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Chapter Text

Darcy took one last look around the lab that had become her home.

All of Jane’s temperamental science equipment had been moved and was waiting for them at Stark- Avengers?- whoever’s- tower. The scraps of paper that usually littered every available bench space were gone. The spare pair of shoes Darcy kept under her makeshift desk (it was really just a stool and a corner piece of bench that Darcy had claimed as her own) were packed away.

The only signs that Darcy and Jane had ever been in the small New Mexico lab was the stain on the carpet, near the entrance. It was the only patch of carpet in the entire lab, and Darcy had managed to spill bright red kool aid on it on her very first day.

She smiled at the vibrant stain. No amount of scrubbing or soaking or begging could remove it. Now it served as one final reminder of all the memories Darcy and Jane had made here.

“Ready to go?” her genius best friend asked, carrying the last of her bags under one arm.

“Sure am, Janey,” Darcy replied, coming over to bump shoulders with Jane.

“I’m gonna miss this place. The heat was a bit much, but it was nice while it lasted, right?”

“Yeah, it was nice. I gotta say, I am so looking forward to free air conditioning though.”

“You and me both,” Jane huffed. She followed Darcy out the door and locked the lab behind them for the last time.

“I still can’t believe we’re now employees of Stark Industries. I’m finally getting paid!” Darcy squealed, skipping over to the drivers side of their van. Tony Stark himself offered to send them a car, but Darcy politely refused. The drive was long enough as it is. The last thing she wanted was to spend the trip in awkward silence in front of some stuffy nosed chauffeur.

“I’m really sorry I couldn’t give you any money earlier,” Jane frowned, climbing into the passenger seat.

“Nonsense, Janey. Look at where we are now! I finally completed my degree, all your research has been funded courtesy of Stark Industries, and we’re moving to New York!” Darcy turned the key in the ignition, hitting the road and watching as the old lab slowly disappeared from sight.

“We’re moving to New York,” Jane repeated, disbelief and excitement all over her face.

“The big apple better watch out, because it has no idea what's about to hit it.” Darcy turned the radio up to blasting and shot a grin at her best friend.

This was what they needed. A fresh start. New scenery. Somewhere for Jane to do her science and show the world all her research on soulbonds.

The thought made Darcy scratch absently at the spot below her collarbone, where she knew black words lurked beneath her shirt.

Jane was lucky enough to have found her soulmate already. She had spent her life researching soulmarks and bonds, trying to make sense of the one thing science couldn’t explain. Jane was convinced there had to be something in our DNA, something that made us perfectly compatible with one other person on the whole planet. Or, well, one other person in the whole Universe- because Realms were a thing now, thanks Thor.

After meeting her alien space prince, Jane was only more motivated to understand the science behind soulmates. Thor taught her about the Asgardian beliefs for soulmarks- that the fates blessed you with the first words your soulmate would ever say to you through powerful magic, far beyond comprehension. Jane still thought there was a scientific explanation. Darcy thought the answer was somewhere in the middle.

I mean come on, these days there were real life gods falling from the sky. Magical fates really weren't that far fetched. But at the same time, there had to be a scientific explanation as to why two people were so much more suited to each other than anyone else, right? Atleast, all of Jane's research into soulbonds and failed pairings certainly suggested there was.

Darcy still hadn’t found her soulmate. Her words were a dark black, not gold like Jane’s. When she was younger, and still a hopeless romantic, all Darcy had ever wanted was to find her soulmate. Nowadays there were alien invasions and evil government organisations to deal with. She wasn’t sure how anyone could fit into her life anymore. It was too dangerous. She couldn’t put her soulmate at risk like that. Refused to.

That, and as she grew older, she realised maybe meeting her soulmate wasn’t such a good idea after all. Her finger traced over the words on her skin.

‘I thought you were dead,’

As a kid, she thought maybe her soulmark was meant as a joke. She imagined countless scenarios of running into her soulmate, them being so excited to see her that they blurted out something crazy like that. But as she got older, and her life got more dangerous, it became harder and harder to imagine any scenarios where ‘I thought you were dead’ could be a good thing.

It felt more like a curse than anything. A warning.

Darcy shook her head. New beginnings. New place. New scenery for her and Jane.

“Thor’s back,” Jane said out of nowhere. Darcy glanced at her.

“Did he text you or something?”

Jane shook her head, clutching a hand to her chest.

“Seriously? You can feel him from all the way out here?”

Jane nodded. “Our bond is still getting stronger. Last time I could only feel him when we were in the same city. But now I can feel him all the way in New York.”

Another thing about soulmates- once you say each other's words, and more importantly accept each other, you get what’s called a bond. It basically meant you could sense the other person- how far away they were, what they were feeling, that sort of thing. The deeper the connection, the stronger the bond and the stronger the senses. Jane and Thor had been together for a couple years now, but it was rare for anyone- even mates that had been bonded for decades- to have a bond that strong.

“Do you think it's an Asgard magic thing?”

“Maybe,” Jane frowned, before reaching for her notebook and scribbling some things down. Darcy left her to it, turning the radio up to deafening, and settled in for the long drive. They had plans to stop in several places along the way, so it was going to be at least a 2 day trip.

Darcy touched her soulmark one last time. Wondered absently what her soulmate might be doing right now.

~~~

“Oh gods, it’s finally over,” Darcy gasped, opening the driver's side door of the van and practically melting out of her seat.

Jane climbed out beside her, looking much more dignified than Darcy.

“Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad.”

“Jane, you know I love you, but if I hear one more fact about microbiology my brain is going to melt out of my ears.”

Jane just rolled her eyes, grabbing whatever bags she could carry from the back of the van.

The trip took them a full three days. It was late afternoon when they finally arrived at the tower, parking the van in the hidden employees only garage. Darcy bit her tongue to stop from squealing in excitement. She was an employee at Stark. Industries.

Thunderous footsteps approached from behind them and Darcy glanced up to see none other than Thor himself coming towards them. He was in casual wear, swinging mew mew around like it was nothing.

“My Jane! Lady Darcy! You have finally arrived!”

Jane ditched Darcy with the bags and ran over to jump into Thor’s giant arms, which, fair.

He gave her a thorough kissing before putting her gently back on her feet and turning to Darcy. She let out a tiny oof as she was squeezed into one of Thor’s famous bear hugs.

“Missed you too, big guy. But hey- give a girl some breathing space, would ya?”

“My apologies, Darcy,” Thor grinned, setting her back on her feet. “I trust your trip went well? I sensed great amusement from Jane during your travels.”

“I knew you were boring me on purpose!” Darcy said, snapping a finger at Jane. Her best friend only grinned.

“I thought you liked hearing about cell reproduction for three hours.”

“You are the worst.”

“You love me,” Jane said, not apologetic at all.

Darcy huffed as Thor picked up their bags. She was fully prepared to help, but he’d managed to grab all eight of their bags in one hand.

“Huh, yay muscles,” Darcy quipped. Thor raised an eyebrow at her, before shaking his head.

“I should tell you it is just us at the Tower, currently. Many of our friends are away fighting, there was an altercation with Hydra just north of here, but I am told they will return later this evening.”

“Hydra?” Darcy questioned. “I thought the Black Widow exposed all those assholes months ago.”

Thor inclined his head. “It seems our troubles are not over yet.”

Well that was...vague.

“I will show you to your rooms,” Thor decided, leading them towards an elevator.

~~~~

Rooms, Darcy decided, was a highly underrated word. These were practically whole houses- fully equipped with a huge kitchen, bathroom, living area and even a fricken terrace. Darcy couldn't wait to fill the space with her very own garden. She had plenty of desert plants that she’d brought from New Mexico- they’d be perfect out here.

All her other bags were already waiting for her in her bedroom, which had a california king, by the way. Gods, she had to get Tony such a good christmas present this year. Maybe she would do some baking for him.

Darcy opened her closet to reveal a walk in wardrobe.

Okay, definitely a yes to the baking. She came up with a list of six different dishes on the spot, but somehow it still didn’t feel like enough.

“Darcy?” Jane called, knocking on her door.

“It’s open!” she replied.

Jane let herself in, finding Darcy surrounded by bags and boxes in the bedroom. “Aren’t these rooms insane?!” Darcy exclaimed, plopping down onto her huge bed.

“You should see Thors,” Jane chuckled. “Everything was specially made to fit him. I can barely reach the door handles, it's like an apartment made for giants.”

“Seriously?”

“Yup. And everythings made out of iron, so he can’t break it. Even the plates are indestructible.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Wow is exactly right.”

“Have you seen your lab yet?”

“No, I came to ask if you wanted to come see it with me?”

“And not have to unpack? Uh, hell yeah.”

Darcy jumped up from her bed and followed Jane out into the hall. Her and Thor were staying just a few rooms down from Darcy.

“I’m surprised Tony let me stay up here. Isn’t this like, the Avengers only floor?”

“Actually, Tony has his own floor. And I think Steve and some others are on the floor above this. But still, I told Pepper when I signed the contract. Where I go, you go.”

“Really? You said that to Pepper Potts?” Darcy smirked.

“Well, yes. In my head I did, anyway. In real life I just politely requested she keep us close together.”

“That’s more like it,” Darcy chuckled. Jane laughed with her.

They rode the elevator down to the 64th floor. JARVIS announced that they had arrived at “Research Labs 2, Scientist in charge: Dr Jane Foster.”

“Thanks, JARVIS,” Darcy grinned, trying not to feel silly for talking to the ceiling.

“My pleasure, Miss Lewis. Please alert me if you need anything further. Mr. Stark asked me to tell you that he hopes the lab is to your liking, and feel free to make any changes that you wish.”

The elevator doors opened silently, and Darcy was greeted by a flood of warm light over the pristine white lab.

There was already twice as much space as their lab in New Mexico, and Darcy sensed that the room wrapped around further- going even deeper than what she could already see.

All of Jane’s machines were placed carefully around the room. There was even- “Jane, look! I finally have a real desk!”

To the right of the elevator was a giant dark wood desk. It was accompanied by a comfy looking chair and a cute little rug underneath. The front of the desk looked straight out the window to the view of manhattan. It was the only area in the room that wasn't white tiles.

“Oh wow, Darcy. It looks perfect for you,” Jane replied, coming to examine the desk with Darcy.

It was something so small, but the fact that Tony had gone out of his way to include a personal space for Darcy- she couldn’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Tony was getting so many baked goods this week.

Jane turned around to examine the rest of the lab. Darcy was right, it did go further than expected. Behind a dividing wall was another room containing countless computers, microscopes, and other equipment used for measuring various samples.

“Gods, this is amazing,” Jane said, completely awestruck.

“You finally got your dream lab,” Darcy smiled. “And it’s in the same building where your soulmate sometimes lives.”

“Am I dreaming? Pinch me. Actually- no don’t- I don’t want to wake up.”

Darcy laughed, pulling her friend away from all the big shiny machines.

“C’mon, Janey. The sciencing can wait. I don’t know about you, but i’m starving.”

“Surely we can do a little science-”

“No, Jane. Food first. Don’t make me get Thor,” Darcy threatened when Jane pouted. They reentered the elevator, Jane much more reluctant than Darcy.

“Fine. Food first. And then-”

“Then we relax and sleep. Science can wait until the morning-”

“But Darcy-”

“No buts, Jane. We just did a huge drive. You deserve a night to relax. Besides, this is the first time in weeks you’ve seen Thor. I’m sure he misses you,” Darcy said, wagging her eyebrows. Jane flushed.

“Fine. One night.”

“Atta girl. Now, what do we want for dinner? Thor said something about a communal kitchen?”

“Yeah, above the residential floors. Apparently Stark always keeps the cupboards stocked.”

“Perfect, i’ll cook.”

“Good, because we both know I can’t. And the last time Thor tried, he almost destroyed the stove and caused a city wide lightning storm.”

Darcy couldn't help but laugh, remembering all of Jane and Thor’s awful attempts at cooking. Darcy learned pretty quick when she started working with Jane that the woman was absolutely brilliant- but the one thing in the world she could not do was cook. Anything more than toast or a bowl of cereal, and Jane threatened the safety of not only herself, but everything within a 30 foot radius of her. It was almost impressive, just how bad she was.

“Yeah, we really don’t need a repeat of that. The old apartment still has scorch marks on the ceiling- which, I still don’t know how you caused a fire. You were boiling eggs. How do you make a fire from boiling eggs.”

“No idea. But I never want to try it again.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Darcy giggled.

The elevator doors opened on their floor. Thor had been waiting for them, and entered.

“Did you know we were coming?” Darcy asked in surprise. Thor planted a sweet kiss on Jane’s cheek.

“I felt my lady’s call,” Thor said. Darcy raised a brow in question.

“I tugged on the bond,” Jane explained. “Thor can feel that. It lets him know I want his attention.”

“Right, right. I forgot you guys could do that already.”

Again, Darcy was taken aback by how developed Jane and Thors bond was. Feeling your partner's emotions were common, but manipulating the bond like Jane and Thor could was pretty rare.

“I must admit, I am very glad to have you back Lady Darcy,” Thor interrupted, smiling at her.

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“Your cooking skills have been dearly missed. I am yet to find anyone who can match your fluency in the kitchen.”

Darcy laughed out loud. “Don’t worry, buddy. I’m making a bunch of baking for Stark. I’ll make some extra for you too.”

Thor's whole demeanor changed and his face lit up with excitement. “Can you make those little men again? With the red outfits?”

“You mean gingerbread cookies?” Darcy asked, screwing up her face. “Usually those are just for christmas but sure, whatever you want.”

Thor was practically vibrating with anticipation. Jane couldn’t help but laugh at him, tugging him down by the hand to plant a kiss on his cheek.

The elevator doors opened again to reveal a huge kitchen and modest living space. Darcy spotted a large tv surrounded by couches, and wondered how often anyone actually sat there. The couches looked hardly used.

Jane and Thor took a seat at the kitchen stools while Darcy familiarised herself with the contents of Stark's kitchen.

“Let’s see...ground beef, onions, cabbage...oh! Tomatoes. Hey, how does everyone feel about spaghetti and meatballs?” Darcy called over her shoulder.

“Sounds good to me,” Jane replied. Thor grunted in agreement.

Darcy started pulling various ingredients from the fridge, preparing to make her meatballs from scratch. She moved on to the cupboards next, searching for spaghetti, because there was no way she was making the pasta from scratch too.

“Yes!” Darcy called, finally finding the pre made pasta. She laid out all the ingredients and got to work, chatting with Jane and Thor to pass the time.

It was strange. Darcy was used to making herself at home in new places. It was part of her ‘charm’. But she’d expected to feel more...anxious? Nervous? About being in Avengers tower, surrounded by superheroes. So far, though, all she felt was excitement.

It was nice. After moving around so much since highschool, Darcy wondered if she’d finally found a place to call home.

~~~~

Forty minutes later and the whole common room area was smelling delicious.

Darcy had gotten carried away and made enough food for at least 10 people, even with Thor’s appetite. But she was so excited to be cooking in such a nice kitchen that she couldn’t help herself.

The pasta was draining and the meatballs were ready. Darcy had just finished toasting some garlic bread and was about to pull out some plates when voices in the hall made her pause.

“Oh my god what is that?” someone called.

“I don’t know but it smells amazing,” someone else replied.

Darcy looked over at Thor in question. Something about being a space prince meant he had super hearing, much better than Jane and Darcy.

“Our warriors have returned,” Thor smiled. “I believe Clint Barton and Sam, son of Will, are approaching, likely with the others.”

Sam, son of Will?

The door to the common room opened and in stepped the Black Widow herself, followed closely by Clint the iPod stealer, and finally the Falcon. Darcy’s jaw dropped open.

She knew this moment was coming, when she’d have to meet the superheroes. But damn it, she didn’t think she’d have to do it while they looked all… Avenger-y.

Each of them was disheveled and bruised in someway or another. Clint had blood on his arms, the Falcon had dirt smudged under his eye, and they were all dressed in menacing combat gear. Clint still had his bow strung across his chest.

“Friends!” Thor practically shouted. “Meet my soulmate Jane, and my lightening sister Darcy.”

Darcy couldn't help but smile a little at Thor’s nickname for her, but it immediately dropped when the black widow turned her assessing gaze on her. Darcy tried not to shiver.

“So that's what smells so good,” the Falcon said, rushing over to check out her meatballs. She immediately snapped her wooden spoon up to block him.

“Ah! They aren’t ready yet. Get your dirty, bloody butt out of this kitchen.”

Jane's jaw dropped open in shock. There was a moment of terse silence, and Darcy suddenly realised that she had just growled an Avenger in his own kitchen oh gods-

But Darcy saw the corner of the Black Widows mouth lift up in a smile, and Clint dissolved into laughter. The falcon shook his head, hands up in surrender.

“My bad, it’s been so long since anyone cooked a decent meal around here,” he grinned at her, full of charm. Darcy had to stop herself from blushing. “Sam Wilson,” he said, extending a hand towards her.

Darcy looked at his hand, covered in dirt and god knows what else, and raised her brow.

“Right, I should clean up first,” Sam nodded. Darcy grinned at him, letting him know she was joking.

“I made extra,” she promised. “But it's first in first served. No blood allowed in the kitchen.”

“I can respect that,” Sam nodded.

“I can see why Thor calls you lightening sister,” the Black Widow quipped, watching the whole exchange with amusement. “Im Natasha.”

“Darcy,” she replied, even though Natasha already knew her name. The widow just nodded in reply, smiling at her faintly.

“Clint-” Barton said, trying to introduce himself.

“I know who you are,” Darcy narrowed her eyes. “Don’t think i’ve forgotten about my iPod.”

“Ah,” Clint said. At least he had the decency to look sheepish about it. This time it was Sam’s turn to laugh.

“Oh, you’re going to be fun,” Sam promised, pointing at her.

Darcy just grinned while Jane shook her head.

“If I get you a new iPod, can I have some of whatever you’ve been cooking?” Clint asked, looking at her hopefully. Darcy thought it over.

“I had a lot of songs on that iPod,” she said simply. “It’ll be hard to replace them all.”

Clint looked at her, assessing. Darcy stared right back. After almost a minute, Darcy raised a brow and Clint finally broke.

“Fine! I’ll get you a new iPod, and i’ll even redownload all your songs for you. Happy now?”

Darcy looked at him in surprise. “Phil Coulson said my iPod got destroyed.”

“There will be a copy of its contents somewhere. This is SHIELD we’re talking about. They take copies of everything.”

“Promise?” Darcy asked. She saw Jane stifle a laugh from the corner of her eye. Clint gave her a look, as if to say, seriously?

Darcy refused to back down. Clint sighed in exasperation “Yes, I promise.”

“Good,” Darcy grinned. “Go clean up, i’ll save you a plate.”

“So much fun,” Sam repeated, looking at her.

Clint went to freshen up, Sam close behind him. Natasha lingered at the door.

“Want me to save you a plate?” Darcy offered, wondering why she didn’t follow the other two.

“No, thank you,” Natasha replied. Darcy waited, sensing there was more she had to say.

Natasha took one impassive look around the whole room, before settling on Darcy once more. “You’ll be good here.” She turned to Jane- “Both of you.”

Darcy frowned in confusion. “Um, thanks?” I think?

Natasha just nodded and left the room, not turning back once. Like that wasn’t weird at all.

“Well. She’s...intense,” Jane said. Darcy nodded in agreement.

“Is she always so…” Darcy made a weird gesture with her hands. Thor seemed to understand.

“Lady Natasha has a history which very few are privy to. It has made her the way she is now.”

“...O-kay,” Darcy replied. “Thank you for that, Cryptic Thor.”

“It is my pleasure,” Thor grinned goodnaturedly.

Darcy went quiet, rethinking the whole interaction. “I like her. I think,” she said eventually.

Jane nodded. “She’s scary, but in a cool, mysterious way. Hey,” Jane turned to Thor. “Does Natasha have a soulmate?”

“Jane!” Darcy scolded.

“What?! It’s just a question!”

“You know it’s rude to ask people about their soulmates! That’s personal!”

“It’s my job!” Jane replied, holding her hands up in self defense.

“Your job is to find out if the Black Widow has a soulmate?” Darcy deadpanned.

Jane rolled her eyes, turning back to Thor. “Well? Does she?”

Poor Thor looked uncomfortable with the whole situation. Darcy didn’t blame him. It was an unspoken rule that you weren't supposed to ask about a person's soulmate unless they brought it up first. Not everyone had a perfect bond story like Jane and Thor. Some people didn’t have soulmates at all, which was an incredibly sensitive and personal topic. Hence the unspoken rule of ‘don’t ask’. The rule, which Jane conveniently just broke.

“I fear it is not my place to say,” Thor began.

“Please? I promise I won’t say anything. And neither will Darcy, right Darcy?”

“Oh no, don’t bring me into this!”

Jane glared at her. Thor cleared his throat. “It is believed that Lady Natasha had a soulmark, yes. But it was taken from her during her time at the Red Room. She does not know who her soulmate is. I fear she will never know.”

Darcy gasped. Jane's mouth dropped open. “It got taken from her?”

Thor nodded solemnly. “She bears a fearsome scar on her ribs. The soulmark was cut away, I imagine, and the wound was never truly allowed to heal.”

Darcy’s heart dropped. “Poor Natasha,” she whispered. Even Jane looked heartbroken by the news.

Darcy lifted a hand to her collarbone. Sure, she had issues with her own soulmark, but the idea of ever having it taken from her...Darcy shivered. Something in her very core went cold and dark just thinking about it.

Jane looked at her and Darcy glared back. See? Darcy said with her eyes. This is exactly why you don't ask about other people's soulmates. Bad idea.

Jane frowned back, regret written all over her face.

Thor tried to lighten the mood, changing the topic to something rather. Darcy turned her focus back to their dinner, willing herself to stop thinking about her soulmark. Her words seemed to pulse in response.

She wondered, sometimes, if it was alive. Darcy remembered years as a kid when her mark would get so cold, like frostbite. The words would fade- still black, but not so vibrant. Like they were muted. Dormant. Darcy would rub her mark, but no matter how hard she tried, it was always cold.

And then, a while later, sometimes days and sometimes years, her words would warm up again.

Darcy tried to ask her mother about it, but no one believed her. Soul marks didn’t fade or change temperature. Even if your soulmate died, the words were still dark black or shimmery gold.

Nowadays it didn’t bother her so much. Her words hadn’t been cold in a long time, which Darcy hoped was a good thing.

She set aside plates for Thor, Jane and herself before beginning on Clint and Sam’s. Right on cue, footsteps came thundering down the hall.

“You gotta see it, Steve. It looks amazing,” one voice said. Sam’s, judging by the volume.

“Oh yeah?” someone replied, probably Steve. Oh shit, Steve. As in, Steve Rogers, her dad’s childhood hero, and literal Captain America. “I can smell it from here. Smells good.”

“So good,” Clint confirmed. Darcy chuckled.

The door opened as the three of them walked in. Clint immediately swooped for the biggest plate, which Darcy had prepared for Thor. She swatted his hand with her trusty wooden spoon.

“Nope- that’s for Thor. This one's for you.”

Clint pouted as Darcy pushed a smaller plate towards him. “There's still some in the pot,” she promised, which brought a smile back to his face.

Clint grabbed the plate and plopped down next to Thor. Sam and Steve approached next. And yup, that sure was Captain America alright. He wasn’t in his suit, but she almost wished he was. That tiny t-shirt was doing nothing to hide his bulging muscles. She was practically drooling.

“For you,” Darcy said, pushing a plate towards Sam, determined not to make a complete fool of herself in front of Steve ohmygodbiceps Rogers.

Clint moaned from behind them, “Christ, Lewis. I am buying you the best iPod.”

Darcy just grinned at him, turning her attention back to Steve Rogers. “Want me to make you a plate?” she offered.

Sam abandoned the two of them, grabbing his food and taking a seat next to Clint. Steve Rogers held a hand out for her to shake.

“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Lewis. I’ve already heard a lot about you. You too, Dr. Foster,” he turned to greet Jane. She smiled politely back at him.

Darcy shook his hand, trying not to flush under his attention. “Likewise, Captain. You hungry?”

“Always hungry, ma’am. And please, call me Steve.”

Darcy grinned at him. Oh gods, he was adorable. “Alright Steve, take a seat and i’ll plate you up.”

He nodded, listening to her instructions perfectly and sat down next to Sam. Darcy gave Jane and Thor their food before starting on Steves. Super soldiers had the same appetites as gods, right? Darcy shrugged, piling food onto Steve's plate, almost as much as she had for Thor.

She slid the plate towards him, before tucking into her own food. Steve smiled at her gratefully.

This was nice, Darcy realised. She missed cooking for people.

Growing up as the second oldest of five, Darcy was used to being part of a big family. Cooking for her siblings was one of her favourite things to do. It got lonely out in New Mexico, with no one to cook for but her and Jane. So she missed moments like this. Even if Steve and Sam were practically strangers to her- it felt familiar. Darcy was surprised to realise she felt completely comfortable.

“Oh my god,” Sam groaned, over halfway through his plate already. “Darcy, please tell me you’re staying forever. I can’t go back to frozen meals after this.”

Darcy laughed. Clint nodded in agreement. “Seriously. I don’t think you realise what you just got yourself into. None of us have the time or patience to cook, so we always eat out. And I love Stark- don’t tell him I said that- but i’d rather die than eat another one of his bullshit healthy rich people meals.”

“Hear, hear,” Sam said, over a mouthful of spaghetti. Steve just looked at him, full of disappointment and disgust. Darcy laughed so hard she thought she might choke.

“Don’t worry. If i’m not busy in the labs, I promise i’ll cook for you,” she said, smiling at Sam and Clint. They both groaned in thanks, turning their attention back to the food.

Thor popped his head up, looking at Steve. “Where is your brother?”

“You mean Buck?” Steve replied.

“Yes. Did he not go on the mission with you?”

The room went quiet. Sam gave Steve a look.

“He did, yeah,” Steve cleared his throat. “It was a rough mission for everyone, but Bucky especially. I think being in the Hydra base brought back some bad memories. He’s in his room.”

Thor nodded solemnly. “Your friend has seen horrors worse than most. I hope he will recover swiftly.”

Steve looked down at his plate, “Yeah, he’ll be fine.”

Darcy frowned. Steve looked so defeated.

She didn’t know much about Bucky Barnes, besides what she’d read in his file. As a kid, he’d been her childhood hero, and eventual crush, thanks to all the stories her dad had told her about the amazing Howling Commandos. But since then, all she knew about him came from his file- including his past with HYDRA, and all the vile things they’d done to him. Darcy wasn’t afraid to admit she cried the first time she read it.

No wonder he wasn’t feeling well after visiting a HYDRA base. It must have been torture for him, bringing back all those awful memories.

“Why did he go with you?” Darcy couldn’t help but ask. “I-I mean, uh, you don’t have to answer that-”

“It’s fine,” Steve shook his head. “I told him not to, but the punk’s stubborn. Won’t let me go on a mission without him.”

“Oh,” Darcy said quietly. She knew the things Bucky had done as the Winter Soldier. That had to change a person. But the fact that Bucky still refused to let Steve fight on his own, well, it reminded her of the Bucky in all her dad's Commando stories.

Sam cleared his throat. “This food is really amazing, Darc-”

“You want me to bring him a plate?” she interrupted. Steve looked at her in surprise.

“Sorry?”

“A plate. For your friend. Should I bring him one?”

Steve furrowed his brows. He knew Darcy knew about the Winter Soldier. It was part of her information dump before moving to the Tower. But clearly her willingness to do anything for Bucky had surprised him. To be honest, it surprised her too. But hey, Bucky’s story had pulled at her heartstrings- so what if she wanted to look out for the guy? Even if he had been a brainwashed assassin for over 70 years...

“You’d do that?”

Darcy stuck with her gut. “Sure, we have enough leftovers.”

Everyone else was quiet, watching the exchange unfold. Darcy ignored all the looks Jane was sending her.

Steve watched her, Darcy imagined he was looking for any signs of fear or deception. Eventually, he nodded.

“Okay, Miss Lewis. That would be great.”

Darcy beamed, grabbing another plate and stacking it up even higher than Steve’s. She poured all the remaining food out for Bucky, including the last three slices of garlic bread. She heard Clint splutter at the sound of the spoon scraping the bottom of the pan.

“Hey! I thought you said there would be leftovers!”

“I’ll make you more later,” Darcy promised. Clint grumbled, clearly not happy, but Darcy was having none of it. This would be her first time meeting Bucky, and after his terrible day, she wanted to make a good impression.

Steve watched them both in amusement, turning back to his plate once more. “This really is delicious, Darcy. Reminds me of my Ma’s cooking.”

“Really?” Sam interrupted. “Your mom made you spaghetti and meatballs back in 1930’s brooklyn?”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Not exactly,” he hedged. “But she loved to cook. We didn’t have the money to spend on top notch ingredients, but she always made do. Food like this, hot and homemade- it reminds me of her.”

Darcy could tell Sam was about to tease Steve even further, but she interrupted him. “I’m glad,” she said. “Both my parents are terrible cooks. I learned everything I know from my grandmother.”

“Yeah?” Steve asked in surprise.

“Mmhmm. I’ve got four other siblings, someone had to feed them.”

Steve chuckled. “I was never any good at it. Could burn water if I tried. But Bucky could cook. He used to come over every day and Ma would teach him.”

“Oh really?” Darcy grinned. “So the great Captain America can’t cook?”

Steve rolled his eyes at her, but he didn’t stop smiling, which Darcy took as a win.

“Makes two of us,” Clint shrugged, shovelling more pasta into his mouth. Jane looked at him in disgust, which, fair.

Darcy caught Sam’s eye. He was busy looking between her and Steve, a contemplative look on his face.

Darcy raised a brow at him, but he shook his head and looked away. Okay then, not weird at all.

Thor finished his plate and started picking at Janes. Eventually she just gave up and handed him the rest of her plate, which Thor took gratefully.

“We should go unpack,” Jane announced, then turned to glare at Darcy, “Now that someone has banned science for the rest of the day.”

Darcy just grinned at her. Jane could complain all she wanted, but Darcy knew better. The two of them had barely slept during their three day journey to NYC. Jane needed the rest, whether she liked it or not.

Thor put his arm around her waist, rubbing circles into her back.

“Thank you for the meal, Lady Darcy.”

“No worries, big guy. I’ll see you in the lab tomorrow morning, Janey.”

“7am!” Jane pointed at her. Darcy rolled her eyes.

“I’ll be there at 9.”

Jane huffed but was dragged away by Thor, so Darcy was spared from any further complaints.

Sam gave her a look. “You’re good at that.”

“At what?”

“Handling people. Ever considered a career in counselling?”

Darcy screwed up her face. “Uh, not really. I have enough issues on my own. Should probably deal with those before I start taking on other people's problems.”

Clint started laughing. “Join the club. Everyone in this building has major issues. It’s practically a requirement.”

Sam just ignored him and nodded at Darcy in understanding. “Yeah, I get that. But hey, let me know if you’re ever interested. I think you’d be good at it.”

“I will,” Darcy replied, feeling slightly off centre. Sam had known her for all of twenty minutes and already offered her some kind of job. Is this what life was going to be like at the tower?

She shrugged. Superheroes.

Darcy finished off the last of her meal, heading to the sink to start washing up.

“Uh uh, no you don’t,” Sam stopped her. He grabbed his, Clint and Steve's plate and met her at the sink. “You cooked, I’ll clean.”

“You don’t have to do that-” Darcy tried.

“I insist.”

He didn’t wait for a response, just snatched her plate and started washing up. Darcy huffed, looking to the others for support.

Clint just grinned at her, his hands over his now bulging stomach. Steve shrugged at her, as if to say, what can you do?

Darcy frowned, not finding the support she was looking for, and left Sam to do the cleaning up.

“Why don’t you go and take Barnes his plate?” Sam suggested.

Darcy looked at Steve for confirmation, who smiled. “Yeah, come on. I’ll take you to his room.”

Alright then, Darcy thought. She picked up Bucky’s plate and went to follow Steve- running back last minute to grab a bottle of water too. Just in case.

Steve walked her down the hall and back towards the elevators. Darcy was surprised to find herself at ease next to the great Captain.

“Thanks for doing this, Darcy,” Steve said to her.

“It’s no trouble, really. Besides, it sounds like Bucky could use a pick me up.”

“Yeah, about that. You’ve read his files, right?”

He looked at her, eyes searching. For what, Darcy didn’t know.

“Yeah, of course. Stark said we had to read everyone's files before we moved in.”

“Right, I thought so…” he went quiet for a moment. Darcy waited. “You aren’t afraid?”

“Of what?”

“Of Bucky. You’ve read his files. You know what he’s capable of. What he did. Aren’t you afraid of him?”

“Are you?” Darcy countered, raising a brow. Steve shook his head vehemently.

“No of course not. Bucky won’t hurt me. He hasn’t had an incident in almost a year.”

She was bolstered by his confidence. “Well then, I have nothing to be afraid of.”

That was probably a lie. There were plenty of things to be afraid of when it came to Barnes- the Winter Soldier being all of them. But while Darcy was a little anxious to meet him, she wasn’t afraid.

“Really?” Steve pushed.

“Really. All those things that happened to him- the things he did- they weren’t his fault. And look, I don’t know Bucky personally, but if it were me- I wouldn’t want people to be scared of me. That would only make me feel worse.”

Steve looked at her in surprise.

“What?” she asked. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No- no, you’re right. Just- i’m not used to that. Usually people see Bucky and run the opposite way. Especially someone as small as you.”

“As small as me?” Darcy questioned, lifting a brow. Steve immediately flushed.

“Sorry, that came out wrong-”

“I’ll have you know, Captain, that I can handle myself just fine thank you very much.”

“I know you can, Darcy. Sorry. Bucky always said I was useless at talking to girls.”

He reached up to rub the back of his neck in embarrassment. Darcy laughed at him, but her gaze caught on the flash of skin on his neck.

Steve had shimmery gold words across the base of his neck. Darcy couldn’t see what they said, but the handwriting was a beautiful cursive, almost vintage looking. Steve caught her staring.

“Sorry-” she stammered. “That was rude of me.”

“No, no, it’s okay,” he said, clearing his throat.

Darcy cursed herself for having such bad manners. It was rude to look at another person's mark without their permission. She was mentally kicking herself when Steve’s voice interrupted her.

“Peggy,” he said.

“What?”

“Peggy. She’s my- was my- soulmate. She passed away earlier this year.”

Suddenly it clicked. Peggy Carter, of course she was Steve's soulmate. “Oh Steve,” Darcy began, “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” he shrugged, but his face got that same look from earlier, from when he was talking about Bucky. Sad. Defeated.

Darcy raised a hand to the spot just under her collarbone.

“I haven’t met mine,” she said.

“Really?” Steve looked at her in mild surprise. Darcy shrugged.

“I thought I might run into him after college. But then I got swept up with Jane, and then Thor happened,” she sighed. “I guess I never got the chance to go looking for him.”

“You’ll find him soon,” Steve said. He looked so sure, Darcy started to believe him.

“We’ll see,” she smiled.

I thought you were dead.

The elevator dropped them off at the 75th floor, two above her, Jane and Thor.

“So who’s on this floor?” Darcy asked.

“Nat, Clint, Bucky and I. Sam and Banner are on the floor below, and Tony’s got the next one up all to himself,” he said the last bit with exasperation.

Darcy laughed at him. “So i’ve heard. Perks of owning the whole building, huh?”

Steve nodded in agreement. “That’s one of them.”

He led her down the hall, pointing at different doors as he went.

“Nat’s here, Clint is a little further down. This one's mine,” he walked a little further, stopping at the last door on the floor. “And this one is Bucky’s.”

Darcy waited anxiously as Steve knocked on the door. He was met with silence.

“Are you sure he’s even-”

“Buck,” Steve called, knocking again. “I know you’re in there.”

Nothing happened for a few more moments. Darcy started to frown.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps approach, but Darcy was more focused on her mark. It felt hot all of a sudden, almost tingly. She had to force herself to stop from scratching at it.

The door was suddenly thrown open, and Darcy’s mouth dropped open at the sight.

Bucky Barnes was standing there. Only it wasn’t the Bucky Barnes she remembered from her history books. This one had long, dark hair, mused like he’d been running his fingers through it. His cool blue eyes landed on Steve at first, before very deliberately turning to her. Her breath caught in her throat.

The guy was huge. Despite being hunched in on himself, for what Darcy didn’t know, his shoulders were still as wide as the door frame. He kept his left arm tucked into his pockets, hiding what Darcy guessed was an arm made of pure metal.

Darcy tightened her grip on the plate, suddenly afraid she was going to drop it. Her soul mark thrummed in response.

“Buck, this is Darcy,” Steve introduced. Bucky didn’t take his assessing gaze off her, and she found she couldn’t look away. “She and Dr. Foster, Thor’s soulmate, just moved into the tower.”

Steve cleared his throat when neither of them responded, and Bucky’s gaze snapped back to his friend.

“She thought you might be hungry, so she made you something,” Steve’s voice grew strained, clearly begging Bucky to say something.

Barnes just turned his gaze back to Darcy. She swore internally.

Dammit. She would not ruin her first impression with her childhood crush.

“Hey there, Soldier,” Darcy winced at how scratchy her voice sounded. “I heard you could use a pick me up.”

She extended the food toward him. Bucky’s blue eyes widened.

Darcy felt Steve go very, very still beside her.

“Bucky-”

“I thought you were dead.”

Darcy’s stomach turned to lead. She felt the plate drop from her hand, but didn’t hear it crash over the thrumming of blood in her ears.

Bucky’s face turned panicked, he looked to Steve for help. Darcy felt frozen. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

The spot beneath her collar bone burned, spurring her into action. Darcy yanked at the shirt she was wearing, just in time to see her words change from solid black to shimmering gold. She gasped.

Steve swore. Darcy turned to Bucky. He looked like he was going to be sick.

That’s my soulmate. He’s my soulmate. Oh my god, the Winter Soldier is my soulmate.

Bucky shook his head, stumbling back into his room.

“You’re supposed to be dead. They said you were dead.”

“Bucky-” Steve tried to steady his friend, raising a hand to catch him.

“They killed you,” Bucky swore, looking at her with so much pain she gasped, feeling the sensation resonate through her chest. Bucky’s eyes went wide, feeling it too.

She saw the exact moment he lost it. Felt it in her chest. Bucky looked around his room in a panic, like a caged animal.

“Bucky no!” Steve shouted. But Bucky didn’t listen, he took one last look at Darcy and threw himself out of the room and down the hall, disappearing from sight.

“Buck-” Steve looked at her, torn. Darcy shook her head.

“Go.”

Steve nodded, she watched as he took off after Bucky.

Darcy’s legs felt shaky. She could still sense Bucky’s panic in her chest. Not a bond, they hadn’t accepted each other yet, but something.

Darcy looked down at her words once more, still startled by the glittery gold. She raised a hand to it, unsurprised to find the skin bright hot and irritated.

She dropped to the ground, putting her head into her hands. Something cracked, and she looked down to see the plate she had made for Bucky was shattered. It was the last straw.

Darcy bawled, surprised by the suddenness of her own tears but unable to make them stop. Sobs raked through her, so hard she could barely breathe. Darcy gasped against the pain, and that feeling in her chest clenched.

Her one chance to meet her soulmate and she had fucked it up completely. Bucky didn’t want her. He ran just to get away from her.

She couldn’t control her sobs, couldn’t control the onset of emotions coursing through her. She didn’t know which were hers and which were Bucky’s- couldn’t see past the panic and the fear and confusion- but worst of all, the overwhelming sense of loss.

Darcy tried to inhale, tried to breathe, but the panic was too much.

“Miss Lewis-” a voice called. Whos voice, where it came from- she didn’t know. “Miss Lewis-” it tried again.

Darcy looked around, trying to understand.

“My sensors show an increased heart rate and decrease in oxygen. I believe you are having a panic attack.”

What-

“Miss Lewis, I have sent for Dr. Foster, she will be with you in a moment. Please, try to breathe.”

Darcy gasped, burying her hands in her hair. I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe-

“Darcy?” a voice called. “Oh my gods, Darcy.”

She was pulled into a hug. Darcy didn’t see who it was, her eyes were shut tight to try and stop the tears, but she could tell by the shampoo that it was Jane.

“Darcy what happened?!”

“He doesn’t want me, Janey,” Darcy shook.

“What- who doesn’t want you?”

“Bucky-”

“I don’t-”

“He’s my soulmate, Jane.”

Darcy felt her best friend freeze. All of the air rushed out of her lungs.

“Come on, let's get you back to the apartment.”

Darcy couldn’t quite remember what happened next. Her chest felt too tight and her emotions were all crazy. She thinks she might have passed out. Either way, the last thing she remembered was being wrapped up in strong arms and carried away.

Bucky’s open door was the last thing she saw.

