Neither Bucky nor Alex were even sure who they were supposed to address when it came to asking about what kind of access they had to Stark's island. They discussed over breakfast they would go to the main building and play it all by ear. Everything about the trip was somewhat of an adventure; an experiment of trials and errors for two people who never, ever took vacations. If they didn't have a vehicle, they'd set out on foot. No biggie.
As such, the pair dressed for the part. Alex wore a simple light blue tank top and khaki shorts, a pair of hiking boots, and her hair pulled up in a ponytail. Bucky had chosen a plain white v-neck t-shirt and black athletic shorts with sneakers. He also wore a navy ball hat, his dark hair pushed behind his ears. Whatever awaited them, they were at least dressed for a hike, if nothing else.
When the couple entered the foyer of the main building on Stark's vacation property, it looked as if they had stepped into a hotel lobby. There was the usual Stark Industries logo on the main wall which faced the entrance. It hung proudly above a crescent-shaped white marble desk. The room was decorated with a multitude of hearty green plants, some of which hung from the tall airy ceiling that must have stood three stories high. Birds that had wandered mistakenly inside fluttered about and chirping happily.
At the desk sat a middle-aged woman, busy behind a computer screen and unaware that anyone even entered the building. Like the rest of the native employees they saw on the island, she had the most gorgeous caramel skin aged by the sun, but her eyes held a youthful twinkle. Her salt and pepper hair was pulled up into a bun, while a flowery dress adorned her sturdy figure.
Upon seeing Bucky and Alex coming forward, she stood up in greeting. "La ora na!" she said, speaking in native Tahitian. She quickly scanned the couple, and her eyes settled on Bucky's arm. "Ah yes! You must be Mr. Stark's guests?"
Alex gave a nod and a smile. "Yes. My name is Alexis, and this is my boyfriend-"
Bucky stepped forward and tipped his head. "Bucky, Ma'am."
Alex slipped an arm around Bucky's broad midsection, hugging him close and with a smile. Bucky could see how proud she was to stand beside him and introduce him as her boyfriend. It felt good to know she was proud to show him off. The way she looked at him in moments like these, where her eyes glittered with a secret knowledge of the things they shared together as a couple, it always made him feel so special.
"A pleasure to meet you Bucky and Alexis." The woman bowed to them, her hands pressed together near her chest. "Maeva to you both. My name is Heilani."
"Nice to meet you, Heilani" Alex replied. "We were wondering who we would ask about borrowing a vehicle for the day, if that's possible? Tony didn't mention anything before we left."
"Oh yes dear, that would be me. What did you have in mind?"
As Alex and Heilani spoke, Bucky ran his eyes across the foyer of the building. He knew there were no threats here, but it never hurt to make sure. Doing so was just part of his nature. He spotted a few other employees milling about, but nothing that seemed out of place. A bulky man with dark hair and tanned skin wiped down the extensive window panels that made up the foyer's exterior walls. Two more native women stood chatting in a nearby hallway, their voices cheerful and relaxed. At the foot of one of the women stood a little girl; no more than 4 or 5 years old, by the looks of it. She had jet black hair and curious eyes, and held a stuffed animal in one hand while the other held on to her mother.
Bucky noticed the girl staring at him, so he gave her a tiny wave. To his surprise, the girl waved back.
"Just let me grab those keys for you" Heilani told Alex. "I'll be right back."
Bucky's attention came back to Alex as she leaned against the counter and gave him a thumbs-up. "Looks like we've got ourselves a Jeep!"
Beneath the brim of his hat, Bucky's expression broke into a grin. "Sounds like Plan A is a go."
They shared a moment of silent excitement together as they waited for Heilani to return. It was Alex's turn to take in the surroundings of the building. In doing so, she caught the eyes of the curious little girl down the hallway. Bucky gave the girl another quick wave, and she buried her head shyly into her stuffed animal.
"Someone made a friend, I see" Alex teased. Her eyes wandered back to the girl, who was staring at them again, but with one eye hidden behind the fur of her stuffed friend.
Bucky smiled. "She's adorable."
"Totally." Alex waved at her, and the girl buried her head again. It made her and Bucky chuckle.
