Anyone Else
Chapter Five
Bucky insisted that Helen stay out of the fight with Walker to take back the shield. As upset as she was, Helen understood why he wanted to confront Walker alone, with Sam. The two men had a deeper connection to that shield that she did. She stood outside the warehouse, trying not to focus on the crashing and banging inside the building.
Bucky emerged from the warehouse to find Helen facing the railroad tracks, hugging herself. He could tell she was upset he'd sidelined her, but he needed to make sure she wasn't hurt further. Super serum amplified a person's good and bad traits. Walker's ego and his need to prove himself made him dangerous, too dangerous to add Helen into the mix, especially with the shield involved.
"You get it?" Helen asked, not turning to look at him.
"Yeah." Bucky confirmed. "Gave it to Sam."
"Good." Helen nodded once, biting her lip to stop the stream of tears of relief from falling down her cheeks. She sniffed, "You alright?" She finally looked at him.
Bucky did a quick inventory of his injuries. His ribs hurt, but he didn't think he needed urgent medical attention. "Yeah." He winced a little as Helen inspected the cuts on his face. Her fingers lightly smoothing over his bruised and broken skin.
"We need to get those cleaned up before you heal over." Helen observed, hand dropping from his face.
Before it could return to her side, Bucky reached out and gently encased her palm with his fingers; he entwined his fingers with hers before giving them a squeeze and releasing them. "Got some unfinished business to attend to." He informed her gruffly, not quite meeting her eyes.
"Okay," Helen nodded, she figured Bucky would go after Zemo now that Karli had gone underground again, especially with the Wakandans afoot. "I want to make sure Sam gets taken care of." She took a quick breath. "Probably should check in with Torres and the home office to make sure we aren't missing anything."
Bucky just squinted at her for a moment. "You really gonna make me ask, eh?"
"Ask what?" She scoffed, brows furrowed in confusion. "You've got something to do, so do I." She shrugged, starting to walk away.
Bucky reached out and gripped her upper arm. "Come with me."
Helen's breath caught. "A-are you sure?" She stammered, reaching up to nervously adjust his collar. "I know you've been working on your list. I don't want to distract you-"
Bucky pulled her closer and caught her lips in a hard, hungry kiss. "Too late for that, Hel." He murmured after releasing her mouth. "I want you with me."
Helen swallowed her insecurity, giving him a shy smile. "Okay, Sarge." She bit her lip. "I'm with you."
Bucky's jaw clenched as he sat on the hotel room bathroom counter. Helen stood against the counter between his thighs, bottom lip caught between her teeth in concentration. His mind kept wandering to all the dirty things he wanted to do to and with this woman. She really was something else. Their afternoon together in Zemo's apartment had awoken a part of himself he'd forgotten existed.
Before his time in Wakanda, he'd never let himself go down the path of intimacy with hardly anyone, let alone a woman. Now that he was free of the Winter Soldier programming, he was able to pursue intimacy in his relationships. He hadn't been looking for a romantic relationship, Helen kind of just popped up in his life when he'd moved back to Brooklyn six months ago.
"Hold still." Helen chided softly, trying to clean Bucky's cuts before they healed over. "The more you fidget the longer this is going to take."
Bucky licked his lips. "Yes, ma'am." He teased, giving her a mock two finger salute.
Helen swatted his chest playfully, feeling her insides clench at the submission. "There." She stepped back to survey her work.
Bucky watched as she cleaned up the packaging for the bandages and threw them in the bin. He noticed she looked nervous, like she wasn't sure about being with him still. "Something on your mind, Hel?" He asked, reaching out and delving his fingers into her hair, sliding off the counter.
"Uh," Helen bit her lip. "Actually, I was trying to get the nerve up to do something else for you." Before she lost her nerve completely, she grabbed his hand from her hair and led him over to the lone double bed.
Bucky settled on the edge of the bed as she instructed, watching Helen with rapt attention. She'd shed her leather jacket when they'd entered the hotel room, toeing off her boots and leaving them by the door. He'd followed suit and enjoyed the picture of their outerwear hung up together. She straddled his lap and threaded her fingers into his hair.
Helen wanted to show Bucky she wasn't some shy school girl who he could only softly fuck with the shades drawn. Not that the sex they had that afternoon was bad, it had been deeply satisfying. It was also slow, tender, slightly awkward and had her blushing just thinking about it. She pressed her lips to his, hands slowly sliding down his chest to his belt buckle.
