The interior of S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters was as sterile and boring as Alex imagined it to be. It had that cold Federal feel to it; as if everyone inside was sworn to silence and couldn't nod their head or acknowledge you in a friendly manner without a signed document saying they could. She was greeted by security in the lobby before being passed from one impersonal staff member to another. They took her through the heart of the Headquarters building on their way to Nick Fury's office. One gray room led to another, all of which were dotted between series of windowless hallways. The massive S.H.I.E.L.D. logo was everywhere; as if they were trying to convince themselves of their own mission.
Alex hated it.
She met with Fury in his office first, whose familiar presence was a relief after all the suits and egos she passed on the way there. Following a quick greeting and some small talk, Fury led her into another stale looking conference room where the real meeting took place. Here, Alex was introduced to some of S.H.I.E.L.D's branch division officers. Of those in attendance, only Maria Hill was familiar to her. Everyone else were new faces and names with titles unfamiliar to her, representing most of S.H.I.E.L.D's branch offices all in one meeting. Alex wore her gloves, so whenever she shook anyone's hand in greeting, their eyes lowered with wonder. Apparently they all knew who she was, or at least knew what she could do. She noticed the caution in their eyes as they took their seats, choosing to sit across the table from her. Only Nick chose a seat on the same side of the table as her, and Alex appreciated it.
They discussed protocols first, which bored her senseless. Gradually, they transitioned to the topic of her information exchange with Boroshka Gribinov. They covered all the basics up front: Who he was. Who he had been. What he was doing. How she and Bucky came upon him. How they found out the information about him. Was Tony Stark involved. etc.
Then they asked her how she gained all the information. This was always Alex's favorite part of a briefing. She never tired of the subtle, yet horrified looks that blossomed on the faces of those sitting across from her as she described her powers. It'd been no different with this new group of S.H.I.E.L.D. members as it had been with others. Describing what she could do and how her powers could be altered per person and per mission usually freaked the average person out. As she described how she was able to sift through Boroshka's mind and memories, their eyes all lowered to her hands once more. This time, they stared in fascination.
Upon finishing her account of the events, there were very few follow-up questions. Alex found this odd, but was relieved all the same. She was dismissed for the time being, and Fury escorted her out into the hallway while the others remained in discussion.
"I'll give you a buzz whenever we need you next" he told her, the drawl of his voice slower and deeper now that they were in a more public spot. "Seems they need to do a little more poking around into Gribinov's files before we proceed. Did the front office get you set up in temporary quarters?"
"My plan is to head there next." Alex closed the distance between them, aware of eyes and ears both visible and invisible to where they were currently. "Listen, Nick...I was hoping you and I could speak off the record at some point."
Fury's normally deadpan expression livened a little. "There is no such thing as off the record here, Markos."
"But surely there's at least one room in this place without constant monitoring?" She shifted her eyes to the camera near the ceiling pointed right at them.
Fury's interest was piqued. He regarded her closely, trying to read her facial cues. Everything Markos did, she did with passion. It was why he liked her. She was a one-woman show who conducted herself with unfaltering conviction. Every word she spoke overflowed with emotion; every facial expression had a dash of animation that came easily to her. Out of all the Avengers he worked with, Markos was one of the easiest to read. Now, however - her expression was unusually rigid. This, most of all, was what worried him.
"There is one place, yes" Fury admitted, lowering his voice further. "Let me get back to you whenever I'm done here and we can meet there. I'll keep the location disclosed until then."
Alex slung her purse over one shoulder and nodded. "I'll be looking forward to it."
"You have any plans tonight?" Fury asked before she turned to leave.
"Actually, yes."
"Taking in the local sights and sounds?" His wry humor was evident in his tone.
Alex smiled. "Let's just say there's a few museums I'd like to visit while I'm here."
It was later that afternoon when Bucky finally heard from Alexis. He was in the break room with some of those others, sitting alongside Nat, Steve, Sam, and Bruce. He ate dinner and listened while they chatted, interjecting only when the topic turned to that of his and Alex's vacation. Just as he suspected, Sam gave him the most shit for some of the pictures he showed. Nat had the best reaction; her expressions oscillating between utterly smitten by what he was showing and being completely jealous of everything he was showing. Both were in good fun, and she seemed really happy for him. It was a nice surprise.
