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who: Yuri Plisetsky and Bucky Barnes (616)
what: Gotta tell dad about the wedding
when: Early June
where: Bucky's place
warnings: A lot of cursing? Possibly some sappy feelings shit.

[ Since announcing his engagement, Yuri hadn't forgotten his promise to make sure that Bucky was one of the first- if not the first informed about any other big upcoming milestones for the Altin-Plisetsky's future. So it only made sense that his was the first invitation to be delivered. It had to be, in Yuri's mind. James was one of the people he had become closest to since arriving in Riverview. Like Eddie, he was family. So much more than just another shmuck who he'd been hauled onto the moon with.

And... beyond the invitation, there was something else he wanted to ask the other about. Something that warranted an in person delivery of his invitation. So there he was, outside of Bucky's door on an afternoon that he could count on the other actually being home. Well, he hoped he would be anyway.

It was hot out, hot enough to warrant tank tops and shorts- yet even despite the warm weather Yuri was still dressed in a baggy hoodie, fanning himself with the other's gold-embossed matte black and glossy leopard print invitation. It was one of his lighter hoodies, at least- and oversized enough that it could have arguably been Otabek's. He was wearing a pair of dark sunglasses, and a pair of dark blue acid wash jeans with rips and tears all through the fabric, patched underneath with black on grey leopard print. With his free hand, he rose a fist and started banging on the door. ]

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[It is hot out - hot enough to warrant Bucky having the AC on at the apartment. Most of the time, he acts like a normal guy in his 30s and you'd never guess he was born in 1925, but other times... Some old habits die hard. Air conditioners weren't common in homes in his youth, and normally he'll just turn on a fan, but he couldn't take it today. So, the window unit is on, and Bucky is still walking around the house in shorts cut from an old pair of sweatpants and a sleeveless shirt.

It's a rare day off for him. The news is droning on in the living room, and he's standing at the kitchen island, chopping some vegetables and resting some steaks. Using the grill up on the roof sounded like a better idea as far as lunch went.

When the banging comes at the door, he recognizes the cadence and force behind it almost immediately, and rolls his eyes, setting down the knife and making his way over to open it, tugging Yuri into the pleasantly cool apartment by the front of his dumb hoodie.]

C'mon, you're going to give yourself heatstroke in that thing.

[ Yuri rolls his eyes as he's hauled inside, snorting softly at the others commentary of his outfit. He's worn worse in worse weather; as far as he's concerned, ice runs through his veins. For good or bad. It isn't quite true, and he would be lying if he claimed not to be... well, more than a little warm- but. He has a full bottle of water in the backpack he's wearing, and he'd figured he wasn't going to stay out too long anyway. ]

I'm not going to get heatstroke. [ He grumbles it, toeing off his shoes as he comes inside, inwardly sighing with relief at the cool blast of air that greets his face. It's no centralized air conditioning like he and Otabek have at their place, but it's appreciated all the same. His backpack hits the floor next, rested by the haphazard condition he's left his shoes in, before he snaps the envelope out towards the other. ]

Here asshole, I brought you something. [ By now he knows James is familiar enough with him to know that 'asshole' is practically a term of endearment, as far as Yuri's concerned. The envelope hangs between them, James' name in reflective, elegant gold. Even the bloody envelope is as extra as it can be; sealed with black wax and a calligraphic A&P surrounded by a heart. ]

[Bucky snorts and rolls his eyes, crossing to the window AC to nudge it up to high. Installing the central heat and air has been a project that just hasn't been completed yet; the entire warehouse apartment is a work in progress, has been since he and Steve and Tony bought the three-story building a handful of months after they arrived in Riverview.] You are if you keep wearing hoodies in hundred degree weather. Did tank tops go outta fashion when I wasn't looking?

[Bucky would be dying without one today. The metal casing of his arm tends to get warm in the sunlight.

The envelope thrust in his face makes him pause, though, tracking the black wax, the gold calligraphy. That's a hell of a fancy piece of stationery, he thinks distantly, thoughts otherwise going momentarily blank. He's good at context clues, he can guess what this might be, and how are you supposed to react to your teenage student coming over with a-

He takes the envelope in metal fingers, and slides his other index finger gently under the flap, to pull out the invitation inside, eyes widening just slightly.] You're gettin' married?

It's called being on brand. [ Yuri grumbled, sighing softly in relief as the ac kicked up just another notch higher. Sure, he had a t-shirt on underneath his hoodie- he could have taken it off, but... It was Otabek's. It was comfortable. And it wasn't made of any overly heavy fabrics, so even though it was maybe a little warmer than necessary, it wasn't totally unsurvivable. Just a little more uncomfortable than he'd intended.

