You sighed heavily as your head laid on the cold metal floor of you cage and your eyes peered out of the thin, metal bars. All that was with you was a small, blue-turned-gray blanket and some bowls.
Both of your bowls were empty and your stomach growled, aching for more kibble or whatever the humans would give you. The other dogs around you barked and whined for attention, but your body was just done with trying.
The white patches of you fur were almost completely brown, and the black was even darker than usual. You thought your last human was bad. These people are just a nose behind.
You forced yourself to sit up and thump your tail on the metal bottom of your cage as you heard footsteps approach. Unfortunately you just laid down once again because your legs refused you hold any weight.
Harsh movements unlocked your cage, and flung the cage door open. A collar and leash was looped around you neck and tugged you out of your safe zone. You contemplated just laying down and letting yourself be dragged because you knew you were going to die and you couldn't keep up with the human's strides.
Voices could be heard, and you flattened your itching ears to block out the sound. You just kept your eyes down and followed where ever you were being dragged to.
"This place reeks," a male voice grumbled. "These poor animals."
Light peered through yet another doorway as you continued to follow in the devil's footsteps. The human stopped and you nearly bumped into their legs from not paying attention.
"What the hell is wrong with you people?" the man raised his voice, and you tucked your tail between your legs in fear.
"Mr. Barnes- " another voice, which sounded like an older woman, began.
"Don't 'Mr. Barnes' me!" the man shouted again. "I am older than you and you treat these animals like shit."
"I am much older than you- "
"My name is Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes and I served in World War II," he challenged and the woman backed off.
By this time, your head was up and looking at what was going on. The man has a stubble and shoulder length, brown hair coming out from under his cap. Metal glinted under his sleeve and you questioned his appearance from when you would watch the news as your old human slept in a pile of glass bottles.
"I will gladly take this dog for free," James Buchanan Barnes growled, and snatched your leash from the woman before picking you up and rushing out the door.
You were startled from the fast movements, and whined each time one of James' feet pounded on the ground. Before you knew it you were in some sort of vehicle and you were driving- no- flying away.
Moments later, the movement of the vehicle stopped, and you heard James open and close the driver door before opening the door he used to lay you down. His touch was much more gentle than before, and his steps were soft and less painful.
"You poor thing," he cooed. "Just as broken as me..."
The cool metal of his arm felt soothing against your dirty and matted fur. His arms felt snug as he carried you into a building that was marked with a weird 'A'. When he opened the door, you heard voices and you cringed, hiding your face in the crook of James' arm. When the door closed, the voices stopped.
"Whatcha got there, Bucky?" A female voice asked. "Is that a... dog?"
Soon you were transported into a seperate, smaller room. There was a bed, and a large pillow on the floor surrounded by toys and two bowls. Your nose took in the new scents and categorized them in your mind.
"Welcome home, buddy."
Bucky kneeled down and placed you on the large pillow that was probably your dog bed. It was soft and cushy, not hard and uncomfortable like your previous one. He unclipped you leash and took off your collar, before clipping a new one around your neck. It was black with a red star with a tag that read [Y/N].
"Let's give you some food, [Y/N]," Bucky emphasized your name as he spoke, softly.
Your new human retrieved a large bag of kibble from a cabinet, and a measuring cup following it. He opened the large bag and scooped out a large mound of food before dumping in the bowl. Your new bowls were elevated so you didn't have to bend down too much.
Immediately you stood up and made your way toward the bowl and began to chow down. Bucky went to fill your water bowl and returned moments later. You lapped up the water within seconds.
It began to get late, so Bucky got in his pajamas and slipped under the covers. You made yourself comfortable on your new bed, before dozing off. The two of you played for an hour, and got tired so you went to bed.
You were woken up in the middle of the night by sobs and heavy breathing. They were coming from... your Bucky? Instinct took you up on his bed and next to him, nudging him until he woke.
"Huh!" he gasped and sat bolt upright. "Oh, hey [Y/N]."
You licked his face and he smiled for the first time you have known him. Bucky cuddled with you, and slept soundly the rest of the night.
[ 2 WEEKS LATER ]
"[Y/N] has really changed you, Buck," Steve said as him and Buck ate lunch.
You laid on the floor next to Bucky's chair contently. Then you sat up and he began to pet your head.
"I know," Bucky replied to Steve with a smile.
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almost at 1k words with this one. :)
i'm thinking of starting an actualy book, so be readyy.
