Later that night, I tossed and turned as I thought about the Winter Solider. Steve had filled me in on his situation. It was just so… disheartening. But it was clear that, at least in Steve's eyes, there was hope. Something about this Bucky Barnes haunted me. I couldn't shake a feeling of nostalgia. I had followed the news like a crazy woman during all of the shenanigans with Shield and Hydra, looking for news about Clint. Maybe it was just those icy eyes.
I sighed as I rolled over again. I looked at the alarm clock next to the bed. 2:07 A.M I tried closing my eyes again, but sleep was not coming to me. Cilantro was getting annoyed with my constant moving. Giving up, I pulled my still sore body from bed. My bare feet hit the cold hard wood. Maybe some water would help?
Wearing only an oversized t-shirt and my black panties, I peered outside my door. I wasn't too far from the kitchen. I quietly padded through the hall hoping to God that I was going in the right direction. As I walked, dim little floor lights lit up.
"Fancy ass shit," I grumbled to myself as I finally made my way into the kitchen.
I looked for the light, brushing my hands against the walls clumsily. Finally, I flicked the pot lights on and stood on my tip toes to reach a glass from the cupboard. My shirt raised and I finally grasped a cup of some sort. I turned around to walk towards the sink and was greeted with a broad chest in my face. I screamed which was muffled by a hand and the glass fell shattering on the floor barely missing my foot. The hand was immediately removed and the body moved back. It was none other than the Winter Soldier.
My heart thumped in my chest, my adrenaline doing its job. I realized that the only reason Bucky had taken his hand off of my mouth is because I must have projected my fear onto him. His hands were gripping the granite with a steel like grip. His eyes bored into mine as he breathed deeply as if trying to calm himself. A flash of clarity ran through his eyes.
"Holy mess! You scared me!" I said breathily.
I looked down at the shattered glass all around my bare feet. He still didn't say anything. His eyes scanned up and down and I suddenly remembered my state of undress. I nervously pulled at the hem of my shirt wishing it was a tiny bit longer. My face blushed a fierce red. Just my luck.
"Ugh. You are the third person to catch me in my skivvies in the past two days," I said more to myself than to the imposing man in front of me.
Thinking about how to clean up the mess I had made I almost didn't hear him say, "At least, you're not asking me to count the stripes."
I did a double take and realized that Steve must have informed his best friend about my drunken strip tease from earlier that week. My face turned even redder and I laughed running my hand through my unruly hair, not sure how to respond.
He stepped towards me glass crunching under his boots. Out of reflex, I stepped back. My back hit the counter behind me.
"Do I scare you?" he asked in a hushed voice. His eyes bore into mine his metal arm gleaming under the soft kitchen lights. It was like he was trying to see into my soul.
"N-no. You don't. Well, yes you just did… But not because it's you but because I had no clue you were out here. What were you doing any ways?" I questioned trying to put a stop to my rambling.
"Couldn't sleep," came his cryptic answer.
"Me either. I guess it must be the new bed." I suddenly felt nervous. Should I be scared of this guy? His glance went downward towards the glass. My eyes followed.
"I guess we should find something to clean-" my voice was cut off as two sturdy hands clasped my hips and lifted me into the air. I yelped and struggled as he pulled me into his arms.
"Put me down! What the hell?" I punched him in the chest panicking and he let out a huff of amusement. That made me annoyed so I wiggled as he moved me out of the kitchen. He then gently set me down on the couch. I gave him a look that was a mix between pissed off and confused.
"Didn't want you to cut yourself," he stated it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He then walked to a small storage closet and pulled out a broom and dust pan. I stood to help him.
"I can help. It was my glass anyways," I said. His glare cut me off and stopped my movement.
"It's my fault. You just sit there doll and I'll clean this up." His voice left little room for argument.
There was something endearing about watching this extremely tough looking guy sweep. A giggle left my lips on accident and my hand flew over my mouth. He looked up at me and I could see the corner of his lips tilt upward.
"Well, shut the front door, the Winter Soldier can smile," I joked.
He looked at me as he kept sweeping, but said, "Call me Bucky or James."
"So you don't hate me?" I asked remembering earlier that day.
He didn't say anything and shrugged his broad shoulders. We sat in silence as he cleaned up the last bits of glass. This time I did stand up and I sauntered over to the cabinet to get a new glass.
With as much grace as I could, I reached for the glass, my shirt starting to raise. I hesitated. I didn't even know this man. Too much thigh for a man who hadn't even taken me to dinner yet. I couldn't just- my thought was cut off by his body brushing against my backside as he pulled down a glass for me. He handed to me with his metal arm. I turned towards him, our faces really close. He looked at me as if he had x-ray vision.
"Thanks." I turned away towards the sink, filled my glass, and took a big, nervous sip of water.
Try and act cool.
"So do you always run around half naked?" he quipped. My water spurted out of my mouth and I accidently snorted.
Great job.
"I try not make it a habit," I laughed, "I just didn't think anyone else would be awake at this time."
He nodded, got real quiet, then finally said, "Sorry about this afternoon… and for scaring you."
"It's okay. Steve told me.. that you've been through a lot and sometimes… you get lost in thought. Exercise is a great outlet though," I commented taking another big sip of water. He stared at me intently. We sat in a comfortable silence as I finished my water. I set the glass in the sink.
"Well, I guess I should try and get some shut eye. Especially cus Steve said we were gonna start training tomorrow," I remembered.
"I'll walk you to your room," he offered quietly.
We walked through the barely lit hall back to my room. The only thing that could be heard was the pitter=patter of my feet against the hard wood. I could feel him staring at me. Maybe my lack of clothing upset him? He was from a completely different generation.
We got to my room and I opened the door. A meow greeted me. Bucky leaned in close. My heart started to thump and I peered at him curiously. Suddenly his hand extended towards me. I smiled a small smile and I gently placed my hand in his, shaking. It was a short handshake, but emotions slammed into me hard. Pain. Sadness. Frustration. Anger. Guilt. And a tiny sliver of Happiness.
I got in bed even more haunted than I had been earlier.