Author's Note: I have edited and edited this to no end. On top of that school is whooping my but right now. I hope you guys like this. Thank god for sleepless nights!
Please Read and Review, I will always take advice!
Chapter 2: Storm
I awoke to the whining of Aussie inches in front of me. I could hear the faint sound of water running coming from the bathroom. I felt the warmth of the sun through my curtains, stinging my eyes.
'Funny I don't remember having company?' I thought to myself groggily.
I stretched my stiff joints, finding that a blanket was covering me. I realized that I had fallen asleep in my grey armchair, again. I rubbed my eyes from sleep and got to my feet, not before hitting my bad knee on the edge of my coffee table.
"Ow! Dammit not again!"
I seethed through my teeth; I would have to rearrange the furniture again if I kept doing that. I went over to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of orange juice, easily downing it. I looked down beside me to see Aussie staring back with his head tilted.
"What?" I asked.
I noticed that the guest bedroom looked like it had been used. I set my glass down and wandered into the doorway. My brows furrowed trying to remember what happened yesterday. I yawned, stretching my arms over my head as I turned around. When I opened them, I was suddenly thrown back into reality, remembering what happened within the last twenty-four hours.
"Oh." I said aloud.
'Don't I feel stupid,' I mentally added.
I briskly walked past the bathroom and into my own bedroom. Opening my drawers I found a lion king tank top, a red button up flannel and a pair of leggings that I used for running. Since they were the only things that looked relatively clean I threw them on. I pulled my brunette hair into a ponytail and threw on the red flannel as a cardigan. With that I rolled up my sleeves and walked out of my bedroom, shutting the door behind me.
I walked back into the kitchen and rummaged through my pantry for anything that would be considered a good breakfast. I heard the shower head cease and after a short pause the door opened, revealing my guest in only a pair of loose fitting grey sweatpants and a dark long-sleeved compression shirt that clung to him like a second skin. His hair was sopping wet, clinging to the back of his neck.
"Glad you're up; what do you want for breakfast?" I smiled at him. He shrugged slightly.
"Helpful," I chuckled turning back to look at the pantry. I caught sight of a box of pancake mix, and my mouth began to water.
"Want some pancakes?" I asked shaking the box. His brows furrowed in confusion.
"Its food," I sighed light-heartedly.
Bucky nodded slowly as if he was unsure at first. I smiled setting the box down on the counter. I grabbed the ingredients needed from my pantry, and some measuring cups for the water. I also brought out a bowl to mix up the pancake mix so that it would turn into pancake batter. I set my phone on Bluetooth with my JBL portable speaker, hanging the small device on a magnetic hook for my fridge. I turned on my music, letting the song 'Street Fighting Man,' slowly come to life.
I went to reach for the pan that rest on a hook that was a just out of reach. The last person who lived here had to have been a basketball player or something, because when I moved in a few years ago everything was too tall for me. I made adjustments to make everything within my reach, but for storage use I kept everything in the kitchen the way it was.
I struggled to balance myself on the counter as I tried to reach for the hanging pan. That was when I felt a presence behind me, and saw arms easily reach the pan without breaking a sweat. I looked up to see Bucky had moved from his seat and retrieved the pan for me.
"Oh, uh- thanks," I slipped my center of gravity down from the counter ledge, gently taking the pan from him. He was surely well built for a guy who was 95. Aussie ran between me and the cabinets, causing me to lurch forward, colliding with the solid chest of the long haired soldier. One of his arms wrapped around my waist out of instinct, and I could feel the tensions in his muscles on my back. A faint color of red decided to flush upon my cheeks, and now I was acting like a middle school kid at a dance with their crush.
"Oh! Sorry about that," I awkwardly backed away, straying from my train of thought. I set the pan on the stovetop, turning the burner on beneath it. When I turned around, Bucky was back in his chair, silently watching me mix the pancake batter quizzically.
