The Arrangement

Part 13

Steve POV:

Late night talks turned into sleeping in late for the first time in forever. It was almost noon and as much as I didn't want to risk waking Amelia I needed to get up. I silently roll out of bed and throw on a pair of grey sweats and head for the kitchen. It doesn't take me long to figure out that Bucky didn't make it back last night and I was getting concerned. I tried calling, but he sent me to voicemail multiple times until I finally gave up. I know he'll show up eventually.

"Damnit Bucky..." I groan, watching the coffee brew.

"Morning, Stevie." Amelia's sleepy voice sounds from behind me. I turn around, half expecting her to be in my shirt again, slightly disappointed that she's in her own clothes but a smile breaks out on my face nonetheless.

"Morning, Princess. I've got coffee going."

"Where's Bucky?" She asks, padding across the floor to sit on one of the bar stools across the kitchen island between us.

"I'm not sure, he never came home last night."

"Is he on a mission or something?"

I shake my head, "I don't think so baby, he would've called... Or texted at least."

"Oh..." She looked so disappointed by that. I turn around and pour us a mug of coffee and set one in front of her. She smiles again and takes a sip. "Vanilla... How'd you know which creamer I liked?"

"I didn't, Bucky must have got it. I just remembered that you don't drink it black." I notice a hint of a blush on her face. "How are you feeling? I didn't hurt you last night, did I?"

She shakes her head, her dark hair falling in her face. "No, you didn't hurt me. I'm a little sore, but I'll be alright." My phone chimes, I check it, and read a text from Bucky:

Need to talk to you. Get Amelia somewhere else.

I groan internally think quickly to cover up whatever is going on. "Princess, why don't you go take a shower? It'll help with the soreness. I'll have breakfast done when you get out.. and hopefully I'll figure out where Bucky is too."

She nods her head and hops off the barstool, grabbing her mug. "Alright, but I'm taking this with me. Coffee is a writer's fuel, after all." She chuckles a little and kisses me on the cheek before heading to the bathroom. I start to text Bucky back to let him know that she's out of the room when he comes through the door. I drop the phone on the counter. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Following a lead. Coffee?"

I nod my head and fill a mug for him. "You can't just leave like that."

He takes a sip and shakes his head. "She's got a problem, she just doesn't know she has a problem."

"What do you mean?"

Bucky looks over his shoulder, checking that Amelia wasn't behind him. He lowers his voice a little, "Somebody bugged her place." 

"Who?" I ask, watching Bucky take another sip of his coffee.

"I don't know, but we're going to find out."

"Find out what?" Amelia's sudden appearance caught us both off guard. She crosses her arms and looks at both of us.

"You're supposed to be in the shower, missy."

"I know, but I heard Bucky and wanted to see him first."

"Alright, well, you saw him. Shower. Now."

"But Steevve," she whines.

Bucky stands up and hugs her tightly to his chest, cutting off any further complaints. "How about I join you in a minute doll? I'll help you wash your hair or something."