Excelsior
You were too busy smiling at both of your’s and Bucky’s hands conjoined to listen to any of the sarcastic remarks that you knew Natasha was making when you both reached the bar, though your ears did pick up on one thing. “You could see Josh sulking from a mile off,” Nat laughed, nodding her head in his general direction, though you didn’t look. “Yeah. He was a dick.” Buck chimed in, and you couldn’t stop the smile upon your face as Bucky turned his body to where Nat had gestured to and stilled, obviously staring at him. Alright, so you did find it more attractive than you probably should. This was only proven further however as you glanced up at Bucky and watched him smirking over at Josh as he let go of your hand, only to place it around your shoulders. Finally, he tore his eyes away and planted a kiss upon your temple, grinning proudly. Most of the time, male behaviour irritated you, but when it was James Buchanan Barnes, well… you’d let him possess over you anyday.
“Careful, Barnes,” Natasha sarcastically warned, one eyebrow raised. “That’s still my best friend you’re ogling and I don’t recall saying you were good enough, either.” You felt Bucky’s hold on your shoulders loosen slightly until Steve held a hand up. “She’s joking, Buck. The dance was actually her idea.” “It was your idea?! I knew you had something to do with it,” you grinned. “Well the sergeant was taking far too long to find some balls to ask you, so, I thought I’d encourage him. Besides, everyone else thought it was a good idea too, so,” she shrugged, sipping from her wine and shooting you a wink. “I would have asked.” Bucky frowned, stubborn that he didn’t need the encouragement in the first place, but you knew just as much as the pair across from you that he really probably did. “Yeah, ‘cos you would have totally got your groove on to AC/DC.” “I don’t know who they are.” “Exactly.”
The scene playing out was just perfection to you, as Nat continued to dig at Bucky about his age and all the stuff he wouldn’t know. Somehow, films got brought up. “I read the Hobbit. In 1937. When it first came out.” “I’d keep shit like that to yourself, Barnes. You’re one more sentence away from being the biggest nerd in here - and don’t forget Banner’s just over there.” “I’m gonna get a drink,” you laughed, shaking your head at them both and you reluctantly lifted Bucky’s arm from your shoulder before stepping up to the bar. You weren’t interested in getting drunk, now, so you settled for the old reliable whisky. You were drunk enough in his eyes as he watched after you and besides, you didn’t wanna ruin such a perfect night by allowing yourself to drink yourself silly - not to mention there was that still-growing urge to push Bucky onto a stool and straddle him. You quickly shook those thoughts of your mind, desperate for a distraction as your body reacted more and more to the images of doing such a thing.
“Friends!” A voice roared into the room and you looked over, eyes wide. Immediately, everyone in the room turned as well, his voice so godly that it even carried over the music. Granted, since Thor was a God after all. To the right of you, Steve lifted a glass in greeting and you stifled a laugh; the God of Thunder was in full fucking battle gear for a Stark party, cape and all as he walked over, his feet heavy across the floor. Immediately, he pulled you into a one armed hug, almost crushing your back in the process and you huffed against his chest as he moved to pull Steve in also. Bucky stepped back, having not interacted with Thor before, though he was polite enough to nod in greeting and Thor returned it, before asking “who’s this?” “That’s James Buchanan Barnes, but basically, Bucky. I’ve known him my whole life.” “He’s also G’s boyfriend,” Nat cooed and you immediately reddened. Finally sharing a kiss was one thing, but to put labels on it?
“Ah!” Thor placed a hand upon Bucky’s shoulder and shook it slightly and he grimaced at the awkwardness of it all. “Any man worthy enough of dating such a fine woman is a friend of mine, James.” “Bucky,” he frowned slightly, though nodded respectfully. “Great! To Bucky and G!” Thor pulled out his own famous drink and poured a healthy amount into a shot glass before passing it to Steve and pouring himself one. “What is it, again?” You had generally forgotten the name. “Excelsior,” he nodded, dirty blonde hair in strands over his face as he shot his drink back. “I’ve just finished a legendary battle,” he placed Mjolnir on the bar top as he spoke. “But I came out victorious as always, so now I am here with my favourite midgardians!” You knew you shouldn’t. You really did know it was probably a tremendously bad idea. But it didn’t stop you.