I started humming along to the songs that played on my speaker, almost word for word. I was concentrating on making the batter form a perfect circle on the pan's surface. I grabbed a plastic spatula as I sang along to the Bruno Mars tune.
'Run run, runaway baby before I put my spell on you. You better get get getaway darling cause everything you heard is true!'
I bobbed my head to the beat like an idiot, but I often danced while I cooked.
I checked the clock; Nat would be here any minute. She would stop by every morning for free breakfast and a small chat before she went to work. Sometimes it was annoying finding that the woman was raiding my fridge while I overslept.
8:45
Right on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Bucky's head shot up and his muscles tensed; I could have sworn I heard some mechanics whirring with that but I chose to let it go.
"Hey- could you get the door, I'm a bit busy," I asked sheepishly as I balanced some pancakes on numerous plates. Another lay cooking on the pan.
Bucky nodded and got up from his seat, Aussie trailing behind him. He disappeared behind the side of the fridge, and I heard the turning of the knob, and the burst of chatter out of Nat's mouth.
"Sam! You won't believe the story I just got! Hey Aussie! Anyway, my boss wants me to go to New York to interview Tony Stark. The Tony Stark! Can you believe it! I mean I couldn't at first I was practically speechless. I'll be leaving for about a week, so I'm going to need you to take care of Milo for me, just make sure Aussie doesn't eat him while I'm gone alright! Hey hot stuff how's it going?"
I was surprised she said that all without taking a breath. I set the plates down in front of the two bar stools one of which Nat occupied, and the other yet to be occupied by a very confused Bucky, looking to me for an explanation.
"Don't look at me I can't translate that even if I tried," I scoffed lightly.
"So James, how do you like DC so far? Is her sarcasm getting on your nerves yet? If so you can move in with me, I make a great-," I shoved a mouthful of pancake in her rapid fire mouth so that she would stop talking.
"Serves you right," I gave a satisfied nod. Aussie barked happily. I turned to Bucky.
"Sorry about her, she doesn't know how to stop talking. Breakfast is ready so dig in," I gestured to the freshly made pancakes. He silently took a seat on the stool and began stuffing himself. I took my own plate and sat on the concrete countertop, indulging in my cooking skills.
"These are good," Bucky said between bites.
"Thanks," I smiled toward him.
"Oh; and don't forget you have that date when I get back from New York," Nat reminded me. I groaned my mouth full of pancakes.
"Do I have to?" I swallowed.
"Yes; you need to be romantically social."
"That's not even a thing," I gave her a look.
"It is when it comes to your love life," she pointed the form at me.
"I don't need a love life," I said flatly, pointing my own form back at her.
"Exactly why I am doing this," she stuffed the last of her pancake in her mouth.
"I still don't see a logical reason why I have you play matchmaker for me," I grumbled. I noticed that Bucky watched as he ate his pancakes, thoroughly amused.
"Because you need a boyfriend," Nat checked her phone before stuffing it back in her enormous purse. That purse was the lone reason why I refused to carry anything similar to it.
"Alright I gotta go, please don't do anything stupid till I get back alright?"
"How can I, you're taking all the stupid with you!" I shouted through the doorway of my apartment, she simply gave me a friendly road-rage hand gesture as she walked down the steps. I chuckled and shut the door, walking back into the kitchen and began to clean up the mess I had made while cooking.
I gazed at Bucky, all the color had drained from his face just as he was about to take a bite.
"You okay?" I asked warily.
"I think I've heard that before," he blinked, shocked.
"Really? Can you remember when?" I asked setting a plate in the sink.
"It's fuzzy, I can't tell, but I can hear a voice saying that," he rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated.
"So is there anything you wanna do?" I tried to change the subject, hopefully lightening his mood.
"I dunno," he said incoherently.
"Helpful," I untied my mess of hair, releasing it in waves of brunette locks that faded to a caramel color at the ends.