Bucky's hips jumped at her forwardness. "Easy, honey." He murmured against her throat. She palmed him through his jeans and slowly sank out of his lap to her knees. Bucky's chest heaved with the implications of what was about to happen. "You don't have to do that, Hel."
Helen pulled her hair back from her face, Bucky leaned forward a little to help her. "Want to make you feel good, Sarge."
Bucky gently gripped her chin between his forefinger and thumb. "I-It's been a l-long t-time…" He stammered, eyes studying hers carefully.
Helen playfully pushed at his chest to get him to relax. "Then relax," She encouraged, "Let me take care of you."
Bucky blinked. Here he thought he was taking care of her. Turns out the feeling could be reciprocated, if he'd allow it. He could hear Steve's voice in his head, encouraging him to let go and live for once. "Okay, Hel." Bucky purred, watching her intently. "You look so pretty on your knees."
Zemo stood next to the Sokovia Memorial. Bucky approached and waited for him to acknowledge his presence. Helen stood at the edge of the forest with Ayo and the Dora Milaje, giving Bucky some privacy to face his mortal enemy one last time.
"James seems better." Ayo commented, nodding to the super soldier. "More at peace."
Helen nodded. "He's been doing the work."
Ayo nodded, watching as Bucky pulled a gun on Zemo. The women watched as Bucky pulled the trigger and the gun simply clicked, empty. Then he let the bullets fall to the ground, scattering at Zemo's feet. "Helps to not be alone, too." The warrior placed a hand of encouragement on Helen's shoulder for a moment before emerging from the forest to collect their prisoner.
After asking for a favor from Ayo, Bucky scanned the area to find Helen standing in front of the memorial. He slipped his vibranium arm around her waist. "Let's go home." He murmured, kissing her temple.
Helen reached up to fluff his hair. "Proud of you." She murmured, then gave him a nod. "Home sounds perfect."
"Achoo!" Helen sneezed into the tissue clutched in her shaky fingers. She sat huddled on her couch, rain pounding against the windows. Another day in paradise. Bucky had texted her earlier to check on her since she hadn't been feeling right on their way back from Sokovia. She'd yet to text him back.
Bucky shut off the news on his TV and glanced around his apartment. He'd arrived late last night and crashed. As much as he wanted to spend the night with Helen, she hadn't been feeling well and he wanted to give her some space. He'd been able to do the few dishes in the sink and he'd rolled up his bedroll and tucked it behind his easy chair. Helen still hadn't answered his text from over two hours ago and he'd begun to worry. He didn't want to be overly clingy or anything so when she'd bid him good night last night, he'd let her go.
Helen watched her phone light up, then go dark. She didn't want Bucky to see her like this. Usually she didn't get sick, the super serum seemed to protect her from the common cold and even seasonal allergies. She must be really sick for her to have symptoms. The illness most likely wouldn't last long, but she didn't want him to see her all puffy, runny and stuffy. Her phone buzzed again. This time he was calling.
"H-hello." Helen rasped, her throat rough and scratchy.
"Helen?" Bucky checked his phone to make sure he dialed the right person, "That you, doll?" He asked, not sure why she sounded so hoarse.
"Yeah." She whispered, squeezing her eyes shut against the flood of tears welling up in her eyes at the sound of his voice.
"Jesus." He swore. "You still not feeling well?" He asked, leaving his apartment, locking the door behind him.
"Uh," Helen hesitated. "Just a little under the weather, no big de-" She sneezed violently, "Achoo!"
"I'll take that as an affirmative." Bucky chuckled. "Hang on for a few minutes, Hel. Help is on the way." He didn't wait for her to answer, he just hung up and left the apartment building to acquire some of his favorite remedy for when he found himself under the weather.
Helen set her phone on the side table and choked back a sob. She knew he was headed her way. Probably his 40's chivalry to blame. She willed herself to get up from the couch and slowly move to the bathroom. She stared hard in the mirror for a few moments, trying to ignore the pounding in her head from being upright. She splashed some cool water on her face, blew her nose and finger combed her curls into a more managed wave down her back. She gargled some mouthwash to get rid of her morning breath and returned to the couch to wait for Bucky to arrive.
Bucky knocked on Helen's door and impatiently waited for her to open it. He felt like this was an opportunity to show her that there was more to him than just violence and post mission sex. He'd gone around the corner to the Maury's and gotten some chicken noodle soup and fresh baked bread.