In the middle of all this, Bucky received those first few texts from Alex. While the others around the table continued chatting, Bucky read her message beneath the lip of the table:
A: Glad that's all over with...for now. This place is as dull as I thought. Can't wait until you get here. What am I missing back home?
Bucky lifted his eyes to see if anyone noticed him on his phone, then tapped out a reply:
B: How did everything go? Any problems? Eating dinner in the break room with some of the others. You're missing nothing so far.
A: Except you, Sarge. ;) No problems yet, but Fury wants to meet later. If you try to reach me, I might not get back to you for a while if I'm with him.
Bucky stared at his phone, his mouth curving into a smile. Reading that Alex missed him gave his heart a jolt of happiness. Although the mentioning of a private meeting with Fury left him with more questions than answers. Whatever went on, he was sure Alex would keep him in the loop.
"Hey Barnes - you still with us?"
He lifted his head to see Sam and the others staring at him. "What!?"
"Yeaaaah, what." Sam shook his head. "Lemme guess: you're sexting?"
"Sex-ting?" Bucky glanced at Steve for guidance, but all he got was a confused shrug. All eyes were on him as he looked around the table. "What's sexting?"
Across from him, Nat lowered her eyes and tried not to smirk. Bruce almost choked on some of his food.
Leaning over the table, Sam looked between both Steve and Bucky. "You mean to tell me neither of you know what sexting is?"
Bucky's scowl darkened. "I don't suppose you'd like to educate us?"
"I think it's exactly what it sounds like," Steve whispered. "I think."
And so a detailed discussion ensued about texting, sexting, and everything in between. Despite the newfound information he was learning, Bucky felt his phone vibrate in his hands beneath the table and he couldn't help but look:
A: I'm heading out for a while. Never been here before and all, but want to check out a few local spots. You gonna be around later?
B: Yeah, text or call. Everyone's giving me shit for not knowing what sexting is. Do you know?
A: What a dangerous question. I'll show you later ;)
He exhaled with a raise of his hands, garnering the attention of everyone around him. "Great, Alex knows what sexting is, too."
"I bet she does" Sam said, his expression turning devious.
Bucky was about to counter this comment but his phone vibrated:
A: Gotta run. Not sure what my timetable is tonight because of this meeting with Fury, so I'm on the move. Love you.
He wasn't ready to stop talking to her, but understood nonetheless. He fired back a quick text and then slipped his phone back in his pocket:
B: Love you. Stay safe.
His mind wandered to where Alex might be going and what she'd be visiting, but there'd be time to ask later.
Plus...the idea of learning from her what sexting was really like sent blood rushing down to his groin in anticipation.
He did his best to resume the ridiculous conversation taking place with the others, but his thoughts never wandered too far from Alex and how her evening was going.
Swapping her business attire for more relaxed clothes for the evening, Alex donned jeans, boots, a hoodie beneath a fitted leather jacket, and topped it all off with a slouchy knit winter hat. She took her hair out of the tight ponytail it had been in all day, sighing at how wonderful it felt to have that tightness relieved. She ran her nails through its length, loosening it further before sliding her winter hat over top. It wasn't as snowy down in DC, but it was just as cold, if not more so. She felt it earlier while walking from S.H.I.E.L.D. over to her temporary quarters. Wind funneled between the close-set buildings and amplified their speed, sending a chill straight down her neck. It made her miss those balmy nights on the beach from a week ago.
When Alex exited her temp quarters, the wind was still present and still just as chilly. She hurried along the sidewalks as she made her way down to the National Mall. Behind her stood the pillar of the Washington Monument, looming tall and stoic at her back. She passed by a few other notable landmarks, but her goal was to visit one particular museum. She checked her phone to make sure she was heading in the right direction, not wanting to be out in the cold any more than she had to be. The Mall was long, but the walk would be worth it in the end.