"Well I need to get Aussie some dog food, and I think you need some clothes that aren't my just brother's; wanna come with?" I asked him, grabbing my phone and wallet.
I threw on my black jacket over my grey one for extra warmth knowing that it was getting colder out. I also grabbed the brightly woven Swiss leash I bought for Aussie, since he loved to go to Petsmart and see all the people. The blue Merle was happily bouncing when he saw the leash in hand, and pranced up to me so that I could put it on him.
I looked back up at Bucky, who was uncertain in his decision. He looked at me with his blue hazy eyes, and I almost melted on the spot. God damn my hormones to an eternity of hell's inner circle of the damned.
"Just throw on a jacket and a pair of shoes if you wanna go, you don't have to change if you don't want to," I shrugged, massaging Aussie on the top of his head.
"Why do you say that?" He asked quizzically, his nose scrunching up in confusion.
"Why do I say what?" I replied confused.
"If you want," he stated, "Why do you say that?"
"Because it's not my job to tell you what to do, I'm not your mom," I shrugged, "We live in a free country where everyone can choose what they want to do on a daily basis."
"Oh," was all he said before he retreated to his room, slamming the door behind him. I looked down at Aussie, who was in turn looking up at me.
"Was that a yes or a no to you?" I asked the furry creature that was practically attached to me. After two minutes of waiting I simply took it as a no and grabbed my keys. Aussie and I exited our apartment and the steps to it. I waved to the Mrs. Jensen as we passed by her own dwelling.
"Stay out of trouble dear," she said grumpily, as always, in her drunken granny state.
"Stay off the drugs," I stuck my tongue out at her, only to receive a certain finger in response. I laughed and exited the building. The two of us walked in the brisk autumn air, I tugged my jacket closer to my body as the wind whipped through the streets.
We walked in the Petsmart and went straight to food aisle. I grabbed a bag of his favorite food and went to pay for it, not before stopping by the shelter that they had in the store. There were a bunch of cats in the shelter, and I couldn't help but melt at the sight of them sprawling out across the blankets. Aussie had no problem with cats; he only had a problem with Milo, for a reason unknown. I had always wanted a cat, but I already had my hands full with Aussie. I patted Aussie on the head and went to the check out.
"This everything?" The dark haired cashier asked. I nodded reaching for my wallet. Aussie patiently sat by my feet.
"Cute pooch," the cashier smiled fondly.
"Thank you," I returned a smile. I paid for Aussie's dog food and we exited the building. I stopped by a pet-friendly store on my way back, making sure to buy some shirts for Bucky. I bought some a size bigger than what my brother wore so that the fabric would shrink to a proper fit in the dryer. Once that was finished; Aussie and I walked back to the apartment.
"Hello Sam," I heard a familiar voice drawl as I passed an alley. Aussie pranced up to the man he knew since he was a puppy.
"Fury? What are you doing here? Especially after the whole SHIELD thing?" I asked.
"Thought I'd pay you a visit before I went overseas," he tilted his head.
"You're going overseas? Why?"
"Business," he gutted.
"You're no fun."
"And you are too much like you're uncle."
I smirked.
"Well kid, been fun catching up with you. I best get going, wouldn't wanna miss my flight." The leather-clad-former-director patted my shoulder.
"Nice seeing you too Nick," I smiled. I began to walk away, Aussie by my side as always.
"Hey kid." I turned around to face the elder man.
"Watch your back, and remember; keep both eyes open. Wouldn't want you paying a permanent visit to your Uncle Phil now would we?"
I nodded as a response and Fury slunk back into the alleys. I took note of his words and walked back to my apartment. Aussie was ever oblivious to the conversation that went on, and kept up his happy-go-lucky nature as he trotted beside me.
I returned to my part end without incident, or anything that looked suspicious. I unlocked the door and found nothing had been altered in anyway as it was when I had left.
