Avengers one shots

Chapter 13: Stucky II

It was a dark winter's night and Bucky Barnes was walking home, alone. He looked up at the clear night's sky to be greeted by a thousand glittering stars. Bucky shivered and shoved his hands into his pockets as the cold nipped at his fingers. The steet was empty and the cracked paving slabs made it almost impossible for one to walk without tripping every few steps. The sidewalk was littered with empty beer bottles and soda cans. Bucky was almost home, he could see the bedroom light on through the window.

"Typical Steve." He murmured to himself.

Bucky walked up to the front door and put the key into the lock. He opened the door and slipped into the house only to be greeted by the small grey cat that came and rubbed against his leg. Bucky crouched down and scratched the cat behind its ears before heading into the kitchen where he dropped his bag on the floor and slid it under the table.

"Buck?" Steve's voice drifted down the stairs, he sounded tired and his voice cracked a little like he hadn't spoken all day, "is that you?"

"Yeah." Bucky replied.

"1 am. That's the earliest you've been home in weeks." Steve said jokingly,

"I know, I'm sorry, I've just been working."

"Bucky you don't need to work until one in the morning." Steve said, somewhat irritated,

"I know I just... I just do."

"Yeah well I'd rather you didn't" Steve snapped.

"And then what? Sit around around at home like you do?" Bucky growled

"Yes exactly that, try spending some time with me for once!"

"Oh yes because the entire fucking world revolves around you!" Bucky shouted

Steve fell silent and Bucky knew he'd overstepped the line.

"I'm sorry. Stevie. I took that too far..." He said, apologetically

"It's ok, I understand your stressed, don't worry about it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Now get your butt up here I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks."

"Coming."

Bucky took off his jacket and hung it up, he could feel where it was still damp from the morning's rain. He went over to the fridge and got out a carton of milk, he brought it to his lips and drank the small amount of milk that was in there. Then, he threw the empty carton into the sink, wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and headed upstairs.

Bucky went into the bedroom where Steve lay sprawled on the bed, reading a book.

"What are you reading?" Bucky said, when he got no reply he feared Steve was still mad at him, "Stevie."

"What? Did you say something Buck?"

"Yeah, what are you reading?"

"Oh, how to kill a mockingbird." Steve said

"Isn't it 'to kill a mockingbird.'"

"No, this is the prequel, for cats." Steve grinned and Bucky laughed, leaning down to kiss Steve's forehead lovingly.

"You're such a dork," he muttered, "Anyway you might want to lose the book and the clothes too, I'm coming back in a minute"

Bucky left Steve in the bedroom and went into the bathroom, he was exhausted. He pulled off his shirt and threw it in the laundry basket that was overflowing with 'needing to be washed' clothes. He leant on the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. He was a mess. His hair was a little bit too long and fell scruffily onto his face, the stubble on his chin was coarse and bristly. He had big black bags under his eyes, which were red, and the once playful sparkle they'd had had vanished. Bucky ran his fingers through his hair and turned on the tap so he could splash some cold water on his face.

He took his razor from the shelf and turned it over in his hand. He stroked the blade tenderly before tossing it aside. 'Not today' he told himself.

Bucky sat down on the edge of the bathtub and put his head in his hands, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He was ashamed of himself, he worked too much, he never had any time with Steve anymore. He was far too stressed out and no matter how much Steve told him it would a therapist wasn't going to do anything for him. Bucky stood up very suddenly and wobbled slightly as he got lightheaded and his vision clouded for a second. He sighed and took one final look at himself before opening the door and going back to the bedroom.

Steve was already asleep when Bucky returned, sandwiched between the sheets and snoring softly. Bucky sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled off his socks and jeans, he slipped into the bed and snuggled up next to Steve.

He was just about to fall asleep when Steve gently kissed his nose and brushed a loose strand of hair behind his ear.

"I love you." He whispered in Bucky's ear, "you know that right?"

Bucky was too tired to reply and instead merely nuzzled closer to Steve who held him tight and stroked his hair until Bucky was fast asleep.