It took only a few minutes until Heilani returned, though her hands were empty. "Our groundskeeper, Oro, offered to bring the Jeep around to the entrance for you" she told the couple. "He'll only be a minute. Enjoy yourselves, and don't worry about bringing it back here at any specific time. Mr. Stark said to make sure you both had whatever you wanted."
"Thank you again, Heilani" Alex said, while Bucky gave a nod of thanks. With this, they turned and headed outside to wait for Oro and the vehicle.
It took all of maybe 30 seconds before the Jeep pulled out from the underground garage. When Alex first laid eyes on the Jeep, she burst into laughter, but quickly covered her mouth so no one would hear.
"What's so funny?" Bucky asked, amusement in his tone.
"Do you see that thing?" Alex nodded at the Jeep. "It looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park!"
Bucky's face screwed up. "What's Jurassic Park?"
"The movie?" Alex stared at him, realizing that the puzzled look on his face meant he hadn't seen it. "Don't tell me you haven't seen it?" When Bucky shook his head, she let out a gasp in shock. "James Buchanan Barnes, I thought I knew you!"
"Guess I better put it on the list" he said with a smirk. "And it looks like you have some homework to do with me."
"We're watching it tonight" she told him, even as the Jeep pulled around to the front of the building.
The groundskeeper brought the Jeep - which did look exactly like the vehicles used in the original Jurassic Park movie - to a stop in front of Bucky and Alex. She was still trying to figure out if Stark made the Jeep look this way on purpose when Oro put it in park and hopped out of the driver's side. When he came around the front to offer them the keys, Bucky's expression fell.
"Here you go, sir" Oro said, extending the keys to Bucky.
Their eyes locked, and a moment's hesitation crossed Bucky's face. He blinked, trying to remember where he saw this man before. His face seemed familiar, but he couldn't place how or why or where he would have seen him before. He wasn't native like the others on the island. In fact, Oro was quite pale and lacked the broader build of the Polynesian people he'd seen so far. But his eyes...Dark. Penetrating. Empty. He could have sworn he recognized those most of all.
When Bucky didn't take the keys, Alex's brow bent. "Babe?"
Oro smiled at Bucky and lifted the keys higher, dangling them from one finger. "Mr. Barnes?"
"Sorry." Bucky felt his sixth sense come alive as he took the keys from Oro. "Thanks."
After a quick but customary bow, Oro took leave of the couple. Bucky watched after him, struggling to place where he'd seen the man before. Only the feel of Alex's hand on his elbow brought him back to the present.
"Who was that?" she asked. "Do you know him?"
Bucky shook his head and blinked again. "I...I don't know. I can't remember."
Knowing how he struggled with this, Alex gave his arm a comforting squeeze. "Maybe it'll come to you later." She gave him a peck on the cheek. "C'mon Sergeant. Let's go for a ride."
She hopped into the passenger seat as Bucky went around to the driver's side. He turned the ignition and felt the Jeep rumble to life, but his eyes glanced back at the entrance of the building. Wherever Oro had gone, he was no longer visible. Bucky did his best to leave the image of him out of his mind the rest of the day. Like so many other faces and places in his mind, he was probably just confused.
He brought his focus back to the beautiful woman in the passenger seat and the open road ahead, then reached over and rested his hand on her thigh. Today was going to be out of this world, and he couldn't wait to get it started.
"Wait for me!" Alex called ahead. She jogged after Bucky down the dirt path they decided to randomly take for the hell of it. They spotted it off the main road, and upon seeing it, Bucky whipped the Jeep around and declared they were about to explore it. Today was all about spontaneity, so Alex was all for it.
She blew past tall ferns and moss-covered trees, keeping the figure of Bucky in her line of sight despite the incredible green growth all around her. She couldn't believe the amount of green she saw on this island. When she tried to think of someplace she'd been before that had this much vibrant green, she drew nothing but a blank. This island was truly a first for her for many reasons, including the beautiful flora around her.
Bucky slowed to a stop at a small incline not far from Alex, watching with a smirk as she jogged up to meet him. "You're way slower that I thought."
Alex pulled a face. "When you said 'let's race', I didn't think you were being serious."
"Why not?"
"Something about a super serum being an advantage, maybe?"
