Title: Gold Rush
Pairing: CaptainAmerica-WinterSoldier-FemaleOC (poly)
First language isn't English, so please point out spelling or grammer mistakes. Be specific when pointing them out so I can correct them.
Your thoughts on the story are always welcomed.
Urgh, finally chapter 9 is finished! It just kept going and new things got in there somehow!
Anyway, please review!
Chapter 9 part 7
I woke up early the next morning because the temperature had risen considerably during the night and I was beginning to sweat. I rolled from the warm embrace that had offered a very comfortable sleep and stretched my limbs. My eyes opened slowly and even though I knew where I was and what happened last night, I still needed a minute to take it all in. I bit the inside of my cheek as I let my eyes wonder over the sleeping form beside me, who's chest was slowly rising and falling, undisturbed from my movement. His blond hair hung before his eyes and his lips parted slightly as he took in a deep breath. I can't believe I slept with Captain America. I can't believe I kissed him. Oh God, I kissed him. And he kissed me and it was…incredible. Whoever said the man had no clue when it comes to women, clearly doesn't know him very well because he seemed to manage very well last night. The other spot next to me was vacant and I felt a bit disappointed as I felt the spot was cold. The Sergeant must have woken up a while ago. I ran my fingers threw my hair and pushed the blanket back. I doubted the Captain needed it because he felt like a freaking heater. I blushed hard when I realized that I knew that intimate fact. I was pleased he was still asleep so he didn't see my cheeks reddening, but he did begin to stir. His blue eyes opened slowly and I smiled at him as he took his time piecing together where we were and what was going on. Then his lips turned into a cheeky and confident grin. His eyes were filled with merriment, that made me snicker: "Wipe that grin of your face, Captain."
"Sorry, I'm afraid I can't do that ma'am," he flashed me his million-dollar smile before leaning in and one hand cupped my cheek. My breath hitched as I felt his forehead touch mine and my eyes saw his lips come closer. I could still remember the touch of his lips from last night and yet it felt like it was our first kiss again. He gently brushed his lips against mine, waiting for my permission that I gladly gave. His arm snuck around my waist and pulled me on top of him as he deepened the kiss. My hand automatically placed itself on his chest as I practically melted against him and my heart started beating faster. His body felt so strong beneath me. I could feel his muscles tense and relax as he moved and my heart skipped a beat as my mind foolishly tried to imagine what he would look like without a shirt.
"I could get used to waking up like this," he whispered against my lips and I found myself agreeing with him. I laid my head on his chest and his arms went around my body, slightly squeezing me as we laid there perfectly content. As daunting as dating and romance had seen ever since losing Kai and Yuri, this seemed…right. I felt like a school girl, falling in love for the first time as I closed my eyes and listened to his heart beat strongly beneath me. I can't remember there being any other man that made me feel this excited, curious and eager to get to know him. And there are two of them for Christ's sake! I liked discovering he had a little bit of green in his eyes, a flaw I'm sure not many people know about. I liked feeling a slight stubble on his cheeks in the morning. I remember seeing the Captain in passing after the snap. A thick beard adorned his face. Mister Stark hated it, saying he preferred the boy scout look because it made him look less imposing. Miss Pots and I eyed each other when he walked in after a few weeks, clean shaved and with a fresh haircut. We silently agreed that it was a far better look for the man.
"Do you think we could pretend to still be sleeping?" I asked after a few minutes of silence. His hand was drawing circles on my back. It felt so comfortable, it that was making my eyelids feel heavy. He moved so we laid facing each other. A strand of hair fell in his eyes: "I don't hear any life downstairs, so I think we can sneak in a few more minutes."
I crawled closer to his frame, my head resting on my arms that were tucked beneath my head. He kissed my forehead and I pushed his hair from his eyes as he mirrored my position. Our eyes met and we ended up a childish starring competition. I managed to make him laugh by means of my flexible eyebrows. He sighed contently as I tried to stop giggling like a schoolgirl, with flaming red cheeks: "I've been meaning to ask, that little book of yours I saw when we went to Yankee stadium. What sort of things do you put in there? I think I hard somewhere that Captain America likes to draw."
"You heard correctly, ma'am," he said and I smiled when he called me ma'am. There was something fun and playful about using his title and the way he called me ma'am: "So what do you draw? Buildings, people, animals…ways to kill mister Stark?"
He laughed at my little joke and I bit my lips to stop myself from blushing even harder as he looked so handsome when he laughed genially.
"Yeah, it's basically a hundred way's on how to kill Tony Stark," he joked and muttered under his breath that it would be a funny idea for some simple doodles.
"I feel like I should warn him," I continued jokingly and tried to keep myself from blushing as his fingers caressed my face. His fingers slide softly over my cheeks and he notices the small scar on the top of my chin. He didn't ask about it though: "Do you really care that much about him?"
"He writes my paycheck, so I kind of depend on him," I admitted teasingly and kissed the man's fingers as they brushed past my lips.
