Summer's End - Bucky and Mel Universe 1

I Get Knocked Down and I Get Up Again

Mel's watch buzzed, oh shit.
She had slept all night, on the roof, with Mr. GQ next to her. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Ok, calm down. Get yourself together.
She gently extracted herself from his embrace, she hated herself from doing that. He was adorable all sleepy like that. She smoothed his hair and gently kissed his cheek. She went downstairs, quickly got herself together. Made some breakfast and brought it up on a tray for him. He was still asleep. If she stayed any longer she would be late for work. There was so much to do today with the costume contest tomorrow. She couldn't take the day off, if it wasn't for that, she would have.
She wrote a note: James, Didn't want to wake you, you look so peaceful. Enjoy breakfast, here is a fob to the door if you want to freshen up before you leave. Text me? XO Mel.
That would have to do.
A half hour later, he woke up. James was honestly disappointed to see that she wasn't there anymore. His arms ached for her. He saw that she had left breakfast on a tray with coffee and read the note. She had made crepes with ham and cheese. They were delicious. Good looking and can cook. He did take her up on freshening up. James wanted to find out what kind of shampoos and soaps she used to have ready for her when she would stay over. Yes, when. It was going to happen. After finishing breakfast, he took the tray down and washed the dishes. Then headed to the bathroom. She had a soaking tub and one of those showers you would see in a resort. The type with steam and multi directional and multi heads that you could adjust to any height. He noticed she put out fresh towels, a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and comb for him. He put the towels on the towel heater and started it up. Then proceeded to strip and take a shower. He smelled everything in there but no ginger. Hmm. The shower did smell like her, but the products didn't.
After showering, he put all the different shower heads back to the same heights as best he could remember. He toweled off and redressed. He threw everything in the hamper. He checked items on her dressing table, nothing smelled like ginger there. This was going to drive him up the wall. Before he left, she had left a note on the back of the door. "Check the fridge, there is lunch there if you need it." There was an Italian sub, cheesecake, apple, and carrot sticks. He took it definitely grateful for it since he wouldn't have time to swing by home before heading into the compound.
He took the stairs down. When he reached the street level he began to text her.
Hey darling, had a wonderful night. Want to do it again. Didn't expect breakfast and lunch. You're the best. XO James.
A ping came back almost immediately. You're welcome, looking forward to more. Kind of slammed today with classes, are you stopping by after school? I'll give the office a heads up.
Why not, he thought. Yeah, no problem, anything for you.
Great, see you then XO.
As if by clockwork, his phone pinged again. He expected it to be Mel, it was Sam instead.
Hey, Bucky, how did yesterday go?
Gentlemen don't kiss and tell.
Sam texted something back but Bucky ignored it. Wanted to have the day to himself. He had some things to do in the office. He was grateful for the lunch and powered through the work because he wanted to spend time with Mel that evening and help out at school.
The day seemed to drag until he notice that it was time for him to leave. When he got to Haven Institute, he did have a lot of paperwork to fill out, they even photographed him and finger printed him. They were a little puzzled by what to do with his left hand, but they printed it anyway. The principal did come out to greet him.
"I'm principal Abernathy, welcome to Have Institute Mr., oh I see Sergeant Barnes. I was in the service myself, navy." Principal Abernathy began.
"Oh really, see any action?"
"Luckily no, but it did make it possible for me to get to where I am today." Abernathy began, "Now, our school is special. Our students are very unique and have different abilities which we serve. I am hoping you can respect that."
"Yes, sir, Ms. Cymraeg thought I could be of some help with getting items ready for the contest for tomorrow."
"Yes, there are still a few things to get ready for tomorrow, I am sure she will appreciate the help. The students love her and do as much as possible, however some things she needs help from adults for." The two were walking towards the auditorium which the students were decorating. For students they did a fantastic job so far, it looked like professionals were here. Some of the students stopped what they were doing and started whispering to one another. "That's Bucky Barnes... the Winter Soldier ... It's one of the Avengers .... It's Captain America's friend ...." They were all overlapping at the same time. Mel was on a very tall ladder helping hang a sign. The energy from the children's thoughts was invading her mind. To the point, where she lost her footing on the ladder and fell. James pushed people out of the way and caught her.
"Wow, he really is a hero, Ms. Cymraeg." One of her students said clearly astonished.
"As corny as it sounds, my hero," she said giving him a quick peck on the cheek as he placed her on the ground.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes, of course."
One of the kids came up to her and said, "See Ms. Cymraeg, I told you someone would catch you today."
"Ok, Billy, can you co help Lucinda with the balloon arch for me?" He gladly hopped away to help out.
"Thanks again."
"Are you sure you are ok?"
