request: can you do a headcanon of bringing alpine home and bucky is not happy about it but he ends up loving that cat with everything in him?
pairing: bucky barnes x fem!reader
word count: 530
warnings: fluff, bucky pretends he doesn't like alpine, pet name (doll)
note: whoops i missed this was supposed to be a head canon, but a blurb's just as good 😅
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Bucky had a strict "no pet" policy. He just wasn't an animal guy, he said. But you thought that was complete and utter bullshit. The man melted when Sarah got AJ and Cass a dog. He loved playing with the kitties at the local florist whenever he'd pick you up a bouquet. Hell, he even loved talking to birds (but he'd insist to Sam that birds are objectively the worst animal). Bucky Barnes was an animal person, even if he refused to admit it.
Besides, he'd definitely like this kitty.
Alpine, as the shelter had named her, was the absolute sweetest kitty. You had gone in with no intent on adopting, just wanting to play with some of the animals they had. It was a good stress relief for you, and it was a lot of fun for the sweet fur babies. But when the little white fluff ball kept crawling into your lap, purring contently as you pet her, you knew she'd already won over your heart.
Now, she just had to win over Bucky's.
And you had perfect plan on how to do it.
"What's that?" he grumbled, his eyes narrowing at the kitty.
"This is Alpine, and she's gonna be your best friend," you said, holding her up to Bucky. She let out a quiet meow as she tried to wriggle out of your hands and into Bucky's arms. "She already likes you. Which means she's got good taste."
"I said no pets, doll," he said.
"And Alpine isn't a pet. She's a friend. If anything, she's more like a daughter."
"Doll..."
You pouted. "Just give it a shot, please?"
"...fine."
"Oh, and don't forget, I'm gonna be outta town for Nat's bachelorette party this weekend, so you and Alpine will have plenty of time to bond!"
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When you got back Sunday evening, you were fully expecting to see Bucky still pouting about your new baby. You never expected to see what you walked into.
The entire apartment was decked out in cat toys and cat trees, and everything cat themed. You almost wondered if Bucky had become a crazy cat lady while you were gone. He must've bought every single thing Alpine could've ever wanted from the pet store. The kitty was being treated like a goddamn princess.
And Bucky himself? He'd gotten a custom sweatshirt that read "Ask Me About My Cat" with a little white kitty in the likeness of Alpine embroidered just below the words.
"Well, well, well," you said, crossing your arms and staring down at him as he cradled Alpine in his arms. "What do we have here?"
"I'm just cuddling my baby, doll," he said.
"And here I thought you didn't like cats."
"Now where'd you get an idea like that from?" he teased. "I've always liked cats. You know that, doll."
"Sure, I'll pretend I believe that," you said. "Now tell Alpine to move over. She's been spoiled enough with your lovin'. It's my turn now."
"No need to fight doll, there's plenty of Bucky lovin' to go around!" he laughed, opening his arms and letting you curl into his side. "I love you."