~~~~

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Jane asked, chewing her bottom lip with worry. Thor rubbed her arm reassuringly.

He had just finished laying Darcy down in her own bed. Her poor best friend had never looked worse. Darcy’s eyes were puffy and her face was red, but the rest of her skin was shockingly pale.

“She will be fine,” Thor promised. “It was the bond snapping into place. She was overwhelmed by Barnes’ emotions, it caused her to panic.”

“I tried calling Steve, but he hasn’t responded. JARVIS said Bucky left the tower and Steve followed him out.”

“It will be alright, my love.”

“How can you be so sure?” Jane said, turning to shove her face into his chest. The scent of him always calmed her down.

“Trust me,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Darcy woke alone in her room, with no idea of how she got there.

Her bed was still unmade, all of her things yet to be unpacked. She took a deep breath.

Something inside her chest thrummed.

She gasped, leaping out of bed and running to the nearest mirror. A pull on her shirt revealed everything she thought she’d dreamed.

I thought you were dead, was no longer black but a shining, shimmering gold.

She took a step back, rubbing at her tired eyes, but nope. The mark was still gold.

Barnes was her soulmate. The Winter Soldier was her soulmate.

Darcy ran her hands through her hair, trying to steady herself.

“Just breathe, Darce. Everything's fine. Totally fine. You found your soulmate- yay! Except he’s the winter soldier and he hates you because you're apparently supposed to be dead.”

Darcy’s reflection stared back at her.

“Oh what the fuck,” she exclaimed, dropping to the floor. She put her head in her hands, pulling at her tangled hair. I’m going insane.

Darcy looked back at her reflection. She was embarrassed to see a red, blotchy face and messy hair looking back. Darcy wasn't sure if she'd ever looked any worse.

What the fuck am I going to do?

She sat there for a moment, gathering her thoughts. That thing inside her chest hummed. She knew it wasn’t a bond- at least, not a complete bond. The only way to form a complete bond was to formally accept your soulmate, which neither she or Bucky had done. But that thing she felt in her chest was the beginning of a bond. The potential for one.

It pulsed in her chest, like something real- tangible- alive. Darcy could almost see it if she closed her eyes. A thin strand of gold, twined around her chest, leading to the one person who couldn’t stand her.

Darcy closed her eyes, focusing on the strand. That feeling in her chest grew stronger.

She could feel things, when she focused on it. Thoughts, emotions, that didn’t belong to her. They were faint, but still there.

The more she focused on it, the more she could feel. The emotions got louder and louder, until she could feel the echo of them in her own chest. Fear. Confusion. Anger. Loss.

Darcy imagined herself reaching out to touch the strand, pulling on it like a guitar string. It pulsed, the movement shooting all the way down the strand, further and further away from her.

The echo of emotion in her chest lurched, panic burned her from the inside and Darcy gasped, her eyes snapping open.

Shit. She hadn’t meant to do that.

She’d been drawn into the bond, listening to it’s call. She’d gone too far and tugged. Bucky had felt her.

Darcy groaned. She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to handle any of this.

Something chimed from across the room. She recognised it as her ringtone. Jane had texted her.

‘U ok?’

‘No.’ Darcy replied honestly. Her phone chimed again.

‘Thor and I are in the kitchen. Come talk?’

Darcy sighed, not knowing what else to do. ‘Ok.’

She went to the bathroom to wash her face and fix her hair, before throwing on a comfy sweater and leaving her apartment.

She still looked pretty awful, but dammit, she felt awful.

Jane and Thor were sitting on the couches in the communal kitchen when she arrived.

Jane looked up as she walked in and immediately jumped up from the couch, pulling Darcy in for a hug.

“I wasn’t sure if you were awake so I texted you,” Jane explained.

“How did I get to my room?”

“Thor carried you.”

“Oh,” Darcy said, letting go of Jane. They sat on the couches.

“Can you tell us what happened?” Jane asked. Darcy shrugged.

“Steve and I went to bring Bucky some food. When he opened the door, I said his words. I didn’t realise at first, but they started acting all weird, and then Bucky said my words-” Jane was looking at her in sympathy. Thor frowned. “I froze, I think. And then I felt my words change and he saw it. I felt his panic, in here,” Darcy pointed to her chest.

“He was freaking out, but I was too frozen to even help him. He kept saying I was supposed to be dead- that ‘they’ said I was dead. And then he took off. Steve chased him down, but I couldn’t breathe.”

“You were feeling the effects of the bond,” Thor nodded at her in sympathy. “It is very overwhelming at first, especially if the initial meeting is...unpleasant,” he tilted his head, looking for the right words.

“He was so panicked,” Darcy said, curling in on herself. “And I couldn’t do anything but freeze.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Darcy,” Thor frowned. “This was not your fault.”

“What did he mean by ‘they said you were dead’? Who’s they?” Jane asked. Darcy shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

Jane sighed, placing a hand on Darcy’s knee.

“It’s gonna be okay, Darce. We’ll figure this out.”

“He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“You don’t know that. Let’s not be hasty here.”

Darcy looked at Jane. Let everything she was feeling show on her face. “He ran away from me, Jane. He doesn’t want me-” Darcy’s voice broke, and she buried her head back in her hands.

This is why she didn’t want to meet her soulmate. She knew it was going to be bad.

“Darcy- just stop and think for a second, okay? This is Barnes we’re talking about. He’s been through more things than you and I could ever imagine. Now, I can’t speak for Bucky, but i’m sure this must have been terrifying for him. You said it yourself- you felt his panic. If there's anyone in the world who deserves a chance, and maybe a little patience, it’s him, right?”

Jane’s eyes locked on Darcy’s and stayed there. Darcy felt something deep inside her crack.

“Of course he deserves a chance. I just don’t think he wants me, Jane. You should’ve seen his face. He looked like he was going to be sick.”

Jane’s mouth twisted in sympathy. “Everyone reacts differently. You know that. Just- just give it some time, okay? Talk to Steve. See if he knows where Bucky is. Maybe you two can have a talk.”

Darcy wasn’t sure she wanted to see Barnes again, after their first encounter. She was a tough girl, but she wasn’t sure she could handle getting so blatantly rejected again.

But Jane was right. Bucky was different. She couldn’t treat this like a normal bond because it wasn’t. Bucky had been through too much. She had to be considerate.

Darcy took a deep, steadying breath.

She would talk to him. If he didn’t want her, then fine. She would deal. After everything he’s been through, he deserved to make that decision for himself.

But she would at least try, because if anyone deserved the chance at a happy ending, it was Bucky. And if the magic fates were real, then they had paired her with him for a reason. She was going to do whatever it took to give Bucky Barnes the life he deserved, whether she was included in that life or not.

Darcy looked at Thor. He must have seen the resolve on her face because she saw him smile.

“You believe in the fates, right?”

“Of course,” Thor answered. Jane just barely refrained from rolling her eyes.

“And they don’t make mistakes?”

“Never.”

Darcy nodded, turning her attention back to Jane. “I’ll talk to him.”

Jane smiled at her, that had apparently been the answer she was hoping for.

Darcy grabbed her phone and left the room.

She hoped she was making the right decision.

~~~~

She dialled Steve’s number. Apparently, sometime during her black out, her phone had been updated with the number for every important person in the building. Darcy wasn't sure if she should be impressed or concerned.

Steve answered on the second ring. Darcy tried to stop her hands from shaking.

“Hello?” he asked cautiously.

“Steve? It’s Darcy,” she croaked, voice breaking.

“Darcy-” he replied. Darcy felt the thing in her chest lurch. “Are you alright?”

Darcy ignored him, taking a deep breath instead.

“Is he with you?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

She heard Steve sigh.

“Yeah, he’s here. He needed to get out of the tower for a bit. I’m sorry.”

She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. Darcy tried to steel herself for Steve's next response.

“Can we- does he-” she groaned, tugging on her hair in frustration. “Can you put him on the phone, please?”

Steve went quiet for a moment. She suspected he was asking Bucky if he wanted to talk to her. Darcy held her breath, waiting for him to respond.

Steve didn’t reply, but there was a shuffling in the background, and the phone went silent. Like the person on the other end was holding their breath.

“Bucky?” Darcy guessed. He didn’t respond, but that was confirmation enough. “Listen, i’m sorry for what happened. I should’ve said something earlier but I froze, probably from the shock. Anyway-” she took a deep breath, “I’d like to talk about this in person, if we could? You don’t have to say yes, there's no pressure, just- just think about it, okay? I meant what I said earlier. You seem like you could use a pick me up and I promise i’m a nice person. Just ask Steve.”

She heard a faint chuckle from the other end of the line. Not from Bucky, but Steve. Which meant that Steve was listening in. Great, not embarrassing at all.

“You pulled on the bond, earlier,” Bucky husked. Darcy felt herself shiver at the sound of his voice.

“I did, yeah. Sorry about that, it was an accident.”

She held her breath, waiting for him to respond.

“You sure you want to talk to me?”

Darcy's face screwed up in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“I bailed on you, doll. Panicked and ran out the door. Do you really want to see me after that?”

“Of course I want to see you,” she frowned. “We’re soulmates.”

He paused. Darcy started cursing herself, wishing she had said something else instead-

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess we are.”

She sighed in relief, glad he hadn't just hung up on her.

“So...do you want to talk about this in person?”

He went quiet again. She got the feeling he was talking to Steve about what to do.

“I’m heading back to the tower now. Will you meet me in an hour? Steve will send you the location.”

“Oh!” Darcy couldn’t fight the surprise from her voice. “Sure-um, yes. Just- just text me. On this number.”

Darcy mentally face palmed. She always rambled when she got nervous.

Her chest thrummed with amusement. It was the first positive emotion she’d felt through the bond, and she couldn’t help but smile in relief.

“I’ll see you in an hour,” he said.

“See you,” Darcy whispered. The phone went dead.

~~~~

EARLIER

BUCKY'S POV

Steve found him on the rooftop of their old Brooklyn apartment.

“I haven’t been here in a long time.”

Bucky didn’t even turn around. He knew it was Steve long before he spoke.

“So, you finally found your soulmate,” Steve tried.

Bucky didn’t answer.

Steve kept going.

“You gonna go back and talk to her?”

Bucky turned around, glaring. “You think she wants to talk to me after the stunt I just pulled?”

Steve shrugged. “Look, Buck. I don’t know Darcy very well, but she doesn't seem like the type to give up. You should at least try talking to her. She might surprise you.”

Bucky shook his head. Steve sighed. They sat in silence for a moment.

“They told me she was dead.”

“I know. I remember.”

“She’s not dead,” Bucky said, his voice shaking. Steve looked at him.

“She’s not,” he agreed.

“I don’t know what to do. I thought i’d lost her already, so I gave up trying. And now here she is, and I don’t know what to do.”

“You could talk to her, for one.”

Bucky glared at him. “She deserves better than someone like me.”

Steve shrugged. “I don’t know about that.”

“I’ve killed people, Stevie. So many people. Why should she have to be stuck with someone like me? She’d be better off dead.”

“Don’t say that,” Steve said, his voice low with anger.

“It’s the truth, ain’t it?”

“We’ve all got a past, Buck. Yours worse than most. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve something good. HYDRA hurt you. Made you think your own soulmate was dead- but she’s not, Buck. This could be your chance for something good. Darcy could give you that, if you let her.”

Bucky was about to reply when he suddenly grabbed his chest, gasping for breath. Steve jumped.

“What is it? What happened?”

“The bond,” Bucky gasped. “I can feel her pullin’ on it.”

“Oh,” Steve said, relaxing. “What’s she doing?”

“Just-” Bucky closed his eyes, feeling for their bond. It was barely thicker than a strand of hair, but it was enough. “I can feel her. She’s distressed, and-” he furrowed his brows “Guilty?”

Steve nodded. “You took off on her. She’s probably blaming herself.”

“She shouldn’t,” he practically growled. Steve nodded.

“You should tell her that.”

Bucky ignored him. They sat in silence for a few more moments.

“I can’t believe this is real,” Bucky said, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes.

“Well you better believe it, pal. You got a soulmate back at the tower, wondering what the hell she did wrong.”

Bucky glared at Steve again.

“Why’d you come to my room earlier, anyway?” he changed the subject.

“Darcy made us all a late lunch. Thor asked why you weren’t there and I said you were in your room. She wanted to bring you some.”

“Doesn’t she know who I am?”

“She knows.”

“Then why would she-”

“Why don’t you stop being a punk and just ask her yourself, hmm?”

If Bucky had something other than a knife on him, he’d throw it at Steve’s head right now. Instead he just sighed, glaring at the sky for making his whole life one great big fuck up.

“She’s pretty,” Steve hedged, waiting for Bucky’s reaction.

“Get your own,” Bucky growled. Steve smirked.

Another minute passed.

“She is pretty,” Bucky practically whispered. “Reminded me of Anne Nagel when I first saw her. You remember Anne Nagel? That actress?”

“I remember,” Steve nodded.

“Darcy’s prettier, though.”

Steve bit back his smile. “So, you going to apologise or what?”

“I don’t think she wants to see me.”

Steve sighed, about to argue when his phone rang. He answered on the second ring, frowning at the unknown number.

“Hello?” Steve said hesitantly.

“Steve? It’s Darcy.”

“Darcy-” Steve sat up, ignoring Bucky’s panicked look from beside him.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Darcy got Steve’s text a few moments later.

‘Meet on the tower roof in an hour’

She took a deep breath. This was really happening. She was meeting up with her ex brainwashed assassin soulmate after he ran away from her and she had a panic attack because of their bond.

What a life.

Darcy sent a quick text to Jane, deciding to head to her room and get ready for her meeting with Bucky. Barnes? James? Screw it, they were soulmates, she was going to call him Bucky. After all, that's what Steve called him.

‘Hey Janey, I called him. We’re meeting on the roof in a bit to talk about things. Wish me luck.’

Jane responded a moment later.

‘So proud of you for trying, Darce. Good luck! I hope it all goes well <3’

‘Thor says hi’

‘He also says good luck.’

Darcy chuckled at the texts, sending a few hearts back.

She arrived back at her room and stared at her unpacked bags in dismay. She had time to kill, she might as well use it to start unpacking. No matter how much she dreaded the thought of reopening each and every bag or box.

Darcy started on her bed, setting up her blankets and pillows just the way she liked. Jane used to tease her for having so many pillows (there were now 10), but Darcy didn’t care. They made her room feel homely and cozy.

After finishing up the bed she moved on to her clothes, hanging everything in her closet except for a few promising outfits. Darcy had no idea what you were supposed to wear when meeting your scary assassin soulmate for the second time, but a cute pair of jeans and a nice shirt seemed like a good place to start. After a moments deliberation, Darcy grabbed a pair of heels to go with it.

Her grandma always said- ‘dress the way you want to feel’. Just because Darcy felt fucking awful, didn’t mean she had to look awful. Plus, high heels gave her confidence, and right now she’d take what she could get.

Darcy gave herself a once over in her bedroom mirror, adjusting her glasses and fluffing her hair. It was getting close to the hour now, Steve and Bucky would be back any second.

She grabbed her phone and left the apartment, heading to the elevator. Her heart was beating out of her chest so rapidly she thought she might die.

“You’re fine, it’s fine, everything is fine,” Darcy told herself, taking a few deep breaths. She just prayed this meeting didn’t end like the last one- namely, her crying in the hallway while he ran away.

Darcy closed her eyes. He sounded better on the phone, right? Less panicked? Maybe it was just wishful thinking- hell, maybe Darcy was hopelessly delusional- but right now she let herself believe it.

The elevator took her up to the rooftop. The thing in her chest thrummed as she passed each floor. Her palms were sweaty and she was chewing her lip raw with anxiety.

Darcy focused on the bond, the only thing that felt real at that moment. It grew brighter the higher she got, as if it knew she was getting closer and closer to Bucky.

He must be there already, waiting for her. Darcy noted that the strand they shared wasn’t pulled so taught anymore, as if he was physically closer to her. She could even feel his emotions more strongly now.

Anxiety. Guilt. Fear. Longing.

The elevator stopped at the highest floor, the doors sliding open with ease.

Darcy wiped her sweaty palms on the back of her jeans, willing her legs not to turn to jelly as she walked.

She imagined the bond, gold and real, in front of her. She let it guide her to Bucky, following the strand away from the elevator and deeper onto the roof top. Her stomach flipped anxiously as it led her closer and closer to the edge of the building.

Bucky was waiting for her on the edge of Stark Tower, sitting on the ledge, with his legs hanging dangerously over the side.

Darcy felt the thing in her chest flare when she saw him. Her instincts were screaming at her to both get away from the edge, and run towards it- towards him.

He was sitting perfectly still. She had no doubt that he’d heard her footsteps from the elevator, but she still cleared her throat just incase. If possible, his posture became even more rigid.

Darcy took a deep, steadying breath. She focused on his appearance.

He was wearing a black jacket over dark wash jeans. Different to what he was wearing earlier, in his apartment. She wondered if he’d stopped there on his way to get changed. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine him doing such a thing.

He had his hands tucked into his pockets, head turned to watch the sunset. Though he turned to look at her when she cleared her throat.

Darcy couldn’t help but gasp when his blue eyes caught hers. The intensity of his gaze was enough to make her falter.

Darcy felt her heart rate skyrocket once more.

“Hi,” She whispered.

Bucky’s face stayed carefully neutral, taking her in. Her skin burned as his eyes trailed down from her face and over her figure, lingering at her shoes.

She shifted her weight anxiously. His gaze snapped back to hers.

“Hi,” he responded, voice husky, like he hadn’t spoken in a while.

The deep timbre of his voice was enough to turn Darcy’s cheeks a bright pink. She watched as Bucky zeroed in on her face, his eyes darkening. Darcy cleared her throat, mind scrambling for what to say.

“Mind if I sit down?” she finally asked, gesturing to the space next to him.

Bucky nodded, taking those searing blue eyes off of her in favor of the view.

They could see the whole skyline from up here. The sun was setting, bathing all of the buildings in soft purples and pinks. She’d find it beautiful if she weren’t so petrified of falling over the edge.

Darcy stepped closer slowly, edging towards the empty space beside Bucky. She was careful to keep some distance between her and the ledge, not wanting to take any chances. All the while, Bucky watched her intently from the corner of his eye.

“Are you afraid of heights?” he asked. Darcy startled, so focused on the edge that she’d almost forgotten about him.

“Um, yeah, a little bit,” she admitted.

Bucky immediately stood up. Darcy barely had time to blink before she suddenly got a faceful of supersoldier.

She screamed as Bucky grabbed her around the waist and lifted. Darcy panicked, clutching onto his neck and shoulders on instinct. He stood up straight, carrying her entire body in his arms, and took her away from the edge.

“Jesus Christ!” Darcy shouted, her feet still off the ground.

Bucky didn’t answer. He just carried her further and further away from the edge, towards the middle of the rooftop. In Darcy’s panic, she was able to spot a couple of metal benches.

Darcy waited until they were safely at the benches before letting go of the breath she was holding. Bucky put her down carefully, nodding to the closest seat.

“You could’ve atleast warned me,” she grumbled, though it lacked any real heat.

Bucky gave her a look. She was in the middle of deciphering it when she realised her arms were still clutched around his shoulders in a death grip.

“Shit!” Darcy swore, jumping away as if he’d burned her. “Sorry.”

She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. Instead she just focused on the bench, wincing as she took a seat. Not off to a great start there, Darce.

Bucky shook his head.

“You should’ve told me you were afraid of heights. I would have picked somewhere else to meet.”

His tone was soft, concerned. Darcy tried not let her surprise show.

First of all, had his voice always been that soft and velvety? Second of all, she had practically climbed him like a tree just moments ago, and yet he was the one sounding sorry?

Darcy got the distinct feeling that she was in trouble. Deep, deep, deep trouble.

She shook her head.

“It’s fine. I wanted you to choose the location so that you’d be more comfortable. If you want to be up here, then up here is where we’ll be.”

He gave her a strange look. She couldn’t tell if it was because of her rambling, or- and the reason she really believed- it was because no one had worried about his comfort before.

Darcy frowned, trying not to let her anger flow through their bond. She silently vowed to punch every HYDRA douchebag in the face for making Bucky Barnes think his comfort was unimportant.

Bucky frowned, deep in thought, before he took a seat beside her on the bench.

He kept a respectable distance. Atleast a foot away from her. And yet she could’ve sworn she could still feel the heat of his body next to hers.

They sat in silence for a moment. Darcy opened and closed her mouth twice, trying to figure out how to begin.

She was completely surprised when Bucky was the first one to speak.

“You know,” he paused, clearing his throat. “I used to be afraid of heights, too.”

“Really?” she asked, caught off guard.

The last thing she’d expected was for Bucky to start talking first. Let alone for him to say something so personal.

I mean, obviously Darcy knew the whole point of this ‘talk’ was to discuss their soul bond. But to be honest, part of her was still expecting him to just dump her and be done with it.

“Yeah,” he confirmed. “Before I joined the army.”

Darcy noted the way he said ‘before’. She furrowed her brows.

“So you’re not scared anymore?”

He shook his head.

“Why?” she asked.

He didn’t answer immediately. Darcy began cursing herself, wishing she’d just shut up instead of asking questions, when he turned those cool blue eyes onto her.

It was the first time she got to admire them up close. Under the light of the setting sun, they seemed to change colour- shifting from grey to blue to sea green. Darcy found herself completely entranced.

Bucky dropped her gaze, focusing on the hard concrete beneath their feet.

“There are worse things to be afraid of than heights.”

Darcy blew out a breath.

He wasn’t talking about snakes or spiders or cramped spaces. He was referring to HYDRA, and all the vile, disgusting things they’d done.

In comparison, heights seemed like a childish fear to have. Darcy suddenly felt insignificant.

“I’m sorry,” she said, not knowing what else to say. He shook his head.

“No, i’m sorry. I didn’t say that to make you feel…” he paused, furrowing a brow. Darcy wondered if he was studying their bond like she had been. “Anyway. I’m surprised you’re here.”

Now it was Darcy’s turn to look confused.

“What?”

“I’m surprised you’re here. I didn’t think you’d want to see me,” he admitted, avoiding her gaze.

Darcy shook her head. “Why wouldn’t I want to see you?”

“Cause I panicked and ran out on you.”

Oh. Right. That. She huffed.

“I’ll admit, not the meeting I was expecting.”

He looked at her again, those blue eyes wide and sorrowful. Darcy sighed. How the hell was she supposed to do anything when he was looking at her like that?

She felt the last of her resolve melt.

“Look, it was my fault too, you know. I saw you freaking out. I felt it,” she said, gesturing to that thing in her chest. “I watched you run away, and I didn’t do a damn thing to stop you. Just froze on the spot like an idiot.”

He immediately shook his head, frowning at her.

“Are you crazy? None of this is your fault. If anything, you’re a victim here.”

“I’m a victim? How?”

“No one deserves to be stuck in a soul bond with me.”

Darcy’s mouth dropped open in shock. Those feelings of guilt and shame intensified, so vivid they felt like her own.

“Don’t say that,” she practically growled.

“It’s the truth.”

“No it’s not. That’s stupid.”

Bucky gave her a look.

“Look at me. Look at us. I’ve known you for all of one day and I already screwed this up. You don’t deserve that.”

“Stop telling me what I do and don’t deserve, Barnes. You don’t know what I’ve done.”

He dropped his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Darcy took a deep breath. Patience, she heard Jane’s voice whisper in her head.

“Don’t apologise. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

He gave her a look that said he clearly thought otherwise.

Okay, Darcy. Time for a new approach.

She took a risk.

“Can I see your words?”

Bucky’s eyes went wide in surprise. He studied her face, looking for god knows what.

“Why?” he asked.

Darcy shrugged. Bucky frowned at her.

She thought about taking the question back and changing the subject to something else instead. But no, Darcy was holding her ground on this one. She needed to see the words for herself.

After a few moments of waiting, Bucky eventually nodded.

She bit the inside of her cheek as he carefully, deliberately, turned around. When his back was facing her, he lifted his arms to slowly remove his jacket.

Darcy could tell it made him uncomfortable having his back to her. It left him vulnerable, unable to see her or anything she was doing. But he didn’t stop.

The muscles of his back flexed and remained tense as he finally removed the jacket. Darcy watched on, completely helpless, as Bucky then pulled off his shirt and revealed his bare back to her.

Her words were a beautiful shimmering gold, stretching across the top of one shoulder to the other. Her bold, scratchy handwriting looked elegant on his skin. Like it belonged there.

She noticed the first few letters on his left shoulder had been removed and were now replaced by scar tissue and dark metal.

‘... there, Soldier. I heard you could use a pick me up?’

She lifted a hand, wanting to trace her words on his skin.

Bucky stiffened, anticipating her touch. Darcy stopped. She was about to pull her hand away when-

“Don’t.”

Bucky’s voice was strained, like he had to physically force the words out. She was prepared to ignore him, he was clearly struggling. But he’d asked her to continue, that was his choice, and Darcy would be damned if she was going to take away his choice from him.

She swallowed, telling herself to trust him, and raised her hand once more.

Her finger skimmed delicately over the first letter, careful of his scars. He went still under her touch, but she pushed on.

Darcy traced the length of his soul mark, running her fingertips from one shoulder to the other.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, awed.

He didn’t say anything, although she wasn’t expecting him to. Darcy reluctantly pulled her hand away from his warm back.

That thing in her chest twisted. She felt the bond go dark, almost sour. Darcy frowned at the sudden onslaught of negative emotions.

“HYDRA ruined it when they put that arm on me,” Bucky growled. “They didn’t need to take so much skin, the metal could’ve stopped at my bicep, but they wanted my shoulder too. Took away some of your letters on purpose, so they could mock me.”

Darcy felt rage run through her, but it wasn’t Bucky’s emotions this time. Oh no, this was all hers.

How dare they take away her words? Soul bonds were sacred, never to be touched by anyone, and yet HYDRA had the audacity to cut away at Bucky’s. Darcy was practically seeing red. She had never felt such anger in her life-

Bucky pulled away, putting his shirt back on.

He was tense, unable to meet her eyes. Darcy frowned, feeling his shame and humiliation through their bond.

She realised in shock that her anger was only making him feel worse. Her hands clenched the bench so tight her knuckles turned white.

She could be angry later, in private. Right now she needed to focus on Bucky- find a way to distract him from the pain he was feeling.

She took a deep breath, calming herself down.

“I know you saw your words earlier,” she said, gesturing to her collarbone. “But if you want, I can show you them again?”

It took a moment, but he slowly reached her eyes. She made sure to push as many comforting emotions down the bond as possible. Eventually, he nodded.

Darcy reached for the collar of her shirt, undoing a couple of the buttons. She opened it to reveal the soulmark under her collarbone.

Compared to her words, his were tiny, written in an elegant, old timey script. They started where her right shoulder met her chest, swooped under her collarbone, and curved down in the centre of her chest.

Bucky’s eyes went dark as studied the mark. Admittedly, it was in a pretty risque area, especially for someone with her bra size.

He lifted his right hand, just as she’d done, his eyes asking her for permission. She nodded.

She noticed that he’d used his flesh hand and not the metal one, despite the metal one being closer and at less of an awkward angle. She wondered why.

His finger grazed over her words, so delicately she could hardly feel him.

Darcy sucked in a breath, eyes trained on his face as he studied her mark.

'I thought you were dead'.

Darcy tried not to shiver under his touch. Probably failed, judging by the way his pupils dilated and his hand on her skin froze.

Bucky cleared his throat, moving away.

“I’m sorry you had to live with that.”

Darcy shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. “I’ve seen people with worse.”

It was a true statement, but it didn’t make her feel any better. She could feel Bucky’s sadness echo her own through the bond.

Time to change tactics again.

“You know what would make me feel better?” Darcy asked.

“What?”

“If you explained what the words mean.”

He frowned. “I thought it was pretty self explanatory.”

“Not really,” she admitted. “Why did you think I had died? When we were back at your apartment, you kept saying ‘they said I was dead’. Who’s they?”

Bucky blew out a breath, biding his time. Darcy was content to wait.

His next words took her by surprise.

“You know, I joined the army ‘cause of you.”

“What?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled, though the sound was bittersweet.

“I don’t understand,” Darcy said, letting her confusion show on her face.

“You called me ‘soldier’ in my soul mark. I knew I wouldn’t get to meet you until I had served. So when the war came, and the drafters started asking for recruits, I made sure I was the first to sign.”

Darcy couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

He joined the army for her. James Buchanan Barnes of the Howling Commandos went to war for her.

Everything that happened after that- it was all because of her.

“Why?” Darcy asked, voice breaking.

“I wanted to meet you,” he said, smiling sadly. “You’re my soulmate, I would’ve done anything for you. Stevie used to give me all kinds of grief about it, kept calling me a sap, but I didn’t care.”

Darcy couldn’t speak. She didn’t know what to say.

“I’m sorry,” she managed to choke out. For the war. For making you join the army. For putting you through hell.

She couldn’t say the last parts out loud, but he seemed to understand.

He smiled at her. It didn’t reach his eyes, and there was more sadness than anything. But in that one, small, barely there smile- Darcy could’ve sworn she was looking at the Bucky Barnes from the 1940’s, the one in all of her dad’s stories.

“The War was rough, not at all what I was expecting, but I was stupid back then, didn’t have a clue what I was getting myself into. Just knew I had a girl waiting for me at the end of it all, so I kept on fighting.”

“Bucky,” Darcy breathed, her heart breaking.

Her chest was tight with emotions, both hers and his. Pain, suffering, sadness, grief. She felt them all like punches to her chest.

Bucky just sat there, looking down at his metal hand. He kept clenching and unclenching his fist, but she could tell he wasn’t really seeing it.

She reached out on instinct, grabbing the metal hand and holding it tight in hers. Not letting go.

Bucky looked at her.

“The boys used to say I was lucky,” he whispered, unlocking his fist so he could hold her hand. “Cause your words meant I would make it out of the war alive.”

Darcy’s heart sunk even further. The fragile strand of their bond was flooded with pain.

“At first, I thought they were right,” Bucky said. Then the thing in Darcy’s chest turned ice cold. “But then HYDRA found me, and I thought that was the end.”

Darcy blew out a breath, trying to blink away the sudden tears in her eyes. She squeezed his hand, feeling all of his agony and terror through the bond. Even that small, small fraction of his pain was enough to bring her to tears. She could only imagine how overwhelming it must be for him.

“I fought them so hard, doll,” Bucky whispered, looking so deep into her eyes she thought he could see her soul. “I fought so hard to get back to you, and they knew it. I told them their experiments would never work, because I was getting out of there. You were gonna save me.”

The tears spilled freely down her cheeks now. Darcy could do nothing to stop them. She just let them run down her face, each felt heavier and more painful than the last.

“I lasted months, a year at best, longer than anyone else ever had. HYDRA knew they couldn’t control me while I had you,” he swallowed, clenching his jaw. “So one day, Zola comes into my cell, and he tells me he’s found you. They pumped me so full of drugs I couldn’t walk or barely see. Then they dragged me into the lab and strapped me into the chair.”

Darcy closed her eyes, turning her face to the ground. She couldn’t bear to look at him while he told her the next part.

“They brought in some poor girl and chained her up in front of me. I didn’t even know her name. I was too drugged up to understand what was happening. But they told me she was you. They said they’d found my soulmate, and somehow i’d said her words and they changed colours-”

Bucky’s voice cracked at the end, raw with emotion. It was enough to make Darcy sob. She clutched his hand as tight as she could, using her other hand to muffle her cries.

His eyes were so far away, like he was no longer with her, but reliving his memories as if they were right infront of him.

“They shot her in front of me,” he whispered.

Darcy shook, her body overcome by the combination of his grief and pain pouring through the bond. She clutched her chest, feeling like she couldn’t breathe.

“She was gone,” Bucky said. “I thought HYDRA had killed my soulmate. And after that I never resisted. Why should I? You were gone. The one proof I had that I’d one day be free, and they killed you.”

“Bucky,” Darcy sobbed, “I’m so sorry-”

“I thought you were dead,” he whispered. “All the things I did, the killings, the beatings, none of it mattered, because i’d lost you.”

He dropped his head in his hands. Darcy did the only thing she could think of. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed, trying to hold him together.

“I became a monster,” Bucky finished. “I don’t deserve you.”

Darcy shook her head, tried to use her sleeve to wipe away the still falling tears.

“That’s not true,” she said. “It’s not. It’s complete and utter bullshit.”

“Didn’t you read my file? You know what I’ve done. What I’m capable of. I’m a monster, and you deserve better than that. You deserve better than being stuck with me.”

“Stop it,” Darcy said firmly. “That’s enough.”

He looked at her, all of those broken emotions clear on his face.

“I can’t do this, Darcy. I won’t do this to you.”

It was the first time he said her name, and he was trying to stay goodbye.

Bucky stood, Darcy’s arms dropped from his shoulders and hung limply at her sides.

He turned away, running a hand through his tangled hair. Darcy clenched her jaw. She wouldn’t let him do this. Not without giving them a chance. Not when his reason for leaving was because he thought she deserved better.

“Sit down,” Darcy ordered. She hated herself for using that tone with him, but it was the only way she could think of to get through to him.

Bucky turned around. His eyes locked with hers.

She pointed at the bench. “Sit. Down.”

He took a deep breath, but did as she asked.

“You don’t get to tell me what I do and don’t deserve-”

“-You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into-”

“I’m not some innocent little girl, Bucky. You don’t have to protect me from yourself. I know how to make my own decisions,” Darcy inhaled. “I know your past was hard, okay, I can feel your pain. But that doesn’t scare me. I know you still have a lot to work on, and your still getting better, but you don’t have to do this alone. The Universe put us together for a reason, okay? I’m your fucking soulmate, if anyone understands what you’re going through right now, it’s me.”

She saw Bucky deflate, curling in on himself like he was trying to hide. A better person might try to stop and apologise. But Darcy wasn’t a better person. She was just Darcy, and she was his soulmate, and she’d make him listen.

“You deserve everything, Bucky,” she breathed. “Everything- whatever you want. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth. In fact, I will personally hurt anyone who says otherwise. The things in your past, they weren’t you, okay? It’s not your fault- none of this is your fault. You shouldn’t punish yourself now because of things you couldn’t control then.”

He shook his head, unable to meet her gaze.

“What if I hurt you?”

“We’ll figure it out,” she said. “I won’t lie and tell you things are going to be perfect, because they aren’t. But we can atleast try.”

He didn’t answer. Darcy tried again.

“Would you ever hurt me on purpose?”

“God no,” he swore, blue eyes meeting hers. She saw the sincerity in them.

“Good. I believe you.”

“That isn’t enough.”

“It is for me,” she said. “You said it yourself- you would have done anything for me, right? Well, now’s my chance to return the favour.”

Those sad blue eyes studied hers. Darcy could feel the turmoil of his emotions surging through their bond. She could feel his confliction, his hope, his fear, his anger. All of it.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

He sighed.

“I’m thinking I spent all my life waiting to meet you, and you’re still better than anything I ever imagined.”

Darcy blew out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

Before today, Darcy had dreaded meeting her soulmate. With words like hers, she knew it was going to be a bad experience.

After meeting Bucky the first time, her worst fears were confirmed. Her own soulmate had run away from her.

But now, after talking to him, Darcy realised with a jolt that she wanted nothing more than to make this work. With him. Together.

Bucky had clearly been through so much, more than Darcy could ever imagine. But he still cared so deeply. He was willing to walk away from his own soulmate because he thought she deserved better.

He was a good man, he just needed someone to help him. Darcy wanted to be that someone.

Regardless of what gods or fates or science she believed in, the world had put Darcy with Bucky for a reason. His handwriting had been printed on her skin from the moment she was born. She wasn't going to let him go now.

“The feelings mutual, Barnes.”

He huffed.

“What are you thinking, doll?”

“I’m thinking you spent a long, long time waiting for your soulmate, Soldier. You shouldn’t have to wait any longer.”

“I still don’t deserve you,” he whispered. Those full, dark lips captured all her attention. “I’m dangerous. You could get hurt.”

“I’ll handle it,” Darcy promised. “This isn’t my first fight, you know. I was battling space robots and dark elves long before you came along.”

For the first time since she’d met him, Darcy heard Bucky laugh.

His eyes crinkled at the edges, she could see the fondness in them. His full lips tilted up in a grin.

The sight alone was enough to knock Darcy off her feet. She was glad she was sitting down.

“What i’m trying to say is,” Darcy began, feeling confident, “I understand you have issues. I’ve got them too. But instead of pushing eachother away and trying to deal with these things on our own- why don’t we give this thing a chance, hmm? We deserve a little bit of happiness, don’t we?”

His mouth tightened, eyebrows furrowed, but Darcy could feel his resolve slipping.

The bond between them grew.

She felt Bucky’s hesitant little hope take root, anchoring itself around her heart. She took a deep breath, shifting down the bench until she was right beside him.

“You are mine, Bucky Barnes. You have my words, I have yours,” Darcy said, placing both hands on his broad shoulders. Her eyes locked on his. “Whatever it takes, we can make this work.”

“You really want me?”

“You’re my soulmate, aren’t you? There’s no one else i’d rather have.”

Bucky’s face went soft, she felt the tension finally leave his shoulders. The bond between them flared in response to her words, fizzing and crackling, waiting to explode.

“You’re sure about this?” he asked.

The bond surged brighter. Her skin prickled and the hair on her arms stood up. The air around them felt charged, like the beginnings of a lightning strike.

“Positive,” she said, sending all her confidence and hope and adoration down the bond. Felt Bucky’s timid acceptance bounce back.

The bond hummed, strengthening between them. She felt it grow and expand, wrapping strong tendrils around her heart, spreading out from her chest until her whole body felt alight with electricity.

“I’ve already accepted you in my head, you just have to say the words,” she said, smiling softly at him.

She felt the last of Bucky’s reserves shatter.

He surged forward, pulling her into his strong chest.

Darcy felt the wind get knocked out of her, but she didn’t care. She wrapped her arms around his middle and buried her face in his chest.

The bond between them bloomed. Solidified into something strong, one end attached to her heart, the other attached to his. It felt secure and heavy, no longer a tiny strand, but thick like iron chains.

A weight Darcy didn’t know she had been carrying was suddenly lifted from her shoulders. For the first time in her whole life, she felt like she could finally breathe.

“Then I claim you, Darcy…” Bucky paused, his face pressed into the top of her head.

She laughed against his chest. Blinked against the sudden overwhelming desire to cry. “Lewis, Darcy Lewis,” she sniffed.

“Darcy Lewis. Wow, we really did this backwards, huh? If my Ma could see us right now, she’d be cursing up a storm.”

Darcy laughed, wet hot tears falling down her cheeks. “It’s okay, I like it better this way.”

She felt Bucky’s amusement through their still growing bond, smiled so wide it made her cheeks hurt. He let go of her, holding her at arms distance so he could see her face again.