Bucky cocked his head. He watched Alex wipe her forehead with the bottom of her tank top, her bare stomach coming into view. He couldn't help but reach out and poke her. It brought a smile to her face every single time. "Come on, let's see where this trail leads." He reached out and took her hand. "I'll go your pace this time."
They traveled further inland on the path, through giant palm fronds and towering tree trunks whose canopies they couldn't even see. The air was thick with humidity and not a lick of wind, so both Bucky and Alex's shirts were stained with sweat after just a few minutes of foot travel. They wound deeper into the jungle-like forest, the songs of a multitude of birds filling the air around them.
Soon, the couple heard a rumble in the distance. When they heard it getting louder, they eventually began to jog in hopes that the sound was coming from some kind of waterfall.
They were correct.
When they rounded a bend and pushed through some overgrown vines hanging from a tree, the scene that greeted them was breathtaking. They both came to a stop on the trail, their mouths slackening in awe.
"Oh my God" Alex uttered, her eyes rising to the full height of the waterfall before them. It must have been maybe 100 feet high, though not very wide. Its feathery trail of water ended in a lagoon of the brightest turquoise water she'd ever seen. Rocks of all shapes and sizes wound about the perimeter of the lagoon; some covered with moss, others totally bare.
For Bucky, he had never seen anything like it in his life. "It's so beautiful" he said, wishing he had a better word for it.
Slowly, his and Alex's eyes met, their mouths curving into broad smiles.
"Race you to the water?" Bucky said.
Alex's only response was her grin. She took off at a sprint, though Bucky wasn't far behind. Both of them ran for the water while laughing and pushing at one another, and Alex burst into a fit of giggles when Bucky pulled ahead of her. He made it to the edge of the lagoon first, threw off his hat, peeled the shirt off his body, and dove head-first into the water. Alex wasn't far behind. As quick as she could, she dropped the backpack she was carrying, pulled off her boots, her shirt, and her shorts, and jumped into the water, cannonball style.
They both surfaced at the same time, their laughter rising above the pounding sound of the falling water. A cloud of fine spray rose around them, casting a glittering rainbow above their heads when they looked above them.
Bucky felt joy explode in his chest. He couldn't believe his life; the waterfall, Alexis, the water they were swimming in. How was he even here? With a woman like her? After everything in his life, it felt strange to feel pure happiness like he did in that moment.
His eyes met Alex's, a dumb grin on his face. "I can't believe we're here together." He raised a hand toward the waterfall "In a place like this."
Alex swam closer, locking her legs around Bucky's waist and her arms around his neck. Billowing mist dotted their eyelashes with tiny water droplets. Alex watched as a few grew heavy on Bucky's lashes and rolled down his flushed cheeks. His mouth was wet and inviting, so she pressed her lips to his as the water cascaded around them.
"Does that make it a little more believable?" she asked.
Bucky smiled against her mouth. "I may need to test it one more time." He stole another long kiss from her, his hands sliding along her back as he drew her in.
And so it went for the couple as they spent those first few moments at their private lagoon. They floated on their backs, eyes closed, reveling in the moment. They kissed whenever they felt like it because they could; because somehow, the waterfall and the jungle and the rocks and a week away from New York made them feel like they were falling in love again all over again. Maybe they were. Maybe they would never stop falling in love with one another, no matter how much time passed. Bucky hoped they never would. He'd make a point to ensure it didn't.
After they cooled themselves in the water and had their fill of swimming, the couple climbed onto a large rock along the bank of the lagoon. It was smooth enough that they could both lay down beside one another on it; legs stretched out and their faces to the sun.
Alex lay there with her eyes closed, listening to the water and feeling totally at peace. "What do you think the rest of the team is doing right now?"
Bucky smiled. "Not this, that's for sure."
Their eyes met as they shared a knowing glance.
"Who, if anyone, would have the most fun here, do you think?" Alex asked.
Bucky thought about it for a moment before answering. "Honestly? Steve...or maybe even Sam."
"Definitely Sam" Alex replied. She smiled to herself, trying to picture either one of those two and how they'd spend their time at a place like this. "Although I'm having a harder time picturing Steve letting loose here."
