s this about exactly?”
“Well, I’m going to propose to Sam.” He said clasping his hands together as he looked at Steve.
“What? That’s great congratulations.” He said smiling as he clapped his hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah, thanks. It’s great he makes me really happy.” He said smiling softly as he licked his lips. “As much as you made me happy.”
Steve looked at him and smiled softly. “Do you need helping to plan it?”
Bucky shook his head as he looked at him. “No, I got that covered. I just…I need to be divorced first.”
Steve looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “You’re not married.” He said as he looked at him.
Bucky looked at him and blinked for a moment. “Uh…yeah, I am…although I think I should say we are.” He said giving him a pointed look.
Steve looked at him and blinked eyes wide. “Oh…shit. Right.” He said as he blushed a little.
“Hey, language.” He said rolling his eyes. “I’m hurt, was I really that forgettable?”
“No, no of course not.” He said shaking his head as he panicked a little. “I uh…I just…I didn’t think about it.”
“I realized that.” He said nodding as he leaned back into his chair. “I don’t mind I really don’t.” He said shrugging. “I came to terms with us ending a year or so after I got back.”
“You know, I’d thought about us over the years. Before I was with Tony though sometimes even after.” He said as he reached over and took his hands.
“This world is so different from when we grew up. Sometimes I felt like I was doing a disservice by getting with Tony and being so open.” He said as he looked at his hands. “I still the ring.” He said chuckling a little.
“Tony doesn’t know about that.” He said as he sighed.
“Wait…he doesn’t know about us? Or that you kept my ring?” Bucky asked raising an eyebrow.
“No.” He said as he fiddled with his friends fingers. “I didn’t think it was something he needed to know. I mean at the time I thought you were dead. So, I came to terms with things on my own.”
Bucky looked at him as he cupped his cheek gently making him look up at him. “You always were one to take the brunt of the burden on yourself. You don’t have to face anything alone. Not then and not now.”
Steve looked at him and sighed taking a deep breath. “I know.” He said nodding as he leaned into his hand a little. “I do. I can’t believe that it’s taken me almost a hundred years to figure it out.” He said chuckling a little as he looked at Bucky.
They looked at each other for a moment as Steve glanced at his lips for a moment. Bucky did the same as they got caught up in the moment.
It wasn’t clear who leaned in first as their lips met in a slow soft kiss. The two stayed like that for a moment as the door opened to Sam standing in the doorway.
They broke apart both looking over to the doorway as Sam looked at the two of them. The three of them stared at each other as Steve stood up.
“I uh… I need to go. I’m sorry.” He said as he hurried out of the apartment.
“Sam, that uh that’s not what it looked like.” He said as he stood up.
“So, it didn’t look like you were just kissing your best friend?” He asked raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms.
“Okay, okay.” He said putting his hands up. “I need to explain something to you.” He said as he gestured to the couch. “Sit down and I’ll explain what I can.”
Sam looked at him for a moment before moving to sit down waiting for an explanation.
~*~
After Steve left Bucky and Sam’s apartment he headed back towards his in Brooklyn that he’d turned into a studio of sorts.
He went there whenever he needed to get away and wanted a little simplicity put back in his life.
Though nothing was simple now. He couldn’t get over what he had done. He’d kissed Bucky. Legally it wasn’t wrong. Though morally everything else was screwed up.
He headed into the apartment and went over to the closet pulling out a box of old mementos. He sat down next to the closet with the box in his lap as he opened it.
In the box were a few pictures of him and Bucky together on the day they’d gotten married. Steve felt bad for forgetting about it. He felt bad for kissing him after all this time.
He looked through the pictures with a sad smile on his face and tears in his eyes setting them aside as he pulled out the ring at the bottom of the box.
He stared at it as he twirled it around in his fingers before slipping it on his finger above the one had for Tony.
He stared at it for a long time until there was a soft knock on the door before it opened. “Steve?” The voice asked making him look up.
“Tony?” He asked setting the box aside as he wiped his eyes sniffling a little. “Hey.” He said standing up as Tony entered.
“Hey, are you alright?” He asked as he walked over to him putting a hand on his shoulder.
Steve looked at him and nodded as he sniffled a little. “Yeah, I uh…just thinking about things.”
“Oh?” He asked tilting his head as smirked slightly. “Anything interesting?” He asked as he went to kiss his cheek.