Much time had passed between when I had left and when I had returned. The sky had darkened due to the impending storm, as well as the coming winter nights. I hadn't realized that I spent the entire day shopping around for Bucky, only managing to procure a single grocery bag full of shirts and gym shorts that were most likely too big for him. I also bought a pair of socks with the captain America emblem stitched into them. I could not pass up the sight of them in the store, knowing who was in my apartment; I could not wait to see his reaction.
"I'm home!" I called out.
I set my keys in the bowl and let Aussie off his leash. I hung my coat upon the hanger of the door and poured Aussie's food in the container. I set the bag of Bucky's new clothes on the counter. I noticed that Bucky's door was still closed.
I threw the empty bag of dog food in the trash as I exited the kitchen. I cautiously walked over to Bucky's 'room' and knocked.
"Hey you alright?" I asked the wooden door, hoping the person on the other side would hear me.
Silence filled the air, allowing tension to grow within me.
A cringing scream was my answer.
"Bucky!" I called, my voice laced with fear.
I tried to open the door, but it was locked. I tried ramming it with my shoulder, but that didn't work either. I backed up and kicked the door, effectively forcing it open.
The room was dark, and an almost lifeless figure sprawled on the floor. Bucky was in the fetal position, his hands at either side of his head. His eyes were shut so tightly it looked like they were sewn. He wore no shirt, and he laid on his left side.
"Bucky!" I rushed to his side. I knelt down to his level and gently touched his shoulder.
Two things happened as my fingers lay upon his skin; his left hand wrapped around my neck; and I was shoved up against the wall to where my feet could not touch the ground.
His eyes were no longer in a dull haze, but were clouded by a fog of rage and pent up emotion. His hand tightened around my neck, closing off my only airway. I pried at his grip only to find it made of iron, literally. I gazed at his entire arm, finding it made of metal through the glimmer of the little bit light that shone through the curtains.
"Bucky! It's me! I won't hurt you!" I rasped as I tried to breathe. I looked into his eyes, seeing the rage that clouded them slowly begin to waste away, and replaced with fear.
He released me as if I was poison, and I sunk to my knees gasping for breath. My hand instinctively went up to my throat, hoping to try and lessen the pain upon my esophagus. I coughed and rasped unattractively as air entered my lungs again. It took me at least two minutes to breathe properly again.
I looked up to see Bucky seated on the edge of the bed with head in his hands. I sat there in a confused awe, mainly because I didn't notice for this entire time that he had been here, his entire left arm was metal.
Metal.
How. Did. I. Not. See. That?!
Bucky was cursing in another language; I'm guessing a European one at that.
"Bucky?" I offered his name, slowly shuffling myself to where he was. He made no attempt to answer, but he silenced in his cursing.
I was now at his knees, and I supported myself on my own. I took hold of his hands, forcing him to look directly at me. Even in the darkness of the poorly lit room you could still see the bright blue eyes; and they still had a dead haze.
"I could have killed you," he swallowed.
"But you didn't." I countered, albeit unconvincingly because of my raspy voice as I swallowed.
He shook his head; "I shouldn't be here. I should leave."
"And go where? Bucky, where are you gonna go, you're being hunted."
"Exactly, it will put you in danger. I just put you in danger, and you want me to stay?!"
"I have been through worse; believe me. Don't think you're the first nutcase I've run into."
He gave me a look, the corners of his mouth twitching upward at my remark. I returned a fond smile, but it faded as my eyes gazed at his appendage.
"What happened to you? Do you remember?" I asked, my hand grazing over his metallic fingers. The brunette simply shook his head.
"I remember falling. And then waking up, finding them drilling and my arm was gone. I also remember a room, and this chair they put me in. They turned a switch in and I would feel pain, and then nothing." He explained, his hands finding his temples. I furrowed my brows, trying to make sense of what had transpired. Then it just clicked.
"They wiped your memory." I said, fear lacing through my body.
"Gee that would explain a lot," he mumbled sarcastically.