"I can't draw very well, but I used to paint. Not very good, just stuff to hang around the house," I told him and he repeated my question of his sketches.
"Mostly abstract things or silhouettes. I liked painting hands though. There's something about the way fingers can bend and sent out so many messages," I admitted and remembered Kai complaining about the mess I always ended up making while painting. I was a very messy painter and I never cleaned up after myself. I had a small room in our house where I could paint. The walls were stacked with shelves, that were filled with painting materials. The walls were white, but if I felt partially lazy while painting, I would just wipe my brush against the wall before dipping it into a different color. The floor was covered in old newspapers, paint brushes laying everywhere, somewhere a glass of wine would be hiding. My table would be littered with objects that came in handy while painting like sponges, toothbrushes, forks…
"Why did you stop?" the Captain asked me and pulled me back into the precent. I pondered his question for a minute. I didn't really stop, life just happened. After that miserable day, I moved back in with my parents. I focused on finding a job, a new home. I tried to figure out if I could go back to school and get my diploma, but the tuition was simply too high for me to pay and I would never ask my parents for help like that. The only reason I was able to start a few years earlier was because Kai paid for everything. It took me a while to accept his help, but he said that we shouldn't worry about stuff like money when it came to our education. I did my best in therapy and basically did everything to get passed what happened as quickly as possible. I hated it when my friends asked me how I was feeling or if they could do something for me. I know those are the universal questions that everyone asks you when something bad happened, but they infuriated me. I felt like shit and miserable and I'm sure they knew that. Asking about it wasn't going to magically make those feelings go away. Brooklyn was the first one who picked up on that and so he stopped asking. He did visit me more then usual. I was so busy with making a plan for the future, I didn't have time to do creative things.
"Life happened and when I moved into my appartement I never thought about getting new materials," I answered weighing my words. I didn't want to lie to him but I also didn't want to give away too much details about what had happened at that time.
"I get that. It took me a while to get back into sketching. Sometimes other things just come first," he said and I agreed. Staying in contact with my friends was one of my main focusses at the time. My shrink hammered it practically into my head that I shouldn't alienate myself from the people I love. I did for a while, but after a few weeks the message started sinking in. I decided to stir the conversation back to his drawings, not wanting to talk to much about that time: "What do you sketch mostly?"
"In the beginning it was mostly scenery of New York, but I'm getting more into drawing people. Mostly my colleagues because I see them enough to remember their features so I can draw them from memory," he told me and he pulled my hand into his, his fingers slide between mine. I squeeze his hand slightly and he smiles sat me: "So maybe one day a sketch of mister Stark?"
"I made one of him already. I lost it though," he said and turned on his back, looking up at the ceiling. His lips were turned upwards, probably thinking about the drawing. He told me that when he had just got the serum he was used as a dancing monkey to get people into buying war bonds. Mister Stark seemed to like making fun of him for that and so he drew Tony in a monkey suite on a unicycle, holding an umbrella.
"I've seen that drawing!" I said stunned, seeing the small drawing clearly in my mind. It hangs in mister Stark's lab at him.
"What? No, you can't have. I lost it," the Captain told me, but I assured him I had: "Yes, I have, it hangs in his lab at home. He sent me out to buy a frame for it. Oh, that damn frame makes so much sense now."
"What do you mean?" the man asked curiously and I giggled as I remembered my frustration with my boss at the time. He told me the damn thing had to be decorated with popsicles. You'd think it would be an easy find in New York. Turns out it wasn't and he was very picky with the one's I brought: "The frame is blue and decorated with red and white popsicles. It makes so much sense why he was so prissy about the damn frame. I showed him like fifty."
"I can't believe he stole my sketch," the Captain said looking up at the ceiling a bit perplexed. It made me laugh: "Are you really? I mean, it's mister Stark we are talking about. I can't believe he actually stole it."
"Does he have any more interesting stolen items I should know about?" the Captain asked me and leaned over my frame. His weight pressed down on me, but he was being mindful of that. I tried to keep a straight face and lie, but his stern looks just made me think of all the little things my boss had hidden away from his teammates: "Yes, but I don't feel comfortable giving all my boss his secrets away."
I doubt the Captain would find it funny to hear that mister Stark has an action figure of the man in his freezer. The man's hands found my sides and I tried to get away from him as he tickled me, trying to get me to tell on my boss. I managed to keep my lips sealed but went stark red as he whispered in my ear, he could get them to open. He seemed very pleased with my reaction and kissed my head as he pulled me into his arms. I rested my head in the crook of his neck while his hand started drawing circles on my back again: "So what do you do in your free time, other than drawing my boss dying in some dramatical fashion?"
"I like watching this show on Netflix about a group of smart guys and their neighbor…" the Captain explained, but I interrupted him knowing the show he was talking about: "You mean The Big Bang Theory?"