Despite the weather, Alex was thankful to be on foot and not in Washington DC traffic. It was rush-hour downtown, and she could see the rows of never-ending cars and buses beyond the Mall's edge. But even the Mall had its own version of traffic. An endless sea of businessmen and women dressed in expensive suits of black or navy blue walked by, their faces downcast to avoid the wind that fluttered their long black trench coats. Alex wove between them without thought; her eyes scanning the various Smithsonian buildings to ensure she didn't skip the one she was looking for. Finally, she came to it; the one that had interested her since back in New York: The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Her plan? To take in a little piece of American History called the Captain America Exhibit.
Climbing the stairs to the massive building, Alex turned her gaze upward at the eye-catching architecture of the museum's entrance. Beyond the doors was just as spectacular. Old aircraft from aviation's early years were suspended from the ceiling. Alongside those were planes from World War II, as well as prototypes from the infancy of space exploration.
Alex was careful not to bump into anyone as she stared at everything. She fell into the slow-moving mob of visitors, listening to their cheerful, hushed voices fill the entryway. Both kids and adults funneled through the lobby, many of which broke off into the separate wings of the museum to begin their tour. Alex discovered most of them were heading the same direction she was, all aimed for the Captain America exhibit.
It wasn't hard to find, of course. No one could ignore the giant banners decked in red, white, and blue that hung from the ceiling. Steve's serious stare, his shield, and arrows all pointed in the direction where she needed to go. Alex followed the arrows, bypassing rooms full of history she would have loved to take in any other trip. She kept to her goal, swearing she'd come back someday and take in everything when she had more time.
Visiting this museum and spending time in this exhibit had been the idea that popped into her heard once she found out she was traveling to DC. Now that she was here, she felt a little nervous. Her powers tingled just beneath the surface of her skin, anticipating what lay beyond. She was curious; not just to see her fellow Avenger and where it all began, but she wanted to see Bucky most of all. His memory was getting better, but there were still pieces of his past Alex wished to learn.
When she arrived at the exhibit's entrance, she felt a sense of growing pride. The soft music playing in the background, the thematic design of the exhibit, the narration that took her from display to display, all of it evoked emotion in her. She supposed it was meant to evoke emotion in everyone attending, but it was different when you worked alongside someone who had an entire exhibit dedicated to them.
Keeping her gloved hands inside her coat pockets, Alex began the tour.
She passed by pre-serum Steve Rogers and her heart swelled a little. Seeing his scrawny former self was a shock. Sure, she'd seen similar pictures in his file months ago when she joined the team, but seeing him here hit her differently. She knew this man. She had the unbelievable privilege of working beside him, even sharing some of his physical characteristics on various missions. It made her feel a little bit like an imposter as she walked through the exhibit. All the people, the kids, the school groups around her...they had no idea. The man they came to see here in the museum was every bit of the legend they thought he was. She really wished she could tell them just how true everything was that they were reading.
She continued through pre-serum Steve's life before entering into the post-serum years. Here she was greeted by other notable figures in Steve's life, one of which was Tony's father. A haunted feeling passed through Alex at the sight. She tried not to dwell on what she knew about Howard Stark's untimely ending, but an uneasiness remained with her as she continued the tour.
Next was a display showing the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D. Seeing this part of the exhibit was aptly timed, given the reasons Alex planned to bring up to Fury. She came to a stop in front of a screen playing a black and white video of Peggy Carter working behind the scenes in Germany. She watched the stunning brunette with admiration, wishing she had known her. A part of her thought they might have gotten along in another life.
Alex moved on. When she turned the corner and saw the giant Howling Commandos display staring back at her, she stopped in her tracks.
There, standing beside Steve - as he always was - was Bucky.
She felt her heart leap into her throat as she slowly approached, her eyes gazing up at the younger face of the man she was in love with.
Bucky was so young, but still just as handsome. He had the same plump mouth. The same proud brow. The same large eyes. It was the same man Alex slept beside most nights. The same man who shared her heart in ways no one else on the planet could.
And he had short hair.
Alex lifted a hand to cover her smirk, casting a sidelong glance to make sure no one thought she was crazy.
It was just...so strange.
So strange to see him with short hair.