Steve gently stepped away making Tony look up at him. “Did I do something?”
“No, no, I did.” Steve said shaking his head. “I uh…we need to talk.” He said as he moved to sit down on the couch.
“That’s not good.” Tony said as he followed him. “What’s got you so worked up?”
Steve stared at his hand for a moment as they sat down before taking the ring off. “Here.” He said holding it out to him.
“What’s this for?” Tony asked as he looked at the ring. “This isn’t the one I gave you.”
“No.” Steve said shaking his head as he looked at his hands. “It’s the one Bucky gave me.”
“Bucky gave you a ring?” He asked raising an eyebrow. “When?”
“About eighty some years ago.” He said sniffling. “Back during the war, we were uh…together. After the serum and I saved him, we had some time. So, we took one of the Commando’s and found someone who was ordained and had a little ceremony. There are pictures over there.”
Tony looked at him and nodded softly. “You were married to your best friend. That’s not what’s got you all upset.” He said brushing his hair out of his face.
“No.” He said closing his eyes for a moment. “Technically we’re not married. I’m still legally married to Bucky. He called me this morning at the end of my run and wanted to talk. He wants to Propose to Sam.”
“That’s great. The two of them seem happy together.”
“They are.” Steve said nodding. “I quite possibly just ruined that.” He said leaning back into the couch as he squeezed his eyes shut. “When I was talking to Bucky, we uh…we kissed.”
Tony looked at him tensing slightly. “This is the first and only time since he’s been back?”
“Yeah, yes, definitely. There was nothing else ever.” He said as he looked at him pleadingly. “I don’t know how it happened or who did what first. I’m sorry, Tony I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
Tony looked at him and nodded. “Two things I’ve gotten out of this are that we aren’t legally married, and you seem to have some underlying feelings for him still.”
Steve looked at him as he thought about it and sighed. “I mean. He was my first. Everything pretty much. I don’t think it’s that surprising that there’s still something there.”
Tony looked at him and nodded as he gently took his hand. “Hey, big guy. It’s okay.” He said kissing the back of his hand gently. “We’ll figure this out. I think you should probably talk with Bucky and see if there’s something on his end.”
“But what about Sam?” He asked squeezing his hand gently. “How is he going to feel about this?”
“Hopefully he’ll be able as understanding as I am.” He said as he leaned into his arm a little. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know that until you figure out what's going to happen with Bucky that doesn’t change much between us.”
Steve closed his eyes for a moment as he pulled him close and kissed his head. He wrapped his arms around him and sighed. “I love you so much Anthony Stark.”
“That’s Anthony Stark-Rogers to you.” He said tapping his cheek before Steve’s phone rang.
Steve sighed as he ran a hand through his hair as he closed his eyes. “Can you get that?” He asked as he listened to it ring.
Tony made a noise of affirmation as he picked the phone up off the table and answered it. “Steve Stark-Rogers-Barnes’ phone.” Tony answered as he looked to him. “How did you and Bucky do the last name thing?”
“Oh god. Tony.” He said eyes wide as he sighed. “Give me the phone.”
“Hello? Anyone there?” The person on the other end spoke.
“Oh Sorry.” Tony said as he went back to the phone. “Sorry may I ask who’s calling?”
“Uh…this is Mr. Gerald. At the V.A. Center.” The man said. “Steven was supposed to speak at a support group today.”
“One moment.” Tony said as he looked to Steve. “Do you know anything about going to the V.A. today?” He asked raising an eyebrow.
“Oh right.” He said nodding as he took the phone from Tony. “Hey, Barney yeah, sorry I know. I spaced today. I’ll be there in about thirty minutes if the guys want to hang around.”
“Of course, Steven. Are you sure? From the way the phone was answered you seem to have a lot going on. I’m sure the guys wouldn’t mind rescheduling for another day.”
“No, no, this’ll be good. Help me clear my head. It’s as much for me as it is for them.” He said nodding. “I’ll see you guys in a bit alright.” He said before hanging up.
Tony looked at him and raised an eyebrow looking up at him. “You really think you can do this?”
Steve looked at him and nodded. “Yeah, I can do this. Like I said it’ll be good for me. These meetings with the guys help me process things. Most of them went through similar things. Even if they don’t know it, they helped me come to terms with who I am.”
Tony looked at him and nodded as he stood up. “Alright. Then I’m going to go talk Sam and see how he’s fairing in all this.”
