Disclaimer: Everything belongs to The Marvel Universe except for my characters Sophie and Jeremy and any other SOs that become introduced – they are my own creations and are not meant to resemble anyone else's OCs in any way.
A/N: Well…I don't know what happened, but a good portion of my reviewers dropped off over the last few chapters *sigh*. It definitely hasn't helped my motivation to keep writing (y'all, it takes 1 minute to drop a review). Anyway, I hate when people just stop stories so for the few of you still left, thank you, and I will continue on for you guys.
Chapter 12: Quiet Moments
Bucky woke up early to a pleasant weight draped over his left side. He turned his head and looked down at Sophie. Laying on his back, she was curled up against his side with an arm and leg thrown over him. Her head was nestled into his left shoulder and he cringed inwardly at the thought of how uncomfortable that must be for her. Sighing deeply, he slowly shifted until he slipped Sophie off of him and onto the bed. Standing up, he re-covered her with the blanket and then made his way to the bathroom.
…
Sophie stretched languidly and reached out, eyes closed. Frowning, her lids fluttered open as her hand landed on cold and empty sheets. The clock at the bedside table glowed bright, displaying 8:02am. Flopping over on her back, she stared up at the ceiling groaning and rubbing her face, contemplating going back to sleep. But the smell of coffee wafted to her nose from the kitchen, calling her, coaxing her. The nice thing about her new job was that when Bucky wasn't on a mission, she didn't have to report in unless they were short staffed. The downside of that was, of course, that there would be some weekends when she would have to work. Or long hours she'd have to pull on certain days until the night shift would relieve her. But when most everyone you're friends with is out of town anyway, what did it matter? Today, however, today she could relax. Stretching once more, she slipped out of bed and padded into the living room.
Bucky was sitting sideways on the couch, right knee pulled up with his forearm draped over it. He leaned against the couch arm and looked out the window with a faraway gaze. The early morning light streamed in, casting a soft glow over his half naked form. She could see his hair was still slightly damp from a shower and a few water droplets had landed on his shoulders. A mug of coffee curled steam into the air as it sat within the grasp of his vibranium fingers. Sophie continued to stand there silently, drinking him in. Eyes never leaving the window, he slowly brought the cup up to his lips and took a small sip.
"There's fruit and bagels in the kitchen," he told her softly.
"You been up a while?"
He gave a small shrug, "Maybe an hour."
Sophie walked over to him, eyes flickering to Alpine who was fast asleep in her cat tree. Pausing beside the couch, Sophie ran her fingers through his damp hair. The forlorn look on his face tugged at her heart strings as his eyes drifted shut and he turned into her touch.
"Are you ok?" she whispered.
His blue orbs opened slowly. Turning his body, he set his feet on the floor and the coffee cup on the table in front of him.
"I don't know," Bucky admitted as he looked up at her.
She positioned herself between his knees and now gingerly ran both hands through his hair.
"Why did they send you on this mission Bucky? Why didn't they ask Steve to go instead?"
He sighed slumping backwards and out of her reach. Looking away from her, he was silent for a moment before responding.
"I asked to go. Steve tried to talk me out of it, but I insisted," he replied so quietly she barely heard him.
"What? Why?"
Keeping his face turned away from her, he shook his head. Sophie climbed onto his lap, knees straddling his legs. She gently placed her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look at her. Her brown eyes searched his, hoping to find an answer that made sense. He closed his eyes, shutting away her penetrating gaze as his brows furrowed.
"Why Bucky?"
"Because…"
He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly through his nose. Sophie continued to sit there quietly, waiting for him to continue. His hands came up and rested briefly on her biceps before slowly slipping down her forearms and gently grasping her wrists. It didn't seem like he was inclined to finish his sentence, so she pressed him again.
"Because what?"
Her voice was soft and gentle, but Bucky's eyes flew open immediately. Removing her hands from his face, he frowned up at her.