Bucky lifted a hand, ever so gently, and wiped away her tears. His eyes were soft, fond. The usual tough exterior melted away. She felt like she was really seeing him for the first time.

Bucky smiled, the corner of his mouth lifting up ever so slightly. Her breath hitched. He was beautiful.

“I claim you, Darcy Lewis, as my soulmate, and I accept our bond.”

All the air left Darcy’s lungs in a whoosh. She wasn’t sure she’d ever hear those words.

He said them so formally, perfectly, like people used to back in the day.

“And I claim you, Bucky Barnes. I accept this bond.”

The bond between them exploded. She felt it rattle through her chest, take root in her very bones. Suddenly she didn’t know where her consciousness ended and his began, all she could feel was Bucky.

His thoughts, feelings, desires, she felt them as strongly as her own. Everything he felt was being projected down their bond and into her very soul.

Darcy gasped against the onslaught of emotions, the bond between them lit up like a lightning strike.

“I can feel you,” she breathed, eyes locked on his. She saw all her feelings echoed on his face.

He placed his hands on either side of her face, letting their claim run its course. “You’re so bright,” he whispered, eyes full of wonder- wonder for her.

They sat there for a moment, just holding each other. Feeling the waves of emotion pass through the bond.

Slowly, she noticed the brightness of the moment finally dim. The sizzling electricity in her veins settled into a comforting hum. The bond between them was heavy and solid, like chains of gold steel, but she was no longer overwhelmed by his emotions.

Instead his presence became a comforting weight through the bond. She could still feel him, but her thoughts were her own once more. Darcy felt him relax.

“Are you okay?” she asked, checking the bond for any signs of his distress. All she found was warmth.

“Doll,” he breathed, closing his eyes. “I haven’t felt this good in a long, long time.”

She grinned at him, knowing it was true because she could feel it. “Me too,” she promised.

Darcy took a deep breath. She knew her and Bucky had a lot to work on after this. Besides his file, she hardly knew him. Didn’t know his favourite colour, or his favourite foods, or what kind of music he listened to.

She wasn’t stupid. She knew this thing between them was going to take work. But being with him felt right.

Bucky was hers, her soulmate, and she vowed to do everything in her power to do right by him. He wouldn’t go another day thinking HYDRA had killed his soulmate, or that he didn’t deserve one. She would make damn sure of it.

“What are you thinking?” he asked her. “You went...dark.”

“Nothing,” she smiled at him, looking back out at the view.

The sun had dipped further over the horizon. She imagined she could see stars in the sky.

When she turned back to look at him, he was already watching her.

“What?” Darcy blushed. Bucky shook his head.

“It was worth it.”

“What was?”

“You. This. It was worth the waiting- all of it.”

Darcy’s breath hitched. “Really?”

He just looked at her. Blue eyes searching her face.

“Yeah,” he smiled. “It was worth it.”

~~~~

Chapter Text

Darcy and Bucky sat in silence for a few minutes, watching the sunset, getting used to the new bond between them.

It was a strange feeling. She’d only just met him, and yet it felt like she’d known him her whole life.

Everything he felt, she felt. Everything she felt, he felt. His presence was constantly at the back of her mind, she could feel him deep in her soul.

It should have scared her- being that emotionally vulnerable to someone. But it didn’t. In fact, she felt completely at peace.

“Where did you go?” Darcy suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

“What?”

“Earlier, when you ran off. Where did you go?”

Bucky frowned. “I went to my old apartment in Brooklyn, sat on the rooftops until Steve found me.”

“Really?”

Bucky nodded. “I’m sorry for running off on you. You didn’t deserve that.”

“You were scared and confused,” Darcy shrugged. “I don’t blame you for needing some space. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed too.”

He gave her the saddest puppy dog eyes Darcy had ever seen.

“I’m sorry,” he said again. “Were you okay?”

“Jarvis called Jane and Thor to come and get me. They said I had a panic attack and fainted.”

Bucky dropped his head in his hands. She felt his guilt through the bond, so much stronger now that they had accepted eachother.

Darcy nudged Bucky’s shoulder with hers.

“Don’t do that. Don’t beat yourself up.”

“I’m already making a mess of things.”

“You’re not,” she promised. “Here, tell me more about Brooklyn. Does it look the same as it did when you were young?”

Bucky frowned, but let her change the topic.

“God, no. I can hardly recognise it now. But I needed somewhere to clear my head, and it was the first place I thought of.”

Darcy hummed. “I know what you mean. When Jane and I got into fights in New Mexico, she’d throw herself into science and try to work out her frustration. But I couldn’t do that, so I used to go on walks through the town. It was small, not much to see. But I needed the space to calm down.”

“Why did you leave?” he asked, and then stumbled. “Not that i’m not glad you’re here- I mean-”

Darcy laughed, putting him out of his misery. “Stark offered Jane a job. I’m pretty sure Thor pushed him into it, to be honest. But either way, he heard what Jane was working on and offered her a lab and accommodation, all expenses paid for, here at the tower. She would’ve been stupid not to accept.”

Darcy turned to look at Bucky. He was watching her legs swing from the bench. “I asked why you left,” he pointed out.

Darcy blushed. “Oh, right. Well, i’m Jane's assistant. Where she goes, I go. Plus, Stark offered me a contract and a room next to Jane. It’s not like I had any other offers, so I took it.”

Bucky hummed, looking thoughtful. “What does Jane do?”

“She’s a scientist, studying soulmates and soul bonds. Thor thinks soulmates are chosen by Fates and magic, but Jane’s convinced the answers are hiding somewhere in our DNA. Her whole life’s work has been dedicated to trying to prove that theory.”

“And what do you think?”

“About what?”

“Magic and science. Which one is it?”

“Both,” Darcy shrugged. “Lot’s of Jane’s research suggests there are biological components to soulbonds- certain factors make two people more compatible than others. But no science can explain how people are born with someone else's handwriting, or how that handwriting changes colour when the words are spoken by the right person.”

Bucky nodded in agreement. “So you think it’s magic?”

“And science. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, or at least I don’t think so,” she turned to him. “What about you? What do you think?”

“I think you’re right-”

“Music to my ears,” Darcy grinned. Bucky chuckled.

“-about the magic, anyway.”

“Really? You don’t believe in the scientific explanation?” she was surprised, to be honest. Didn’t expect Bucky to be a big believer in magic.

He shrugged. “I’m almost 100 years old, doll. You’re what, early twenties?”

“25,” Darcy confirmed.

“Right. That means I was born with the words of a girl who wouldn’t exist for another 5 decades. How can science explain that? How can two people be ‘biologically compatible’, when i’m technically old enough to be your grandfather?”

Darcy screwed up her face. “If it’s any consolation, Sarge, you look good for your age. But I get your point.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head.

Darcy’s brow furrowed in thought. “How old are you, anyway? I know you said you're almost 100, but you don’t look much older than me.”

He shrugged. “Couldn’t tell you. HYDRA kept me in cryo most of the time, and I don’t remember much of the rest. If I were to guess, maybe 30?”

“Hmm,” Darcy thought, giving him a thorough once over. His jacket did nothing to hide his bulking form, and she could see his thigh muscles flex in his jeans.

When she looked back up, he was grinning at her. Darcy immediately flushed, looking away.

“You’re cute,” he announced out of nowhere. Darcy only blushed more.

Their bond pulsed. Darcy could feel Bucky’s amusement, and desire, filtering through. She tried not to shiver.

Her pocket buzzed. Darcy reached down, pulling out her phone.

“Steve’s calling,” she announced. Bucky lifted a brow.

“I’m surprised the punk lasted this long.”

Darcy shot him a curious look, but he just smiled at her. She answered the phone.

“Hey Steve,” Darcy said, putting him on speaker.

“Hey Darce, you still with Buck?”

She glanced over at him. Bucky seemed content to watch her.

“Yeah, we’re still on the roof. Why? Is something wrong?”

“No! No, nothings wrong. Just, uh- How’s, how’s it going? You know, with you two?”

Bucky rolled his eyes, she felt his annoyance and had to bite her lip to keep from grinning. Bucky’s gaze dropped to her mouth.

“Stay out of it, punk.”

“Oh! Bucky, I didn’t realise you could hear me-”

“Uh huh, sure.”

“Darcy said-”

“I know, i’m with her.”

“Right, right, uh-”

“Did you have something to ask, Steve? Or were you just calling to be nosey?”

Darcy flicked his wrist, silently telling him to stop being so rude. Bucky winked at her.

He fucking winked at her.

“Well, I called. Might as well ask,” Steve began. “You’re still together, and you sound happy. I take it things are going well?”

“They were, until you called,” Bucky deadpanned.

“Bucky!” Darcy abolished, swatting at his abdomen. Which, big mistake, because that fucker was rock solid.

He laughed at her, eyes crinkling around the edges. Darcy’s breath caught in her throat. Gods he was pretty.

A quiet cough from her phone reminded Darcy that Steve was still on the line. She’d been caught staring into Bucky’s eyes for at least a minute.

“So things are going well?” Steve asked. Darcy could hear the smugness in his voice.

“Bye, punk,” Bucky said, reaching for her phone.

“Wait!-” Steve called, but it was too late. Bucky had already snatched the phone from Darcy’s hand and hung up.

“That wasn’t very nice,” she said, trying to sound annoyed. But it was hard to be angry when she could feel Bucky’s amusement pouring through their bond.

“He’ll get over it.”

Darcy laughed, leaning in to bump his chest with her shoulder.

He caught her with an arm around her waist when she tried to pull away. Darcy was surprised, but settled into his chest either way. His arm tightened around her middle, pulling her in tighter.

Her phone buzzed again. Bucky glared at it.

‘You’ve got incoming on the roof. Tony’s flying in -Steve’

“He knows I have his number, right? He doesn’t have to sign off with his name,” Darcy said.

Bucky frowned. “Stark’s on his way in. We’ve probably got a few minutes before he gets here.”

“Wanna go inside?” Darcy offered. “I haven’t met Tony yet, but from what i’ve heard, he’s a bit of a handful.”

Bucky huffed. “That’s one way to put it. C’mon.”

He stood up, taking her hand and pulled her up with him. Darcy stumbled elegantly into his chest. She felt the rumble of his laugh in his chest as he steadied her.

“This what I have to look forward to? Catching you all the time?”

Darcy grinned at him. “There’s a reason why Jane keeps me away from her more expensive machines.”

She reached up to brush a hand over his stubbled jaw. Bucky’s eyes went dark, his pupils blown. Darcy bit her lip.

“We going inside, soldier? Or did you want to put on a show for Stark when he comes flying in?”

Darcy had no idea where this sudden confidence had come from, but she was loving the reaction it had on Bucky. He pulled her a little bit closer, grip tightening on her hips.

“What did you have in mind?” he husked.

Darcy’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She knew without checking that it would be Jane this time.

Speaking of, she should probably fill Jane in on the latest. And as much as Darcy wanted to, maybe getting caught making out with Bucky wasn’t the best idea right now. Maybe.

“I’ll show you later,” Darcy grinned.

She spun on her heel, dragging him behind her by the hand- though Bucky seemed all too keen to follow.

She pulled him into the elevator, hand still clasped in his. Bucky dipped down to whisper in her ear, crowding all of her senses.

“I like your shoes.”

Darcy looked down at her ruby red stilettos, quirking a brow. “Oh yeah?”

He hummed. She could feel it vibrate through his chest. “Very pretty. Maybe we could leave them on, you know, when you show me later.”

Darcy gasped, turning to him with wide eyes. He was smirking at her, no shame whatsoever. She felt her cheeks go fiery red and had to stop herself from fanning her face.

“I liked it better when you were running away from me.”

Bucky’s smirk spread into a lazy grin. “No you didn’t.”

She huffed out a sigh, folding her arms. “No, I didn’t.”

The elevator doors opened for them at the communal kitchen. Darcy stepped forward, her soulmate hot on her heels.

Steve, Jane and Thor were waiting for them.

“Hello...” Darcy said hesitantly, unsure how to proceed.

Jane quirked a brow at her, looking pointedly at the supersoldier pressed at Darcy’s back.

“Hello Darcy. Bucky,” Jane said, nodding at the hulking figure behind Darcy.

Darcy cleared her throat. “Bucky, this is Jane. My boss slash bestfriend.”

Bucky stepped out from her shadow, but stayed close. He nodded at Jane.

“Doctor.”

Darcy saw the corner of Jane's mouth quirk up. She always liked when people called her by her official title.

The room went silent. Darcy fussed with her sleeve. She hated uncomfortable silences.

“Look, i’m going to put everyone out of their misery and address the giant grey elephant in the room-”

“Oh thank god, I didn’t know how to ask-” Jane interrupted. Darcy ignored her.

“-basically, Bucky and I had a chat. Obviously,” she looked to him for support, and he nodded at her in encouragement. “There’s some things we need to work on, but we want to make this work. So we’ve accepted the bond-”

Jane squealed. She didn’t even let Darcy finish, just leapt up from her chair and tackled Darcy in a hug.

“I’m so happy for you!” Jane cried, rocking Darcy like a baby.

Darcy looked over Jane’s shoulder to catch Bucky grinning at her. She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Thanks, Janey,” Darcy giggled.

Jane let go and immediately turned on Bucky.

“Let me remind you that my boyfriend is a God. If you hurt her, he’ll hurt you. Kay?”

Bucky glanced over at Thor. Darcy wondered if he could take him.

Thor swung mew mew up in the air, proving Jane’s point. Bucky’s metal arm whirred.

Was Darcy a bad soulmate for wanting to see that fight happen?

“I’ll keep her safe,” Bucky promised. Darcy felt his sincerity ring through the bond. Awww.

“Oh wow, you too are adorable,” Jane beamed, walking back over to Thor.

“Congratulations,” Thor nodded at them, smiling happily. “I consider Lady Darcy to be my lightning sister, I trust you will treat her well.”

Bucky nodded at him. Then they all turned their gaze on Steve.

He was sitting smugly on his stool, arms crossed.

Bucky growled, “Don’t say it-”

“Told you so.”

Darcy looked between the two of them, trying to understand what they were talking about.

“I’m happy for you. Both of you,” Steve said, looking at the both of them. “But if you piss her off, Buck, i’ll kick your ass.”

Bucky scoffed. “I thought you were on my side?”

Steve shrugged, but she saw the teasing smile on his lips. “Darcy makes a mean spaghetti and meatballs. I don’t wanna lose out on her cooking just because you were actin’ a fool.”

Her soulmate shook his head, she felt his exasperation, and fondness, through the bond. “You’re a real punk, you know that?”

“Jerk,” Steve grinned.

The elevator doors opened behind them. Darcy turned to see Natasha and Clint enter the room.

Clint smiled at all of them. Natasha surveyed the room in curiosity.

Darcy turned to Jane. ‘Do they know?’ she mouthed. Jane shook her head.

“This is cosy,” Natasha stated, watching all of them intensely. She reminded Darcy of a cat stalking its prey.

Clint turned to Darcy. “We came to see if you had any cooking left. Nat wanted to try some.”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “He’s lying. I’m not hungry, he’s just using me as an excuse to get more food.”

Darcy laughed at Clint’s face of betrayal.

“Nat! You said you wouldn’t-”

“I lied,” she shrugged. Clint groaned at the ceiling.

“I can make more,” Darcy offered, glancing at Bucky. “Buck hasn’t eaten yet either.”

Clint’s brow furrowed. “But you gave him all the leftovers. I watched you make his plate.”

Guilt trickled through the bond. Darcy reached for Bucky’s arm, rubbing circles on his wrist in reassurance. “Yeah, that didn’t work out so well,” Darcy shrugged, acting nonchalant.

Natasha’s eyes narrowed to Bucky’s arm, where Darcy was still holding. She looked between the two of them for a moment, taking in Bucky’s stance- close to Darcy, hovering- and Darcy’s expression- no doubt filled with concern for him.

“Ah,” Natasha said suddenly.

Darcy frowned. Did she just-

“So, soulmates huh?”

She totally did.

Darcy was both terrified, and impressed, by Natasha’s detective skills.

Clint laughed, he thought Natasha was joking. When no one corrected her, his face dropped.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”

Darcy winced. Bucky took a step closer.

“Oh my god you totally are! You’re fucking soulmates!”

The elevator doors opened again, and in walked Tony Stark himself, fresh out of the Iron Man suit.

“Who’s soulmates?” he asked.

Oh great, Darcy thought. Who else was going to walk in? Oprah?

“Darcy and Bucky!” Clint shouted, gesturing violently to the two of them. Stark’s face lifted in surprise.

“Seriously? Terminator and Lewis? Ouch, never saw that one coming.”

Bucky’s metal fist clenched and unclenched at his side.

“You got a problem?”

Tony quirked a brow, looking from Bucky’s menacing metal arm to Darcy. “Looks like you got an overprotective one. Lucky you,” he turned his attention back to Bucky. “Lighten up, Robocop. What you do- or who you do- in your spare time, doesn’t bother me.”

Darcy frowned. “I am lucky,” she defended. “And if this is going to be an issue, i’d be more than happy to stay somewhere else. Maybe where the owner isn’t such a dick.”

Darcy heard Jane gasp. The whole room went dead silent, no one had expected Darcy to snap back at Tony like that. She knew it was a bad idea- Tony Stark wasn’t someone you wanted to piss off- but dammit, no one should talk to Bucky like that. He was her soulmate, she was going to defend him.

Tony looked at her, his expression thoughtful.

After a moment, he grinned.

“Oh, I like you.”

The whole room breathed a sigh of relief.

Darcy was still feeling a little agitated, but she wasn’t sure if that was her own feelings or Bucky’s. For new soulmates, their bond was insanely strong.

“Sam was right,” Clint chuckled. “You are going to be fun.”

Darcy felt Bucky brush at the edge of her mind, asking to be let in. She turned to him in shock.

He was asking to see her thoughts, making sure she was okay.

Most soulmates took years to develop that ability. Even Jane and Thor had taken at least a month before Jane could read his thoughts. And yet Darcy could feel Bucky push against her mind already. To read his thoughts felt easy, like pushing through a styrofoam wall.

She felt him brush against the walls of her mind again. Darcy let him in.

‘You alright?’ he asked.

And wow, that was Bucky’s voice in her head.

He chuckled, reading her thoughts. Darcy shivered.

‘I’m okay. You know, most soulmates can’t read each other's thoughts for like, years, right?’

Bucky tilted his head, eyes locked with hers.

‘Guess we ain’t most soulmates, huh doll?’

Darcy blushed. She loved it when he called her that.

Bucky smirked, reading her thoughts.

‘Oh my god get out of my head-’ Darcy said, starting to feel slightly mortified. She could feel Bucky’s amusement.

His presence in her mind disappeared, and her thoughts were her own once more.

Darcy looked around the room to find Jane staring at her intensely. She startled.

“Were you just telepathically communicating?” Jane asked accusingly.

“Uh...” Darcy said, eloquently.

“Of course not,” Clint frowned. “It takes years to do that. Laura and I only just learned.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed.

“Maybe?” Darcy flinched.

“Seriously?!” Jane’s eyes went wide. “But it’s only been a couple hours at best! Someone get me my notebook, I need to write this down-”

“Uh uh, no way, Janie. You are not using my soulbond as an experiment-”

“But to be mind reading already is so rare! There are only a handful of other cases in the world that could do such a thing! I need to document this- I need to get samples-”

Darcy felt Bucky physically cringe at the word samples. She mentally put her foot down.

“No, Jane. You can ask me questions at work, and maybe i’ll answer. But this is my soulbond, okay? I know you’re excited, but please don’t try to use me as one of your guinea pigs.”

Jane pouted, but eventually nodded. Darcy felt Bucky’s relief flood through the bond.

“Right, now that that’s been cleared up- I say we celebrate,” Tony commented.

Steve sighed. “Why am I not surprised you said that.”

Natasha smiled at him, coming to stand at Steve’s side.

"That's cause he's predictable."

“Ouch, you two. That hurts. But anyway, what I was trying to say is Darcy and Bucky are soulmates! This is cause for celebration, people! I’m thinking drinks, games, smoking hot guests-” Darcy quirked a brow at Tony's new found enthusiasm. “What do you say?”

He turned to Darcy, conveniently ignoring all the other people in the room, who were vehemently shaking their heads.

“I don’t think that's a-” Darcy began,

“-Perfect. It’s settled. Everyone meet here at 8, I’ll call the catering companies,” Tony interrupted, before leaving the room in a flourish. “Oh, and by the way-” He nodded to Jane and Darcy, “Welcome to the Tower.”

And with that, Tony fled the room.

Darcy sighed. “Is he always like that?”

“Always,” Nat confirmed, leaning on the island next to Steve.

“You never get used to it, either,” Clint quipped.

“Nonsense, our friend Tony is correct! We have a newly accepted soul pair! This is most certainly a cause for celebration,” Thor beamed, raising a fake glass in salute.

Jane smiled fondly at him, petting one of his huge shoulders. “Thor’s right. This could be fun.”

Darcy turned to Bucky. He was grimacing, metal hand clenched.

“We won’t go if you don’t want to,” Darcy promised.

“You’re literally the guests of honour,” Clint countered. Bucky glared at him.

“Exactly. It’s our party, we can do what we want,” Darcy said.

“That’s not-”

“It’s fine,” Bucky interrupted Clint. “We can at least show face.”

Darcy smiled at him, all fond and soft. He was clearly trying.

“But only if you make me some of that spaghetti. I’m sick of hearing how good it was- I want to try some for myself.”

Darcy grinned at him. “I’ll do you one better. What’s your favourite dessert?”

“Oatmeal cookies,” Bucky said, without missing a beat.

Clint screwed up his face. “Seriously? Of all the desserts in the world, you pick the worst?”

Bucky glared at him. “It reminds me of home. Before the war. Before I got stuck living with you assholes.”

Darcy bit her lip to stop from laughing. “3 batches of oatmeal cookies coming right up.”

He turned to her and his glare completely melted, replaced by a small smile.

“Oh god, you’ve broken him,” Clint groaned. “Bring back murdery Bucky. This one’s way scarier.”

Darcy watched as Bucky unclipped his glock from its holster and dropped it loudly on the kitchen island. She raised a brow at him. He raised one back.

Clint went quiet. “Nevermind. This is worse.”

“Let’s make that 4 batches,” Darcy corrected. “And no guns on the table.”

Bucky smirked at her, but did as he was told, re-holstering the weapon.

“Things at the Tower just got a whole lot more interesting,” Natasha grinned, dropping her chin on her hand.

Steve smiled at her, eyes soft. “They sure did.”

Darcy looked at the two of them. She turned to Bucky.

Darcy felt their bond, traced it to him- to his mind. She nudged gently at the walls of his consciousness, like he’d done to her. Tapped gently on those styrofoam walls keeping her out.

He looked at her. She felt the moment he let her in, like getting sucked into outer space.

The rest of the world went quiet. Darcy couldn’t hear Jane and Thor talking, or Clint tapping rhythmically on the island. All she could hear and feel was Bucky. It felt extremely intimate.

‘Are Nat and Steve a thing?’ she asked in his mind. Saw him smile at her.

‘Honestly, doll, who knows. I’ve been trying to get that punk to make a move on her for months, but he won’t.’

‘Really? Why not?’

Bucky shrugged. ‘Because of Peggy, mostly. Steve feels guilty for moving on, even though Peggy told him to. And partly because he’s nervous, I guess. It’s been a long time since either of us gave this whole relationship thing a shot.’

Darcy glanced at Steve and Nat once more, pretending to busy herself with grabbing ingredients. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, she was still inside Bucky’s head, but they appeared to be talking in hushed tones to each other.

‘He should give it a chance. I mean, afterall, this relationship thing seems to be working out well for you so far.’

‘You mean, besides the whole running away while you had a panic attack thing,’ He smiled at her. Darcy shrugged sheepishly.

‘Sure, besides that.’

He rolled his eyes. ‘Whatever you say, doll. Now get out of my head. Jane’s called your name at least 3 times already.’

Darcy did as she was told, slipping out of Bucky’s mind.

The noises of the room came back. She turned to find Jane glaring straight at her.

“What?”

Jane glared harder. “You were reading Bucky’s thoughts again, weren’t you?”

“Nope,” Darcy said, mixing her ingredients together.

“If you won’t let me study you, you can’t tease me by showing off your bond in front of me,” Jane pouted. Darcy winked at her.

“Sorry, Janey.”

Jane mumbled something under her breath, too quiet for Darcy to hear, but she saw Thor choke back a laugh. Bucky’s eyes narrowed, which shut Jane up very quickly.

“Gods, I can’t say anything anymore- you all have that weird super hearing. It’s like living with hounds!” Jane complained, Darcy laughed at her.

“You get used to it,” Natasha shrugged.

“How?”

“Learn how to be so quiet, not even supersoldier hearing can catch you,” Nat smiled, quirking a brow at Steve.

Oh, Darcy was so going to get those two together.

She knew Natasha had a bad relationship with her soulmark already, and Steve’s love life was also pretty rough, but so what? Non soulmate couples happened all the time. Steve and Nat were clearly interested in each other. Darcy would find a way to make them admit their feelings.

She finished stirring the batter, glad she had remembered the recipe for oatmeal cookies that her grandmother had taught her all those years ago. And also grateful for Stark's excessively stocked kitchen. Seriously, he had spices even Darcy had never heard of.

She placed the cookies on a tray and put them into the oven, preparing the other 3 batches to go in next. She sure hoped everyone was hungry, because this was a hell of a lot of cookies.

Then again, Darcy recalled, if Steve was able to finish the monster plate she gave him earlier, and she assumed Bucky ate the same, maybe there wouldn’t be any leftovers.

“That’s a lot of cookies,” Sam said, suddenly entering the room. She looked up to catch him eyeing the kitchen in apprehension.

Darcy shrugged. “Supersoldiers eat a lot. I think.”

Steve nodded in confirmation, “We have increased metabolisms. Means we eat a lot, all the time, basically.”

“I feel that,” Jane sighed. “Thor eats more than some towns, I swear.”

Thor smiled fondly at her, pulling Jane into his chest so he could kiss her on the forehead. Awww.

Darcy felt amusement trickle through the bond. She looked over to catch Bucky staring at her. Darcy tried not to blush.

She busied herself by adding the rest of the cookies to trays and placing them into Stark’s multiple ovens because again, excessive kitchen.

“What’s the occasion?” Sam asked, grabbing a glass of water and sitting down next to Clint.

“They’re Bucky’s favourite. He missed out on the spaghetti, so i’m making him cookies,” Darcy answered.

“He missed out on the spaghetti?” Sam repeated, furrowing his eyebrows. “But you made him a plate?”

Beside him, Clint chuckled. “That’s exactly what I said.”

Oh, right. Sam didn’t know.

Darcy looked at Bucky. You wanna tell him, or should I?

Bucky shrugged, but in the end, neither of them had to say it because-

“Lady Darcy and Sergeant Barnes are soulmates!” Thor exclaimed. Sam spat out the water he’d just drank.

“They’re what-”

Clint wiped his face in frustration, gathering all of Sam’s spit on his sleeve. “Soulmates, you asshole. Look the other way next time you spit your drink on someone.”

“Darcy and Barnes?” Sam confirmed, clearly in disbelief.

“Isn’t it wonderful news?!” Thor beamed.

Sam looked at Bucky. Then at Darcy. Then back to Bucky.

“There’s no way,” he finally said.

“Better believe it, pal. Bucky said my words,” Darcy pulled down the collar of her shirt, showing everyone her shiny new soul mark. Sam’s mouth dropped open even wider.

She felt Bucky’s jealousy fizz through their bond. When Darcy turned to look at him, he was staring at her soulmark with dark eyes. Then he turned to glare at Sam, who was still staring.

Ah, right. Darcy should probably pull her top back up. Not that Sam got to see any of the goods.

“But you’re so cool,” Sam said, as if that explained everything. “And Barnes is so…” Sam made a grumpy face.

“And you’re an asshole,” Bucky growled, “But none of us are makin’ a scene.”

Sam just waved his arms around, “See?! That’s exactly my point. Darcy’s making cookies, and Bucky looks like he wants to punch me in the face. How does that work?”

Darcy turned to Bucky and, yeah, fair. He was staring at Sam in a way that was decidedly murder-y.

“Enough, Sam,” Steve said, but Darcy could see the light smile on his face.

Sam shook his head, still in disbelief. Clint nudged his shoulder.

“I know, it’s weird. But hey, at least Darcy’s cool. It could be worse. Barnes could’ve been soulmates with some other HYDRA assassin. Can you imagine how bad that would’ve been?”

Clint shivered, and Sam's face screwed up in disgust. “Yeah, okay. I see your point.”

The room went quiet for a moment. Darcy pulled out the first tray of cookies, letting them cool.

“...She’s still too good for him,” Sam said, unable to help himself. The entire room groaned.

Darcy felt something in her chest go dark. She looked at Bucky, who had gone from glaring at Sam, to staring down at his metal hand in disgust.

Sam was voicing all of Bucky’s fears. Everything he’d said to her on the roof- about not deserving her. Sam had just confirmed it all in that one off handed comment.

“I suggest,” Darcy began, “that if you want to keep that pretty little face of yours looking pretty, you should stop talking,” she smiled sweetly at Sam. Too sweetly- there was an obvious edge to her grin.

“Why?” Sam chuckled. “You gonna do something about it?”

“No, but my soulmate will. And I hear he has a pretty good punch,” Darcy said, winking at Bucky.

He tore his eyes away from his metal hand to look at her. She felt the thing inside her chest lighten, just a little.

“I can do more than just punch,” he said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Darcy turned back to Sam. “It’s your call.”

Sam sighed, rolling his eyes. “Yeah yeah, you’ve made your point.”

The tension in the room melted away, and everyone relaxed. Darcy blew out a breath.

She knew her bond with Bucky was going to have its challenges. Bucky’s obvious self loathing being one of them. But she’d assumed most of the other challenges would be about them- not about justifying their bond to everyone in the team. First Clint, then Tony, and now Sam?

She shook her head. Bucky was worth it. She was sure of it. That short time they’d spent on the roof was enough to confirm that. She just wished everyone else would be more accepting.

Obviously, it was reasonable to have concerns. Bucky was their teammate- Darcy hoped they wanted the best for him. And given his past, it’s natural for people to be worried about her, too.

But they were soulmates. This wasn’t some grade school crush. This thing between them meant forever, basically. Her soul was connected with his now. He was a part of her just like she was a part of him- regardless of how long they’d known each other. Darcy refused to let people make Bucky feel bad about himself when he didn’t deserve it, and that included making insensitive jokes about their soul bond.

She removed the cookies from the cooling tray, placing them on a plate, before removing the other trays from the oven.

In less than 24 hours, her life had changed so much. Look at her. She was making cookies for her ex assassin soulmate and telling off anyone who doubted the validity of their relationship. What the hell.

Being a new soulmate had made her all cranky and overprotective.

She took the whole plate of cookies and slid them towards Bucky. Only Bucky.

Clint reached for one and she glared at him. He backed off immediately.

“You can wait,” Darcy ‘suggested’.

Bucky practically beamed.

“Is this what we have to look forward to?” Jane grinned at her. “Now that you have a soulmate, the rest of us don’t matter?”

Bucky took a bite of the first cookie, and Darcy saw his entire body melt. He closed his eyes, savouring the taste. She could feel his happiness and nostalgia flood through the bond.

“Of course not, Janey. You’re still important,” Darcy smiled at Bucky. “I’ve just got other priorities now.”

Jane smiled at her. Darcy could see the happiness and sincerity in her friend's eyes. “Good. I’m happy for you.”

Darcy smiled gratefully at her best friend. It was exactly what she needed to hear.

Bucky groaned as he finished the first cookie. Darcy tried not to blush at the filthy sounds he was making.

“Oh my god, doll, these are the best. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she grinned.

Darcy grabbed some extra plates, stacking up the rest of the still warm cookies for the others to try.

She handed the first plate to Steve and Nat, surprised to see Steve looking at her significantly. Darcy raised a brow in questioning.

“Thank you,” Steve said simply.

“For what?” Darcy asked, gesturing for Natasha to grab a cookie. She sensed Steve was talking about more than just the free food.

Steve looked at Bucky, who still had his eyes closed and was chewing on his 3rd cookie in contemptment.

“For that,” Steve said.

“Oh,” Darcy blushed. “No problem.”

Steve grabbed a couple of cookies, before sliding the plate down to Thor and Jane.

Clint and Sam groaned in impatience. Darcy rolled her eyes, giving them the third batch of cookies on a large plate, so they could keep it all for themselves.

She couldn’t help but laugh when they both started shovelling cookies into their mouths, even more enthusiastically than they had with the spaghetti from earlier.

“I know I said oatmeal cookies were the worst,” Clint said, crumbs all over his face. “But I lied. Darcy, I want you to know- if I die right now, I would die a happy man, and it’s all thanks to you.”

She huffed a laugh and rolled her eyes, focusing on the only person who’s opinion actually mattered.

Bucky still had his eyes closed, enjoying the cookies. But as if he could feel her stare, his eyes snapped open and focused on her.

Darcy was startled by the intensity of his stare, but she smiled nonetheless. “Good?”

He nodded, looking down at the plate. Three quarters of the cookies were gone already. “So good. Even better than I remember them.”

“Yeah?” Darcy asked, sneaking a cookie from his plate. He let her.

“Yeah. My ma used to make these for me after school, when I was younger. The whole apartment would smell like cookies for hours.”

He took a bite of another cookie. Darcy took a bite of hers, enjoying the warm, crunchy taste.

“I’m glad you like them,” she said, once she had swallowed her first bite.

He just looked at her, all soft and warm. She felt her whole body melt.

Darcy made a promise to herself, then and there, that she would make 100 cookies- a thousand, even. Whatever it took to make him look at her like that again.

She took his plate when he was finished- impressed at how quickly he’d gotten through the batch. When he looked at her final tray of cookies, still cooling, with pure longing on his face- she couldn’t help but laugh.

Darcy swiped the last batch of cookies onto his plate and handed it back to him. He was practically glowing with excitement.

Steve stood up, grabbing the plate he and Nat had shared with Jane and Thor, and started working on the dishes.

Sam stood up a moment later, taking his and Clint’s plate, and began helping too.

Darcy ducked out of the kitchen, taking a seat next to Bucky. She knew full well that there was no point arguing with those boys about dishes. Not after the last time, where Sam practically kicked her out of the kitchen.

Nat went and sat next to Clint, the two of them whispering about god knows what. Jane and Thor moved to one of the arm chairs, Jane sitting on his lap, while Thor talked about what had happened in Asgard recently.

Bucky nudged her, offering half of his cookie. She took it, smiling at him gratefully.

“I meant what I said about tonight,” Darcy said, in between mouthfuls. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Bucky was quiet for a moment, thinking. Darcy was content to wait.

“We should at least say hi. You and Jane haven’t been here long. It’ll be a good chance for you to meet everyone.”

“Okay,” Darcy nodded. “But if you feel uncomfortable, just tell me, and we can leave.”

“I’ll leave,” Bucky frowned. “You don’t have to.”

“Alright,” Darcy conceded, tilting her head. “I’ll stay if you want me to. But we’re a team now, right? You don’t have to be on your own because you feel like you should be. If you want me to go with you, I will.”

“What about what you want?”

Darcy shrugged. “Honestly? Right now, all I want is to be with you.”

Bucky’s face went carefully neutral. Darcy grimaced. “Too much?”

He shook his head. Opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, and then shut it again a moment later.

“No- that- I want that too.”

“It’s okay if you don’t-”

“I do,” he confirmed, brows knitted together in concentration. “It’s been a long time since someone wanted to be near me. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, is all.”

Darcy gave him her most comforting smile. “It’s okay, I understand.”

“Do you?”

She felt carefully for the bond between them. Sifted through it for his emotions. Pain. Exhaustion. Hope. Adoration. Fear.

Tentatively, she gave the bond a little tug.

“I do. Maybe not everything, but I understand the important things. Like that you’ve been through a lot, and that makes it hard for you to accept new things- especially good things. You’re afraid to let yourself care for something, in case it gets taken away from you-” she felt his guilt trickle through the bond then, “-and you don’t think you deserve me. This. Us. But you do.”

“How can you know all that?” he asked. His voice was teasing, but she could see a bit of the sadness still in his eyes.

“I’m your soulmate,” she said. “It’s my job. Pretty soon i’ll know you better than I know myself.”

He chuckled. “You already know me more than I know myself.”

Darcy grinned at him. “That’s cause i’m a good soulmate. You know, you’re actually lucky you got stuck with me.”

Slowly, she felt the rest of those dark emotions disappear from the bond. It was replaced by amusement.

“We’ll see,” he smiled. But she felt him tug back on the bond, and it was enough to make her smile even brighter.

“It’s almost 7:30, Darce. The party’s at 8. Do you want to come to my room and get ready?” Jane interrupted them.

Darcy turned around and realised Clint and Nat had already left. Steve and Sam were finishing up on the cleaning, and Thor was waiting with Jane over by the door.

Darcy looked at Bucky.

He nodded towards Jane. “You should go, I’ll meet you there.”

“Mmkay,” Darcy hummed, climbing off her stool. “On second thought- are you sure you don’t want to get ready with Jane and I? I’ll even braid your hair.”

She bit her lip to keep from smiling. Bucky rolled his eyes.

“Maybe some other time.”

“I’ll get my hands on your beautiful hair one day, Sarge. You can’t hide forever!” Darcy called, halfway out the door.

He didn’t respond, but she could feel his amusement and adoration through the bond.

Thor turned to her when they were safely out of supersoldier hearing- which was ridiculously far, by the way. Like seriously. Darcy was never saying a secret out loud ever again.

“The Fates made no mistake when they paired you with Sergeant Barnes, Darcy,” Thor said confidently.

Darcy was taken aback. “Yeah?”

Thor nodded. “Indeed. I have known Barnes for several months, and in all this time he has never smiled or spoken willingly. He would only stand silently at the Captains shadow-” Thor looked at her meaningfully. “Since meeting you, he has already changed significantly.”

Darcy opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again. “I- wow, okay.”

“I think you have brought some light back into his life. And clearly your bond is strong, for you can already enter each other's thoughts. Indeed, the Fates made a good decision when they bound your souls together.”

Jane nudged Darcy with her shoulder. “Thor’s right. You and Barnes seem really good for eachother.”

Darcy grinned at her. “You can sweet talk me all you want, Janey. I’m not letting you study my bond-”

“-oh come on!” Jane exclaimed, sighing dramatically.

“Sorry,” Darcy shrugged, though she wasn’t sorry at all. “Bucky has bad experiences with doctors. You read that in his file. Besides, you should’ve felt him after you said the word ‘sample’. Even I shuddered.”

Jane pouted. “I know, I know. It’s your decision, I won’t force you...even if you do have one of the rarest bonds in recent history-”

“Don’t care, Janey.”

“But think about the science!”

“Still don’t care,” Darcy grinned.

Jane groaned in exasperation, but eventually dropped the issue.

The elevator dropped them off at the floor to their apartments.

Jane and Thor went ahead, while Darcy quickly ducked into her apartment, looking for an outfit and her makeup bag.

What the hell was she going to wear?

Tony had made it sound formal- but was he talking like, black tie formal? Surely not, right?

Darcy groaned, looking at her closet. She was infinitely grateful that she’d unpacked all of her clothes earlier.

She rummaged through her fancy dresses, settling on a black cocktail dress that she knew made her boobs look good.

You could never go wrong with a LBD, right?

Darcy put on the dress and a matching pair of black heels, before grabbing her hair and makeup supplies and run-walking to Jane’s apartment. It was already 7:45, and Darcy’s thick hair took at least 20 minutes to tame.

She knocked on the door to Jane and Thor's apartment. Thor opened it a second later.

He was freshly showered and dressed nicely in a pair of black slacks, dark shirt and an Asgradian red blazer.

He smiled and gestured her inside. “My lady is in the master suite, I believe she requires your help.”

Darcy entered the apartment and oh, wow-

Jane wasn’t kidding. It was fit for giants.

The benches, cupboards and even the couches were taller and bigger than normal. All the furnishings were cool metal, probably so that Thor wouldn’t accidentally rip off a handle every time he opened a draw.

The walls were painted neutral greys, very masculine, but Darcy could see hints of Jane littered around the apartment- namely, the stacks of paper and books on every available surface.

“Darcy? Are you here?” Jane called, from what Darcy assumed was the master bedroom.

“Coming!” she called.

Thor led her to the bedroom door, opening it politely. Darcy couldn’t help but laugh at what she saw.

Jane was struggling with the zip of her dress, and in her struggles, her hair had come loose from whatever style Jane had put it in and was now falling into her eyes.

Darcy dumped her supplies on the bed and went to help Jane. Thor closed the door behind her, leaving them to it.

“Want some help?” Darcy grinned.

“Please,” Jane huffed.

Darcy grabbed the zip of Jane’s dress and carefully pulled it up. She untangled Jane’s hair, fluffing it so that it sat nicely on her shoulders. Darcy checked the mirror over Jane’s shoulder.

“Pretty,” she smiled. Jane’s dress was red to match Thor’s blazer and it hugged her petite figure nicely.

“Thanks,” Jane huffed, still out of breath from her struggle with the zipper. “Did you bring your makeup?”

“Sure did. Want me to do yours, too?”

“Yes, please. You know i’m useless with that kind of stuff.”

Darcy laughed. “You’re not useless, you’re just…”

Jane gave her a look.

“Yeah, okay- your makeup skills need some work.”

The two of them dissolved into laughter. Darcy grabbed her makeup and started applying it to Jane.

“You look pretty, by the way,” Jane said, as Darcy was applying glitter over her eyelids. Darcy giggled.

“Thanks, Janey. I was freaking out about what to wear, I’ve never been to a superhero party before.”

“Neither. Are you nervous?”

Darcy paused, examining her emotions. The soul bond was a comforting warmth in her chest. “A little,” she decided. “Mostly because I have no idea what to expect.”

Jane nodded in agreement. “I tried to ask Thor about it, but he won’t give me any details. He said it would be better to make it a surprise.”

“Oh dear,” Darcy chuckled, applying the rest of Jane’s makeup.

“Yeah. That’s what I thought.”

“How are you finding it so far? The tower, I mean. Avengers included.”

“It’s nice,” Jane said. “Natasha kind of freaks me out, but Steve and the others seem really nice. Tony is Tony, obviously. And I don’t know Bucky very well, but I like what I’m seeing so far. He’s quiet, but I can see he clearly cares about you.”

Darcy flushed. “Yeah, he’s great.”

She felt her bond pulse in agreement.

“What about you?” Jane asked. “I know your first day has been pretty crazy, but how are you finding the tower?”

Darcy huffed. “You know, I knew that moving here would involve lots of superheroes and egos, maybe even some end-of-the-world fights. But the last thing I was expecting was to meet my soulmate. And especially for that soulmate to be one of the aforementioned superheroes.”

Jane laughed, Darcy couldn’t help but laugh with her. “Hey, at least Barnes is cute. You know, beneath all that…” Jane gestured to her whole face.

“Murder-y expression?”

“Yeah! That!”

Darcy laughed again. “Yeah, you’re right. He is cute.”

“And those shoulders…” Jane sighed dreamily.

“Hey,” Darcy said, flicking her on the nose with a makeup brush. “You’ve got your own.”

“I’m just saying!” Jane said, in between laughter, “It could be worse! Right?”

“Sure, Jane,” Darcy said, rolling her eyes at her best friend and the crazy lives they lived.

She applied the finishing touches to Jane’s make up, letting Jane take over for the mascara and lip gloss. Darcy had never quite mastered the act of putting mascara on other people.

While Jane fixed the rest of her look, Darcy applied her signature winged eyeliner and ruby red lipstick.

She fluffed out her hair with her fingertips, adding some hairspray here and there. Finally, she added a spritz of perfume to her neck and wrists.

Darcy gave herself a once over in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance.

“Ready to go?” Jane asked, fixing her high heels.

“Ready,” Darcy confirmed. She grabbed her bag and they went to the lounge to meet Thor.

He was having a drink, watching the TV when they approached. But when he saw them, his expression brightened.

“My Jane,” he beamed, pulling Jane in for a kiss. Darcy mentally aww’d.

When he pulled away from Jane, he turned to Darcy with a bright grin. “Lightning sister, you look wonderful. Sergeant Barnes is most lucky to be yours tonight.”

Darcy felt her cheeks burn at Thor’s phrasing. Bucky was hers tonight, and every other night. The idea made her heart flutter.

“I don’t know how you wear these things all the time,” Jane grimaced, tugging on her heels.

Darcy shrugged. “One of my many talents. Shall we?”

She walked across the room, purposefully skipping in her six inch heels. Darcy heard Jane groan from behind her.

Thor laughed at the both of them. He took Jane’s hand in one arm, and Darcy took his other elbow. Together, the three of them marched to the elevator and down to Stark’s party.

Darcy took a deep breath.

She needed a shot. Or 12.

That thing in her chest flared. She felt a tug on the bond. It almost made her trip over, she was still getting used to the sensation.

Thor looked at her in questioning. She was about to answer when she felt Bucky’s presence brush against the walls of her mind.

She let him in, because of course she did.

‘You okay?’ Darcy thought, trying not to feel silly for talking to someone inside her head.

‘I’m waitin’ on you, doll. You planning on coming down anytime soon? Or am I gonna have to go upstairs and get you?’

Darcy bit her lip. Her mind was suddenly overwhelmed with an image of Bucky bursting into her room, all sexy and rugged, searching for her.

Well, when you put it like that...

‘Jesus, doll,’ Bucky spluttered. Darcy’s cheeks burned.

‘Oops. You weren’t meant to see that.’

She felt him shiver down the bond. Darcy bit her lip.

‘Just get here, would you? If I have to listen to another one of Wilson’s bullshit stories, i’m gonna walk out that door and come make that vision of yours a reality.’

Darcy tightened her grip on Thor’s elbow.

‘Ten four, soldier. We’re in the elevators now.’

She felt Bucky’s presence leave her mind. Darcy took a deep breath.

“Is everything alright, Lady Darcy?” Thor asked her.

“Uh, yeah, yeah. Everything’s fine, big guy,” Darcy replied, patting his arm in reassurance.

Jesus. How was she going to survive this day?

