putting the plan into motion!
Bucky’s plan was put into motion a few days later. Clint had managed to shot an arrow between the plates on his arm, damaging some of the wires as Bucky could no longer move his metal arm.
He had already told Shuri with the Princess now wanting to kill the archer, but bucky had already warned Clint about that and he was fine with it.
Shuri had contacted Alex asking him to fix Bucky up once again which he agreed to much to Bucky’s delight. It would’ve been awkward if he couldn’t fix the arm.
Now Bucky was back to making his way up the mountain, wrapped up in everything except the coat since he couldn’t get it over the arrow over his arm. Bucky hadn’t thought that through.
He figured Alex would scold him for it, but it was worth it.
Reaching Alex’s home, Bucky knocked on the door only for the intercom to come to life.
“Hello?” Alex asked in his Spanish accent.
“Hey, Alex, it’s Bucky.” Bucky said almost feeling sheepish.
“Of course, cariño, come in.” Alex said before the intercom shut off.
Bucky wasn’t going to question the pet name in case it was a slip of the tongue, and that Alex would stop using it. Bucky blamed the blush on his cheeks on the cold and not the pet name.
The front door opened by itself again and Bucky entered. The door closed behind him and Bucky figured that Alex would be in the basement again.
He took off his stuff and hung them by the door.
Bucky made his way down to the basement to find Alex once again surrounded by projects with Gattino laying on the table fast asleep.
Alex looked up at Bucky when he entered, and Bucky was reminded once again reminded of how hot he was.
“Shuri didn’t give me the details put it seems to be obvious what happened.” Alex said.
Bucky scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Do I want to know how you managed to get an arrow stuck in your arm?” Alex asked, hands on his hips in the classic mom pause.
Bucky suddenly felt like this was a bad idea, but he wasn’t exactly the charmer he was in the 40’s so his game might be a bit off.
“I have an idiot for a friend.” Bucky said.
Which was true, he just happened to have asked Clint to do something stupid this time instead of him doing it by accident.
“He may be an idiot, but he seems to be a remarkable shot.” Alex said.
“Like you wouldn’t believe. Don’t tell him I said that his head is big enough as it is.” Bucky said.
“Your secret is safe with me.” Alex joked.
Alex patted the seat and said.
“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll fix you up.” He said.
Bucky did as he was told and sat down.
Alex began checking his arm, hand brushing over his neck when he check where the metal arm was connected to his shoulder.
“You’re ice cold.” Alex said, concerned.
Bucky shrugged.
“I couldn’t get a coat on because of the arrow.” Bucky said, feeling sheepish.
Alex nodded.
“Wait here and remove your arm for me if you can.” He said.
Before Bucky could respond, Alex left the basement making his way upstairs.
Bucky did as he was told, removing his metal arm in the way that Shuri had showed him, placing it on the table next to the chair.
Alex returned a few minutes later with a large, soft looking blanket and a mug of hot chocolate complete with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a hint of toffee this time.
Alex wrapped him up in the blanket which turned out to be as soft and warm as it looked, placing the mug of hot chocolate in his hands.
“That should warm you up.” Alex said with a bright smile that made Bucky melt like the marshmallows in the mug.
“Thanks.” Bucky muttered, taking a sip of the hot chocolate.
Alex sat on the stool next to Bucky’s chair and got to work on his arm.
“Thanks for fixing my arm again.” Bucky said.
“It’s not problem cariño. Like I said I like working on your arm and you’re good company. Although the circumstances for me fixing your arm could be better.” Alex said once again using the pet name that made Bucky feel all tingly inside.
“I’ll try to not be around Clint when he’s messing with his bow.” Bucky said.
“That would be appreciated, cariño.” Alex said.
Bucky waved as Alex worked on his arm, amazed by his skill. As he watched, Gattino woke up and jumped from his spot, landing in Bucky’s lap under the blanket, getting warm.
Bucky couldn’t exactly stoke the cat at the moment due to his only hand holding the mug.
Bucky finished his drink, placing it on the table so that he could pet the cat.
The combination of petting the cat, hot chocolate being in his system and the blanket make his feel warm and safe, Bucky began to feel tired.
Alex gave him a sweet smile as Bucky’s eyes felt heavy, falling asleep.
Bucky woke up and undetermined amount of time later by Gattino jumping off his lap.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, as the blanket pooled around his waist. Bucky noted that Alex was no longer in the basement, and he wonder where he was.
Looking around the room, he spotted his metal arm with a note on it, on the table next to him. Bucky picked it up and read it.
-All fixed.
Alex-
Bucky was a little disappointed that he went to sleep and wasn’t able to talk to the man.
