Top John Walker propaganda

The landing strip for their jet had been ready since the night before. John was simply sitting on the ground, legs crossed, when Bob found him.

It was the big day, the one John, and maybe even Bucky, hadn't wanted to come.

In the center of the runway, their jet had been parked to the side to make room for the same sort of platform Steve had used to arrive in their time almost three months earlier.

Dr. Doom hadn't shown up again, for the time being, and it was time for Steve to go home to Peggy and their baby.

Not that John was happy about it.

He had changed so much in those three months.

He had cleared the air with Bucky and Sam, and it felt like something inside him had finally healed. Like he was finally at peace.

Having Steve there had made him calmer, wiser. As if having the approval of his greatest idol had finally healed all the traumas and fears of that period of his life.

Captain America's shield had truly been nothing but a source of misfortune for him.

He had lost Lemar and Olivia in the space of a few years, something that had destroyed him far too much, something he perhaps would never have admitted.

Liam had been born, and he hadn't even been able to enjoy this new chapter of his life the way he wanted. Deep down, perhaps he wasn't really cut out to be a father.

Olivia and Liam were in Georgia, and he was doing his best to be back in their lives. Lemar, on the other hand, would never be back.

The best thing that had happened to him in the last three months sat down next to him.

"Hey," Bob said, resting his head on his shoulder, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders covering the short sleeves of the T-shirt he wore to sleep.

His slightly red nose and watery eyes only meant he'd just woken up.

"How did you know I was here?" John asked, smiling.

"I no longer had a furnace attached to my back," Bob chuckled. "And then nature called and I didn't see you in the room, so here I am. I thought you'd like some alone time and watch the sunrise."

"Hey, you're the one with the power of a million exploding suns," John said, kissing his head. "I still don't understand how you're always cold, you must have a metabolism as fast as mine."

"I don't know," Bob said, shrugging. "You should take your complaints to OXE, I'm just the poor unfortunate soul who found himself in Malaysia at the wrong time."

John chuckled, returning to his gaze at the golden ring of the sun beginning to peek out from behind the skyscrapers.

“Really,” Bob said after a while. “Why are you here? Did you want to see the sunrise?”

“I woke up and couldn’t fall asleep,” John said. “The choice was between watching you sleep or coming here.”

“What’s wrong with that little blond head of yours?” Bob asked, kissing his bearded cheek.

“I don’t know either,” John said honestly. “I’m just sad, I think. Knowing Steve was something indescribable for me, something I never thought possible. It was nice having him around. I’m just sad that he is leaving, even though it’s the right thing to do.”

“I know,” Bob said, sighing. “I think it would be the same for me if, like, Frida Kahlo appeared on that platform.”

“You’re awful,” John said, laughing. He couldn’t live without Bob’s crystalline laughter.

“No, seriously. I understand,” Bob said, turning to him. “In my case, I’m the first of my ‘kind.’” There hasn’t been another Sentry before me. For better or worse, that’s how it is. I’m the first, which means I have no one to ask my questions or even share my experience with. You have Steve. You thought it would never be possible to talk to him, but it happened. And, let’s face it, that’s not something you can share with Sam, even though he’d be very happy about it. He can understand you about being Captain America, but not about the super serum and what it did to your body, because he never took that. Just as you can’t fly with his wings, those are two different things.”

“Stop reading my mind,” John said, sighing. “Is that one of your powers, by any chance?”

“I’m not so sure,” Bob said. “I think I’m just good at reading you.”

This comment earned him a kiss on the lips, interrupted by two coughs.

“Lovebirds,” Lena said, a heavy sweatshirt over her pajamas pulled up to the hood.

“I’d tell you to find a room,” Ava said, her robe over one of the thinner suits. “But we’re the ones who came looking for you.”

“The fact that you girls pop up every time we’re kissing is surprising,” John said.

“I hope in a good way,” Lena said. She crawled under Bob’s blanket without even asking, her blonde head now resting on Bob’s right shoulder.

“And stop stealing my boyfriend, Belova,” John said, frowning.

“Hey, I saw him first,” Lena said, grinning.

“What the hell are you doing up at this hour, anyway?” Bob asked, laughing.

“We were going to make ourselves a cup of tea, then we saw John’s door open,” Ava said. “We thought he was out running, like always, but then we didn’t see you in bed as well and we thought you were up here.”

“It’s my day off,” John said, shrugging. “And apparently I’m not allowed to be alone in this damn tower for a moment.”

“You have to get used to it,” Bob said, smiling. “Wherever I go, they come too, and just to be close to you, I’m willing to Velcro myself to your back.”

“I don’t know whether to take this as a nice thing or not.”