"Really?" Bucky rolled his head to the side to look at her. "Not me. I could see him trying to leap from the top of the waterfall."
Alex inclined her head. "You make a fair point."
"The thing about Steve is: he's always been stubborn. Ever since I first met him." Bucky closed his eyes and let the sun warm him as he thought back on some of the dumb stuff he and Steve would get in to when they were teenagers. Memories like these came to him more easily these days, thanks to Alexis and the work she put in with him. Looking back on his youth wasn't as difficult as it used to be, and he could share more of those moments with Alex than ever before as a result.
When one such memory popped into Bucky's mind at that moment, it made him start to laugh. Alex turned her head. "What?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Bucky's laughter slowed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Just thought of something, is all." He glanced over and to find a twinkle in Alex's large eyes, so she clearly wanted to hear more. So he began the tale of he and Steve's first trip to Atlantic City.
"Picture this" he began, "I was 15. Stevie was 14. We had this stupid idea that we should go to Atlantic City and check out the boardwalk, so we scrounged up some money and took a bus. Of course, while walking around trying to enjoy ourselves, Steve had to go and pick a fight with someone."
Alex feigned surprise. "You don't say!"
"Right?!" Bucky started to chuckle. "This time, it was with some scumbag who tried to take a girl's money. I can't remember if she was trying to buy cotton candy or get a drink or something, but Steve saw her getting bullied into giving up her money and stepped in."
It came as absolutely no surprise to Alex that pre-serum Steve Rogers was just the same then as he was now. "What happened next?" she asked. "Did you step in?"
Bucky almost snorted. "Did I step in?" He looked at her, humor in eyes. "I didn't even have a chance to. Steve took the money from the guy and jumped off the pier into the ocean."
"What?!" Alex let out a surprised laugh. "Really?"
He nodded, a laugh escaping from him as well. "He told the guy to jump in after him if he wanted the money that badly."
"Oh my God..."
"The guy never went after him, either. By the time Steve swam to shore, the gal and I reached the beach. She was all smiles when he gave the sopping wet money back to her."
Alex gazed at the waterfall in a whole new light. "I suppose jumping from the top of that isn't such a stretch after all, huh?"
"Not a stretch whatsoever, doll" Bucky said, a bemused smile playing at his mouth. "But that's Steve for ya."
They lay quietly together for a while, their minds wandering off in their own directions. Bucky faced the sky and stretched his arms behind his head, while Alex rolled onto her stomach to sun her backside as much as her front side. She rested her head against her folded arms, sighing blissfully.
After some time passed and Alex hadn't said anything, Bucky shaded his eyes from the sun and looked over at her. "Babygirl?"
Alex said nothing, and her face remained peacefully undisturbed.
Bucky smiled to himself. If she fell asleep, he'd leave her be...but he didn't want her to get sunburnt either. He'd give her a little more time before he'd wake her. He ran his eyes the length of her stretched-out body on the rock, admiring the black bra and pink panties she swam in. By now, he guessed both items were dry. It hadn't taken long for the sun to dry him, that was for sure. In fact, now that he had been out for a while, the pool of turquoise water below was looking better and better. Though his metal arm didn't conduct heat thanks to the Vibranium, the rest of him was plenty hot again. He'd wait a little bit before going in again and see if Alexis wanted to join.
As he lay there, his mind wandered back around to the thought of the groundskeeper, Oro. The man's face was clear in his mind's eye, but he still could not place him. It frustrated him beyond measure, especially because he felt like he'd truly seen Oro somewhere before. Or maybe it was someone who just looked like him? Maybe he used to work for Stark back in New York? That would make sense, but for whatever reason, he didn't really believe it.
Exhaling, Bucky sat up on the rock and wrapped his arms about his bent knees. Once again, he was expecting too much from himself. Alexis was right: he'd made great progress in just a handful of months. Just because he couldn't recall someone he may or may not have seen or met before didn't mean he was weak or hopeless.
Bucky rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a new kind of heat take over. The heat of rising anger.
He glanced over at Alexis, who remained peacefully unaware of his inner turmoil. Quietly, so as not to disturb her, he slipped off his sneakers and socks and set them off to the side of the rock. He figured a quick dip would help clear his mind, then he'd come back and wake his sleepy girl.