He seemed surprised that I knew the show he was talking about. It's actually one of my favorite shows and I know most episodes by heart. Can't blame a nerd for loving a show where all these nerdy franchises are a big deal of the characters lives. Oh, when the guy's dressed up as the DC female characters because they lost the bowling game to Stuart and his team. It was hilarious!
"Heard of it? I've seen every episode, it's hilarious," I said in my best impersonation of Bernadette, but the Captain didn't seem to get it. She must not have made her appearance yet: "Why do you like it? I kind of figured you as a guy who'd preferred older movies."
"Why? Because I'm ancient?" he joked and I liked he was able to do that. I appreciate humor and sarcasm in a man. Especially when you can use it on yourself: "A little bit."
"I appreciate some, but I like the movie and TV shows they make these days just as much. And I like the show because there's something comforting about watching a show about a bunch of guys who don't fit in with the normal standard," he explained and I could see why he would like that. I can't imagine there being many shows or stories like that when he was younger.
"In my day, movies were always about the handsome and strong man who saves the world, never about the little guy," he confessed and I pointed out that he managed to turn into that guy anyway. He wanted to say something but stopped and looked at me with a cheeky grin: "Did you just call me handsome?"
"Don't let it go to your head. The handsome once's are usually rather stupid and apparently you didn't even take your own final exams," I pointed out and the man cursed his friend threw closed teeth: "I'm never going to hear the end of that, am I?"
"Oh, forget about it. Who cares about such matters now? I cheated on two of my final exams so we aren't all saints," I admitted and the man looked at me surprised. I told him how I cheated on my chemistry and physics exam and how my teachers tried to stop me from graduating because there was no way I could end up with such high marks on those exams. But they had no proof and so I graduated and gave them my biggest smile as I accepted my diploma.
"So, I guess we both weren't the great scholars back in our day," the Captain sighed, but I corrected him quickly by pointing out that I was a straight A student: "I just really hated those courses and I was preoccupied with other matters to keep me from studying."
"And what were those?" he asked me innocently and I cursed myself for saying that last bit. I walked right into that one, didn't I? I took a few seconds before answering, trying to figure out what I was going to say: "An ill boyfriend."
"He must have been very ill to keep you from studying for your final exams," the Captain pointed out and he looked at me. I wanted to avoid his eyes, but he didn't let me. I sighed as I turned back on my back: "He was, studying wasn't important at the time."
"And did he get better?"
"He did and for two years he was okay, but then it came back and he didn't make it," I confessed, knowing he would ask if Kai had survived. And it wasn't a complete lie. He might not have died because of his illness, but it was only a matter of time before he would sub come to it.
"That must have been though for you," the Captain said and pulled me back into his side, his arm keeping me securely there. His lips kissed my forehead in comfort and his subtle scent made me relax into his touch. He had no idea how though it had been, but I wasn't going to tell the whole story: "I knew it was coming so it helped, I guess. Made other matters just seem less important."
"You dropped out of University because of him?"
"He got sicker again and we knew there was no…cure so we decided to spent whatever time we had left together. We traveled through Europe for a few months. Then we stayed in New Zealand, where we bought a van and lived in it. He came from old money so we did whatever he wanted to do, went wherever he wanted to go," I said, remembering how small the bed had been in the van. We complained every night about it, but we never bought a tent or a bigger van. It also didn't help we had to drag an oxygen tank with us everywhere we went. It was real fun when Kai got the insane idea he wanted to hike up the mountain they used as Mount Doom in the Middle Earth movies. How he didn't die on that mountain was still a mystery to me.
"We?" the Captain asked and I cursed myself for not watching my words better. Seven years I barely spoke about them and now all of a sudden the words come so easily. What's up with that? It always seemed so daunting to talk about this subject to new people and yet with the Captain, it didn't. Maybe it was the pity I feared people would give me or the judgement, but the Captain did neither. He simply asked while his body offered comfort.
"His best friend came with us. They were always together, so it was just the way it was," I said and kept the details of our relationship to myself.
"How did you get over it?" the Captain asked me and I looked him dead in the eye: "You don't, you just learn to live with the fact you are widow at the age of…" I froze as the words slipped out and he noticed my body tensed up. That slipped out before I knew it and I couldn't take it back. It was out there now. It strangely didn't feel as hard to say, now that I had confessed it to someone else too. The word didn't feel so haunted or tainted. I waited for the inevitable pity to come into his eyes, but it didn't. He stared at me in shock and I waited for some kind of response.
"You were married?" he asked the obvious and I said bitterly not for very long. I shook my head and decided to put the focus back on him: "So what about you? What's your dating record? My boss thinks it's none existent."
"Nothing that serious, that's for sure," the man confessed and looked back up at the ceiling. I wondered what he was thinking, but didn't dare to ask. Most guys would run for the hills when you bring up the fact you were married, but I doubt the Captain was like that: "Really? No special lady that caught your eye back in your day? Or these days?"