But in that moment, with Bob smiling like that and the girls’ stupid comments, it seemed like every worry had burst like a soap bubble.

////

Steve sighed as the elevator doors opened. Beside him, Sam and Bucky seemed to be smiling.

“Deja vu?” Sam asked, smiling.

“There weren't this many people watching me last time,” Steve said, smiling back.

Beside the platform, John and the rest of their team were already waiting for them.

“Can I have a moment?” Steve asked Sam. “With Bucky.”

Sam seemed to ponder the question for a moment before nodding.

“You know where to find me,” Sam said.

They watched him exit the elevator and join the others, John's confused face the only thing that greeted him.

“Hey,” Steve said.

He watched Bucky reach out and press the button to close the doors.

“Hey,” he said then, smiling faintly.

“I don't want to leave you like last time,” Steve said. “I'll try to keep in touch, I promise.”

“I don't think that's possible, Steve,” Bucky said, grimacing. “Unless you want to be constantly going back and forth, they haven't invented a telephone that can communicate between eras yet, and email doesn't work that way either.”

“I get it,” Steve said. “But I can at least try.”

“I'd be curious to see it,” Bucky said, chuckling.

They looked at each other for a long moment, before both bursting into laughter.

“At least I’m sure you’ll have your hands busy” Steve said.

“They’re a pain in the ass,” Bucky said. “But they’re my pain in the ass, including Sam.”

“Give him a break, okay?” Steve said, smiling.

He opened his arms, hoping for a hug. When a metal arm and a human one closed behind his back, he sighed.

“Say hello to Peggy,” Bucky said. “And give my godson a kiss.”

“It will be done,” Steve said, pulling away. “And behave yourself. Both to Sam, but especially to your team. Especially to John.”

“You’ve grown far too fond of Walker,” Bucky said with a grimace. “And now he spends all his time with Bob, so…”

Steve smiled. He was well aware of the latest developments, and he was happy to leave John in good hands.

Not just Bob’s. He knew the girls had grown fond of him, too, and Bucky, too, though he'd never admit it.

Bucky reached to press the button again, but Steve's hand stopped him.

"Promise me," he said. "I don't want to leave you alone again and..."

"I'm not alone," Bucky said. "You saw it too."

Steve was silent for a moment, and sighed, "I love you."

Bucky seemed to stare at him like a confused deer.

"Part of me will always love you," he said. "Part of me wants to take you with me, but I know it. Your life is here. You've adapted to this time much better than I have. Three months back at this time, and I remembered why I left..."

"You never really tried, did you?"

“Bucky…”

“No, you’ve talked enough these past three months,” Bucky said. “Do you really think I’ve adjusted better than you?”

“It’s obvious.”

“Screw it,” Bucky said. “If it weren’t for Yelena, I wouldn’t understand half the messages Sam sends me. I still listen to our old music. Maybe it’s true, I’ve always been curious about the future, and now that I see it, I think some things are extraordinary. I won’t lie to you, I’ve been mad at you for a long time. I took it all out on Walker for that, and I’m sorry. He had nothing to do with it, I had to take it out on you.”

“And you never told him, did you?” Steve said.

He watched as Bucky was silent for a couple of seconds before speaking.

“No, I don't think so,” Bucky said. “You went back because it was easier, but don't try to sell me that bullshit that you love me more than you love Peggy. That's okay. I know that. I've moved on, too.”

“I hope Sam gives you what I couldn't give you.”

“More than you can imagine.”

This time, when Bucky opened the doors again, Steve didn't stop him.

“Hey, I thought you were making out in there,” Sam said when they came out.

He was obviously trying to tone it down, as always, but Steve didn't fail to notice his nervousness.

“Buddy,” Steve said, enveloping him in a hug. “Take care of him, okay?”

“You know you can count on me,” Sam said seriously.

“And you,” he said, turning to Joaquin, “take care of Sam. You have a fantastic mentor.”

“I know Captain,” Joaquin said. “It was an honor meeting you”

He let Sam return to Bucky’s side, taking his hand.

Steve let them do it. He had someone else to say goodbye to.

John was nearby, the rest of his team at his side.

“Have a good trip,” Yelena said, smiling.

“It was nice meeting you,” Ava said, shaking his hand.

“My honor, girls,” Steve said. “I'm glad to know the new Avengers are in your hands, Lena. Your sister would be so proud of you.”

Lena looked like she was about to cry.

“I try to tell her that every day,” Alexei said, squeezing Steve's hand.

He let Lena squeeze him in a hug, not really knowing how to reciprocate.

He arrived in front of John, and John greeted him with a military salute.

“It was an honor, Captain.”

“Rest soldier,” Steve said. “You’re the real captain here, not me. Leave that military bullshit out of this tower.”