Steve looked at him and nodded. “I think he would like that. I uh…how did you know I was here?”
Tony blushed a little and shrugged. “I uh…Bucky may have called me and said you might need someone to talk to. Though he didn’t tell me anything about what happened.”
Steve nodded and sighed. “I thought so.” He said smiling as he squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. “I’ll call you later.” He said as he headed towards the bathroom.
Tony nodded and let out a breath as he headed out calling Sam.
~*~
Bucky sighed after smoothing things over with Sam thankfully he understood at least somewhat about the situation.
Soon after they finished Tony had called and asked to meet up. They thought it was strange though understood it as well.
That’s how Bucky ended up at the V.A. and listening to the last few minutes of Steve’s group.
“I know in this day and age the kids and some grown ups don’t mind about us being with someone of the same gender but it’s still hard. I remember the first time I ever mentioned being with a boy to my pa he tanned my hide really good.” One of the men said shaking his head.
A few of the other’s nodded and shook their heads as they thought of their similar experiences.
“That’s one thing I had going for me.” Steve spoke as he looked at his hands. “I never had to tell either one of my parents. My dad was never around growing up and my Ma. Well, she died before I joined the army.”
“Captain this might be a little forward, but would you mind if we asked about what happened earlier? I mean you were late and that’s not like you.”
Steve looked at them and hummed as he raised up a little. “It’s a little family issue. Although it’s pretty big.” He said chuckling a little. “You all know that I’m married to Tony Stark.” He said as they all nodded.
“Yeah, of course. When you came back from the honeymoon you couldn’t stop smiling for two weeks.” Charles said as they all laughed.
“Yeah.” He said nodding. “I hadn’t been that happy in a long time.” He said as he puled out a few pictures. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever be that happy again. This will be a shock to most of you but I’m getting a divorce.”
There were gasps through the group before one spoke up. “Wait…why? Last time we talked about Tony you were still head over heels.” Patrick said furrowing his brows.
“Yes, and we are. It’s not from him.” he said chuckling a little. “It’s from that strange man in the corner back there.” He said nodding towards it.
Bucky looked at them eyes wide for a moment before he cleared his throat. “I uh…didn’t think you knew I was here.”
“Buck if there’s one person, I know from everyone in the crowd it’s you.” He said turning to look at him. “Do you mind me talking about this?”
“Not at all. It’s your story as well as mine. If this helps, then go for it. The world will probably know soon.” He said as he moved closer to the group.”
“Oh, don’t worry Sergeant Barnes. Nothing we talk about here ever leaves this room.” Stanley said looking over at him.
“It’s James or Bucky. I never thought you would.” He said smiling at him as he stood behind Steve. “Though I think it’s time we stop hiding.” He said directing it at Steve.
“We haven’t been hiding for the last few years.” He said raising an eyebrow.
“Not really. But except for our partners and this small group no one knows about us. Maybe if we spoke out it would help service members today?”
Steve looked at him and hummed. “That might be a good idea. As long as it’s not set up like those PSA’s I had to do.” He said chuckling.
“It won’t be. We’ll have that kid Peter help us. He’s tech savvy.” Bucky said patting his shoulder. “We have things to discuss.”
Steve nodded as he looked to group and smiled. “Well, I think that’s it for today. Same time next week?” He asked as the other’s nodded and stood up heading out as they shook hands with one another.
Bucky and Steve started putting the chairs away. “So, what did you want to talk about?” He asked looking to Bucky.
“What exactly are we going to do? I mean you said it yourself we’re going to get divorced.”
“It’s only right. I mean we both have partners to consider. Like you said earlier you knew we were ending.” He said as he stacked a few chairs. “It’s not like we can’t be friends. Or that one of us cheated.”
Bucky smirked slightly. “Well, technically you did kind of cheat on me for the last six years.” He said making Steve roll his eyes.
“By that logic you’ve been doing the same for the last four.” He said shaking his head as he hummed. “It’s not going to change much. It’s a legality at this point.”
Bucky looked at him and nodded as they put away the last of the chairs. “Right. I do have a question.” He said licking his lips. “If you weren’t with Tony would there, be a future for us?”
Steve looked at him as he thought about it for a moment. “I think there would be. Bucky I still love you and I’ll always love you. I don’t know how to not love you.” He said as he leaned against the wall.