Helen's head snapped up. She had almost fallen asleep. She peeled herself off the couch and shuffled to the door. She undid the deadbolt and pulled the door open just a crack. "Hey." She whispered, stepping back.
Bucky's eyes widened at the sight of Helen. Her eyes and nose were rimmed red, and her sinuses looked painfully puffy. She was dressed in black leggings and a soft, scoop neck sweater. Other than looking rather pale, she looked perfectly cuddly to him. "Oh, Hel." Bucky murmured, stepping into her apartment. He closed and bolted the door behind him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her over to the couch. He set the bag of goodies on her coffee table and got her settled back on the cushion.
"Sometimes airplanes make me stuffy." She sniffled, reaching for the tissue Bucky offered her.
"I hear that." Bucky nodded, setting the tissue box on the coffee table. He opened the paper bag and pulled out a bowl of soup. "You hungry?" He glanced up at her, she was staring at him, wide eyed. "What?" He scoffed, taking out his own bowl.
"You got Maury's?" She perked up a little.
Bucky's lips twitched in amusement. "Yeah," He confirmed, handing her a spoon. He'd overheard her tell Sam about it on the plane earlier that week. It was her favorite soup spot in the neighborhood. Since he knew she was sick, it was the logical choice.
"Thank you." She took the spoon and then the bowl he handed her.
"You bet." He flashed her a brilliant grin.
Helen bit her lip, feeling her cheeks heat and opened the bowl. She swallowed a spoonful and hummed in happiness. "Delicious." She praised.
Bucky settled on the couch next to her and proceeded to eat his soup, stealing glances at her between spoonfuls.
Helen felt much better after having eaten. She hadn't had the energy to venture out for anything that morning so it was a godsend that Bucky had shown up. Bucky cleaned up and loitered awkwardly between her living room and the door.
"You looking for a formal invitation, Sarge?" Helen scoffed, cocking an eyebrow.
Bucky palmed the back of his neck. "I wasn't sure you'd want me to stay."
Helen shook her head. "I was definitely hoping for a cuddle, old man." She gave him a soft smile.
Bucky smirked and joined her back on the couch, sitting on the end, extending his arm along the back. Helen settled down, pillowing her head on his shoulder, arm wrapping around his waist. "You good, Hel?" He chuckled as she stretched out beside him like a cat.
Helen lifted her head, "Almost." She reached up and cupped his cheek, pressing her lips gently to his cheek.
Bucky felt arousal stir low in his belly as she willingly pressed her body against his. He palmed the back of Helen's head, fingers tightening in her hair. "Careful, doll." Bucky murmured against her temple, "Don't write a check you can't cash."
Helen pulled back as she felt her nose twitch. She quickly reached for a tissue and buried her sneeze in it. "Achoo!"
Bucky smirked, picking up the remote as Helen got up and disappeared into the bathroom. He turned on the TV waiting for Helen to return.
Helen splashed some more cool water on her face after unceremoniously blowing her nose. She obviously needed rest, but she didn't want to suffer alone. Bucky seemed willing to stick around. She blew her nose one more time before emerging from the bathroom.
Bucky looked up from the news program he was watching to see Helen emerge from the bathroom. She looked extremely tired. She swayed a little and he was immediately on his feet. "Easy, baby." He crooned, tossing one of her arms over his neck, wrapping his arm around her waist for support. Before he decided against it, he moved them down the hall towards what he presumed to be her bedroom.
"Not the way I pictured you taking me to my bed, Sarge." Helen quipped, leaning into him gratefully.
Bucky sighed goodnaturedly, "We've got plenty of time for that once you're feeling better, Hel."
Bucky entered Helen's bedroom and immediately felt at ease. The queen size bed was dressed in fluffy white linen, a plush charcoal grey shag rug underneath to ward off the perpetual New York chill. He settled Helen down on the edge of the bed, then pulled back the covers so she could slide under them.
Helen eased back under the covers and reached out to cup Bucky's cheek as he tucked her in. "Stay?" She whispered.
Bucky's heart clenched at the need in her voice. He hadn't really thought she needed him, not like he seemed to need her. "Of course, Hel." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Not going anywhere."
Bucky spent the afternoon lounging in Helen's bed, reading her well loved copy of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. He'd loved The Hobbit when it came out and he'd not realized there was a sequel. He was enjoying the unfolding friendship between Frodo and Sam. She had also informed him that the sequel was also the first in a trilogy. He was excited about the prospect of reading them as well once they solved this latest super soldier issue.