But it was him. Her lover. Her friend. Her soldier.
She moved a little closer to read the inscriptions beneath each of the Commandos. From somewhere above her, the narrator's voice told the tale of the Howling Commandos and their formation, their successes, and then - that pivotal moment when Sergeant Barnes fell from the freight car.
When Alex heard the narrator's dramatic description, flashes of Bucky's own memories flickered through her mind. Memories of snow and ice. Wind. Falling. Terror. Pain as hot as lightning. All the moments she worked so hard to remove from his psyche suddenly appeared inside her own, and it stole the breath from her.
She clutched a hand to her chest and felt through her hoodie to the two dog tags that hung beneath; the two dog tags given to her as a promise and a token of love. When she felt the reassurance of their weight in her hand, she regained control over her own mind. The images disappeared as the narrator's voice moved on to other topics.
Still clutching the dog tags, Alex looked up at the 26 year old standing in front of her and smiled.
Bucky would have no museum of his own. He may never have the kind of tales of bravery, sacrifice, or valor that Steve had. But Alex knew he deserved them. She knew how hard he worked day in and day out to be better than he was. The man she knew had the same heart and soul as the one standing there in navy and brown, rifle slung over his shoulder and a look of determination on his youthful face. She had seen that man a thousand times before, and she loved him.
Next to the display was another screen that played a looping video. Alex stood and watched 1940s Bucky in action for the first time. The moment was surreal to her. The breath in her lungs remained suspended as she watched clips of him and Steve out in the field. These transitioned to clips of the Howling Commandos stewing over maps together, which then morphed into a clip of just Steve and Bucky together in their uniform fatigues and laughing together. There was no audio, but Alex could hear their laughter in her mind. Even then, Bucky still had that same giant smile she fell in love with the first day she met him.
A surge of emotion hit Alex and she caught her eyes welling with unexpected tears. She blinked them away quickly, aware of the family she heard enter the room behind. Their two young children rushed up to the display, their hands pointing at Bucky and Steve. She took a step back to give them more room, watching as the parents tried to corral their excitement.
The mother looked at Alex with apology. "Sorry" she mouthed, hoping Alex wasn't upset that their kids came barreling in.
Alex waved her hand. "No worries." She gave a smile, then turned to exit that part of the exhibit. As she was about to leave, she overheard one of the kids:
"Mama, that's Sergeant Barnes!"
"Yes, hunny. Steve's best friend."
"He doesn't have his metal arm, though?"
"Not yet" the father said. "He gets that later."
"I want a metal arm like Sergeant Barnes."
Alex felt the jab of pain in her heart. How innocent they were. How little they knew about that metal arm and what it had done to Sergeant Barnes. Her eyes shifted up to the young face of the man she loved and compassion filled her heart. With this, Alex moved on to the rest of the exhibit.
Not once through the tour did she realize she was being followed by someone from S.H.I.E.L.D.
Nick Fury got into the driver's seat of his SUV around 7 pm that evening. As he pulled out of the underground garage at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, he fired up the computer system on board and told it to dial Alexis Markos' cell. After a few rings, her voice filled the inside of the SUV:
"Was beginning to wonder if I'd ever hear back from you."
Fury heard the sarcasm in her voice and rolled his one good eye. "As you can imagine, things took a little longer than expected."
"They always do."
"Hopefully you've been able to keep yourself busy?" He pulled the SUV onto the main highway as Alex began to laugh.
"Been learning a lot of American History down here at the Flight Museum" she replied.
"Ahhhhhhhh so THAT'S what you meant earlier." Fury nodded, and even let loose a chuckle. "I should've known."
Alex's smile was loud and clear over the line. "You want to pick me up down here? I think I've seen everything there is to see. Did you know they sell a Cap-sicle? It's a popsicle, except-"
"-I'm aware they sell those, yes."
"I know it's about 10 degrees outside but I had to buy one. Ya know - just to say I tried it. Not everyone can say they've tasted a Capsicle."
Fury laughed again. "Rogers will no doubt appreciate your support." He turned the wheel, hit the gas, and took an onramp that would take him towards the National Mall. "There's a public transportation depot not far from the Museum. About two blocks to the south. Meet there in ten minutes?"