"There was one, but timing wasn't right," he said and I noticed the corners of his lips turn up slightly as he was obviously remembering the woman. He told me he met her during the war, before he got the serum. They didn't work out because he crashed his ship into the Artic and woke up seventy years later.
"That's a bit dramatic, you could have just said no if you weren't interested," I joked and he rolled his eyes but also laughed a bit. He looked at me with hesitant eyes but then said slowly: "Maybe you should have given your husband that advice."
"Did you just make a joke about my dead husband?" I asked surprised and he froze, probably wondering if he took it too far. I was far to stunned by his words to give him any sign on what I was thinking or feeling about him saying those words.
"Well, you made one about my failed romance…" he stuttered but stopped as I started laughing. I laughed hard. No one has made a joke about the subject and here comes this guy, who uses my own words against me, just seconds after I told him about it. I needed a minute to compose myself: "I can't believe you just joked about that."
"You made fun of me and Peggy. What comes around, goes around," he said, his body relaxing again. I snuggled back into his chest and he squeezed my frame: "Peggy? That sounds like a really old name."
"Excuse me? What was his name then?" the Captain asked me and I told him with a grin. It took him a few seconds before he admitted he couldn't make fun of that because it did sound like a cool name.
"Not to sound like I'm changing the subject deliberately, but can I ask a personal question that all woman hate being asked," the man asked me and I was pleased by the change of subject, but also hesitant as to what he wanted to ask.
"It's just, I remembered this date Natasha set up for me and it turned out the woman was a lot younger than we both thought. It just felt very wrong at the time," he admitted and I eyed him with mischief. There was no way I would let him get away without telling me how old the woman was. He admitted with shame she was twenty-three.
"You might want to make sure mister Stark never finds out about that, because that will be something he'll taunt you with forever," I told him between giggles. I can't imagine going on a date with someone so young. Well, it's only five years apart, but we would be in very different stages of life. He would just be starting his adulthood, maybe still be in collage. I don't think age really matters, but I would prefer to be in the same life stage as the other person.
Say's the girl laying in bed with a hundred-something year old.
"But I'm twenty-nine. I turn thirty in February. Is that appropriate enough for you?" I asked and he nodded, saying he could handle that. Since he had brought up the age subject, I swallowed and asked him old he really was: "I mean without all the sleeping beaty years."
"Eum let's see, I was twenty-five when I crashed the plane and I've been awake again for thirteen years, so thirty-eight, I guess," he said and I was surprised by that. I didn't think he was that much older than me. He looked down at me, waiting for my reaction. He must think nine years could be a big deal. I decided to tease him a bit about it: "Oh God, you are really old. You're almost fourthly. Don't tell my boss that either. He'll have a field day knowing you're dating a twenty-something year old."
"Don't call me old," he said and tickled me to get back at me. We fell in another comfortable silence for a few minutes, but our comfortable spell got broken when the Captain's phone started buzzing and it turned out to be my boss calming him in hysterics. I tried not to listen, but even from across the bed, I could hear him shouting. What is going on? Everything from then on happened so fast, it was sort of a blur. I picked up Morgan's name from the conversation, but the Captain assured me the kid was safe. He kissed me quickly and headed downstairs, shouting the other's names. Wanda was still in the process of waking up and looked like a zombie, while the other red head was sitting downstairs, sipping a coffee and talking to Sarah. Sam was out with his nephews and the Sergeant and Clint headed out for a run half an hour ago apparently. Before I was downstairs, the Captain and the two red heads left and I was left in a very confused state.
"I'm afraid you'll have to get used to that. When duty calls, he answers and is out the door before you know it," Sarah told me with amused eyes. There was no hiding my confused state or the fact I hadn't slept with Wanda. Sarah also pointed out I was wearing a nice sweater, what happened to be the Captain's. The woman invited me for breakfast outside. It was a lovely autumn morning with the sun shining down on us and a slight breeze in the air. We made small talk and I asked about the family business. She sounded very proud as she talked about keeping it going.
After an hour the others showed up and Sarah told them the others had left after a phone call from my boss. They were already informed and Sam was going to go after them, once he dropped me and the Sergeant of in New York. Why wouldn't the Sergeant join him? Clint was needed else where apparently and he would take Sam's car. Everything was happening very fast and even though I'm used to hectic and chaotic situations, I felt lost in this one. I waited to be told what to do and the Sergeant picked up on that. He squeezed my shoulder before heading upstairs and told me to pack my stuff: "We'll head out once I'm showered."
I debated simply doing as he told me to, but as he walked into his room my questions about the Stark family took over and I went after him. I didn't knock on his door, demanding to know what was going on and practically stormed in the man's room. The sight of a half-naked Sergeant Barnes made my mind and mouth stop though. He had multiple scars covering his chest and back and it took me a little back to see his metal arm and shoulder on full display. I guess it's like when seeing an amputee's missing leg or arm. It's weird and for a second you don't know where to look. He took his time and seemed to way his words as he pulled clean clothes and a towel from his bag. Luckily, I got pulled from my frozen stupor when the scent of his work-out reached my nose. See, there is nothing attractive about a sweaty man because they smell. We need to stop glorifying that shit.