He held out his hand in front of him and watched as John hesitantly took it. He pulled him close, enveloping him in a hug.

“Remember who you are, and remember what we talked about,” he said. “And don’t worry, this isn’t goodbye. We’ll see each other again,buddy. And I’m happy to leave you in good hands.”

Bob blushed slightly.

He linked his arm with John’s, burying his red face in his boyfriend’s shoulder.

“Take care of him, Bobby,” he said then, reaching out a hand. “Take care of each other.”

“Thank you, Steve,” Bob said, smiling. “It will be done.”

After saying goodbye to everyone, Steve finally stepped onto the platform.

He smiled as he watched John put his arm around Bob's shoulders and kiss his temple.

He watched Sam do the same with Bucky.

He was happy to be back and to have left something for his new and old friends, but now he couldn't wait to hug Peggy and his little James again.

Notes:

Hello.

Sorry for the delay, but it's been a bit of a busy time work-wise.

I'll try to write as much as possible, but I won't be as consistent as I was in the winter.

Don't worry, I won't leave you alone. I'll definitely get back to my schedule as soon as summer is over and work gives me some breathing room.

I definitely wanted to finish this fic before thinking about anything else.

I hope you enjoyed it.

He'd missed sharing a bed with someone. For now, he and Bob were taking it slowly.

They hadn't done anything "adult" between the covers yet and, at least for now, that was fine.

John didn't know where to start and Bob, though he was particularly happy to help, was also particularly happy to have, at least for once, a boyfriend who respected his boundaries and his pace.

There would be time for that.

Two weeks after their date in the park, a more "serious" one followed on the balcony of their tower, where John had cooked him his favorite meals, and they had been inseparable ever since.

Those were two weeks in which Bob had practically moved into his room, and in which John hadn't slept alone a single night.

But it was beautiful like that.

Beautiful like Bob curled up beside him, his hair covering his face, his angelic face relaxed as he slept.

He would stare at him while he slept for the rest of his life.

“You’re staring at me again,” Bob said, stretching.

John’s cheeks flushed slightly, caught in the act.

“It’s not my fault you’re a little angel when you sleep,” John said, kissing his hair.

He watched Bob stretch out like a cat, staring at him with his big blue eyes over his chest.

“Good morning, love,” John said, kissing his nose.

Yelena and Ava said they were “so sweet they cause diabetes” and “pathetically in love.”

John was madly and “pathetically” in love with that wonderful boy.

He was enjoying the moment.

A boy who loved him for who he was, who loved John and not John Walker, the former Captain America who ruined his own career.

By now he was sure he wouldn't be able to stop feeling the weight of Bob's warm body against his, the strawberry scent of his shampoo, and those big blue eyes that slowly opened up every morning.

"Good morning, honey," Bob said, smiling. "What are you up to today?"

"A stupid meeting with Val," John said, sighing. "And you have to be there, remember. You're part of the team, silly."

"I know, I also have therapy with Dr. Williams later. Shall we do something tonight, just you and me?"

"Oh, aren't the girls included?" John asked, amused.

"I wouldn't find that particularly romantic," Bob said, smiling.

"What is your little curly head up to?" John asked.

"I wanted to try a new Japanese restaurant," Bob said. "It's in Brooklyn, but it's easy to get there with the subway. And then we could walk back, a romantic stroll through New York."

It was the first time they'd been outside the tower on a real date.

"Yes, but we'll have to be careful not to be followed and..."

"John, we are not gonna make out in the middle of the street," Bob said, frowning. "I don't want to hide just because we're together. Of course, unless you're embarrassed or something."

John sat up, pulling Bob up with him.

Was he embarrassed? No, absolutely not.

But they were two Avengers and people knew who they were, and they had to expect that people would talk anyway.

After all, he'd long ago stopped caring what people thought of him, but he still didn't want Mel to have to deal with possible paparazzi photos of them.

But they could walk down the street like teammates or friends.

As Bob had said, they didn't necessarily have to let the rest of the world know there was something between them if they didn't want to.

“Okay,” John said. “Let’s do it.”

He smiled as Bob’s face lit up.

“I promise to behave,” Bob said, smiling.

And what about him? Would he behave?

Only time could tell.

///

John, sitting on the couch, drummed his fingers nervously. He'd gotten ready well in advance.

After meeting Val, he'd said goodbye to Bob, letting him go to his appointment with their therapist, and had tried to fill the afternoon with a workout at the gym and a swim in their pool.

But by five pm he was free; he'd gotten ready as best he could, and now he was waiting for Bob to finish getting ready.

"Hey, I didn't think I'd find you here, Romeo."

