Bucky woke the next morning to the sun beginning to creep over the horizon and fill his room with a soft, still gray, glow. He turned his head to find Ruth still asleep next to him. He rolled over onto his side and gently brushed her ponytail off her face. He watched her sleeping for a few minutes until she began to stir. When she finally woke up and her eyes opened, he felt his heart give a squeeze when a smile immediately graced her lips.
"Good Morning Ruthie."
"Good Morning Bucky."
"Sleep well?"
She stretched and yawned,
"Mhmm. How about you? You feeling better?"
"Back to normal."
Ruth rolled over to plant a kiss on his lips. His left hand landed on her waist to steady her and she let out a little sigh into the kiss. When she pulled back she smiled,
"So, do you guys have any food in the house?"
"We have groceries. Why?"
"I want to make breakfast."
"Well I won't argue with that. I'm sure Steve won't either."
"Perfect!"
She hopped out of bed and shimmied into the sweatpants Bucky gave her last night that she left on the end of the dresser.
Bucky hummed and Ruth turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow,
"What?"
He shook his head but had that lopsided smile on his face,
"I could get used to that view."
"Sergeant Barnes!"
Ruth scolded but her pink cheeks and grin gave her away. She tied the draw string on the pants extra tight, the clothes practically swallowed her whole, but she wasn't complaining. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and opened the door. Before stepping out, she turned back to Bucky,
"Well get a move on Sarge."
Then left with a wink.
She started the coffee to brewing, then set about making French Toast. She had her phone on the counter playing music softly as she worked. Both Bucky and Steve came out of their bedrooms about the time the coffee finished brewing.
"Good morning Ruth."
"Good morning Steve. Care for some French Toast?"
"I would love some."
Both men fixed themselves some coffee as Ruth worked.
"Judging by the lack of coffee creamer in the fridge I assume you both take your coffee black."
Both men just shrugged.
She found some sugar in the pantry and used the cream she used for the French Toast mixture. She took a sip and sighed,
"Ah. Much better."
Steve sat on the other stool at the counter next to Bucky. Ruth put the first batch in the skillet and Steve raised his eyebrows and asked,
"So. You two seem like you had a good night."
"Steven Rogers! America's Golden Boy and you have your mind in the gutter."
"Hey! I was in the Army."
Ruth just laughed.
"Yes, we had a good night and no it wasn't like that."
She clarified, making her point by pointing the spatula at Steve with a less than serious glare. Steve just laughed and Ruth cracked a smile. The three continued laughing and joking as Ruth finished cooking then they all gathered at the table to eat.
Ruth watched both men as they took the first bites of food. Steve spoke first, his mouth still full,
"Oh my gosh! Ruthie this is incredible!"
Bucky was nodding enthusiastically next to him with his mouth full.
She couldn't help the grin on her face.
When they finished eating, both guys cleaned up the table and the kitchen. Neither would let Ruth help, claiming she cooked so they'd clean. Ruth sipped the last of her coffee and observed the two super soldiers working in the kitchen. It was clear to anyone watching that they had spent a lot of time together and knew each other well. When they were done, Steve excused himself to his room and Bucky and Ruth retreated to his room.
As soon as the door latched, Bucky was on her. Their lips crashed together, his right hand buried in her hair and his left arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Her hands slid over his shoulders and settled at the back of his neck, holding him in place.
Ruth pulled back finally to take a few deep breaths to calm down. Bucky shifted his focus and pecked soft kisses along her jaw then down the side of her neck. It did nothing to calm Ruth down. She let out a little moan and her head tilted back. At the sound, Bucky pushed her back against the wall and captured her lips again. This kiss was searing and made Ruth grab a fistful of Bucky's hair.
When Bucky ended the kiss, he rested his forehead against Ruth's. They both had their eyes closed and Ruth tried to rein in her breathing.
Bucky whispered,
"God Ruth you are incredible."
"Is that what this was?"
He nodded, their heads still touching.
"I couldn't resist. You're just so…perfect. You're so caring and sweet and fun and beautiful. And…I'm not pushing. I don't want to rush into anything. I just couldn't resist. You are so amazing."
Ruth caught his lips in a short, sweet kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing you say that."
"Likewise. Never thought I'd ever hear anyone tell me that ever again."
After a few more minutes of lazily making out they stepped away from the wall and separated. Ruth gathered her clothes off the corner of the dresser and changed in the bathroom. She pulled her messy ponytail down and combed through her hair with her fingers then stepped back into the bedroom. Bucky had changed into jeans and a short sleeve t-shirt.
Ruth smiled at him.
"I like when you show off your arm."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I guess I just think of it as though you have that arm because you've experienced trauma. And you survived and conquered that trauma. In your case, more than anyone could ever be expected to endure and survive let alone come out on top. I'm proud of you for all you've overcome. And…in case you haven't noticed…you are incredibly attractive."
Bucky walked straight for her and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her snug against him and planted one on her.
"How'd I get so lucky?"
"Right place right time."
He chuckled,
"True."
Bucky walked Ruth to the elevator, and they shared another kiss as he waited with her. They'd made plans for the next weekend, provided no missions popped up.
Ruth called Violet on her walk back to her apartment and dished all the details of last night and that morning. She couldn't quite believe this was her life now. Bucky Barnes loved her and she him.