"Because I had to. Because I can't be left in the dark about this. I need to know what's going on. I needed to know if it was all real or some Hydra wannabes playing games. And because, after everything I've suffered through…I can't…I won't…"
His gaze had dropped and he was breathing hard now. Winding his arms around her waist, he pulled Sophie slightly closer to him.
"I was so powerless for so long…I won't let them do this to somebody else," he ground out. "I refuse to let that happen. And I will do whatever it takes to stop them. Do you hear me, Sophie?! Whatever it takes…"
(Umbrella Slowed + Reverb — Kiwi)
Bucky's arms felt tight around her as he fisted his gray tee that she wore. She could see him grinding his teeth, barely holding it together, eyes slightly wild and misty. She nodded at him, her right palm cupping his scruffy left cheek.
"I hear you Bucky," she whispered. "I get it."
Swallowing the lump in her throat she leaned in slowly and rested her forehead against his. Bucky shut his eyes, a shuddering breath pulling in and out through his lips. Turning his head slightly, he let his nose nuzzle Sophie's. The apartment around them was still and quiet as they sat together motionless.
"Sophie," he breathed against her mouth.
Warm hands drifted up his torso and tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck. She closed her eyes and rubbed her nose back against his, head nodding slowly.
"I know Bucky. It's ok."
Her right hand dropped back down and she pressed her palm against his heart. His breath was stilted as he covered her hand with his own larger vibranium one.
"We won't let them do this to anyone else. You're not powerless anymore. You're a survivor and you're in control of yourself again."
Bucky exhaled sharply. His eyes opened to find her watching him carefully. Foreheads still touching, he shifted his head until they were cheek to cheek. Nestling her face slightly with his own, his lips barely touched the corner of her mouth. Sophie's eyes searched his face, then darted down to his lips. She could feel her heart speed up at the look he was giving her. It was the look of a drowning man begging for a lifeline. Large palms closed around her knees and skimmed lightly up her thighs. Adjusting her head, her lips met his in a featherlight touch. Bucky pressed his mouth against hers softly, eliciting a small sigh. Hands gliding higher, he snaked them under her shirt, palms splaying out against her lower back.
Sophie adjusted herself in his lap, causing him to press her forwards towards his body. Tilting his head slightly, he deepened their kiss. It remained slow and languid, lighting a smoldering fire deep in her belly. She rocked slightly at the feel of his erection coming to life. Bucky let out a soft moan. Releasing his hair, her fingernails raked faintly down his chest. He explored her mouth leisurely as his tongue dipped inside. Sophie met him in a slow dance of their mouths. She felt hot and needy as she pressed herself against him, whimpering against his lips. His mouth left hers and he kissed down her jaw and along her neck. Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes, basking in the feeling of him against her.
Pulling back, Bucky gazed at her, drinking her in. His body buzzed, desire slowly simmering inside him. Sophie brought her head back up and looked down at him. Reading his expression, she slid off his lap and hooked her thumbs into her panties. Watching his face carefully, she tugged them down until gravity took over. Bucky lifted his hips and pulled his pants and boxers down, kicking them off as she crawled back into his lap. Hands gliding up the back of her legs, he took the fabric of the shirt with him, bunching it up around her waist. Blue orbs bore into cinnamon ones as she grasped him at the base of his already stiff cock and then slowly lowered herself down on it. His fingers dug into her hips, a low hiss escaping his lips.
Sophie grabbed onto the tops of his shoulders and began to shift her hips backwards and forwards. She rolled them, slowly lifting up and then sliding back down. Bucky held onto her as he watched, mesmerized by how amazing she looked as she rode him. His arms wound around her back, left one low as the right went across her upper back, palm supporting her neck. Bringing her close to him, he kissed her again, slow and deep. Sophie never stopped moving. Rocking with her as best as he could, Bucky continued to kiss her: her mouth, her cheek, her jaw, her neck. There was a deliciously slow build of ecstasy starting where they were joined. Sophie leaned into him, arms loosely wrapping around his neck and breasts pressing into his chest, nothing but the thin t-shirt fabric between them.