Steve sat down across from him with a smile, the book on the Howling Commandos he'd asked to borrow a few days earlier firmly in his hands.

"I hope you're enjoying the book," John said, smiling.

"What I enjoy most are the handwritten comments Bucky left," Steve said, laughing.

He remembered well when Bucky, frowning, had asked to borrow the book and returned it a week later with his very personal handwritten notes in the margins.

"A load of bullshit," Steve read, smiling. "Not that many girls, I spent every night in Steve's tent anyway."

"Yeah, I didn't want to know certain details," John said with a grimace.

"Oh, he'll have to explain this to me," Steve said, going back to reading. "So many girls, and yet I was the only one who had a chance with him." As if I'd ever hit on those girls."

"I think you should ask him," John said, laughing.

They were silent for a while, Steve still smiling.

"I think you're waiting for someone," he said softly.

"Bob and I are going to try a new restaurant in Brooklyn," John said, smiling. "I'm waiting for the little prince to finish getting ready."

"You look good," Steve said. "More relaxed. More happy”

“It's the Bob effect,” John said, smiling.

“It's love in general,” Steve said. “When you find the right person, it shows.”

“Do you think Bob is the right person?” John asked.

“I don't know,” John said. “It's up to both of you to make it work.”

“I'm trying my best,” John said. “I didn't want to go out tonight. I'm still afraid there'll be paparazzi around, and I don't want to cause any harm. But then Bob started arguing about how we shouldn't hide, and that we just have to stay alert, and I had to give in.”

“He's right,” Steve said. “Sometimes you have to bend to your significant other’s will if you want it to work.”

“I'm trying,” John said. “I'm really trying.”

“I'm sure of it,” Steve said.

Steve looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking again.

“Don't be afraid of the world out there,” Steve said. “Don't make 'easy' choices. I don't regret my life with Peggy now, but leaving Bucky was the hardest thing I've ever done. I think my thinking on the matter is still stuck in the '40s, but you have an easier life these days. Sure, you're still known people, you're Avengers, but don't be afraid to show yourself to the world for who you are.”

“I know,” said John. “I'm working on it. I think it's a bit of internalized homophobia. But I love Bob, I love him like I've never loved anyone, maybe only Olivia. I really want to try.”

“I'm sure you can,” said Steve.

“I'm sad to see you go,” said John. “Bucky told me you've decided to go back to Peggy at the end of the week.”

In two days, Steve would once again cross the portal from where he came to return to Peggy and their son.

John would miss him greatly.

“That's what I told you. I miss Peggy, I miss our life together, and I haven't seen my son in almost three weeks. I made this choice because it was what I wanted, but coming back here I couldn't help but realize how much I'd missed Bucky too and feel weird seeing him with Sam like that. But I'm glad I came. I never would have met you if I hadn't.”

John smiled before speaking.

“I was very pleased, too,” he said. “God, Steve. I grew up worshipping you, and I never believed I'd actually meet you one day.”

“I think you figured out there wasn't much to worship in me,” Steve said.

“Absolutely not,” John said. “I was very pleased to meet Captain America, but especially to meet Steve Rogers, if you know what I mean.”

“I want you to make me a promise,” Steve said after a moment.

“Sure,” said John, “anything you want.”

“Remember you’re John Walker, sometimes,” said Steve. “It’s an honor to carry that shield, but your big problem was becoming Captain America through and through and forgetting who you were before. Just John, that kid from Georgia you were before that shield. Never forget that. If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your son, for your teammates. And, above all, do it for Bob.”

“Thanks, Steve,” said John, surprised. “I will.”

“Take this as my final pearl of wisdom,” said Steve. “Even if it’s just a goodbye, I promise we will see each other again”

Their moment was interrupted by a breathless Bob.

He entered the living room dressed in a simple flannel shirt over a white tank top and a pair of skinny jeans.

But Steve smiled when he noticed how John’s undivided attention had been captured by him.

“I’m here,” Bob said. “Sorry, baby, my hair wouldn’t cooperate. It took all of Lena’s skill to make me presentable.”

“You always look beautiful to me,” John said, standing up.

“Good God, keep these things in the bedroom,” Ava said, heading for the kitchen.

“I want you home by midnight, and don’t cause any trouble,” Yelena said instead, appearing before them. “Daddy still has connections in the Russian mafia, I know how to find you.”

“Is she always like this?” Steve asked, laughing.

“Yeah, I don’t pay attention anymore,” John said, shrugging. “She’s not my boss.”

“I’m not your boss, but I am your sister. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me and Miss Starr. Consider us your fairy godmothers.”

“Okay, Fairy Godmother,” John said. “Can we go now?”

“I'm starving,” Bob said, nodding. “I came straight from my doctor's appointment, I haven't eaten anything.”