~~~~

Chapter Text

Darcy could hear thumping music before the elevator doors even opened to the penthouse.

She raised an eyebrow at Jane, behind Thor’s hulking figure.

“Is that techno? God, I feel like i’m back at college.”

Jane shrugged. “I didn’t go to many college parties, but from what i’ve seen in movies, this feels like that.”

Darcy shook her head. “Somehow, i’m not surprised. While I was out getting shitface drunk, you were making scientific breakthroughs.”

Jane grinned at Darcy and the elevator doors opened.

Darcy was instantly hit with a wave of pounding music, the stench of alcohol, and bright flashing lights.

“I feel like i’m in a nightclub!” she shouted at Jane, trying to be heard over the music. “I know Stark said it was a party, but gods-”

“Fantastic, isn’t it?” Thor beamed, leading the girls out of the elevator.

Unfortunately, Tony had put the dance floor and the bar right beside the elevator. There were bodies everywhere, Darcy had no idea who any of them were. It was hard to make out individual faces under the strobe lights.

She gripped onto Thor’s arm a little tighter and let him drag her through the dancefloor and away from the crowds.

Darcy cringed the whole way, narrowly avoiding the sweaty bodies and waving arms.

“Who even are these people?!” Darcy shouted.

“They work in the Tower!” Thor replied.

“All of them?!” Darcy asked, looking around the room incredulously.

“Well- most of them. Some are friends of Starks.”

“Stark has friends?” Jane muttered. Darcy burst out laughing, which made Jane turn red in embarrassment.

“Where is everyone? Like Steve and Natasha?” Jane asked instead, changing the topic. Thor nodded towards the opposite end of the room, which felt like miles away. By gods this place is huge, Darcy thought.

“I suspect they are at the other bar. It is much quieter there.”

“There's another bar?” Jane asked, the same time Darcy said-

“Thank god. I am so not drunk enough for a mosh pit right now.”

Thor gave Darcy a strange look, obviously not understanding what a mosh pit was. She just shook her head.

“Yes, there is another bar. Stark keeps it reserved for the Avengers team, and any close friends,” Thor said, answering Jane’s question.

He finally managed to worm them out of the crowd and into the open. Darcy sighed in relief, taking a deep breath of sweat and alcohol free air.

The music was still loud, but the further away they got, the quieter it became. By the time Thor led them around a hidden corner to an area Darcy had never seen, the thumping bass was no more than a hum in the background.

She surveyed the hidden bar.

It felt very luxurious. The floors were dark marble and the walls had red velvet accents. All the furniture was made to suit the atmosphere of the room, which was somehow both modern and vintage.

Through the dim lights, Darcy spotted several pool tables lined up against the far wall. Natasha and Clint were hunched over the closest one, obviously engaged in a heated game.

Towards the center of the room were a collection of lush looking chairs and couches, each made of dark fabric and leather to match the surrounding walls. There was a group of people spread along the couches that Darcy had never seen before.

She turned her attention to the bar Thor had mentioned. It was huge, standing on the far left wall of the room, a row of at least 10 bar stools in front of it. There were hidden LED lights within the bar, casting all of the drinks, and its patrons, in hues of blue and purple.

There was a bartender serving drinks to the small group of people standing at the bar. Darcy spotted Steve’s broad shoulders first. He was standing talking to Sam Wilson, and in between the both of them sat a dark, menacing looking figure.

As Thor led the girls deeper into the lounge, the figure's head snapped up.

Darcy felt her breath hitch as she locked eyes with Bucky.

His long dark hair was loose, tucked behind his ear on one side. He was wearing a dark jacket over even darker jeans, with black leather shoes to match.

The sleeve of his jacket covered most of his cybernetic arm, but she could see metal fingers clutched around the neck of his beer bottle.

Bucky watched her. Dark eyes dragging agonisingly slow down her body.

Thor moved towards the bar. Darcy had no choice but to follow.

She swallowed, trying not to let her nerves show. It was hard to try and look unaffected when Bucky's heated gaze made her feel so bare.

Steve was the next to notice them. He smiled brightly as they approached, nudging Sam and whispering to Bucky under his breath. Sam turned in their direction and waved. Bucky couldn’t take his eyes off of Darcy.

Darcy squeezed Thors arm, using him for strength. He gave her a curious look.

Steve spoke first once they arrived.

“Wow, you ladies look lovely,” he said, smiling at Jane and Darcy. Darcy took a shuddering breath and smiled at the good Captain.

“Thanks, Cap.”

“Steve,” he corrected, giving her a small smile. “Can I get any of you a drink?”

“I’ll have whatever you’re having, but double,” Thor grinned. Steve chuckled.

“White wine?” Jane requested. “Anything will do.”

“And for yourself?” Steve asked, casting those blue eyes to Darcy.

Darcy locked eyes on Bucky, still sitting on his stool behind Steve.

“Vodka,” she answered. Bucky shot her a crooked grin.

Steve stepped away for a moment, getting their drinks. Darcy was suddenly face to face with Bucky.

She wasn't sure who should speak first. As Darcy opened her mouth to say something, a low whistle interrupted her. She looked over Bucky's shoulder to see Sam giving her a thorough once over.

“Damn, Lewis. You clean up good.”

Bucky rolled his eyes at his companion. Darcy laughed, surprised by the sudden compliment.

“You don’t look too bad yourself there, Pigeon,” she quipped.

Sam had to cover his mouth so he didn’t spit out his drink- he was completely caught off guard.

“Pigeon?! Pigeon? Oh really, that’s how it is?”

“That’s how it is,” Darcy shrugged, biting her lip to hide her grin. She felt Bucky’s amusement fizz down the bond.

Sam wiped his hand down his nice velvety blazer.

“Ouch, Lewis. I take back everything I said earlier- you are so not cool.”

Thor and Jane laughed with Sam, swapping jokes back and forth. Darcy turned all her attention to the supersoldier in front of her.

“This seat taken?” she finally said, gesturing to the open stool next to him. Bucky’s eyes scanned her dangerously from head to toe.

“It’s reserved for you, actually.”

Darcy lifted a brow in surprise. “Wow, what a gentleman.”

“I have my moments,” Bucky shrugged.

Steve returned with their drinks a moment later, handing Darcy her vodka. He watched her and Bucky with knowing eyes before herding Thor, Jane and Sam towards the pool tables, leaving the two of them alone.

Darcy’s stomach flipped with nerves, though she tried not to let it show.

“So, you finally decided to show up,” Bucky teased. Darcy rolled her eyes at him.

“I’m not that late. I just couldn’t decide what to wear, plus I had to do Jane’s makeup as well as my own.” She took a sip of her vodka, trying to steady her nerves. “It’s not easy looking this good, you know.”

Bucky lifted a brow. “I think you look just as good without the makeup and the flashy dress-” his eyes drifted down, taking in her full figure, lingering briefly at her chest. “-but I have to admit, you look damn beautiful tonight.”

The heat in his gaze was enough to make her squirm, but Darcy tried not to let it show.

“Thank you,” she smiled, “You look pretty good yourself, Sarge. The whole dark and mysterious thing is really working for you.”

It was also really working for Darcy, if she was being honest. Bucky looked like some kind of Calvin Klein model, she was having trouble keeping her thoughts out of the gutter.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t know about that.”

“Believe it, Soldier. I’m glad there aren’t so many people over here, or i’d be fighting off girls left, right and center just to get your attention.”

“You don't have to fight anyone,” he huffed, twisting around so he was fully facing her, so close she could feel the heat of his body. His dark eyes locked with hers so intensely, the rest of the room could’ve caught on fire and she wouldn't even notice. “You’ve already got all my attention,” Bucky husked.

Darcy practically shivered. Her face, the traitor, burned bright red under her makeup. She felt her heart beat so loud in her chest he could probably hear it.

Bucky smirked, he must have been reading her emotions. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing to her.

“Careful,” Darcy warned. “You’re playing with fire.”

Bucky’s smirk grew. “Good thing I like the heat, huh doll?”

There it was again- doll. She loved the way the endearment sounded when it fell from his lips.

He leaned back on his stool, breaking their little spell. Darcy didn’t realise just how close they’d gotten to each other.

“So, you’re a vodka girl?” he said, nodding to the glass in her hand.

Darcy shrugged. “Sometimes. Sometimes i’m a whiskey girl, sometimes I just want cheap beer. It all depends on how i’m feeling.”

“And how are you feeling?” Bucky husked.

She knew he could just as easily read her emotions, but it felt nice to hear him ask.

Darcy thought it over, wanting to give him an honest answer.

“Warm,” she finally said. It wasn’t an emotion, but it was the only way she knew to explain how she felt. “Maybe a little nervous. Although, the more I talk to you, the less nervous I feel.”

He smiled at her, taking a swig of his beer.

“How are you feeling?” Darcy asked.

“Warm,” he replied, giving her that same crooked smile. His eyes dropped to her chest- or, not quite her chest. “You’re showing your words.”

It was a statement, but Darcy nodded anyway.

Most people chose to keep their words covered up in some way or another. Even Darcy, before today, would use makeup or clothing to hide her words in some way.

But that was before today. Before she met Bucky.

“I’m proud of them,” she smiled. “Why shouldn’t I show it off?”

His gaze dropped back to the shimmery gold writing under her collarbone, the old timey cursive handwriting was glowing under the LED lights of the bar.

“I wish they were better words,” he said simply, but Darcy could feel his adoration through the bond. Feel how happy it made him that she was showing off his mark- his words on her skin.

“They’re perfect,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Bucky smiled at her. She held his gaze.

The bond between them crackled like a live wire, white hot and electric. It was feeding her emotions, giving her all kinds of confidence. She was finding it easier and easier to fall back into her usual honest, relaxed, flirty self.

Darcy could feel how close Bucky was to her, the denim of his jeans brushed against her thigh. The bond between them kept pulling her closer and closer. She was finding it hard to resist.

She knocked back the last of her vodka, trying to find a way to take her mind off its current train of thoughts. If this went on any longer, she was pretty sure she would end up in Bucky’s lap. He might even let her.

Darcy requested another round from the bartender. Bucky finished his beer, signalling for two more.

The bartender slid Darcy her vodka, but she was too busy watching Bucky to notice.

He tipped his head back, finishing the last of his beer. She saw the muscles in his neck flex as he swallowed. The sharp line of his jaw beneath his stubble.

Oh shit. She was done for.

Bucky handed the bottle over with a sigh, grabbing the two new ones to replace it.

“Wanna take a picture, sweetheart?” Bucky said, not even looking at her.

“Honestly? Kind of, yeah. You’re very pretty.”

“Pretty?” Bucky said doubtfully.

“Yeah. Like, very pretty. Even prettier than Thor, and he’s a god.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head. “Pretty ain’t exactly the word i’d use to describe myself, doll.”

“Well you should add it to your vocab, Soldier. Here, i’ll even give you another word- sexy as fuck.”

Bucky looked at her like she was crazy, but she could feel his amusement humming through the bond. “Are you drunk?”

“Nope, just calling it as I see it,” Darcy grinned, feeling confident.

Bucky laughed, she was so close she could feel the vibrations through his chest. “You sure got a mouth on you, gorgeous.”

Darcy winked at him. “I’ve been told I know how to use it, too.”

She grabbed her drink and took a swig, giving him a moment to fully process what she just said.

The bond flared. Darcy sifted through it to find his emotions: shock, curiosity, jealousy, but most of all- desire.

Darcy smirked.

“So, why are you hiding out here and not on that dance floor I saw?” she asked, switching topics.

He shook his head. “I’m not sure I know how to dance to that music. Besides, it’s too loud. Too many people.”

Darcy nodded in understanding. He raised a brow at her.

“Can you dance?”

“To your kind of music? Eh, i’m okay. But to this? Oh yeah, I am a great dancer. Could even teach you a thing or two, if you’d like.” Darcy winked.

She thought of all those people she’d passed earlier, dancing and grinding all over each other. Oh yeah, she could definitely teach Bucky a move.

“Yeah?” he asked, giving her a challenging look.

“Absolutely,” Darcy grinned, biting her lower lip. Bucky’s eyes darkened at the gesture.

“Maybe later we can go for a dance, then.”

Did his voice just get lower? It sure sounded like it just got lower. Gods, was it getting hot in here? Someone should open a window or something.

“It’s a date,” Darcy said, practically batting her eyelashes at him.

She couldn’t help it. The guy was doing all kinds of things to her- especially in those tight ass jeans. Seriously? Who let him wear those? It was practically torture.

Darcy knocked back the last of her vodka, relishing the burn as it went down her throat. She signalled the bartender for another.

“You sure you can handle another?” Bucky asked, giving her a sidelong glance. Darcy gave him a look.

“What, worried you can’t keep up?”

He chuckled, “Definitely not. I’m more worried about you getting too tipsy.”

“I know my limits,” she said confidently. She hadn’t spent years at college, throwing up at frat houses for nothing.

Although Bucky was right. Darcy was nowhere near drunk- not by a mile- but she’d be lying if she said the alcohol wasn't adding to her confidence.

Speaking of-

“Can you even get drunk?” Darcy asked.

He raised a brow at her.

“Can you even walk in those shoes?” he countered, looking pointedly at her six inch black stilettos.

Darcy bit back her grin, feeling cocky. She dragged the sole of her shoe slowly up his calf.

Bucky jerked, gripping the bar counter so hard his knuckles turned white.

“Christ, doll-” he stuttered.

Darcy smirked, playing with her glass, the picture of pure innocence. He rolled his eyes.

“To answer your question- no, I can’t get drunk.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Really.”

Darcy frowned. “Damn. That sounds awful.”

“It is, believe me,” he chuckled, but the sound was bitter.

“Well,” Darcy said, taking a deep breath. She wasn’t used to such high quality alcohol. It was having more of an effect on her than she expected. “You know, i’m not usually the type to encourage drinking-”

He gave her a look that suggested he clearly thought otherwise.

“-but,” Darcy continued. “I know a guy from Asgard who has this magic ale. It’s strong enough to get even gods drunk, I’m sure it could work on you too.”

“Oh really?” Bucky asked, indulging her.

“Yup. I tried to sneak some once, but he wouldn’t let me have any. He said one sip would be enough to put me on my ass until christmas. Which, obviously, only makes me want it even more.”

Bucky chuckled at her, “Obviously.”

“Point is- I could get you some, if you wanted?” Darcy offered.

Bucky smiled at her, his eyes going all soft and fond again. The bond between them was bright gold and shining.

“Thank you, doll. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good,” Darcy grinned. “He probably has some on him now, you know, if you wanted to try it.”

Bucky shook his head. “Nah, some other time. Right now i’m more focused on enjoying my company.”

Darcy’s face lit up.

“Awww!” she crooned, swaying into his chest. “Barnes, you are literally the sweetest.”

“I think you’re drunk.”

“I am not drunk,” Darcy said, drinking more of her vodka to prove her point.

He just laughed at her, shaking his head. Darcy couldn’t help but laugh too.

The bond between them shined even brighter, lit up with both of their joy and amusement. Darcy’s chest felt light and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. It was the happiest she’d felt since, well, ever, to be honest.

It was a dangerous game she was playing. Sitting here with Bucky, it was almost too easy to fall head over heels for the guy. And with the bond thrumming between them, Darcy realised she was more than in over her head. She also realised that it didn’t bother her one bit.

“There they are! The Towers latest soulmates! How are our guests of honor this evening?”

Darcy spun around to see Tony Stark heading towards them, his finger pointed at her. Pepper Potts was on his other arm, grimacing in apology.

Bucky muttered something under his breath, too quiet for Darcy to hear.

“Stark,” he said, by way of greeting.

“Robocop,” Tony replied, in the same gruff tone. Pepper rolled her eyes.

“Hi Miss Lewis, I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced. I’m Pepper,” she said, extending a hand politely. Darcy shook it.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Pepper. Please, call me Darcy.”

“Darcy, then,” Pepper smiled, tucking her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear.

“You two enjoying the party? I organised the dancefloor just for you,” Tony grinned. Darcy raised a brow.

“You sure that was for us? I don’t even know any of those people.”

“Bucky does,” Tony tried.

“No he doesn’t,” Bucky said.

Tony huffed dramatically. “Well, aren’t you two fun?”

Pepper rolled her eyes.

“Tony’s being a bad host. I’m pretty sure what he’s trying to say is, have you met everyone yet?”

Darcy shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Perfect,” Pepper grinned. “Let me introduce you.”

She turned, dragging Tony along with her, and gestured for Darcy and Bucky to follow.

Darcy turned to Bucky.

‘You okay to do this?’

It was so easy to slip into his mind. He shrugged.

Darcy was about to tell Pepper not to worry about it, that she would make introductions later, but Bucky stood up from his stool, grabbed her around the waist, and carefully helped her down.

She still stumbled into his chest, surprised by the sudden movement.

“I thought you said you could walk in those heels?” he smirked. Darcy rolled her eyes at him.

She grabbed his hand, not giving herself a chance to overthink it, picked up her glass of vodka and followed Pepper.

Bucky followed suit, grabbing his beer.

Pepper glanced at them from over her shoulder, glad to see them still following her.

“Congratulations, by the way. I’m so happy for the both of you. It’s been a while since we’ve had any exciting soulmate stories around the Tower.”

“Thank you,” Darcy smiled.

“How are you finding the Tower so far? Any changes you need to make?” Pepper asked. Tony screwed up his face.

“Actually, sweetheart, last I checked this was my tower. Or at least, 88% of it is. Any changes need to be run by me first.”

Pepper paused, patting him on the cheek.

“It’s sweet that you think that, honey.”

Darcy’s mouth dropped into the perfect ‘o’.

Tony didn’t even have an answer. Pepper just turned, and the two continued walking.

I want to be her when I grow up, Darcy thought.

Beside her, Bucky stifled a laugh, obviously hearing her thoughts. She elbowed him in the stomach.

Her arm may have lingered there when she felt his rock hard abdomen.

“Everyone, i’d like to introduce you to Darcy Lewis, Dr. Foster's assistant,” Pepper introduced. Darcy was suddenly face to face with a bunch of strangers.

“Darcy, this is Dr Banner,” Pepper introduced.

“Call me Bruce,” he smiled, standing to shake her hand.

Pepper moved along. “This is Colonel Rhodes, he’s good friends with Tony-”

“Sometimes,” Rhodes interrupted, making Darcy laugh.

“And finally we have Maria Hill, agent of SHIELD, and Helen Cho, world renowned geneticist.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Darcy said, shaking hands with everyone. Bucky stood protectively at her back.

“You too,” Helen said. “I’m looking forward to having more people around the labs. They can feel a bit isolating at times.”

“You wanna talk about isolating? Try living in a tiny lab in New Mexico with one other person for a year,” Darcy chuckled.

Helen burst out laughing. “Yeah, okay, you win that one.”

“Have you seen your lab, yet?” Bruce asked politely, “I hope you don’t mind, a few of us took the liberty of setting up some of the equipment. We were worried Tony’s moving guys would break something.”

“That was one time, Bruce-”

“It was my most expensive piece of equipment, Tony-”

Darcy raised a brow at Bruce and Tony, before turning back to Bucky. He shrugged.

“The lab is great, thank you. Jane and I checked it out earlier. I don’t know much about the science stuff, but I love my new desk,” she smiled.

“That was me, actually,” Pepper interrupted. “I thought you might like somewhere cozy to sit while you work on Jane’s spreadsheets.”

“Oh,” Darcy said, surprised. “Thank you, I love it. It’s a lot more…” she paused, trying to find the word. “Me, I guess?”

Pepper nodded in understanding. “I’m glad you like it.”

“You got a space in the labs?” Bucky asked quietly.

“Yeah, in Jane’s lab. It gives me somewhere to do my stuff while she’s working on experiments,” she said, smiling softly at him. He was quieter here, in front of all these people.

“You’ll have to show me sometime,” he asked. She could see the sincerity in his eyes. He genuinely wanted to see her work space.

“Really?” Helen asked in surprise. Darcy turned to her and she flushed. “Sorry, that was rude. I just- I’m surprised. Barnes, you never come to the labs. Whenever you need medical, we always come to you.”

He shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “The white coats remind me of HYDRA.”

“Exactly,” Helen said, looking confused. “Darcy works in the labs. Why would you go if that makes you uncomfortable?”

His jaw clenched, a nervous tick.

“Darcy’s different,” was all he said.

Darcy’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She didn’t realise Bucky had an aversion to the labs. Although it made sense, given his past. But the fact that he was willing to bear that to see where she worked-

She pushed her gratitude and adoration down the bond, wanting him to know how much it meant that he was willing to do that for her, completely unprompted.

He smiled at her, feeling her emotions. The group around them went quiet.

“Oh wow, you guys really are soulmates, huh? Only one group of people in this world look at eachother like that,” Maria said. Darcy flushed, feeling caught.

She looked around to see Pepper giving her a warm smile. She raised her champagne glass in a toast.

“To Darcy and Bucky, our newly found soulmates.”

“Darcy and Bucky,” everyone echoed.

Darcy’s cheeks burned even darker, but she lifted her glass along with them, finishing the rest of her vodka in one go.

Tony gave her a look afterwards.

“Was that straight vodka?” he asked incredulously.

“Yup.”

“Jesus, Barnes, you’ve ruined her already.”

Darcy looked between Bucky and Tony in confusion.

“Your boyfriend’s a soviet,” Tony explained.

Darcy’s mind caught on the word boyfriend. It was the first time someone had referred to Bucky as that.

And then she processed what Tony said. Darcy’s face screwed up in even more confusion.

“Я не советский человек” Bucky replied in what Darcy assumed was perfect Russian. She didn’t know, she didn’t speak Russian.

“He said he likes vodka,” Tony explained.

Bucky rolled his eyes. “No. I said i’m not a Soviet.”

“You said ‘I am not a Soviet’, while speaking the language of Soviets?” Tony repeated, grinning.

“That’s enough, Tony,” Pepper huffed, rolling her eyes.

Bucky’s metal fist clenched and unclenched. Darcy just shook her head at them all.

“You guys are weird. Not you, Pepper.”

“Thank you, Darcy,” Pepper grinned.

“What are you guys talking about?” Natasha asked, appearing out of nowhere.

Darcy turned around. Steve was with her, his hand hovering at the small of her back. Darcy grinned.

“Darcy’s drinking vodka. I think Barnes has ruined her,” Tony said, pointing his chin in the air like a child.

“She has good taste,” Natasha said, shooting Darcy a crooked smile.

Tony groaned. “Great, the Russian’s are taking over.”

“Однажды мы обратим тебя, Stark,” Natasha said.

Bucky stifled a laugh. Tony narrowed his eyes at the two of them.

“JARVIS, translate what-”

“Actually, Sir, I must inform you that the catering has arrived,” JARVIS interrupted. Tony’s face lit up.

“Oh, good, send them in.”

He plopped down on one of the large couches, pulling Pepper down next to him. The others followed suit, finding an available seat.

Darcy looked around, trying to find Jane.

“She’s with Thor, over by the pool tables,” Bucky said, not even looking at her.

Darcy blinked in surprise. How did he even know she was looking for Jane?

But sure enough, when Darcy looked towards the pool tables, she spotted Sam and Clint hunched over a table- clearly involved in a high stakes match- while Thor and Jane watched on.

“Do you want to go talk to her?” Bucky asked, his blue eyes meeting hers.

“No, it’s okay. They look like they’re having fun, i’ll talk to her later.”

Bucky nodded, taking her at her word.

Darcy looked down, taking a seat on the closest couch next to Steve and Natasha. Bucky settled in next to her.

The couch was a four seater, but when two of those people were supersoldiers, it made for a tight fit.

In the end, Darcy was tucked right into Bucky’s side, her leg flush against his from thigh to calf. She could feel his body heat pouring through the tight material of his jeans. It was like sitting next to a space heater.

“You’re really hot,” Darcy said, looking at him in mild concern.

From the next couch, Tony burst out laughing. “Very smooth, Lewis.”

“No, no-” Darcy flushed. “Well, I mean, yes, but- I was talking about your body temperature. I feel like i'm sitting next to an open fire.”

Tony wagged his eyebrows at her, unrelenting, before focusing back on his own conversation with Pepper. Darcy felt Bucky chuckle beside her.

“Side effect from the serum,” he explained. “I have a boosted metabolism, so I run pretty hot. Steve’s the same.”

“Like a space heater,” Steve confirmed.

“Huh,” Darcy thought, eloquently. “So you can’t get drunk, your bodies are always burning up, and you have to eat constantly. Is there any actual pros to this supersoldier thing?”

She grinned to let them all know she was clearly teasing. Bucky pretended to think it over.

“I can lift Steve over my head with one arm,” he answered.

Darcy didn’t want to know why she found that oddly attractive.

“Right arm or left arm?” Natasha asked. “It makes a difference,” she explained, when everyone gave her a questioning look.

“Both,” Bucky replied.

Oh yeah, that was definitely a thing for her. Good to know.

Steve spoke up, just as Darcy was over analysing her confusing list of turn ons.

“I can hold my breath for 8 minutes,” he said.

Darcy gave him an incredulous look.

“What- seriously?”

“Seriously,” he replied.

She whipped her head around to Bucky. He was watching her with those attentive blue eyes.

“Can you do that?”

“Probably,” Bucky shrugged.

“Huh,” Darcy thought aloud. Weird.

The corner of Bucky’s mouth lifted in a grin.

Darcy felt herself getting pulled closer and closer to him by the lure of the bond. The longer she was with him, the harder it was to resist. Her body kept telling her to crawl into his lap and never leave, and her mind was starting to get on board.

They were interrupted as a group of people entered the room, wheeling in huge carts of food.

The caterers placed the carts near the couches, so close Darcy could smell the deliciousness. She spotted all kinds of desserts, including chocolate covered strawberries, which were her all time favourite. Darcy’s mouth watered.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn’t this,” Darcy admitted, unable to take her eyes off the amazing food.

“Stark never does anything in halves,” Nat agreed.

The caterers left the room. Tony announced for everyone to dig in.

Clint and Sam immediately abandoned their game of pool in favour of food. Thor was quick to join them, leaving poor old Jane stranded.

“You should go talk to her,” Bucky suggested, looking over at Jane.

“Are you reading my mind?” Darcy joked. Bucky smiled.

“No, you just keep looking at her. Go. I’ll get us some food and meet you again soon.”

“You sure?” Darcy asked, studying his face for any signs of hesitation. She didn’t want to leave him if he was going to be uncomfortable.

“Positive,” Bucky promised.

He stood up, offering her a hand. She took it, and he pulled her gently to her feet.

“See you soon, Soldier,” Darcy said, giving his hand a quick squeeze.

Bucky waited for Steve and the two of them went to grab some food. Darcy headed over to Jane.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Jane beamed when she saw Darcy approaching.

“Darcy! I haven't seen you all night! How are things going with Barnes?”

“Honestly? Really, really good,” Darcy breathed, unable to hide her grin. Jane squealed excitedly.

“I’m so freaking happy for you Darce, seriously. I know you were worried about meeting your soulmate, and sure things were a bit...rough, at the start. But you both look so good together.”

“Thanks, Janey,” Darcy grinned. “We definitely had a rough start, and i’m sure we still have a lot to figure out, but I feel good about it. It’s like I can finally breathe, for the first time ever.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Jane nodded. “When Thor and I first met, we were completely inseparable-”

“-believe me, I know,” Darcy interrupted. Jane poked her in the ribs.

“But it’s different when you’re with them. It’s like you don’t have to try, they just understand you. You know? Like meeting the other half of yourself. Even now, I can be away from him, but I don’t feel like myself again until we’re together.”

Darcy nodded. “It’s a whole new feeling. I’ve had boyfriends in the past, you remember, but the connection I had with them...it doesn’t even compare to this. And I’ve only known Bucky for all of one day.”

“Exactly,” Jane grinned. “It’s just different.”

They looked over at the trays of food. Thor had a plate stacked almost a foot high, all to himself. He was grinning and joking with Clint and Sam.

At the next tray, Bucky was standing with Steve, the two of them also piling food onto plates. Natasha had disappeared to who knows where.

Darcy was too busy watching Bucky to notice Thor approach.

“Ladies, shall we find a place to sit?” he suggested.

Jane and Darcy nodded in agreement, following his lead. He took them to a set of chairs near the pool table, where Sam and Clint had abandoned their game.

Thor sat on one of the large armchairs, pulling Jane into his lap. He was offering her different items of food from his plate. Jane declined most of them, but couldn’t resist when Thor offered her a chocolate eclair.

Darcy grabbed a seat next to them on one of the larger couches, crossing her legs.

Jane stared at her shoes in open awe.

“I still don’t know how you manage to wear those monsters.”

Darcy shrugged. “Practice, probably. I stopped growing when I turned 14 and started wearing heels by the next year. You get used to it.”

“Sounds like torture,” Jane said. Which, fair. “But they make you look so cool.”

Darcy laughed, open and honest.

“Do you use them as weapons?” Thor asked, giving her heels a contemplative look. “I suspect they could make good spears.”

“I think you might be onto something there, big guy,” Darcy giggled.

Sam and Clint approached them, each carrying plates piled with food.

“So, Darcy,” Clint began, taking a seat next to Sam on one of the other couches. “How’s the mated life treating you?”

Darcy’s face screwed up in disgust. “The mated life?”

“You know, like the ‘married life’, but I changed it to soulmates.”

“Don’t. It sounds gross. I feel like a pregnant dog or something,” Darcy said. Sam burst out laughing.

“She’s got a point.”

“Just answer the question,” Clint said, rolling his eyes at the both of them.

Darcy sniggered.

“Things with Bucky are going well,” she said, pointedly.

“No accidents so far?” Sam asked.

“Accidents?”

“You know. No Winter Soldier episodes,” he explained.

Darcy frowned. “I mean, it’s only been a day.”

“Is that something that might happen?” Jane asked, her posture changing.

“I mean…” Clint said, letting the sentence hang in the air.

“Not really, I’m only kidding,” Sam explained. “Barnes hasn’t had an episode in a year.”

“But it could happen?” Jane repeated. Sam shrugged.

“Anything could happen,” and then he turned his attention to Darcy. “Are you prepared to handle that?”

“He’s my soulmate,” she said, as if that explained everything. And to Darcy, it did.

Sam grinned. That had apparently been the answer he was looking for.

“Did you just test me?” Darcy asked.

“I wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting yourself into. Bucky’s...difficult,” he said.

“My daughter's math homework is difficult. Barnes is a fucking mess,” Clint chuckled. Darcy frowned.

“I can look after myself, thanks,” she said, letting her face show just what she thought about what they’d said.

“Look, Darcy, don’t take it the wrong way. Barnes is one of us. We just give him shit sometimes, that’s our relationship. But I like you. You’re a smart girl. I want to make sure you’re prepared for this,” Sam explained, losing some of the ego. Darcy sighed.

“I appreciate you looking out for me, but he’s my soulmate, okay? I’d prefer it if you guys focused a little less on the teasing and a little more on the ‘being supportive’.”

“Fair enough,” Sam said, arms held up in self defence. “You know, I was Bucky’s counsellor for a while. So I understand a little bit about what’s going on in that cyborg brain of his. If you need someone to talk to, i’m all ears.”

“Thank you,” Darcy said, and this time she meant it.

Maybe she, Clint and Sam had started off on the wrong foot. She knew they cared about Bucky, and it was nice to know they liked her too. It’s just that new soulbonds were testy things, especially with a soulmate like Bucky. Darcy couldn’t help it if she was feeling a little overprotective right now.

Speaking of Bucky.

She felt a little tug on the gold chains wrapped around her soul. Darcy looked up to see Bucky striding towards her.

She wondered if she’d ever stop being so surprised by the intensity of his eyes.

He was carrying two plates, one for her and one for him, she assumed.

Her guess was proven correct when he took a seat next to her, so close their legs were touching, and slid the plate into her lap.

It was covered almost entirely in chocolate covered strawberries.

She turned to him in shock.

“You are reading my mind! How else did you know these were my favourite?!”

He chuckled at her expression, shaking his head.

“I’m not reading your mind, doll. You just have an open face. I can tell exactly what you’re thinking just by looking at you.”

“I do not!” Darcy defended.

Bucky just gave her a look.

“Jane?” she asked, turning to her best friend for support. Jane shrugged, looking guilty.

“You do have a pretty expressive face…”

Darcy pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. Jane laughed at her.

“See? Case and point.”

“You’re a bad friend, Janey,” Darcy mumbled.

“Oh c’mon, doll,” Bucky said, his voice just barely above a whisper. “I’m only teasin’.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute, Barnes,” Darcy said seriously. Bucky just grinned at her.

She grabbed one of the chocolate covered strawberries and pulled off the stem before taking a huge bite. It was juicier than she expected, she had to quickly wipe a spot from her chin from where the strawberry juice had dripped down.

Darcy caught the strawberry juice on her thumb, before popping the digit in her mouth to lick off the excess.

The bond changed so quickly Darcy almost choked.

Where before the bond was filled with warmth and comfort, it was suddenly flooded with lust.

Darcy gasped, trying to handle the sudden onslaught of emotion. Her gaze immediately snapped to Bucky, because all that lust certainly wasn’t coming from her.

His pupils were blown so wide she could only see a thin band of blue in his eyes. Bucky’s gaze was trained on her mouth, or more importantly, the way she was sucking on her thumb to get rid of the strawberry juice.

Darcy squirmed, rubbing her legs together. Seeing that pure want on Bucky’s face, combined with his emotions, was quickly getting her flustered.