To be fair, when he'd gotten dressed that morning the forecast had been calling for rain. Last time he trusted the god damn weatherperson. ]

Don't act so surprised about it! [ Yuri huffs, crossing his arms once the other takes the envelope, reveals the glossy gold embossed cardstock inside. ]

You knew we were engaged. Or do you not want an invitation to the wedding? [ He knew that wasn't true, if the tongue poking out between his lips at the other had anything to say about it. ]

'On brand.' [Bucky just repeats the phrase with a snort, shaking his head briefly. It's the same kind of teasing/grumbling they always do, and the familiarity is always nice. Comfortable. He's grown into a routine with Yuri after this long (has it really been over a year?).

The envelope, and the glossy cardstock invitation inside, both throw the routine off a little. Brown eyes scan the text for a moment, once, then again, then one more time to make sure he's reading it right. He'd known about the engagement, of course, but he had thought maybe they would wait longer than this to go through with it. They just seem so young, impulsive. He holds the invitation in flesh fingers so it doesn't wrinkle.] No, I knew about your engagement. [He says, shaking his head briefly.] I just wasn't expecting the wedding invitations already. December isn't too soon?

[It's still half a year away, but god, they're so young. Yuri isn't the untrained kid taking on a giant lizard monster with a spear anymore, but sometimes he still seems like it, to Bucky. To file the edge off the question, though, he smiles slightly.] Do I need to RSVP? You know I'll be there.

[ Yuri was pretty sure if he rolled his eyes any harder they would fall out of his skull. ] Being cool. Keeping the right 'look'. They don't call me the Russian Punk for nothing, and I'd like to keep it that way.

[ Forget that whole 'Russian Faerie' thing; he's been fighting to grow out of that, get rid of that for ages. If there was one thing he was grateful for when it came to arriving in Riverview... it was that no one knew him as that name other than Otabek. And he didn't go around broadcasting it. ]

It's the anniversary of the day we met. It's special. [ And if Bucky thought that this was rushing it? Well, he wasn't going to mention just how technically recently they really had met. Maybe it was rushing it, maybe it was impulsive- but at the same time, Yuri didn't really feel as though there were anything more right. ]

Nah, no RSVP necessary. We're just like... gonna throw a big party, basically. It'll just happen to include some sappy ass vows at some point. I couldn't talk Otabek out of them. [ Although honestly.... he wanted to do vows, too. ]

You know, a 'punk' wasn't necessarily somethin' you'd want to be called when I was your age. [He guesses it's cool to be a hoodlum these days. Kids. Go figure.] Pretty sure they make tank tops in leopard print, though. Keeps you cool and on brand. [He's teasing, poking a little fun at his ridiculous love for animal print while he tries to process the whole 'my kid is getting married in December' thing. And then he has to process the unbidden 'my kid' thought. It's a lot to unpack all at once, but he's careful to keep it off his face, because he doesn't want to push Yuri away by being too disapproving.]

That makes sense. Still seems sudden, though. Figured I'd have a few more years before I'd have to buy a suit. [He says mildly, turning it into a slight joke about the state of his closet instead. Still half smiling, he takes the wedding invitation and tacks it up on the corkboard he and Steve have on the wall to pin notices and notes and schedules to.] Well, you gotta do the sappy vows. Otherwise it's just a party. You guys going to have time to plan everything?

Sometimes I forget that you missed the whole punk rock revolution. [ He gives the other a pitying look, but it's still a part of their game. He doesn't actually... it's complicated. He feels bad for what happened to Bucky, what little he knows anyway. But at the same time- James wasn't the sort of person who wanted any kind of pity party being thrown on his behalf. And Yuri just really wasn't a pity party thrower. Not for himself or others. ~~His birthday was a special exception.~~ ]

Not my fault you don't have a fashion sense on hand. [ He teases back, brightening a little to see the other tack it up to the corkboard. It felt important that way. It felt... so very real. Exciting. Maybe Yuri should have been more nervous about it, about how fast it all was... but every time he looked at his ring, at their invitations? It just felt so... right. ]

Yeah... Sappy vows- we're gonna- well. [ He blushes a little, smiling crookedly. ] We're planning a pretty cool surprise... for anyone that goes. Personal. And as for planning everything? I mean. We're making it work. The venue is booked, we're going to start looking for some more entertainment- I'm not going to let Otabek DJ his own god damn wedding. [ He rolls his eyes. ] His most important focus should be me after all.

