In Dreams
Despite feeling tired, it seemed to take Darcy a bit of time to get to sleep. When she entered a dream, she was actually surprised that it didn’t look like the strange city that was apparently Asgard. It was Halloween and she was leaning against that wall, and Steve was there, in front of her. The conversation in the lounge at the party proceeded exactly as she’d recalled it, complete with him saying he missed her and liked her and wanted to go out with her, and the kiss. She could feel his lips all over again.
It was like reliving the night all over again, he’d asked her to leave with him and took her hand, invited her to his room. They’d sat down on his couch and he’d said he thought he loved her, and she’d told him the same. When they kissed again, everything just seemed to roll forward without another thought or word. They’d kissed their way into the bedroom and out of their clothes. Experiencing it again, it felt good. Even though she still felt like she’d have said something along the way, and perhaps not gone that far just then. It was gentle, passionate, loving. They’d looked into each others eyes and taken their time with each others bodies. His hands on her body felt electric, and touching him just made her crave more.
When they parted and looked at one another, Darcy felt like she could actually speak. “Steve?”
Steve reached his hand out and cradled her cheek. “Is this really happening?”
“I was about to ask you that.” She smiled and he pulled her closer. This was no longer what she recalled from Halloween. She only remembered falling asleep shortly after what had just happened.
“Is this what I couldn’t remember? Is this what happened on Halloween?”
“Wait. Are we actually talking right now?”
“I don’t know. I laid down to rest a little after some madness in Sokovia. And now I’m talking to you and looking at you and feel like I’m here in my room at the Tower with you. Where are you?”
“I was home, in bed. And then I was here, with you. This was not what I expected to see when I fell asleep.”
“How is this possible? Am I just dreaming this all?”
“I don’t know, but I think I’m dreaming it too. I can’t say I haven’t had some weird dreams lately, so I don’t really know what’s possible or not anymore.”
“I feel like that all happened fast. I’ve never done that before. I mean the sex, I’d never done that.”
Darcy’s gaze shifted away a moment and then back. “I never had either. And I kind of felt the same way. It’s why I wasn’t sure I was remembering any of this the right way. Why I questioned it all, especially after you said you didn’t remember anything of the night.”
Steve shook his head, his expression heavier for a moment. “I’m really sorry I didn’t remember. I can’t believe I didn’t remember. Even though apparently something or someone made whatever weird feelings everyone had at Halloween happen, I still can’t believe I somehow forgot sleeping with you. I’d never want to forget that.”
“Darcy! Wake up!” She heard a distant but sharp voice, though she couldn't quite identify it.
“Did you hear that?” Darcy glanced around before her gaze landed back on Steve.
“Hear what?” He shook his head but appeared to try to listen.
Darcy shot up in bed to see Heimdall standing over her just before someone else appeared in her room. A strange man with a bald head and tattoos. She screamed.
“I’ll only be able to distract him once before he realizes I’m not really here. I’ll try to come as quick as I can. Don’t let him touch you.” Heimdall’s words were confusing until the stranger tripped over himself trying to grab Heimdall only to find nothing physical there and fell to the floor.
Her taser was in her bag on the breakfast counter, and the guy was between her and it. “You stay away!” Darcy picked up one of her big boots and threw it at him, beaning him on the head.
He grumbled and shook his head. “Why don’t you just come with me and save a whole lot of trouble.” He was pushing himself to his feet when her fully locked door was kicked open.
Bucky heard her scream and heard commotion inside. The guy was big, a bit bigger than Bucky, and much stronger than any normal human he’d ever encountered. The guy looked surprised by the force Bucky hit back with though and when he pushed Bucky down, he ran instead of continuing to fight. Bucky followed down the stairs, but halfway down he stopped hearing the other guy’s footsteps and there was no sound of the doors opening or closing and no one outside. Bucky hadn’t been that far behind him. He should have only lost sight of him for a moment but the guy was gone without a trace.
“James?” He heard her voice from the top of the stairs as he headed back up. It wavered and he hurried back up to her.
As soon as Bucky reached the top of the stairs she reached for him and he wrapped his arms around her. “He got away, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
Darcy looked up at him and nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay. Are you okay?” Her hands rubbed softly at his sides and he leaned into her a little, his eyelids fluttering with the sensation.
