Card games
Benny Goodman with his song Symphony was playing low in the background on a just bought, brand new stereo. It was a slow song with the occasional trumpet taking the spot.
Ballerina Dance by Buddy Clark had played before this song cheerfully. It creaked a little but nothing the soldiers sitting around the dinning room weren't used to.
With a plof from heavy boot, the feet landed on the table. Bucky was leaning back in his chair, feet crossed over each other using the table as support. His chair edged a little on the two chairlegs. His brows were shaped into a frown as he looked into the thirteen cards in his hands, ignoring his house mates comment on the shoes.
"Buck" the blond says his name with a little pressure, the man has been staring at the cards for to long now and it's his turn. "the game is not that hard you know" he spoke with a little amusement in his voice.
Bucky didn't look up from the cards instead kept his eyes intensely on the red hearted card with the number five. "it isn't" he mumbled. "just need another look"
Steve sat before him, shifting in his chair, elbows resting on the table, seven cards total in his hands. Before him, layed in the middle a neat staple of cards was placed with the backs facing up, a few cards messily put down next to the pile. Red diamonds, black cubes and a joker. "alright" he smiled a little.
Finally, the man with shabby brown hair put in a bun, choose a shape and layed down a red heart five card on the staple and he looked up with slight proudness.
Steve hummed to the tune of the song, pretending like he had a difficult time too, his smile grew bigger as he set down yet another joker.
"ey you can't do that! It's five and hearts"
" joker can be placed on any card, shape or color"
Bucky's hands flew into the air cards flying everywhere as he groaned. "really!" he grumbled out as he put down his legs and turned to face Steve, sat more forward, arms layed out on the table. " how can we play this stupid game if you keep changing the rules?"
"I'm not changing the rules, it's just the rules" the blond chuckled, he had tried to explain the game three times now, it was probably the easiest card game out there. Yet Bucky didn't really catch on. "it's called Shithead or Bully for a reason, to get out of cards as fast as possible by making sure your opponent has as much as possible" He explained for now the fourth time.
He didn't mind it, in fact he was happy to teach his best friend anything he wanted to know of this 'new world', Steve was himself very new to the things this modern world has. Probably each day learning something new. - even if Sam told him that this card game was in fact, not that new-
Bucky scoffed and crossed his arms leaning back in the chair as Steve tossed his cards in the middle. He looked at his best friends face. Bucky had moved in a few weeks ago, after everything that happened, it somehow all fell into place. He couldn't be more thankful for that.
Even after all the time that has passed, the peace that returned and quietness that took place in Steve's apartment, Bucky never really became the same as back then. He was more grumpy, that's for sure, sometimes grumbled more then actually made use of words. Was very skeptical and on edge. Often rude to other people and didn't like sharing much.
Bucky had eyebags like the grand canyon, and often a frown on his face. His standard look was intimidating, always head slightly down, looking through his eyebrows, mouth in a thin line and jaw tensed.
Something that wasn't surprising or odd, in fact expecting. After everything he had been through. He didn't blame him one bit and never will, even if people don't agree on that.
But he was sure that even if it takes a long time, a very long time - it wouldn't matter how long it takes - that Bucky will turn around, loosen up more someday. That the gentle, energetic, funny - even the flirtatious side - come back.
If it didn't, it wouldn't made a difference, just him, here, across off Steve, mumbling about the game is wrecked, is everything he needs right now.
Steve got snapped out of thoughts once Bucky's head snapped upwards looking at the ceiling.
"what's that" bucky asked, still looking at the ceiling.
"what's what?" Steve looked up too, he saw nothing different or strange till he heard or soft rumbling noise.
Bucky eyed the blond as he saw the shift in movement signing he heard it too "that"
Steve stood up slowly as the rumbling got stronger. Cups in the cabinet started to shake lightly and the ground seemed to vibrate underneath their feet. Bucky followed Steve's lead and stood up too, taking a couple of steps back from the table.
The noise suddenly got really loud, rumbling and vibrations sending through their chest, for a second long a schreeking long whistling sound sped over the building, disappearing together with the vibrations.
Steve looked over to Bucky to see if he was alright, who seemed to calm down a little when it got silent again. Defence not yet lowered.
"it was probably a airplain who delayed with airing" Steve said bowing over the table to gather the cards and out them back in their box.
Bucky rolled his shoulders releasing the tension and looked at the back of the apartment at the window. The Shutter was half closed, a light from out shined through it. Not wanting to alarm Steve, as it was probably nothing again, he walked towards the back. The light greeting him.
It had a strong white color that seemed to get brighter by the second. The whistling sound came back. He stopped in his tracks once he again felt rumbling and quickly turned around with big steps running To Steve and collided his body with his, tackling him onto the ground and rolling over the ground as the glass of the window shattered. The entire window frame shot loose busting apart.