“Go on,” you grinned, holding out another shot glass. Thor eyed you up as Steve and Nat immediately shook their heads and Bucky straightened up to your left. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Steve started, but Thor was clearly still on a high from his ‘victorious battle’ earlier as he laughed out loud. “I’m sure the girl can handle a tiny bit,” he exclaimed, unscrewing the flask. “Do you really think that’s smart?” Buck leaned over, murmuring in your ear as Steve protested and Thor was having none of it. “Only a tiny bit,” you chuckled back, but he wasn’t impressed. “Doll, if that’s what Steve told me about before…” you turned to look at him this time and gave him a playful nudge. “If I can’t handle it, I’m sure you’ll keep me safe.” It really was only a tiny bit, and you couldn’t imagine that it could do much damage; you didn’t want to get drunk, you just wanted to taste it. It was just innocent curiosity on your part.
Bucky wasn’t convinced, but he said no more on the matter. Of course he would protect you. In Bucky’s eyes, your safety was, and admittedly always had been, a priority to him. Naturally, considering you weren’t the tallest in the team and you certainly had no ‘gimmicks’ as Sam liked to call them - though you were absolutely a fucking badass in your own right. You gave him a warm smile before turning as Thor poured a few drops into your glass. Literally a few drops. It was hardly a mouthful… but, as you said to yourself, you only wanted to taste it. “Enjoy, my friend. It was aged for a thousand years!” You watched as Thor offered a glass to Bucky but he politely declined, lifting his tiger beer slightly to show he was content with what he had before his electric eyes landed upon you once more and you smiled before pouring the little amount you had down your neck. Immediately, you coughed at the shock of the burn that you were sure was currently putting a hole in your throat. Natasha laughed, Steve grinned, Thor looked amused and Buck… well, he was doing what he was famous for and simply watched you, his eyes slightly narrowed.
“What do you think, G?” Steve was first to ask. You weren’t sure what to say, however, as to you it just tasted like super strong vodka, or what you would imagine pure ethanol to taste like. Or gasoline. “It… needs a mixer,” you laughed, taking a couple mouthfuls of your whisky to wash the taste away. Bucky was still watching you closely. “No, no, you do not mix excelsior with anything, friend!” “If you say so,” you shrugged with a smile, not entirely convinced. After a few minutes of general chit-chat with your colleagues, you felt Bucky’s metal arm brush against your bare one and you immediately noticed butterflies in your stomach; much stronger than they had been before. You leaned into his arm, knowing your tiny frame could never knock him off balance - he was like a fucking boulder. If boulders could be extremely attractive. “How are you feeling?” You were a little giddy, but still very much aware of everything - like the breathtaking super soldier to your left. “I feel fine, Buck. Are you alright? Not bored yet?” You turned your head slightly to lean your cheek against the cold, your eyes gazing up at him. His fucking side profile was just as perfect as the rest of him. Then you realised the urges you had earlier were also much stronger than usual.
“Then why have you been so fidgety for the past few minutes?” “What?” Alright, so maybe you had fidgeted a little, it’s not like it was abnormal. You told him this. “Clenching your thighs together? Trapping your hands under your knees? You look unsettled.” Of course, the assassin would notice. It was literally his job, both as James and as the Winter Soldier, to pick up on minute details. Your subconscious attempts of keeping your frustration under control obviously hadn’t gone unnoticed by him. But you couldn’t tell him that it was just his presence making you feel a thousand things. “I just… I dunno, I just don’t wanna sit still, you know?” “Are you sure you’re not drunk?” Reluctantly you pulled your cheek away from his arm and turned on your stool to look at him. “No,” you smiled, not feeling much different other than ‘giddy’. You took his left hand in your own before letting your smile grow even further. “I’m just so lucky.”
