Chapter twenty three
Bucky watched as Tracey sat on the couch, staring at her laptop. She wasn't doing anything, but staring at the screen. She had her hands clamped together, resting against her mouth and her leg was bouncing nonstop. He placed a hand on her knee, stopping it from moving.
"Tracey, calm down. Barry's going to be alright. He's coming home any minute," he said, giving her knee a squeeze.
"I know," she sighed. "It's just that, I'm worried. I worry every time he leaves for a mission." She paused and placed her head in her hands. "God, I sound like a broken record."
Bucky chuckled. "I know you're worried, but you also have to remember that Barry's trained for this. He'll be just fine."
Tracey sighed once more, leaning her head against her boyfriend's shoulder. "I know… He's my twin brother, it's kind of my job to worry."
"I get that," he chuckled, kissing her hair. He smiled, squeezing her shoulders. "How about we watch a movie. That'll keep your mind off of things."
"Alright," she said. She pointed a finger up at him. "But you're picking. I don't feel like getting up."
Bucky rolled his eyes and pushed her as he got up, laughing when he heard her yell at him. He came back, after placing the chosen movie in the player, and grabbed Tracey. He wrapped his arms around her as he laid down, bringing her with him. He smiled as he looked at her as she stared at the TV.
She was definitely the best thing to happen to him (other than meeting Steve). After everything that happened in the past seventy years she was what he needed to feel human again. She treated him like she treated everyone else. She never looked down on him and never backed away in fear. She stood by him no matter what.
Tracey looked at Bucky, feeling his eyes on her. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
He laughed lightly. "Nothing," he replied. "Just looking at a beautiful girl."
She buried her face in the couch cushion as her face heated up. The smile on her face was big, but of course wasn't visible now that she was hiding. Bucky grinned at her as she tried to hide. He ran a hand down her back, resting on in the middle of it. He loved that he was able to make her react the way she did at compliments. He loved watching her face turn red when she got embarrassed. It was adorable.
"I mean it, darling," he said, drawing circles on her back with his fingers. He sat up, leaning against the arm of the couch. Tracey sat on his lap, staring at him and at the same time still trying to hide her blushing face. He put a hand under her chin, making her look at him. "You're the most beautiful girl I've ever met."
Tracey smiled at Bucky. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asked with a smile, wrapping his arms around her.
"For being you and making me feel special for once."
He frowned for a moment. He knew what – or rather who – she was talking about. He tightened his arms around her, holding her there as he buried his face in her neck. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her. Not Dave, not HYDRA. No one.
"You're always special, Tracey. Don't forget that," he said, kissing her neck.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Quiet moments with Tracey like this were moments that he never wanted to end. They were peaceful moments and they made it feel like they were the only ones on earth. Although, sometimes the moments didn't last long.
"Miss Madison," JARVIS's voice sounded throughout the floor.
Tracey head perked up at the sound of her name. Bucky kissed her cheek when her head was no longer on his shoulder. He grinned when Tracey smiled and rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes, JARVIS?" she asked.
"Mr. Madison is back. He is on the top floor with the Mr. Wilson and Dr. Banner."
Tracey's eyes widened and she jumped off the couch, hurrying to the elevator. She shouted a quick thank you to the AI as she rapidly pressed the up button. Bucky walked behind her, placing a hand on her back.
"Tracey, breathe," he laughed. "I told you he'd be fine."
"I know, I shouldn't doubt you," she said, sticking her tongue out at him when he grinned and made the snide comment of "You got that right". She stepped onto the elevator with the super soldier and bounced on her feet as she waited for the elevator to reach the top floor.
Bucky kissed the top of her head. "Calm down, doll," he laughed.
"I'm just anxious," she said, tapping her hand on her thigh.
She rushed off the elevator as soon as the doors opened. Standing around the kitchen were Bruce, Barry, and Sam. All looked bruised and beaten. Sam had a few cuts on his arms and face. Bruce was currently treating some at the moment. He himself had cuts and bruises on the visible parts of his body. Clearly he was planning on tending to the other two before himself. Barry had a bandage on his forehead and a few on his arms. He looked over at the couple as they approached them and gave a grin.