Bucky waded into the water, inching into its depth little by little until he was in up to his neck. Immediately he felt his body temperature cool, and in no time he returned to the state of bliss he was in before he let his mind take over. He sucked in a gulp of air and dove under the surface, wetting his hair and cooling off his face. When he reemerged, he heard Alexis' voice.
"Hey! No fair!"
He was smiling as he spun in the water, facing the rock where she now stood, hands on the curve of her perfect hips. "I was going to wake you, I promise!" he called back, his mouth breaking into a grin. "Come on in!"
From the rock, Alex dug deep in her backpack and retrieved her phone. "Say cheese!" she yelled. She held the phone up and snapped a few pictures of Bucky in the water. When he struck a few ridiculous poses, she zoomed in and snapped a few more. "Such a model!"
Alex was about to put the phone away when she saw Bucky's arms disappear beneath the surface. A second later, he lifted up a hand. In that hand was his balled-up black shorts, and on his face was a shit-eating grin.
Alex lifted her phone and snapped another photo with a laugh. "Stand up!"
His deep voice boomed off the rocks around her. "Pervert!"
"DO IT."
Bucky rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, then swam over to a shallower part of the lagoon. Alex waited, phone ready and aimed. He stood to his full height, water sloshing all around him as it ran off his arms and down the muscled pane of his torso. He lifted his hands. "There! Happy?"
Alex sighed blissfully and snapped a picture of his gloriously nude body. "God bless America" she uttered. She slipped the phone back in the backpack and then jumped into the water.
A few hours later, they were back in the Jeep and on the main stretch of highway. They had the soft top pulled back and the air blowing through the now-open Jeep, feeling freer than ever. Bucky continued to drive, one wrist resting on the steering wheel while the other hung out the window. Alex sat quietly beside him wearing his hat, the length of her ponytail pulled through the loop in the back. She stared through her sunglasses at the ocean as it flew by on their left, while lush, thick green flew by on the right. The sun and the swimming made her feel sleepy, but forced herself to pay attention. She didn't want to miss a moment of the trip.
Which, of course, included the image of Bucky beside her. She looked over, admiring the easy smile on his lips and the way the wind fluttered through his hair. When his eyes met hers, his smile grew larger. He reached over and his hand found its usual resting spot on her thigh. "Whatchya doing?"
"Thinking." She had to raise her voice a little over the sound of the sound of the Jeep and the air blowing past them.
"Thinking about what?"
"About how handsome you look driving a Jurassic Park jeep."
Bucky laughed. "You're not going to let that rest, are ya?"
"Not until you watch it" she said with a satisfied air. "But I really was thinking about how handsome you look right now. I gotta say: a beach vacation looks good on you, Sergeant Barnes."
He reached up and tapped the brim of the hat on her head, earning a giggle. "Thank you, darling. You look pretty good in my hat."
Alex straightened it proudly in response, beaming from ear to ear.
For a while, the view of the ocean disappeared until only green was visible on both sides of the winding road. They spotted a few humble homes dotting the landscape as they passed. Each of the homes were all one-story; painted in bright colors which made them stand out against the vivid green. The couple assumed the homes must've belonged to Tony's employees.
The stretch of homes eventually disappeared as the landscape changed once more. The Jeep climbed a small hill, the road twisting and turning as they ascended. When they reached the top and the trees cleared, they were treated to the view of the ocean stretched out below the cliffs. There was a pull-off spot on the side of the road, so the couple agreed it would be a great spot to have a late lunch.
Bucky helped Alex up onto the hood of the Jeep, where they both sat and ate the sandwiches they packed that morning. They shared a bottle of water - the fourth one they had that day, thanks to all the hiking and swimming - and sat staring out at the ocean. The sun was behind them now, lowering on the horizon behind the jagged peaks of the island's center.
"I have no idea where we're at on this island" Bucky muttered as he chewed. He looked at Alex and took another bite of his sandwich. "Do you?"
"Nope." She smiled and took a swig of water.
"Guess we'll just have to keep going and see where all this takes us."
Alex swallowed a bite and a thought came to mind. "What if we run out of gas and get stranded?"