Bucky walked over to him and nodded. “I understand what you mean. Even if neither one of us acted on whatever we felt it was still there.”
“So…how do we work this out?” He asked tilting his head. “We get divorced and then just stay best friends and ignore everything we have?”
“That doesn’t seem right. Not for us and not for Tony or Sam. The divorce proceedings can take a while before t’s official.” He explained as he hummed.
“We could save the money and the time and convert to a religion that allows multiple partners.” Steve joked.
Bucky nudged his arm and rolled his eyes. “I don’t think either one of us would be willing to do that neither would the other’s.”
“I was joking.” Steve said rolling his eyes as he looked at Bucky. “You still look as handsome as ever. Sam’s a lucky guy. I don’t care if you’re my best friend you hurt him, and I will hurt you.”
“I could say the same about you and Tony.” He said as they walked out. “I know how you are in a relationship you start being a dick and I’ll take his side.”
The two walked out in comfortable silence for a moment as they thought about everything. “So, we still love each other? That’s not going to change.” Steve said as he looked at him the backs of their hands brushing against each other.
Bucky looked at him and shook his head. “I don’t think so. Our love seems to have transcended decades.” He said smiling softly.
“I never thought this would be us. I thought we would be it for each other.” Steve said humming. “I thought I’d only ever have one love.” He said as he thought about something. “There might be something we can do about this.”
“What do you mean?” Bucky asked titling his head. “What hairbrained idea do you have?”
“It’s not hairbrained. Just…follow me.” He said before taking him back to his studio.
~*~
Steve and Bucky sat on the couch at the tower as they waited for Tony and Sam. Sam was on his way and Tony was finishing up a meeting.
The two whispered to themselves as they waited for their partners. They stopped talking as there was a knock on the door and Tony walked in.
“Yes, of course I will get right on that. Now I hate to cut this short, but I have a family matter to attend to. Goodbye.” He said tapping the button on his earpiece and took it out.
“I thought he would never let me go.” Tony said as he looked at them. “Why do you two look so serious?”
“This is a serious matter.” Bucky said as he brought Sam into the room. “The four of us need to talk.”
“You’re not breaking up with us, are you?” Tony halfheartedly joked as he sat across from them.
Steve shook his head as he looked at him. “No, but we are divorcing each other. That way Tony and I can be legally married.” He said looking to Sam.
“Okay, I can get my lawyers started on the paperwork and fast track it a little.” Tony said shrugging.
“That’s not all this is about, is it?” Sam asked as he looked at the two of them. “There’s more.”
“Yes.” Bucky said nodding as he clasped his hands together. “I want to start this off by saying I love you so much. I can’t imagine a life with out you by my side. However, I also can’t imagine a life without Steve.”
“If you’re going to make us, choose, I’m out.” Tony said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“No, we’re not making you choose. We are choosing you two respectively.” Steve explained as he sighed. “But we do love each other, and we always will. Now we will have to work out the details if you two are okay with is.”
“Okay with what exactly?” Sam asked raising an eyebrow a little worried about what they had in mind.
“I came across this term when I first came back from the ice. I didn’t look into it much cause it didn’t apply to me. Though it stuck with me.” Steve said as he glanced to Bucky. “So today while we were out, we looked into it. I…we believe that we are polyamorous.”
The two looked at them for a moment and nodded. “So, how do you think this is going to work?” Sam asked raising an eyebrow.
“The way we see it is that we have two main relationships.” Bucky started. “I will be in a primary relationship with you and Steve will be in one with Tony.” He said gesturing in turn.
“Okay, so you two still want to be together while being with us?” Tony asked titling his head a little.
“Yes, only If you’re comfortable with it. It’s going to be an adjustment and there’s going to be rules we need to discuss. We’ll probably mess up, but it wouldn’t be fair to anyone in the situation if we didn’t tell you guys.” Steve explained as he worried at his lip.
Tony nodded along to what he was saying before looking to Sam. “I’m okay with this if you are.”
Sam looked at him and blinked for a moment before looking to Bucky. “I would be open to discussing this further. Figuring everything out. I don’t know much about what this is.”
Both Steve and Bucky looked hopeful as they watched him. “You mean that?” Bucky asked love and adoration in his eyes.
Sam smiled at him and nodded. “I do. If this is who you are then I’d love to be a part of it if you’re willing to have me.” He said smiling softly.
Bucky got up and moved closer to him kissing him gently. “Of course, I am.” He said cupping his cheeks.