"Hey!" he said as Tracey rushed over to him.
She wrapped her arms around him causing an "oof" to escape her twin. She breathed. Barry was safe. He was alright, as far as the cuts and bruises go. She looked up and frowned.
"I never understand how you can be always smiling even after coming back looking like this," she said, gesturing to him.
"I have to keep a smile on for you don't I? That's what brothers do," he said, laughing.
Tracey rolled her eyes and punched his arm, keeping mind of the bandages. "Stop trying to keep a brave face for me. I know when you're scared. I'm your twin. I'm supposed to know these things. And you could've said bye before you left."
Barry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry, Trace. It was a last minute assignment. We had to rush out."
She shook her head and wrapped her arms around him again. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"What about us?" Sam called out as he took a seat at the kitchen table, helping Bruce take care of his own injuries.
Tracey laughed and walked over to the dark skinned man. "I'm glad you guys are safe too," she said, giving him a quick hug.
"That's better," Sam laughed. "So where is everyone?"
"Steve and Clint are at the gym," Bucky said. He paused, thinking about the whereabouts of the rest of the team. "I'm not sure where Tony is though. Natasha, Thor, and Sharon are out on a mission."
"Even Sharon's out on a mission," Tracey said, groaning. "I'm always stuck here while everyone else goes on missions."
"You're not exactly trained to go out on assignments like we are, Tracey," Bruce said, giving her a sympathetic look. "You're safe here and you're still able to help us. Without you finding the files we wouldn't have been able to start our search for HYDRA's bases."
"Bruce is right," Barry said. "We need you here. You're not trained for situations that we face out on the field."
Tracey sighed. "I know," she said, taking a seat at the table.
Bucky rubbed her back, squeezing her shoulder. He pursed his lips. Tracey was right about everyone going out on missions. However, it was everyone but him. He looked to Bruce. "Do you know where Tony is?"
"He's probably down in the lab," the scientist answered.
"Alright, thanks." He leaned down and kissed Tracey's cheek. "I'll see you later, doll."
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"I need to talk to Tony about something."
"Okay. See ya, Sergeant," she said, smiling at him as he left.
ooOOoo
"Stark," Bucky called out as he stormed into the lab.
Tony looked up and grinned. "What's up, Robocop?"
Bucky's brow furrowed as he stood in front of the table where Tony was tinkering with some devices. "It's been nearly four months since we started hunting down HYDRA and I haven't gotten a single mission. All I've been doing is helping around the city. What gives?"
"Uh…" Tony rubbed the back of his neck as he stared at the super soldier. He placed the screw driver he had in his hand down. "Look, it's not my fault. Red has been requesting that I give her every mission that is near her current location whenever she finishes a mission. Said something about giving you and Picassa some time together."
Bucky rolled his eyes as he shook his head. Figures the Russian spy would pull something like this. "What's the difference between me and Tracey and you and Pepper?" he asked, crossing his arms. "What about Steve and Sharon. And her and Clint?"
Tony sighed. "She said that with her and Brave they can go on missions together. Same with Capsicle and Friday the Thirteenth. As for Pepper and me I do my best to spend every minute with her. She can't go out on missions, neither can Tracey." He sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "Tracey isn't cut out for field missions, we all know that. Neither is Pepper. But she and I have been dating for years now. You and Tracey just started. Spider queen is just looking out for you two, giving you time together before you start going out on missions."
Bucky closed his eyes. Everything Tony said was true. Tracey wasn't trained like they were, they just talked about that upstairs. And when he did start going out on missions who knew when he'd get back. He sighed.
"Look, if I'm going to be a part of this team I want to have my share of missions. It's not fair if I don't get to pull my weight while everyone else takes over. As for Tracey and me, what goes on between us is our business. Natasha doesn't have a say in what I do."
