[closed]

[bespredel]

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. ]

Comments

[anotheroldsoldier]

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?

[bespredel]

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. ]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[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.]

[bespredel]

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.

[anotheroldsoldier]

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.

[bespredel]

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.

[anotheroldsoldier]

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?

[bespredel]

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. ]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[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.