Eclipse - Book 1 (Born at Dusk)

25

December, 23rd 2025

Bucky walked slowly on the damp concrete sidewalk. The rain had slowed, allowing him enough time to walk to Kate's apartment without getting completely drenched.

It was only a day or so before Christmas but he knew he couldn't enjoy the festivities quite yet. He'd told Shuri he was going to Romania one last time to clear it off for good, and she didn't let him give an excuse for the holidays either.

She also didn't give him permission to bring Kate with him. Which was why it was four thirty am as he neared her building. He knew she was up and left her place early, usually walking with Sheeřa alongside her early schedule. He only hoped she agreed to go with him.

The incident from a few days prior hadn't been talked about, not with Kate at least. He hoped she wouldn't move up her weekly appointment with Raynor considering their regular day was scheduled for Christmas this week. Then again, he didn't think Kate would go out of her way to speak with Raynor. Bucky was sure she disliked Raynor as much as he did.

She'd tried to stab him, which was odd because he honestly didn't think she could do much damage. Her shooting scores really proved themselves and her fighting skills matched. He wondered how good she was at her prime, when thirty years in cryofreeze didn't take so much from her.

Bucky had argued a lot with Sam and Shuri, about how he'd been wrong to spar with her. He didn't see anything wrong with it, the injury was minor and only allowed Kate to show her skills. He suspected Kate was as much as shocked as he was at the time.

That was the second time Bucky had touched her, the first being when he'd stopped the bullet she intended for her skull. Unlike the first, which was pure shock, she fought back like a feral animal, doing whatever she could to get out of his arms. It was completely understandable. Bucky expected it almost. He had done the same.

Sifting his wet boots on the mat in front of Kate's door, he lifted his hand and tapped on the door. He decided to keep it to himself about how he knew which door was hers, and that way too much information was available to him. Then again, his place in Wakanda was well known too, easily accessible to Kate if she wanted.

Bucky heard shuffling while a few locks slid open behind the door. Kate opened it a few inches, her soft tired face quickly shifting into confusion.

Bucky was suddenly a loss for words. "Hi," he said awkwardly, aware that Kate kept the door only a few inches open. "I hope I didn't wake you."

Her brow furrowed slowly before she shook her head, "no, you didn't, it's fine."

Bucky smiled, attempting friendliness, "can I come in?"

The crease in her brows deepend and she frowned. She glanced down at his boots, at the water tracks he'd brought from the elevator. She nodded slowly, stepping back and opening the door.

Bucky stepped inside, letting Kate shut the door behind him. He waited patiently as Kate flipped on a few lights, dousing them in a harsh artificial light. Her posture was tight and stiff, even in the casual t-shirt and shorts she wore.

"Let me just get dressed." Kate told him, stopping in front of him before heading down the hall. As she walked, Bucky spotted several bruises on her legs before she disappeared beneath a door frame.

He moved his eyes to look around the place. It was decoratively furnished, only with what was necessary, but with a bit of flare of looks. None of which he knew was hers, knowing places like these were furnished like a hotel. Everything looked like it had just come out of a box. Foreign. Without emotion.