"What is going on with Morgan? Is she alright?" I asked, completely forgetting the Captain's words earlier.
"I'm not sure…" the Sergeant weighed his words, but I wasn't having it and demanded to know if the kid was all right and safe. My stomach was clutching together and I felt nauseated from thinking Morgan could be in danger. I mean she's just a child: "Well?"
"Stark received a word from Colonel Rhodes that someone has placed a hit on the kid," he said slowly. I felt light headed as his words sunk in. He noticed and before my knees started to buckle, he had his arms around me and kept me on my feet. Someone has placed a hit on Morgan? Who would do such a thing? She's a child!
"Stark seems to have a solid lead about who is after him and his family and they went to take care of it. The kid is with her mother, in a safe location with Colonel Rhodes and Wanda is heading their way," the Sergeant explained and I felt better knowing Colonel Rhodes and Wanda would be with them. They will be able to protect Morgan and she likes Wanda so that will put her at ease and offer enough distraction until this whole mess blows over.
"They are going to be okay. Stark knows what he's doing and he has a lot of backup with him to handle the situation," the Sergeant assured me and rubbed my back as I nodded. That's true, he'll have the Captain with him and Natasha and Sam will be there as well. And knowing the Parker kid, he will have gotten wind on what is happening and showed up to help as well: "Right. Thank you for telling me."
"I'm going to shower and then we'll head back to New York," he told me, his hand still rubbing my back. I turned stark red as it dawned on me he was hugging me half-naked and by God he was a sight to behold. I quickly made my exit, without another word, what made the man chuckle. I nearly tripped over myself as I ran to my room and closed the door behind me, my mind preoccupied by that man's naked chest and well developed…Oh fuck Alex, snap out of it! I can't believe that just happened.
The Sergeant and I kept a respectful distance from one and other when we boarded the jet. Sam stayed with us during the flight and we didn't want to give him the wrong idea. Everyone seemed to be under the impression the Captain was interested in me, but I don't think they knew about the Sergeant. I was actually pleased about that, because I'd like to keep this private for at least a little while. We would need to talk about how this relationship would work and what we would tell other people, but for now we both seemed to agree it was best to keep our distance in front of the others. The two men did most of the talking. My mind was too preoccupied with worst case scenarios on what was going on. When we landed at the Avengers compound, I texted my bosses immediately, telling them to call me if they needed anything. It wouldn't be the first time they called me during the weekend for something, though their reasons were always valid. Even though I'm their personal assistant and manage so much of their lives, they respect that on Friday I clock out until Monday morning. The Sergeant let me stew in my thoughts as he drove me home. He seemed to understand there was no point in trying to engage in casual conversation.
When I got home, I drew myself a bath to relax from the sudden turn the day had taken. A glass of red wine also helped with calming down my nerves. I pulled out an old box from under my bed that was filled with Kai's old records. He got them from his father, who used to collect them. He started collecting in the sixties, but the record player he used to play them on, used to belong to his father, Kai's grandfather. The thing was so old, but it still worked. My hand hovered over the box, hesitating on what album to listen to. I don't believe in God or any kind deity, but I do believe in getting signs. And everything that was happening with the Captain and Sergeant was so new, I guess I could do with a little sign telling me it was okay to pursue this. I closed my eyes and tried to shake the nervous feeling away that was clinging to my body. My throat closed up as I pulled out a record. I knew I was playing with fire. I could pull out an album that basically said 'this is a huge mistake' and it would taint my judgment. I opened one eye slowly and let out a sigh of relief. Tears even welled up in my eyes as I looked at the Beatles record. The first song was Here comes the sun. I smiled as I whipped my eyes. Thank you.
As I socked in the warm water, my thoughts kept going back to my bosses. I understood they had other things on their minds, but I wished I could hear from them they ware alright. I could see miss Pots read my message, but she didn't respond to it. I thought about calling Tessa to distract myself, but there was no way I could hide my new relationship from her. One look and she'd know I met someone. I was actually surprised she hadn't asked more about my 'polite conversations' with the Captain. Let's first try and figure out how we'll handle this relationship and what we'll tell the people we know, before I mention anything to my friends.
After my bath I made myself a little nest in my couch with a blanket while wearing sweatpants and an oversized sweater that used to belong to Yuri. It used to be black, but it had been washed so many times the color had faded into a slight grey over time. I refilled my glass of wine and started watching some new fictive period drama on Netflix. I'm a sucker for that stuff. Halfway into episode two, the buzzer to my apartment went and I nearly spilled my drink on myself.
"Good evening, ma'am. A little birdie told me you were in need of some distraction tonight, so I thought I'd come offer my assistance and rescue you." I starred perplexed at my intercom as the voice of the Sergeant brought a smile to my face. He hadn't said anything about doing something tonight and I assumed he would be joining the others. Today had been very anti-climactic and frankly I couldn't wait for it to be over.
