PopTarts & First Names
“‘Ehh’ is not an acceptable answer.” Darcy took a few steps back from Tony who was currently working on one of his new inventions.
When had been the last time she had visited him in the lab? She didn't really know but it had at least been two weeks. Which was pretty long for her considering she had checked up on him almost daily since working for him - well technically Jane but he was the one funding them, so.
She had made up for it with a jar filled with freshly made cookies and two cups of his favorite coffee from outside the compound.
“Yes, it is.” the billionaire replied matter-of-factly.
“Not when my question was ‘Is this going to explode?’"
Tony turned around to face the petite assistant who was currently looking at him with raised eyebrows. He smirked slightly and she huffed in response at his casual reaction to her slightly concerned face. “Don't wet your pants, Lewis. I won't blow you to pieces. I'm glad you're here by the way.”
He eyed her confused expression as he wiped his hands with the small towel Dum-E was handing out to him.
Darcy gave him a questioning look. “And why is that?”
The billionaire chuckled slightly at her suspicion. “Well as you probably know, Cap’s birthday is coming up next month.”
The brunette took a few steps back into the center of the lab to drop down on the small ottoman, looking up at the older man as he sat down on the chair in front of her, still wiping his fingers clean. “You have my attention.”
“Glad to hear that. Anyways I know you've probably already planned a huge-ass cake in red, white and blue?” he paused for a few seconds as she nodded and grinned at him. “Great! I know Grandpa isn't the biggest fan of huge parties but I think if you help with organising he'd be less vocal about it and actually try and relax a bit. He's gotten better at it, I admit. Especially since Barnes is with us. But I thought you might wanna earn a few extra coins since I figured that's something you're good at.”
During Tony’s little speech Darcy’s grin had only widened even more and her eyes glinted with anticipation. Her mind was already occupied with planning everything.
“I'll do it for free, Tin-man. I just need to know how much money you're willing to offer as budget. And how big you want it. I definitely don't have the money to plan anything as huge as your usual parties with my paycheck.”
The billionaire only smiled at her before he spoke to the ceiling, not breaking eye-contact as he did. When he asked FRIDAY to give her full clearance on event management, the young woman’s eyes widened in surprise. She definitely hadn’t expected that.
Was he really giving her a no-limit budget? This was going to be good. She blinked a few times as the man in front of her only stared back with a wide grin.
“You will see me a lot more often the next few weeks, Stark.” her voice made it sound like a punishment. Shaking his head in amusement the billionaire sent her a challenging look. “I'm counting on it, Lewis. Now go back to Banner; he's already looking at me as if I snatched away his favorite toy.”
At his words Darcy quickly turned around, following his eyes to the windows that connected to Banner’s lab.
The scientist on the other side of the glass was looking down at his notes but raised one of his hands to send the other man a middle finger.
“Man, I love that guy.” Tony huffed in response, amusement clear in his voice as Darcy laughed at his expression.
:-:-:-:-:
This was too stressful. Way too stressful.
“How much time do I have ?” Darcy’s voice was pressed as she quickly walked through the corridor. FRIDAY - bless her artificial heart - opened the elevator doors as soon as she reached it.
“Not much.”
Huffing in annoyance and slight amusement at the response, Darcy entered the small metal cage. “Very specific, sis. To the ground floor please. Can you slow down the other elevators? I don't want to cause any suspicions, they're not supposed to see me anywhere near this place, right now.”
As the elevator moved, Darcy adjusted her shirt and combed her fingers through her hair in order to calm herself.
“Where is he right now?”
“They're currently entering the building as we speak. Most probably heading towards the elevators as it seems.”
Darcy cursed under her breath before speaking again: “Okay, I can use this for my advantage, actually. Can you tell Jane I'm heading out to get some snacks and more coffee for her?”
There was silence as the elevator came to a stop.
“Done. She also asked for some PopTarts if they're available.”
“Got it.”
As soon as the elevator doors opened she rushed out.
:-:-:-:
Bucky had only entered the compound behind Steve and Natasha a few seconds ago when he saw a familiar small figure with long brown hair practically shooting out of the elevator and towards their direction.
It took him a few seconds to realize that it was Darcy, her red lips formed into a thin line and her focus on the entrance door behind him.
Steve who was walking a few steps in front of him slowed down when her eyes darted to their group of three.
His blond friend greeted the small woman as she came closer.
“Hey! Can't talk, gotta get something for Jane. See you later!” the petite brunette passed them in a rush. They turned around slightly at her retreating figure. Before exiting the building she turned around practically yelling at them across the hallway, making a few heads turn. “Looking good, Barnes!” a small pause before she added “You too, Cap. And Nat you're gorgeous and you know it! Take a break, guys. You deserve it. See you later!”
Steve chuckled quietly and the redhead shook her head in amusement when the other woman finally made her way outside.
Bucky only furrowed his brows in deep thought. Hadn't he offered her to call him by his first name a few days ago? Did her not using it mean something? Maybe she didn't want to be closer to him than necessary and had decided to keep more distance while he was away. But maybe she just forgot? Bucky didn't get more time to think about it when he heard Steve's voice again. “Hey, you okay?”