[ And that crooked smile? Splits into an all out Cheshire grin. ]

I think I was busy chilling out in Siberia at the time. ['Chilling out' in this case meaning... being literally on ice, but that's a whole complicated thing that one day he'll need to speak to Yuri about frankly, but. Today is not that day, and so he skirts around it with thoughtless comments like he always does. He quirks a brow and shoots back,] What can I say? I dress for not getting heatstroke.

[It's still a little strange, to hear this teenage kid talking about his wedding, but... at least he seems happy. Is it even binding in Riverview? It wouldn't have any bearing on his back home life, if he chose to leave. That's... It's not that he thinks they aren't meant for each other, he's heard plenty of how Yuri talks about Otabek, but some part of him still thinks it's too soon, he's too young for something like this.

Maybe that's stupid. People got married young when he was a kid. If he survived the war, he might've dragged his ass back to Germany and proposed to Gretchen right then, and he was only 20.]

Well, I ain't much of a wedding planner, but if there's anything I can do, let me know. Sticking around for lunch today? I was going to go grill some steaks.

I'm not getting heatstroke. This hoodie isn't even that heavy. [ And he isn't even going to admit that he is literally wearing a black and leopard print tank top underneath it. That would be giving James too much satisfaction, maybe. Certainly he isn't going to take off his hoodie. Not now that he's caught so much shit for it in the first place. Call him stubborn. ]

Oh, don't think for a minute that if I can't put you to work I won't. There'll probably be some decorations needing to be hung that we'll call in favours for, we're trying to keep costs not completely astronomical. Otabek makes good money, but... it still doesn't seem fair. And we don't need like- a one hundred grand wedding. [ Says the boy whose invitations cost like 30$ a piece to print. Good thing they only printed about ten of them at most. As far as Yuri was concerned, not a lot of people warranted their own physical invitation. James made the list. ]

I mean, I didn't come for lunch but... yeah, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about, if that's cool. [ Something in Yuri's demeanor turned shy, his voice dropping an octave, becoming more of a mumble as he let his hair fall into his face; so damn long now. Positively out of control, and it didn't seem like Yuri had any intentions of changing it, or cutting it any time soon. Letting it grow out had it's down sides, but overall... he liked how it looked, how it felt. All the ways he could braid it, and of course, the wonderful sensation of having Otabek play with it was heavenly. ]

In my day, we didn't sweat ourselves to death if we didn't have to. [He teases lightly, flipping the hood over Yuri's head and ruffling his hair through it, just for a moment before he slips away. Before he can get kicked.]

Hanging decorations I can do, but if you're going DIY, I ain't a Pin Interests kinda guy. [Pinterest, Bucky. But it's a miracle he knows enough about social media to make the reference. And then he pauses, words on the tip of his tongue. The back of his brain says the father of the bride usually pays for the wedding, but that is ridiculous, Yuri's not a bride and he's not his father. He says anyway, casually, because he makes pretty good money since his promotion and doesn't have much to spend it on,] No reason I couldn't kick in some, though. As a wedding present.

[A pause, and he glances back at Yuri, searching. His posture changes, and Bucky tries to get a look at his face through the curtain of his hair.] You can talk to me about anything. What is it?

I'm barely even sweating. [ He grumbled, cringing a little as Bucky ruffled up his hair, but notably not moving away from the touch like he would have if it were anyone else. Still, he gave a half-hearted swat at the other's hand, huffing as he reached his hands up to smooth his hair back down, sticking out his tongue at the other as he did. ]

It's Pinterest. [ He sighed it out, rolling his eyes and pursing his lips. At least he'd tried, Yuri supposed.

At the other's offer though, Yuri's cheeks coloured a little. Not... embarrassed per se; certainly not insulted as he could have been- would have been if it weren't... James. Instead it was touching, obviously offered as a heartfelt gesture- and Yuri wasn't quite sure what to do with that. ]

You don't have to- [ Yuri bit his lip, trying to find the right words, that weren't an automatic rejection. Of course he wanted to say no; he had his pride. Had money that he made for himself, was even looking at getting his own job. And then there was Otabek- practically famous as far as Riverview's music industry went. He knew Otabek made good money, but... wedding presents were a thing, weren't they? Wouldn't it have been just as insulting to refuse? ] But if you want to, I mean... I guess it would be okay. I dunno- I don't exactly know how that sort of thing works. I've never had a wedding before.