"I'll be there" Alex replied. "Don't keep me waiting."
She hung up before he could respond. For what it was worth, she at least had him smiling. There weren't a whole lot of Avengers who were able to make that a common occurrence.
When Fury arrived at the depot, he spotted Markos right away. The white winter hat she wore made her stand out, as did the large pom-pom on the top. Fury eyed this as she slid into the passenger seat and closed the door. "Nice hat."
Alex pursed her lips. "You don't like it?"
"White's not my color." Fury gave a nod towards his all-black ensemble. "As you can see."
Alex clicked the seat belt over her chest and settled in. "So...where ya taking us? Which room has no audio, no visual, no nothing that anyone can monitor? Because I have a lot to say."
Fury pulled out of the depot, but not before casting her a glance. "We're already in it."
"The SUV?"
"Safest place I could think of."
Alex nodded and gave the interior a once-over. "Nice."
"Thanks." Fury gunned the engine, taking them out of the area near the Mall and through some side streets that would get them to the freeway faster. He glanced in his rearview mirror, then pulled the vehicle onto another side street. "So what exactly do you want to tell me about Gribinov that you couldn't - or wouldn't - tell the others?"
"It's not really about Gribinov. It's about S.H.I.E.L.D." Alex stared out the window as the buildings flew by, hoping Fury would hear her out. She'd been thinking about how to phrase what had been worrying her since she entered Boroshka's mind, but figured 'honest' and 'to-the-point' wouldn't fail her. "To be frank, I'm worried about the organization."
Fury's mouth set in a hard line. "You aren't the only one."
"Oh?
"Rogers has been questioning S.H.I.E.L.D. since day one." Fury glanced at her. "Long before you came on the team, there's been issues."
"Issues?!" Alex turned halfway in her seat. "Fury, issues are when the recipe calls for three eggs and you only have two. Having Hydra agents lingering inside your intelligence agency when we're supposed to be getting rid of them is way worse than just an issue."
"I understand that, Markos. That's what I'm saying."
Alex could feel her powers igniting. She tried to calm them; to push them down into the well where they lived and ignore their desire to rise into her limbs. "In the time I've been an Avenger, I've encountered two Hydra agents that were somehow tied to S.H.I.E.L.D." She stared at Fury seriously, even though his eyes remained on the road. "That seems excessive. And to be honest? A little fucking frightening."
"What I can tell you is that I'm aware of the situation." He eyed her. "Is that a better word?"
"I'd use clusterfuck, but that's just me."
He smirked. "Fine. I'm aware of the clusterfuck, but I'm also working on it."
"You say that every time, Fury."
"Things take time. I thought we covered this already?"
Alex looked at him and sighed. "I get it. I do. I'm just worried, is all. This whole thing with Boroshka is just a piece of a much larger fucked up puzzle and it's becoming way too frequent for my level of comfort. I know I've only been a part of all this for less than a year, but if it's this glaring to a new person?"
"What I can say is this" Fury began, pulling the SUV towards the freeway. "Maria and I are working on something. Something that, if done properly, will shake up the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. What we're doing...it's a slow process. It can't be rushed, and it can't look like it's rushed."
It was vague on purpose, but at least it was something Alex could work with. She didn't bother trying to read between the lines because she knew it would only stress her out more. Whatever plan Fury and Hill were working on to better the organization, she would trust it.
"It may have come as a surprise to the others in the meeting today that Gribinov had ties to the Poland branch" continued Fury. "Buy not to me or Maria. We've been investigating that branch for a while now. You said the name you got from Gribinov was Erik, right?"
Hearing the name caused Alex's powers to spark while a lump formed in her throat. Erik. The man who tortured her boyfriend and attempted to use him in a breeding program. "Yes" she answered, though her voice sounded frail.
"Then we need to focus on Poland next." With this, Fury lifted a finger and pointed. "And we keep this between us, you hear me? Don't say a word to any of the people who were in that meeting today. Don't mention it to anyone who asks you inside that building while you're here."
"Understood."