Tony chuckled a little as he moved to sit next to Steve. “Does this mean we have to plan our wedding again?” He asked raising an eyebrow.
“Not really. We could just put our suits on have a small thing down at the courthouse. Though we don’t even have to do that.” Steve replied smiling as he wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“I kind of want to have a party at least though.” He said humming. “Who knows if this takes a while, we could do a double wedding.” Tony said making both Steve and Bucky laugh.
~*~
Over the course of the next few months the four figured out how to navigate their new relationship.
It was strange at first as they found their boundaries and learned to communicate a lot more than they had originally.
They were keeping it under wraps as they figured everything out before letting everyone know.
Steve and Bucky had gone a date and were apparently a little carless. That’s how Steve ended up sitting in Pepper’s office as she looked at him with her arms crossed.
“Would you mind explaining this?” She asked showing him a magazine cover with him and Bucky dancing. “Or even the picture on page fifty with him kissing your cheek?”
Steve sighed running a hand through his hair. “It’s not what it looks like Ms. Potts.”
“Steve don’t pull the Ms. Potts thing with my right now. Tell me now if you’re cheating on him.”
“No, no, I’m not.” He said shaking his head. “I wouldn’t do that.” He said looking at her.
“Then what’s that?!” She asked pointing to the magazine. “How do you not consider that cheating?”
“It’s not cheating cause Tony knows. So does Sam. We’re trying something out. Something people don’t know is that I was and still am technically married to Bucky.”
Pepper looked at him and blinked as she took a deep breath. “So, you and Tony entered into some kind of relationship with Bucky and Sam?” She asked furrowing her brows.
“No, I am in a relationship with Bucky and Tony while he is in a relationship with me and Sam.” He explained taking a breath. “Bucky and I realized that we’re Polyamorous. So, we’re dating each other while also having other partners.” He explained as he swallowed slightly.
“Were you ever going to tell me about this? Steve in the eyes of the world you are Tony Stark’s husband. I am I charge of his PR. Which by extension goes to you.” She said sighing.
“I know, I know and I’m sorry. We didn’t think it through yesterday. But we already planned to come out and explain everything.” He said as he stood up. “Tony’s probably getting a laugh about this. Sam might be a little upset and Bucky. Well, he’s probably annoyed.”
She looked at him and sighed. “Alright, go talk with them and before any of you say anything run it by me first.” She said pointedly.
Steve looked at her for a moment and nodded before leaving and pulling out his phone as it rang.
He saw the caller ID was Bucky and let out a breath. “Hey.” He said as he answered quickly.
“Hey, have you seen the paper?” He asked as he leaned against the counter.
“No, but I have seen the tabloids.” He said sighed. “I just got in trouble with Pepper.”
“Ohh… she didn’t throw anything at you, did she?” He asked chuckling. “Reminds me a lot about Peggy.”
“She really does.” He said nodding as he sighed. “I explained our situation a little. She wants us to give her our statements before we say anything to the public. How’s Sam doing?”
“He’s doing alright. More mortified than anything I think.” He said chuckling a little. “I’m sure Tony’s having a field day.”
“Don’t even go there. He’ll want to play this up.” He said rolling his eyes. “I’m heading over to talk to him now. Then we can all figure out when to do the video.”
“We’re not going to let her give us some bland press pleasing speech, are we?” He asked thinking about it.
“No, we’ll give her our statements and then If she doesn’t like it, she can deal with it.” He said shrugging as he put his hand in his pocket.
“Normally you’re a people pleaser.” He mused humming.
“Yeah, well I’m tired of being the people pleaser. You can’t please everyone.” Steve said as he shrugged. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”
Bucky smiled a little. “I love you too Stevie. Talk later.” He said before hanging up.
Steve headed to the tower and sighed softly as he ran a hand over his face. “JARVIS. Is Tony in his workshop?” He asked as he headed towards the penthouse.
“He is Captain Rogers.” The AI responded quickly. “He is helping young Mr. Parker on an assignment.”
“I see.” He said nodding as he smiled as he headed up. “Let them know I’m on my way up.”
“Right away.” He said as Steve headed up towards the workshop.
The doors opened and he looked over at the two of them. “You two seem to be having fun.” He stated seeing the two covered in oil as Dum-E beeped at him.
Steve chuckled as he patted the bot’s claw. “Hey buddy.” He said smiling as he beeped happily.