“Don't mind me,” Steve said, picking up his book again and getting up from the couch. “Have fun, guys. See you tomorrow morning, and don't upset your fairy godmothers.”

“Shell we go, honey?” John said, offering him his arm.

He saw Bob blush slightly and chuckle, linking his arm with his.

“We're looking more and more like an old married couple,” he said. “I like it.”

“Me too.”

Steve watched them disappear through the elevator door, smiling.

His work was truly done.

Notes:

We're almost at the end. Steve is about to go home, and our kids are growing closer.

I was determined to finish the story at chapter 10, but I miscalculated and didn't want to cut it short.

So here are two bonus chapters.

See you next time, for the grand finale.

Friday nights, despite everything that had happened in those years, were always girls' night.

They used to stay locked in Bob or Yelena's room, while John would do his own thing or take over the large living room couch of their old apartment (the one where their remaining team members still lived) if it was game night.

The upside of moving to another floor of the tower was a whole extra apartment.

"I'm ready," Alice said, appearing at Bob's side. Her outfit for the day was a pair of black leggings, a fuchsia tulle skirt, a white T-shirt with a fairy design on it, and the sneakers she'd wanted so much that lit up with every step. The ones that, according to her, "made her run faster."

To top it all off, she'd asked John to tie her blonde curls into two pigtails and filled her unicorn backpack with who knows what toys.

"Hey, don't I deserve a kiss?" John asked, bending down to her level.

The plan for the evening was for a girls' night downstairs, while the men would stay upstairs to watch the game.

John had already ordered chicken wings and stocked up on beers. Sam and Joaquin would be coming, too, not to mention Olivia and Liam.

Liam would join the boys, but Olivia would stay downstairs with them. She was now a regular at their parties.

Alice smiled, the gap between her teeth starting to close with a new one.

She was truly a daddies girl. Bob thought she loved them both, albeit in different ways.

Bob was more like a best friend who had grown up too much for her. He'd instilled in her her love of books and, at five, she could already read a few sentences.

Bob was worried she'd distance herself now that he was pregnant with her little sister, but that hadn't happened. Maybe she'd even become more clingy than usual.

John, on the other hand, was her great love. She doted on him, and honestly, he couldn't blame her.

"I'm going to miss you so much," John said, tickling her. "Both you and Papa"

"But we're downstairs, Daddy," Alice said.

"I know," John said, making her laugh. "Far away. Take care of Papa for me, okay?"

The lovely scene was interrupted by the elevator doors opening, revealing the small group of guests John would be hosting that evening.

The first to come out, already bowing to her level, was Alexei, or Grandpa Xei to Alice.

“Where's my Detenysh?” Alexei said, with his booming laugh.

Bob smiled as she ran toward him.

After everything that had happened, Alexei was a new man. He had rebuilt a more than perfect relationship with his daughter and always spoke of Natasha with respect and love.

If he and John were perfect girl dads, he was the perfect girl grandpa.

Alice adored him, and he was the only grandfather she would ever know, since neither he nor John were in touch with their respective families.

“Oh, you look gorgeous, sweetie,” Alexei said, swinging her into the air. “Aunt Lena and Aunt Ava cooked your favorite things. You’re going to have so much fun.”

“Hey, stop monopolizing the baby,” Sam said, laughing. “Hello, little one.”

“Hey, Sam,” Alice said, laughing.

“Hey, it’s my turn,” Joaquin said. “Come to me, my little eagle.”

Joaquin was definitely her favorite uncle. Maybe not so much when he tried to take her flying with him.

But he was the one who made her laugh and gave her all the toys she wanted whenever he babysat for them. He was totally incapable of saying no, but so was Bob, and he was one of her fathers. He was definitely the last person who could judge him.

Bucky always stood to one side, but even he was far from immune to Alice's big blue eyes and gap-toothed smile.

As a baby, Alice was afraid of his metal arm, and Bob knew well how uncomfortable Bucky was about it. The last thing he wanted was to make the new addition to their team cry.

At the moment, Bucky was still a little cold, but he was trying to open up more and more.

“Hey, hello, little one,” he said, cupping her cheek with his human hand.

The last guest he had to greet was definitely his favorite.

Liam was the big brother every parent would want for their daughter. He was kind, adored Alice with all his heart, and was already eager to meet Lily.

“Hey, don't tell me you're not going to give me a hug, young lady,” he said, taking her from Joaquin's arms.

“I could never,” Alice said, hugging him tightly.

“Mom's already waiting downstairs,Pops,” Liam said, turning to Bob. “Aunt Lena asked if you could bring some popcorn.”

“Oh, sure,” Bob said, waving a box he was holding. “Ava texted me five minutes ago.”