"Yes," she smoothed out her clothes.
"What did Billy mean?"
"The kids here are special, not enhanced, but they do have abilities on various levels. Billy can sometimes see the future. The Haven Institute is really that a haven. We help them and their families adjust and learn how to use their abilities. Most of the teachers here also have abilities or have family members who do as well." She said it really matter of factly. "Take a closer look at the kids."
He stopped for a moment, what he thought were some of the kids trying on makeup and costumes for the party tomorrow, really wasn't. This is what they actually looked like.
"Are you going to be ok with this? It is a huge part of my life. I was a student here after I left the orphanage. My parents helped start the school before they found me. When a position open, I jumped at it."
To say something negative about this place would be an attack on her. He didn't want that, he was worried that so much power with those so young would be used wrongly. The feeling he got though, was the kids were safe as long as those like Mel were there to fight to keep them safe.
"These kids wouldn't be able to go to a normal school, they would be harassed or something would cause one of their abilities to come out and possibly hurt someone. We have techniques to ensure that doesn't happen. They are my family, because I am to them, they will treat you as much as me."
James helped set up signs, tables, chairs, a few games for the next night. The place looked great. The kids were all eager to help him set things up. A lot asked questions because they were curious about his arm. Mel stood back and smiled, it warmed her heart to see how the kids were taking up with him. Her phone rang it was Matt. She answered it and asked him to hold on for a second.
"James, I have to take this call. Enola, can you help Mr. Barnes with the kids?"
"Yes, mam," Enola said. She was smitten with James.
"Hi Matt, what's up..." Mel began.
"I was at your apartment last night, you know sleeping on the roof is bad for your health."
"Oh, um, I was safe and careful."
"What would Eric say?" Matt asked, knowing that this would get to her.
"Weren't you the one who said Eric would have wanted me to move on?" She used his own words against him.
"There is moving on and mooooving on," was his rebuttal.
"Really counselor, that is your response. Look Matt, I know you are there for me, I am there for you when you need it. I love you..."
"That's just it, I love you,"Matt shouted. Then the line went all but quiet.
"Matt, I can't think of you that way, not after everything both of us has been through." She barely finished the last word and he hung up.
Mel straightened up and pinched th her nose between her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. She looked around and all that needed to be done to the auditorium was a little tidying up.
"Well guys, this place looks outstanding for another year. You have all worked really hard on everything and I am so proud of you."
The kids allow said words of thanks to her.
"Thank you Mr. Barnes for helping us," before she had finished there was a chorus of "Thank you Mr. Barnes." She bumped her hip against him.
"Ok, guys go home, put the finishing touches on your costumes and we will see who will win for all the different categories tomorrow night!" A wave of cheers washed over them.
"Hey, thanks for putting up with them. I know they can be kind of chatty around new people."
"They were great, sweet kids. Are you coming tomorrow night?"James asked as they walked towards the door, his arm snaked across her back. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah, just got a call from a friend of mine that pissed me off a bit."
"What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing much, laundry..."
"Ok, that settles it, you are coming with me then."
"James, I don't want to take up so much of your time, you need time for you."
"No, I think this will do both of us some good. Have you ever been on a motorcycle."
"No, why?"
"Ok, I get another first with you, give me a second first."
"Ok, I have to get a few things from my classroom before we go."
James took out his phone. "Sam, is the resource room open?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Just need to burn off some steam is all. Book it for me for the evening."
"Ok, don't kill yourself."
"Not a problem."
Mel came down the stairway leading up from her classroom. She had a leather jacket, perfect James thought. She still had sadness behind her eyes even though she wore the mask of a smile.
"So where are we off to?"
"It's a surprise."
They walked out to his bike. "Ok, helmet on, safety first. Just hold on to my waist. Feel the movement of the bike and go with it. When we go left lean right, and vice versa."
"Ok."
She didn't expect so much vibration through the bike, no wonder so many people loved riding them. The wind blowing past them was like flying through water. She enjoyed how the air flowed over their bodies.
"Having fun?"
"I'm loving it, can you go faster."
"Whatever the lady requests."
He gunned it, the front wheel popped up and she held on harder. James gave a quiet chuckle as she wrapped her arms around him more and giggled. They came up the back of the training facility. This way she would never know they were entering an Avenger compound.
They walked through several hallways until they came to the changing rooms.
"Go in there, there are clothes to change into. The clothes you are wearing won't do. Don't put shoes or socks on. When finished go out the other door inside." He pecked her on the lips, a boyish grin on his face and a twinkle was in his eye. He ran into his changing room before she could say anything.
Ok, Mel, she thought. Just go with it. Just get out of your own head and go with it.
