Look what we have here

Darcy practically ran towards the hangar as soon as FRIDAY informed her that Steve and the rest of the team had returned.

But she literally sprinted as soon as she was told that Bucky was being brought to the hospital wing due to an injury he had gotten during the mission.

I told you to be careful, James.

She tried her best not to burst out in tears while running past her colleagues and into the hospital wing. Sure she didn’t know how badly he had been injured yet but she knew it took more than a bullet to take Bucky out on the field. Also the way FRIDAY had informed her it seemed to be something rather serious.

She immediately came to a stop when she saw Steve and Natasha standing in the hallway.

The redhead noticed her first and took a few steps towards her but Darcy was quicker and jogged towards them.

“Where is he?” she practically whispered, trying to catch her breath.

“He’ll be fine, he’s undergoing a small surgery and he might have to stay here for a couple of nights.” Natasha tried to calm her, though she barely succeeded with it.

“Can I see him?”

Natasha and Steve exchanged a glance before the man gave her a short nod, his expression slightly grim as he focused his gaze back on the door.

“They’ll be out soon, how about you wait in the Common Room for a bit and we call you?”

Darcy gave her friend an incredulous look before crossing her arms in front of her chest and standing tall.

“I’m a grown woman, Nat. I’ll wait here.”

Natasha huffed slightly but gave her a smile, knowing fully well she wouldn’t be able to persuade her.

“Well, then. I’ll head over to Tony and update him on the situation.” she said this as she looked back at Steve who only gave another firm nod.

The redhead gave Darcy a light squeeze on her arm and disappeared around the corner.

Standing a few feet away from Steve, Darcy watched him in interest.

The man seemed a little shaken but tried his best not to show it.

Darcy slowly got closer and then turned around to face the door like him, only a few inches away.

“How are you holding up, big guy?” she finally spoke after a few seconds.

Steve sighed and his shoulders slumped slightly before he turned his gaze towards her.

He felt guilty, that much was clear.

“I’m sorry, Darcy.”

The woman in question blinked in surprise and turned completely to him. “What for?”

“He seemed so reluctant on leaving, I should’ve just let him be. During the whole mission he seemed so distracted. I should’ve-”

Darcy practically slammed against his chest as she embraced him in a hug. “Don’t beat yourself up, Steve. You’re doing everything you can and you’re doing great. Stop always taking the blame for everything!”

She took a step back and smiled at him which Steve only managed to return with a grimace.

Darcy laughed quietly at this while rubbing his arms for comfort.

“Thank you, Darce. For everything.”

“Oh my god, stop being so emotional.” She smacked him on the arm with a roll of her eyes. “If you start crying, I’m gonna start crying and James will just roll his eyes at us.”

Steve chuckled at her statement and gave her a side hug while rubbing her arm as well.

“I’m glad we have you, Darce.”

“I’m glad to have you, too, Steve.”

:-:-:-:-:-:

Bucky’s head was throbbing painfully.

Trying to open his eyes he was only met with bright light, making him shut them again quickly.

As he tried to raise his hand to massage it, his body immediately began to protest and he realized that his head wasn’t the only thing that was aching.

He quickly noticed that his body felt way too stiff and even tho the pain felt numbed, he could still point out the worst pain cutting through his stomach.

“Don’t move, you idiot.” Darcy’s voice made him stop squirming in his bed. He blinked multiple times to adjust to the light before finally opening his eyes.

When he turned his head to the side he saw Darcy standing up from her seat next to his bed.

“I said don’t move.” she repeated tiredly. He only stared at her. Taking her in. It had been days since he’d last seen her but for him it had felt more like weeks, months even.

She looked tired, drained but that didn’t make her any less beautiful. Darcy stared back at him before smiling softly. “How are you feeling, tough guy?”

“A little sore but otherwise fine, how are you?”

Darcy chuckled at his question, turning her head to the side for a moment before looking back at him. Her blue eyes staring at his own.

“A little better now that you’re awake.”

Bucky tried to sit up straight but as soon as he moved her hand lightly pressed onto his chest, making him stay in place.

Without a word she pressed a button next to his mattress and his upper body was lifted until he was in a sitting position.

Bucky only watched her until she straightened up and looked back at him, her expression changing to that of anger.

“Okay first of all: How dare you!”

The man in question only raised his eyebrows in surprise before trying to speak. “I-”

“How dare you get injured! I was so worried. You know how fast I ran here just to wait another three hours to finally see you and you just lied there all broken and shameless!”

Bucky couldn’t do anything but blink at her little outburst, though he felt himself getting slightly hot. She had waited for him?

“Don’t you dare get hurt again, you hear me?” she took a step towards him and he tried his best not to jerk away from her. She looked almost furious.