"Good sir, it's considered inappropriate to be at a lady's door, unaccompanied, this late in the evening. What will my neighbors think?" I tried to sound teasing, while I took in my appearance in the mirror. My grey sweatpants were too big for me, my woolen Harry Potter socks had been pulled over my pants and my sweater didn't look all that fashionable either. I realized I looked like shit and there was no way in hell I wanted him to see me like this. Especially not after I saw him in his half-naked glory a few hours earlier.
"Then let me in before they hear all the raunchy things I want to say to you," he responded and I buzzed him in. I ran to my bedroom, jumping over my couch and throwing my comfy clothes under my bed. I pulled on the first pair of jeans I saw and a simple t-shirt. I ran one hand threw my hair as I pulled of my Harry Potter socks, while trying not to fall over and hurt myself. I heard a knock on my door as I pushed my fort of blankets back in my cupboard. My heart was racing in my chest. I took a few deep breaths before calmly walking to my front door and opening it, trying to appear perfectly calm: "Hello stranger, what brings you to my door at this late hour?"
He looked up at me with his trusty smirk and I could feel my knees wobble. He looked effortless handsome in his dark jeans, combat boast and leather jacket. He had a helmet tucked underneath his arm: "Grab your purse doll, I'm taken you out."
He didn't waist any time and grabbed my jacket and purse for me from my coat hanger, while eyeing my shoes. Under normal circumstances I would not be easily swayed by his bold words and the word doll always rubbed me the wrong way. It's what men call after you when you are walking on the street.
'Where are those gorgeous leg's taken you, doll?'
'What's the hurry doll? I could show you a good time.'
But he was no ordinary man, so I decided to give him a pass. Also, because this very spontaneous invitation made my heart flutter.
"Give me a minute to get ready," I said as I walked back to my bedroom to grab an appropriate pair of socks and some boots: "And don't ever call me doll."
"I thought woman liked it when they were called pet names like that?" the Sergeant called after me. I hurried to grab my things and apply some red lipstick and a little bit of eyeliner. I hadn't thought about him being in my home at all. Crossing the threshold of my home was a big deal for me because it's were I keep everything that own. All my memories are stored away in here. Every picture, present, piece of clothing that held a precious memory, was here, on full display. Pictures on my fridge I didn't want to talk about, let alone have him know about. I nearly tripped over my own feet as I made my way back to him and tried my best to casually stop him from coming in further.
"Maybe in your day, but these day's those words are usually used by dirty construction men who try to get our attention with filthy insinuations," I said and took my jacket from him and put it on.
"I'm sorry, they say what and who do I need to beat up?" he said, blinking multiple times needing time to take in my words. I'm guessing he hasn't noticed or heard from his female colleges that women get harassed on the street by means of catcalling: "Forget it Sergeant, women have learned a long time ago how to handle a man who calls them 'doll'. Now let's see if you are as good as you say you are, Sergeant Barnes."
I locked my door as he smirked at me and I soon found myself behind him on Steve's motor cycle, my arms wrapped securely around his waist. My heart was beating so hard but the ride was accelerating. He didn't show of or do anything stupid while he drove us to a place downtown I hadn't been before. It always amazes me how the city can surprise you every time with a new neighborhood you didn't know about. The streets were narrow, but filled with small restaurants, bars and little shops that were still open. There were cozy lamps hanging above the streets and there were street musicians playing on multiple corners. We strolled through the streets, my hand resting in the crook of his arm. He was wearing a baseball cap on his head to keep a low profile, what I found funny. he took me to a small restaurant where we ate Italian. We talked about casual things like my work and my time at university. As we made our way over the streets again to a bar, he told me he keeps busy with physical training, his rehabilitation, going on missions with the Falcon and the Captain and apparently he was heavily involved with communications with Wakanda. He lights up when he spoke of that place and its people.
"Sounds like an African jewel," I said as we walked into a bar to get a drink. It felt a little too mundane to walk into a bar with the Winter Soldier to grab a beer. I ordered us two beers at the bar and he managed to find us a small table in one of the corners. While I was at university I had a preference for African history, especially Egypt. Not once did we talk about Wakanda. Since King T'Challa came forward and basically told the world his country was more advanced than most countries, I have wondered what the countries history is. How did it evolve into the modern society it is today? And how did they manage to keep it so well hidden for so long? The Sergeant was practically gushing over the nation and the way they fused their culture with technology. He spoke highly about the princess, who he seemed to be on a first name basis with and a woman named Ayo. They are involved in his rehabilitation program.
"How is that going if you don't mind me asking? I mean the whole adjusting to this time and all," I asked curiously. What would it be like to wake up in the year 2070 and have to live there? I wonder if it will be as big as a difference? Technology has boomed in the twenty and twenty-first century. He admitted it was challenging but that's to be expected.