"The other Avengers can know, obviously" he said, as if reading her mind. "You mentioned Barnes and Rogers were arriving in a couple days?"
The corner of Alex's mouth lifted. "They are."
"I should speak with Rogers, then. I'll set up a meeting."
Silence settled in between them. Though Fury was quiet, Alex could tell his mind was stewing over things. She sat back in her seat and tried to relax. No matter what, she trusted Fury. She wouldn't forget the faith he had in her back in the fall when he helped her take care of the hybrid creatures. It meant the world to her, and the faith they had in each other had saved a lot of lives.
"How has S.H.I.E.L.D. lasted this long with everything that's gone on?" Alex asked. Her tone was serious, but her question was honest.
Fury let out a long sigh; not because Alex asked the question, but because he'd been asking himself this question for years. "Because a few good people continue to fight for the right reasons. Because Avengers like yourself and Barnes don't stop hunting, even when you're on vacation."
Their gazes met across the SUV, and Alex smiled.
After a moment's pause, Fury looked at her. "Have I ever told you about Danvers?"
"Danvers?"
His mouth curved into a smile. "Carol Danvers. A very special Avenger. She, uh..." He waved a hand towards the roof of the SUV. "...she spends a lot of time in space, handling shit up there. She's actually where I got the name Avengers."
Alex stared at him with humor in her eyes. "You're just telling me this now, Fury?"
"Because you're similar to her. You never stop questioning, and you never stop fighting to make it better." He looked at Alex and his mouth burst into a full-on grin. He shrugged before looking back at the road. "Something tells me you and Danvers would get along."
"What's her super power?"
"In short? She can shoot photon blasts from her hands."
Alex blinked. "Whoa."
"Amongst other things" Fury added. "You know, the usual: superhuman strength, speed, regeneration, can fly through spaceā¦"
"Can fly through space." Alex was amused at how casually he said this. "She sounds like a trip."
"Just imagine if you did a transfer with her!" Fury erupted into a full bellied laugh and shook his head. "Ahhhh, shit...I don't think the world is ready for that just yet."
Alex didn't quite understand, but seeing Nick Fury laughing was something she enjoyed tremendously. It even made her laugh a little, and certainly helped brighten the mood.
Fury pulled the SUV off the main highway and headed back towards temp quarters. As they neared the heart of downtown, traffic began to thicken and buildings became more numerous.
"If you think of anything we didn't cover here, I'm just a phone call away" Fury told Alex as he pulled up to the curb. He put the SUV in park and turned to look at her. "But I appreciate your candor. I always have."
Alex gave him a solid nod in thanks. "I appreciate your trust, Fury. I always have."
She opened the door and hopped out of the large vehicle. Fury waited, watching until she scanned her card and the doors opened to the apartment beyond. When she disappeared into the safety of her quarters, Fury called up his computer system.
He hadn't told Markos, but someone had been tailing them since they left the transportation depot. He'd purposely chosen odd streets and avenues to get them onto the freeway; ones that no one in their right mind would take to get to the freeway. This was proof they were being followed, and they were. Once the computer system locked on to their tail, he began a license plate and facial scan of whoever was following them for the rest of the ride.
When Fury brought up the processed data from the computer system, he sat back in his seat and rubbed his chin.
Their tail was none other than Claudia Burke, Eastern European S.H.I.E.L.D. branch division officer, and one of the women who had attended the meeting earlier that day.
Bucky had fallen asleep on his stomach on the couch, his head pushed into one of the pillows and his mouth hanging open. His metal arm lay draped over the side of the couch. When the sound of his phone ringing drew him from sleep, he lifted his head and reached out to the coffee table. He felt around groggily for his cell, answering it without seeing who was even calling. "Hello?"
"You fell asleep, didn't you?"
Bucky heard Alex's voice and his brain began to wake up. "Hey doll." He pushed himself up and groaned, feeling how stiff the muscles were around the metal of his left shoulder. "Definitely fell asleep. How are you?"
"Tired. Lonely. You?"
"Same." He settled onto his back and sunk into the cushions. "Glad I didn't miss your call. Been waiting to talk to you." He heard Alex utter a long aww on the other line and it made him smile. "Did you meet with Fury?"
