Open Wounds - A Bucky Barnes Soulmate AU

Chapter Eleven

Bucky arrived on your floor exactly five minutes before eight. Clint sat on the sofa drinking a cup of coffee. He glanced over when he heard the elevator. "Barnes. What can I do for you?"

Bucky's face heated and he rubbed the back of his neck. "Breakfast plans. I'm supposed to pick her up at eight."

Clint frowned and put his mug on the table before standing. He licked his lips as he looked from Bucky over to the bedrooms and back again. "She's not up yet. She had a bad night so I let her sleep."

Bucky's heart sank. "How bad was it?"

"She's had worse, but she's certainly had better."

That didn't really tell him much of anything. He should go and just let you sleep but he was oddly reluctant to do so.

"I'll get her up." Clint headed toward his room and disappeared behind the door before Bucky could stop him.

His brow furrowed. Why were you in Clint's room instead of your own? Had your dreams been that bad? He'd spent more than one night on Steve's floor for the same reason. What a pair the two of you made.

The archer was laughing as he stepped out of his room with you right on his heels. You tossed a quick wave at Bucky. "I'm sorry. I'll be right with you." And then you ducked into your own room, shutting the door behind you.

"She's fast. She'll be right out." Clint resumed drinking his coffee.

Bucky licked his lips and shifted his weight as he thought about the pale expanse of leg he'd gotten a glimpse of as you'd darted from Clint's room to your own. He'd never been much of a leg man before but he was a fan of pretty much everything when it came to you.

True to Clint's prediction, you were back in the common area in less than ten minutes. You looked amazing. "Let's go, Barnes. I'm tired of waiting on you."

The corner of his mouth curled up as he followed you onto the elevator. "Sorry I kept you waiting, sweetheart. That was rude of me."

***

You nudged him with your elbow and grinned as you headed for the lobby. The diner was within walking distance so you headed out on foot. Comfortable silence stretched between the two of you while you walked. Both of you were content to simply take in the morning air and enjoy the other's company.

When you arrived at the diner, Bucky opened the door for you. You selected a booth in the back corner and a waitress appeared a moment later with menus and water. You nodded in thanks but set the menu aside. You already knew what you wanted. Bucky did the same and you exchanged a smile.

You waited to start talking until the waitress returned and took your order for coffee and food before disappearing again. "So, Barnes, whatever shall we talk about?"

He smirked and leaned back in his seat. "I guess it doesn't matter since we know almost nothing about each other. What do you want to talk about?"

You hummed in thought. "Favorite color?"

"Dark blue."

"Favorite song?"

"Stormy Weather. Lena Horne."

"I like Billie Holiday's version better."

He gave you a look of disbelief and shook his head while the waitress poured your coffee.

"Agree to disagree. The first Christmas you remember."

"I still have gaps you know but I think I was five or six. We didn't have a lot of extra money but we were better off than Steve and his mom. It didn't matter to us, we were kids, but my mom...she always invited him to stay for supper. Gave him my hand-me-downs even if I hadn't quite outgrown them yet. Anyway, that Christmas I got Steve some penny candy. It wasn't much but you would have thought I gave him a million bucks. What about you?"