"Alright," the billionaire said, holding his hands up. "Frankly I'd rather not get on her bad side by arguing with her. You can do that on your own. And you're in luck," he said, pulling up some hologram charts and files. "Kevin Flynn was able to locate a new HYDRA base. I was going to have Gramps go with me. We leave tomorrow so you better start packing. These things sometimes take a few days." He paused and caught the soldier before he left. "You better tell Tracey. She was already mad that Barry left on his mission without telling her. You don't want her mad at you. You've seen her mad. It's not a fun thing."
Bucky didn't say anything, but nod as he walked out. He was ready to get rid of another HYDRA base. One less to worry about and one closer to getting rid of them for good. He frowned as he walked through the halls. He ran a hand through his hair thinking back to the reason why he hadn't gotten any missions. Natasha was trying to keep him and Tracey together before he started going on missions and leaving for long periods of time. Things were going great for them. But Tony was right. He had to tell Tracey before he left. He sighed again.
"She's not going to be happy."
ooOOoo
Tracey walked onto hers and Bucky's floor, laptop in hand as she continued to type. She was still uncovering more and files from HYDRA and locating bases. There were still plenty left, but the team was extracting them one by one. She closed the laptop as she walked to the bedroom. Stopping in the door way she stared as she saw Bucky moving around grabbing random articles of clothing and other objects and throwing them in a bag on the bed.
She blinked and approached the bed as he walked into the closet. "You have a mission then?" she asked, placing her laptop down and folding a shirt that was wadded in a ball in the bag.
Bucky turned around, pursing his lips. He set the shirt in his hands down on the bed. He looked at her as she stared at him, waiting for his answer. "Yeah…"
"When do you leave?" she asked, placing the shirt she folded into the bag.
"Tomorrow morning." He looked down at her. She was folding another shirt, not looking up at him. He held his breath, waiting for her to say something. Anything.
She turned around and looked up at him. A small smile was on her face. "It's about time you went out with the team." She placed the shirt down and turned to him. "Just do me a favor and don't get yourself too beat up," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He let out the breath and chuckled. "I promise," he said, wrapping his arms around her. He held her against, not intending on letting her go. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You're not mad?"
She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'd be dumb if I said yes. You're part of the Avengers, it's expected of you to go on missions. I'm more worried than mad. You know how I am," she said, huffing out a laugh at the end.
"I know," he laughed with her. "But I wouldn't have you any other way."
"You're so cheesy," she said, punching his chest lightly making him laugh. She felt the rumble from the laugh in his chest, making her giggle.
He sighed contently, resting his head on hers. "I'll write to you," he said, stroking her hair.
Tracey burst out into a fit of giggles. "Write to me? Really?"
He chuckled nervously. "Yeah. I never really had anyone to write to while in the war. Except Steve, but he doesn't count," he said with a wink. She laughed making him smile. "Why not make up for that and write to my girl now?"
She smiled up at him. "Alright, Sergeant. You better hold up on your end."
He pulled her closer to him and kissed her. "I promise, doll."
And yet another chapter! I hope you guys liked it! Trying to figure out how to end it was the tricky part :/ So sorry, it's a shorter chapter.
So guess who's a complete idiot and thought that the eviction/rent notice was for them. Yeah I actually forgot that my room in our apartment is D and not B. The letter was to room B. So yeah…I'm an idiot. But at least I know I've paid and not getting evicted any time soon. But to be fair I came home around 2 in the morning so yeah…
Thank you so much for the reviews from last chapter! Like always I never stop smiling when I read them. And thank you to those who have sent in a prompt or an idea :D KiyUzumaki, morbidly-funny, and Jo (Guest). I will be working on those prompts as soon as I can. Thank you again!
As always, you can send prompts either here through private message, my tumblr account, or if you're a guest and don't have either accounts you can just leave your prompt via review Also my inbox is always open for questions for the Avengers and Madison twins. If you'd like to ask them anything feel free. The same goes for the questions, if you have a tumblr account you can send them at my inbox. If you don't have a tumblr account, but have a fanfiction account send them here through a pm. If you don't have either you can send a question via review. I know some people don't have either accounts so I figured it'd be fair to have you guys able to send in questions through either website. My tumblr account is
winter-is-ending
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