The pleasure was starting to coil tight, pressure building like a shaken soda can. Arching her back slightly, she began to move harder, grinding against him as she panted. Soft moans and sighs filled the otherwise quiet apartment. Bucky leaned forward, bodies pushing tightly together, he gently caressed her mouth with his own. And then at last they were cresting together, falling over the edge and tumbling into oblivion.
"Sophie."
Her name left this mouth like a soft benediction.
"B-Bucky," she gasped out quietly against him.
Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart as they rocked together, sighing and shuddering, holding onto one another as the emotional tidal wave wound its way through their hearts.
…
Laughter swirled the air around her as Sophie sat back on the couch in a slightly inebriated stupor. Tony had thrown another impromptu party just because he felt like it. So now here she sat, surrounded by friends, liquor flowing freely, her mind gently floating. As much as she tried to stay in the present she couldn't help her thoughts from drifting to earlier that morning as she stared across the room at Bucky, who was in conversation with Peter Parker. He was teasing the younger man and giving him a hard time from what she could tell. A small smile tugged the corner of her lips.
…
They stayed bound together for many minutes after their orgasms had subsided and the euphoric haze had cleared. Long after she'd felt Bucky go soft, still inside of her, they continued to sit locked together, holding onto one another. At last, Bucky gently lifted her, shifting her off of him. She laid back on the couch as she waited for him to bring her a cloth to clean up. Once they were both dressed, they poured fresh cups of coffee and sat together silently at the breakfast table while Sophie picked at some food.
"So this is the real deal huh? Hydra all over again, not some copy cats?" She asked him softly.
Bucky sighed and set his mug down.
"So it would seem."
She reached a hand out and gently covered his vibranium fingers with her own.
"I just can't believe it," he pulled his hand away from her and ran it down his face. "It all feels so…I don't know…too coincidental. Too much like déjà vu."
Sophie's nose scrunched.
"I don't understand."
He looked over at her sidelong.
"You know the story Sophie. Years ago…I had an accident and fell off a train in the Alps. That was the start of it all. I may have been initially injected with the serum before then, but everything that turned me into the Winter Soldier came after I fell. More injections of serum, torture, experimentation. All of it. I was taken apart and slowly pieced back together after I fell. And then suddenly, there I was again. On a train moving through the snowy Alps. Finding out they're restarting experimentations and brainwashing all over again. Like…what the fuck?"
Sliding off her stool, Sophie stood beside Bucky with one hand on his back and another on his right cheek. She gently turned his face until he looked at her.
"We'll stop them Bucky. We'll end this before they can hurt anyone else."
…
"Earth to Sophie! You alright over there?"
She blinked a few times and turned to her left to face Sam who was giving her a quizzical look.
"Yeah, all good. Just zoned out for a minute."
"Uhhh huh…" his gaze moved over to Bucky who was grinning out the corner of his mouth as Peter floundered.
"Must be the alcohol."
"Yeah. Sure. The alcohol."
Sophie scowled at him, eyes cutting sharply to Steve who laughed into his drink.
"You know," Sam started again. "Sometimes a little liquid courage is all we need to start a much overdue conversation."
Leaning away from him slightly with her upper body, she leveled Sam with a what-the-fuck look and an arched brow.
"You mean the conversation we need to have about how you should mind your own business?"
"I think he's trying to tell you it's about time you and Bu—"
But before Steve could complete the sentence he cut himself short as Natasha walked up to the little group. She sat down on the couch shared by Sam and Sophie to her friend's right with a small nod at the boys.
"Gentlemen."
Sophie nearly missed how her eyes briefly caught Steve's before he looked away, taking a generous sip of his drink.
"What's up girl?" Sam greeted her as Steve threw a tight smile her way.
"Ohh, you know," she answered coyly, tossing her shoulder-length hair slightly as she avoided looking at the super soldier.
