𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘔𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵

01. First Meeting

(A/N: Originally posted on AO3. Peter is 17 which is the legal age of consent in NY, but just letting you guys know beforehand. Bucky's physical age is around early mid twenties.)

*****

Peter had his head down, his soft brown curls flopping over his forehead as he worked away on his web-shooters, music echoing in the background. Mr. Stark had gone off somewhere a few minutes ago, so Peter took the opportunity to quickly fix them up, and restock his web fluid.

How he broke them in the first place is a long story. But if he had to explain himself, well- let's just say that a certain weapons dealer wasn't a very happy bunny when Peter intercepted his little midnight meeting.

The man had open fired; and Peter managed to dodge all the bullets however when he jumped off the side of the building, he wasn't quick enough to realise that one of his buddies were hiding in the shadows. His web got cut, and to avoid becoming a spider splattered on the sidewalk he had to shoot another web to hoist himself up... into a brick wall.

So, yes. Peter had face-planted into the side of the building, damaging his web-shooters in the process. Not his proudest moment. But hey, at least he didn't make a spectacle of himself by transforming into meat paste. He just hopes that no one was around to record it, because the last thing Peter wants is another video added to the famous 'Spidey Fails' compilation on youtube.

Just as he was about to test the spinnerets, Peter's senses prickled and he whisked his head around, shoving the web-shooters under the table while doing so. Peter looked ahead, expecting to see Tony... only, it wasn't Tony who had walked into the lab.

It was the goddamn Winter Soldier.

Who was staring at him.

Oh, shit.

They gazed at each other for a hot minute, and Peter felt as if all the energy had been sucked out of the room. He gulped nervously, blinking his eyes.

Peter has been Tony Stark's personal intern for a few months now, and he'd yet to see the rest of the Avengers- which, is pretty impressive actually. He never thought he'd be able to avoid them for this long, but considering his position, a meeting was bound to happen at some point.

The man is quite tall, almost looming over Peter with his muscular physique. He seems freshly shaven, with wavy brown hair that barely skims the top of his broad shoulders, and Peter is definitely picking up some... weird vibes. The boy didn't expect the Winter Soldier to be so... he can't word it. Sort of like a Greek God in the flesh? Even more handsome in person than he looked in photos and videos?

He's heard a lot about him in particular, from a few conversations around the Tower (which he unintentionally eavesdropped on, stupid enhanced hearing). How after he had safely recovered in Wakanda and, with the aid of Tony's Retro Framing tech, got the last of Hydra's programming removed. All the information that was revealed to the public regarding him was that he was no longer a threat, and instead a victim that should be integrated back into society.

Any misunderstandings against him were cleared up, too. After a long and lengthy discussion with multiple different higher-ups, they approved of Barnes' decision to join the Avengers Initiative, and so before long he had made a place for himself within the super secret boy band, under the code names 'White Wolf' and 'Winter Soldier'.

His metal arm almost has this pretty iridescent sheen to it as it shimmered underneath the fluorescent lab lights, a halo reflected into the steel blue eyes that were still staring at him wonderingly from across the room. The man was wearing comfy black sweats, that didn't do anything at all to hide the glorious outline of his muscular thighs and the neckline of his grey t-shirt was just low enough for Peter to peek at his prominent collarbones.

Okay, wow. Peter always knew that he might be into guys, but this—this just confirmed it. Definitely the icing on the cake. Great job, Peter, way to go. He's sure the 90-something-year-old war veteran would absolutely love to have a random teenage boy eye-fucking him. Lovely.

Control your hormones, idiot.

Peter rubbed his nose with his sleeve, forgetting that he had stained it in motor oil earlier—so he'd accidentally smudged the substance all over his face. The older man's previously blank expression changed, and suddenly his lips quirked up into a smile so minuscule you'd fail to realise it was even there.

"You got a little somethin' right there." The man spoke up with a light Brooklyn lilt, that had no right to be as attractive as it was, and pointed to his nose, and Peter tilted his head to the side adorably, cheeks blushing upon realising what he meant.

"O-oh!" Peter tried to rub the stain off, but completely missed. Instead, he just made it worse.

Bucky couldn't help himself, and let out a noise that sounded extremely familiar to a snort. God, he'd never seen this boy before, but he was so cute. His hair was a messy waterfall of fluffy curls, with tinted rosy cheeks and bambi-like eyes, and he reminded Bucky of an innocent puppy. Or a kitten, even.

Seeing Bucky still standing there while he scrubbed away at his face, Peter pouted, thinking that he's most definitely making a fool of himself and screwing up his first impression. Dammit Parker, just his luck.

Bucky could no longer just watch. "Need some help?" he asked, and Peter swore that his voice was tinged in amusement.

Giving up, Peter flopped his arms back down into his lap, looking up at the older man pathetically. "...Please?"

The super soldier walked closer and picked up some tissues from the cluttered table, sitting down in the empty seat across from the boy, bringing his hand up to Peter's face. Peter sat very still, blushing as Bucky gently wiped away the grime. Once he was done, the older man threw the dirty tissue into the bin behind him without looking and he remained sitting in the seat, which Peter only now realised was very close to him.

Peter felt lightheaded.

"...Um. Hi." He said, awkwardly, immediately wanting to facepalm. "I'm, I'm Peter. Peter Parker. Ah, I'm Mr. Stark's personal intern, if you're wondering why I'm here."

Bucky actually smiled, properly this time, leaning his flesh arm against the table. "Hi there, Peter. I'm James Barnes."

He held out his hand, and Peter tentatively shook it, the warmth of the Bucky's palm still lingering on his skin as he pulled away.

Peter gulped nervously, eyes flickering back and forth from Bucky's eyes and the floor. Dammit, why was he so flustered? "It's... n-nice to meet you...thank you for helping me." He laughed, scratching the back of his head. This was so embarrassing.

"Good to meet ya' too. And it was no problem."

There's a tense silence, and Peter almost forgot how to breathe.

"So, uhhh... why are you here?" Peter asked, then quickly tried to explain himself, "N-not that you shouldn't be, or anything, because you are totally allowed to be here, but I was only just wondering-"

"Easy there, doll," Bucky- no, James said, and Peter felt his cheeks burning. "I was just looking for Stark. Any idea where he's run off to?"

"Umm, I think he mentioned something about a meeting?"

"Oh..." James glanced off to the side, seemingly thinking about something. But then, he stood up, sighing. "I'll come back later, then. Thanks, Peter." James turned around to leave, but not before quickly ruffling Peter's hair.

The doors to the lab closed up as James' figure disappeared behind them, and Peter nearly choked on his breath. Well. The man was definitely not what he expected, if he expected anything at all. And...

...Did he just ruffle his hair?