"It'll be alright," Gemma said, letting him hold her tighter. "We'll just need to help Bucky get used to the idea. Everyone else will be able to handle it eventually."

Steve nodded. He wasn't so concerned with everyone else, at least not right then. Everyone else could take care of themselves.

After a few moments, Gemma nudged him.

"You should go see how he's doing," she said. "If he has any questions, point him to me, I'll see what I can do."

Steve nodded and reluctantly released her before he padded over to Bucky again.

"Hey Buck," he murmured, settling in next to his friend.

"Hey," Bucky muttered. He didn't say anything else, but he didn't get up and walk away, either.

"Doin' alright?" Steve asked quietly. He kind of already knew the answer, but he needed Bucky to actually talk rather than mope and scowl.

"Not sure," Bucky admitted after a moment. "Don't know how to handle this."

Steve nodded. That was better than silence, at least. "Maybe talk to her about it? Y'know, when she comes back."

"Like how?" Bucky asked, looking at him. "I got no idea where to even start."

"Well, mention she could have mentioned this before," Steve suggested. "Tell her it bothers you. Else she won't know."

"'S not like there's anything to do about it," Bucky pointed out. "Not like she can get rid of 'em just because of me."

"No but she could tell you, warn you," Steve said. "And not do this again. You gotta talk to her, Buck. About this, and that tension you two have."

"Easy for you to say," Bucky muttered. "I don't... people well, not anymore. Not like before. Talking's hard."

"I know," Steve murmured. "You forget, punk, I never did people well. But you have to try." He was quiet for a moment. "You can't just let this... let her slip by you."

"She deserves better'n me," Bucky muttered, looking away from Steve.

Steve gave him a look. "James Buchanan Barnes, you will stop that shit right now," he said sternly. "You're still a good man. Nothin' can change that. Besides, it's up to her whether or not she'll have you. You just gotta convince her you're worth it, which you are."

"How do I ever measure up to a dragon, Steve?" Bucky asked, glancing at him. "C'mon, now." He couldn't help but glance over in Kenzie's direction, though, just watching her.

"I don't see any other dragons around here, do you?" Steve asked, looking around just be a shit about making his point. "We'll figure it out." But he did feel rather victorious at the moon eyes Buck was making at Kenzie.

"You know what I mean, punk," Bucky retorted. He was quiet for a moment. "Maybe later. If I can get her alone."

Steve nodded. That was acceptable, after all. "Alright," he agreed. "Just don't give up on her entirely before you even try."

Bucky just made a vague neutral noise before waving him off.

Later on that evening, once everyone was settled in for good, Gemma went and pushed Kenzie towards Bucky.

"You should talk to him," she said. "See how he's handling things."

Kenzie blinked a few times at that but nodded after a moment. "Alright," she agreed, looking vaguely puzzled. But she didn't need another push, and headed over towards Bucky.

Steve spotted her and immediately vacated the spot next to Bucky to go sit with Gemma again instead.

Bucky blinked when Steve suddenly got up, but didn't have time to say anything before Kenzie sat down.

"Kenzie?" he asked. "Thought you'd still be busy."

"Not at the moment," Kenzie said with a faint shrug. "My son is behaving himself and is being entertained by Clint and Tony, I do believe. I'll hear if I'm needed in there." She smiled faintly.

Bucky made a vague noise at that.

"So," he said after a moment or two. "A son?"