Armed and Ready
“Fri, run a full scan one more time. I need to be sure this is going to work.”
“Sure thing, Boss.”
Tony watched the data on the screens as FRIDAY ran all their diagnostics again, making sure that everything was running as smoothly as it possibly could. They had tested the new design extensively during all stages of production, but this was possibly one of the most important creations of Tony’s life.
Well, right after the Iron Man suit. And the arc reactor. And JARVIS, and FRIDAY, and all his bots. But this one totally ranked fourth on the imaginary List of Important Stuff that Tony had just made up in his head.
The screens flashed green right as FRIDAY’s voice chimed in through the speakers. “Scans are complete, Boss. The product is working perfectly and the installation has an estimated 99.999% success rate.”
Tony sighed in relief, finally happy with the results. He trusted his machines more than anything in the world, but there was a comfort in numbers that he’d never found anywhere else in his life.
He walked toward his workbench, where Bucky’s new arm was propped up on a personalized stand, and carefully ran his hand across the gleaming metal. He smiled.
Bucky was going to lose his mind.
***
“Sergeant? Your presence has been requested in the workshop.”
Bucky paused, halfway through his pull-up. “Is this an emergency?”
“No, but Boss has requested you join him as soon as you’re not otherwise occupied.”
Sam huffed, letting go of his own pull-up bar and jumping to the ground. He directed a shit-eating grin at Bucky. “That a booty-call, man?”
Bucky raised an eyebrow at him and completed his set before dropping down as well, saying, “No need to be jealous, Birdboy. I’m sure Steve would be happy to lend you a hand if you need to get laid.”
Sam snorted. “You don’t know shit about my love life, Barnacle.”
Bucky laughed. Sam threw a water bottle at his head.
“Whatever, man. Go see what’s gotten your boyfriend’s panties in a twist.”
Bucky opened his mouth to make a snide remark about Tony and panties, but Sam glared and pointed threateningly at him. Bucky simply grinned and walked away, flipping him off as he went.
As Bucky made his way to the lab, he found himself whistling a random upbeat tune. His day had been great: for starters, he’d woken up to the wonderful sight of Tony’s head disappearing under the covers – which was, admittedly, the best way to start his day; then, after a lazy morning, Bucky’d gone to lunch with Steve and Natasha, spending some quality time with his two best friends.
After lunch, Bucky was scheduled to attend his last mandatory therapy session, the final step required before SHIELD and the UN agreed on letting him join the Avengers… and Bucky had done it. His therapist had deemed him stable enough to become a full-time superhero.
The team was ecstatic, of course. The only person who had yet to congratulate him was Tony, which was probably why he called Bucky down to his lab.
Maybe Sam was right, Bucky thought with a grin. A booty call would be an amazing way to celebrate.
Once he reached the workshop, though, there was no scantily dressed Tony waiting for him. Instead, his boyfriend was hovering nervously next to the door, with the kind of manic look in his eyes that never bode well for the structural integrity of the Tower.
As soon as the doors opened, Tony threw his arms around Bucky’s neck, and Bucky returned the embrace, already feeling more excited just by proximity. Tony was practically vibrating in his arms, and when they moved apart, Tony immediately grabbed his face and planted a loud kiss on his lips.
“You’re finally an Avenger, then?” Tony teased, but the effect was ruined by the pride shining in his eyes. “Guess you’re not my kept boy anymore.”
“Hey now,” Bucky replied, in mock horror, “are you taking back my ‘sugar baby’ title?”
Tony laughed, smacking him on the chest. He grabbed Bucky’s hand and led him to the workbench.
“Speaking of me spoiling you, I thought we should celebrate you finally becoming an Avenger, right?” he asked. “Remember the project I had with the Wakandan lab a while back? Well, I asked Princess Shuri for a favor. A sort of… mutual collaboration, if you could call it that. She wanted to study my ARC technology, and I was interested in her general ‘more advanced technical knowledge’ thing, so we came to an agreement pretty quickly.”
Bucky nodded, trying not to laugh as Tony visibly tried to rein in his rambling thoughts.
“So. The thing we worked on, it’s… well, a welcome gift. From me to you, as an official Avenger.”
Tony hesitated for a split second before pointing to the table, where something was hidden under a cloth. He looked at Bucky with a weird mix of excitement and nervousness on his face.
Bucky was just… happy. He loved Tony’s work, and knowing that one of Tony’s creations had been made specifically for him was a heady feeling.
Plus, he was curious. Really, really curious.
With a grin, he grabbed the cloth and yanked it away, revealing what was underneath. And then he felt his mouth drop.
The mystery gift was a metal arm, black and golden and gleaming in the light. It was gorgeous.
“Tony, I...” Bucky trailed off, unable to talk through the emotion brimming in his chest.
Tony smiled, pleased. “Wanna try it on?”
“Yes,” Bucky replied instantly, unable to contain his enthusiasm.
“Well, sit down then, Soldier.”
***
LATER THAT EVENING
***
Tony moaned as Bucky added another finger inside him, scissoring them open and watching the metal as it disappeared inside Tony.
“Fuck, that feels so good, baby.”
Bucky hummed, leaning down to kiss Tony deeply, his fingers never stopping in their movements.
“Best gift ever,” Bucky whispered. And really, Tony had to agree.