She changed, as she smoothed over the tank top, she was happy to see it covered her scars. She grimaced as she was doing it though. Those scars have always been a part of her life as far as she knew. She took a deep breath and exited as told.
The room she entered had padding on the floor and a punching bag there. There were sparring pads. What did he have in mind? As she walked in, she finished taking her hair putting it in a high ponytail, then turning it in to a bun.
"Hey, sweetness." She said giving a goofy grin. "This is what you wanted to show me an empty room?"
"No, I think you needed a session of blowing off some steam."
"Steam?"
"Yeah, you put all that work in at school, then you got that phone call. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No really," she said.
"Ok, I feel better when I am able to take some aggression out on something. Let's start with the bag."
They walked over the bag, yes, it really was something she needed.
"Ok, I want you to hit it as hard as you can."
"Hit it, as hard as I can?"
"Yep."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, now get on with it."
"Ok?"
She hit is alright, but not as hard as she could.
"No, no, like this."
He stood behind her, putting his right arm beside hers. "When I move, you move, ok?"
"Alright."
He hit the bag, definitely not as hard as he could, he didn't want to scare her. Now the other.
"Like this?"
"Yes, like this." They did a combination of the two.
"Great, now try it on your own."
She did, with great follow through.
"Ok, now we will add some kicks." Again, he stood behind her, "So when you go to kick, turn your body like this..." he gripped her waist gently and caused her to turn. She then kicked the bag.
"Like this?" She looked at him wide eyed. Then did some kicks by herself. Looking big eyed at him, he had a goofy smile on his face. She wasn't sure if he was proud of her or making fun of her. He used the bag with her for some more training exercises then brought her over to the center of the room putting on the sparring pads on his hands.
"Ok, let's see how you do against a moving target. I want you to hit this pad, I'm going to push back against it. So don't be afraid."
"Ok."
She hit the pads a few times.
"I feel silly."
"Well, are you angry any more?"
"Not really, just silly."
"This will be good for you, it helps you blow off steam, it's good exercise, it will allow you to protect yourself when I am not around." That did it. She did not need someone's protection. Liked it yes, but need it, no.
With that she unleashed herself. She started kicking and hitting.
"Good, good," his eyes got bigger as she hit hard this time. It pushed him a bit back. Then she went at him full force, using a combination of kicks, hits, jabs, and blocks he did not show her. Until finally, she kicked him square in the chest, sending him across the room. She ran over and pinned him underneath her.
"Ummm, you've done this before..." he began. She was breathing heavily.
"Maybe." She planted a kiss on his lips as she held down his hands with her own. He flipped her over and pinned her instead.
She struggled at first then, saw the look in his eyes and surrendered. He started to tease her with his kisses, about to give one and then withdrew back quickly. A moan escaped her lips. He grabbed the bottom of her tank top with his teeth and slowly drew it up, skimming her stomach with his bottom lip, leaving the bottom of the clothing on top of her bust. She arched towards him as he kissed her stomach and naval.
They heard a cough.
James, jumped off her right away and they both stood up, she fixing her top and smoothing her hair. Him adjusting his pants and looking away at the intruder.
"Hi, I'm Sam. I had to see who was taking up so much of Bucky's time."
"Bucky?"
"A nickname. Don't worry about it." James said. A blush was clear across Mel's face. Sam walked forward holding out his hand. She took it and shook it.
"Thanks, James, I feel so much better. Do you mind if I go change while you two talk? I have to get home for school tomorrow."
"A teacher, nice." Sam said.
As Mel walked past Sam, James elbowed Sam in the side. As she walked passed them, her hips were swinging almost cat like.
She headed into the locker room, showered and changed. She put her hair back up into a bun. When she exited, James was waiting for her a boyish grin was on his face.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing," he brought her in for a hug, again ginger. He kissed her hard, she felt butterflies come up and out of her. Why did he always take her breath away.
"So Bucky?" She asked.
"I'll explain, it is a long story."
He dropped her off at her apartment and walked her to her door. She was stalling, he could see the gears turning in her head. He brought her in again for a long slow kiss and could feel her nipples pebble through her sweater. Her heart was pumping so loudly inside of her, she was sure he could feel it on his chest.
"So tomorrow...."
"I have to chaperone the dance." She looked a little sad.
"I'm going to escort you."
"You are going to be totally bored out of your skull for four hours." She said.
"Then we are going out to eat."
"It's going to be kind of late when we get back...."
"I don't care, we could go back to my place..." he was dragging his thumb over her lips.
"Teachers get dressed up for it as well, I am not sure if my costume would be appropriate for your place..."
"Well, come back here and grab a bag. Ok?" Without giving her a second to think, he kissed her and slid his tongue in. God if he could devour her, he would.
"Ok," it was a whisper.