Steve cleared his throat lightly, drawing Sam's attention. Something unspoken passed between the two of them. Standing up, he nodded at the women, then jingled his ice in the now empty cup.
"I'm going to head over to the bar. You ladies need anything?"
"All good," Nat replied as she held up her full glass.
"I'm fine too."
"Sam? Join me?"
"Yeah. Sure thing man."
The two friends walked off as the women watched their retreating backs. Nat sighed and took a heavy swig of her Jack and Coke.
"He's avoiding me."
"What? Why?"
She threw her a look.
"You guys haven't talked about the kiss have you?"
"No. We've barely talked at all since the mission. I thought…I thought if I didn't bring it up he'd get the hint and just move on."
"Well, I guess he's not the type that can come back from 'just a kiss' like you can."
The Black Widow glared at her friend.
"Hey, don't get mad at me. I told you what Bucky said about Steve. He's a gentleman through and through. He doesn't do casual."
"Yeah yeah," she grumbled into her glass.
"You two need to talk."
"And what exactly am I supposed to tell him?"
Sophie looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. Then, downing the last remnants of her Gin and Tonic, she shot Nat a sly look.
"That you want to do it again…and again, for the rest of your life?"
Nat rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Oh my God Sophie. You're such a sap."
She laughed loudly, knowing that her friend was right.
"Maybe so. But what else can you do Nat? You were afraid that trying for something more would ruin your relationship with Steve. But from where I'm sitting, if you don't do anything now, that's exactly the direction you're headed in. If you want any hope of salvaging things, you've got to be honest with him and tell him how you feel."
"I don't know how I feel," the redhead responded softly.
"Sure you do. You're just too scared to tell him."
They locked eyes and peered at each other silently for a moment. Natasha sighed, setting her half empty glass on the table in front of them. Their gazes moved to the two men seated at the bar, backs turned to the women on the couch.
"I guess I have a lot to think about."
Sophie hummed in the affirmative. They continued to sit in companionable silence, listening to the music blaring across the massive space. At last, Natasha turned to her friend.
"Have you given any more thought to dipping your toes back into the dating pool?"
It was Sophie's turn to sigh. There was a sudden urge to look over at Bucky that she fought hard to resist.
"I don't know Nat. It just feels like such a chore."
The former assassin laughed as Sophie reached over and picked up her friend's abandoned drink, bringing it up to her lips.
"Well at some point that vibrator of yours just isn't going to cut it any more. When that day comes, let me know and I'll help you line up some contenders."
She grinned wickedly as Sophie choked on the drink. No longer able to resist, her gaze lifted up to Bucky only to find him watching her intently. Cinnamon orbs locking with steel blue ones, he gave her a soft smile, eyes smoldering.
Oh if only you knew how much that vibrator doesn't cut it any more…
…
The tinkle of her laugh floated to his sensitive ears even across the loud room. He couldn't help the turn of his head in the direction of the sound. She was sitting on a couch with Natasha, heads bent close together in conversation. Bucky watched her fondly as memories of that morning suddenly flitted across his vision. The way that she knew that he'd need her warmed his heart. The way she comforted him filled him with contentment. The feel of her in his lap…
Warm soft lips pressed against his…
Quiet moans filling the still room…
Their bodies flush against one another…
His cock buried deep inside as she squeezed and fluttered around him…
Her soft cries as she came undone…
"Um, Mr. Barnes — Buck—Sarg—Sergeant…um..sir?"
Bucky sucked in a deep breath and blinked, breaking out of the spell he'd been under.
"Yeah kid?" he asked Peter as he sipped on his whiskey, eyes slowly drifting to the teen in front of him.
"Um, are you ok? You had a funny look on your face. And I just wanted to make sure you were alright. You know, with all the sounds and the noise and…and…"
The babbling came to a sputtering halt as he stared at the intimidating super soldier in front of him. Bucky wore a small smile on his face as he placed his right hand on Peter's shoulder. He squeezed lightly.