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, sorry.” he turned back to his two teammates who exchanged a quick look before smiling at him.
Entering the elevator Steve asked for the apartment floors as their destination.
A few seconds after the lift started moving the AI spoke. “Mr. Barnes, I'd like to inform you that another box is waiting for you in the Common Room.”
Steve's brows practically disappeared into his hairline and Natasha gave another one of her knowing smirks but as always didn't say a word.
“Common Room, please.” Bucky muttered.
The elevator came to a stop and he walked out.
“I'll be at the apartment. Take all the time you need.” Steve said softly before adding “I'll take the longest shower of my life.”
Bucky only shook his head with a smile when the door closed.
When he entered the Common Room he was surprised to see three of the team members inside.
Clint was seated next to Vision, seemingly trying to explain to him how his technological game functioned.
A few weeks ago he had tried it with Bucky but the ex-assassin had ended up crushing one of the controllers with his left hand. (“You know what, let's just do this on another day.”) Back then Clint had annoyed the hell out of him since the archer hadn’t been the best at explaining it to him. And after looking at the crushed device Bucky hadn't really been an option for him anymore.
Sam stood behind the couch watching the other two men as Clint explained the mechanics in depth. Bucky smiled when his friend turned around as he walked towards the counter. Sam followed him, a teasing smile on his face.
“Another box, huh?”
“Yeah, I don't know what to make of it.”
“Well, it's a secret admirer.”
The ex-assassin rolled his eyes in annoyance. Something he did quite frequently when spending time with the other man. Or when Clint was around.
“If so, I'm not interested.” He started opening the ribbon carefully..
“How would you know?” Sam asked, face teasing but his voice curious.
“I don't know them.”
“So?”
“I'm not interested.”
Leaning against the counter with the side of his hip, Sam sighed dramatically.
“I don't think that's your reason. I'm pretty sure this still has something to do with a certain assistant.”
“So?” Bucky returned his question which caught the other man by surprise. If his raised eyebrows were any indication. Sam stayed silent and Bucky opened the box.
Inside was a book and a paper with another smaller box. Gently taking the book out he read the title. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone? Is this a children's book ?”
Sam only chuckled but other than that kept his mouth shut.
Bucky looked at the piece of paper attached to the smaller box.
“I really like your new haircut. This book is a classic these days. I thought you might want to catch up on things, if you haven't yet. Also I hope you'll like these.” - HG
He opened the smaller box to reveal 3 cupcakes with fiery red frosting.
“Man, you really gotta find out who this is.” Sam smirk as he took out one of the cupcakes.
Bucky didn’t mind, he also knew that he wouldn't touch the book anytime soon. Why would he want to know who this person was? Sure he or she had been really kind to him for sending all these baked goods but really. Why would he want to get to know them when there was already someone else on his mind. Someone he had hoped would be the one who had sent him the first box. But as soon as he had checked the initials the first time he had been disappointed.
“Why are you so good at this?” Clint suddenly yelled making them turn their attention to the odd pair on the couch.
“Do I need to remind you that I am of artificial intelligence and practically made out of technology, Mr. Barton?”
“Then why didn't you tell me, you knew how this worked?”
“I didn't want to interrupt seeing as you were quite happy to explain it to me.” Vision explained calmly, though he sounded slightly amused by Clint’s reaction.
“Artificials.” the archer muttered under his breath.
:-:-:-:
Darcy tapped on her phone, texting Jane she'd be on her way in a few minutes.
Definitely hadn't thought that one through. In her panic she had left without her bag and therefore without her purse. Had been quite lucky with the few bucks she had found in the pockets of her jeans.
She was waiting in queue of a small convenience store since a box of PopTarts and a bag of chips had been all she was able to afford.
At least he hadn't been suspicious, right?
With Steve's birthday party coming up she'd also have to be more careful for the next couple of weeks.
As she paid for her small purchase her mind wandered to a certain brown haired soldier.
He had furrowed his brows at her again only that she hadn't been able to tell what the reason was this time.
Maybe that comment had been too much?
Darcy shook her head softly when she stepped out of the little shop, a small plastic bag in her left hand.
He would’ve reacted differently if he hadn’t liked it.
Right?
She’d have to ask Jane or Natasha when she got back.
After a long bus ride and a few minutes of walking she finally made her way back to the compound. Immediately heading to Jane’s lab, waving as she passed Bruce and Tony in their working space.
“Oh, Darcy! I'm glad you're here. I just got a call from London. There's this huge astrophysics research programme coming in a few days and I completely forgot I had been invited. So I'll have to leave by tomorrow afternoon. You can finish work early today or help out in the other labs if you want. You don't have to though. Or you can help me with packing. Also Thor said he'll be back in two days and he said something about hair night. I have no idea what that's supposed to mean but he said you'd know.”
Darcy stared at her friend for a few seconds as the little scientist ran around, trying to clean up the mess that was her workplace. Sitting down on one of the chairs she threw the plastic bag on the table.