There was a playful look in her eyes when she said this, so Bucky played along. "I'll chop down some tree branches and we can build a hut."
"Chop down branches with what, exactly?"
He reached into one of his pockets and lifted out a switchblade knife, his grin appearing when he saw Alex's eyes widen.
"You actually brought a knife?"
"I always bring a knife, doll."
Alex inclined her head, accepting this as the full truth that she failed to remember. She watched as he slipped the knife back into his pocket and resumed eating. "Alright, you build the hut, and I'll make the fire" she offered while passing him the water bottle. He drained a good third of it in one gulp then handed it back.
"We have other ways of staying warm, you know."
"And we'll definitely use those" Alex teased. "But I make a mean campfire. Can't let those skills go to waste."
"Oh no, never." Bucky's dimples appeared, his expression lifting. "What other survival skills do you have that I don't know about yet?"
"Not many" Alex admitted, leaning back against the windshield of the Jeep. "I know how to tie all kinds of knots, and I know first aid. That's about it." She glanced at Bucky, somewhat embarrassed. "Nothing compared to what you likely know."
"Those would come in handy if we got stranded, though" Bucky told her. He thought about it a moment longer, and curiosity lead to him to his next question. "Have you ever needed to use what you know?"
Alex remained staring off at the ocean, but her mind flashed back to lonely nights searching for criminals in and around Boston; fending for herself and making ends meet in order to do it. It wasn't so much survival skills as it was self-preservation. Her drive came from the mental gymnastics she conquered; trying to find meaning in a world where it felt like no one wanted to be anywhere near her because of her powers. "I guess you could say I did." Her eyes met his. "I use a lot of knots to end a lot of lives. I learned first aid by trying to save the innocent. And building a fire..." A wry smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. "There were a lot of cold nights spent on the shore, wondering where I would end up if I kept going."
Bucky felt the tug of guilt pull at the center of his chest. He hadn't meant to cause her pain in asking his question, but the truth was that he understood her all too well. There wasn't much that was pleasant about either of their past lives, though talking about it helped. The bond they shared in this manner was bittersweet.
A thought occurred, and it eased the heaviness Bucky felt. "You got your answer, though" he told Alex with a smile.
She inclined her head. "What do you mean?"
"You kept going, and look where you ended up." He smile at her and leaned in. "With someone who loves you." He brushed a thumb across her cheek before placing a kiss there. "Who will always protect you." He kissed the opposite cheek. "And who will always cherish you." He kissed her mouth, lingering just long enough to draw a soft moan from her.
Alex felt water stinging her eyes as she looked into the tenderness of his gaze. "Not a bad ending after all, huh?"
"Ending?" A confident smile broke across Bucky's face. "Darling, we're just getting started."
A few hours later, after the sun set and the bright colors of the day faded to the cool blue and purple hues of evening, the couple arrived back at their bungalow. Satisfied with the day but tired to the bone, Alex and Bucky shuffled into the home and flopped onto the couch with a mirrored sigh.
Alex looked wistfully towards the washroom. "I should shower, but I'm too tired to get up."
"What if I carried you?"
Their eyes met across the couch.
"Better yet," Bucky said, pushing himself off the cushions, "how about we use that massive bathtub in there?"
"Together?" Alex asked hopefully, and Bucky extended his hand.
"Together."
Alex eyed his hand, then grabbed it.
Bucky pulled her to her feet with a grin. He removed his hat from her head, tossing it on the table nearby as they went into the washroom.
The tub itself sat at the top of a set of four mosaic tiled stairs, and could have easily sat three people for how large it was. It had a series of jets dotted around the inside, which Alex couldn't wait to try out on her tired and sore body.
"How warm do you want it?" Bucky asked, testing the water rushing from the faucet with his fingers.
"A little warm, but not super hot." She peeled the clothing from her body piece by piece, then turned and inspected the new flush of pink developing on her shoulders. "Pretty sure my lovely little sunburn won't appreciate very hot water right now."
Bucky could see the little bit color on her shoulders and made a mental note to treat her to some lotion later. He also noted the mark he'd left on the back of her neck from the previous night, and he felt another twinge of guilt in his stomach. Walking up behind her, he slid his hands gently up the sides of her shoulders. "Sorry about this, by the way." He pressed a delicate kiss on the bruise, his eyes locked on to hers in the reflection of the mirror.
