homecoming » bucky barnes AU

chapter twelve

The following morning Laecie woke up to the bedside cold. Her eyes opened lazily, her arm resting flat on the other side of her bed, the white sheets crumpled and slept in. She scrunched up her face, scanning her eyes over the room that was visible to her in her sideways position in bed. She sat up, no sign of James anywhere. The en suite bathroom door was wide open, no James there either. She crawled out of bed, stretching her tight limbs out and pulling a night shirt on herself to cover up her naked body.

She padded down the hallway, to the kitchen. The smell of coffee and toast wafted into her nostrils as she drew nearer, peeking around the corner into the kitchen to see James at the counter and her dad sat at the island reading the paper with his glasses perched on his nose. She walked out, smiling. Mark looked up.
"Good morning baby."
He said, smiling up at her from his paper. She smiled back, waving.
"Morning dad."

James looked over to her, still scraping butter over some toast. He was in one of Laecie's blue tshirts and a pair of grey swim shorts which he must have brought along. He smiled goofily at her.
"Morning, James."
She said softly. She walked over to him, placing a kiss on his cheek as he looked down again to the toast. Her father looked up through his glasses, raising a brow.
"I was wondering.."
He mumbled to himself, as if he had finally put the pieces together. Laecie offered him a slightly embarrassed smile before sitting opposite him. James walked over placing the plate of toast in the middle of the table, sitting beside Laecie.

"Thank you, James."
Mark said, not looking up from his paper and taking a slice.
"No sweat, Mr. David."

James placed his hand on the seat behind Laecie's bum comfortingly. She looked at him, admiring his face as he looked quizzically at the toast, deciding which piece he liked the look of best.

"So,"
Mark began, still looking at his paper.
"How was last night?"

James stopped dead, his face drained of blood, wide eyes staring up at Mark. Laecie chuckled, knowing he simply meant when everyone was over.

"It was fun, everyone was really chilled out."
Laecie said, standing up to get herself some water. James slowly began to chew again, how brows furrowed and trying to understand the miscommunication.

"Hmm.. did anyone else stay? Should I be running into any other young people this morning before work?"
Mark asked sarcastically. Laecie rolled her eyes and scoffed.
"No, just James last night. I didn't like him drinking and driving."

James just kept quiet, pretending to focus on eating to avoid any further questions. Suddenly, Mark shook his paper and folded it over, placing it on the island.
"Wise. We wouldn't want to lose you, James. That pool has been in great nick since you came into the picture."
He stood up, smiling at James, who just smiled and nodded in thanks, avoiding replying due to the doughy mouthful of toast in his cheeks.

"I'll be off. I'll see you later darling."
Mark said, walking toward Laecie and placing a kiss to her forehead.
"Thank you for the coffee, James."
He nodded over to the boy, who replied this time.
"Anytime, sir."

With that, Mark disappeared out the front door onto the sunny roads.

Laecie turned around and leaned her back on the countertop, sipping her water and smirking playfully at James. He swivelled in his chair, looking at her contently.

"Did you have fun?"
He asked, his eyes piercing into hers, big and curious like a baby. She sipped from her glass again.
"It was amazing."
She replied simply. James lips tugged themselves to a slight grin, almost not even there, as if there were a ghost on his face trying to yank at his mouth.

"I'll have to agree.."
He whispered, standing up and walking toward her now. He placed a hand on her waist, the other resting on the counter behind her.
"excited to do it again."