Liam set his sister down on the floor, kissing her forehead and then bending down to her level.

“Have fun, okay?” He said, “See you tomorrow morning.”

“We’re already invited here for breakfast,” Bob said. “And yes, it’s weird that I’m invited to my own apartment for breakfast.”

Liam laughed, briefly placing his hand on his belly.

“Hey, Lily, take it easy,” he said, laughing. “She is killing you in there.”

“I think she’s hungry,” Bob said, shrugging. “Have a good evening, honey. And please, make sure the coffee table survives the evening, I don’t want to replace it like last time.”

“You know how dad gets when his team loses,” Liam said, laughing. “I’ll do my best.”

Lastly, John ran over to kiss him on the lips.

“Have a good evening, my love,” he said, smiling.

“Walker, God, think of the kids,” Sam said, feigning horror.

“Just because your boyfriend doesn't like public displays of affection doesn't mean I can't kiss my husband.”

“Yeah, but your bedroom's over there,” Joaquin said. “Try to keep it in your pants for one night.”

“I swear, if my boys weren't playing, I'd be more willing to come down with you,” John said, laughing.

“To fight with Yelena over the remote?” Bob said, laughing.

“Yeah, I kind of miss it,” John said, making him laugh.

///

The elevator doors opened into the old living room of his old apartment.

He didn't miss living here; having his own space was wonderful, especially now that he had a daughter and another one on the way.

More than anything, he was nostalgic every time he returned here, even for a short visit.

In that living room, he and John had shared their first kiss. They'd spent countless hours reading together or watching movies, falling deeper and deeper in love.

His old reading chair was still where he'd left it. He had a new one now, and a larger bookcase that he had to share only with John, not with Bucky or Ava too anymore.

The chair had now been claimed by Alpine, Bucky's white cat, and could be found curled up there most of the day. And to think, the first time he'd set foot in that apartment, he'd been a boy who'd just gotten his powers, homeless, with little to his name and a new life with extraordinary powers, part of a team of people he didn't know well yet.

He was an Avenger now, but above all, a husband and a father.

Alice ran out as soon as the doors opened. She'd never lived there, but she knew that apartment like It was her own.

Their old rooms had been transformed into a giant walk-in closet/beauty room by the girls (John's), while his old bedroom had become Alice's second bedroom.

It was even worse than the "original" one upstairs, considering how much her favorite aunts loved to spoil her. It was where she slept when Lena and Ava babysat her.

All those assholes who spouted bullshits like "every little girl needs a mommy" could just shut up.

His little girl had far too many great female figures in her life.

Ava, Lena, and even Olive were crucial figures to her, and would be crucial to the little one now kicking in his belly.

Bob smiled when he saw Alice immediately running to the kitchen, already knowing where to find her aunts.

“Hey,Papa Bear” said Olive. She was sitting on the couch with a glass of red wine.

Luckily, he had quit drinking years before he got pregnant with Alice. He hadn't missed alcohol during his pregnancies. He certainly couldn't say the same about sushi.

“Hey,” said Bob, “the boys upstairs are already on the warpath.”

“Really,” Olive laughed. “They should make a Discovery Channel documentary about them.”

At first, his relationship with Olivia had been strange. But now, two daughters later, he could consider her a friend and a huge help in raising his daughters.

He looked toward the kitchen, and Ava was pulling one of the cakes she was so famous for out of the oven.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Ava said as she entered the kitchen. “Did the smell call you?”

Since John was no longer their personal chef (though Tupperware of his most famous dishes always magically appeared in their freezer), the kitchen had been reclaimed by Ava and Bucky.

Yelena only used it for her famous mac and cheese.

"Daughter number two is hungry," he said, rubbing his belly.

"Well, little one," Ava said, speaking directly to his belly. "Hang in there a little longer, it's almost ready."

At the same time, Yelena had Alice sitting on the kitchen island and was stroking her blond pigtails while she let his daughter make her ears fall off with her talking.

Bob knew well how much the forced hysterectomy the Red Room had done to her had affected her.

She was a wonderful aunt and surprisingly good with children. Alice adored her, and was perhaps the only person who could put her to sleep except for him and John.

He already knew she would be a fantastic mother, if only she could.

“We have to do our daily affirmations, baby girl,” she said, smiling at her. “Papa and Aunt Ava can join us.”

They did it all the time, every day, and Bob thought it was adorable.

“I'm strong,” Alice said confidently.

“I'm smart,” Lena said.

“And I'm going to conquer the world,” Ava said from behind the stove.

“And I'm going to be a great big sister,” Bob said, picking her up to help her down.

“Easy, Bob,” Lena said, ready to intervene. “You're already at baby whale level, you shouldn't lift her like that.”

