Winter (A Bucky Barnes recovery story)

20. Friends

Bucky was sitting in the living room with Sam, Clint, Nat, Bruce tony and Steve. Tony was sprawled on the love seat, Clint was perched on the arm of the couch, Sam sat on the couch next to Clint, Steve sat in the recliner, Natasha sat with her feet next to Sam, her back resting on the unoccupied arm of the couch, and Bucky sat on the floor while Natasha absentmindedly braided his hair. Bruce sat on a stool between the couch and the love seat. On the TV, Indiana Jones was playing although no one was really watching it, except Steve who was half paying attention.

Bucky was dozing off, Sam and Clint were talking about stuff, Tony and Bruce were talking Science Bros stuff, and Natasha was quietly braiding Bucky's hair. The movie ended and Tony stood up.

"Who wants lunch?" Tony asks, Sam and Clint look up as well as everyone else, except Bucky.

"Sounds good." Sam says.

"I second that." Clint replies.

"Lunch sounds good." Steve agrees, standing and stretching.

"Why not." Bruce says.

"Great." Natasha says, she finishes her braid then pokes Bucky. "James, wake up. We're getting lunch."

Bucky looks around slowly, yawns and then nods. "Kay."

"Chinese?" Tony asks, everyone nods and a couple say yes or yeah. "J.A.R.V.I.S. Please order the usual times three."

"Yes sir. Shall I order spring rolls as well?" J.A.R.V.I.S. Asks.

"Yes." Tony replies, he pops in another disk, setting Indiana Jones back in its case.

After a short while the Chinese arrived and everyone started to dish up their plates. Nat took a plate to Bucky who was still sitting on the floor.

"Thanks." He mumbles, taking the plate. He hungrily takes a bite of the food and sighs as it hit his empty stomach.

Everybody resumed chatting and everyone enjoyed lunch. It was nice, everyone was so warm and it was a happy atmosphere despite recent events. At about 11:00 people started going to their rooms or falling asleep on the couches, Bruce went to his room and a little while after Sam went to one of the guest room Tony was lending them all. Steve fell asleep in the chair, Tony disappeared to his lab, Clint clambered on top of the fridge so he could scare Tony to death in the morning, Nat fell asleep on the couch and Bucky fell asleep in the same position as earlier.

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"Morning sleepy head." Nat says as Bucky slowly wakes up and looks around. "Or well, actually afternoon."

This gets Bucky's attention, "Its already the afternoon?! Why didn't you wake me?!" He splutters, scrambling to stand up. His foot catches and he falls with a grunt.

Nat can't help but laugh, smiling she says, "You looked peaceful, and to be honest, it was Steve. He told me to let you sleep."

Bucky sits up, then rubs his face and frowns.

"What?" Nat asks, watching him stand up.

"I need a shower." He replies, running a hand through his knotted, greasy hair.

"Yeah you do." Nat nods. "Shower's that way." She points to a bathroom at the end of the hall.

"Thanks." He walks down the hall and into the bathroom. He shuts the door and locks it. He turns on the water and then stands in front of the mirror, he takes off his shirt and turns so he can see his back. There was only a thin pink line where his wound was. He sighs then takes off the rest of his clothes and gets into the shower. He sighs and relaxes as the water runs in rivulets down his chest. He shampoos his hair thoroughly, rinsing it out and then conditioning. He washes his body, scrubbing away all the sweat and everything else he'd accumulated. Turning off the water he steps out of the shower. He wraps a towel around his waist and stands in front of the mirror. He finds a razor in one of the drawers and shaves. He looks at his reflection, looking much better without the stubble. He walks back into the living room holding up the towel wrapped around his waist. "Uh, hey Nat?" He asks.