“Hey honey.” Tony said smiling over at him. “Dum-E got a little excited when he had to oil part of the project.”
Steve nodded as he walked over to them grabbing a towel. “Have you two been in here all day?” He asked raising an eyebrow.
“For a few hours.” Tony said as he leaned up to kiss Steve.
He put the towel in front of him pushing him away. “Uh-uh…these are my good clothes.”
“Ah come on.” Tony said pouting slightly as he crossed his arms.
“Try getting oil out of this.” He said pointing to the shirt. “Ma would be rolling around in her grave if she knew how many shirts got ruined.”
“You’re no fun.” He said huffing. “Go change cause we’ll be working on this for a while, and I want a kiss.” He said turning back to the project.
“Alright, alright. I gotta tune up my motorcycle anyway.” He said as he stretched a little. “Have you heard the news?”
“What’s that?” Tony asked as Steve stepped to the little changing area they’d made.
“Apparently I’m cheating you on with Bucky.” He said laughing a little. “Someone caught us when we went out the other day.”
“We knew someone would spot you two eventually. Did Pepper see it?”
“Yeah, she’s the one that told me about it. So, I told her about us. Talked to Bucky a little. Sam is worried about their reputations I think.” He said as he came out from the changing area.
“I see.” He said chuckling a little as he hummed. “How is she handling this?”
“She’s not we are.” He said as he walked over to Peter. “Pete here is helping Bucky and I put together a coming out video of sorts. Along with probably an explanation now as well.”
“Oh, speaking of which I was thinking we could get together this Saturday and talk about what you want to do and how you want it set up. We can even have Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stark talk about their experience with the whole thing.” Peter said in a breath as he turned to look at Steve.
“Why are you all jittery?” Steve asked raising an eyebrow as he looked at the teenager.
“OH! MJ got me this drink. I think it’s called a monster.” He said curiously.
“Right.” He said nodding making Tony sigh.
“Remind me not to give you caffeine.” Steve said as he leaned against the table a little. “I’ll let Bucky know though I think that should work.”
Peter nodded as he clapped his hands together. “Good! I’ll make sure everything’s set up. Ohh but we’ll have to change the meeting place. I was thinking instead of my place we could do it here or even at Mr. Barnes’ place.”
“I have my little studio. There’s probably enough room to do it there.” Steve said nodding as tony stood next to him.
“I’d be happy to come over and talk about how great you are.” He said kissing his cheek.
Steve rolled his eyes as he looked at him. “No, it’s about how you have dealt with me and Bucky being together.”
“Same thing.” He said waving his hand. “You want me to help you bring the motorcycle up?” Tony asked gently squeezing his hand.
Steve looked at him and raised an eyebrow before nodding knowing that Tony needed to say something.
They walked out towards the elevator before either one spoke. “I need to talk to you about Peter.”
“Is something wrong?” Steve asked getting worried for the kid. “Is he alright.”
“Oh yeah, he’s fine.” Tony said nodding. “He’s doing pretty good. It’s more about his aunt.”
“Aunt May?” He asked raising an eyebrow. “Is she alright?” He asked as they stepped into the elevator.
“She’s not doing so good. Got some kind of illness that they haven’t been able to pin down. She’s done what she can for Peter, but I was thinking that maybe he could stay with us for the time being.”
Steve looked at him and nodded. “I don’t see why not. If it helps both may and Peter. I wouldn’t mind having him.”
Tony looked at him and smiled. “I knew you would be okay with it. I just wanted too double check. I’m sure it will.” He said as they he put his bike in the garage and headed up towards the workshop again.
~*~
Steve sighed as he stood up on the podium. “Good afternoon, everyone.” He announced as he waved to them. “I’m sure you’ve all seen the paper’s and the news articles. Today I’m here to put an end to the rumors surrounding my infidelity.”
There were a few whispers among the group before they quieted down. “I have not and never will cheat on Tony or anyone else. I do not condone it and I believe that if someone did then they don’t love their partner as much as they say.”
There were nods of agreement as some let out whoops of agreement. “Now, you also know that I’m not good with public speaking so instead of trying to go on or give some speech that’s been written for me. I’ve had some help putting a video together to explain everything.”
Steve stepped back towards the wall while the lights dimmed, and the projector turned on. It showed Steve standing in the middle of a room looking at the camera.
“Is it on?” He asked looking behind the camera.