"Well you weren't much help, you know the whole brooding in silence doesn't help me."
"Noticed."
"Is this what it's like to have a conversation with yourself?" I rubbed my temples.
"You said that out loud in case you're wondering," Bucky said, his head facing the doorway. I groaned, and I saw the man smirk.
I managed to get to my feet, steadying myself against the dresser by the door. I took slow breaths, since every time I took one I felt immense pain on the inside of my throat.
Rain was pelting the window, and the sky was ever darkening. Thunder racked the skies so loud it shook the windows itself. Aussie yelped and hid under Bucky's bed, only managing to hide his head, for the rest of his body was sticking out. Bucky snorted amused at the Australian shepherd, as did I.
Another loud crack of thunder sounded off in the skies, louder than the one before. Aussie jumped up onto the bed and curled up next to the shirtless soldier. I went into the kitchen and grabbed the bag of clothing I bought.
"Here, I bought some clothes for you, since you fit in my brother's size I kinda just based it off of that." I said sheepishly as I set the grocery bag on the wooden dresser. He simply nodded, running a hand through his head of hair.
"Doesn't that get annoying?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"What?" He gave me a look.
"The hair, it always being in your eyes. I can barely stand my hair being in my eyes, and my hair is longer than yours is." I shrugged.
"Sometimes," He said distant.
"You don't put it up or anything?"
"What do you mean?" he asked quizzically.
"Like put it up in a ponytail or a bun?"
"What language are you speaking?" He raised a brow. I rolled my eyes.
"Here, let me show you." I walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge so that I was still behind him, not interrupting his comforting Aussie.
I raked my hands through his head, gathering up his hair into a small bun at the back of his head. I took a hairband that I kept on my wrist and twisted it around the band of brunette hair. I shifted myself so that I sat crisscross directly behind him, my knees grazing his back. His muscles shifted as he tensed, allowing me to see his toned self from behind.
I shook myself out of my stare and went back to finishing off his hair. I kept it to only two bands around his hair, making it so it was not too tight, and he could maneuver it to his liking. I did not make It a ponytail either, mainly because I did not want to restart if he did not find it comfortable.
"What do you think?" I offered. He looked over his shoulder to gaze at me.
"Its fine," He mumbled as Aussie lay his head upon his lap.
I smiled at got up from the bed, petting Aussie as I walked in front of the two. The thunder was becoming distant, but the rain remain in its onslaught. I flicked the light-switch to the great area, only to find that the power had gone out. I blew a stray strand of my own brunette locks out of my face.
"Well that's just great." I said sarcastically, cautiously walking into the dark abyss of my dwelling.
"What?" I heard Bucky ask from what seemed to be directly behind me, causing me to jump.
"The power's out, I'm trying to find some light." I said casually, although I was on the verge of tripping over my own feet. I heard a coherent grunt, seemingly him acknowledging what I said.
As I blindly wandered about for any source of light. I banged my knee into the coffee table.
Hard.
"Ow!" I shrieked in pain. Instinctively, I brought my leg up, but I lost balance and began to tip over. It wasn't long before I hit the ground in a heaping thud.
"You alright?" I heard Bucky ask, this time I saw his outline hovering over me.
"Yes." I said shortly.
"You're a terrible liar," he shook his head.
"Runs in the family," I muttered, wincing as I sat upright.
I felt arms sweep under my knees and around my back, easily lifting me up in the air. I began to feel immensely tired as Bucky carried me to my room. I laid my head upon his non-metallic shoulder as he walked through the doorway sideways, to keep my feet from hitting the wooden frame. He laid me upon my unkempt bed, Aussie curling up next to me for added warmth. I shifted to my side as the man pulled my duvet over my still clothed body.
Did I care, Nope. I was too tired to move as sleep over came me once again.
I guess I have a thing for falling asleep at the end of chapters. Hopefully the next one will be better.
Hope you people liked it!
- Sincerely, Longboard917
AKA Katie