The smell of food signalled where in the house Alex was and where Bucky could find him.
Picking up his arm, he attached it to his body and wrapped himself up in the blanket once again, standing up.
He left the basement and made his way upstairs, following the smell of food. He found Alex in the kitchen stirring some soup. He looked up at Bucky as he entered.
“Ah, you’re awake. How’s the arm?” Alex asked.
“As good as new, thanks.” Bucky said making Alex smile and Bucky definitely wanted to see more of that smile.
“You don’t have to thank me.” He said.
“I want to.” Bucky said.
He moved further into the kitchen, taking a seat at the counter, still wrapped up in the blanket.
“I’m sorry for falling asleep on you.” Bucky said.
“It’s fine, it looked like you needed it.” Alex said.
Bucky had to relent that fact. He accepted sleep when it came to him as it often eluded him or was clouded with nightmares.
Alex finished stirring the soup and turned off the oven.
“Would you like some soup?” Alex asked.
“I wouldn’t want to impose; I should get back home.” Bucky said not wanting to go but wanting to be polite.
“I insist.” Alex said.
“If you’re insisting them I’ll take some soup.” Bucky said noting that Alex was already dishing the soup into 2 bowls.
Alex placed 1 bowl in front of Bucky whilst he took the other and sat across from him.
“So, that arrow in your arm?” Alex asked.
“What about it?” Bucky asked.
“How exactly did Clint get it in your arm?” Alex asked.
“He shot it from his bow.” Bucky said sarcastically to hide how startled he was by the question.
Bucky didn’t want to deal with the embarrassment of Alex finding out the real reason behind his broken arm.
Alex rolled his eyes.
“You know what I mean.” Alex said.
“I startled him.” Bucky said.
With could happen since Clint has shot at Tony for the same thing. How is he so good at his job?
“Isn’t he an assassin?” Alex asked confused.
Bucky sighed.
“Clint’s a special breed.” Bucky said.
Now that’s not a lie.
The 2 men dug into the soup.
“This is really good.” Bucky said.
Granted Bucky’s standard of food is a bit warped after his time with Hydra.
“Thank you, Bucky.” Alex said.
As they ate Gattino entered the kitchen and hopped onto Bucky’s lap.
“I’m starting to think he likes you better than me.” Alex said with a small pout.
Bucky desperately wanted to kiss the pout away but figured that would be weird.
“What can I say, I’m the cat whisper.” Bucky joked, picking up the cat so that their faces were next to each other.
Gattino stuck out his tongue and licked Bucky’s face, making him laugh.
“That’s adorable.” Alex said under his breath not meaning for Bucky to hear it, so he pretend he didn’t, fighting down the blush that wanted to form at the compliment.
Bucky set the cat on his lap as an alarm began to ring out in the entire house.
“What’s that?” Bucky asked instantly on guard.
“Let me check.” Alex said.
He grabbed a nearby iPad, searching for what was causing the alarm to sound.
“I don’t think you’re going to be going home today, Bucky.” He said after a moment.
Bucky gave him a confused look.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
Alex showed him the iPad which showed outside the house. Outside the house was a snowstorm.
“Does it say when it’s going to clear up?” Bucky asked, worried about Alpine.
Alex checked on the iPad and said.
“A few days. I’m not going to make you trek through that. You can stay here until it blows over.” Alex said.
“Are you sure? I’m sure I can make it; I’ve made it through worst conditions.” Bucky said.
“Nope, it’s decided. You’re staying here where it’s warm and safe. I have a guest bedroom that you can use.” Alex said.
“Seems like I shouldn’t argue.” Bucky joked.
“Nope. Now finish your soup whilst I check a few things around the house.” Alex said.
“Yes, Dad.” Bucky said sarcastically.
Alex wouldn’t meet Bucky’s gaze for a moment until he finally said.
“Keep the blanket, you seem to be enjoying it.”
Before Bucky could respond, Alex had left the room. Bucky filled the odd reaction in his mind for later, figuring it could mean something.
Bucky finished his soup like he was told and stood up, which resulted in a glare from Gattino as it meant he had to jump off his lap.
“Sorry, pal.” He said to the cat as he walked off.
Bucky made his way to the sink, washing his bowl, not wanting to be a bad roommate.
Bucky knew that he should text clint so that he could feed Alpine whilst Bucky was stuck here. Although, there are worst placed to be stuck.
Bucky dried the bowl and put it in its rightful place.
Reaching into his pocket, still wrapped up in the blanket, miraculously, Bucky pulled out his phone and began texting Clint. The bird responded almost immediately.