And then her expression changed so quickly that he almost believed he had hallucinated her anger. She barely looked at him as she spoke, her tone almost vulnerable: “I was...I was so scared. Everyone told me you’d be fine but I just-” she huffed in slight annoyance, struggling to find her words before she looked back into his eyes. “Please don’t get hurt again.”

Bucky nodded, a silent promise forming between them and then she was practically on him, hugging him as much as his sore body allowed.

He breathed in her scent, she smelled like freshly baked cake and he closed his eyes to take it all in. The way her body felt against his, her cheek pressed against his neck.

“You need to get better as fast as you can.” She whispered before standing up again.

She tried her best to send him one of her bright smiles. “Besides Steve’s birthday party is coming up and you need to be in your best condition!”

“I will, don’t worry, doll.” he chuckled.

He missed the way she blinked in surprise since she had turned around to get him some water from the table. However when she came back with a small cup he noticed the way her face had reddened slightly.

“Here, drink!” She raised the cup to his lips and he gratefully felt the cold liquid running through his body. As soon as it was emptied she went back for a refill.

“Thank you, Darcy.”

“Stop thanking me and drink.”

He chuckled at her scolding face and obeyed.

:-:-:-:-:

“You know, I don’t mind.”

“Hm?” From the corner of her eye she saw Bucky looking up at her while her gaze was focused on his arms. “It just hit me again. I’ve actually wanted to tell you much earlier but I always forgot.”

Her eyes found his and she smiled softly.
“I’ve noticed you don't like being touched on your left arm. Or rather you don't like your arm touching people.”

The silence stretched between them but it didn’t feel uncomfortable. It just felt intense and after a while she broke eye contact to look at his arm again. “I don’t mind.” then again while looking at him: “I don’t mind touching your left arm. And neither should you.”

This time it was Bucky who turned away from her intense stare.

While the man tried to sort his thoughts, Darcy slowly put her hand in his metal one and squeezed lightly.

The ex-assassin twitched slightly and she heard him hiss as he drew in a sharp breath.

When she looked up at him again she saw his blue eyes staring at her. At first she couldn’t read his expression but then she felt him squeezing her hand as well and she saw relief and gratitude painting his face.

She gave another squeeze and smiled at him which he returned with one of his own.

A few minutes later the tiredness won over him and he succumbed back to sleep.

Darcy watched him for another couple of minutes, her hand still loosely intertwined with his until Steve announced his presence by sliding the door open slowly.

She decided to leave the two men alone for a while and headed out.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

The next day Darcy practically lived in the hospital wing while simultaneously organizing the rest for Steve’s upcoming birthday party.

After Tony had granted her two extra holidays (for the party-planning of course) and a giant couch with a retractable bed she had made herself comfortable in the small room.

Bucky didn’t seem to mind her presence and he was a great advisor for her party plans.

Steve unaware of Tony’s reasoning had almost urged her to go through with her version of a sleepover even though Bucky had barely been able to hold eye-contact with her afterwards.

The day passed quickly and Darcy only realized it after she caught herself yawning once again. She turned her head to Bucky who was watching her curiously, patiently waiting for her to ask another question.

“How is your stomach, handsome?” she asked as she walked slowly towards him.

Instead of speaking he lifted his blanket to reveal a naked chest with a bandage around his torso. Darcy practically choked on her own spit.

“Weren’t you wearing a shirt when you went to the bathroom or did I just imagine that?”

Bucky only raised an eyebrow, pretending to be unaware of her reaction.

“It was bothering me so I decided to take it off.”

“Oh, okay. Lemme just-” she took the blanket from his hand and put it back on his chest almost wrapping him up like a mummy.

When she looked back at Bucky she was faced with a self-satisfied smirk.

Oh, this little prick…

“What?” she deadpanned.

“What is on your mind, doll?”

Her eyes widened for a second when she heard the nickname again and she felt herself blush. She shook her head slightly before giving him a stern look.

“I think these meds are messing a little with your head at the moment, hotstuff.”

Bucky chuckled before turning serious. He took her hand into his and rubbed his thumb over her back.

“Thank you, Darcy.”

“Oh my god, stop thanking me! I’m literally just here chilling with you. This is practically a win-win situation.” The young woman gestured at the couch next to them. “Minus your injuries of course.” she was quick to add.

:-:-:-:-:-:

"Don't be fooled, I'm the epitome of a mess." Darcy commented calmly while her entire focus was on the cake in front of her.

Bucky eyed her with amusement from his position on the couch.

How he had ended up in her apartment was still a mystery to him. It was the day before Steve's birthday party and she had practically dragged him into her kitchen all the way from the gym.