“I’m okay.” Bucky’s right hand cupped her cheek before he stopped to think about what he was doing. He was afraid to say too much about the guy, because Bucky couldn’t help wondering if it was about him. If either the guy hit the wrong apartment, or had noticed Bucky knew her. Though even the worry about being a danger to her couldn’t seem to tear him away from her. Because he had to keep her safe. And the look in her eyes held genuine, intense, concern aimed right at him. Even when part of him said he couldn’t go further without being honest, another part was completely taken by the fact that someone seemed to genuinely care about him. “You are sure you’re okay?”
Darcy nodded, she wasn’t going to say much about the guy because she didn’t want to have to explain things that seemed insane even to her, even knowing they were true. She was just glad she wasn’t alone. “I am. Though I’m not sure how I’m going to lock my door.” She actually giggled a little glancing at her door.
It was definitely going to have to be replaced. Bucky had busted part of it. “Oh god, I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. That door is a small price to pay for not being kidnapped or something else terrible by that guy. I am not one to play the damsel, but I’m glad you were here to help save me. I feel like you saved me twice tonight.” Their faces had drifted closer, noses brushing. Darcy tilted a touch as an invitation.
The part of Bucky that was wrapped up in her was winning this time and his lips reached that little bit further for hers. It was slow, but her lips weren’t pulling back so neither were his. There were a few steps of swaying before Darcy’s back wound up against the door frame.
Everything that happened upon waking had sort of blurred her dream. She did still feel like she loved Steve, but she was falling in love with James too and her mind didn’t have the capability at the moment to stop and think beyond how she was feeling in the moment. And the moment was consumed with the way that James’ lips felt on hers and the way his body felt pressed up close to hers. There was so much heat coming off him and Darcy was just drowning herself in the feeling. He just kept going, and her lips couldn’t stop going for more until she thought she might run out of air.
She was the one to pull out of the kiss, her breath heavy and ragged and Bucky rested his forehead to hers as she opened her eyes to stare up at him. “You can’t sleep in an apartment that won’t lock.”
“But I’m worried about someone taking things if I’m not there.” Darcy’s hands pulled softly at his sides though, she didn’t want to let go of him.
“Then I’ll stay in your room.” Bucky’s voice was soft and his gaze barely flicked away from hers even when he was scanning their surroundings.
“Okay.” Darcy didn’t hesitate for even a moment to agree, her hands pulling him closer.
Bucky actually felt his chest flutter when she responded so quickly and easily. “I can always stay on your couch.”
“That’s not necessary, unless you’d feel better that way. I’ve been in your bed, while drunk. If I was safe then, I’m safe now. And the closer I am to you the safer I feel.” She had pressed her body against his about as fully as possible in the position they were in while still being able to look at him and hold onto the eye contact.
“Let me just get my phone and keys and lock my door.” Bucky brushed his fingers through her hair and along her jaw and felt her lean into the touch. He didn’t really want to even separate long enough to do those things, but he figured he should.
“Okay. I’ll just stand here.” Darcy loosened her hold, but only let go when Bucky started to move.
“Okay, I’ll be just a minute.” Bucky basically walked backwards to his door so he could watch her as long as possible and left the door to his apartment open while he was inside, in case she wanted to stand in his doorway instead. He probably should have suggested that. He paused in his apartment only long enough to shoot Steve a quick text. “Something weird happened at my apartment. A guy broke into my neighbor’s place. Everything is okay, but the guy seemed to just vanish in the stairwell. I don’t know if there’s someone who can check on what that was? Hope you’re staying safe.”
Darcy smiled as soon as Bucky came back into view. His arms went around her the moment he got close enough. She rolled up on her toes and caught his lips with hers. He leaned himself back into the door frame and pulled her against him. They lingered there a minute, lips pulling at each other before Darcy pulled back and pulled him inside. “Maybe we could put one of my little end tables against the door so at least we’ll hear if someone tries to open the door.”
Bucky smiled and leaned in to nip at her lips. He’d gotten a taste of her and aside from a few side thoughts about keeping her safe, the only thing on his mind was kissing her again and holding her close. “That’s a good idea.”
While he quickly arranged one of her end tables behind the front door, Darcy sent a quick text to Jane. “So, some guy just appeared in my apartment and sounded like he wanted to kidnap me. But you know, I’m fine. Just when I didn’t think things could get weirder.” Once Bucky finished with the door, Darcy was all too happy to just sink into bed with him.
They kissed a little more and wrapped around each other tight. Darcy nuzzled into Bucky’s neck and he buried his face in her hair before they fell asleep.