An unconventional trio

"Who taught you the word vibe?"

Nova's POV:

Bucky wanted to get an early start today. He was up by 6 a.m., already packing up our things and getting the car ready. I barely registered him moving around, only catching snippets of his quiet footsteps as he tried not to wake me. He told me to keep sleeping, that he'd wake me up for breakfast. I didn't argue.

With a grateful sigh, I rolled over, grabbing the pillow he'd slept on and pulling it to my chest, burying my face in the soft fabric. It still smelled like him, and it was comforting. Before long, I drifted back off to sleep.

The next time I woke up, it wasn't to the sound of an alarm or his voice but the familiar psssht of a can cracking open. My groggy mind immediately recognized it.

"Little Gizmo..." I hear him coo, and I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips. Even half-asleep, I know exactly what's coming.

I sit up, my eyes barely open, and blindly stretch my hand out in his direction. Sure enough, a cold can is placed in my palm.

"Your breakfast," he quips, a teasing grin in his voice.

"Mmmm... Red Bull..." I mutter as I take a sip, feeling the familiar buzz of caffeine hit my system.

Bucky leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, his lips warm against my skin. "Time to get up. We need to get on the road."

I nod sleepily, still holding the can as if it's my lifeline. "Yeah, yeah... I'm up." Though honestly, I could stay in this moment a little longer.

"I left your toiletry bag in the bathroom with some of your clothes. Everything else is in the car," Bucky says, his voice calm and efficient as usual. He's already up and ready, moving around like he's got the whole day planned out.

"Thank you," I mutter with a sleepy smile, still holding on to my can of Red Bull.

"I'm gonna eat real quick," he adds with a smirk. "'Cause some of us need sustenance."

I roll my eyes at him, knowing full well he's teasing me. He's always on my case about my lack of a proper breakfast.

"Go shower, we'll leave when you're ready," he says, nodding towards the bathroom.

I nod back, taking another sip of my Red Bull as I watch him for a moment. He gives me a smile before turning to leave the room. I place the Red Bull down on the nightstand, glancing down the hall at the bathroom door. Instead of heading straight there like I'm supposed to, I let out a small sigh and flop back onto the bed, the pull of the pillows too tempting.

"NOVA!!" I hear Bucky's voice from down the hallway, teasing yet commanding. "Don't make me come get you out of bed."

A smirk tugs at my lips. "Don't threaten me with a good time," I mutter under my breath, settling further into the bed, thinking I've gotten away with it.

But then I hear it—those familiar, heavy boot steps coming back down the hallway. *Shit*.

Before I can react, the blanket is yanked away from me, and I squeal as I feel his hands wrap around my ankles, pulling me to the edge of the bed.

"Bucky!!" I laugh, trying to wriggle free, but it's pointless.

"I warned you," he quips, grinning as he scoops me up and throws me effortlessly over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I squeal again, pounding my fists lightly against his back, but it only makes him laugh as he turns us towards the bathroom.

"Alright, alright, I'm going!" I say through my laughter, but it's clear he's not letting me off that easily.

After I shower and change, I pack everything back into my toiletry bag, feeling more awake now. I brush my teeth, staring at my reflection for a moment. *Alright, time to get moving,* I think to myself. With everything packed and ready, I step out of the bathroom and head into the living room.