“Sure is Mr. Rogers.” A voice responded making him nod.
“Okay, wow. I uh…not sure where to start. I know you probably all saw the news. I want to put an end to it. Hopefully this helps people like me. Uh…back before I got the serum that made me who I am and even during that I knew I was different.”
“I kept it hidden for a long time. Probably too long. It was acceptable back then and even now there are still hurdles to face every day.” He explained as he swallowed.
“So, one day I got married to the love of my life. At least that’s what I thought. Growing up I was a sickly child. I didn’t think I would make it to adult hood. Then I did. Then I thought the war was going to kill me. So, we got married.”
“We had to keep it secret from many people and I hated doing that. To keep everyone safe no one could know. I came back from the ice and over time fell in love again. I couldn’t believe that I got two loves in my lifetime.”
“Sometimes I felt like it was wrong to be so open with this relationship. I got to do everything and more with Tony than I ever did with my first husband.” Steve said taking a deep breath.
“This is not only my story but it’s also the story of my best friend.” He said as he gestured behind the camera.
Bucky walked on screen as hugging Steve as he walked off. He looked at the Camera and nodded. “Hey, I uh… guess I’m supposed to speak now. As Stevie said he was married once before and so was I.”
“We got married to each other during the height of the war. We loved each other then and still do now. But we also love other people just as much. Tony and Steve are great together and I’m glad that he was able to find someone to love him.”
“I was talking to him one months ago when we found out that legally he isn’t actually married to Tony cause he’s still married to me.” He said as he looked over to where Steve was. “I still haven’t forgiven you for having an extramarital affair.”
“Oh my god Bucky give it a rest. That’s not going to help out case.” Steve was heard from off camera making them laugh.
“Would he be considered your paramour or am I going to be that now?” Bucky asked tilting his head.
Steve sighed as he came back onto the screen. “This is what I had to deal with. Try having him and Tony in the same room. As he was saying we’re married.”
“But we are getting divorced.” Bucky interjected with an arm around Steve. “That way he can legally be married to his husband.”
“However, we are staying together.” Steve said smiling softly. “It wouldn’t be right to each other or our partners if we kept our feelings hidden.”
“So, after like four hours of an internet deep dive as I now know that’s what it’s called, we came upon the term polyamory.” Bucky explained smiling.
“We looked into more and more together and on our own. We talked about it with out partners. Then over the course of the next few months we figured things out with ourselves and partners.”
“So, we’re here to tell you that we are Polyamorous. Stevie and I are in a relationship with each other. He is also with tony while I am with Sam Wilson.”
“Both of which would like to talk about their experience with all this.” Steve said as they smiled at the camera before it switched to Tony sitting on a couch.
“Mr. Stark I’m going to be asking you questions about your relationship with Captain Rogers in light of recent events.” Someone asked off camera.
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you kid?” He asked raising an eyebrow.
“Very.” He said nodding as a click was heard. “So, what were your first thoughts when Captain Rogers told you about him being married?”
“I thought it was slightly funny. This whole thing is. I mean I was married once before myself.” He said shrugging. “Though I made sure to get divorced.” He said winking at the camera.
“How long had you been married before you were with Mr. Rogers?” The voice asked in an inquisitive tone.
“Close to a decade, I think. He wanted to get married, so we got divorced. It was a drunken one-night stand thing.” He said smiling. “We’re still very good friends today and he was even my best man. Probably will be again.”
“Right, how did you feel when Captain Rogers first mentioned the idea of being in a Polyamorous relationship?”
“I’ve known about being Polyamorous for a while. Not that I ever was but I knew people who were. Some older than me and some younger. I didn’t think it was the life for me.”
“What made you change your mind in this situation?”
“Well, I love Steve simple as that. I didn’t see myself with anyone for a long time until he came around. I promised to love him an cherish him for everything that he is. So, if he wants to have a boyfriend, I don’t see why I should stand in the way.”
“Just to clarify you are okay with Captain Rogers dating his ex-husband?”
“Yes, there was an adjustment period, but I think we’ve learned a lot about each other, and I think it’s made us even closer.”
“Alright, I do believe that is everything. Thank you for coming Mr. Stark this has been really enlightening.”
Tony looked at the kid and chuckled a little shaking his head. “Anytime kid. Anytime thank you for having me.”
Soon after that clip ended another one started with Sam rubbing his hands together. “I hate interviews.”