The man froze in front of you, his eyes slightly wide with a gentle line between his brows. Of course the Winter Soldier would never have expected to have someone say they’re lucky to be around him. “Yeah. You’re definitely drunk.” “Do I have to be drunk to appreciate you?” He didn’t answer, but you could see Steve’s eyes on you both. Then, one of your favourite songs came on and you smiled even further. “No.” Was all Bucky said, and you frowned. “One more?” “I don’t know this song.” “You don’t have to know the song to dance,” you tugged at his hand and slid down from your stool - before veering off to the left, completely off balance. Thor roared in laughter as Bucky’s grip tightened, pulling you back upright. “G-“ “I’m alright,” you laughed, the room spinning slightly - you were drunk. You couldn’t deny it, now. You tugged at Buck’s hand again and, reluctantly, he followed you onto the dance floor, though by now there were far less people here; it had gotten quite late but the music hadn’t stopped, you had Bucky’s hand in yours, and you felt great - despite almost falling two more times. It turns out even in small dose, this excelsior was something else.
“Doll…” You raised a hand in a silent gesture of “shhh,” before pulling him close. His expression was a mix of concern, confusion and what you were now sure was slight amusement. “You listen,” you grinned, using him as an anchor to keep you upright and he placed his hand upon the small of your back to keep you in place, your arms around his shoulders. His brows furrowed further. The ‘excelsior’ running through your system was also causing your mouth to run, too; you needed him to know just how important and amazing he truly is. “You… are the most handsome, bionic man-“ he tried to cut you off, his eyes glancing around the room in awkwardness and so you lowered your voice before continuing. “Bionic man, that I have ever met. I don’t know what you’ve been through and I don’t need to.” You hiccuped a few times between your words, pausing at others. “You do deserve happiness. You deserve me - you deserve this,” you gestured to the room, your voice a little hazy. He repeated your name, but you ignored him.
“You sit in corners… stay quiet, don’t involve yourself- because you feel like you don’t deserve to. You deserve the world. And I want to help you. I want to help you see the world,” you leaned up onto your tiptoes and planted a kiss to his jaw and he held you there, his face almost expressionless if it wasn’t for the emotions behind his eyes. “I trust you. I’m not scared of you, and…” you couldn’t finish your sentence, however, as your knees suddenly went below you and you yelped. Bucky caught you. “Alright. That’s enough.” You giggled as he lifted you up, metal hand wrapped around your waist as you could now suddenly see over his shoulder. You couldn’t stop giggling; a sound that you never thought you’d hear come out to your mouth but you really didn’t care. You felt like you were on top of the world. You spotted Sam sat on his own at a table, his lips grinning as he raised a glass. He was definitely going to use this against you in the morning.
There were only a few stragglers in the hall, now. Tony was sat on the floor next to the bar being chastised by Pepper. Banner had left, as had SHIELD and Happy. Clint was on the phone by the wall, presumably to Laura. Steve and Thor were deep in conversation and Natasha was waving Bucky over to her and he obliged. “Shit, G. You’re pissed.” “If I knew getting drunk would-“ you paused for a few seconds as Bucky kept a hold of you, a lump in your throat though it left as quickly as it came. It was as if Thor’s alcohol was some sort of slow releasing poison for you couldn’t help feel more and more drunk by the minute. Bucky helped you down onto a stool before holding his hand around your back, should you get a bit too wobbly and fall. It was a really tall stool. You let your eyes fall on him again and he stared down at you.
“He’s so fucking handsome, isn’t he?” You didn’t mean to speak aloud but to hell with it. Buck sighed both internally and externally behind you as Steve hid a smirk behind his hand. Natasha simply shook her head. “You need your bed, G. Come on,” but you refused, shaking your head back at her. “The nights over anyway. It’s not like your lover-boy won’t be here in the morning.” “Nat I’m fine, honest!” “Really? Then stand up.” Frowning, you slowly turned on your stool so that you could hop down; but the floor was spinning and your knees felt like jelly. Slowly, you leaned down for one foot to touch the floor before sliding off completely as the stool responded to the change of weight, pushing backwards. This time, it was Natasha who stopped you from landing on your ass. “That’s it-“ Buck knew you were about to protest, so he stepped in instead. With a sound of surprise, you laughed again as you were lifted into the air - this time, one cold arm was under your knees, the other under your arms and your head felt too heavy to hold up yourself so you nestled it against his chest, breathing him in.