"You're a good kid," he said affectionately. "I'm fine. Go enjoy yourself."
Tipping his head towards the makeshift dance floor, he nudged Peter in the direction of the small group of Avengers who were having fun swaying drunkenly to the music.
"Um, yeah ok. Thanks sir!" He squeaked out with a smile before practically running to join the others.
Bucky turned back towards Sophie. Not a moment later, she looked up, eyes locking with his. He felt the pull immediately. It came from deep within. A strong yearning to be close to her, to be wrapped up in her, to be…Bucky shook his head and looked away. Turning his back on the two women, he went over to a small, unoccupied table and sat down, just as Sam came up to him.
You need to calm down. You're way too emotionally charged right now. It's all this damn Hydra stuff throwing you for a loop. Get a fucking grip.
"Hey man, how's it going?"
The only response that Sam got was a grunt and a side eye.
"So it's like that, huh?"
Taking a generous sip of his drink, Bucky set the glass down on the table and turned his attention to his friend.
"I don't know," he replied, shaking his head. "I'm just…in a mood I guess."
"Yeah. All that Hydra shit…fuck man. I know that was hard for you."
"I can't believe we're back here again. It feels like it's never going to end."
"It will. We're going to put a stop to it for good this time."
Bucky let out a long sigh.
"Yeah that's basically what Sophie said. But I just don't know. Their motto has never felt as true as it does now. 'Cut off a head, two more will take it's place.' There's just…there's always going to be someone Sam. Someone wanting to take up the mantel."
"Maybe so. But there'll always be one of us there to stop them."
Tired blue eyes studied his face intently.
"I hope you're right."
"Anyway, we need to change the subject. That's a major downer. This is a party, cheer up."
Picking the glass up off the table, Bucky downed the remaining drink in a single gulp.
"Damn I wish I could feel this."
Sam chuckled and shoved his own cocktail in front of the super soldier. He looked at the pinkish red liquid skeptically.
"What is this?" He asked as he took a small sip.
"Cosmo."
Bucky sputtered and pulled a face.
"That's disgusting."
With a light shrug, Sam took the drink back and swallowed a mouthful.
"It was for Wanda but she hasn't come off the dance floor for like an hour."
"Uh huh."
"It's not that bad man."
"Whatever you say."
"Soooo anyway…"
Bucky raised an eyebrow at the Falcon.
"Sophie can't seem to take her eyes off you tonight."
"She's just worried about me. Being her usual mother hen."
"Alright. I'll buy that for now. Any thoughts lately on jumping back into the dating pool?"
"What? No, none at all. Why would you ask me that?"
"Because it's been a really long time since you and Maggie broke up. And you really haven't dated anyone since then."
Eyes cast downward, Bucky studied the water droplets that had accumulated on the table from his resting glass. He gave a half-hearted shrug of his left shoulder.
"Haven't really felt much like dating since then."
"At some point, you've gotta put yourself back out there. If you don't put in the effort you'll never meet anyone. You don't exactly go anywhere that's conducive to meeting girls."
"Oh yeah? What about you?"
"Me? I date all the time."
Bucky snorted in response.
"We just have different definitions of dating, that's all."
Lifting a brow, the super soldier threw Sam a look in response.
"Let me set you up with someone."
"No."
"Oh come on, what harm will it do to go on a date?"
"The girl's you've set me up with before leave something to be desired."
He couldn't help the pull of his eyes back to Sophie as he spoke. Sam's gaze followed his.
"At some point, she's going to find someone new. Someone who's going to treat her better than that asshole Jeremy ever did. And she's going to stop 'mother henning' you."
Bucky's eye's turned back to Sam's.
"And then what are you going to do?"
"I'm afraid I don't catch your meaning," he responded flatly.
"Yeah, ok."
Bucky shook his head.
"Look, Sam. I appreciate the concern but I'm not interested right now."