After pushing him onto the couch she had turned around with a grin and begun with her project.

That had been several hours ago and Darcy was working tirelessly on the monstrosity that she called a cake.

"I think you're doing pretty good so far, doll."

:-:-:-:-:-:

The day of Steve’s birthday had finally come and it was a complete success.

Steve had been slightly touched by Darcy’s choice of a theme and even though it was a quite big party the man out of time didn’t seem to mind one bit.

When finally everyone from the team had arrived the party was already in full swing and everyone was enjoying themselves.

Clint was the last to join them.

Darcy eyed the archer a little longer as she took in his current outfit.
“How much did someone pay you to wear that?”
“100 bucks!” Tony practically yelled from his seat on the couch.

"Don't pretend you don't love it, Lewis."

“You’re really crushing his ego, Hourglass.” Sam commented before dragging Clint away from the small group to get another drink.

Darcy turned around to face Bucky again only to see him furrowing his brows slightly.

“What’s wrong, Hotstuff?”

“I was just wondering why he calls you Hourglass.”

Darcy’s breath hitched in her throat and the ex-assassin definitely caught that but waited for her to answer.

“Because of my body type, he says I look like an hourglass. Actually I wanted to talk to you abou-”

Their conversation was cut short when Tony decided to make a toast.

:-:-:-:-:-:

Bucky Barnes barely moved from his seat on the couch, only to get his occasional drink - that didn’t do much to him anyways.

Meanwhile Darcy was walking around like crazy every now and then to check if everything was going according to plan.

Bucky watched with interest as his blond friend slowly approached Darcy with a drink in his hand, immediately offering it to the restless woman. She took a drink gratefully and downed the glass in one go. The ex-assassin chuckled at this as he watched their little interaction but soon grew stiff as he eyed the way Steve leaned towards her, seemingly whispering in her ear.

The woman grew a few shades red at whatever his friend had told her and Bucky internally cursed the loud music for not being able to catch it.

After a short while Darcy’s eyes focused on him and they held eye-contact for quite a while until she turned to Steve again, patting his friend’s chest with a grin and walking backwards towards Bucky’s direction.

“You look hot by the way! God bless America!” she yelled to Steve before finally turning around and strode to Bucky.

She immediately crashed into the seat next to him that Bucky had managed to keep unoccupied for quite a while.

(“Is this seat tak-” “Yes.”)

After a while of sitting in comfortable silence - Darcy slightly swaying to the music - he finally turned to her.

“Do you, uh, like Steve?” he blurted out the question.

“Of course? I mean who wouldn’t like that golden retriever in a human body?”

Steve’s voice could be heard from afar even though Bucky couldn’t make out his position. “A what now?”

The conversation ended there and they stayed silent for a few seconds until Darcy abruptly turned around to face him, her eyes wide.

“Wait- do you mean like-like him? What no?”

“I just thought that maybe..”

“I just appreciate his effort to give everyone a good view once in a while and I like him as a friend but that’s about it.”

Bucky eyed her curiously, internally sighing in relief.

“He’s Mr. Righteous.” she continued. “Mr. I don’t follow rules if they’re stupid I have my own moral compass and that’s the only truth there is. I’d feel awful next to him I’m a terrible person. Besides I’ve got my eyes on someone else. Granted I’d feel awful next to him as well. He’s way out of my league but…” her thoughts were left unsaid and Bucky watched her with interest. Trying his best not to lose his mind over the fact that she admitted to being interested in someone other than Steve he furrowed his brows slightly.

Was it that Matt guy?

The ex-assassin didn’t have much time to think about it for Darcy tried to drag him towards the dance floor.

:-:-:-:-:-:

Bucky watched the young woman as she approached him slowly. Her blue eyes were fixed on his and for a moment it seemed like they were completely alone in the ginormous hall.

She looked stunning. Dressed in a tight red dress that hugged her body as if she had been born with it. He was practically going crazy just being near her. It had been hard on him to focus on anything else but her. He was barely able to hold a conversation with anyone as long as she was closeby. It was getting ridiculous.

Finally she dropped onto the couch right next to him, her hand brushing the side of his thigh lightly. He fought a shiver and turned his body to face her.

Darcy Lewis was staring at him with a bright smile and Bucky felt his breath hitch in his throat.

“As much of an idiot Clint may be…" Darcy started while eyeing him up and down. "I'm still gonna thank him everyday for that beautiful haircut on your head. I liked your long hair too, wouldn't mind seeing it again. But you're looking sharp, James. Can't wait to see you in a suit one day.”

Bucky felt heat rising up his ears and he had to break eye contact for a second.