"What's the strangest you have seen?" I asked and was surprised the waitress was already at our table with my nacho order. If there's one thing I've learned this weekend, it's that the Sergeant and the Captain can always eat. The waitress froze when she looked at the Sergeant, probably recognizing him. He lowered his head and used to his cap to hide his face. The woman's rudeness rubbed me the wrong way and so I snapped my fingers in front of her face to grab her attention. As she walked away, I muttered under my breath about her being rude.
"There's so many things to name," he said, ignoring what had just happened and trying to forget about it. I didn't want to make him more uncomfortable, so I let it slide: "Go with mundane things. Aliens are weird for us too."
"Like what?" the man asked and leaned his arms on the table, while looking at me.
"Like music, clothing, social behavior…" I said and looked around the bar. In the corner there was a group of men watching a rugby match. They were a loud group and drinks seemed to be flowing.
"Hmm that dress of yours comes to mind," he said with a glint in his eyes. I simply looked confused. What dress is he talking about? He seemed to understand and mentioned the dress I was wearing the night I ran into the two men at that club opening. I chocked on my drink, what made him laugh: "I'm sorry, are you trying to tell me that that dress was too much?"
"Comparing to what I saw that night I'd say no, but…" he tried to sound casual but he picked up that he said something stupid. I blinked at him a couple of times, wondering if he was being serious. Sure, the dress I had worn that night was a party dress, but it was a rather modest one if I do say so myself. My voice gave away I was very surprised by his statement: "But it was basically a knee length dress."
"It didn't have a back and you could see everything in it," he tried to reason with me, but I didn't see the problem. Yes, it was formfitting, but most dresses are these days. I'm what's referred to as a skinny bitch, I'm not going to hide that. And I was flabbergasted he would have a problem with it. I figured he would be the one who would encourage it, while the Captain would be more apprehensive: "That's the point of the dress. Are you honestly telling me, that you, Bucky Barnes, aren't a fan of party dresses?"
He took his time before answering and let his eyes wonder threw the bar. They landed on a group of girls, who were drinking at the bar. They seemed to be celebrating something. All were dressed for a night: shiny, fabulous dresses and very high heels. Two were wearing dresses I would defiantly wear myself. One was wearing a cheap crown, so I take it's her birthday.
"I am, if it's for my eyes only," he said and I rolled my eyes at him: "If it's for your eyes only, I wouldn't wear a dress like that."
"And why's that?" he asked, completely oblivious to what my next words would be. For such a flirt and charmer, he can be a little naïve sometimes. I let my leg slide up against his as I leaned in and said with a seductive smile: "I'd wear nothing at all."
He choked on his drink and even in the badly lit bar I could see his cheeks lighting up. Before he managed to give me some kind of answer, I pointed out I was disappointed in him not seeing that comment coming: "You don't seem to be on you're A game, Sergeant."
"Watch it ma'am. A dirty tongue like that will get you into trouble," he shot back at me with his trusty grin. As I expected the nacho order was gone within mere minutes and I had barely touched it.
"I would have thought you'd figure out by now that's what I'd want," I grinned back at him and let my leg wonder up his again. We started a little banter of who could make who blush first with inappropriate things to say and it didn't take long or I was sitting next to the man because there was no way we could say those things out loud. His words were so teasing and inviting, I ended up letting my hand slide up his leg, making him swallow hard. He didn't stop though and his lips quickly found the sensitive spot behind my ear. I sighed as I pointed out he was rather exhausting. I could hear him grin as he whispered into my ear: "You don't even know the half of it."
"That sounds promising," I shot back and he made me look into his eyes. He was figuring out if I was being serious and that he wasn't crossing some kind of imaginary line. I bit my lip and waited for his reply.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but you sound a little bit curious?" he whispered before pulling me to my feet. I let him pull me along, far to curious to see what he was up to: "You heard that right, Sergeant. But my weekend has been exhausting enough so I'll need my sleep tonight. And I doubt that will be the case if I let you have your wicked ways with me."
"And oh what wicked things I would do to you," he pulled me against him and his hot breath made me shiver from head to toe as he spoke. God, this man is so sexy. He's so easy to tease but he also teased back. He pulled me out of the bar, saying we needed fresh air. As he guided me outside, his hand very casually slides down my back to my bottom. He only stayed there for a millisecond, but it was enough for me to look at him. He looked down at me, waiting for my response and I had to remind myself to slow down. As much fun as this was, I can't end up in bed with him already. Can I? No, no Alex, you can't!
"Sergeant, I have to warn you that there are plenty of dark corners and allies we need to pass before we reach your vehicle and if you keep this up, we'll end up seeing most of them," I said and ignored the protesting ache in certain regions. The fresh air was helpful though to calm me down. The Sergeant accept my request to slow down, but he couldn't stop smirking. He laid my hand in the crook of his elbow again as we strolled down the street, simply taking in the sights of the people. This seemed to be a lively area for it was getting late and it was a Sunday. The Sergeant stopped walking all of a sudden and nodded to a man up ahead playing a saxophone. I raised an eyebrow in confusion, but he simply flashed me his most handsome grin and asked: "Wane dance?"