Sighing, Bucky slipped his phone back into his pocket, not wanting to deal with Clint anymore.
Bucky shuffled out of the kitchen probably not looking like the fearsome assassin wrapped up in this blanket.
Bucky made his way into the living room and sat on the settee, curling up under the blanket.
He picked up the remote from the coffee table and began flicking through the channels. No of which were working due to the storm.
‘Not surprising.’
“The TV won’t work in this weather, but I have some DVD’s that we can watch.” Alex said, entering the living room.
Bucky looked up at him to see an amused smile on his face.
“You look cosy.” He commented.
“What DVD’s do you have?” Bucky asked, ignoring his comment.
“How does The Hobbit sound?” Alex asked.
Bucky perked up at that.
“I take that as a yes?” Alex asked.
“Extended cut?” Bucky asked.
“Of course, is there any other way to watch it?” Alex asked.
Bucky wasn’t sure he could fall in love with the man even more but here it was happening to him.
Alex moved towards the TV, picking up the DVD, putting it in the player.
Bucky clicked play on the movie once Alex was sat on the settee, since Bucky still had the remote.
Alex was sat on the same settee as Bucky but on the opposite side. Bucky wondered if he could do the movie date arm thing and not be obvious about it. He doubted it. He may be an assassin but that wasn’t apart of the job description. Plus, it meant he would have to leave the comfy confines of the blanket.
“I have the guest bedroom set up for you. It’s the 3rd door on the left down that hallway.” Alex said pointing to the hallway.
“Thank you, Alex.” Bucky said.
“It’s not problem. My room is next door in case you need anything.” He said.
Bucky nodded and focused back on the movie.
Sometime during the movie, Bucky and Alex had gravitated towards each other, both of them now in the middle of the settee, sharing the blanket that was now Bucky’s.
Alex’s arm was resting on the back of the settee, having beaten Bucky to the punch. Bucky wasn’t sure if Alex had noticed, and Bucky wasn’t going to bring it up for fear that Alex would move away.
When the movie ended, Alex turned to Bucky; with Bucky eyes flicking down to Alex’s lips for a moment.
“Want to watch the Lord of the rings?” Alex asked.
Bucky shook himself out of the daze he was in and said.
“Sure.”
Alex stood up and Bucky almost whined at missing Alex’s warmth but stopped himself not wanting to seem clingy.
Alex sat back down, getting under the blanket.
As the movie began playing, Bucky got frustrated. He hair had escaped it’s bun and was dangling in front of his face. Bucky repeatedly blew it out of his face, without much success.
Alex must’ve noticed this because he asked.
“What’s up?”
“My hair’s being annoying.” Bucky said.
“Hold up.” Alex said, which confused the assassin.
Alex reached over to the side table; opened the door and pulled out something. He handed it to Bucky, which turned out to be a headband. Bucky gave Alex a confused look since Alex’s hair wasn’t long enough.
“Don’t ask.” Alex said.
Bucky shrugged, not really caring why he had it. He put it in his hair, happy that his hair was no longer in his face.
“Thanks.” Bucky said with a bright smile.
“No problem.” Alex said.
They got comfortable and continued to watch the movie.
A while late, Alex let out a yawn, obviously tired.
“It’s getting late, I’m going to go to bed. Keep watching movies if you want.” Alex said.
“Goodnight.” Bucky said.
Alex stood up stifling a yawn, tucking Bucky back into the blanket, so that he wouldn’t get cold.
“Night cariño.” Alex said.
Once again Bucky blushed at the pet name.
‘Damn it.’
Thankfully, Alex didn’t notice and left the living room.
When he was out of the room Gattino jumped in Bucky’s lap, burying himself in the blanket. Bucky smiled and began scratching behind his ears, causing him to purr.
“Your Dad is really sweet.” Bucky said as Gattino look up at him with wide eyes.
Bucky sighed.
“I really need to stop talking to cats.” Bucky said.
‘People are going to start thinking I’m insane.’
The cat bumped his head in Bucky’s hand.
“You are pretty cute.” Bucky said.
He seemed to purr louder at the compliment.
“Just don’t tell Alpine that I’m cat cheating on him with you.” Bucky said.
Bucky laid down on the settee and allowed Gattino to lay on his chest.
Bucky wasn’t bothered with the TV or any movies at the moment. He was more bothered with giving the robotic cat on his chest the love and attention that he clearly deserved.
“At least you won’t get fur all over my shirt like Alpine does.” Bucky said as the cat curled up and went to sleep.
‘That’s one big upside of having a robotic cat compared to a real one. That and the fact that he can’t die.’