[ He laughed, a little nervously at first, but trying to force the tension to drain from him. Trying not to let the offer of money raise his hackles so high. It was hard, though. Yuri had always worked hard for the things he wanted. To support himself, his grandfather- the thought of taking other people's money, even Otabek's at times- it felt just... wrong, somehow. A bruise to his pride, when he was so determined to be self-sufficient. To not have to count on anyone else. ]

It's nothing bad. [ He promised, raising his hands in front of himself, making a calming patting motion in the air which- in hindsight, probably wasn't helping much at all, really. ]

I just... I've been thinking about it a lot, and with my grandpa not being here... I mean he's the most important person in this world or any other to me, you know? Second only to Beka- I'd... I'd do almost anything for him to be here for the wedding, but since he can't be... Otabek and I have talked about it and I was thinkingmaybeyouwouldbewillingtopassmeofftohimasIcomedowntheaisle? ['I was thinking maybe you would be willing to pass me off to him as I come down the aisle?' It all came out in an abrupt rush, spat out as fast as Yuri could get it out, cheeks going from a soft pink blush to flaming red in a heartbeat. ]

[Bucky exhales a helpless little laugh, hands out to his sides, mismatched palms up.] I don't exactly know how any of this works either, you know, especially with two grooms. It's up to you if you wanna let me chip in or not, but I'm gettin' you a gift either way, and it's gonna be that, or some boring towels you'll probably hate. [Bucky's never had to buy a wedding gift for anybody before, after all, let alone someone he's this close to. Luke and Jessica were the last couple he saw marry, and while they're both his friends and teammates, he's not that close to either of them.] Unless you got a registry set up, I guess.

[He lets Yuri continue, stunned into silence as he processes his words. It takes a minute for his brain to separate that long, rushed string there into something coherent, but it knocks him off guard, punches the breath out of his lungs. Yuri wants him to give him away. At his wedding. That's- That's what a father would do for a bride.

He feels spectacularly unworthy of something like that.] You want me to... to give you away during the ceremony? Are you- sure about that? Of course I will, if that's what you want, but- [But surely there is someone more worthy of being there on your big day. Someone you won't regret seeing in the photos later. He can't quite get the rest out.]

Just get towels in a big cat print. [ Like, obviously. The unimpressed look and raised eyebrow he fixed the other with said everything in regards to how Yuri felt about 'how hard' it was to find things he'd like. But... Still, if James did find it easier to just, go the route of giving them some money for the ceremony instead of gifting them with stuff they probably didn't need? Yeah, he supposed that was all right. ]

Okay, just. Don't go overboard with whatever you want to give us, all right? I know where you live, I'll stick it under your pillow when you're least expecting or something. [ And for emphasis, he stuck out his tongue at the other.

But then there was a pause; the dawning of Bucky realizing what it was Yuri was asking of him. Yuri frowned, and then swallowed hard, gaze falling away as his cheeks began to burn, staring at his feet as his heart rate picked up, pounding in his chest as his anxiety rose. What if he was out of bounds? What if James didn't want to? What if... ]

If you don't want to it's fine. I'll walk down by myself. [ It's gruff, cutting off the other's excuses before they could happen. ] I just. There's no one else. I don't want anyone else.

I don't think they make towels in big cat print. Most people buyin' their own towels have grown out of animal prints. [It's a wry comment with no real malice behind it. Yuri's love of feline spots and stripes is very well known by now, but still. He's right - Bucky doesn't want to get him something impersonal, something just taken off a list of gifts with little to no thought behind it. Especially if he's going to walk Yuri down the aisle. That screams family, and family doesn't just buy each other towels on their big day.] Name one thing you want for your wedding and ruled out because it adds too much to the budget, or seems impractical. I'll pay for it.

[That seems a good compromise. It lets Yuri and Otabek finance their own wedding still, but allows the luxury of something that would otherwise be ruled out. Lets Bucky feel like he's bankrolling something special.

Christ. This is all so complicated, though.] Hey. No. It ain't that I don't want to. Doesn't mean I'm not touched that you asked. But when it comes down to it, kid, there's a lot you don't know about me. [His voice softens a little.] When you find those things out, I don't want you lookin' back on your wedding day and me being the gloom cloud over the whole thing. That's all.