This woman was too damn intense, goddamnit.

When he turned back around Darcy was already up again, grinning at him cheekily as she made her way back to her friend Jane. "You're one hell of a good looking man, Barnes." She shouted before finally turning around.

He watched her until she was swallowed by the mass of people. The ex-assassin was actually quite proud of being able to stay calm in this huge event. Granted he had been sitting on the couch ever since he had arrived but still it counted as a win. And Darcy had immediately agreed with him.

The seat next to him dipped under a new weight, making Bucky turn around to see the new guest.

Steve gave him a smile before handing him a glass filled with a pinkish liquid.

The ex-assassin eyed the glass sceptical but took it anyway. "You know we can't get drunk, right?"

His blond friend chuckled at this as he clinked his glass against his.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Darcy specifically asked Thor to bring some of that godly asgardian liquor he's been bragging about all this time."

Bucky raised his eyebrows in surprise and watched Steve gulp down a whole glass in one go, before copying him.

After a while he felt Steve eyeing him with amusement.

"What?"

"Nothing, I just overheard some of what Darcy told you. You seem to have made quite an impression on her with your dress shirt today. And that sharp haircut." He said the last sentence trying to copy a feminine voice and failed miserably.

Bucky rolled his eyes at him. "She's like that with everyone, Steve."

"No, not like that."

He felt Steve's intense stare on him but refused to look back.

"Sure, I've had my fair share of inappropriate Darcy-comments like everyone else - even Natasha, if I may add- but it's different with you. It's genuine."

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Darcy was drunk. That much was clear.

The way she swayed slightly as she walked towards the couch made him watch her every move.

Ready to catch her in case she lost her balance.

To his relief she made it back to him in one piece and dropped next to him on the couch.

It had been several hours since the party had started and there were still quite a lot of people present.

After getting rid of her black pumps she lied back down with a lopsided smile.

Her head was on his lap, making Bucky stiffen the moment her hair had touched his thighs.

She watched him with an innocent expression and Bucky found it hard to look at her.

“I’m sleepy.” she said after a while, yawning as if to make her point clear.

Then she raised her arms, opening and closing her hands expectantly.

He ended up picking her up bridal style, making her squeal slightly in joy before she pressed her head against his chest.

She took a deep breath and he looked down at her in confusion.

"You smell nice." She said with a cheeky smile before pressing her face back into his chest, her nose slowly moving up to the crook of his neck.

He tensed slightly before focusing back on his task and slowly making his way towards the apartments.

The whole ride on the elevator, Darcy kept on commenting on his broad chest and "amazing" smell, making it harder on him than it already was.

When they finally arrived in front of her apartment the everwatching AI opened the door without him even uttering a word.

He nodded towards the ceiling as a thanks, making Darcy squirm slightly in his arms, mildly annoyed by not being able to snuggling into his neck, which she immediately did right after.

The ex-assassin stepped into the bedroom quietly and gently put the young woman onto her bed, tucking her under the blanket. He watched her for a few seconds before turning to go but her hand practically shot up to grasp his left arm.

Turning around, her sleepy eyes were focused on his.

"Stay with me?" She asked, her voice full of vulnerability.

Bucky watched her, not uttering a word. His mind going a hundred miles per hour.

"Please?" Her soft voice begged.

"Darce, I-"

"James…"

He sighed in defeat and felt himself move towards her.

She moved to the side making room for him on her bed before lifting up the blanket. Her blues eyes looked up to him innocently, waiting for him to lie down.

He sighed defeatedly and she saw joy sparkling in her eyes as he took off his shoes and slowly lied down next to her.

After putting the blanket over his body she snuggled back towards him. Her face burying inside the crook of his neck, her tiny hands placed gently onto his chest. Bucky took in a sharp breath, making the young woman look up at him.

"If you don't like to-" she pushed herself back slightly.

What had seemed to her like a rejection had been nothing but him trying to regain his self-control.

He caught her hand before she could push further away, making her eyes shoot up at him in surprise.

His hands moved onto her waist and he pulled her back into her original position.

Darcy sighed in relief as she buried her face back in his neck.

"You looked beautiful today, Darce." He whispered, not being able to stop the words from flowing out of his mouth. "You still look stunning."

“You gotta stop doing that.”

“What?”

“Saying things that makes me wanna kiss you.” She slurred the words,voice heavy with sleep.

Bucky blinked at her statement but before could even ask her what she meant by it he heard her steady breaths indicating she was fast asleep.

:-:-:-:-:-:

Darcy woke up alone.

No sign of a certain brown haired man nearby.

She huffed in exasperation before pushing her face into her pillow and screamed.

Oh what a fool she was.