“This isn’t an interview Mr. Wilson.” The previous voice said as he raised an eyebrow.
“You have this set up a lot like an interview kid. How many questions are there?”
“Only a few. The first one being what did you first feel upon your boyfriend first mention of him dating his ex?”
“Well, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know much about it. So, I was open to learning and hearing more about it. I probably had a worse time coming to terms with everything.”
“I see. Was there ever a part of you that resented Captain Rogers?”
“Steve? No, of course not.” He said shaking his head. “The dude’s my best friend. Not to mention he’s a war hero. One I looked up too growing up.”
There was scribbling heard as it was quiet for a few moments. “Alright then next question. How long did it take you to come to terms with everything?”
“I’m not sure I can answer that one. It is extremely weird for me knowing that my boyfriend is dating someone else, but I love him. This is part of who he is. I’ve seen his journey from then to know and I can’t change him so I might as well be with him as it goes one.”
“Last question was there ever a point in time where you thought that Mr. Barnes would stay with Captain Rogers?”
There was silence for a moment before he shook his head. “No, when I first found out about the two of them, I was shocked and a little hurt but after everything was explained it helped a little. I knew while he still loved Steve and I’ll always love the guy in a bro type way that it wasn’t exactly the same as what we have. I’m glad they found each other again and I’m excited to go on this journey with all of them.”
Peter smiled and nodded. “That’s good thank you for coming in today. It’s been wonderful.” He said as Sam looked at him and nodded before he got up and headed out.
Peter stood in front of the camera and smiled. “There you have it folks. Both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stark are comfortable with this and have known from the beginning. Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes want to dedicate this video to all of those that had to wait to be who they were and those that never got to share it.”
“In memory of their fallen comrades that weren’t able to share their truth. They are finally telling theirs.” Peter said smiling before he ended the video.
The lights came back on as they press sat there eyes wide as they stared at the screen.
After a few moments Steve stepped back onto the stage with Bucky behind him. “Well, there you have it. That is our truth. As it said at the end from our amazing camera man. This is to those who couldn’t tell their truth. Some still can’t. We hope that this gives people the courage to tell their truth. Only when they’re ready.”
Bucky nodded as he held Steve’s hand. “I didn’t think I would have a second chance at life or with Stevie here. I barely even had the first one. So, to the family and friends of those we lost you’re not alone. Tell your truth.”
There was clapping from the sides as their friends hollered while the press agents were raising their hands. “Captain Rogers how does it feel knowing that you while unintentionally cheated on your husband?”
“I’m not sure that’s a fair question.” Bucky said as he looked at the reporter. “While he may have been with someone else, I was too. If you say he cheated, then so did I. I had plenty of times to talk to him about being with Tony and I never did. He was happy and I was happy for him.”
“Does that mean you’re not happy now?” Another one asked raising an eyebrow.
“That is not what I meant, and you know it. I am happy that we have found each other and that he has found someone to love him as much as I do.”
“Were your partners forced to make this video?” One asked in the background.
Steve and Bucky stood there for a moment before Tony stepped up onto the stage clearing his throat.
“Hey, hi, excuse me. I’m in that video and I can’t tell you that I was not forced to do anything. No one has forced me to do anything since my father was trying to control my life.”
“Mr. Stark how do you feel knowing that Captain Rogers lied to you?”
“About what exactly?” He asked tilting his head. “I see no lie anywhere. He may not have told me he was married but as far as he knew the man was dead and until a few months ago nothing had happened between them.”
“See this is why I said we should’ve gotten the younger reporters.” Sam said as he came up onto the stage. “They would understand this better.” He said looking at them.
“I do believe that we have given you all the explanation you need. We are happy and together. This may not be how things were done before but we’re not the first people to have a relationship like this.” Bucky said as Steve nodded.
“We wanted to share our story and explain those pictures and, in the process, help service members come to terms with who they are. New and old. They’re still people. We’re still people.” Steve said nodding as the four of them left the stage and walked out of the room.
After the press conference the video that was then posted to every major social media platform got millions of views and likes.
It also prompted other service members to come forward with their stories and their truths and everything they went through.
It also made some teenagers come out and tell their truth. Soon everyone was telling one truth or another about who they were.
Even over a year later when Tony and Steve planned their wedding deciding to make a double wedding with Bucky and Sam. They were still getting tagged in video’s talking about other people’s truths.