Oh, they make big towels in cat print. [ He could even show Bucky more than a dozen examples of just that exact thing. He has some already, to be honest. Big fluffy black ones with golden tiger stripes and gold embroidered accents along the hems. They're quite nice, in his opinion. ]

Christ, you're going to be one of those aren't you? [ But he smiles softly, unable to help himself despite feeling stiff; trying to close himself off. Knowing that there's no arguing with James about it. ] I'll talk to Otabek, see what he says.

[ His posture had sharpened, his body wound tight as he tried not to feel dejected. Without putting pressure on the other if he didn't want to. But all Yuri could think- was how he didn't want to. Trying not to let it hurt him, at least not now. Not until later when he was alone, and could safely unpack his emotions without making a fool of himself in front of his mentor. ]

I don't care. I don't care who you were, what you think you need to hide. I don't care if you've killed one person or a hundred- [ Because that at least, he'd inferred. ] I don't care what you did, I care about who you are now. What you've meant to me. That's not going to change, no matter what I learn or don't. I at least- I just want you there.

One of those what? I'm not allowed to want to give you a gift? [One that is not animal print towels. His smile only falls as the conversation continues, touches on things that are harder to discuss. He scrubs a hand through his hair, exhaling, trying to put into words the dark thoughts that linger at the edges of his consciousness. The last thing he wants to do is hurt Yuri, of course, but it seems he's already done that.

Not surprising, is it? There are times still he feels like poison in the lives of the people he cares for. When he finally speaks again, his voice is a little rough. Of course the kid has made a guess, but - it sounds like he's exaggerating, like he thinks the number can't be that high. Here goes nothing, he guesses.] It's more than a hundred. I fought on the front lines during the second world war. I was an assassin for the KGB. Then I chased after American terrorists. Who I am now is still the sum of who I've been over the decades. Maybe I should've been honest about that from the start.

[Because it feels deceptive, almost, to agree to give Yuri away at his wedding without the kid knowing just who would be walking him down the aisle.] Believe me, it isn't that I don't want to. I'm never gonna have a kid of my own to walk down the aisle, and I- care about you. But do you know for sure you ain't gonna regret it if it's me, takin' that big a role?

You're allowed- it's just. I didn't expect... You don't need to like, go out of your way or go over the top for us. That's what I mean. But you will anyway. Because... [ He shrugs, a little helplessly and makes a hand gesture with both hands, like that explains it all. Covers what Yuri wants to say.

Swallowing hard, Yuri wasn't sure what he expected from the other by way of explanation. He didn't expect one; wasn't sure he even wanted one if James didn't want to give it. But then, they were something like a family weren't they? It made sense that Bucky would want to tell him. Even if...

Yuri listened, Yuri listened and absorbed. And still, he didn't care.

Before the other could say any more, could stop him, Yuri had thrown himself at the other, wrapped his arms around James' middle and hauled him close. ]

Just shut up. You're stupid if you think those things would change the fact I care. [ His voice was gruff, face hidden behind the shadow of his hair against the other's shoulder. He squeezed for a moment, before letting the other go. Stepping back and scowling as he shoved his hands into the pocket of his hoodie again. ]

You said it yourself, you are the sum of who you've been over decades. I- I like who you are now. I'm happy to have met you. I'm not going to fucking regret it, okay?

[ And then, a snort. ] And the second world war? You didn't tell me you were practically a dinosaur.

[ Yep, good ol' Yuri. ]

[Bucky isn't sure how to react when, instead of the disgust he's expecting, or the prying questions, the search for an explanation, Yuri just launches his skinny self at Bucky and latches on around his middle. He looks down, a little stunned, but - he guesses this is his answer. The tension in his shoulders relaxes just a fraction, and he blows out a breath, curling the metal arm around the teenager's thin form, giving him a gentle squeeze. For a guy who rarely touches anyone with that hand outside of the necessary, it's... something like a sign of familiarity for him. Of closeness. His voice is a little rough, but quieter, fond.] Yeah, well, maybe I am stupid. Thought you'd react worse than that, I guess. It can be a lot for people to take in. S'why I don't... share that, with everyone.

[It's a soft statement, but pointed, because it has to be said even if he doesn't think Yuri would willingly spread his secrets around. It's less dangerous to fuck up his reputation now, with Alexander Pierce gone, but it's leverage if any ghosts from his own past show up here.

And then he breathes out a laugh.] Yeah, second world war. I was born in 1925, so I guess you can call me old-fashioned. If I'm givin' you away at the wedding, that means I get to pay for at least part of it. [Because that's what a father would do for his kid. The sentiment applies.] You chose the bride role, not me.

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