Helen hummed as she came awake, reveling in the feeling of Bucky's cool metal fingers sliding through her hair. She tried to feign still being asleep. She didn't want to scare him off. He didn't often touch her with his metal arm, especially skin to metal. He'd touch her clothed arm or shoulder, but the only time he'd touched her skin deliberately with that hand had been during sex in Latvia. She slowly took inventory of her body, realizing her head was no longer pounding and her face felt less swollen and puffy.
She opened her eyes to find Bucky lounging against the headboard, book in hand, a contented smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. His left arm was around her shoulders, fingers playing absentmindedly in her hair. "How long was I out?" She asked, sliding up to join him against the headboard.
Bucky glanced at the clock, "About three hours," He calculated, taking a quick breath. "How're you feeling?"
Helen covered her face in her hands for a moment, taking another quick inventory. She uncovered her face with a sniff, "Like shit warmed over." She scoffed. He chuckled. "Thank you for staying."
Bucky nodded, placing the bookmark in his book. He set the book on the nightstand, and turned to her, his hand delving into her hair, bringing her in closer. He kissed her temple. "No more fever." He mused, "Good sign."
Helen sighed into his touch. "Yeah," she agreed, feeling her stomach growl. "How about we go for a walk, maybe grab some sushi?"
Bucky's eyebrows rose, "You up for that?"
Helen smirked, moving to get up from the bed. "If I don't get out of this apartment and breathe some fresh air, I'll start screaming."
Bucky's lips twitched in amusement. "Well, we can't have that." He clicked his tongue, "Besides, I'd rather have you screaming because I'm trapped between your thighs, not because you're trapped in this apartment."
Oh, he was getting bolder. She liked flirty Sergeant Barnes. "You know, they say sex is a good immune booster." Helen shot back, turning to face him before disappearing into the bathroom.
Bucky let out a quick breath, face breaking into a self conscious smile. He sat up and palmed the back of his neck. He could feel things between them getting deeper, more serious. Sam seemed to approve of their budding romance, even said Steve would think it was good, too.
Helen took a quick shower and emerged from the bathroom feeling much more like herself.
"Ayo texted me that the favor I asked her for will be ready tomorrow." Bucky informed her. "I was thinking maybe we could visit Sam in Louisiana and drop it off. He's still working on his family boat and we've got no leads, so…"
"We?" Helen cocked an eyebrow. "You want me to go with you, again?"
Bucky tried to not panic that she was questioning going together and shrugged nonchalantly. "I figured you could use a break from all this-"
"I'm sorry," Helen apologized, she could tell he was hurt by her questioning his desire to have her with him again. "I-I'm just not used to someone wanting me around." She bit her lip, settling on the bed next to him. She bumped shoulders with him. "I'd love to go with you, Sarge." She took a quick breath. "Sounds like a proper vacation." She clicked her tongue. "Never had one of those before."
Bucky smirked, brushing her hair back from her face. "Well, you're full of firsts for me, Hel." He leaned closer. "Guess it's time I return the favor."
"Now, how are we going to get it out the back of your truck?" Sam Wilson questioned. Suddenly, the massive bundle moved seemingly on its own.
Bucky hefted the bundle and set it down on the boat. "You're welcome." He quipped.
"Asshole." Helen scoffed with a smirk.
Sam's eyes widened when he realized Helen was with Bucky. "Welcome to Louisiana, girl!" He smiled, opening his arms to her. "Glad to have you here."
Helen returned Sam's embrace. It felt good to be welcomed so warmly, especially since she was nervous showing up all "couple-like" with Bucky.
"Just here to drop this off." Bucky set a black and white case on the back of the truck as Sam and Helen stepped apart. "You can sign for it and we'll go."
Sam pursed his lips. "This what I think it is?" He went to open the case.
Helen nodded. "Buck called in a favor with the Wakandans.."
"Oh, ho!" Sam exclaimed, giving Bucky a pointed look "You let her call you that and not me?" Sam scoffed, lips twitching with amusement.
Bucky rolled his eyes, an easy smile on his lips. "Just open it, Samuel."
Suddenly steam erupted from a pipe on Sam's family's fishing boat. "Sam!" Sarah, Sam's sister, cried.
Sam sprung into action, leaving Bucky and Helen standing at the truck's tailgate.