“I’ve got it Nat.” “Take her to bed, Buck.” Steve smiled, giving you both a nod. “And behave yourself,” Nat warned. Shaking his head, Bucky turned with you in his arms and began to pick his way over the bottles and glasses littering the floor. Nat’s warning hadn’t gone unheard to you, as you were still blushing at the meaning behind it. This was completely out of character for you and you knew you’d be mortified in the morning - having to be carried out from a party by James Barnes because you got too drunk would probably be the butt of peoples’ jokes for a long time. You were too intoxicated to care. Raising a hand, you let your thumb trace his sharp jawline, the stubble rough under your touch. He glanced down at you, a half grin complimenting the blue of his eyes before you both reached the door - the door which was not to your room. “Er, Buck?” You laughed as he opened the door with his foot before letting it close behind you both, your thoughts beginning to race.
“Do you have any clothes in your room that you can change into?” He hadn’t put you down, just yet. He was just stood in his room, holding you. You shook your head in answer as you glanced around. The bed was perfectly made, not a single crease upon it as though it had been forever untouched. The alcohol-inspired confidence within you wanted to ruin that. “Exactly.” Gently, he leaned down and placed you on the edge of his bed, making sure you were upright and balanced before moving to a unit in the corner of his room. He pulled out a blue Henley, this time. “Is that… all you wear? Henley’s?” You were chuckling, your heart pounding and your stomach doing flips at the fact you were sat on Bucky’s bed, alone, in the room with him. You were trying your best to remind yourself that things needed to go slow with the soldier, but… your frustrations had other ideas.
He turned and moved over to you, holding his bionic arm out with the shirt in its fist. “Here. I’ll turn around.” The way he was so desperate to care for you was swelling your heart. The sight of him in his suit, eyes intense as the lamp cast a soft glow into the room, the feel of his stubble under your thumb earlier- you couldn’t help yourself. Reaching out, you took the fist holding the shirt in before giving him a pull, catching him off guard as you fell back and he followed - though he quickly caught himself, both hands coming either side of your head. “I can’t,” he whispered, his eyes a little wider than normal, his lower half pushed flush against your own. “You’re drunk, doll.” You rolled your eyes before using his blazer to pull yourself up and you met his lips, parting them almost immediately to take him in and Bucky obeyed - if only for a few seconds. The groan that emitted from his throat and the way his pelvis pushed into yours slightly didn’t go unnoticed to you just before he broke the kiss off, causing you to whine. He took a deep breath, moving his metal hand to stroke your cheek with his thumb. Sober you understood that declining would be extremely difficult for him, having not ‘had it’ for probably over half a century and a gentleman would of course refuse. But the drunk you hoped he would lose his good manners just for tonight.
“You’re drunk,” he repeated, his jaw clenched. He closed his eyes for a second or two before easily lifting himself back off the bed and you almost whined. “You’re such a gentleman, Buck... you don’t have to be all the time…” You wouldn’t regret it if he did absolutely rail you into next week, but at the same time, he had shown you what a ‘real man’ really was in less than 12 hours - more than any other man in your entire lifetime had. “If you’re sober in the morning. Come find me.” The way he spoke your name so softly afterward put goosebumps up your arm and you let yourself relax on the bed. Again, he held out the shirt and you nodded in thanks, butterflies still going chaotic in your body. He turned as you changed, keeping to his word. As soon as you were done, he took your hand and helped you stand, but you didn’t want to go. “Can’t I stay here tonight? With you?” He paused for a few seconds, seemingly pondering what to say. “Just incase I feel sick or… or I dunno-“ “Sure,” he smiled, cutting you off. You and Buck both knew you were just trying to find any excuse. You didn’t want to be apart from the man.
Thankfully, he didn’t want to be apart from you either as you both settled and Buck got changed before climbing into bed. What you didn’t know was he truly had never slept in the bed until now. He wrapped one metal arm across your chest and pulled you back so that you would be flush against him, his other arm underneath your neck and laying out across the pillows. You couldn’t see each other’s faces, but you were both smiling wide, maybe even wider than you had all night.