Monster (A Bucky Barnes fanfiction)

Kat Oswald

I must've fell asleep on Bucky's couch because I wake up with a crick in my neck. I hear Bucky's soft snores coming from the other room and go to check on him. I tiptoe in his room, careful not to wake him up. He looks so peaceful for once, not bearing the weight of everything that's happened to him.

He stirs and I bolt, I don't want him to catch me watching him. I lie down on the couch and pretend I'm sleeping. Bucky pads into the kitchen and rummages through the cabinets for some food to eat.

"You're horrible at fake sleeping," he laughs.

I keep my eyes closed as he walks over and sits next to me on the couch. "I know fake sleeping when I see it," he pushes my hair back from my face.

I stir and turn over, hearing him laughing. "Come on, I'm not stupid," he gently flips me back over.

I open one eye at Bucky and see him grinning goofily at me. I can't help but smile; his big, goofy grin makes me so happy. I like seeing him happy and smiling.

"You should smile more," I reach up and touch his cheek.

He leans into my hand and I know I'm in trouble. Bucky wraps his arms around and pulls me in close, the warm flesh of his right arm warming me up while the metal of his left cools me down.

I hug him back and I don't think I've ever been happier or more content in my life. I realize how gooey and corny that is, but I just can't help it.

I feel ridiculous falling this hard and fast for someone I just met a few weeks ago. I pull away slowly and look into Bucky's deep blue eyes. He stares back into mine and I feel like he can see inside my soul.

I see everything he's bottled up and held in forever and the pain of knowing the things he's done. I also see something different, happiness. Bucky smiles down at me and wraps me up in a hug again.

"Are you ready to go back at it?" I ask, leaving his warm embrace.

"Go back at what? Sleeping?"

"Now you really sound like someone from this time," I laugh.

"Well I didn't know what you meant," he chuckles.

"I meant working out. That's basically the only thing to do around here other than planning missions."

"Are you going to wear that to train in?"

"Yep, I'm gonna wear jeans to work out in. Definitely. Sounds comfy," I reply sarcastically.

"Okay, well hurry up and get changed. The sooner we get started the sooner we're done."

Bucky and I part ways, him going to the cafe, and I go to my room to change. We meet up half an hour later in the training room. He challenges me to spar as soon as I set foot in the room.

"You're not allowed to use your arm. I'm still healing," I remind him.

"I have to use my arm. What am I supposed to do with it?" he questions.

"Take it off, put it behind your back, I don't know!"

Bucky scoffs, "Take it off. You think I can take this off?"

"I don't know! I don't know how it works!" I raise my voice.

"Okay, calm down. I'll try not to use it as much as I can," he compromises.

"Thank you, Mr. Barnes."

He nods and starts his attack. Bucky goes for my legs first, trying to get the easy pin. I bound out of the way milliseconds before he catches me. I take advantage of him being on the ground and I get him in a chokehold.