"I did, but we can talk about all that later. My brain is tired of thinking about it."
Bucky frowned. "Is everything okay?" He rubbed his eyes of slumber, hoping he hadn't upset her.
"You know how heavy this stuff can get."
"I do." His mouth turned up at the corner. "I wish I could help somehow."
"Believe me, you're helping just by talking to me."
He was happy to hear it. "How was the rest of your day? And what spots did you visit? I've been trying to think of what's interesting in DC but honestly couldn't come up with a single thing."
Alex chuckled. "Weeeelll...I wanted to keep it a secret until you got down here. It's nothing crazy, but I got you a little something while I was out. It'll help explain where I was when you see it."
Now Bucky was even more intrigued. But, if Alex wanted to surprise him, he didn't want to ruin her surprise. "Can't say that really helps my curiosity at all, but I'll play along" he teased.
"Speaking of curiosity...why on earth were you guys talking about sexting earlier?"
Bucky uttered a low rumble of a laugh. "Sam brought it up, so naturally it just took off from there." He scratched at the back of his neck somewhat embarrassingly. "I guess I showed my age again when they told me all about it. I had no idea people did that."
"We're doing something wrong, then" Alex teased.
"Nah. We just don't need pictures and texts to make it happen." Bucky chuckled again, but then he realized the line had gone silent. He listened, wondering if the call somehow got disconnected. "Alexis?"
Right after he said her name, he felt his phone vibrate.
"Check your texts" she said, her smile evident over the phone.
Bucky stared at it with worry. "Can I do that without ending the call?"
"Yeah, just go to your inbox. I'll still be here."
Still afraid he'd hang up on her somehow, Bucky tiptoed through the motions and made it to his texts. He saw one new message from Alex and opened it. When he saw what it was, his eyebrows shot upward and his jaw went slack. "Holy shit."
It was a picture of her lying on her bed, shirtless, braless, smiling up at the camera and biting her lip as she palmed one of her bare breasts.
Bucky pinched and zoomed, feeling his pants tighten at the sight. "Babe..."
"Yes?"
"You're fucking gorgeous." He looked at the pic again, eyes lowering down to the waistband of her panties just barely in the picture. He wished he could feel her taut stomach, slide a hand down beneath those panties, feel the warmth there. "You should take your panties off."
"Should I?"
Her voice was flirty and playful, and it turned him on. "Take them off." The line went quiet again and he felt his breath quicken.
"Done."
"Where's the proof?"
"Ah-ha, now you're getting it!" Alex teased. "This is sexting. Well...more like a combo of-"
"-Proof, doll. I want to see proof" he told her.
His phone vibrated again, and he went to the inbox.
Fucking hell, this is amazing.
Bucky stared at Alex's bare hips, her bare center, and the fingers she had pressing against her folds. All the blood in his brain shot down to his growing dick, which he began to rub through the fabric of his pants. "You're killing me."
"How do you think I feel? All alone here, with only your voice in my ear..."
"You should see how hard I am already." He looked down at his growing hard-on, even as Alex's voice purred against his ear.
"Your turn to show me, then."
"Is this how it works?" He couldn't help but smile when he heard Alex laugh. "Fine. If you want it, you got it."
"Oh I want it, alright."
Bucky had no clue what to do, so he snapped a pic of his dick in his hand and sent it to her. A bit of nervousness filled his chest as he waited, but then he heard Alex exhale a soft moan and he knew he must have done something right.
"Shit, you look just as big in a picture as you do in real life."
It was one compliment Bucky would never, ever tire of hearing. "Thanks, babe."
"This will certainly help me later tonight."
"Later?" Bucky kept his dick out and stroked its length long and slow. "Why not right now?"
Alex uttered another laugh, but it was low and full of lust. "And you told Sam you had no idea what sexting was. Tsk, tsk."
Bucky smiled against his phone. "I'm a fast learner when I have the right teacher."
"In that case...let's move on to Lesson two, shall we?"
"Lesson two?!"
"Phone sex."
Bucky smirked. "I'm all ears, Professor."