A part of the concrete of the apartment cracked and exploded into the living room, rubble and splinters dashing through the air. That what flew through shot against the table, taking a piece of furniture with it splintering till it fall apart. Bucky covered Steve's head with his metal arm as pieces fell on top of them. With a loud bang the thing came to a halt, crash landed into the cabinets of the kitchen.
There was a beeping noise that slowly started to soften and came to a stop.
Both of the men breath loud, unsure what had just happened. With his other hand Bucky ruffled the pieces of dust and splinters out of his hair and slowly sat to his knees, Steve followed sitting next to him coughing from the dust.
"what the-what was that?" Steve asked waving his hand in the air to clear the dust. He stood up and grabbed Bucky's arm pulling him up his feet.
Bucky squinted his eyes at the light coming from whatever had destroyed their kitchen. "I don't know" he said slowly approaching the thing.
The dust that was flying around covered the sight. The same white light was split in muitple down and a whole lot less bright then first. It was flickering and pointing to all sides like it lost it's way.
There was a faltering sound, it was buzzing and stuttering like it was trying to talk but lowering. One of the lights fell and lost power turning of, soon followed by the others one by one till everything was off.
The electrical snips shut down and a clunk was heard. Once the dust started to clear an metallic red and golden suit appeared. It was absolutely totaled. Wires sticking out of the chest area and arms. The left foot was missing till the knee shredded jeans and a wounded leg with a shoeless foot.
There were light sparks coming from the chest where a faint blue light tried to keep going for it's dear live. There were deep scratches in the armor and the mask was pressed in.
"is that?" Bucky started not even finishing his sentence flabbergasted at seeing the Iron Man suit in their kitchen. The lights in the eyes were turned off just like the rest as if no one was inside anymore.
Bucky stepped backwards while Steve rushed forward and bend through his knees next to the suit to see if the one inside was even breathing. "Tony? Tony can you hear me"
As there was no reaction shared a look. Careful Steve places his hands on the pressed in mask trying to get the mask open.
Another buzz was heard and soon a hand shot up clamping itself strongly around Steve's arm.
The hand was warm, like it was burning from a fire within. Steve groaned trying to get arm free, pulling hard. Bucky tried to step in and help his friend, but as soon as he moved the other arm lifted up. It clicked and opened itself revealing mini rackets ready to shoot at any movement.
Bucky stood still frozen being under shot as Steve tried to pry the fingers open with his other hand. "Tony it's okay! Put the rackets down" he tried. The rackets stuttered and sparks flew out. One of the rackets got launched and flew towards Bucky who quickly ducked.
The raket dashed through the gaping hole in the wall and not long after a explosion was heard. The arm fell down onto it's a second after.
"... A little help here Buck?" Steve eventually asked as the other just stared. Bucky nodded and sat next to him setting his fingers around the metallic one pushing it apart to get Steve's arm free.
Suddenly the arm slapped to the side up taking the arm with him and slapping Bucky square in the face and to the side. Then the metal arm. Flew up taking Steve with him. It then released him and gave him the same slap he gave Bucky's. The blond landed on his ass next to his partner who was feeling his jaw.
" if did he do that on purpose.." Bucky mumbled with a not very friendly tone.
" I'm sure he didn't, I don't think he is even conscious" Steve encountered but felt a little annoyed himself. First he crashed the place, then sends of a racket and last slaps them just like that.
"bet ya he's laughing right now"
"quit it, you see just as well as i that -
The two's bicker got interrupted as the mask fell open and landed on the ground. Soon after his entire helmet fell off and Tony's head toppled forward.
Dark brown hair that was normally perfectly in shape was hanging infront of his closed eyes. A little blood down his cheek falling onto the suit.
Steve moved first, he sat infront of the unconscious man and lifted his chin carefully up. His beard prickeld in his finger and tumb. His upper lip was busted and there was a headwound on left side of his head where blood dropped down.
"what did you get yourself into.." Steve mumbled.
When Tony awakend and opend his eyes he yelled hard with a reflex moving his arm and grabbed the collar of Steve's T-shirt. He yanked him down and raised his other first ready to knock the living life out at whoever just touched him with his other hand. He swung his fist but never connected the hit as Bucky practically flew forward and bowed over Steve grabbing Tony's wrist steadying himself with his other hand on the suit.
"calm down Tony!" Steve called falling awkwardly forward with Bucky above him in an even more painful position bowing over both men.
Tony looked around in panic for a second, not coming very far as Bucky's body was blocking the view. When he recognized where he was - as good as he could that is-his breath calmed down and he leaned back in the cabinet releasing Steve.
Carefully Bucky let go of Tony's arm as Steve signed to him. He got out from under Bucky and sat in front of Tony's feet and Bucky ploffed back.
"well howdy" Tony greeted them with a joyless smile. He looked up seeing a coffee machine hanging dangerously on the edge "I would die for a cup of coffee"