Alex smiled. "Never apologize for that, babe." Her eyes lowered to the white shirt and athletic shorts he was still wearing. "Now take your damn clothes off."
With a laugh, Bucky obeyed, then joined Alex inside the tub. It was full enough now that when they sunk into the water, it covered up to their chests. Bucky pushed over to one end of the tub, motioning for Alex to join him. He couldn't help but admire her as she waded towards him, her breasts rising from the bubbling water until they were eye-level with him. He pushed his bottom lip almost subconsciously when they disappeared back beneath the water. He guided Alex's hips as she settled onto his lap with her back against his chest, her legs cradled between his.
"Ahhhhh yes, this is more like it." She leaned her head back against Bucky's shoulder and sighed.
He moved the hair away from her neck, freeing up a spot that he could kiss. "Comfy?"
"Very."
"Good." Knowing she was content was all that mattered. As long as his girl was happy, he could relax as well.
Bucky exhaled deeply, and Alex felt his chest sinking behind her and his posture slumping against the tub further. For a long while they sat quietly, letting the vibration of the jets and the bubbles lull them into a tranquil state. Occasionally Bucky would play with Alex's hair; pouring handfuls of water over the back of her head and the bare part of her shoulders. Alex nearly fell asleep when he started massaging her skull with the pads of his fingers, though his sporadic kisses on the back of her neck stirred her awake again.
When his hands came to rest in the water, Alex lifted his flesh hand and entwine her fingers in his. She stared at the size of his hand compared to hers; the roughness of the skin and the small scar that adorned the knuckle of his middle finger. She always wondered where he got it, but knew that the answer might not be pretty. Like so many of the scars Bucky wore, she silently admired it and the mystery behind it.
Bucky watched with growing amusement as Alex idly studied his hand. "You're imprinting" he teased.
She felt his smile against her skin. "Guilty as charged."
"I like when you do it. Makes me feel good." Bucky snuggled his nose to her ear. "Even if it's just my boring ol' hand."
"It's a part of you" Alex said, caressing his palm with her thumb. "Strong when it needs to be; gentle other times. Skilled all the time." She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed it. "Just like the rest of you."
The emotion her words stirred within Bucky left him wordless. He tightened his arms around her, holding her close as he kissed her temple. In his mind he searched for an adequate way to thank her, but everything he thought of seemed to fall short of what she deserved to hear. That was the thing about his love for Alex; words never seemed to do it justice. Nothing he said felt good enough. He was better at proving his love through his protection, support, comfort, pleasure, or whatever she needed. He'd be her rock, as she was the air in his lungs.
Alex must have thought something was wrong due to his silence. She turned her head to read his expression, worry in her large eyes. "Uh oh. Did I say something?"
A tiny smile flickered across Bucky's face. He lifted a hand to her cheek, cupping the side of her face. "No, darling. Your kindness leaves me speechless sometimes, that's all."
Alex felt her nerves settle. "That's a good thing, right?"
"It's a very good thing" he answered. He gently turned her so she was resting against his chest again. "You have nothing to worry about. Not with me." He pressed his palm on her forehead, easing her head back against his shoulder.
Bucky's touch was like a pacifier. Alex felt her body still against him, and when she felt him press a soft kiss to the back of her head, she closed her eyes. "I don't think I'm gonna make it through watching Jurassic Park tonight at this rate." She felt a slight rumble come from Bucky's chest.
"Tomorrow night then" he said, hugging his arms around her center. "We have plenty of time."
Alex encircled her arms around his and settled back into his embrace. "Today was so much fun."
"It really was." He kissed her temple. "What will tomorrow bring?"
Their eyes met and they shared a smile.
Alex awoke that night to the feel of Bucky's metal hand gripping the flesh of her hip. It was dark in the bedroom, and the rumble of distant waves was the only sound that greeted her when she opened her eyes. She had been asleep on her side, her back facing Bucky, when she felt his larger body press firmly up against hers. In doing so, she also felt Bucky's hardened length pressing against her bottom. His warm breath was against her ear, his nose nuzzling her neck.
