Summer In Your Eyes: Seasons Series 1 (Lifeguard!Steve x Bucky Barnes Summer AU)

Thirty-Three

"So, I'll, um, see you later," Steve stated, crossing the porch.

"Yeah," Bucky agreed, leaning against the doorway as he watched the attractive blond slightly stumble down the few steps.

"I'm alright," Steve chuckled before Bucky could ask him if he was okay. Steve raked his hand through his messy blond locks and bashfully peeked up at Bucky. Giving the brunet a small wave and a, "Later."

"Bye," Bucky waved and bit back his grin when he noticed the blush blossoming on Steve's cheeks. As Steve went to climb into his truck, Bucky called out, "Drive safe."

"Safe is my middle name," Steve joked, climbing into his truck.

Bucky stood there in the doorway, watching Steve as he sat down and hesitated. Not sure what Steve was thinking, but more than willing to stay there all day to find out, Bucky noticed Steve stand.

Putting an arm on the top of the truck and on the open door, Steve questioned, "You gonna hang out at the pool tomorrow?"

"Um," Bucky eloquently started and paused. If it meant Steve was going to be at the pool, then yes, Bucky was going to be there. Not wanting to seem too eager, Bucky lied, "Haven't thought about it."

"Well, if you do," Steve started, "Think about it," glancing down at his keys in his hand, he continued, "It's my day off."

Chewing on his lower lip, Bucky glanced down at his bare feet. Bringing his gaze back to Steve, Bucky scoffed, "Like I went there just for you."

"Oh, silly me," Steve mocked, "I must've just imagined you hanging out in the kiddie pool all day."

"Please," Bucky joked, "I was making sure you were competent in guarding my sister's life."

"Whatever," Steve chuckled and slapped his hand on the top of his truck. With a smile that put the sun to shame, Steve called out another, "Later."

In silent reply, Bucky raised his hand to wave after Steve when Steve closed his door and started his truck. Bucky stood there watching as Steve reversed down the driveway. At the end, Steve paused and honked his horn, earning another wave from Bucky.

"Where's mommy?" Tibby questioned.

Turning around, Bucky found Tibby tiredly rubbing her eyes with one hand and dragging Blue along the ground in the other. Glancing outside once more only to find Steve completely gone, Bucky closed the door behind himself and padded down the hallway to Tibby. Before Bucky could even reach her, she had her arms extended towards him.

Effortlessly lifting Tibby onto his hip, Bucky explained, "Mommy and Daddy went out on the boat."

"I wanna go on the boat," Tibby whined, resting her head on Bucky's broad shoulder.

"Maybe they'll take you out tomorrow," Bucky soothingly rubbed Tibby's back. Bucky asked, "You hungry?"

Keeping her head on Bucky's shoulder, Tibby nodded. So, Bucky carried her into the kitchen. As he went to set her down on a stool, Tibby clung on tighter than before. Playfully rolling his eyes, Bucky resituated Tibby on his hip and went about making her a fluffernutter sandwich one handed.

"That's not jelly," Tibby mused as she watched Bucky unscrew the lid to the marshmallow fluff.

"Right, it's fluff," Bucky replied. Glancing down at Tibby, he could see that her face was scrunched in disgust and he chuckled at her expression. Bucky clarified, "It's good. It's marshmallows. You like marshmallows."

Hesitantly, Tibby softly said, "It doesn't look like marshmallows."

"Right," Bucky agreed and countered, "But peanut butter doesn't look like peanuts. And jelly doesn't look like a strawberry, does it?"

In silent reply, Tibby shrugged. To persuade Tibby, Bucky said, "Ya know, this was Grandpa's favorite sandwich."

"It was?" Tibby questioned, moving her head so she could gaze up at Bucky.

Bucky nodded and pulled a spoon from the drawer. Spooning out some of the fluff from its container, he handed it to Tibby and said, "It's Steve's too."

"It is?" Tibby asked, still holding the spoon even though she hadn't brought it to her mouth yet.

Another nod from Bucky and Tibby lifted her head from Bucky's shoulder. Only then did Tibby hesitantly bring the spoon to her mouth. Cautiously, she poked her tongue out and touched the tip to the fluff. Finally tasting the sugary spread, Tibby sat up straighter in her surprise and looked at Bucky with wide eyes.

"Good, right?" Bucky smiled as Tibby nodded her head and shoved the spoon into her mouth as she sucked on it like a lollipop. Softly chuckling, Bucky asked, "Want me to make you a sandwich with it?"

Eagerly, Tibby nodded and Bucky chuckled more. Moving around to the other side of the island as he was finally able to set Tibby down on the stool. Promptly walking back around to where he had been making her sandwich.

Happily, Tibby wiggled on the stool, as though she was listening to music, while sucking on the spoon. Bucky smirked and started spreading the fluff on the piece of bread. Tibby looked around and asked, "Where's Steve?"

"He went home," Bucky answered, a bit solemnly.

Tibby set her spoon on the counter top and as Bucky slid her plate over to her, Tibby softly told Bucky, "I miss Steve."

Chuckling, Bucky exclaimed, "You just saw him."

"I know," Tibby frowned down at her sandwich. Cut diagonally into fours. Smiling up at Bucky, Tibby shyly admitted, "I like Steve."

Leaning on the counter top towards her, Bucky confessed, "Me too."

The two smiled at each other for a moment before Bucky started putting the sandwich makings away. Tibby sat there in her own little world, enjoying a fluffernutter, and Bucky couldn't help but reminisce about his own childhood. Couldn't help but miss Steve just a little bit more.