Bucky strode over to help him, stopping to say hi to the woman who'd cried out for help. "Hi!" He sang before stepping down onto the deck. He tapped Sam's arm. "Hold on, hold on." He gripped the wrench with his right hand. "You gotta go up." He moved the tool in a vertical turn and the hissing stopped.
"Why didn't you use the metal arm?" Sam asked, grateful that Bucky stepped in.
Bucky looked down at his left hand. "I don't always think of it immediately." He explained. "I'm right handed." Sam chuckled. "So this is the boat, huh?" Bucky mused, glancing around.
"This is it." San confirmed, nodding to Helen who'd joined them on deck.
"It's nice." Bucky commented. He took a quick breath. "Want any help?"
Sam looked between the two super soldiers for a moment. "Yeah." He smiled.
"I see the way you look at her, " Sam raised his beer towards where Helen sat conversing with his sister Sarah. They had all worked together to repair and spruce up the boat.
Bucky's brow furrowed. "I thought you said not to flirt with your sister-"
"C'mon man!" Sam laughed, shaking his head. "Getting pretty hot and heavy, eh?" He waggled his eyebrows playfully.
Bucky took a swig of beer and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You could say that."
"I knew it!" Sam snickered. "Good for you, man." He clapped Bucky on the shoulder.
"She keeps me honest." Bucky smirked. "Kinda like Steve did, you know?"
"Yeah." Sam nodded. "I hear that's what you look for." He clicked his tongue. "Enemies to lovers." He huffed, " Kinda cliche."
"Totally." Bucky agreed before taking a last swig of his beer. "Well, gotta catch our flight tomorrow. Probably should find a hotel for the night-"
"Just, stay here, alright?" Sam offered.
Bucky shook his head. "I don't want to impose, make it weird for your family. Helen and I, we're still figuring things out so…"
Sam smirked. "People here don't care if you wear small t-shirts or your Mom's your Aunt." He sighed. "I think they can handle the two of you dancing around each other like school kids for a night."
Bucky could tell he wasn't going to win the argument. "Alright. I hear you. People are nice."
"How long have you been together?" Sarah asked Helen, nodding to where the boys were sharing a beer.
"Oh, uh." Helen blushed and shook her head, "We're not, uh." She barked a laugh. "We're not together."
"Oh?" Sarah questioned. "See that look he's giving you?" She nodded over her shoulder drawing Helen's gaze to Bucky's face. He gave her a wink before turning to Sam and laughing at something he'd said.
"Aw, hell." She sank down to the edge of a crate sitting on the dock. "Fuck."
Sarah laughed. "Must be new, you blushing and swearing like that."
"You could say that." Helen murmured. "It's been a week."
"Jesus." Sarah swore then she shrugged. "Well, sometimes when you know, you know, eh?" She teased.
Helen looked up to find Bucky looking at her again. "Maybe." She shook her head. "I just don't want him being with me because I'm the only one who understands what he's been through."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Sarah scoffed. "You said he tried to get in your pants before he knew you were a super soldier, right?"
"Yeah." Helen nodded. "That's true."
"Well, sounds like to me you're worrying your pretty little head about nothing." Sarah assured her. "That man over there is head over heels for you, baby."
Helen smirked, catching Bucky looking at her again. Maybe Sarah was right; Bucky wasn't just drawn to her because they were seemingly cut from the same cloth. It was a bonus, really, that they understood Hydra's cruel grip.
Sam and Bucky joined the women on the dock. "Ready to find a hotel room?" Helen asked Bucky, grinning as he put his arm around her waist and drew her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. Sam and Sarah shared a knowing look.
"Actually," Bucky drawled, "Sam offered for us to stay here." He looked over at Sarah, "If that's alright with the lady of the house, of course." He gave her a wink.
Sarah grinned. "We'd be happy to have ya'll."
"You sure?" Helen asked, brow furrowing. She didn't want to impose on Sarah, she had enough on her plate with fixing the boat and her two sons.
"Absolutely." Sarah confirmed. "Around here, you're family."
"Okay." Helen smiled, "Let me help you, at least." She pressed a quick kiss to Bucky's jaw before sliding out of his embrace to follow Sarah up to the house.
"Oh yeah." Sam crooned. "Hook, line and sinker, baby." He teased.
Bucky just shrugged. "There are worse ways to go, man." He bit his lip watching Helen walk away. Damn, she was fine.
"Touche." Sam chuckled. "C'mon, man." He slung his arm around Bucky's neck. "Let's get some grub."
A little fluff to hold you over until the finale...
xoxo
Lumora The White