He noticed her squirming, and if anything, that only made the whole situation worse.

His eyes narrowed on her thighs, gaze dark and hungry. Darcy audibly gulped.

“What do you say, Darcy?”

Darcy was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of her name.

“Uh- what, sorry, what?” she asked, looking around. Everyone was staring at her.

“I asked if you wanted a game,” Sam asked her, nodding at one of the pool tables. “We’ll do doubles, you and Barnes against me and Clint.”

Darcy shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “Um, yes, sure,” she said, voice coming out squeaky and high pitched. Darcy winced.

She needed to get away from Bucky and this couch before she did something she’d regret- like climb him like a tree, right in front of everyone.

She turned her head to see Bucky still staring at her lips, that same intense look on his face. When she elbowed him softly in the ribs, his gaze lifted to hers.

“You in?”

“Whatever you want,” he promised. And oh boy, Darcy could get used to that.

She blushed under the heat of his gaze. Darcy finished her strawberry, moving her plate to a nearby table so she could stand up.

Bucky beat her to it. By the time she turned around, he was already standing, metal arm outstretched to help her up.

Darcy took his hand gracefully, and he helped her up.

She noticed belatedly that he tugged too hard, and she was sent stumbling into his hard chest.

Bucky grabbed her around the waist, holding her against him.

“No more strawberries,” he husked into her ear, breath warm against her skin. "Or I'll end up making a scene in front of all these people."

Darcy’s cheeks burned even darker.

He released his hold on her and Darcy took a step back, feeling unsteady. He gestured for her to go first, following like a sentry behind her, one hand pressed to the small of her back.

Darcy passed Jane on the way, who was shooting her a concerned look. She could clearly see something was going on between Darcy and Bucky.

Darcy just shook her head, trying not to think about it. If she did, she was afraid she might just take Bucky up on that offer to make a scene. Or better yet, she could just drag him to the nearest empty room and have her way with him.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop thinking it,” Bucky mumbled, just loud enough for her to hear.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Bucky subtly adjusting his jeans. Darcy’s eyes went wide.

Ohhh boy. She was getting way too many ideas.

Why bother looking for an empty room? Why not a bathroom? Hell, Darcy would even take an empty corridor at this point-

Bucky cleared his throat loudly, glaring at her.

Oops. Right. He could probably hear her thoughts.

She felt a pinch on her hip and turned to see Bucky giving her a pointed look.

Fine, fine, Darcy thought, focusing on the pool game instead. It was at that exact moment she remembered that she sucked at pool.

“Uh, is now a good time to mention i’ve only played this game once, and it ended so horribly that i’ve never played since?”

Sam and Clint were busy applying chalk to the end of their cues, but both started laughing at her.

“Well, this game just got a whole lot more interesting. Hey Barnes, sure you don't want a different partner?” Clint smirked.

“No thanks. Pretty sure I could play with my eyes closed and Darcy and I would still kick your asses,” Bucky said seriously.

Darcy was surprised by his confidence.

“I hope you’re a good shot, because I wasn’t kidding. I suck at this,” she said, reaching up to whisper in his ear. Bucky’s hand lingered at the small of her back.

“Don’t worry, doll. Sam’s been playing bad all night, and Clint get’s sloppy when he’s angry.”

Darcy raised a brow.

“You’ve been preparing for this,” she accused.

He shook his head. “I’m just observant. Don’t worry, you’ll see.”

“You’re on, Barnes,” Clint interrupted with a grin, setting up the balls in their little triangle on the table.

Bucky used his hand on Darcy’s waist to guide her to the cues.

“Here,” he said, handing her one. Darcy frowned.

“What if I want that one?” she said, pointing to one of the other cues. He shook his head.

“Trust me, sweetheart, you don’t want that one.”

“But this one’s so big. That one over there is shorter.”

“Exactly,” he said, smiling at her. “You’re already 5 foot nothin’. You don’t need a shorter cue.”

She huffed at him, rolling her eyes.

Bucky winked at her.

God, the things he was doing to her.

He grabbed some chalk and applied it to the end of his cue, before taking hers and doing the same.

“So you said you’ve played before, right?” he asked.

“Once,” she nodded.

“What happened?”

“I tripped over and ripped the green carpet stuff with my stick.”

Bucky stopped chalking the cue.

“I told you I was bad,” she winced.

Bucky pretended to look around the room.

“Is it too late to switch partners?”

She elbowed him in the ribs, snatching back her cue. He started laughing at her.

She didn’t mind being the butt of the joke- hell, he could make fun of her all he wanted, she’d put up with it all just to see him laugh like that.

Darcy turned towards the pool table to catch Sam studying her. When she raised a brow, he smiled at her, then looked pointedly at Bucky- who was still laughing.

Darcy smirked back. Yeah, suck it, Wilson. She knew exactly what she was doing.

“You wanna break?” Clint asked Bucky.

Bucky shook his head. “Nah. Darcy will, though.”

“I don’t-” she tried.

“Come on, doll. Show me what you got.”

Darcy took a deep breath. Time to hopelessly embarrass herself, I guess.

She walked closer, holding her cue, ready to take the first hit.

Darcy leaned over the table, closing one eye, and tried to line up her shot.

“Woah woah woah-” Bucky interrupted, stepping up behind her. She felt the heat of his body through the material of her dress.

Darcy straightened.

“What? What did I do?”

He just chuckled, shaking his head.

“Well no wonder you ripped the green last time, sweetheart. You’re holding the cue completely wrong.”

“What do you mean? It's a giant stick. There’s only one way to hold it.”

Bucky just shook his head at her. “Like this. Show me what you were doing.”

Darcy leaned over, eyeing up her shot again.

“First of all,” Bucky whispered, and oh shit, that was his body leaning over hers-

Bucky molded himself around her, his arms wrapping around hers, covering her hands holding the cue.

“Both eyes open,” he instructed. Darcy reluctantly opened both of her eyes, just to look up and catch Clint and Sam sending her shit eating grins.

“Don’t look at them, focus on what i’m doing.”

It’s a little hard not to, Darcy thought, when my ass is pressed right into your crotch.

Bucky grunted in her ear. Darcy had the decency to blush. She really needed to stop projecting her thoughts down the bond.

“Put your hands like this,” Bucky showed her, rearranging her fingers around the pool stick. “This way, you’ll have better control over where you hit the ball.”

He pulled his right arm back, pulling the stick with him.

“Aim for the centre and strike hard. Make sure you keep the cue level. If you aim down, like you were doing before, you’ll either rip the green again or send the ball flying off the table.”

Darcy frowned, trying to keep up with all of his instructions.

“Ready?” Bucky asked.

He didn’t wait for her to answer, just pulled the cue back a little further and then thrust it forward suddenly.

They struck the white ball, sending it crashing into the others.

All of the balls scattered, and Darcy squealed in delight when she sent the purple stripey one into a hole at the back.

“Yes! Suck on that, losers!” Darcy yelled, pointing at Sam and Clint, who just rolled their eyes.

“Looks like we’re solids,” Sam said to Clint, who was busy poking his tongue out at Darcy.

“Big deal, short stuff. So you got one shot in.”

“Clint’s just jealous,” Bucky grinned at her. “You did good, doll.”

“Thanks to you,” Darcy beamed. “I think we make a pretty good team, soldier.”

Bucky chuckled at her, his hulking figure leaning towards hers.

Clint stepped up to the table, examining his options.

“Watch this,” Bucky whispered into Darcy’s ear. She scrunched her face up in confusion, wondering what Bucky was about to do.

Clint selected a ball and leaned over, preparing to take the shot.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Bucky said, loud enough for Clint to hear.

Clint paused, raising a brow at Bucky from over his shoulder.

“Oh yeah? And why should I take advice from you, Barnes?”

“Just sayin’,” Bucky shrugged. “Say, didn’t Natasha whoop your ass at pool the last time you played?”

Darcy’s eyes went wide in surprise.

“Are you trash talking?” she muttered under her breath. Bucky just grabbed his beer and brought it to his lips, hiding the smirk he shot her.

Clint growled. “Nat didn’t whoop my ass-”

“Sure looked like it from where I was standing,” Bucky grinned.

Clint just swore at him and returned to the game.

He lined up his shot, pulled back the cue and struck hard. Too hard.

The ball hit the edge of the pocket and bounced back out again.

“Motherfucker!” Clint shouted.

Darcy gasped in surprise, covering her mouth to hide her laughter.

“Jesus, Clint, what the hell was that?” Sam groaned.

Clint just shook his head and stomped over to the chalk, taking his frustration out on the cue.

“Told you he gets sloppy when he’s angry,” Bucky mumbled. Darcy bit her lip.

“You’re a dirty cheater, Barnes.”

“S’ not cheatin’, doll. Just winning,” he winked.

“Yeah, right,” Darcy laughed.

Bucky straightened, taking his turn.

He studied the table briefly, before sinking three different balls consecutively.

Darcy was glad she didn’t have a drink, or she would have spat it out everywhere.

“What in the fuck-”

“God dammit,” Sam groaned, looking to the ceiling for support.

Darcy watched the corner of Bucky’s mouth lift in a barely there smile. He straightened back up, looking completely unbothered.

“What the hell was that?!” Darcy demanded, looking back at the table in disbelief.

She blinked once. Twice. But nope, three striped balls had disappeared. The white ball came to a stop in the bottom right corner, well away from any solid coloured balls.

“How did you do that?!” she demanded.

Bucky shrugged, taking another swig of his beer and standing at her back.

“I practiced in bars, before the war. Got pretty good.”

“You call that pretty good?” Darcy said, astonished. “That was amazing. Dear gods, and I was excited about getting one ball in-”

“You should be excited, it was a great shot,” Bucky complimented.

Darcy huffed a laugh. “That’s high praise, coming from the king of pool.”

“The king of pool?” Bucky quirked a brow.

“You heard me.”

Sam took his shot. Bucky had basically left him with no options, so he just hit it hard at a cluster near the other end of the table.

“You’re up, sweetheart.”

“I’m not sure I want to play now that i’ve seen how good you are,” she joked.

He shook his head, but smiled at her. “Good thing i’m on your team then, huh?”

“Don’t know where i’d be without you,” Darcy admitted, winking at him.

He followed her to the table while she examined her options.

“Should I go for that one?” Darcy asked, pointing at the blue striped ball on the side of the table.

Bucky shook his head. “The side pockets can be tricky. Go for the green one at the back,” he said, gesturing towards the other end of the table.

“But it’s so far away,” Darcy said, incredulous.

“Trust me,” Bucky said.

He helped her get back into position, just like last time. But before she could take her shot he made her pause.

“Wait here.”

“Where are you going?” Darcy asked, slightly panicked now that her teacher was gone.

Bucky jogged to the other end of the table. He reached over and pointed to a spot just in front of the green ball.

“Hey! Hands off the green!” Clint complained. Bucky just flipped him the bird using his other hand.

“Aim here,” Bucky said, focusing intently on Darcy.

She took a shaky breath, suddenly unsure of herself without his arms around her.

Darcy got level with the cue, making sure to keep both eyes open.

“Good,” Bucky praised her.

She looked down the barrel of her cue, towards Bucky’s finger.

“Won’t that be too far to the side?” Darcy asked. Bucky’s finger was on the far side of the ball, almost too far. He shook his head.

“You’ll hit it into the hole. Trust me.”

Darcy took a deep breath. She kept her focus on Bucky’s hand, pulled back the cue, and let go.

The white ball went barrelling towards the green one.

It hit the side, just like Darcy thought it would, before bouncing off the back of the table.

Darcy watched intently as the green ball shot out sideways, directly towards the back pocket. She held her breath as it slowed, just a little, before eventually rolling into the hole.

Darcy squealed, jumping up and down in excitement. Bucky and Sam joined in, laughing at her enthusiasm.

Clint just rolled his eyes. Darcy pulled the finger at him, which finally got him to laugh.

“You’re a natural, doll,” Bucky said, coming to wrap an arm around her waist.

“Thanks to you,” she said, nudging her shoulder into his chest.

He grinned down at her, and it was enough to steal all the air from her lungs.

The bond between them was glowing and bright, filled with warmth and content. She got lost staring into his blue eyes.

“Do you think,” Darcy heard Clint mumble, “That they’ve forgotten we’re here?”

“Definitely forgotten,” Sam agreed. Darcy rolled her eyes at the two of them.

She returned her attention to the pool table, eyeing up her next shot.

“What do you think?” Darcy asked Bucky. He shrugged.

“Whatever you want, doll.”

She looked at the blue ball again. Bucky said it was a hard shot, but she was feeling confident now.

Darcy took the shot. The blue ball went soaring towards the side pocket, but bounced off the side at the last second. Bucky let out a low whistle.

“Close, sweetheart.”

Darcy shrugged. Worth a shot.

Clint stepped up to take his turn next. He was able to sink two, without Bucky’s interruption. But it was no use, because Bucky stepped up next, and within a minute flat, he had sunk the last two striped balls, followed by the 8 ball.

“Seriously, Barnes?” Sam groaned. “I didn’t even get a 2nd turn.”

Bucky just shrugged, looking way too proud of himself.

“Good game,” he nodded towards Sam and Clint.

Clint pulled the finger, causing Darcy to burst out laughing.

“Your soulmates a prick, Lewis,” Clint muttered.

“Maybe,” Darcy shrugged, “But he’s damn good at pool.”

Bucky chuckled, nudging her with the end of his pool cue. Darcy bit her lip to refrain from saying some kind of stick innuendo.

Bucky must have read it on her face though, because he rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t even say anything!” Darcy defended.

“Your face said it all, doll.”

She rolled her eyes, taking her cue and placing it with the others on the far wall.

Bucky did the same. Darcy waited until his hand was free before she laced her fingers through his. It felt as natural as breathing.

She cast her gaze around the room.

Jane and Thor were still sitting on the couches, Steve and Natasha had now joined them. Pepper and Tony had disappeared again, but the others they were with still remained on the chairs in the middle.

“Where to next?” Bucky asked her. Darcy hummed in thought.

The music from the other bar had changed to something less thumpy and more sexy. Darcy was struck with an idea.

She bit her lip, smiling up at the supersoldier to her right.

“Wanna dance?”

“To this?” Bucky confirmed, looking skeptical. Darcy nodded.

“Don’t worry, Sarge. I’ll teach you,” Darcy grinned, dragging him towards Jane and Thor.

“Oh god,” Bucky groaned towards the ceiling, but Darcy could feel his amusement through the bond, so she knew he wasn’t really dreading it.

Steve and the others looked up as they approached, but Darcy kept her eyes trained on Thor. He was her yes man, after all. She knew he’d join them if she asked.

“Barnes and I are going dancing, care to join?”

Thor grinned from ear to ear.

“Of course! My lady Jane and I would love to join you in dancing!”

Darcy beamed. She knew she could count on Thor.

Jane was looking a little skeptical, probably remembering all those sweaty bodies they had passed earlier. Darcy had hoped most of them were gone, now that the music had slowed and it was getting a little later.

“You’re dancin’?” Steve asked, looking square at Bucky.

Bucky just cleared his throat, shrugging.

“Don’t got much of a choice. She’s dragging me into it,” he said, lifting their interlocked hands. Darcy’s mouth dropped open.

“I’m not forcing you!”

Bucky chuckled, deep and warm. She couldn’t help but lean into the sound.

“Sure you’re not, doll,” he disagreed, but Darcy could see the teasing in his eyes. She rolled her eyes at him.

Steve quirked a brow in surprise, but his mouth was stretched into a smirk.

“Haven’t seen you dance since the 40’s.”

“I’ve still got it,” Bucky defended.

“You sure? This kinda music aint exactly your style.”

Bucky’s jaw clenched. “You think you can do better?’

Steve lifted his arms in self defense, Darcy could see the amusement on his face.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Sounded like a challenge to me, Cap,” Darcy grinned.

Natasha shifted next to Steve, placing her drink on the table.

“Why not, I could use a dance.”

Steve raised a brow at her. “Really?”

“Sure. I hope you can back up all that talk, cause i’m a damn good dancer,” Natasha winked.

Steve swallowed, suddenly looking way out of his depth.

Natasha paid him no mind, just grabbed his hand in hers and pulled him up from the chair.

Thor cheered in excitement, helping Jane up before wrapping an arm around her waist. The six of them started walking towards the dance floor.

Darcy quirked a brow at Bucky.

‘You ready for this?’ she asked him, brushing against the walls of his mind.

‘I hope you’re a good teacher, cause I ain't losin a dance challenge to Stevie.’

Darcy laughed, shaking her head.

‘Don’t worry, Soldier. You’re in good hands.’

Bucky smiled at her, small and fond. Darcy felt her heart flutter.

“You two coming? Or did you realise you wouldn’t be able to keep up with Rogers and I?” Natasha teased, glancing back at them from over her shoulder. Darcy and Bucky had apparently fallen behind.

“Oh it is on,” Darcy promised, chasing after them, dragging Bucky along.

~~~~

Chapter Text

The further they got from the secluded bar, the louder the music was.

It still wasn’t nearly as loud as earlier, thank god, but it was loud enough that Darcy had to shout to be heard.

She walked hand in hand with Bucky out of the bar and around the corner, towards the dancefloor.

The lights were still dimmed, but the strobes and lasers had thankfully disappeared.

She looked up to see Tony and Pepper standing at the music booth, bickering over which song to play.

Thankfully, the dance floor was much more deserted than it had been earlier. Only a few people still remained, so they pretty much had the whole room to themselves.

Tony looked up as the six of them entered the room. He grinned wide when he saw Darcy and Bucky at the back of the pack.

Darcy got a sick feeling in her stomach. Tony winked at her, before selecting a new song, as if to say- ‘this one’s for you, kid’.

The previous song stopped suddenly. Pepper looked at Tony in confusion, before she followed his gaze and made eye contact with Darcy. Pepper waved excitedly, and Darcy couldn’t help but wave back.

Tony dropped down to whisper something in Pepper’s ear, which made her throw her head back in laughter. That feeling in Darcy’s stomach intensified.

What the hell was Stark doing-

Pepper winked at Darcy, before pressing some buttons, dimming the lights even further.

Suddenly, a familiar beat started playing through the speakers.

Jane whipped her head around at Darcy, gasping in shock.

“Yes- so crazy right now-” Jay Z’s voice said over the speakers.

“Oh my god he didn’t-”

“It’s our song!” Jane shouted, jumping up and down in excitement.

She grabbed Thor more firmly by the hand and dragged him towards the middle of the dance floor. Natasha quirked a brow at Darcy.

“Crazy in Love by Beyonce,” Darcy explained. “It was our anthem back in New Mexico.”

Darcy looked up to see Tony wagging his eyebrows at her.

“You’re welcome!” He shouted over the speakers.

“Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no-”

She just shook her head. “Come on,” Darcy grinned at Bucky, leading him towards Jane and Thor.

Steve and Natasha followed, the six of them taking over the dancefloor.

“You know this song?” Bucky husked into her ear, shouting to be heard over the music.

“Does she know it?!” Jane interrupted them. “This is Darcy’s song, Barnes. Just you wait!”

Bucky held his hands up in self defense. Darcy laughed out loud.

“I look and stare so deep in your eyes-”

She turned around, placing her hands on his chest, dragging them down towards his abs.

Bucky’s eyes went wide. He clearly wasn't expecting to be touched like this. She could see he didn't know what to do with his hands, where he was allowed to touch, so she grabbed them and placed them on her hips.

“I touch on you more and more every time-” Darcy sang along, watching him.

Bucky looked unsure of himself, turning around to see what each of the other couples were doing.

“I thought you could dance?” she teased.

“This is a little different to the dancing i’m used to,” he explained, looking around them, trying to copy what he could see.

Thor and Jane were dancing close, the two of them obviously having a great time. Steve and Nat weren’t so loose, but they were just as close.

“How so?” Darcy grinned.

“You’re a lot closer, first of all,” he shouted over the music. “And I wouldn’t be allowed to touch you like this.”

He ran his hands up and down her sides pointedly. Darcy just grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling their bodies flush together.

“Stop thinking so much. Just do what feels right!”

“When you leave i’m begging you not to go, call your name two three times in a row-”

The vodka she'd had earlier was still giving her all sorts of confidence. Darcy spun, keeping her arms around his neck, but now her back was pressed flush against his front. She started moving, dancing to the music.

Bucky’s hands instantly tightened on her waist. She felt him tense up behind her.

“Just follow my lead!” Darcy called.

“Got me looking so crazy right now, your loves got me looking so crazy right now-”

She kept dancing, letting go of his neck to run her hands through her hair, moving her hips against his. It took a second, but Bucky slowly relaxed into her. She felt his hips move in time with hers, his grip on her waist loosened from terrified to interested.

“Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch got me looking so crazy right now-”

Darcy moved against him, feeling the rough material of his jeans through her dress. Jane wolf whistled at the two of them, Darcy winked at her.

Thor lifted and spun Jane around the dancefloor, the two of them dancing like goofballs. Natasha and Steve were busy staring into each other's eyes, they moved a lot slower, but far more intensely than Jane and Thor. Steve was obviously timid, and a lot more shy than Natasha, but she was bringing him out of his shell.

Darcy kept singing, knowing each lyric off by heart. The more she sung, the more she felt Bucky really relax into her. She could tell he was picking up the tempo of the song, and started to anticipate how her hips would move to different beats.

“Your kiss got me hoping you’ll save me right now-”

Darcy grabbed Bucky’s hands from her waist and ran them up towards her shoulders and back down again, brushing lightly over her chest and across her stomach.

The bond flared with desire, and Bucky's hold on her suddenly got a lot firmer, more possessive. Darcy pressed her hips against him, moving with the song.

He let go suddenly and spun her around so that they were facing each other.

The intensity on his face stole all the air from her lungs.

Bucky’s eyes were dark and hungry, his mouth open slightly.

She ran her hands up his chest and around his neck, tangling in his hair.

Both of their chests were heaving. Bucky's arms trailed burning hot across her hips, down her lower back, and over her ass. She pushed against his hands, and his grip tightened.

Darcy pulled gently on the hair at the nape of his neck. Bucky’s eyes practically rolled back into his head. He squeezed her ass, pulling her front flush against him. She could feel the outline of his quickly hardening dick against her stomach

Darcy gasped, grinding against him, still swaying her body to the beat of the song. He moved with her, his hips moving perfectly in time with hers.

“You’re a fast learner!” Darcy shouted, praising him.

Bucky’s head dropped to her ear. She accidentally pulled on his hair when she felt him nibble on her ear lobe.

“You’re a good teacher,” he husked.

“It’s the beat that my heart skips when i’m with you-”

Darcy tipped her head back on instinct, exposing her neck.

Bucky’s head immediately dropped to cover her open skin. She felt his mouth open and place a blazing hot kiss on the spot just below her collarbone, right over her soul mark.

Darcy barely refrained from moaning.

Bucky placed another open mouthed kiss over her words, his teeth just grazing her collarbone. Her grip on his hair tightened, her hips moving with his.

The bond was white hot and electric, fizzing with lust and flooded with desire. Darcy felt herself getting almost intoxicated with the heady stream of emotions.

“Your touch got me looking so crazy right now-”

He pulled his head back, looking her in the eyes.

His pupils were blown so wide she could barely see a hint of blue. His hair was all mused, thanks to her fingers, and his lips were pink and swollen.

Darcy felt a new rush of lust run through her as she took in his appearance. His grip on her tightened in response.

The song kept playing in the background, but Darcy found herself getting lost in his eyes. She could feel each gasp of his breath like it was her own, their bodies so close she didn’t know where his began or hers ended. It was just Bucky, everywhere and everything, the bond between them bright and alive.

“Your loves got me looking so crazy in love-”

Bucky shifted, turning her around to pull her back against him. They began moving again to the music, each of their bodies swaying in rhythm. His arms wrapped around her like a vice, her head thrown back against his chest.

His hands went wandering up and down her torso, confident now that she'd shown him where to touch, but he avoided the areas where she wanted him most.

Darcy breathed out the rest of the lyrics, dancing with Bucky the whole time, both of them trapped in their own little world together. Darcy made sure to sing all the words, laughing at Jane and Thor who were performing like they were in a music video. Bucky never once took his hands off her, constantly grasping and brushing over her hips, waist and shoulders. It felt good to feel him relax, feel his ease through the bond, the warmth of him at her back.

As the song finished, their movements slowed.

Bucky’s grip on her loosened, she pulled reluctantly away from his body.

When she turned around to look at him, he was grinning at her. There was still that same darkness, hunger, in his eyes- and his jeans were a little tight in the front, but he looked good. Happy. Confident.

Darcy felt the same. Being with him felt easy, amazing. She wasn’t sure how she had gone so long without him.

Bucky’s lips were still swollen from where he’d kissed her soulmark, and Darcy’s skin tingled in memory. Her cheeks felt flushed from all the dancing, she just prayed her foundation covered most of it.

“Told you that was Darcy’s song,” Jane said out of nowhere, giving Bucky a knowing look.

They turned around to see Jane and Thor watching them both, no longer dancing.

Bucky just grunted, trying to subtly adjust his jeans.

“Not what I was expecting,” he admitted. Jane and Thor laughed.

“Better, I hope,” Thor said.

Bucky looked down at Darcy’s words. She followed his gaze. The skin around her mark was red, likely stubble burn from when he’d kissed her.

“Definitely better,” Bucky agreed.

Darcy beamed at him. He smiled back.

“Another happy couple?” Jane asked, looking at Steve and Nat, who had moved away from the group. They were still wrapped in eachothers arms, moving slowly to the music.

“They certainly look like a happy couple,” Thor chimed in.

“You know I can hear you, right?” Steve called, looking back at them suddenly. Darcy startled.

“Good,” Bucky grunted. “Take the hint and ask her out.”

Darcy had to cover her mouth to hide her grin. Steve just rolled his eyes at them all.

When Natasha gave him a questioning glance, he shook his head.

“We have to get them together,” Darcy promised, quietly, so Steve wouldn’t hear. Bucky chuckled.

“God help us when we do.”

The song changed, something less intense and more pop. Darcy looked up to catch Tony and Pepper watching them all knowingly.

Tony was wagging his eyebrows at her, looking pointedly at the super soldier beside her. Darcy rolled her eyes. How Tony knew that was her song, she had no idea. But she'd be lying if she said she wasn't grateful that he played it.

The next song picked up in tempo, something unfamiliar to Darcy. She grabbed Bucky's hand and pulled him flush against her once more.

"Come on, Soldier. We aren't done yet."

Bucky shook his head, but grinned at her.

"Is this how you always dance?"

"More or less," Darcy winked. "But don't worry, you're getting extra special treatment."

He breathed a laugh against her ear, keeping her close to his body.

"Lucky me."

Darcy bit her lip, unable to wipe the smile from her face. Instead, she let herself go with the music, moving her body in whatever way felt right.

~~~~

One song turned into two, which turned into five, which turned into almost an hour of dancing.

By that point, Tony and Pepper had retreated back to the secluded bar, and the six of them were the only ones left on the dance floor. As the last song ended, Jane caught Darcy’s eye.

“It’s getting late, and we have work in the morning. Thor and I are going to head upstairs. Are you staying here?”

Darcy looked back at Bucky, her chest heaving slightly. It had been a long time since she'd last danced this long.

"Up to you, Sarge," Darcy said, out of breath. She didn't want the night to end, but Jane was right. A quick look outside told Darcy it was well after midnight already.

“It is getting late,” he smiled sadly. “Come on, i’ll walk you back.”

Darcy nodded, feeling a little disappointed.

Jane and Thor said goodnight, going ahead while Darcy and Bucky said goodbye to Steve and Nat.

“We’re gonna head off, i’m walking Darcy back to her room,” Bucky told Steve. Nat quirked a brow.

“Just walking her back? Or are you going inside, too?”

Bucky rolled his eyes. “Don’t you start.”

“Sounds good,” Steve nodded. “I’ll catch up with you later. Goodnight, Darcy.”

“Night,” Darcy smiled at the both of them.

Bucky brought his hand to her lower back, guiding her away from the dance floor and towards the elevators.

Thor and Jane were already gone when they arrived. Bucky pressed the button for the second elevator, because of course Stark had two elevators.

The doors slid open and they entered. Bucky hit the button for her floor.

She waited until the doors slid closed before turning to him.

“Thank you for tonight,” she said. “I had a really, really good time.”

Bucky smiled at her. “Me too, doll.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Thank you for teaching me how to dance to your music,” he smirked.

Darcy bit her lip, “Thank you for teaching me how to play pool. We totally kicked ass.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, we did.”

The elevator descended smoothly. Darcy could feel the heat off of Bucky’s non cybernetic hand as it warmed her lower back. They didn’t speak again until the elevator doors opened once more, and Darcy was surprised by how comfortable the silence felt.

When the doors opened to reveal her floor, she wondered if he’d just leave her there. She was grateful when of course, being the gentleman he was, he followed her right to her door.

“Which ones yours?” he asked. Darcy nodded to the closest door.

“This one. Thor and Jane are the next one down,” she pointed further along the hallway. He nodded, as she used her fingerprints to unlock Stark's fancy doors.

Bucky waited for the door to swing open and Darcy stepped inside. He didn’t follow her, but he did look around once she flicked on the lights.

“It’s nice,” he said. Darcy nodded in agreement.

“It’s definitely nicer than any of my other apartments, though it looks a little bare right now. I need to go shopping to fill all these empty walls.”

Bucky chuckled at her. “You into creature comforts?”

“Very much so,” she admitted. “I want my place to feel like home, you know? Little pieces of me everywhere. Jane likes to make fun of me cause my bed always has at least 10 pillows, but I don’t know. I like it that way.”

He nodded. “I understand. Even with what you’ve done so far, it already feels nice. Reminds me of you.”

Darcy smiled. “Thanks, Sarge. Do you like creature comforts too?”

He shrugged. “To be honest with you, doll, it’s been so long since i’ve had a home, I think I forgot what that feels like.”

Darcy frowned. Bucky winced.

“Sorry, I know you don’t want to hear that-”

“Of course I do,” she interrupted. “I just- it makes me sad to hear that. Because I know how much home means to me, and I want you to have that too.”

He gave her a sad smile.

“If it helps, doll-” he paused, trying to figure out how to say the next words. “I think i’m starting to remember. You’re reminding me what it’s like to have a home again.”

Darcy felt all the breath leave her lungs in one big whoosh.

“And here I was thinking you left all those flirting skills back in 1940.”

Bucky laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling adorably.

“What can I say, you’re making me remember a lot of things, doll.”

“Good things?” Darcy asked, letting a little of her nervousness flow down the bond.

“The best things,” Bucky promised, giving her a warm, open smile. Darcy swooned.

She looked around her apartment, quickly checking for anything embarrassing.

“You want to come in, soldier?”

She wasn’t usually one to invite someone in on the first day, but hey, he was her soulmate. If there was ever an exception, this would be it.

Bucky hesitated.

“We don’t have to do anything!” Darcy quickly clarified. And then she winced. “I mean, not that I don’t want to- because believe me, I very, very much want to- it’s just, uh..”

Bucky was outwardly laughing at her now. Darcy felt her cheeks go red.

“What I meant is, i’m having a really good night with you. And i’m not ready for it to be over. So do you want to come in? I’ll put on music, we can hangout- just whatever you want.”

Bucky looked around, unable to meet her eyes.

“Don’t you have work in the morning?”

“Yeah,” Darcy shrugged. “But it’s okay, Jane won’t mind if i’m a little late.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

Bucky thought it over. She could see the gears turning in his head, debating whether or not he should follow her inside. He took a risk.

“No strawberries,” Bucky said, finally meeting her eyes. Darcy flushed a deep scarlett. She was remembering his face after she’d tried the chocolate covered strawberries earlier. Darcy had sucked on her thumb to get rid of the extra juice, and he’d practically undressed her with his eyes.

“No strawberries,” Darcy promised. “Although, let me know if you change your mind…” she said, letting the sentence hang in the air.

Bucky huffed, shaking his head.

“You’re trouble, you know that?”

“Only the best kind,” she quipped. Bucky didn’t disagree with her.

She stepped aside, holding the door open for him to come through.

Bucky took a tentative step in, looking around her apartment curiously.

“I’ll put on some music,” she said.

Darcy led him deeper into her apartment, trying and failing not to think about how close he was to her bedroom. Or more specifically, her bed…

She shook her head. Gods, the things he did to her. She didn’t remember being this, uh, eager, with other guys in the past. She couldn’t tell if it was the bond, or just Bucky, but either way- he had her heart pounding without even trying.

Bucky looked around her sizable lounge, admiring the view outside, where the terrace was. Meanwhile, Darcy grabbed the shitty, second hand ipod she’d bought to replace the one Clint stole.

“Any recommendations?” she asked.

Bucky looked a little lost.

“I haven’t really caught up on modern music, so anything you like will be fine.”

Darcy smiled at him.

“It’s okay. Who was your favourite artist from back in the day?”

He blew out a breath, thinking it over.

“I liked Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman. Anything with a bit of swing that I could dance to.”

Darcy nodded. “I think I have some songs you might like. The only question is-” she paused, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Can you still remember how to dance to them?”

He raised a brow at her, challenging. “What are you saying, sweetheart?”

“I’m saying you got old, Sarge. I’m not sure you can move like you used to,” she bit her lip, trying to keep from smiling.

“Oh really?” Bucky straightened, stalking towards her.

The idea of a challenge had given him confidence, taking his mind off things. He didn’t look so uncomfortable being in her room now. Darcy smirked, feeling proud of herself.

Bucky approached, crowding all of her senses.

“Why don’t you play the song and find out,” he husked.

Darcy quickly scrolled through her ipod, looking for some swing hits that she knew. Thank god her grandparents taught her some moves when she was younger. But judging by Bucky’s confidence, she doubted it would be enough to keep up with him.

Darcy hit play, the sound of Benny Goodman came over the surround sound speakers. Bucky’s face immediately lit up in recognition.

“I know this one,” he said, something like wonder and excitement in his eyes.

“I hope you still remember the moves, soldier,” Darcy grinned.

She took a step towards him this time, arms held up in expectation. Bucky slipped one hand around her waist, the metal one curling around her fingers.

The drums picked up, and the trumpets started to play.

Darcy remembered when she was 11, and her grandfather had danced her around the living room to this very song. It felt nothing like the way Bucky grabbed her now, throwing her into the swing of the music.

She felt the breath get knocked out of her, and her face lit up in excitement.

Bucky spun her around, twirling her under his arm before roping her back in again. She followed his lead, dipping where he dipped, moving where he moved.

She had never seen him so confident and at ease, completely in tune with the rhythm and the beat of the song. He knew exactly how to lead her, where to move, when to pull her back. He was quick and clearly very skilled- if he wasn’t such a good leader, Darcy would have found herself stumbling to keep up.

Bucky tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her towards him and around in circles, spinning to the drums and trumpets cheering them on.

Her grandparents had taught her enough to get by- in fact, Darcy wasn’t a half bad dancer. But Bucky. He was in his element- in the way only someone born in this era truly could be.

As the tempo picked up he grabbed her around the waist, hoisting her over his shoulder and behind his back, catching her before she had the chance to fall.

Darcy gasped in surprise, shocked by the sudden movement but unable to react otherwise as Bucky spun her around again.

“How’s that for a move, doll?” he grinned at her.

Darcy shook her head, completely lost for words. She could feel his joy and excitement through the bond- mixing with her own surprise.

“I take it back!” Darcy gasped, the next time he pulled her in close.

“Take what back?”

“You’ve still got it Barnes,” she admitted, smiling at him from ear to ear.

“Just you wait-”

The crescendo cut him off. Darcy barely had time to blink before he’d grabbed her securely around the hips.

Bucky lifted, hoisting her into the air before swinging her to his side, so her legs were pointed up in the air, and he was balancing her weight on his right hip.

Suddenly he yanked her back- straightening her body out in front of him, like some kind of dirty dancing reenactment- before letting her fall back against him.

Darcy wrapped her legs around his torso on instinct, afraid she would either crash into him, or go falling to the ground otherwise. Bucky wrapped his arms tightly under her thighs, holding her in place, both of their chests heaving.

She knew the song was coming to an end. Darcy’s face was so close to his, she could almost count his eyelashes. Which were long and perfect, of fucking course. She was yet to find something non-perfect about him.

“You can dance,” Bucky eventually said, clearly impressed.

“Not nearly as good as that-” Darcy gasped, trying to get her breath back. “Where did that even come from?!”

He shrugged, lifting her whole body with the gesture. “I heard the music, and my body just remembered the moves.”

The trumpets faded as the next song began, this one less upbeat than the last. Darcy inhaled deeply, still trying to catch her breath.

It was at that exact moment she realised what position they were currently in.

Namely, her legs wrapped around his waist, while his arms wrapped under her ass to keep her up.

Bucky seemed to realise at the same time she did, because he flushed slightly, before carefully putting her down. Darcy’s cheeks turned bright red.

“I’ve never danced like that before,” she admitted, unable to stop herself from smiling.

“Really? Never?”

“My grandparents taught me some steps when I was younger, but it was nothing like that.”

“You’re a natural,” he said, blue eyes staring into hers. “It’s a shame no other guy has seen you dance. You look beautiful.”

Darcy was still close to him, their bodies practically flush together. Her hair had fallen into her face during the dance, and he lifted a hand, brushing it back carefully.

The bond between them hummed, Darcy’s own heart beat erratically in her chest.

Bucky was looking at her like he might want to kiss her. She found herself wishing he would.

“No one else can dance like you can, at least not anymore. Makes it hard to find the right partner,” Darcy said.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

Bucky’s hand moved from her hair, coming to cup her jaw gently. She placed her hand on top of his.

“Am I the right partner?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Darcy breathed. “You might be the perfect partner, actually.”

His gaze snapped back to hers. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the trust and the hope that was being mimicked through the bond.

She wasn’t sure who leaned in first, only that their lips came crashing together, and nothing had ever felt so right in Darcy’s life.

The bond between them exploded with a surge of raw emotions, both his and hers- as their bodies molded together. Darcy gasped against the overwhelming sensation.

Bucky took it as an opportunity to deepen their kiss. His tongue reached out, brushing against hers. She tried not to moan.

Her hands instinctively went for his hair, tangling her fingers into his dark locks. His other hand came up to cup the other side of her jaw, holding her close against him.

Darcy could feel his emotions as they came crashing down the bond, echoing her own. His desire ran the strongest, sending a shiver down her spine.

Bucky pulled back, his pupils blown and breath ragged. She could see the want in his eyes as he desperately tried to get himself under control.

Darcy’s gaze drifted to her bedroom door, where she knew a perfectly good california king sized bed was waiting. Bucky read her mind- or her expression.

He looked up at the ceiling for some kind of strength.

“Not tonight, Darce.”

Darcy’s mind tripped over the new nickname. But when she processed what he said, she couldn’t help but pout.

He laughed at her, open and honest. She couldn’t help but smile back.

“I want to do this right- the way my Ma would’ve wanted me to.”

Darcy quirked a brow. “You aren’t catholic, are you?”

He understood her meaning.

“Not that catholic.”

Darcy internally sighed in relief. Despite being soulmates, some religions were still strict on the whole no sex before marriage thing. And the way her and Bucky were going, she didn’t think she could last that long.

He read her emotions, laughing at her. Darcy rolled her eyes, her cheeks red in embarrassment.

“Believe me, there is nothing I want more than to drag you onto that bed and finish what we started on Stark’s dancefloor-”

“What's stopping you, soldier?”

Bucky’s eyes darkened even further. “-but, I want to do this properly. That means dinner and flowers, the whole nine yards. I want to treat you the way a girl like you ought to be treated, first.”

“A girl like me?” Darcy quirked a brow.

“Amazing, kind, beautiful, funny- a girl like that deserves to be treated like royalty,” he turned around, looking over his shoulder at her bedroom door. “You should be worshipped, first and foremost- the rest can come later. Don't you think?”

“I think,” Darcy said, her voice lifting as she made her point. “That you are very old fashioned.”

“Sorry,” Bucky grinned. “Can’t help it. I was born in 1917.”

“It’s okay, I think I like it.”

“You think?”

“I mean, yeah. I’d like it better if you just shut up and helped me take off my clothes, preferably with your mouth, but this works too.”

Bucky groaned, tipping his head back. She suppressed the urge to kiss his bare neck.

“You’re not making this easy.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“I knew you were trouble.”

She took a step back, putting the poor guy out of his misery, but only adding to her own.

“Alright, Sarge. We’ll do this your way.”

“Yeah?” Bucky asked, raising a brow at her.

“Yeah. If you wanna wine and dine me first, i’m not gonna complain. Much,” she grinned.

Bucky huffed out a laugh.

“Alright, I’ll take that.”

Darcy crossed her arms, smiling up at him. If the movement made her boobs look even better, then so what.

Bucky seemed to notice, because his next breath was extra deep.

“So, Trouble, what time do you get off work tomorrow?” he asked.

Darcy took a second to think about it.

“I guess it depends. I have to help Jane set up her new lab equipment, so it could take a while. Maybe 6?”

Bucky swallowed. “If it's not too late, would you want to do dinner after?”

“Yeah?” Darcy asked, unable to hide her grin.

“Yeah,” Bucky smiled, her excitement giving him the extra confidence he needed. “I can’t cook, but Stark is always telling me to take advantage of his A.I. I’ll get JARVIS to deliver something nice.”

“Okay,” she smiled, feeling giddy. It had been a long, long time since she last went on a serious date with anybody. “You sure you don’t want to go out instead?”

Bucky winced. Darcy frowned in confusion.

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry.”

“No don’t apologise- is something wrong?” she asked.

Bucky cleared his throat.

“I should’ve told you earlier. I uh, I don’t like leaving the Tower. Not with HYDRA still after me, and their words inside my head. The last time I left with Steve, they tried to ambush us and take me back. Steve got us out, thank god, but i’m not willing to take that risk with you.”

Darcy’s face dropped as she realised.

“Oh god, Bucky i’m so sorry I didn’t mean-”

“Please, don’t apologise- you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I should’ve known,” she frowned.

“How could you have known?” he smiled, letting her know he didn’t mind. “Besides, i’m the one who should be apologising. This is what I was talking about back on the roof. You deserve better than being stuck with someone who can’t even leave their house without getting shot at.”

“Is that really how it is? They shoot you if they see you outside the Tower?” Darcy asked, feeling her heart break for him.

Bucky shrugged. “That, or worse. Guns, grenades- they’ll do whatever it takes to get me back, no matter who i’m with. In fact, if they knew who you were to me, they’d target you instead and try to use you against me.”

“Seriously?!” Darcy said, feeling shocked and angry.

“That’s the thing with HYDRA, doll. They’ll do anything to regain their asset-” he took a deep breath, blue eyes staring deep into hers. “Anything. Even hurt you.”

Darcy swallowed, unable to hold his intense stare. She grabbed his hand instead, the metal one, and curled her fingers around his.

Bucky’s guilt had made the bond go dark and tense. She hated it- already missing the warm gold it was earlier, back when they were dancing.

“We’re in this together, remember? We’ll figure it out,” she promised.

Bucky looked at her with sad eyes. She squeezed his hand.

“So. Dinner tomorrow,” Darcy tried. “I haven’t spent much time in New York, so you’ll have to pick the food place.”

He smiled at her. “I can handle that.”

“Good. Also, we having this date at my place or yours?”

Bucky took a deep breath, looking around her apartment. She felt the bond lighten, no longer tainted by his guilt.

“Actually,” he began, “I was thinking we could have it on the roof. Not too close to the edge, obviously.”

Darcy’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Wow, really? That sounds amazing! Wait, have you been planning this?” she accused.

“Uh-”

“It’s fine, actually it’s fucking fantastic. The roof sounds perfect, let’s do that.”

“Yeah?” he chuckled, amused by her weird enthusiasm and swearing, probably.

“Yes, definitely.”

Bucky grinned.

“Okay. I’ll come by and pick you up at 8?”

“It’s a date,” she smiled back, biting her lower lip.

Bucky’s gaze darkened at the gesture.

He took a step back, forcefully, as if he had to physically make himself leave.

“Okay,” he said, quieter this time.

Darcy followed him out. She wasn’t so disappointed to see him go now, after they had made plans for another date.

“What should I wear?” she asked, feeling bold.

Bucky paused, eyes glazed over in thought. Darcy swore the bond went taut with desire.

Curious to see what had made him react so strongly, she reached out through the bond, requesting to see his thoughts.

Bucky snapped out of it, his eyes meeting hers, pupils blown wide.

“Trust me, doll. You don’t want to know what I was just thinking.”

That got her intrigued.

Darcy raised a brow, smirking at him.

“Tighter than this?” she asked, looking down at her dress.

Bucky followed her gaze, his eyes lingering on her chest. He swallowed.

“No, not tighter. Just, uh-” he turned around, as if unable to look her in the eye. “Less.”

Darcy beamed. She loved seeing him go from confident and bold to shy in a split second. He was so endearing.

“That can be arranged, you know,” Darcy grinned.

Bucky groaned. “You trying to kill me?”

“You’re the one who thought of it. This was your idea.”

He blew out a breath, gaze locked with hers.

“Trouble,” he announced. Darcy shrugged, not disagreeing.

Bucky turned back towards the door, probably before he did something he’d later regret. Darcy wished he’d throw all those old timey manners out the window and just get on with it already.

She took full advantage of staring at his ass in his tight jeans while he took the final steps towards her door.

“By the way,” he paused, looking at her from over his shoulder. “What’s your favourite meal?”

“My favourite meal?”

“For tomorrow night,” he clarified. Darcy smirked.

“Nuh uh,” she said, crossing her arms. “I’m not making it that easy on you. If you want to try and ‘woo’ me first, you're gonna have to find all the answers on your own, big guy.”

Bucky sighed, his lower lip jutting out in an adorable little pout. Darcy wondered what the world would do if they found out the Winter Soldier could pout.

“Darce-” he tried.

“Don’t ‘Darce’ me, soldier.”

“How am I gonna know what to order?”

“You’ll figure it out,” she said, fully confident in his abilities. “Didn’t you used to be a spy or something?” she teased, when he gave her a doubtful look.

Bucky chuckled at her, shaking his head, but Darcy could feel his amusement- and dare she say it, fondness, down the bond.

She opened the door for him, smiling as he had to twist around her to get out, his broad shoulders too wide to fit otherwise.

“I’ll see you at 8,” he said, once he was outside her apartment. She leaned against the door frame, looking up at him through her lashes.

Maybe it was mean, openly teasing him like this. But dammit, if Darcy was suffering from his ancient ‘gotta treat you right first’ rule, then she was going to make him suffer too. It was only fair.

“See you at 8,” she promised.

He nodded, then seemed to hesitate, before leaning down and placing a warm, sweet kiss to her cheek. Darcy flushed.

“Goodnight, doll.”

“Goodnight, Bucky,” she smiled.

He gave her one last look, before turning back to the elevator. Darcy unabashedly stared at his ass as he walked away.

“Hate to see you go,” she muttered under her breath.

“I can still hear you,” he called, not even turning around.

Darcy jerked and almost smacked her head on the door way.

“Stupid super soldier hearing,” she growled, shutting her door, but not before she heard Bucky’s laughter from down the hall. It made it all worth it.

She took a deep breath and leaned back against the closed door, shutting her eyes.

Darcy let herself rethink everything that had happened that day. From the second she arrived at Stark Tower, to dancing to swing music with Bucky.

Her first day since meeting her soulmate, and it had gone better than anything she had ever dreamed.

Sure, the first half of the day had been a little...uh, rocky. But the second half felt like something out of a fucking disney movie. Darcy wouldn’t be surprised if she had literal hearts flying around her head.

Bucky was so much better than she’d expected. He surprised her, somehow going from shy and unsure to confident and sarcastic in less than a second. And he cared for her, she could feel it through the bond. That gold link chain around her soul felt strong whenever she reached for it.

Darcy couldn’t help but smile to herself. She had a date tomorrow. A real life date. With her soulmate, the Winter fucking Soldier. How had this become her life?

It was at that exact moment Darcy remembered she had to tell her parents about meeting her soulmate.

“Oh fuck,” Darcy exclaimed, rubbing her hand over her face.

“Is everything alright, Miss Lewis?” JARVIS suddenly asked, his polite voice coming from who knows where.

Darcy startled, looking around her room in surprise.

“Uh...oh, right- yes, sorry JARVIS. Everything's fine,” she paused. The room felt weirdly silent. Darcy felt awkward talking to something invisible. “Why do you ask?”

“You appeared distressed,” he- it- JARVIS, explained.

“Riiiight,” Darcy said. Well, he wasn’t wrong. “Are you always listening and or watching me?”

“All part of my protocols, Miss Lewis.”

Darcy’s face screwed up.

“That’s kind of creepy, isn’t it? Sort of like Big Brother, always watching.”

“If you enable privacy protocols, video and audio feed will be disabled. I, and all others with access to security, will be unable to trace you.”

“Others?! Who else has access to my live feed?!”

“Sir, of course. And in the case of an emergency, Captain Rogers can also gain access.”

“Oh god,” Darcy groaned again. The joys of living in the Tower.

“Is that an issue, Miss Lewis? I believe it was in the fine print of your employment contract.”

“Of course it was,” she muttered under her breath. “It’s fine. Can you just warn me the next time Stark or someone else tries to access that footage, Big Brother?- can I call you Big Brother?”

“Certainly, Miss Lewis,” JARVIS replied.

Darcy shook her head, deciding to try and forget the whole issue and get ready for bed instead.

Spies, assassins, and geniuses with too much money. This was her life now.

Darcy felt a tug on the bond. Bucky was checking in on her. She smiled.

Maybe it wasn’t all bad.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Darcy took off her makeup and peeled out of her dress. Sure the dress made her boobs and butt look good, but it was tight enough to leave indents down her ribs, and the strapless bra she wore was digging into her sides. She was glad to finally take it off.

She threw all of her clothes on the floor of her bathroom, letting herself leave it until the next day.

She turned on her night time playlist, endlessly grateful that Tony had placed speakers even in the bathroom, and took a long hot shower.

Darcy sighed, letting the stream of hot water relax her muscles.

Tomorrow she had a date. And at some point she should probably call her parents and let them know the good news. The longer she left it, the worse she knew her mom and dad would react.

Oh god, her dad.

Darcy’s father was a huge WW11 history buff, and probably Captain America’s biggest fan. Seriously, they had posters of Steve and the Howlies in the living room of her childhood home. Their garage was practically a shrine to Steve Rogers.

How was she going to tell her dad about Bucky? He’d already freaked when he found out she was moving to the same Tower as Steve Rogers. Now she had to explain that her soulmate was the one and only James Buchanan Barnes, former Winter Soldier.

At least her parents wouldn’t care too much about the assassin thing. I mean sure, they’d be concerned, but Darcy was fairly confident that her dad would be too busy fangirling over Bucky Barnes of the Howling Commandos to worry about the whole HYDRA thing. Hopefully.

Would she have to take Bucky to meet them? Would he even want to do that? Did Darcy even want to do that? She wasn’t sure what would be worse- taking home an ex brainwashed super assassin, or witnessing her dad embarrass himself by telling Bucky everything he knew about the Howlies.

Darcy tipped her head back under the water and groaned.

One thing was for sure. She didn’t want to tell them about Bucky without giving her soulmate at least a little heads up first. Truthfully, Darcy kind of wanted Bucky to be there when she told her parents about meeting her soulmate. But she wouldn’t force him into that. She didn’t want to make him do anything he wasn’t ready for. Especially something like meeting the parents.

But then she remembered the other thing about having Bucky as a soulmate- aka, no leaving the Tower. Which meant that either she would have to facetime them first, and drop the news that way, or- her parents would have to come to them. And with Starks intense security scanning, something like that could take months.

Darcy let out a breath. That could be good, actually. A few months gave her time to plan, and actually pop the “wanna meet the ‘rents?” question to Bucky.

Darcy couldn’t help but laugh, albeit a little hysterically. The longer she thought about the situation, the weirder it got.

She was soulmates with the guy on the WW11 poster above her dining room table.

He had been her first crush. Something about the dark hair, blue eyes, and slightly more roguish look had peaked her interest- even then. She was completely taken by him.

Darcy remembered when she was younger and had snuck some of her dad's history magazines into her room so she could cut out all the pictures of Bucky and stick them in her notebooks. Her dad had later found out about it and gave her the worst telling off of her life (the magazines turned out to be vintage), but Darcy thought it had been worth it at the time. She still thought it was worth it, if a little crazy.

“Oh god,” Darcy suddenly remembered, freezing on the spot.

Not only had Bucky been her first crush, but he had also been her first, ehem, fantasy. Darcy’s cheeks went bright red as she remembered, and she dropped her head in her hands, completely mortified.

While her crush on Bucky had started as something innocent at first, it quickly developed as she got older. Her imagination got more, well, imaginative, and by 14 years old she was coming up with some pretty ridiculous- and pretty hot- scenarios about Bucky in her head.

Like, for example, when she was around 16 and found some old footage of Bucky practicing with his sniper rifle. She was instantly fascinated by his hands, and all the things he could do with them. One thing led to another and, well, she gave herself her first orgasm to fantasies of James Buchanan Barnes of the Howling Commandos.

Dear god, how could she ever look Bucky in the eyes again? Her whole life she’d had this crush on him and he didn’t even know it. She was mortified, and somehow still a little hot under the collar, remembering all the crazy things she’d imagined about Bucky.

She could still remember that video of him practicing with his sniper rifle. They way his fingers curved around the trigger, and his lips puckered slightly when he lined up his shot. Even the way he took in a small breath before he fired. She could remember all of it, especially what had come after she'd watched the video, all those years ago. It made her heart race- from excitement or embarrassment, she couldn't tell. Probably both.

Darcy felt the bond wrapped around her soul give a little pull. Bucky had obviously felt her distress, and knowing he felt her emotions only made her more distressed.

When Darcy’s emotions spiked even higher, she felt Bucky tap gently on the walls of her mind. Darcy panicked, made sure to get rid of any residual memories from her first crush, especially that video- and reluctantly let him in.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked, the moment he was inside her head. ‘The bond is acting...strange.’

‘I’m fine,’ Darcy squeaked. Even in her own mind, it sounded like a lie.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Trying to take a shower,’ she quipped, trying to keep the conversation short, afraid she’d accidentally remember something embarrassing for him to see.

‘Oh.’

‘Yeah.’

‘...is there a reason why your emotions are going insane while you’re in the shower?’ he asked. Darcy could hear the intrigue, the teasing in his voice.

He knew. Goddammit, how did he know?

‘It’s not what you think it is,’ Darcy thought, except it basically was.

‘Oh yeah? Then why do I keep getting all this shame and lust from your end of the bond, hmm?’

‘Only shame and lust?’

‘There were some other things, too. But that lust got pretty hot for a second. You even had me sweating. Been thinking of me while you’re in the shower, doll?’

Darcy groaned. She hadn’t been- at least not in the way he was thinking- but now she certainly was.

Curse her brain. As soon as he said those words, she immediately conjured up an image of Bucky in the shower with her, down on his knees in front of her. He was shirtless, the shower stream was hitting his back, dripping water all over his bare chest and shoulders. His hair was wet and slicked back, and he was looking up at her like she was good enough to eat, his warm breath just inches from where she wanted him most.

‘Jesus fucking christ-’ Bucky swore, obviously seeing the image she had just created. The bond was suddenly burning hot and pulling, Darcy could feel Bucky’s need- his want for her. ‘You gotta stop that doll, or i'm gonna come down there and join you.’

That was enough to get her even more excited.

‘You make that sound like a bad thing,' she thought.

‘It is. I’ve got a plan of how I wanna do this thing between us. If you keep sending me those dirty little fantasies of yours, this plan isn’t gonna work.’

Darcy swallowed. His voice had taken on a whole new tone, one she’d never heard before. It was low and menacing and fucking sexy. Darcy’s freaking legs were shaking.

‘I’ll be real mad if I can’t even buy you dinner before the first time I taste you,’ Bucky growled.

Darcy had never been so glad for overly expensive shower seats in her life. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed on the marble chair behind her.

‘How mad?’ she practically whispered, almost afraid to hear the answer.

‘You don’t wanna know.’

Darcy swallowed, a million different scenarios running through her mind. She tried not to focus on any one in particular, afraid Bucky would see it through the bond. But she couldn't lie, hearing him sound so dominant and in control- Jesus, it was doing things for her. God knows where this new side of Bucky was coming from, but she wasn't going to complain about it.

‘You know, you’re a lot more bold now than you were back in my apartment,’ she huffed breathlessly.

‘That’s cause you weren’t flooding the bond with pornography back then,’ he husked. Darcy couldn’t help but laugh.

He thought that was pornography? That little vision of him on his knees? Boy, Bucky still had a lot to learn. She told him as much.

‘Oh soldier, you thought that was pornography? That little clip of both of us in the shower?’ she let out a low whistle. ‘You have no idea.’

‘Yeah? You wanna show me some more?’

Darcy groaned, looking up at the ceiling for support. He was going to kill her if he kept this act up. The bond between them was still burning hot with desire, and she knew without looking that her face and chest were all red.

‘If you want to wait until at least our first dinner, I can’t show you anything. I won’t be responsible for what happens after,’ she said.

The bond flashed with a sudden burst of lust from Bucky. Darcy bit her lip.

‘That sounds enticing,’ he hummed.

‘It is. Such a shame you won’t get to see it- what with your plan and all.’

She practically felt his growl.

‘I try to take you out first, and this is what I get? Tormented?’

‘The plan was your idea, Sarge. Deal with the consequences.’

She heard him sigh in her mind. For some reason, the sound brought a genuine smile to her face.

‘Alright. We’re sticking with the plan.’

Darcy groaned in over exaggeration.

‘No more sex visions?’ she confirmed. She both felt, and heard, Bucky's laughter in her soul.

‘No more strawberries,’ he said, repeating his statement from earlier- when she’d gotten him all geared up after licking strawberry juice from her fingers.

‘Ugh. You’re no fun, you know that?’ Darcy joked, but there was no real heat in her words.

As much as she might hate it, Bucky was probably right. Doing it in the shower, the first day after meeting each other, maybe wasn't the best idea. Maybe. Probably.

The desire fizzing through the bond slowly dissolved, instead replaced by warmth and content. The gold chains around her soul relaxed, no longer taut with need and want.

She took a deep breath, smiling to herself, and leaned back against the shower tiles behind her.

‘You still in the shower?’ Bucky asked.

She hummed in confirmation.

‘It’s getting real late, doll, you better get some sleep. Don’t wanna be too late for your first day at work.’

Darcy huffed.

‘Not sure how much sleep i’ll be able to get after the conversation we just had, but sure.’

He chuckled at her.

‘At least try. Who knows, maybe your dreams will be even better than that vision you showed me.’

And wow, suddenly she couldn’t wait to go to sleep.

‘You’ll be able to tell if they are,’ Darcy said, referring to the bond between them.

‘True.’

‘Just don’t come peeking into my brain if you start feeling my emotions go haywire. I don’t want you seeing my fantasies while i’m unconscious.’

He huffed. ‘Is it better for me to see your fantasies while you’re conscious, then?’

‘Yes. At least while i’m awake, I have control over what you see. Who knows what my unconscious brain will come up with. It might be some kinky shit- dreams are weird like that.’

‘Oh really? You into the kinky stuff, Trouble?’

‘Do you even know what kinky means, old man?’

‘Don’t dodge the question, sweetheart.’

Darcy grinned, feeling cheeky.

‘Ask me tomorrow evening.’

She felt Bucky’s sigh of disappointment. Apparently, he really wanted to hear her answer. Darcy filed that information away for later.

‘Goodnight, soldier,’ she said softly.

‘Night, Trouble,’ he replied.

Darcy felt him slip out of her mind.

It felt empty without him there, although she could still feel his presence down the bond.

Darcy focused on the music still playing over the speakers. She rubbed her eyes, feeling almost lost for words.

How had an innocent idea such as telling her parents she found her soulmate turned into that. Showing Bucky a vision of himself in the shower with her, shirtless, and on his knees in front of her.

She shivered, standing up once more and turning the shower temperature to cold.

If she had any hope of going to sleep tonight, she needed to stop imagining Bucky in any kind of sexual position. Especially him in the shower with her.

It was easier said than done.

~~~~

Darcy woke up the next morning, groaning into her pillow.

The alarm she set was blaring in her ears. She could tell her hair had come loose from the bun she’d put it in last night, and was now in a tangled mess around her head.

Darcy reached out, smacking at her alarm to try and turn it off.

She wasn’t a pretty sleeper. Or waker, for that matter.

The alarm mercifully stopped.

Darcy peaked an eye open, squinting to see through all the hair in her face.

JARVIS must have automatically opened her curtains, because sunlight was streaming into her room. Darcy groaned again.

She texted Jane before she fell asleep last night to tell her she’d be late for work. Darcy knew Jane wouldn’t care too much, considering all the bat shit craziness that happened yesterday- but Darcy felt obliged to show up at least before 10am.

She kicked back the covers and sat up, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

“Miss Lewis?” JARVIS’ polite voice asked over the speakers.

Darcy yawned, stretching her arms above her head.

“What’s up, Big Brother?”

“There is a package waiting for you at the front door.”

Darcy frowned. “Huh?”

JARVIS didn’t answer. Darcy rubbed her tired eyes, trying to make sure she was actually awake.

The only people who knew her room number lived in the tower. Why would any of them need to send her a package?

Curious, Darcy threw on a robe, re-tied her hair, and went to check the front door.

When she opened it, a bouquet of white rain lilies were waiting for her on the floor. Her favourite flowers.

Darcy blinked.

And then blinked again.

“These aren’t even in season,” she muttered to herself, eyeing the bouquet like it was some kind of trap.

“JARVIS?” she asked louder. “Who left these?”

“I’ve been asked not to say.”

Darcy tilted her head. She couldn’t see a card.

Fuck it. As if a random bouquet of gorgeous flowers on her doorstep was the weirdest thing to happen this week.

Darcy snatched them up, closing her eyes as she breathed in the sweet floral scent. Her grandmother used to have lilies. The smell of them reminded her of the best parts of being a kid.

Darcy brought the flowers inside, shutting the door behind her. She double checked for any kind of card but nope, there was nothing.

The only person who knew Darcy’s favourite flower was Jane. But Jane had no reason to bring her flowers.

She huffed, frowning slightly.

Who would leave her such a gorgeous gift without a name?

The gold chains around her soul flexed in response.

Ah. That’s who.

Darcy grabbed her phone, taking the flowers with her.

She sent Jane a snap of herself and the bouquet, with the caption ‘Had any interesting chats with Bucky lately?’

Jane's reply came less than a moment later.

‘He asked what your favourite flower was. What was I supposed to say- no?’

Darcy giggled, feeling a little giddy now.

‘Did he ask anything else?’

‘Just what a few of your other favourite things are.’

‘And what did you tell him?’

‘Everything, obviously.’

Darcy dropped her head in her hands, laughing. ‘Oh, Janey.’

‘He came by earlier just to ask about you. I told him JARVIS could’ve given him the same answers that I did, but he doesn’t like using Stark's A.I very much. I had to help him order the flowers for you.’

‘Really?’ Darcy sent back, feeling a little lost for words.

‘You’ve got a romantic one, Darce. I think he’s a keeper. Now hurry up and get dressed, you’re late for work.’

Darcy laughed, her eyes suddenly wet. No one had ever bought her flowers before. Yet somehow Bucky had managed to hand deliver a bouquet of her favourites, less than 24 hours after meeting her.

Maybe she could get onboard with his whole plan to woo her first.

Darcy sniffed, rubbing her glassy eyes.

She grabbed a vase and filled it with water, arranging the flowers nicely inside.

When she was happy with the way they looked, she took a picture, saving it to a new album on her phone. When her device asked for a folder name, she typed in ‘Bucky <3’.

Jane was right. He was a keeper.

Starting that album felt like finally starting a new chapter in her life.

She sent a copy of the picture to Bucky, whose number had been automatically added to her contacts.

It felt weird texting him when she could just as easily use the bond to communicate, but she was afraid she might wake him up. It was still kind of early.

‘Jane told me what you did,’ she wrote. ‘The flowers are beautiful. Thank you <3’

He didn’t reply, but she felt the bond lighten. Apparently he was awake.

The gold chains around her soul took on a pinkish hue, filled with something soft and tender. He didn’t say the words, but she felt it, deep in her soul.

You’re welcome.

Darcy grinned.

~~~~

A few minutes later she was rushing out the door, vase full of flowers in hand.

She probably should’ve left them in her apartment, but dammit, Darcy wanted to stare at them all day long. She was taking them with her to work.

Darcy shoved her phone into her purse, lifting the bag higher onto her shoulder. Most of what she needed was already in the lab, so she didn’t have to bring much.

She pressed the button for the elevator and waited, before taking it down to the 64th floor.

Jane was already elbows deep in Science! when she finally arrived.

She didn’t even look up when Darcy entered the lab, walking over to her cozy new desk.

Darcy moved around some files and placed the vase of flowers right at the front of her desk, so that everyone who came in would see them.

The white lilies seemed to bloom in the sunlight from the nearby window. Darcy smiled in satisfaction.

She put her purse on her desk and pulled out her laptop, quickly checking for any new tasks that she’d missed over the weekend. Everything looked good.

Darcy left her laptop running and went over to see what Jane was doing.

Her best friend was hunched over one of the more temperamental machines. Jane’s lab coat was covered in dirt and machine grime. Darcy raised a brow.

“You good there, Jane?”

Jane startled, obviously still unaware that Darcy had arrived.

“Oh, Darcy, it’s you,” Jane breathed in relief, throwing her friend a quick smile from over her shoulder. “Can you come hold this for me?”

Darcy rolled up her sleeves, glad she’d chosen to wear an old shirt today, and did what Jane had asked.

“Great, thanks. I’m trying to calibrate this machine but two of the nodes aren’t working.”

“Right,” Darcy said, pretending to understand.

Jane walked over to her nearby computer and entered in a bunch of different codes, smiling triumphantly when the machine below Darcy’s hands beeped.

“Yay! Okay, you can let go now.”

Darcy gingerly let go of the ‘nodes’, expecting to get shocked. It happened more often than not. Thankfully, this was one of the nots.

Jane took one last look at the machine, apparently happy with it, because she nodded to herself and moved on. Darcy took a look around the lab.

“You’ve been busy,” she commented. Jane winked at her.

“We can’t all just lie in bed, waiting to receive flowers from our soulmates.”

“Hey!”

“Only kidding, Darce. How are they?”

“Take a look for yourself,” Darcy grinned, pointing to the vase of flowers on her table.

“Oh wow, they’re gorgeous. I can’t believe you brought them to work.”

“I wanted to keep staring at them. They’re the first flowers I’ve ever received, it’s important I cherish them.”

Jane just laughed at her, shaking her head.

“I remember the first time Thor got me a gift. It was a necklace from Asgard. To this day I’ve never once taken it off,” Jane admitted, looking down at the pendant in question. Darcy smiled.

“I remember that. It still looks brand new.”

“Asgardian magic,” Jane shrugged. “No matter how hard I try, I still don’t understand it. Yet.”

“Yet,” Darcy laughed.

Jane hooked her laptop up to one of the other machines, checking it’s calibration.

“So. Bucky walked you to your apartment last night,” Jane stated.

“He did,” Darcy said, trying not to blush.

“So? Am I gonna be an Aunt anytime soon?”

Darcy almost choked. “No, definitely not. Bucky’s old fashioned. I invited him in to my apartment after the party, and we danced a little, but that was about it.”

“Really?” Jane said, raising a brow in disbelief. “Cause it looked like he wanted to do more than just that when we were on Stark’s dancefloor.”

This time Darcy blushed.

“I won’t be forgetting that one anytime soon,” she admitted. Jane squealed.

“So? No babies on the way?”

“No, Jane, gods. I invited him in. We danced to some 40’s music. We kissed. That was it.”

“You kissed?! Like properly kissed?!”

“Yes!” Darcy laughed, excited to have someone to talk to about it.

“How was it? Was he good? I bet he was good-”

“So good, Janey.”

They both erupted into squeals and laughter. Darcy hadn’t felt like this since she was 12 years old, telling her friends about how she’d kissed John McCall outside the school yard.

“I’m so happy for you Darce!” Jane said, abandoning her computer so she could pull Darcy into a hug.

“Me too, Janey,” Darcy smiled, hugging her friend just as tight.

“You know, I was so surprised when he showed up at my apartment this morning,” Jane chuckled.

"Wait wait wait, he showed up at your apartment?"

"Uh, yeah," Jane laughed. "How else did you think he asked me what your favourite flowers were?"

"I don't know! Maybe by texting you, like a normal person would!"

"Darcy, come on. You should know by now that your soulmate isn't exactly normal."

Darcy tipped your head back and sighed.

"What did he do?"

"He came knocking on my door at like 6am this morning. Thor had just left to go workout, so it was just me at the apartment. I was kinda freaked out because like, who the hell knocks on someones door at 6am? But I checked, and it turned out to be Bucky, standing there with his hands tucked into his pockets, looking all nervous."

"Really?" Darcy asked, a little incredulous.

"Yup. Even when I opened the door, he kept avoiding eye contact like he was being shy. It was actually very cute.”

“What did he say?"

“I asked him if he was okay, and he said yes, but he needed some help. So I invited him in, tried to offer him coffee but he wouldn’t take it. When I asked what was bothering him, he said he wanted to buy you flowers, but he didn’t know how.”

“You’re kidding,” Darcy said, covering her mouth with her hands. Jane shook her head.

“Seriously. He said he didn’t want to buy just any flowers, in case you didn’t like them, so I told him to get rain lilies, cause I know they’re your favourite. And then I told him that he could’ve just asked JARVIS what kind of flowers you like, but he didn’t seem comfortable talking to an A.I, so then I helped him order them for you. He paid a ridiculous amount of money to get them delivered within the hour, and he spent the whole time watching the front doors, waiting for them to arrive so that he could go grab them and leave them outside your door.”

“I’m gonna cry,” Darcy said, her eyes suddenly wet. Her soulmate, everyone, the most thoughtful and romantic person on the planet.

“It was so sweet, Darce, seriously. He was so worried about getting the right flowers, and making sure they were there in time. I hate to imagine how much he spent on that delivery fee.”

Darcy just laughed, completely in shock.

“How is this my life.”

“I don’t know, but you totally deserve it. I was a little apprehensive about Bucky after what Sam said yesterday- you know, about the whole Winter Soldier thing. But seriously, Darce. This man would clearly do anything for you. You’re totally soulmates.”

Darcy felt for those strong golden chains around her soul. Was comforted by the warmth and content coming from them.

“Yeah, I guess we are,” she chuckled, wiping her teary eyes.

“Sorry for making you cry,” Jane joked, fanning her own eyes.

“Don’t. I’m glad he felt comfortable enough to talk to you. I know he still finds it hard talking to people.”

“After the life he’s had, I don’t blame him."

Darcy murmured her agreement.

She felt a pull on the bond. Bucky must be feeling her emotions.

She pushed calm and warmth down the bond, letting him know she was okay. She felt the gold chains relax.

Jane raised a brow at her, sensing something more was going on.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, Bucky must have felt that I was crying. He pulled on the bond.”

Jane pretended to look uninterested, but Darcy knew her better.

“How’s the bond going, by the way?” Jane said, turning back to her computer, the picture of pure innocence.

Darcy sighed.

Jane had gone out of her way to help Bucky order her flowers this morning. She deserved something in return.

“Alright, you’ve got 10 minutes. Ask me anything you want.”

Jane immediately spun around, surprise and excitement written all over her face.

“Really?!”

“Yeah, yeah. You helped my soulmate this morning. Consider us even now.”

“Yay! Oh my gods I have so many questions-” Jane gushed.

She immediately abandoned the laptop, dragging Darcy to a couple of nearby chairs.

“So,” Jane began, shoving Darcy into the chair while she took the next one. “You accepted your bond about 17 hours ago-”

“You’ve been keeping count?”

“And approximately 2 hours after establishing your bond, you were able to telepathically communicate, correct?”

“Uh, sure,” Darcy said. Yesterday was a long day, sue her if she didn’t know the exact minute Bucky came knocking at her inner thoughts.

“That’s so fascinating,” Jane said, grabbing her notepad to write it down. “You know, there are only a handful of soulmate couples currently alive that could telepathically communicate as early as you and Bucky. I thought Thor and I were advanced, and we are, but compared to you two- Wow! Darce, isn’t it amazing?”

“Sure, Jane,” Darcy said, indulging her best friend. Although internally she was hating every second of this.

Acting as Jane’s assistant, filling out her paperwork, sure- Darcy could handle that. But actually being the focus of Jane’s experiments? Yeah, no thanks.

“I’d love to get a blood sample- the other soulmate pairs like you all have the same blood type as their partner, which supports all of my theories about biological components driving soul pairings. But no one did any more tests on that. There's so much data still to be collected-”

“I said questions, Jane. No samples.”

Jane groaned, but reluctantly moved on.

“Fine, is there a limit to how far he can be before you stop feeling his emotions?”

Darcy shrugged. “Probably. But we’ve been in the same building ever since we accepted the bond, so…”

“We should test it to find out. Thor and I can feel each other in the same country, but i’m sure you and Bucky would be further than that already-"

“Can’t, unfortunately. Bucky can’t leave the tower, and I’m not driving across the country for a test.”

Jane pouted, and then- “Wait, why can’t Barnes leave the Tower?”

“HYDRA,” Darcy shrugged. It was the easiest way to explain. Jane looked sad for a moment.

“What about missions?”

“They’re different, I guess. He has a lot more backup on missions, so he’s allowed to leave the tower.”

“It must be hard for him,” Jane said, obviously sympathetic.

“It is. You know, he asked me on a date tonight. I wasn’t thinking and I told him we should go out somewhere-”

“-it’s not your fault, Darcy.”

“I know. But you should’ve seen his face, Jane. He was so devastated. He feels guilty that he can’t take me anywhere. It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s not his fault either, obviously.”

Darcy chuckled. “You try telling him that.”

Jane went quiet.

“You could help him, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“He has words, right? HYDRA uses trigger words to turn him into the Winter Soldier?”

“Yeah, that’s what Bucky said,” Darcy replied.

Jane tapped on her note book with the back of her pen, seemingly unaware.

“Maybe you could find a way to help with them. I don’t know anything about brainwashing, but if HYDRA uses a series of words to turn him into the Winter Soldier, maybe you could find a way to...I don’t know, change the words? Give them new meaning? Just desensitize them somehow, so the next time he hears it, it won’t affect him.”

“You think that would work?”

Jane shrugged. “I can’t say for sure, but I mean, words are just words, right? They only have the power and meaning that we give them. Just take away the power.”

Darcy’s brows furrowed, deep in thought.

“Obviously that’s easier said than done, but with enough time and effort, i’m sure it’s possible,” Jane continued.

“Hmm,” Darcy thought aloud. Take the power away from the words.

Maybe she’d talk to Sam about it. He said he used to be Bucky’s counselor, he’d be the best person to talk to about helping Bucky get better. With Bucky’s permission, of course.

“I’ll talk to Bucky about it,” Darcy eventually said. “Otherwise, you got anymore questions for me?”

Jane looked down at her notepad, then back up at Darcy.

“How much time do I have left?”