Of course, she was teasing him as always.

“No, not a Whale,” said Ava.

“Thanks,” said Bob.

“I’d say more like ‘Monk Seal Sunbathing on a Rock,’” said Ava, laughing. “It’s still a month before baby Whale status.”

Bob followed them into the living room, where Olive was waiting.

“Very funny,” said Bob, sitting down with a huff and a hand under his growing belly. “It’s not fair that the only man in the group is the one who’s pregnant.”

“Talk to the Red Room,” said Lena. “It’s not my fault.”

“I’ve already contributed,” said Olive. “Good luck carrying a Walker in your belly.”

“I don’t even think I can have any,” said Ava, without adding anything.

“Okay, okay,” said Bob. “It’s my job then.”

Yelena put a hand on his belly, smiling when Lily responded with a kick.

“You have to. It must be so weird to feel something like that moving inside you,” she said, smiling.

“Like an alien,” Bob said, sighing.

“I couldn't describe it better,” Olive said.

“Hey, at least you and John make these little angels,” Lena said, cupping Alice's face with one hand. “That's a good reason.”

“The best reason,” Ava said, smiling.

“Okay, okay,” Bob said. “Can we finally eat?”

They sat on the couch with the plates of food the girls had ordered and prepared for the evening.

“Okay, monkey,” Bob said, holding a paper plate. “What do you want to eat?”

“Aunt Lena's macaroni,” Alice said. “And then I want Aunt Ava's chocolate cake for dessert.”

“The only superior being who appreciates my cooking,” Lena said, laughing.

“I made it especially for you, honey,” Ava said.

“Hey honey,” Olive said. “If you lift that lid, I made your favorite cupcakes.”

“One of those too, Papa, please,” Alice said.

Alice immediately sat down with her food, snuggling up to him.

So many people she loved and she was still clinging to him.

“Lily,” she said then, placing a chubby hand on his belly. “I love you, little sister. Enjoy your meal.”

And Bob really didn't know how he'd managed to create such perfect little beings.

Notes:

This story needed a few “uncles” and aunts.

Bob practically gave birth to two additional members of their girls' night.

In this story, for some reason, Olivia and Walker Jr. live in New York near them, like in other stories I've written. I hope you understand.

See you next time

It took him another couple of days before he worked up the courage to go to Bob.

He found him in his room, along with Lena and Ava, all three of them busy shopping online on Bob's computer.

“How do you think these would look on me?” he heard Bob ask the others. “Do you think they would look good?”

“What you mean is, 'Do you think these jeans would make my ass appealing enough for John Walker?'” Yelena asked, bluntly.

“I still can't believe you two kissed,” Ava said. “I'm the only member of the team who can walk through walls, and at that crucial moment in history, I decided to sleep rather than magically appear in your room!”

“That would have been a buzzkill,” he heard Bob say.

He could already picture him, red as a tomato, laughing in that shy, cute way of his.

He'd told the girls about them. Honestly, he didn't know how to take it.

"What the hell, John," he said to himself. "You're a soldier. You've been through worse than this."

He knocked on the door and waited. The commotion from inside suddenly stopped.

"Yes?" he heard Bob ask.

"It's John," he said. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure, you can come in," Yelena said instead.

"Alone, if possible."

There were noises, and the door opened before him. But instead of Bob, the small, overly blonde figure of Yelena appeared.

"Hey, just a few questions, Big Guy," she said, smiling.

She didn't look threatening.

"Oook?" John said, blushing.

"I'm just here to find out a few things," Lena said. "A little check, if you will. What are your intentions with my Bobert?"

“I don't think they're any...”

“Yes, that's my business, John,” Yelena said. “This is my team. I care about both of you, not just Bob. Ava and I just want to figure out if we should prepare for the worst or not.”

“I came to ask him out for a walk in the park and a coffee,” John said.

He wasn't lying; those were his intentions. A light-hearted first date.

And then, like Steve had said, he'd “take it as it comes.”

“Oh,” Yelena said, surprised. “I thought....”

“I'm not always an asshole, Lena,” John said.

“Okay, okay,” Lena said. “He'll be very happy to know that, then.”

“Well, that's what I hope,” John said, blushing.

“Believe me,” Lena said. “You already have a guaranteed yes, Romeo.”

He watched her open the door and walk in, leaving it open behind her. As he'd imagined, Bob was sitting on his bed. Wrapped in that sweater of his that made his eyes look even bluer and wrapped him like a blanket, he was an alarming shade of red.

"Ava, we're moving to my room. Bob's part of the order is finished anyway."

Ava was still staring at the computer screen. She pulled away after Yelena coughed, blushing slightly.