"C'mon. Just think about it. Before you end up an even crotchetier old man, all alone."
Her laugh caught his attention once more. But this time he didn't look at her. His forearms rested on the table as he gently spun the empty glass, fingers grasping the rim. A deep sigh escaped his lips.
"Yeah, ok. I'll think about it."
"Good. Because I know someone," Sam grinned.
"What are you two talking about?"
They looked up to find Steve joining them. He pulled out a chair from a neighboring table and dragged it over.
"Nothing."
"Bucky's lack of a love life."
The two friends spoke simultaneously as Steve lowered himself down, laughing.
"Yeah, not really like you Buck. I'm used to seeing you with a different woman every night. You always had them lining up, begging for a date."
"That was a long time ago Steve," Bucky responded quietly.
Sam looked down at the table as Steve released an audible exhale.
"Yeah. I suppose it was buddy."
"I'm not that man anymore. I want different things out of life now."
"What is it that you want Buck?"
Sighing, Bucky ran a hand through his hair and let his eyes return to the glass he was still playing with.
"I don't know. But not that. Not a revolving door of women."
"Amen to that, brother," Sam raised his glass in salute and took a sip.
"Alright, maybe you're right. After a few sips this starts to taste like ass."
"Uh huh. You're just saying that now. Don't pretend you don't actually like that tooth-rotting girlie thing."
"I'm never going to live this down now, am I?"
"Nope."
"Sooooo, how about you Steve?" Sam turned his attention to his other friend.
Steve gave a shrug, "Nothing much to tell Sam."
"Alright, no bullshit now. I want to know what the hell is going on between you and Nat," Bucky chimed in.
"Yes. That," Sam pointed a finger from one super soldier to the other.
Steve blushed, eyes widening in surprise before narrowing down into a scowl.
"Nothing. There is literally nothing going on between us."
"You never talked to her, did you?" The former assassin asked his friend.
Rubbing a hand down his face, Steve hung his head, then shook it faintly.
"Steve, how do you expect anything to happen if you keep your mouth shut?"
The super soldier stared at his lifelong friend.
"She doesn't seem to want to talk about it. She's kind of been avoiding me. And I don't want to lose her as a friend. I never thought I'd say this, but we've actually been pretty close."
"Of course you have," said Sam. "That's exactly why you have to talk to her. The longer you keep delaying this the worse it'll be. Trust me, there's no going back now. The two of you can pretend all you want, but things won't be the same now. Especially because, let's face it, you've got feelings for her."
A strange and torturous sensation twisted through Bucky's gut as Sam spoke. His eyes darted surreptitiously towards Sophie who was still on the couch with the subject of their conversation.
"And if she doesn't reciprocate?"
"She will."
Steve's head turned sharply towards Bucky.
"Trust me Steve. I've known her a long time. She will."
"I have my doubts Buck."
"It may take her a bit to come around. She doesn't do anything the easy way. But I can tell by the way she talks to you and how she looks at you. The feelings are reciprocated. Besides, what choice do you have? Avoiding each other will only destroy your friendship."
Frowning, Steve contemplated his friends' words.
"Maybe you guys are right," he said at last as he rubbed his palms up and down his thighs. "I need to talk to her. But…maybe not tonight."
Sam laughed as Bucky bit back a smile and looked away. His eyes involuntarily found the couch again. But Sophie was no longer there.
A/N: Sorry this chapter was a tad on the short side. At least compared to all the other chapters, which, let's be real, have been insanely long lol. But this was a good stopping point and I have a feeling the next chapter is going to more than make up for it in length! I'm actually really excited about the next one. It's been stewing in my brain for quite some time lol.
Thank you so much to my reviewers! Season Two, Alices Rabbit, Vokunkendov, Liltoni and especially MedievalContessa for helping cheer me up!
Alices Rabbit: Oh come now, you know you want some more slow burn and angst hahaha. Thanks for sticking with me and taking the time to review!