Bucky wanted her. Needed her. He woke up horny and her body was so warm and soft and beautiful. Visions of their bath together ran through his mind, making him want more. He rolled into her until his chest was tight against her back and his growing hard-on was nestled between the soft curve of her ass. With growing hunger, he let his hand wander along her perfection.
A shiver ran the length of Alex's spine. Bucky's touch was needful as he moved it from her hips up along the pane of her stomach to her breast, kneading one of them softly. Alex turned her head just enough to see the blue of his gaze, hungry as it stared at her mouth. "James..."
"Shhhh." He rocked his hips against hers, pressing himself against her harder. "Just enjoy."
His lips were wet and hot as they caressed her jaw. He nipped at her earlobe before moving down her neck. Each kiss was like a gentle profession. Enjoy this. Alex's breathing increased. She closed her eyes and focused on the sensation of Bucky's metal fingers rolling her nipple between between firm fingertips, pinching and pulling just enough to tease her. His hips continued to roll into her in a slow, controlled movement. With each roll of his hips, Alex wished he would enter her.
Pushing her own hips out, she exposed herself to Bucky fully. The hand that had been firmly locked on her breast slid down between her legs, testing her wetness. What he found was that his caresses and kisses had done quick work of her. It earned Alex another kiss to the back of her shoulders, even as she felt Bucky sliding the tip along her slit. It was hot against her, and Alex ached to feel its width inside.
When Bucky finally plunged inside Alex, her breath hitched. He kept his rhythm slow until her body adjusted. Her body was snug and warm around his, and it felt like coming home. He wanted to go slow tonight. He craved the feeling of her body against his, her breathing increasing as a result of his slow, methodical thrusts. He wanted every inch of her to come alive under his guidance.
When Alex gave the slightest of nods to let him know she was good, Bucky gripped on to her hip and pushed himself as deep as he could go, then slowly brought himself back out again. He kept this deliberate pace; diving into her and withdrawing at a slow and steady rate so they both felt one another to the fullest.
And still, no words were spoken. Just breathless moans and the sound of two bodies moving as one. In the darkness of the room, they didn't need to see one another; only the feelings and sensations as Bucky slowly fucked Alex, drawing a hushed moan out of her as he increased his pace only slightly.
Alex turned her head, wanting to see Bucky's beautiful face in the subdued light of the dark room. His eyes were half-lidded with lust as they found hers, and his tense smile turned up at one corner. There was a knowledge in his eyes as he gazed at her; knowledge of her body, knowledge of her love, knowledge of things between them only they knew about each other. She felt his closeness not because of the position alone, but because of their extraordinary bond.
Their locked gaze couldn't last long because Alex felt the intensity of Bucky's hips pumping into her harder, his metal hand clenched hard about her waist. His deep, guttural moans were hot against Alex's neck where Bucky pressed his mouth. He alternated between kissing along her jaw and sucking at the skin of her shoulder as he pumped his hips harder. Alex reached behind and cupped his face, drawing his full pout to hers. She wanted his moan against her mouth; she wanted to taste his intensity though his kiss.
When their lips met, Bucky's kiss was as needful as his fucking; his tongue dipping into her mouth and pulling yet another moan from her. The stubble along his jaw raked against her sensitive skin, and Alex couldn't get enough. His width slid deeper into her, spreading her, drawing moans from her with every increased thrust. She could feel how slick her thighs were from her own arousal and it only added to the closeness she felt with him in that position.
Soon, that closeness and intensity became too much for either of them to handle. Bucky reached down between Alex's legs and rolled her clit beneath his metal fingers. This sent her over the edge, her body shaking against his as he held her. He felt every shudder, every clenched wave of her body, and kissed her as she rode through her orgasm. He absorbed her moans and whimpers with his mouth, feeling himself losing his own control. Soon after, Bucky spilled himself inside Alex through his own powerful release.
Exhausted, breathless, and still without any words needed to be spoken...Bucky and Alex laid together. Bucky encircled his arms around her, kissing her, lulling her back to sleep as they remained on their sides.
The only thing spoken was Bucky's whisper, when he kissed behind Alex's ear and told her he loved her.