“Okay, sure. That sounds great!”
It had been a while since she had done something with the thunder god so she was actually looking forward to it.
“You'll be back till “Mission: Goldie deserves to party" starts, right?”
“I don't even want to know when you came up with that name but yes, I will be back by then. I'm only gone for two weeks.”
Darcy nodded with a smile as she shoved Jane out of the lab.
:-:-:-:
The whole night had been a mess and Darcy had barely fallen asleep when her alarm made her jump out of the bed again.
She spent the next few hours helping Jane to the airport and making sure her friend was on the right plane. The little scientist gave her a long hug before she went through the security check, waving her a last goodbye until she was out of sight.
Darcy then decided to go for a short shopping trip to the next grocery store, packing almost every snack she set her eyes on. She excused her not so small purchase with Thor’s arrival since the demi-god was known for having a big stomach and an even bigger appetite.
When she finally arrived back at the Compound Darcy immediately headed to the Common Room, planning to leave the snacks inside and offering it to the other members of the team as well. And maybe bumping into a certain soldier. By coincidence. FRIDAY had informed him of his current location. Not that Darcy has asked. After all it was all a coincidence.
She also wanted to personally offer him something from her little shopping trip.
As soon as she heard Sam's voice she started smiling. As the door closed behind her she peeked around the corner to reveal four members of the team. Rhodey and Clint were sitting on the couch, Sam was standing in front of the tv screen currently in the middle of telling a story as it seemed. Bucky was comfortably sitting on the small ottoman next to the couch. Their four heads spun around when she announced herself with a little giggle as a reaction to Sam's exaggerated hand moves.
Her eyes immediately wandered to Bucky who smiled at her and it practically made her melt into a little puddle inside. She smiled back at him, pleased at the fact that he wasn't breaking eye-contact.
“Hey Hourglass, you here to see me?” Sam's grin was wide es he looked at her.
“Actually I'm here for James.” Darcy confessed rather bluntly and her friend gave her a surprised look.
On the couch Rhodey started moving as he turned around completely to look at her. “I'm flattered, Darcy.”
Darcy blinked at the older man as all eyes fixed on her again. It took her a moment to realize what his comment was about.
“Oh god, Rhodey. I'm so sorry! I actually meant Barnes.”
Clint immediately started laughing as Rhodey gave her a sweet smile and Darcy mentally choked herself.
“But you should definitely come to the next round of paintball, Colonel. I really need a trustworthy partner in crime.” she said this with a side glance at Sam who only shrugged his shoulders.
“I was only joking but I'm game anyways.”
She shot him a bright smile before her eyes went back to Bucky. “Could you help me out with these real quick?” She raised her hands to show the plastic bags and the man in question immediately stood up to take the bags out of her hands. Though she held onto one of them as if her pride depended on it. “I also got something for you.” she said as they made their way back to the kitchen counter. Behind them the other three men continued talking and she was grateful they didn't sent them any teasing comments.
“Oh really?” Bucky smiled up at her as they started unpacking the grocery bags.
“Mhm" Darcy hummed. “Thor is coming tomorrow and he loves food - as you may have noticed yourself. So I'm preparing everything. I haven't had some bonding time with him in a while. And I got a lot of these-" Darcy picked up a pack of PopTarts. “and I wasn't sure if you've ever tried these so I thought you might want to.”
Bucky eyed the small box in her hand before looking up at her - holding eye-contact- and nodded. “Thank you, Darcy.”
“Oh don't mention it.” Darcy put a strand of hair behind her ear and started opening one of the boxes. “This one is probably the most popular and you have to toast them before eating. That's the only right way to do it.”
As she prepared the little baked good Bucky watched her every move.
“Jane's gone for the next two weeks so I'll have to hang around Stark and Bruce’s labs. We'll see how this one goes. Usually I'm always with Jane during lunch.” She turned around, leaning against the counter as they waited. “I don't wanna be too forward but that's kinda who I am so would you like to be my lunch buddy for a while?”
Bucky blinked at her in surprise and Darcy mentally slapped herself. Maybe it was too much out of the blue? Considering he preferred being alone most of the time. Granted she had seen him hanging out with the other team members more often. Even without Steve but maybe this was a little too much for him? Her concerns vanished however as soon as Bucky nodded at her with a smile.
“I'd be happy to. Gives me an out from the other guys. And I like spending time with you.”
Darcy’s eyes widened and judging from his face he kind of regretted his little confession when she didn't answer right away.
“Right back at you, James. And thank you.”
The smile he gave her in response made Darcy mentally take off her clothes but she kept her composure. Tiny steps, Darcy.
The toaster made her jump slightly and she focused her attention on the warm poptart. She took it out and practically shoved it in Bucky’s face.
To her surprise however he didn't raise his hand to take it but instead moved his mouth closer and took a bite right out of her hand.
Darcy took in a sharp breath as she stared at him.
At her reaction the man looked up and slowly raised his hand to take the tart from her grasp.
His lips twitched slightly and formed into a smirk as she mentally dug her own grave.
:-:-:-: