The Blue Siren and the Winter Soldier | Bucky Barnes x OC

Part 6

I woke up a bit sore, with an arm wrapped around me. I turned over to see Bucky, still asleep, his face nestled in my neck. I lightly shook him awake. We were still on the beach, to my surprise, and the sky was turning a light blue despite the thick layer of clouds under it. We sat up and laughed, shocked we'd actually stayed the night on a secluded rocky beach.

"You want to grab breakfast?" Bucky asked as he put on his jacket.

"I'd love to," I responded, "But I want to go back to my apartment first. I need to wash this sand off me." I rubbed my legs, shaking off the grain.

"Fair enough."

We walked back to my apartment, early morning joggers passing us by. Shops and cafes began to open their doors. Slowly, the city was coming alive. Bucky and I chatted along the way, about nothing and everything, his arm around me and my hand in his back pocket. It was weird, I'll admit, to be in a relationship like this again. Not to mention that my boyfriend was an Avenger. Boyfriend. God, was it strange to hear that word. I didn't dislike it. It was just...different. For me, at least.  

Back at my apartment, I promptly showered, rinsing the salt water and sand from my body.  Bucky took one after me.  I put on a dark orange sweater and black leggings.  While he was in the bathroom, I got myself a glass of water and retreated back to my room. I sat criss-crossed on the bed and gulped down my drink. As I placed the empty glass on the nightstand, Bucky walked in, shirtless, drying his hair with a towel. He smiled at me and my eyes glazed over his body.  He was extremely fit.  His chest muscles and shoulders shined with moisture, emphasizing each aspect of his body.  

"Feeling better?" He asked, noticing my staring.

I tilted my head, "A little."

I giggled as he threw the towel down on the floor and climbed on top of me. I kissed him, his hands trailing my body as mine threading through his hair.  His lips moved from mine to my neck and chest.  "How are you so intoxicating?" He whispered to me.  

My heart skipped a beat as Bucky said those words.  I was enthralled by him.  The more time I spent with him the more I never wanted to let him go.  Above all else, he accepted me for who I was.  I felt so safe with him, and I hope him with me.  I cupped his face in my hand and stroked his cheek with my thumb, feeling his 5 o'clock shadow against my fingers.  I kissed him again, deciding to let my actions do the talking.

After we'd finished, Bucky and I curled up together, with his right arm wrapped around me.  My head laid against his bare chest, which rose and fell in such a rhythm that nearly made me fall asleep.  I traced the metal on his left shoulder, lightly dragging my fingers along the scars.   I felt the contrast of his hot skin against the cool Vibranium.  "Did it hurt?" I asked.

"Hmm?" He replied while gently rubbing my own shoulder.

"When you got the arm.  Did it hurt?" 

Bucky was quiet for a second, as if collecting his thoughts.  He finally sighed and said, "At first.  Hydra didn't really care if I was in pain during my imprisonment.  At some point I just...stopped caring too.  I haven't felt anything in decades, though." Bucky looked at his Vibranium arm.  He squeezed his hand closed and then opened it again.  

I took his hand in mine and turned it so his palm was facing up. I placed my fingers over his, feeling the ridges of the metalwork along my fingertips.  I concentrated, moving my hand up his wrist, to his forearm, back down to his fingers. 

He looked at me, his eyes wide, "How are you doing that?" Even though his arm was made of metal, for a short moment, I could make him feel my touch as if it were skin.  Magic was as much a gentle thing as it was destructive and volatile, and I felt it important to be able to master both areas.  I smiled, happy to see him enjoying this little enchantment.  "I'm always so afraid of hurting you," He said as our fingers intertwined, "That I won't be able to control myself...control this thing that's a part of me..."  It was rare that he'd open up to me like this.  I thought of the nights where he'd wake up in a cold sweat next to me.  I would see the fear in his eyes, plagued by whatever he saw in his nightmares.  I felt that same sincerity and fear in that moment.