Mine (Bucky Barnes)

Thirty-Four

First and foremost - 10,000 views/reads?!? Thank you so much!!!!!

Second, there is a bit of a heavier conversation near the beginning of the chapter. However, it brightens up as the "kids" are introduced! You get to meet the new personalities! We'll get some more spice in the next chapter, I promise. I hope you all like it and don't forget to vote! <3 Artie

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The night passed uneventfully. Tony perched himself in the lab, tinkering with things and Shuri shouted at him to not touch. When he didn't show up for dinner, Pepper let out a heavy sigh, made up a plate for him, and stated she was going to bed early. The royals kept to themselves for the evening, while Sam, Steve, and Natasha declared a movie night, which Mirjana and Bucky didn't join. They weren't used to having so many people around them all the time and longed for a night alone.

Sam joked that all they did was sleep all day.

He wasn't really wrong. Bucky didn't sleep much, but he did cuddle Mirjana and write in his journal about any new memories that appeared throughout the day.

After a quiet breakfast, Sam was ready to start cracking jokes. "Now that you're full, do you need your mid-morning nap?"

Bucky glared, but Mirjana chuckled. "I'm feeling a bit restless today. I slept so much yesterday that I'm itching to walk around some."

"You mean waddle?"

Natasha smacked the back of Sam's head. A groggy Shuri stumbled into the room.

"Did you sleep at all?" T'challa asked.

"I had to make sure Stark didn't ruin anything," she grumbled. She didn't bother with a plate and instead began nibbling on toast between chugging some coffee.

Pepper sighed, something she seemed to do often whenever her husband was involved. "He never came to bed, so I assumed he'd fallen asleep in the lab. Wouldn't be the first time."

"If only he had slept," one of the Dora Milaje moaned. The normally stoic, stock-straight warrior was leaning heavily on her spear. T'challa nodded at her and two others led her away.

"Make sure she sleeps, Okoye," he ordered.

"Of course." The other beautiful warrior followed the other guards out of the room, her signature red uniform whipping out as she turned the corner.

Steve cleared his throat, turning towards the tired princess. "Are you sure you're up to testing your tech on Bucky's mind today?"

She scoffed, smearing more jam on a fourth piece of toast. "I can do this in my sleep."

"Why don't you rest while the doctor gives Miss Ilić her exam?" Ramonda suggested.

Shuri shrugged. "Sure. But I'm telling you, I don't need it."

"We have complete faith in your abilities. It would give our guests a better peace of mind if you slept for at least an hour," T'challa argued.

"Fine, fine. Wake me up as soon as they appointment is over." With the toast in her mouth and a cup of hot coffee, she moseyed out of the dining room.

"The doctor is ready when you are," Ororo said to Mirjana. The pregnant woman nodded and rose from her seat.

Well, she tried to but plopped back into her seat when a bout of lightheadedness struck. Bucky had to help her stand, keeping his hand on her lower back as they walked to the lab, following Ayo. They weren't sure when their guard had slept, but she was there when they went to bed and remained there when they woke.