Darcy tipped her head back and groaned.

~~~~

By the end of the 10 minutes, which Jane dragged into 20 minutes, which actually felt like 3 hours, Darcy was ready to climb back into bed and take a nap.

Jane had asked her about everything, from what their bond looked like (apparently people visualised their bonds in different ways? This was news to Darcy. Also, Jane and Thors bond was gold, but twisted like fine rope, not chains like Darcy and Bucky had), to how difficult it was for them to telepathically communicate (not hard at all, Darcy accidentally slipped into Bucky’s mind just by thinking about it. He was very confused), and finally, whether they’d been able to share other things telepathically- not just words, but images, visions.

Darcy quickly changed the subject when Jane started asking about visions.

In the end, Darcy had to physically take Jane’s notebook away in order for the scientist to stop with the questions.

Jane wasn’t happy, but Darcy no longer cared. She hid Jane’s notebook in her desk, promising to return it by the end of the day.

“We still have a whole bunch of equipment to unpack,” Darcy stated, ignoring Jane’s pout. “Your interrogation can wait.”

“Come on, Darce. You’re bond with Bucky is more important than some-” Jane threw her hands in the air, gesturing wildly, “-stupid machines.”

Darcy stopped.

She gave Jane a long, hard look.

“Don’t try to appeal to my emotions. It won’t work, Jane, i’m made of steel. Also, I know how hard it was for you to call your machines stupid, just then."

Jane blew out a breath, her whole body sagging.

“I can’t do it. I can’t call my machines stupid."

Darcy chuckled, patting one of said machines. “I know, that’s why I do it instead.”

In the end, the two of them got set to work, unpacking and calibrating each of the machines.

It was long and tedious work, made only slightly better by random visits from Thor, and the reminder that each hour passed meant one hour closer to her date with Bucky.

Speaking of.

“So what are you and Bucky doing tonight?” Jane asked.

“I’m not sure on all the details, but I know he’s planned a dinner for us on the rooftop.”

“Awww,” Jane cooed. “Sounds romantic.”

“I know, right? First the flowers, now this. Maybe Barnes is a softy after all.”

Jane laughed. “Only to you. And maybe Steve. To the others he’s still the big, scary Winter Soldier.”

“Seriously?” Darcy laughed. Jane nodded.

“Oh yeah, i’ve seen the way he acts around the others, especially Sam. He has a special face for when he has to talk to Sam.”

“You mean the murder eyebrows?” Darcy sniggered. Oh yeah, she was very aware of how much Bucky disliked Sam (although she was 99% sure they both secretly loved each other).

“Yes! The murder eyebrows!” Jane giggled, doing her best impersonation of Bucky.

Darcy erupted into laughter. “I mean, his is a lot more menacing, but you’ve got the spirit.”

The two of them couldn’t stop laughing, moving from machine to machine, cracking jokes as they went along. If Bucky was reading her emotions, Darcy was pretty sure he’d find a pile of goofiness and amusement.

The closer it got to their date, the more excited Darcy became.

“Hey Janey, what time is it?"

“Almost 5, why's that?”

“Just asking.”

“You excited for your date?” Jane giggled.

“Yeah,” Darcy admitted, smiling to herself.

“I just need to set up these next two pieces of equipment. After that, I promise i’ll let you go.”

“You’re the boss, boss lady.”

Jane was true to her word. By the time 5:30pm rolled around, Darcy was standing at the door to the lab, vase of flowers in hand.

Jane was locking up behind her, making sure to turn off each of the machines.

“We’re good,” Jane finally said, following Darcy out the door. The two of them headed towards the elevators.

Darcy felt for her bond, following it down, down, down until she reached Bucky. He felt far away. Still in the building, but probably at the opposite end.

She knocked on the steel walls of his mind. They caved almost immediately, letting her in. She wondered briefly if her mind felt like steel walls, the same way his were. For some reason, she doubted it.

‘Darcy,’ Bucky breathed, the second she was in his mind.

‘Hi Bucky,’ she couldn’t help but grin, feeling like a schoolgirl talking to her crush.

‘Everything okay?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, everythings great. I wanted to tell you that Jane and I just finished work, so i’m heading back to my apartment now. Are we still good for tonight?’

‘Of course. I’ll come get you at 8. Wear something warm, it’s getting cold out.’

‘Okay,’ she smiled. ‘I’ll see you at 8, soldier.’

‘See you soon, sweetheart.’

Darcy slipped out of his mind and practically swooned.

“What is it?” Jane asked, laughing at her.

Darcy brought a hand to her face, pretending to feel faint.

“He called me sweetheart, Jane. The bastard keeps giving me these adorable fucking nicknames, and I don't know how to deal.”

Jane laughed, offering no kind of support.

“Don’t be so dramatic, you know you love it.”

“I do. So, so much.”

They rode the elevator up to the residential floors, Darcy admiring her flowers the whole way up.

Jane bid her goodbye when Darcy reached her door, wishing her good luck for tonight.

Darcy thanked her and entered her apartment, placing her vase of flowers right in the centre of the room, so she could always see them.

She sighed, feeling so happy she could burst. And it was all thanks to Bucky.

He’d bought her favourite flowers and hand delivered them to her door, just because he wanted to. What kind of person does that?

Her soulmate, apparently. Who most of the world was still terrified of.

Darcy shook her head. She should get him something, like a gift. He’d already done so much for her.

But what could she do?

Darcy looked around her apartment, eyes lingering on the kitchen.

He seemed to love her baking. Maybe she could make him something?

Darcy grabbed her phone, selecting Steve’s contact. If Bucky was using her friends for information, she was going to do the same.

‘Hey Stevo-’ Was she allowed to call him that? Fuck it. ‘I need your help. What’s Bucky’s 2nd fav dessert?’

Steve’s reply was quick.

‘Why? -Steve’

Darcy rolled her eyes.

‘Just answer it. Pretty please <3’

‘What does fav mean? -Steve’

This time Darcy groaned out loud. She changed Steve’s contact name to Old Man Steve.

‘It means favourite’

‘Oh. So you're asking for his second favourite desert? Well, he likes brownies. The real fudgy kind.’

‘ty!’

‘?’

‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. -Steve’

Darcy couldn’t help but chuckle under her breath at Steve’s messages. He still didn’t know a thing about texting culture, clearly.

“Hey Big Brother?” she called.

“Yes Darcy?” the A.I replied.

“Do we have the ingredients for extra fudgy brownies in the communal kitchen?”

“I believe so, Darcy.”

“Perfect. Thanks Big Brother.”

“A pleasure as always, Miss Lewis.”

Darcy quickly checked her clock again. She’d have enough time to bake some brownies, if she hurried.

Darcy took off to the shower, deciding to get herself ready first. She washed and blowdried her hair, applied her usual makeup, and grabbed a nice dress and coat to wear- matched perfectly with her signature high heels. This pair a nude brown, to match her coat.

Darcy was ready and out the door in record time, grabbing her phone, purse, and lipgloss, and heading to the elevator.

“Oh gods, I hope no ones in the kitchen,” Darcy thought aloud. She didn’t have the time to make 3 different batches to feed everyone.

“The communal kitchen is currently empty, Darcy,” JARVIS replied.

“Oh, yay! Hey, is there anyway we can keep it that way?”

“Of course, Darcy. I will wait for your arrival before locking the doors. No one will be able to enter the kitchen for the duration of your stay.”

Darcy grinned. Oh Stark, bless you and your over the top rich people A.I systems.

The elevator doors opened to the kitchen and Darcy stepped out, grateful to see that it was, as JARVIS had said, empty.

She clapped her hands together excitedly, dropping her purse on the table and setting to work.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Just as Darcy’s phone hit 7:30pm, she finished boxing up almost 2 dozen of the most carefully made, fudgiest brownies ever.

Most people would find that a little excessive, but most people didn’t know supersoldier appetites like she did.

JARVIS had pointed out that there were some cute little gift boxes in one of the supply closets. Why? Darcy had no idea, but she took one gratefully anyway.

Now Bucky’s brownies were sitting in a cute little navy blue box. She thought about writing a note, but decided it might be overkill.

With half an hour to spare, Darcy grabbed the box of brownies and made the trek back to her room. She had the feeling Bucky was one of those people who always arrived early, because it was ‘polite’, or something.

Her assumption was proved correct when at 7:55, there was a knock at her door.

Truthfully, Darcy had felt Bucky arrive before she ever heard the knock. His emotions had been getting louder and louder through the bond the closer he got. Right now it was a combination of nerves and excitement. Darcy imagined he felt the same emotions coming from her.

She tucked the box behind her back and opened the door. The sight before her took her breath away.

Bucky was standing there in a dark, long sleeve jersey and jacket, with dark blue jeans and black dress shoes.

His hair was brushed back from his face, tucked behind one ear, and he’d obviously shaved, exposing the sharp line of his chiseled jaw.

In his hands was another bouquet of flowers. This one twice as big as the other, and filled with dozens of red roses.

The longer she stared, the more nervous he looked.

“Uh, hi,” Bucky said. Darcy beamed.

“Are those for me?” she squealed, trying to hide her excitement. Her positive reaction seemed to ease some of his nerves.

“Yeah,” Bucky chuckled. “I know I already got you those lili’s, but it didn’t feel right showing up empty handed.”

Darcy immediately rushed forward to take them, forgetting about the box of brownies in her hand.

“Oh, right!” she said, halting. “I made these for you.”

“You made something for me?”

“Well, yeah. You got me flowers and organised the date. I wanted to at least do something.”

He blinked at her, shocked.

“Here,” Darcy said, waving the box of brownies at him. He snapped out of his momentary surprise and took them.

Darcy grabbed the roses, trading with him, and dashed to the kitchen to find another vase. At this rate, her apartment was going to turn into a florist.

Bucky just stood there, staring down at the box, as if no one had ever given him a gift before and he didn’t know how to react. Darcy frowned.

“Here, come in,” she said, gesturing for him to follow her inside. He did.

She took a deep inhale of the roses, letting the sweet, floral smell fill her senses. Darcy smiled, and grabbed a vase from one of the cupboards.

Bucky followed her into the kitchen, his gaze still trained on the box, like he didn’t know what to do with it.

“Open it,” Darcy said, filling the vase up with water. She carefully arranged the roses inside.

Bucky slowly lifted the lid of the box. Darcy bit her lip, watching.

He removed the lid and peered inside. When he recognised what it was, his face lit up in a small, but genuine, smile.

“Brownies,” he breathed.

“Steve said they were your other favourite,” she explained.

“They are, thank you, doll.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Try one first.”

He looked at her, brow raised, asking for permission. She nodded.

He carefully lifted one out of the box and took a bite.

Darcy saw the exact moment his whole body melted.

Bucky groaned, closing his eyes, and finished the rest of the brownie in one bite.

“Good?” Darcy asked, laughing.

He immediately grabbed another one and offered it to her.

She’d already tried one earlier, but she wasn’t about to turn down another.

Feeling bold, Darcy placed her vase of roses to the side. Bucky assumed she was going to take the brownie from his hands, but she surprised him by leaning over and taking a bite, right from his fingers.

She saw his bicep clench. Bucky froze.

Darcy leaned back, wiping crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

“It’s good,” she said, once she had finished her bite.

Bucky’s mouth dropped open, his eyes darkened. Darcy grinned when she felt the bond go hot with desire.

He lifted the rest of the brownie to his mouth and finished it off. It shouldn’t be that erotic, sharing food like that, but god damn.

Bucky cleared his throat. He obviously felt the same way.

“Thank you,” he eventually mumbled, trying to get his thoughts together. “You didn’t have to make me anything.”

Darcy shrugged, grabbing the vase of roses and placing them on the center table, next to her lilies.

“I wanted to,” she promised.

He smiled when he realised where she put her flowers, right in the middle of the room, for everyone to see.

Darcy adjusted the purse on her shoulders, turning her attention back to him, once she was happy with the flower arrangement.

“Right. Are we ready to go?”

Bucky placed the lid back on the box of brownies, tucking them under his left arm. He offered her the right.

“We are,” he said.

She took his outstretched arm, but instead of taking his elbow like he’d offered, she intertwined their fingers.

He tensed for a brief second, but then quickly relaxed. His whole body seemed to melt once more, like he could finally breathe now that he had her again.

“To the roof?”

“To the roof,” he nodded.

Bucky led them out of her apartment. Darcy shut off the lights and locked the door.

Her stomach was still feeling fluttery. It was hard not to, when she was holding his hand and he looked that good. But being with him felt right in a way she couldn’t quite describe.

“By the way,” Bucky said. “I tried to tell you earlier, but you surprised me with these-” he gestured to the box of brownies. Darcy quirked a brow.

His steel blue eyes turned to her, just as intense as they’d ever been.

“You look beautiful,” he breathed.

The way he stared at her, like she was the only important thing in the whole world, was enough to make her blush right down to her toes.

Darcy smiled, feeling embarrassed. No one had ever made her feel shy before, and yet Bucky seemed to do it with ease.

It was the way he watched her, and the way he spoke. She could tell he meant every word he said with every fibre of his being.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”

“What, this old thing?” Bucky joked, looking down at his shirt that was clearly brand new.

She brushed a piece of non existent lint from his shoulder, looking for an excuse to touch him. His muscles flexed beneath her fingertips.

“I can tell you don’t like to dress up, so I want you to know that I appreciate the effort,” she smiled.

“It’s not that I don't like to dress up. It’s more that I don’t have a reason. There’s no one I want to impress,” he said, looking down at her. Except you.

Darcy ducked her head, trying to hide her grin.

“You’re a flirt, James Barnes.”

“You’re pretty when you’re shy,” he countered.

They stepped into the elevator. Bucky punched the button for the rooftop.

Darcy felt her heart hammer away inside her chest.

“So, what did you decide on for dinner?” she asked him.

Bucky smirked. “I can’t just tell you. That would be too easy.”

Darcy huffed. Of course he’d use her own words against her.

“Good one, Bucky.”

His smirk only deepened.

The doors opened onto the rooftop, and if Darcy thought she was shocked before, it was nothing compared to now.

The sun had completely set over the horizon, leaving the sky a pool of dark black, starkly contrasted by the crescent moon.

There was a small table and chairs in the center of the rooftop, far away from any dangerous ledges. On it was a dark red tablecloth, adorned with real wax candles.

Around the table, scattered across the ground, were little yellow LED lights. They blinked like stars under the sky, casting everything in a pretty, warm glow. Darcy wondered if Stark sometimes used them as a runway, whenever he landed on the rooftop at night. Judging by the pathway they created, she felt confident in her assumptions.

Darcy turned to Bucky. He was watching her intensely.

“Did you do all this?!” she asked, completely floored.

Bucky smiled.

“I had some help,” he shrugged. “Come on.”

He pulled on their intertwined hands, leading her through the runway of lights towards the table in the middle.

When they arrived, he made sure to pull out her chair for her. Darcy gave him a look.

“I told you, doll. The whole nine yards.”

She shook her head, completely lost for words.

“This is beautiful, Bucky.”

He carefully pushed in her chair. Darcy couldn’t stop looking around, amazed by all the effort he’d put into this date.

He placed the brownies on the table and took a seat opposite her, smiling.

“I’ve been waiting a long, long time to do this, doll. I wanted to make sure I got it right.”

“You did,” Darcy gushed, worried her eyes would start watering soon. “It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

Her praise seemed to settle something in him, and the bond relaxed a little.

“Good. I’m glad you like it.”

“I don’t think like covers what I feel right now. No one has ever done something like this for me.”

“What, a date on one of the tallest buildings in New York?” he joked.

“Yes. No. I meant the flowers, the candlelit dinner, hell- even pulling out my chair.”

“No one’s ever brought you flowers?” he asked, suddenly serious. Darcy shrugged.

“Chivalry is dead, I guess. People don’t do stuff like this anymore.”

“What the hell is wrong with your generation,” he grumbled. Darcy couldn’t help but laugh in agreement.

“Thank you for this, Bucky. Seriously. I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

Those blue eyes met hers again, leaving her just as stunned at ever.

“You’re welcome, doll.”

Suddenly, the elevator doors opened, and Darcy looked up in time to see Captain America himself walk out.

Darcy raised a brow in question. Bucky shot her a crooked smile.

“He owes me one,” Bucky explained.

As he got closer, Darcy realised Steve was carrying a bottle of champagne, along with two glasses. He was wearing a cute little button down and dark wash jeans.

“Hi there, Stevo,” Darcy grinned.

“Darcy,” Steve nodded politely. “I’ve been asked to be your waiter for tonight. Champagne?”

“Please,” Darcy chuckled, as Steve poured her a glass.

She was on a date with the Winter Soldier, while Captain America served her champagne. Seriously. What the hell.

Steve poured another glass for Bucky and disappeared again, leaving the champagne bottle behind.

“Must be a pretty big favour,” Darcy said. Bucky nodded.

“I took a bullet for him on one of our last missions. Almost lost my other arm. Stevie felt so bad about it he promised to do anything I asked. So tonight I called in the favour.”

“You took a bullet for him?!” Darcy said loudly. Bucky winced, but started laughing.

“It would have got him in the chest if I hadn’t jumped in front of him. It was an easy decision.”

“You could’ve died.”

“What, you worried about me, doll?”

Darcy gave him a flat look.

“Yeah, yeah I know. But what do you want me to say? Saving Steve’s ass, that’s what I do, sweetheart. It’s what i’ve always done. Sometimes I get hurt in the process, but that’s just part of it. ”

Darcy sighed.

“I know, I know. Steve’s lucky to have you-”

“Damn right he is,” Bucky chuckled.

“-I just… I don’t know. I forgot that you guys get hurt, sometimes. Saving the world is dangerous business. What if next time, you aren’t so lucky?”

Bucky frowned. “I’m always careful.”

“I believe you,” she said, because she did. But the reminder that Bucky could get hurt, that he could easily die just doing his job- it was weighing heavily on her.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, eyes downcast.

“No, no, don’t apologise. Please. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry. I’m ruining our date,” she said, trying to laugh, but it sounded empty, even to her own ears.

“You’re not ruining anything,” he said adamantly.

Darcy smiled at him, grateful to see him trying to cheer her up.

“Then as long as you keep being careful, that’s all I ask,” she said, reaching for her champagne glass. It was all she could ever ask for. Steve needed Bucky. The world needed Bucky. She couldn’t ask him to give that up. All she could ask is that he was careful, that he tried to make it home in one piece.

He grabbed his glass and tapped it against hers.

“Always,” he said.

“You promise?”

“Promise.”

Darcy smiled at him. For now, that was enough.

She took a sip of her champagne, relishing in the light bubbliness.

“Oh wow, you got this from Tony’s good stuff.”

“How did you know I swiped it from Tony?” Bucky grinned.

“Because this is easily a several thousand dollar bottle of champagne, and the label is all in French. I doubt you’d find this anywhere else in the city.”

Bucky tipped his head at her. “You know your champagne.”

“I know cheap champagne," Darcy corrected, "This is not cheap champagne.”

He laughed at her, eyes crinkling adorably around the edges. The bond seemed to lighten even more.

The elevator doors opened again, and Steve walked out, pushing a little trolley. Sam was following behind.

Bucky immediately rolled his eyes when he saw Sam. Darcy couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why the fuck is he here? I specifically told him not to come.”

“Darcy Lewis!” Sam yelled, completely oblivious to Bucky’s complaining. “Damn, you’re looking good.”

Darcy heard Steve hush him, and the two of them pulled the little trolley over to the table.

There were two silver domes sitting on top. Steve placed one in front of Darcy, and the other in front of Bucky.

Sam took a moment to look around the roof, letting out a low whistle as he did so.

“Wow, Barnes. You did this place up nice. I never knew you had it in you.”

“Remind me again why you’re here?” Bucky grumbled.

“To help Steve, obviously.”

Bucky looked at Steve, who neatly arranged their cutlery on the table, while Sam stood there with his hands on his hips, doing absolutely nothing.

“Right. Cause he clearly needs it.”

“Clearly,” Sam agreed.

Darcy just tried, and failed, to keep the grin off her face.

“So, what's on the menu tonight, boys?”

Steve put a hand on the silver dome covering Darcy’s dish. Sam grabbed Bucky’s. On the count of three, they lifted.

Darcy was suddenly face to face with one of the best looking plates of spaghetti and meatballs she had ever seen.

Her jaw dropped open. She looked at Bucky.

He grimaced.

“I never got to try the one you made for me, so I wanted to make it up to you. I figured we could try this one together. I’m sorry, you probably don’t-”

Darcy cut him off. She jumped out of her chair and ran around the table, yanked Bucky up by the collar, and kissed him with everything she had. Bucky’s hands immediately wrapped around her waist, holding her there.

“It’s perfect,” she said, breaking their kiss to take a breath. Bucky smiled softly.

“You sure? I bet it doesn’t taste nearly as good as yours did.”

“I’m sure. It’s perfect.”

She leaned forward, unable to help herself, and kissed him again. He deepened the kiss, brushing his tongue along the seam of her lips. Darcy opened up to him, tasting the sweet champagne on his tongue.

“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Sam said.

Steve mumbled something in agreement, and Darcy heard the distinct sound of the trolley being rolled away.

“Thank god,” Bucky said, once they disappeared. “I thought they’d ever leave.”

Darcy giggled and straightened herself, fixing the collar of his shirt, before walking a little reluctantly back to her own chair. It suddenly felt like he was miles away.

Bucky must have been feeling the same, because as soon as she sat down, he dragged his chair over so that he was at her side instead of across from her.

“Thank you again,” Darcy said. “For the food, the lights, the flowers- everything. Seriously. It’s all so beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” he said easily, without hesitation. “You deserve beautiful things.”

“I don’t know about that,” Darcy laughed.

“I do.”

She looked at him. His eyes were filled with sincerity. It was enough to take a girls breath away.

“Has anyone ever told you how amazing your eyes are?” she breathed, refusing to be embarrassed by how cheesy it sounded. “Seriously. I think i’m getting lost in them. How ridiculous is that?”

“Not ridiculous at all,” Bucky said, shooting her a crooked grin. “I get lost in your eyes all the time. Now eat up before it gets cold.”

She laughed at his abrupt change of topic, but did as he asked, picking up her fork so she could tuck in.

Darcy swallowed her first mouthful and sighed in bliss, closing her eyes against the cool night air.

“Good?” Bucky asked. He had yet to take a bite. He was waiting for her.

Darcy opened her eyes, peeking at him, just to find out he’d been staring at her the whole time.

“Perfect.”

Bucky wanted to see for himself. He loaded up his fork and took a bite.

After a few moments of deliberation, he shook his head.

“No. Yours is better.”

“You’ve never even tried mine!” she laughed.

“So? I still know it’s better.”

Darcy just bit her lip, grinning at him.

In all the 25 years of her life, she had never been so happy with someone.

Her heart felt full and her body felt lighter than it had in years, as if she could finally breathe- the weight of the world stripped from her shoulders. She was grinning from ear to ear, her cheeks flushed from the cool night air and all of Bucky’s compliments.

She had never felt so good. So at home. So at peace.

It was a heady feeling. Easily addicting. And the longer she sat there, the more she realised just how easy it would be to fall in love with him.

“Tell me your favourite colour,” Darcy said instead, taking another bite of her pasta. Bucky seemed to think it over.

“It used to be red.”

She waited for him to continue. He didn’t.

“It's not anymore?” she asked. He shook his head. “Why?”

Bucky didn’t say anything. Just put down his fork, and tapped on his left shoulder, where she knew a red star lurked beneath. Oh.

“Okay. So it’s not red. What other colour do you like?”

He paused, and then smiled softly.

“Blue.”

Darcy grinned. “I like blue too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” as if to prove her point, she found herself getting lost in those ocean deep eyes of his once again. “Okay, your turn.”

“My turn?”

“Ask a question. Anything you want,” Darcy smiled, taking another bite of her delicious food. The cool night air was soothing on her warm face.

“Uh,” Bucky stalled, thinking. “Where did you learn to cook?”

“My grandmother. I grew up with 4 other siblings, and two parents who could burn water if they tried. It was either learn from her, or let my family starve.”

Bucky chuckled. The sound made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

“Can you cook?” she asked.

“God no, at least not anymore,” he huffed, shaking his head. “Steve's Ma tried to teach me a few things, but I can't remember anymore. I thought about taking classes back when Stevie and I moved into our apartment together. But then the war came, and things changed.”

Darcy smiled sadly. “I never knew you and Steve lived together.”

“Yeah. That apartment I took off to yesterday. It’s where Stevie and I lived together for a few months, before I enlisted,” Bucky cleared his throat. “Tell me about your siblings.”

“Well,” Darcy laughed, just thinking about her family. “I’ve got one older sister named Hannah, and three younger brothers called Justin, Lucas and EJ. Lucas and EJ are twins.”

Bucky’s brows shot up. “Twins, huh?”

“Yeah, they just turned 16, and they’re absolute assholes. Lucas isn’t so bad, but I think EJ got the same rebellious streak that I have.”

“You? Rebellious? Now you're just pulling my leg, doll,” Bucky grinned, clearly not believing her.

“No I am!” Darcy defended, “I swear, I spent more time in the principal's office at school than I ever did in class.”

“But you’re a sweetheart,” he smirked. “What could you do that was bad enough to land you in the principal's office?”

“I kicked George Michaels in the balls in fifth grade,” Darcy announced, feeling a little smug.

“You? No way.”

“Uh, yes way. I’m sure he still has the bruises to prove it, too.”

“Why’d you do it?” Bucky asked, laughing at her.

“He pulled Hannah’s hair in maths class. The teacher wasn’t gonna do anything about it, so I did.”

“He was older than you?”

“Yeah. He’s Hannah’s age.”

“And you still kicked him?”

“Obviously,” Darcy grinned.

Bucky groaned. “I knew you were trouble. You sound just like Steve.”

“Oh sure, as if you’re so perfect. If I remember correctly, you and Steve got into more than enough fights as kids.”

Bucky laughed even harder, obviously remembering some of said fights.

“No way, doll, you’ve got it all wrong. Steve was the one that started those fights. I just had to jump in and finish them before he got himself killed.”

Darcy shrugged. “Potato, poh-ta-toe. Either way, you were still getting into fights with our good old Cap.”

Bucky huffed. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. How’d you know about that, anyways?”

Ah. Guess it was time to come clean about those posters in her parents living room.

Darcy flushed. Bucky quirked a brow, intrigued.

“So, my dad is actually a huge fan of the Howling Commandos. He knows everything there is to know about you guys, including all the fights you and Steve got into. He used to tell me stories about you guys to help me fall asleep when I was a kid.”

“Wait- seriously?”

“Seriously,” Darcy nodded. “He’s a history teacher. Every year he does a whole segment on you guys. It’s a thing.”

Bucky seemed a little lost for words. And then-

“Does he know?”

“Know what? About you and me?” Bucky nodded. “No, not yet. I haven’t had the chance to call, to be honest. And I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. I didn’t want to tell them without talking to you about it first.”

“Without me- what? Why?”

Darcy chuckled. “Cause you’re my soulmate, doofus. Believe it or not, you’re a part of this. I want you to be there when I tell them, but I won’t say anything if you aren’t ready yet.”

Bucky seemed completely floored by this information. Darcy couldn’t understand why. Didn’t he realise he had a say in this thing, too?

“We’re a team, remember? We do things together,” Darcy said, smiling at him as reassuringly as she could.

Bucky huffed, and she was shocked to realise his eyes had gone a little watery.

“Don’t know what the hell I did to deserve a girl like you, Darce.”

Darcy beamed. “Don’t get too excited, Sarge. You haven’t met my dad yet.”

“If he was able to raise a girl like you, I’m sure he’s great,” Bucky smiled, taking a sip of his champagne.

“He has a poster of you in his bedroom.”

Bucky immediately choked on the champagne. Darcy almost fell out of her chair with laughter.

“He what?”

“Steve’s on it too. There’s posters of you guys all over my house. Books, too. I think he even has a Bucky Bear.”

“What the hell is a Bucky bear?!”

“Oh, Barnes. You have so much to learn.”

Bucky tipped his head back and groaned, but Darcy could feel his laughter fizzing through the bond.

“Like I said, my dad’s a big fan.”

“I’m getting that,” Bucky sighed, shaking his head. “So, you know about who I was then, before…” he waved his right hand in the air. Darcy knew what he was referring to. Before HYDRA.

“Yeah. More than I should know, probably. You know, you were always my favourite Howlie.”

“Really?” he chuckled.

“Oh yeah. I used to argue with my friends all the time over who was the best Howling Commando. They all liked Steve the most, but I don’t know, you were always my favourite.”

“You make it sound like you had a crush on me,” he said, flirting. Well, Barnes. Two could play at that game.

“Oh, I did,” she agreed, refusing to feel any shame about it.

“Really?”

“Absolutely. Are you kidding me? You’re a total knockout, and according to all the newspapers, you were a lady killer too. What’s not to like?”

“Wow, doll. Weren’t you a little too young for me?”

“Eh,” she grinned. “If you think about it, i’m still too young for you, old man.”

Bucky dragged a hand down his face. “Please, don’t remind me.”

“What, you embarrassed about getting caught on a date with a girl…” Darcy did some quick maths “only a quarter of your age?”

Bucky laughed. “What the hell am I gonna tell your dad?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Darcy grinned, ignoring the thumping of her heart. Bucky wanted to meet her parents. “You’re his hero. He’ll be even more excited about my first crush turning out to be my soulmate than I am.”

“I was your first crush?” Bucky repeated, giving her a crooked grin. Of course that’s what he cared about.

“Yup. You were the first of many things, Buckaroo.”

He quirked a brow at the nickname, but still asked-

“What other things?”

Darcy bit her lip, thinking specifically about that moment in the shower last night. Bucky had been her first crush, her first fantasy, and her first orgasm, basically.

Could she really tell him that?

Bucky’s gaze dropped to her lips, and she saw his eyes darken.

“What other things, Darcy?” he repeated.

He could tell that whatever it was, Darcy was embarrassed enough to try and keep it secret. And if anything, that only made him want to know more.

Darcy smiled, trying to play coy. “It’s probably not an appropriate topic at the dinner table.”

That certainly got his attention.

Bucky’s eyes snapped back to hers, pupils blown. He must have figured out what she was talking about, and why she was so embarrassed to say it outloud.

She felt the chains around her soul get hot with desire.

Bucky raised a brow at her, silently asking her to continue.

Darcy took a bite of her spaghetti, stalling. He watched her intently the whole time.

“Do you remember last night, when I was in the shower?” she tried.

He huffed. “Hard to forget.”

“Do you remember how I was feeling all, uh, hot and bothered?”

“Yes…” he hedged.

“Well, I was thinking of you.”

“Darce-”

“Actually, I was thinking of a dream I had of you, a long, long time ago. I was only 16, and I had found this footage of you, while you were still in the Howlies. You were doing some target practice with your sniper rifle. Boy, the things you could do with your fingers. It was enough to give a girl ideas.”

“Darcy-”

Darcy ignored him. If she stopped now, she’d never have the confidence to tell him again. Plus, she could feel how hot Bucky was getting through the bond. Those chains around her chest tightened, red hot with desire.

“I was only young, you know. But I remember watching that footage over and over and over again. Imagining how your hands would feel. Whether they’d be rough, or smooth,” she dragged her finger slowly down the side of her champagne glass, watching as his gaze followed her finger. "You were young then, too. Still in your early 20's."

Feeling bold, Darcy collected the extra condensation from the side of her glass and brought it to her mouth, licking the extra liquid from the tip of her finger.

The bond pulsed in response. Bucky’s gaze stayed trained on her lips, his eyes as dark as the night sky above them. Darcy watched as his breathing turned more laboured.

“What did you do?” he husked, eyes never once leaving her lips.

Darcy grinned. He was clearly enjoying her story. She might as well put on a show.

Maybe it was the champagne, or the flood of red hot emotions down the bond, but she wasn’t feeling shy anymore. No, in fact, she was feeling the opposite.

“I did all the things I wish you’d do to me. I used my hands, imagining they were yours. And I touched myself until I came apart, gasping your name.”

The glass Bucky was holding in his left hand shattered.

Champagne exploded everywhere. Shards of glass fell all over the table and the floor.

Bucky slammed his other hand on the table and leapt up, stalking towards her. Darcy gasped in anticipation, when the door to the rooftop slammed open, and Steve came rushing over.

He paused when he saw Bucky looming over Darcy, breathing harshly.

Darcy peaked around Bucky’s wide frame to look at Steve, feeling a little breathless herself.

“I saw the glass smash, are you okay?!” Steve called, running over to them.

Bucky straightened, taking those searing blue eyes off of Darcy.

“We’re fine, Steve,” he growled.

“Are you sure? I saw-”

“Have you been watching us this whole time?” Darcy realised, shooting Steve an accusing glare. He had the decency to look a little sheepish.

“I- uh- we-” he sighed. “I was afraid Bucky might have an, uh, episode. So I asked JARVIS to tell me if anything went wrong. He showed me the footage of the glass breaking, and you jumping up. I thought, maybe…”

Steve trailed off, looking a little helpless. And then he seemed to read the room.

Aka, Darcy sitting there, cheeks on fire and pupils blown wider than Bucky’s, and Bucky, standing hunched over her, breathing hard, the front of his jeans a little tighter than usual. Apparently, he’d interrupted something.

“Uh…” Steve stuttered.

“I said we’re fine, punk.”

Steve’s cheeks flushed red.

“Right. I’ll just, uh-”

He turned and darted away. Darcy didn’t know whether to curse him for interrupting, laugh at him for running away, or smack him for spying on them.

Bucky waited for the doors to shut before sighing, swiping the pieces of glass off the table and kicking them away.

Darcy’s heart was racing, so loud he could probably hear it. She wanted to know what Bucky was going to do before Steve interrupted, but the moment was gone.

Bucky looked at her, shoulders dropped in disappointment. She gave him a small smile.

He looked around, clearing his throat.

“Told you the punk was nosey,” Bucky tried, referring to Steve’s unexpected entrance.

Darcy decided to laugh it off. “No kidding.”

“I’m sorry for breaking the glass. I uh, forgot I was holding it, to be honest.”

Bucky sat back down, examining his hand and picking out any pieces of stray glass. At least it was the metal one, otherwise they’d probably be rushing to medical right now. Though Darcy still checked the bond to see if he was feeling any pain, just in case. She was satisfied to find he wasn’t.

“It’s okay,” she said. “I’m more annoyed that Steve was spying on us, to be honest.”

Bucky shook his head. “He does that with me. Always watching, waiting for me to slip back. I know he’s just looking out for me, but it makes me feel like a time bomb, waiting to explode.”

Darcy frowned. The heated excitement from earlier was well and truly gone now.

“You’re not a time bomb.”

“You don’t know that. HYDRA still have those words in my head, remember?”

“Sam said you haven’t had an episode in a year.”

“An unprovoked episode. I could still have one at any moment, all it takes is the right words.”

Darcy frowned.

Bucky sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m ruining our date. We were having fun until I broke that glass.”

Darcy shook her head. “You didn’t ruin anything. In fact, I thought the broken glass only added to the fun.”

He tipped his head back and laughed at her.

“Really? You thought that was fun?”

Darcy shrugged, grinning at him. “I thought it was hot. Very roguish of you.”

“Wow,” he said, dryly, but she could feel his amusement through the bond. “You like it when I break things. Noted.”

Darcy laughed with him.

“Pretty sure I like it when you do anything, to be honest.”

He shook his head, but she could see the small, cute smile on his face.

“So I didn’t ruin anything?”

“You didn’t ruin anything,” she confirmed. “Although, I might need to have some words with Steve about boundaries, later.”

Bucky chuckled. “You and me both, doll. I’d be punching the punk right now if I didn’t know he was doing it for my own good.”

“Is he really, though?” Darcy couldn’t help but ask. “All that time he spends watching over you. Is it really necessary?”

“For as long as those words are in my head, yeah, I think it is.”

Darcy frowned. She could feel Bucky’s disappointment through the bond.

“You know,” she tried, “I was talking to Jane yesterday. She mentioned something about changing your words. Giving them new meaning. She thinks maybe we could find a way to stop them from triggering you.”

“I’m not sure that’s possible, doll,” he said, smiling sadly at her.

“Maybe not. But if you want to try, i’d be more than happy to help. We could talk to Sam about it. See if he has any ideas.”

Bucky thought about it for a moment.

“Sam tried to work on my words a couple years ago, when I first moved into the tower, but I wouldn’t let him. I didn’t want to risk having an episode and hurting someone,” he took a deep inhale. “But I don’t feel safe being around you with those words in my head. If there's anything we can do to get rid of them, I have to try.”

Darcy smiled at him, small but hopeful.

“If it helps, I still feel safe around you.”

Bucky huffed out a laugh. “That’s probably- no, it’s definitely a very bad idea. But i’m glad you do, doll.”

Darcy grabbed her glass, filling it up with champagne, before handing the rest of the bottle over to Bucky.

“Cheers to that,” she said, clinking her glass against the bottle in his hand. Bucky smiled at her, and the two of them took a drink.

“So, where were we before Stevie interrupted?” Bucky tried.

Darcy laughed, shaking her head at him.

“I believe I was telling you all of my embarrassing teenage fantasies.”

“Don’t know if embarrassing is the word I’d use to describe them, but sure,” Bucky grinned.

Darcy rolled her eyes at him.

He took the last bite of his pasta, finishing off the plate. Darcy pushed her own plate towards him.

“No-”

“Yes,” she said, louder. “Please. I can’t eat anymore. Take it.”

“You sure?”

“Eat, Soldier,” she shoved the plate at him. He took it, grumbling under his breath, but still finished her plate in record time.

Darcy continued to sip on her champagne, content to watch him eat.

His long hair had fallen in front of his eyes. She couldn’t help but to reach out and brush it behind his ear.

Bucky’s gaze lifted to hers. Bright blue and electric. She practically shivered.

“You’re gorgeous, you know that?” he said.

“Funny, I was going to say the same thing about you.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head. “No doll, I don’t think you understand. You’re like, pinup model gorgeous. You’re prettier than all the actresses we used to have on TV.”

“Oh, stop it.”

“It’s true. You are. Had I seen you walking down the street back in my day, you would’ve stopped me dead in my tracks.”

Darcy blushed. “No I wouldn’t. You were a player back in those days, Sarge. I doubt I’d even turn your head.”

“You would’ve done a lot more than that. What’d you say to me last night? Something about beating girls off, left right and center, just to get my attention? Well, i’d have to fight every damn guy in Brooklyn just to light your cigarette.”

“Wow,” Darcy huffed, but she knew her face was all kinds of love struck right now.

“I mean it, Darce. You’re beautiful.”

“I can see how you were such a lady killer,” she giggled.

Bucky chuckled, but he was shaking his head. “Sure, I knew how to talk to girls. I could dance. Even knew how to steal a kiss or two. But none of it ever mattered. You were the only thing I ever cared about. I was just messing around, waiting for you to finally show up.”

She looked at him.

The bond was warm, liquid gold, oozing his sincerity. But she didn’t need it to know he was being sincere. She could see it all over his face.

It was one of those rare moments where Bucky looked at her, really looked at her. No hard, stern exterior. No mask to hide his emotions. He was open and honest and bare- and he looked every bit like the James Buchanan Barnes from her dads magazines.

“I was waiting for you too,” she whispered, pushing all of her own emotions back down the bond.

Her honesty. Her sincerity. Her appreciation. Just how much she cared about him- all of it. She pushed it all down the bond until those gold chains were bright and glowing, squeezing around her chest like the strongest hug she’d ever received.

“Was it worth it?” he smiled, using the same words he had yesterday, the last time they were on this roof.

“Yeah. It was worth it.”

Darcy reached out, squeezing the back of his hand. Bucky turned so he could interlock their fingers.

So, so worth it.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Not long after, Bucky cracked open the box of brownies, handing her a couple while he demolished the rest.

Neither Steve nor Sam came to check on them again. Darcy suspected it was because Steve was still feeling embarrassed. As he should. She was still sitting there, wishing she’d got to see what Bucky was going to do before Steve came bursting out of the elevator.

Sigh. Maybe next time.

Bucky finished off the last bite of his brownie, finally pushing his plate away. Apparently, he was now full. It had only taken 2.5 servings of spaghetti (his was double the size of hers, and she still gave him half), and 18 brownies (how he hadn’t thrown up yet, she didn’t know).

“Done?” she said, smiling at him. He rolled his eyes.

“I have a fast metabolism. I can’t help it.”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Your face said it all, doll.”

Darcy shook her head, feigning ignorance, and finished off the last of her champagne. Bucky took a swig from his bottle.

She turned her gaze to the horizon, admiring all the lit up buildings around them. There might not be any stars in the sky, thanks to all the lights and pollution, but it still looked beautiful.

“Thank you again for dinner, and all this,” Darcy said, referring to the lights all around them. Bucky shrugged.

“Ain’t no thing, doll.”

She couldn’t help but grin at his old timey words.

“What?” Bucky asked, noticing her look.

“Ain’t no thing,” she repeated.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. It’s cute. I just haven’t heard anyone say it since 1950.”

“What should I say instead, then?” he asked, raising a brow at her.

“Nothing. Don’t change. I like all your old timey sayings,” she grinned.

“Well, as long as you approve,” he joked.

“I do.”

Bucky chuckled at her, shaking his head.

The wind changed, blowing cold air right over her bare legs.

Darcy shivered, pulling her coat tighter around her body.

Bucky was already pulling off his jacket, handing it to her.

“Here-”

“No-”

“Here, Darcy. Take it. Please.”

He was already shoving it into her lap. She had no choice but to grab it.

Darcy rearranged the jacket so that it was covering her bare legs. She shot him a grateful smile.

“Looking back, it was probably a stupid idea to wear a dress to a rooftop dinner.”

“Not stupid,” he disagreed. “You look beautiful.”

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Nah.”

She quirked a brow, checking the bond to see if he was lying.

“Seriously, doll, I’m not cold,” Bucky smiled, obviously figuring out what she was trying to do.

Darcy sighed, adjusting his jacket on her legs.

It was warm and soft and she could smell his cologne. For the who-knows-what time that night, Darcy wondered how she ever got so lucky to be soulmates with him.

“So, Barnes,” she began. “You said you and Steve lived together. What was that like?”

Bucky looked away, lost in thought.

“It was...tough. But nice. Both of Stevie's parents had passed, so he had nowhere else to go. I asked him to move in with me, but he didn’t wanna be a burden on my folks- no matter how many times I told him he wasn’t. So one day I went apartment hunting. Found this small place in Brooklyn, and bought it the next day. The only reason I was able to convince him to move in with me is by making him think I needed his help to pay the rent. Which I did, but that’s not the point.”

