Bucky slowly stirred from his slumber, bright light shining through the window. He felt...peaceful...memories of the night before surfacing, a bittersweet mix of sorrow and contentment at the events that transpired. He felt something moving against his leg.
He cracked one eye open, unsure what he would find, and a small grin cracked his sleepy face.
Ray was asleep on the other end of the couch, lying on her stomach, face buried in the cushion, mouth hanging open, still fast asleep. One leg was tucked beneath her, the other stretched out, her small foot lying on his muscular leg, having escaped the blanket and trying to bury itself into the warmth behind his kneecap. Her curls were strewn about, and she was a mess. But to Bucky, the sight of her unguarded, surrendered to peace, was stunning. Sleeping Beauty, indeed.
Bucky shook himself out of his thoughts. Now was not the time...
His phone buzzed. "Crap." He reached toward the coffee table to grab it but Ray shifted and Bucky froze.
He didn't want to wake her. They'd been up late, as Bucky told her stories of Brooklyn and Steve and the war. At some point, she'd exclaimed that they should have tea or hot chocolate or something warm to sip while they talked. When Bucky'd asked her why, she replied that she didn't know but it felt right. So Bucky didn't argue, knowing it was probably related to a memory long lost, and he'd be damned if he stood in the way of anything that might help her remember herself. Bucky didn't have any tea or hot chocolate though, only coffee, which he'd explained would only keep them up. Insistent on a warm beverage, she'd had to settle for plain hot water with the promise of something better tomorrow.
Ray settled back down, still asleep, both legs now safely tucked back under her, covered by the blanket she'd stolen during the night. With her body no longer touching him, he could move more freely, but slowly as to not shift the couch too obviously as he moved his bulk to the floor. The phone had stopped buzzing, showing a missed call from Sam.
Bucky grabbed a piece of paper from his notebook, scribbled a note to Ray that he'd gone to the store, grabbed his jacket, and creeped out the front door. As he descended the stairs, he called Sam.
By the time he'd hit the stair landing on the floor below his, Sam had answered.
"Sleeping Beauty got you too distracted to answer the phone?"
"Hi Sam."
~<>~
Ray was seated on the floor beside the coffee table, files open before her. Her brows were furrowed, and she was completely lost in the pages.
"Hey! You're up."
Ray jumped at the sound of the door shutting.
"Sorry."
"No, no. It was-"
"I got you something."
"You did?"
"I promised, didn't I?" Bucky pulled the hot chocolate from behind the bags.
She smiled up at him, blushing as she grasped the warm cup between both hands. "You didn't have to..." She pulled the cup close to her body, trying to absorb the warmth.
"Doesn't the knight in shining armor always come through for the damsel in distress?"
She smirked. "Oh, is that what I am?"
YOU ARE READING
Death Where is Your Sting? - B. Barnes
Fanfiction"You told me you would help me." "That was a long time ago." "So is that a no? Because I could really use a hand right now. Or a suture kit." In which Bucky Barnes is reunited with someone he thought long dead and is asked to help her remember. Thei...