"Okay, okay," she said. "I understand."

She closed the computer and kissed Bob on the cheek, getting up.

“Good luck, honey.”

Yelena closed the door behind her, but not before whispering, “Text us if you need help,”.

When they were alone, Bob patted the now-empty spot beside him a couple of times.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

They looked like two 15-year-olds, not two men in their 30s.

“John, i am.”

“Bobby, listen.”

They said it together, bursting into laughter immediately afterward.

“You speak first,” Bob said, blushing.

“Okay,” John said, sighing.

He looked into his deep blue eyes, and for a second his mind went completely blank.

He regained his composure only when Bob, blushing, looked down.

“I wanted to ask you out, later if you want. Coffee, a couple of donuts, and a walk in the park.”

“Oh,” Bob said, looking at him. “I can ask the girls too, if…”

“Just you and me,” John said.

Bob smiled before speaking.

“John Walker,” he said. “Are you asking me out?”

“I think so.”

“It’s a date, then.”

“That’s all you want.”

Bob chuckled again, blushing slightly.

“Oook,” Bob said, smiling. “We can do it.”

“We can do it?” John said, laughing. “Is that all?”

“What were you hoping for?”

“I don't know, something more romantic,” John said, making him laugh.

He wanted to make him laugh for the rest of his life.

“Something like this?”

He leaned toward him and kissed him. Just like the first time, he felt light, as if floating in midair.

He was tempted to open one eye to see if, in fact, they were still sitting on Bob's bed and if Bob hadn't started making them fly.

The famous butterflies in the stomach, as Steve used to say.

He rested his forehead against his, sighing.

“Bob Rayndols, you're going to be my most delightful downfall.”

“I have to ask you,” Bob said. “What made you wake up?”

“I was afraid I wasn't enough,” John said softly, kissing his temple. “That you wouldn't want to be with someone like me.”

“And what the hell is wrong with you that would make me not want to be with you?” Bob asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Everything?” John said. “You’re a damn Demigod, and I’m a supersoldier who’s put on a belly.”

“Leave your belly alone,” Bob said seriously. “You don’t know how many times I’ve secretly drooled over him, seeing you in the pool.”

“Oh,” John said, blushing. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”

“I may be a demigod, like you say, but I didn’t get all that through hard work and sacrifice. I feel like a stranger in my own body, most of the time. I was so skinny, John, before Sentry, you could count my ribs,” Bob said. “It makes me laugh how the thing we love most about each other’s bodies is actually the thing we hate most.”

“No—it’s not just that,” John said. “Everything that happened after the serum, and the shield, and…”

“It was none of your fault,” Bob said seriously. “If someone like Steve Rogers is on your side, do you really think I'm not? I still remember seeing that interview they did with you back then. Were you really the best at everything, according to MIT?”

“So they say,” John said with a wink.

“The first thing I thought, though, was that you looked like a kid,” Bob said. “And I can't imagine what it feels like to have the weight of a nation on your shoulders.”

“That wasn't… nice,” John said.

“And Bucky and Sam?” Bob said, a gold ring starting to appear in his eyes. “If only I could, I could unleash Sentry on them…or not, better Void…and…”

“I don't want you to do any of that,” John said. “It's the past, I just want to think about the future now.”

“I hope I'm in that future, because I want you in mine.”

“I want you in mine, too,” John said, tucking a strand of curls behind his ear.

“So now…what happens?” Bob asked.

He hid his gaze behind his dark quiff, something he always did when he wanted to hide his emotions.

“A very wise man once told me that I tend to want to do everything alone and isolate myself,” John said. “I don’t feel like doing that anymore.”

“I’ll be happy to keep you company if you’ll let me,” Bob said, smiling.

“So now we’re…”

“Together,” Bob said. “Boyfriends?”

“Yes,” John said. “It doesn’t sound bad. We can take it as it comes.”

“Any doubts about that?” Bob asked.

He knew what he meant, but John was resolute.

“No, not yet. I don’t deny that there might be sometime in the future, but we’ll talk about it.”

“Together,” Bob said, smiling.

“Together.”

They sat together for a few more minutes before John stood up.

“Shall I pick you up in a couple of hours?” John said. “For our date?”

“Yes,” Bob said, laughing. “I think I have a couple of gossips I need to inform now.”

“Say hello to them,” John said, laughing.

He stood up and kissed Bob's forehead.

“I love you,” he said, before he could stop himself.

He watched Bob's face first panic, then return to the alarming shade of red it had been before.

“I love you, too,” he said, and John released the breath he'd been holding.

Notes:

HALLELUJAH.

Our little ones are finally together.

The next few chapters will be the final ones. I hope you enjoyed this little experiment of mine.

Hugs