Bloody Hands and Broken Minds Book 1

Part Four - Chapter 61

The first thing Bucky notices when he wakes up is the body laying halfway on top of him. Evelyn's head is on his chest, her arm draped over him, and her leg raised to rest on his lower half. Her breathing is soft and steady and she occasionally lets out small snores Bucky finds adorable. He smiles to himself and presses a gentle kiss to her hair as she sleeps.

He lets out a quiet sigh of annoyance, remembering Tony wants to adjust some things on his arm this morning. He lies with Eve for a few more minutes before slowly slipping out from under her. He stops immediately when she lets out a quiet whimper and pulls him tighter to her.

"It's okay doll." Bucky whispers as he once more continues to climb out of bed.

Once he's successful, he grabs his pillow and slides it halfway under her chest so she sleep won't be disturbed. He does the same with another pillow and puts it under her raised leg. When he's done he presses a kiss to her forehead. He walks slowly and carefully to his dresser and grabs a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before silently closing the drawer. He dresses without making a sound and slowly opens his bedroom door, sneaking out into the hallway before quietly closing the door behind him.

"Eve still sleeping?" Wanda asks as Bucky strolls into the kitchen.

"Yeah, she's pretty exhausted." Bucky replies as he pours himself a cup of coffee.

"Tony's looking for you by the way."

"I know, he's got some upgrades for my arm. I'll see you later." He smiles as he makes his way down to the lab.

"Took you long enough." Tony huffs when Bucky enters the lab.

"Yeah, yeah." Bucky waves him off as he takes a seat on the edge of the metal table.

"Prop your arm." Tony instructs as he places a cushioned stand under Bucky's metal arm. "This is gonna hurt for a second." Tony adds as he gathers a few tools.

"I know." Bucky sighs as he forces his metal arm to relax on the stand provided.

"Okay, here we go." Tony mutters as he pries open the panel on Bucky's arm and pokes around at the switches for a moment until he finds what he's looking for.

"Deactivating in three, two, one." Tony counts down and Bucky feels his arm detaching from the nerves, pausing the use of his arm.

The heavy appendage presses against the cushioned stand as the nerves go dead. A soft grimace comes from Bucky as he clenches his teeth for a second.

"That never gets any easier." He grits.

"Sorry." Tony apologizes as he begins to poke and prod at the arm.

"How long is this gonna take?" Bucky asks, anxious to get back to Evelyn.

"Shouldn't take that long, I'm just checking to make sure everything is in order and then update a few minor things so you have smoother control over the arm." Tony explains as Bucky nods his understanding.

"What you doing?" Evelyn asks tiredly as she walks into the lab with Alpine in her arms.

"Oh no, get that thing out of here! I don't need it shitting all over my lab." Tony exclaims at the sight of the cat.

"What are you doing up babydoll?" Bucky asks as she takes a seat next to him and leans her head against his shoulder.

"I can't sleep without you." She replies as a yawn passes her lips.

"If you're about to get all soppy then please do me a favor and wait till I'm done here so I can leave. I'd rather not bare witness to your disgusting romantics." Tony grimaces as a small chuckle leaves Evelyn's throat.