Shut up, Barnes.
“I didn’t even think, I just wanted that fuckin’ thing outta your arm before they found you again.” She was openly sobbing now as her hands fidgeted with the remaining strap and released it. “I’m sorry, we shoulda found another way to-“ Bucky sat up abruptly, shrugging off the straps and dragged her up with him. He wrapped his right arm around her and pressed her into his chest. “You were tryin' to help and you did. Thank you.” His nerves were raw and he craved her touch, but more, he wanted to soothe her. It was unnerving to see her in tears.
He felt tears on his skin as she ducked her head.. “I’ve done nothin’ but push ya since I found you. Push ya ta let me help, push ya ta this place an' that place, push ya into situations without thinkin’ of how it might affect ya. That’s all I know how ta do is push, push, PUSH.” He let out a breath and squeezed her again. “Shut up, Barnes.” She lifted her head, face red and tear streaked. She stared and was silent before whispering a single word. “What?” “That’s what you used to say me when I was being unreasonable. Shut up, Barnes.” A strangled laugh escaped her. “You remember that?” The smile he gave her was sad but he nodded.
She hung her head and stared down, not meeting his eyes. Shame filled her, she had wanted results and not been careful about how she got them. “He deserves more than my demanding ass tellin’ him what ta do, Just like those pricks that turned him into their puppet…” she told herself angrily. It was almost as if he could read her thoughts because his hold on her tightened again before he spoke. “Stop it, Anwyn. I’ve survived worse than all of this. You at least meant well.” She still didn’t look up, and he could hear her sniffle again.
Bucky felt the familiar prickle of his left arm where it connected to his body. Rocky had gotten done none too soon, the arm was functional again. He flexed it, testing it as a barely audible hum was generated by his hesitant movements. Deciding to take a chance, he shakily lifted her chin with his left hand. Her eyes were still downcast and he whispered her name, causing her to look at him. He slowly lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. He hoped to soothe her, convey his affection and show her that her worry was baseless. He was alright, and it was because of her.
Anwyn sat stunned, mesmerized by the pair of lips against her own. When was the last time someone had kissed her? How many nights had she lain awake thinking that she’d give up everything for a single kiss, a single touch from the man she had lost so suddenly and unfairly? This wasn’t actually happening, right?
Bucky pulled away, feeling a little defeated at her lack of response. “Way to fuck it all up man.” He thought. A thought that was silenced as Anwyn wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him back to her. Her lips were warm, hungry against his own. Greedy to taste more of him. If he died at that moment, James Buchanan Barnes would have died a happy man.
Fire hotter than anything this woman could conjure flooded his body and he pulled her into his lap, crushing her to his chest with both arms. Bucky nipped her lower lip and licked it, massaging her tongue with his own. Time stood still as they tried to devour one another through kisses, a chorus of soft sighs and moans echoing in the small, sealed room. Her fingers dug into his back and he growled into her mouth.
Bucky could feel her skin growing warmer under his fingers as his hands wandered her body. Heat that most would not have been able to withstand against their skin was a balm for him. She was the fire to melt the ice in his soul; warmth to soothe the chill that still haunted him from decades in cryofreeze. She was a burning beacon in the shadowy darkness of his memories. "God I love this woman...." The thought echoed in his head, every bit as loud to him as his heart pounding with his arousal.
He leaned her back against the stiff mattress under them and trailed kisses over her jaw and neck. Settled between her thighs, chest pressing to hers, he knew she could feel the evidence of his thoughts pressed against her and he didn’t care. His eyes met hers and words were unnecessary. Reflected in her eyes was the same affection, desire, and amazement he felt. He stroked her cheeks, his face hovering just above hers and rubbed his nose against hers. They shared breath for a few moments more before Anwyn pressed herself to him and captured his lips in another desperate kiss.
His hands trailed down her sides, slipping under the soft black t-shirt she was wearing to caress the skin beneath. She whimpered and all but melted at the touch, wrapping her arms up over his neck as he probed her mouth with his tongue. Her hips lifted to grind against his and Bucky almost lost all control of himself then. A metal hand reached down to grasp at her bottom and she wrapped a leg over his hips, giving him more access and pressing herself closer to him. They both panted as he ground his hardness into her though their clothes.
When Bucky finally forced himself to pull away from her, he was out of breath and his heart was pounding so fast he thought it might burst. He had to stop now or he was going to take her on that lumpy, stiff mattress in the cold lab....and if she'd have him again, that was not where he wanted to join her body with his. Anwyn stared back at him, soft wonder in her eyes and lips all rosy from his ministrations. Her fingers twisted in his hair as she brought her lips back to his skin, peppering his cheeks and jaw with kisses. “I guess you’re ok then?” His response was to bury his face into her hair. A soft sigh of contentment left him. He lifted himself off of her and rolled to his side, spooning her as he kissed her shoulder.
Laying curled together, nuzzling one another was how Eira found them after Rocky overrode Anwyn’s order to seal the lab. Eira crossed her arms and chuckled. “Some things never change. Ya try ta kill each other, then kiss an’ make up. Adorable.” Anwyn waved her off with an indignant sigh but her sister wasn’t having it; she strode over and jerked on the arm hanging off the bed.
“Huh uh. We fixed his problem, but you still have yours. Its been eight years since ya had a full series of injections, ya realize that? By all rights, ya shouldn’t be in good health or able to control your abilities AT ALL. You’re three years overdue, ya stubborn cow, an’ ya aren’t goin’ one more day. Get. Up.” Bucky peered down at Anwyn, concerned look on his face. With her eyes, she begged him not to start in on her as well and reluctantly sat up.
“Take him somewhere away from here for it then...Observatory, a movie, anything. This past couple of weeks has been hard enough on him.” Anwyn grumbled at her sister as she stood up. Bucky stood and started to protest but she dropped her fingers over his lips and looked at him with eyes full of affection and exhaustion. “Shut up, Barnes.” She let out a soft chuckle as he smiled against her fingers and shook his head. “I need ya ta trust me, just a bit longer. You don’t wanna see this Buck.”
He wrapped his hand around her fingers and held them to his lips, enjoying the warmth that poured off of her in waves. Anwyn leaned in and kissed his jaw, murmuring in his ear so soft he barely heard her. “Just a little more unpleasantness, then we can get ya settled in. Get ya a fresh start somehow.” Nervous excitement and worry roiled in his stomach at her words. A fresh start. It seemed too much for someone like him to hope for, but he believed her.