In that second, I understood exactly why all the women fell for James Bucky Barnes. His smile, his confidence, his manors… all just simply impossible to resist.
"I didn't know you could dance, Sergeant," I lied and he pulled me in his arms. One hand took mine while the other moved to y back and pushed me closer to him. I felt unsure on what to do next, having only danced like this maybe once or twice. But he just looked down at me and smiled: "I am full of surprises, ma'am."
"It's Alex," I said and heard him chuckle. We fell quiet and listened to the music while he led me over the cobblestone street. It felt natural to follow his lead, even easy. I'm sure he was making it look easy to dance like this. I didn't even trip over any of the cobblestones. He leaned his forehead against mine and kept gazing into my eyes, my cheeks blushing from because of his sincere smile. Another couple joined us and after a few seconds another did as well. It took me a while to recognize the song but it was a cover from Ed Sheeran's perfect. I doubt the Sergeant knew it, but the moment felt incredibly romantic and it made my heart swell. The corners of my lips turned up as we danced and I had to admit he was totally making me swoon.
"This is nice," he whispered in my ear after a while and I hummed in agreement. I closed my eyes and let my mind go blank as we danced. I was sad when the song ended and the Sergeant stopped moving us around. He lowered our hands and I looked up at him. He leaned down slowly and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine gently and waited for my response. I moved my lips slowly against his and laid my hands around his neck. His arms crawled around my waist and pull my body against his. It was a perfect moment made even more perfect by the people around us who started whistling what made us laugh and blush from embarrassment. Oh God, he is good. We walked back in blissful silence, our hands intertwined.
"Well now I get why all the girls were gossiping about one Sergeant Barnes," I said with a teasing tone as he handed me my helmet. He smiled but I caught a hint of sadness in his eyes. What could he possibly be sad about in this moment? I decided to be brave and call him out on it.
"It stills feels unreal, all of this, doing something as mundane as dancing with a girl. I never thought I could have that again," he confessed and it made me sad that he felt that way. I stayed quite and let him continue: "For the longest time I'd figured that wasn't for me anymore. And then you show up with your strange Harry Potter references and far to tight dresses and it suddenly seems possible."
"And why wouldn't it be?" I asked and pulled him against me, my head fighting right beneath his chin. I knew what he was going to say, but he needed to say it. It needed to be said out loud so that we couldn't pretend it wasn't there. The fact of who he is and what he's done. If it hadn't been for the Captain pursuing me, I might never have looked twice at the Sergeant. He would simple be the Winter Soldier and I needed to keep my distance from him. But thanks to the Captain, I saw past that name and met the Sergeant., who seemed kind of great.
"Because of what I…"
"Everyone has their baggage, Sergeant. Granted yours is a little more unconventional and downright strange, but that doesn't mean you can't make a girl swoon," I assured him and tried to lift his mood by making a joke: "Besides I'm a real piece of work too. I mean, I love my party dresses and anyone who tacks smack about my imaginary English boyfriend, deserves to get beaten up. So good luck with that."
"I think I can put up with him, if you're willing to put up with me, ma'am," he said and I cupped his face and stood on my tip toes to kiss him: "I think we can work something out. And it's Alex."
I held on tightly to his body as he drove us home and he walked me all the way up to my apartment. His hands felt so warm as it cupped my face and he kissed me when we reached my door. I was pretty sure my neighbor was asleep, since she works as a nurse and usually get's up very early on Monday's, so I wasn't scared she would hear us and come see what was going on. I dropped my purse and laid my arms around the man's neck as he gently pushed me against the wall. He deepened the kiss and my body felt like it was on fire. Every touch felt perfect, every moan that escaped our lips sounded like a melody. I completely lost track of time but at some point, we pulled apart for air, but with flustered faces and swollen lips. I wondered if I should invite him in, knowing that the night wouldn't end with just some kisses. He seemed to read my mind and kissed my forehead: "I should go."
"Thank you for this lovely rescue, Sergeant. It worked like a charm," I said and opened my door. It wasn't a lie, I hadn't thought about the Stars since he showed up and only now did I see a text message from miss Pots asking me to come to the office tomorrow at seven-thirty. Happy would pick me up. The Sergeant leaned closer and kissed me just as gently as in the streets before whispering against my lips: "Anytime ma'am."
"It's Alex."
"I'll try and remember that," he smiled and took one of my hands and kissed it: "Good night."
"Night Sergeant," I said as he walked back down the stairs: "It's Bucky."
"I'll try and remember that," I called after him and closed the door. When I had it locked, I leaned against it and slid down as I felt so many emotions flow through my body that I was sure I was going to combust.
What a night!
