[Requested by usernamelikenoother ]
Bucky crosses his arms as Steve opens his door, grinning adorably as he holds out his hand. "C'mon, Buck, one for a few minutes."
"No," Bucky huffs angrily. "You said we were going to the store, not a pound."
"I know, I know," Steve sighs, looking up at the building. "Just wanted to stop by. This kid I saved back in Brooklyn when I first became... this, works here. I just thought that-"
Bucky exits the car, grabbing the door and slamming it shut. "Let's go."
Steve happily walls along side Bucky, entering the shelter and heading over to the man sitting at the adoption desk.
Bucky shrugs, deciding that he could give Steve some space, and wonders off towards the puppy section.
It's only a few minutes later Steve realizes Bucky's no longer by his side. Telling his friend he'll be right back, he hurries off and checks every room.
"Buck?" Steve calls, speeding up as he rounds every corner. "Bucky, where are-" he stops, eyes widening as Bucky smiles down at the small golden dog in his lap.
Bucky turns in surprise, and the small dog in his lap jumps up and licks his cheek. Steve gaps as Bucky laughs, picking it up and gives Steve the look.
"Oh no," Steve says, shaking his head. "We can't-" And he sees the dogs missing left front leg and he's sold.
___
"Promise you'll take him on walks."
"I promise."
"And pick up his.. bits of he goes in the apartment."
"I promise."
"And-"
"It'll be fine, Steve," Bucky leans over, careful of the dog in his arms, and kisses Steve on the cheek. "Thank you."
There's a sharp knock at their door, Steve ruffling Bucky's hair as he gets up.
"Let me in, guys," Tony says. "This thing is heavy."
"Stop whining," Natasha pushes open the door before Steve can reach it, shoving the key back under the brick and walks in. "Now, where's this little dog I've been hearing so much about?"
"We have presents!" Wanda skips in at Sam's side with bags of dog food, toys, and treats float in behind them.
"Why couldn't you help me with this thing?" Tony cries, lugging in the small black box in with great effort. "It's so-"
Wanda turns, flicks her wrist, and the box lifts into the air and Tony falls off balance. "Oops."
"Guys, what the hell are you doing here," Steve stands protectively in front of Bucky and the dog, crossing his arms. "And how did you know we got a dog?"
"It's missing a leg, huh?" Tony steps around Steve, squinting at the small ball of fluff squirming in Bucky's arms. "The left one. Wow. What a coincidence."
Bucky narrows his eyes. "Why does it matter."
"You don't have to get all scary," Tony grabs the box he had been carrying easier and eases it onto the ground. "Just wait and see."
"He worked on this all night," Natasha says, leaning against the door frame. "I know, because he made me help him."
Tony waves a hand as he opens the box and pulls out a small bionic dog leg. "Now it's just a prototype, but.." The small dog yaps, stumbles onto the floor and sniffs it.
"What's his name?" Sam asks. "He is a he, right?"
"James Jr," Steve says, grinning.
"He named him," Bucky grumbles, hiding a smile as James Jr leaps onto his lap.