“So he only moved in because he thought you needed him to?”

“Basically,” Bucky chuckled. “He’s stubborn, that one. And proud. Doesn’t like admitting he needs help. But I eventually convinced him to move in. It was tough, I was working double shifts down on the docks trying to pay for Stevie’s medical bills. His asthma kept getting worse, and the poor idiot was always on the brink of death. But we made do.”

“It must have been hard on you, though,” Darcy said, feeling sympathetic. Her parents weren’t rich, not by a long shot, but they always had enough to put food on the table and a few new toys for the kids.

Bucky shrugged.

“It wasn’t easy, but like I said, we made it work. I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve said this already, but he’s lucky to have a friend like you.”

Bucky chuckled. “You’re damn right he is. Even if he’s too stubborn to see it.”

She couldn’t help but laugh with him.

“You know, he reminds me a little bit of Jane.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m always forcing that girl to take care of herself. If it weren’t for me, i’m pretty sure she would have starved to death by now. She hates me for taking her away from her work, but it’s for her own good.”

“Yup. Sounds like she’s just as stubborn as Steve,” Bucky replied, shaking his head.

Darcy laughed. “Lucky us, right?”

“Lucky us,” he replied, lifting his bottle in salute. Darcy clinked her glass with his and took a sip.

The moon was well and truly in the sky now. If she had to guess, she’d say it was almost 11pm. The hours had gone by so quickly. I guess that’s what happens when you have good company.

“So, soldier. Did you have any more plans for us this evening?”

“Honestly, no,” Bucky chuckled. “I wasn’t sure how tonight would go. Didn’t wanna make plans afterwards. Don’t count your chickens, you know.”

“You didn’t think this date was going to go well?” she laughed.

“I mean, I hoped it would. But things don’t usually go as planned for me. Plus, I haven’t a date in 70 odd years. I was worried I might be rusty.”

“You were perfect,” Darcy said, smiling at him. He made sure to hold her gaze.

“Well, if you don’t have any plans, why don’t we go somewhere?” she continued.

“Go somewhere?”

“Yeah. I still haven’t seen the whole Tower. I’m sure there’s somewhere we could go.”

Bucky seemed to consider her offer.

“Stark has a bunch of recreational rooms.”

“Yeah? Why don’t we go check them out?”

He gave her a small smile.

“Sure, doll. Why not.”

He pulled out his phone, assumingly to text Stevo and tell him they were leaving.

When he was done he slid his phone back into his pocket and stood up, offering a hand to her.

She took his hand and stood, handing him back his jacket. When he tried to refuse, she interrupted.

“We’re going inside now. I promise, I don’t need it.”

He eventually took it, after her convincing, and hooked it over his opposite shoulder with his finger.

“Come on then,” he said, leading her towards the elevators.

They waited for the doors to open and stepped inside.

“So, what kind of recreation rooms are we talking about?” Darcy asked, wagging her eyebrows. Bucky chuckled at her.

“Probably not the kind you’re thinking of. Actually, no. Knowing Stark, there probably is a room for exactly what you’re thinking of. I just don’t know about it.”

Darcy giggled.

“I mean, it is a pretty big tower,” she conspired.

Bucky huffed. “That it is.”

“So, if we aren’t going to a sexy red room- that may or may not exist, i’m going with yes, it exists- then where are we going?”

“I understood about a third of what you just said,” Bucky answered, furrowing his brows at her. “But to answer your last question, that depends, I guess.”

“On what?”

He lifted his gaze about two inches.

“Are you allowed to get your hair wet?”

Huh?

“Are we going to that red room after all?”

Bucky shook his head, either still not understanding, or just flat out ignoring her. Either way, it was probably for the best.

“I was thinking of taking you to the pool.”

“The pool?”

He nodded. “Stark has a pool below the main gym, for fitness or something, I don’t know. But there’s private hot tubs and everything.”

Darcy raised a brow. Thor had never mentioned a pool when he gave her the rundown of the tower.

“So,” Bucky repeated, “Are you allowed to get your hair wet?”

Darcy laughed. “It’s not my hair i’m worried about, it’s my dress. This thing isn’t exactly swimsuit material.”

Bucky got a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

“Well, you could always go swimming in your underwear. It’s okay. I promise I won’t look.”

She gaped, swatting him on the arm.

“You’re a dirty liar, Barnes. You and I both know you’ll look.”

“I won’t,” he promised. When Darcy raised a disbelieving brow at him, he explained. “I’ll be staring at you. There’s a difference.”

“Oh, gods,” she groaned, shaking her head. But she couldn’t help but smile when he started to laugh.

“No, i’m only teasing, doll. How bout this. We’ll stop on your floor and pick up your swimsuit- i’m assuming you have one- and then we’ll go to the pool after. Happy?”

“What about you? Don’t you need a swimsuit?”

Bucky shrugged, grinning cockily at her.

“Nah. I don’t mind going in my underwear. Unless you want me to change?”

Darcy looked at him. All 6 feet of him. And imagined what he’d look like in nothing but his underwear, dripping wet in front of her.

Ohh yeah.

“No complaints here,” she said.

Bucky’s grin only deepened. She could feel his smugness through the bond.

Darcy rolled her eyes. Two could play at that game.

She made a show of looking at his metal arm, which was still holding his jacket over his shoulder.

“Can that thing even get wet?” Darcy asked, smirking at him.

“Whatd’ya mean?”

“Well, I don’t want you to start rusting on me, old man,” she grinned. Bucky rolled his eyes.

“It won’t rust.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure,” he said, giving her a flat look.

Darcy couldn’t help it. She started laughing at him.

“Change of plans, we’re going straight to the pool,” he said suddenly, smacking a different button on the elevator.

“What- no we’re not! I have to get changed!”

“Should’ve thought of that before you started teasing me, sweetheart.”

“We can’t go straight to the pool! I’ll have nothing to wear!”

“What, you saying you got nothing on under that dress?” Bucky asked, looking at her suddenly. Darcy’s cheeks went bright red.

“Yes, I’m wearing underwear-”

“-that’s a shame-”

“-but that’s not the point,” Darcy emphasised.

Bucky gave her a look.

“What, you shy or something?”

“No, i’m not shy,” she replied, pointing her chin in the air.

“Then you got nothing to worry about,” he grinned.

The elevator doors opened, and Bucky led her out.

“What about my makeup?” she tried. “I don’t care about my hair, but i’m gonna look like a raccoon if I get my face wet.”

“Keep your head above the water, then.”

“Ugh,” Darcy groaned dramatically. Bucky just winked at her.

He led her out of the main room and around the corner, to a huge, multi laned swimming pool. Darcy took a quick second to admire the view.

Damn, Stark. You really did buy everything.

The room was completely empty besides the two of them. It was even nice and quiet, filled only by the faint sounds of jets and lapping water. The lights were low, the room lit only by the lamps inside the pool.

“Still wanna go back and change?” Bucky offered, watching her reaction.

Darcy’s mouth opened and closed, unable to find the words. Eventually, she just shook her head.

He grinned at her and led her deeper into the room.

They walked the full length of the pool and turned a corner to a private room, where several large hot tubs sat, waiting.

JARVIS must have turned them on while they were in the elevator, because the water was warm and steaming, and the jets were creating the most enticing looking bubbles.

Darcy’s muscles tensed in response, and she suddenly couldn’t wait to get inside.

Bucky let go of her hand, raising a brow at her. Challenging.

She lifted her chin in the air.

“Big brother?” Darcy called.

“Yes, Darcy?”

“Can you do that thing you did in the kitchen, and make sure no one comes in here?”

“Of course, Darcy.”

She heard the surrounding doors lock.

It was just her and Bucky, alone, in a room of hot tubs.

Darcy took a deep breath.

Bucky’s eyes were on her. Dark. Watching.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t look?” she asked.

He quirked a brow at her, curious at her new found confidence, the corner of his mouth lifting upwards.

Bucky turned, putting his back to her.

Darcy sucked in a breath.

Come on, Darce. Be a bad bitch.

“You know I can hear your thoughts through the bond, right?” Bucky said, still looking away from her. Darcy poked her tongue at him.

She slid off her coat, slowly, and hung it on one of the nearby clothing hooks.

Then she undid the strap on her heels, sliding them off her feet, one by one.

She kept her gaze trained on Bucky. His back was still turned to her.

Darcy grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head.

It fell to the floor with a soft thump.

Bucky’s shoulders tensed.

Darcy sucked in a breath.

Thank god she was wearing her cute underwear, at least. She just hoped the chlorine from the hot tub didn’t mess with the black lace.

Darcy grabbed the hair tie on her wrist and pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. She took the final steps to the hot tub, dipping her hand inside to test the waters.

It was lovely and hot, and the pressure from the jets felt relaxing on her palm.

She climbed the steps and got inside, waiting until she was completely settled before calling out to Bucky.

“You can look now,” Darcy said, sitting comfortably in the main hot tub.

Bucky turned around, and his gaze immediately snapped to her.

She watched the way his shoulders raised and fell in one careful, measured breath.

His eyes trailed over her, making her feel hot and exposed. There was one word to describe his gaze. Hungry.

“You getting in or what?” Darcy called.

Bucky’s eyes met hers once more, and stayed there.

He took his jacket off his shoulder and threw it on a nearby chair. His jersey came next, and then his undershirt.

Bucky made direct eye contact with her as his hands felt for his belt and he undid the strap. She swallowed.

“Don’t you want me to look away?” she asked. He shook his head.

Bucky slid off his belt and threw it onto the chair. Next his fingers moved to the fly of his pants, undoing it, pulling the tight material down past his hips.

Darcy couldn’t look away. His gaze had her frozen in place.

He kicked off his pants the rest of the way, along with his socks and shoes, and stood there. Open. Bare. Covered only by the thin material of his black underwear.

Darcy was 99.9% sure she was drooling.

The metal arm glinted in the reflection of the pool lights. It was then that Darcy noticed the scars.

The skin around his shoulder, where metal met flesh, was red and wrecked with scar tissue.

Her chest squeezed, imagining how much it must have hurt to get those scars.

Bucky noticed her stare and angled himself slightly, so that she could no longer see his arm.

She shook her head, enough to get him to pause, and raised her arms at him.

“C’mere,” Darcy said, making grabby hands at him.

He gave her a look, searching for some kind of fear or disgust, but never found any.

Bucky approached, climbing the steps to the hot tub, and joined her.

Darcy shifted so that they were sitting next to each other, only a few inches of space between them. She made a point to reach out and grab his metal hand, interlacing their fingers.

“Don’t hide from me,” she whispered, referring to the way he'd tried to turn so she didn’t have to see his scars.

“I didn’t think you’d want to see. It’s pretty gruesome,” he took a deep breath. “You know, I forget, sometimes. I forget that I have this thing attached to me, and all the scars that come with it.”

“It’s part of you. Don’t be ashamed of it. I think you’re beautiful.”

He huffed, but didn’t answer.

Darcy raised her other hand, silently asking for permission. He nodded.

She let her finger touch his skin, tracing over the rough scars.

“I never really noticed them before. The last time I saw you with your shirt off, it was to trace your soul mark.”

He seemed to relax under her touch, his body melting with each drag of her fingers.

“Does it hurt?” she asked.

“Usually, yeah. The metal is heavy, it pulls on the scars. But right now it doesn’t.”

Darcy smiled. She would gladly touch him for the rest of her life, if only to take away his pain.

Bucky sighed. He tipped his head back, letting it rest against the back of the hot tub. For the first time since she’d met him, he looked fully relaxed. Not searching the room for every available exit, or each possible threat. Just calm. At ease.

Darcy smiled, taking the rare opportunity to fully admire him.

His muscles were smooth and defined under her touch, miles and miles of bare skin and dark silver, all for her. His hair was brushed back from his face, curling around his shoulders where it just touched the water.

Bucky closed his eyes, something she had also never seen him do before.

Closing your eyes meant letting yourself be completely vulnerable. Although Darcy knew he could just as easily use his other super soldier senses to defend himself if he had to, closing his eyes still meant he was at a disadvantage. Vulnerable.

She knew Bucky had issues with vulnerability, thanks to his rather painful past. The fact that he trusted her enough to completely relax in front of her meant something. It made those gold chains around her soul thrum and sing.

“What is it?” Bucky asked, head still tipped back, eyes closed. “The bonds gettin’ all warm and fuzzy.”

“Nothing,” Darcy smiled.

Her curious tracing had turned into what was essentially petting, but she refused to stop, instead letting her hand trace up and down his metal one.

“Are you checkin’ me out?” Bucky teased. Darcy giggled.

“Maybe.”

Bucky peaked an eye open at her. She was once again stunned by the piercing silver blue.

“Am I pretty?”

She couldn’t help but laugh at his mock serious expression, but either way, took the opportunity to give him a thorough once over.

He was fully reclined, legs stretched out in front of them, one arm across the back of the hot tub while she cradled the other. The water covered his legs and most of his chest, but she could still see the definition of his muscles and the even ivory of his skin.

Pretty didn’t even begin to cover it.

“I heard that,” he laughed, looking at her. Darcy rolled her eyes.

“Why do you always hear my thoughts but I never hear yours?” she accused.

“You hear my thoughts all the time,” he disagreed.

“Only when i’m in your head, or you’re in mine. But you hear my thoughts outside of that too.”

Bucky shrugged. “You think pretty loud, sweetheart.”

“Oh yeah? What am I thinking now, then?”

She bit her lip and stared at him, thinking as quietly as she could. Whatever that meant.

Bucky Barnes is a big, giant loser. With very pretty eyes. And a smoking bod. And oh boy, that stubble…

Bucky burst out laughing. Shit, Darcy thought. She may have gotten a little carried away there.

“Oh, doll,” he breathed, grinning at her.

“That’s not fair! You weren’t even in my head!” she defended.

Bucky shrugged, looking unapologetic.

“Sorry, Darce. Maybe don’t think so loud next time.”

Darcy huffed. She let go of his arm and turned around, moving away from him.

Bucky immediately chased after her, crowding her against the other side of the hot tub.

Darcy’s breath hitched.

Her back was pressed against the wall of the hot tub, and he was directly in front of her, arms caging her in on either side.

She could feel his warm breath fanning her face. Their mouths only inches apart.

“Here, why don’t you try,” Bucky said. “I’ll think of something. See if you can hear it.”

She looked up at him, trying to control the racing of her heart.

“Focus, doll,” Bucky whispered.

Darcy took a deep breath, but closed her eyes.

At first, she didn’t hear anything. But then she focused on the bond, felt for those gold chains around her heart. She traced the chain all the way back to Bucky. And then, she heard.

She wasn’t inside of his head. Almost, but not quite. It was like standing in the room next to someone. When she concentrated, she could hear the muffled sound of Bucky’s voice coming through the walls.

-my god she's gorgeous. That long dark hair and blue eyes. Sinful looking lips. Miles and miles of soft skin and full curves. And that underwear- jesus, i’ve never hated two pieces of fabric more in my life. It’s practically fucking see through. She’s killing me, and I don’t even think she realises it-

Darcy’s eyes snapped open.

She gaped, unable to believe what she’d just heard.

“Did it work?” Bucky asked, eyes trained on her lips.

She huffed, nodding at him. “Yeah, it worked.”

And instead of waiting for a reply, Darcy wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a bruising kiss.

Bucky responded immediately, his body molding against hers.

She moved her hands up to his hair, tightening her grip. He groaned, breaking the kiss.

Bucky wrapped his arms around her waist and twisted, falling into one of the seats, her in his lap. Water sloshed out of the tub at the sudden movement, but neither of them cared.

She moved until she was straddling him, her hands still fisted in his hair, while his shifted to grab at her ass.

Darcy deepened the kiss, running her tongue along the seam of his lips until he opened for her.

Her tongue brushed against his, exploring his mouth before he did the same. She brought one of her hands down to cup his jaw, sucking his bottom lip between her teeth and biting gently.

Bucky moaned, his hands tightening on her ass. She could feel the front of his underwear getting steadily tighter, and she couldn’t help but grind down on him, searching for the friction her body so desperately wanted.

Bucky gasped, throwing his head back, breaking the kiss. Darcy took the opportunity to kiss and lick her way across his jaw and down his neck.

“Doll- Doll-” Bucky tried.

Darcy pressed another bruising kiss to the underside of his jaw.

“Darcy, ” he interrupted, placing his hands on her hips, halting her.

She pulled back, looking at him in confusion.

Did he not want this?

“No no no no- don’t think that. Please. I want you, god I want you, but sweetheart- if we keep going, I won’t be able to stop. I need to know you’re sure about this.”

Darcy stopped. She laughed.

Here she was, sitting on his lap- dry humping him like a horny teenager- and he still had to ask if she was okay with this. Her soulmate, everyone.

When Bucky gave her a look, she answered him.

“Yes i’m sure about this. God, Barnes, i’ve been trying to get into your pants since last night.”

Bucky laughed with her, shaking his head. “I know, I know. I just had to make sure,” and then his mind seemed to catch up. “Wait, I thought you said you’ve been crushin’ on me since you were 16. That’s a lot longer than just last night, doll.”

Darcy groaned, and not in a good way.

“I should have never told you that.”

Bucky chuckled. “I’m glad you did. Tell me though, what was it you said you imagined? Something about my hands?”

Darcy flushed. He really wanted to talk about her teenage fantasies now? Now?

“You really wanna know?”

“I really wanna know.”

“Fine, then. I’ll show you.”

Darcy let go of his hair and placed her hands on either side of his face instead, closing her eyes. He figured out what she was trying to do, because a moment later she felt him close his eyes too, before brushing against the walls of her mind.

Darcy let him in.

Without giving herself a chance to second guess what she was about to do, Darcy brought up those old memories of herself as a teenager. More specifically, the time she was 16, and had found that footage of Bucky with his rifle.

Darcy fell into the fantasy. She could see that video in her mind clear as day.

Bucky was on top of a perch, laying on his stomach, rifle pressed against his shoulder. She saw the way he grabbed the gun, twisting, twitching, as he readjusted his grip.

His blue Howlies uniform was a dark contrast to the white snowy ground he was lying on. His nose and fingers were pink from the cold.

Darcy wanted to thank whatever genius decided to record Bucky during target practice. Especially when the camera then switched to a close up view of Bucky’s face and hands specifically.

Darcy watched as Bucky took a deep breath, pressing the scope against his cheek, lining up the shot.

His jaw clenched, left hand tightening around the barrel of the gun, exposing the veins along the back of his hand, while the right one brushed ever so gently over the trigger.

She sighed, remembering what came next.

Darcy’s head filled with a new vision. This time, Bucky wasn’t perched on the snow, rifle in hand. Instead, he was leaning over her.

He still had his Howlies uniform on, his short dark hair messy around his face, contrasting the bright blue of his eyes.

Darcy was lying in a bed, Bucky hovering over her, making direct eye contact as he moved down, down, down the bed and over her body.

She knew it was just a fantasy, but gods did it feel real.

Bucky’s eyes were dark and assessing, the same way he looked when he was lining up a target, figuring out which way to strike.

His hands were cool against her bare legs, tracing higher and higher towards the apex of her thighs, while his hot breath blew over her stomach.

She could see the veins on his hands, the dexterity of his fingers, as they gently but efficiently stripped off her underwear.

The pads of his fingers were rough with callouses from his rifle, and she shivered when she felt him just barely brush over the inside of her thighs, gradually moving higher.

Darcy tipped her head back, sighing in sweet bliss, as Bucky finally touched her where she needed him most. His agile fingers pressed against her dripping core, working her to an orgasm with confidence and precision, just like he was with his rifle.

‘Oh fuck, ’ Bucky groaned in her mind, watching the fantasy unfold with her.

Darcy had to physically shake her head to get rid of the old vision, trying to bring herself back to the present.

She was still straddling Bucky’s hips, the front of his underwear tighter than ever before. The water was bubbling and steaming all around them, drenching her now see through underwear.

She felt Bucky slip out of her mind and opened her eyes, locking her gaze with his searing blue one.

“I think we need to reenact that vision of yours, sweetheart.”

“Wha-”

Darcy didn’t get the chance to finish.

Bucky wrapped his hands under her hips and flipped them, so that she was now sitting down on the seat of the hot tub, while he was on his knees in front of her.

She opened her knees for him immediately, sighing out when Bucky stepped closer, filling the space between her legs.

His hands immediately went to her underwear, while hers went for his hair.

Bucky hooked his hand under the band of her panties, dragging them down the length of her legs.

He quickly yanked them off and threw the soaking black fabric out of the hot tub. She heard them land with a splash god knows where.

Then Bucky moved onto her bra, undoing it expertly with his left hand and throwing it in the same direction as her panties.

His gaze roamed hungrily over the newly exposed skin, lingering on her chest and the dark patch of hair between her thighs.

She thought she would feel more shy, finally exposing herself to her soulmate. But the look in her eyes made her feel anything but.

He was staring at her like she was some kind of goddess. Something to be praised. Worshipped. Eaten alive.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” Bucky husked, before his lips came crashing against hers.

Darcy sighed into his mouth, running her hands up and down his chest, looking for something to grab onto as he pushed her harder against the wall of the hot tub.

“Can I touch you?” Bucky practically begged, breaking their kiss.

Darcy couldn’t even speak, just started nodding frantically.

His lips came crashing against hers once more and she groaned, melting against him.

Her hands finally found purchase on his shoulders, unable to stop herself from digging her nails into his skin when she felt his right hand dip between her thighs.

He used his index finger to spread her open, testing, searching. When his thumb brushed against her clit, Darcy gasped, arching against him.

She could feel his grin against her lips when he tried to kiss her again, working his thumb on her clit, while his middle finger pressed gently at her entrance.

“Please,” Darcy gasped, rocking her hips against him, leaning her head back against the edge of the hot tub.

Bucky moved, planting sweet, hot kisses across her jaw and down her neck. His thumb swirled against her clit, brushing over it gently, and Darcy gasped again.

He ducked lower, pressing an open mouthed kiss to her soul mark, before switching to mouth at one of her breasts.

Darcy gasped and moaned as he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, rolling his tongue over the hardened bud. Her hips rocked against his hand, searching for friction. Bucky gave her what she needed.

His middle finger pushed inside her, stretching her sweetly, before curling and pressing against her G spot. Darcy cried out, nails biting into his shoulders, while he continued to roll his thumb over and around her clit, curling his middle finger deep inside her.

“Shit shit shit-” Darcy gasped.

“God, baby, you feel so good-”

If Darcy was thinking coherently, she probably would’ve melted at the way he called her baby. As it stood, she was struggling not to scream. Bucky was about to make her come faster than anyone else had in her entire life. Including her.

“Don’t stop-” she gasped, grinding down onto his hand.

He released her right nipple, planting extra kisses all over her chest as he worked his way to her left.

Bucky continued to work his thumb around her clit, his middle finger curling and twisting inside her. He used his left hand, the metal one, to lift her left leg out of the water and hook it over his shoulder, holding it there.

Darcy cried out as the new angle pushed his finger even deeper inside her, hitting that blissful spot every single time.

The gold chains around her chest were burning hot and raw with need, only amplifying everything she was feeling, as Bucky’s own lust and pleasure came crashing into hers.

Darcy groaned as Bucky twisted, planting hot, wet kisses on her ankle and working his way down to her knee.

“I want to taste you,” he growled. Darcy felt her toes curl.

There was a crushing pressure building low in her stomach, winding tighter and tighter with every press of his calloused fingers. Darcy bit her lip, screwing her eyes shut in pleasure.

Suddenly, Bucky withdrew his hand, halting that building pressure inside her. Darcy whined at the loss.

“Bucky-”

“Do you remember when you asked me if I could hold my breath as long as Steve?” he asked. “Can you remember, sweetheart? You asked if I could hold my breath for 8 minutes. I told you I probably could.”

Darcy was feeling delirious and frustrated. She was so close, so, so close, she just needed his hand back.

“Come on, baby doll, you gotta answer,” Bucky coaxed.

Darcy groaned, but managed a nod.

“Good girl,” Bucky said, rewarding her with a flick of his thumb over her clit. She gasped again, hips tilting towards him. “You see, the thing is, doll. I was lying when I said that. I can actually hold my breath for longer.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Darcy breathed, writhing in his grasp, begging him to finish what he started.

“Because, sweetheart. I want to taste you.”

“What-”

But before Darcy could finish her question, Bucky had lifted her other leg over his shoulder, wrapping his arms over her thighs to keep them there, and ducked under the water.

“Bucky!”

Bucky was on his knees under the water, completely submerged. She was worried about him drowning himself, until her brain finally caught up with what he’d been trying to tell her.

Bucky pressed an open mouthed kiss over the dark hair between her thighs.

Darcy gasped, arms flailing for something to grab on to.

He steadied her with an arm over her waist, and one on her chest, pushing her back against the wall.

Darcy had no choice but to lean back, letting her head tip over the edge of the hot tub, while Bucky continued to lick and suck his way down her pussy. Her hands landed back on him, one turning to tangle in his hair, holding him there, while the other squeezed his shoulder.

He licked one big stripe down her centre. Darcy gasped, arching against him.

Bucky tightened his grip on her, keeping her in place, while he swiped his tongue down the length of her core once more, before sucking her clit between his open lips.

Darcy almost screamed. She threw her hand back to grab onto the side of the hot tub, splashing water everywhere.

Bucky twisted his head, running his tongue over and around her clit, sucking gently. She pulled on his hair, unable to stop herself from grinding against his face.

That pressure in her gut was building again, higher and higher, faster and faster, as Bucky continued to suck and lick her clit.

He brought his right hand down and she felt two of his fingers press gently at her entrance. Darcy arched, begging for him to continue.

Bucky slid those fingers inside her with ease, curling them against the spot he knew could make her scream.

Darcy moaned, so loud they probably heard her three floors up, and squeezed Bucky’s hair. If she was hurting him, he didn’t seem to mind. If anything, the hair pulling only made him more enthusiastic.

Bucky curled and twisted his fingers inside her in a rhythm she couldn’t keep up with, but had her gasping for air. His tongue continued to explore her, focusing heavily on her clit.

He was yet to come up for air, even once. Darcy wasn’t sure about much, but she knew that if it were her holding her breath, she’d probably be dead by now.

Bucky sucked her clit between her lips once more, and curled his fingers just so.

“Shit, shit i’m gonna-” Darcy gasped out, squeezing his head with her thighs.

Bucky didn’t seem to mind, just kept pumping his fingers and mouthing at her, while her whole body tensed and her legs shook over his shoulders.

When he was sure she’d finished, after he’d worked her through all the little after shocks, he finally came up for air.

Darcy was panting, her chest red and heaving, when Bucky finally resurfaced.

His wet hair was stuck to his face, he used the metal hand to brush it all back, and he was completely dripping with water.

“God you taste good,” he husked. Darcy’s attention dropped to his lips, which were bright pink and obviously swollen.

He was going to kill her. She was done for.

“That was the best orgasm of my life,” Darcy gasped, not even sugar coating it.

Bucky chuckled. “Was it better than you imagined?”

“Oh gods, so, so much better. So much better, Bucky.”

He huffed, leaning forward to kiss her. She could taste herself on his tongue, a mixture of sweetness and chlorine from the water that was almost intoxicating.

Bucky pulled back, letting her catch her breath, because apparently he didn’t need to.

“I can’t believe you held your breath that long,” she said. He shrugged.

“I could’ve gone longer.”

Darcy tipped her head back and groaned at the ceiling.

Yup. He was going to kill her.

“Alright, soldier, your turn,” Darcy said, sitting back up again. Bucky quirked a brow at her.

“What are you talking about?”

“You just gave me the best head i’ve ever received. Now it’s my turn to return the favour.”

The grin he shot her was down right sinful.

“Oh no, sweetheart. I’m not done with you yet.”

“What?”

“That was only orgasm number one. I’ve still got two more to go before it’s my turn.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all,” he smirked.

Darcy’s jaw dropped open. He took the opportunity to kiss her senseless.

She couldn’t help but groan when his tongue brushed against hers, but as soon as he pulled away, she shook her head.

“I don’t think I can-”

“You can,” he promised, blue eyes locked with hers. “Come on, Darce. Let me make you feel good.”

Well, how could she argue with that?

Bucky grinned, feeling her acceptance through the bond.

“But after this, I get to have my way with you. No complaints,” she argued. Bucky raised a brow.

“Believe me, sweetheart. You won’t be hearing any complaints outta me.”

Hnng. How did he make everything sound so sexy?

Bucky smirked at her, obviously hearing her thoughts. She just barely refrained from rolling her eyes.

“I wanna try something,” he said.

“What else could you possibly want to try?”

Bucky didn’t respond. He turned around, searching the walls of the hot tub, until his gaze finally landed on what Darcy assumed was the control panel.

He left her on her seat and walked over to the control panel, pressing a bunch of different buttons. She frowned in confusion.

A moment later, the jets started up.

These ones were different from the other jets. The other jets sat on the walls of the hot tub, shoulder height, to relax your back muscles. These jets were much lower, scattered around the seats of the hot tub, assumingly to massage your butt and thighs.

Darcy blinked, not understanding.

“Do you trust me?” Bucky asked, coming closer again.

His hands reached for her waist, placing one hand on each of her hips. He lifted, taking her closer to one of the jets.

Darcy looked at him, furrowing her brows.

“What are you-” she tried, before he sat her down again, right over the- “Oh fuck!” Darcy screamed, immediately squirming in his grasp.

Bucky tightened his hold on her, keeping her directly above the jet, so it was pulsing water directly at her clit.

“Shitshitshit-” Darcy cursed, gasping and writhing and unable to catch her breath.

“Shh, baby doll, it’s alright. I’ve got you. God, you look so gorgeous right now-”

Darcy whined, the noise sounding desperate and pathetic, even to her own ears. Her hands clutched Bucky’s shoulders, nails biting into skin and metal, while he held her tight over the jet.

“-you look so pretty, Darcy doll. Tell me how it feels. Don’t you feel good?”

Darcy threw her head back, screwing her eyes shut against the raw, intense pleasure.

She was already feeling over sensitive after her last earth shattering orgasm. The pressure of the jet right on her clit was almost too much. Almost.

Bucky dropped his mouth to her neck, sucking and biting over the exposed skin, no doubt leaving all kinds of bruises.

“Bucky-” she cried.

“That’s right, sweetheart. Say my name,” he groaned, right over her soul mark.

Darcy twisted her hips, angling the jet just right-

“Fuck! Bucky!” she screamed, eyes watering against a pleasure so intense it bordered on painful.

The tension in her lower stomach was building quickly, climbing higher and higher. She felt her legs start to shake and her muscles cramped in anticipation.

The whole time Bucky never let go of her. Just kept his hold on her hips, right over the jet.

“So good, Darcy, you’re doing so good,” he praised.

Darcy gasped, rocking her hips over the jet, squirming when it hit her just right every time.

Her toes were curled, her nails were digging into his shoulders so hard she worried he might be bleeding, and that feeling in her stomach kept winding tighter and tighter, until she felt like she was going to explode.

“I can’t, I can’t-” the pressure of the jet was too much, Darcy was gasping in his arms.

“It’s alright, doll, just let go. I’ve got you,” Bucky promised, placing wet hot kisses all over her chest.

That tension deep inside her coiled so tight, and two more seconds on that jet finally pushed her over the edge.

Darcy came apart, screaming his name, shaking and tensing in his arms.

Bucky held her the whole way through it, moving her off the jet stream as soon as he was sure she’d finished.

She couldn’t stop her legs from shaking, even after he’d moved her.

“Fucking christ, Barnes-”

“Are you alright?”

“Alright? Alright? I think I started crying halfway through that. I’ve never come so hard in my life. I can’t feel my legs, but I can still see them shaking.”

Bucky grinned at her, all full of boyish ego and smugness.

“So it was good?”

Darcy threw her head back and groaned at the ceiling.

“You’ve officially ruined me for anyone else. Not even the Bucky of my teenage fantasies can keep up with you.”

Bucky smirked. That had apparently been the answer he was looking for.

He came and sat on the seat next to her, grabbing her waist and lifting her until she was settled on his lap.

“You ready for round three?”

“Are you trying to kill me? Like actually?”

His answering grin wasn’t at all reassuring.

“I promised you three orgasims. I’m a man of my word.”

“I can’t come again, Bucky. I can’t. I’ll literally die.”

He leaned forward, capturing her lips in a deep, soothing kiss.

“You can,” he promised a moment later. “I’ve got you, remember? Just one more, doll. For me.”

Darcy looked at him. Those blue eyes so dark they were practically black.

His hair was a tangled wet mess around his face. His lips were bright pink and bruised. His shoulders were covered in marks from where she’d pierced him with her nails.

Dear god, he’d never looked so sexy.

“One condition,” Darcy breathed.

“Anything.”

“I want you inside me, for this one.”

If Darcy thought he looked sexy before, he was down right sinful now.

Bucky’s gaze turned blazing hot, the bond surged and fizzled to life.

“Whatever you want, baby doll.”

And wow, weren’t those her new favourite words.

Darcy surged forward, capturing his lips in a heated kiss.

Bucky returned with equal fire, tangling his hand in her hair while the other cupped her jaw, pulling her closer.

Her hands reached for his back, dragging her nails down his skin, squirming against him.

The bond was hot and pulsing with need. Darcy gasped into his mouth, and Bucky took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue pressing against hers.

She groaned against him and Bucky tightened his hold on her hair, just a fraction. Darcy whined.

She shifted her hips over his, searching for friction.

“I need you,” Darcy gasped, grinding against him. Bucky nodded, unwilling to break their kiss.

His metal hand dropped between them. She felt him reach for his underwear, yanking them quickly down his legs. Darcy groaned when she felt his full erection finally brush against her.

She broke their kiss to look down at him. Bucky’s left hand wrapped around the shaft of his full cock. She saw him pump up and down, twice, getting ready for her.

He was big. Even through the moving water, she could see that.

Darcy lifted her hips, adjusting until she was directly above him.

“Take it easy, doll, I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

If any other guy had said that, Darcy would scoff and call him an arrogant douchebag. But with Bucky, she knew he genuinely meant it.

Darcy just tangled her hands in his hair, bringing her lips crashing against his.

Bucky melted against her, lips soft and pliant under hers.

She reached a hand between them, over his metal one, and guided the tip of him right to her entrance.

Darcy felt his breath hitch. His body went still beneath hers, letting her take control.

She eased herself down, until just the tip was inside.

Bucky hissed out, biting his lip, head thrown back and eyes squeezed shut.

Dark rocked, lifting her hips and sinking down a few times, adjusting to his size. On the next rotation, she took him in a little deeper.

Bucky groaned, his hands grasping her hips tight enough to leave bruises.

Darcy leaned forward to kiss and bite her way across his collarbones, her other hand tracing the soulmark she knew wrapped its way around his back and shoulders.

When she finally adjusted to the girth of him, she sunk down even further, taking him in to the hilt.

Bucky swore, his whole body flexing beneath her. Darcy tipped her head back and sighed in sweet bliss.

Finally.

The bond was pure liquid gold, fizzing and sparking like it had when they claimed each other on the roof that first day. Except this time it was bright hot with lust and pleasure and pure ecstasy- not just relief.

Darcy lifted her hips again, rising a few inches above him, before sinking down and grinding her hips against his.

“Bucky-” she gasped, overwhelmed by the physical sensation of him finally inside of her, as well as the raw emotional intensity of the bond.

Every time she dragged her hips she could feel not only her own pleasure, but also his, being echoed and pushed down the bond. It meant that every feeling, every emotion, was being doubled in strength and intensity. She no longer knew which feelings were hers and which were his, only that they were both feeling the same overwhelming ecstasy.

She had never felt closer to him, more exposed, more connected, than right now. Their bodies moved in tandem, Bucky thrusting up to meet each of her movements, while she ran her hands through his hair, gasping and moaning his name. It was almost spiritual. Godlike. Ethereal. Their minds and bodies and souls so interconnected that they felt and breathed as one.

The next time Darcy lifted her hips, Bucky wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted. He pulled her off of him, ignoring her whines of protest, and turned to place her on the seat of the hot tub.

Darcy was kneeling, facing the wall, her back to him.

Bucky spread her knees apart with his muscular thigh, making her gasp. He grabbed her hands and placed them on the edge of the hot tub, giving her something to hold onto.

Once he was happy with her position, she felt him step up behind her, running the finger of his right hand down the line of her back. Darcy shivered.

“I need you,” she moaned.

“You have me,” Bucky promised.

He wrapped a hand around his erection and lined it up, pushing the tip gently at her entrance. Darcy sighed, pushing her hips back against him. Bucky bottomed out in one swift thrust.

She gasped, the new position meant that every ridge of him filled her completely.

“Hold on, gorgeous,” he bent over her back, husking into her ear, hands gripping either side of her hips.

Darcy tightened her hold on the edge of the hot tub, right as Bucky started to thrust into her with force.

He started off slow, building with intensity when he was sure she could handle it. Darcy gasped out, arching her back and meeting each of his thrusts with a press of her hips.

They were making filthy sounds, a combination of her whines, his grunts and the sound of their skin slapping together. She didn’t know how her body was still able to stand. After two earth shattering orgasms, her legs felt like jello and the connection between her brain and her mouth had long stopped working.

But gods he felt so good, so full, so perfect inside her.

“Bucky- Bucky-”

“Shh, sweetheart. I know. God, you’re so beautiful. So good for me.”

She could hear the tension in his voice, could feel through the bond how close he was, and she knew she wasn’t far behind.

Bucky pounded into her, water sloshing all around them. Her arms and legs shook with pleasure. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold on. Each push and pull of him inside her was driving her closer and closer to that blissful climax.

Bucky wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her back against him. Darcy let go of the rail, using his upper body to keep her up. His left arm wrapped around her waist, pressing her back to his chest, while his right hand went roaming.

She moaned when she felt it brush against her clit. The bundle of nerves was so over-sensitive after his early ministrations.

Bucky was careful with her, rubbing gently around her clit, just enough to send her falling over the edge.

She gasped against him, chest heaving against his. Darcy tilted her head back and captured his lips in a searing kiss. He gave her everything he had, hips thrusting into hers, hand on her clit, mouth capturing hers. She was consumed, entirely, and she loved every bit of it.

With one last circle of his agile fingers over her clit, Darcy’s whole body tensed and shook. She came with a cry, and more than a few curses, shouting and slurring his name.

Bucky was only seconds behind her. She felt his body tense and his hips stutter as he came inside her.

“Fuck, Darce-”

Darcy kissed him again, swallowing the rest of his groans.

They were both panting heavily. Darcy’s body was well and truly spent, it felt like she would collapse at any given moment. Even Bucky was gasping for breath behind her.

She felt him slip out of her. His arms stayed steady on her waist, letting her fall against him.

“Gods, that was-” she tried.

“I know,” Bucky breathed. She could hear the grin in his voice. It filled her up with butterflies.

They stayed there for a moment, leaning on each other, while each of them caught their breath. After a few minutes, Bucky wrapped his arms under her legs and behind her back, cradling her against his chest, bridal style.

“Come on, doll, let's get you into a shower.”

“I can walk, you know,” she huffed

“Can you?” Bucky asked, giving her a shit eating grin. He knew the answer as well as she did. No. “That’s what I thought.”

He cradled her gently in his arms and climbed out of the hot tub. Darcy stifled a laugh when she looked over his shoulder and spotted his underwear hanging on the edge of the hot tub.

“Oh god, someone’s going to have to sterilize that hot tub now. We can’t let Tony find out what we did. He’ll kick me out of the Tower.”

Bucky chuckled, jolting her whole body with the movement.

“It’s fine, doll. I’ll sort it out. Promise.”

She sighed, accepting his words, and leaned her head against his chest, fully prepared to fall asleep.

It was cold now that they were out of the hot tub. Bucky led her past the pile of their clothes on the chair, and her underwear on the ground, towards the shower.

“You alright, baby doll?” Bucky asked, shaking her gently to get her to open her eyes.

Darcy groaned, trying to nestle back into his chest.

“I’m exhausted. I could sleep for a hundred years and still be tired.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes, it’s a good thing. Also, don’t think I didn’t notice that whole 'baby doll' thing. Where did that come from?” Darcy asked, when he switched on the shower and directed them both under the stream. “Watch my face,” Darcy interrupted, reminding him about her makeup and hair.

“Oh doll, that makeup is ruined. Cut your losses now and wash it off.”

“Dammit, Barnes,” she sighed, but there was no real heat in her words. He chuckled.

“And to answer your question, I don’t know where ‘baby doll’ came from. But it suits you.”

“Yeah?”

He kissed her on the forehead.

“Yeah.”

“Alright, as much as I love not having to stand, you can put me down now. I need to clean off.”

He chuckled, but put her back on her feet, letting her get cleaned up while he did the same.

Darcy had to steady herself against the wall a few times. Her legs were still jelly. But Bucky always had a hand reached out to grab her, just in case.

She scrubbed off her makeup as best as she could, and tried to rinse her hair, before washing off the rest of her body. Meanwhile, Bucky disappeared to grab their clothes and hopefully some towels.

Her prayers were answered when a few moments later he reappeared carrying a towel and an extra fluffy robe.

Darcy switched off the shower and grabbed the towel, using it to scrub off the remainder of her makeup and dry her hair, before slipping into the robe.

Bucky stood before her, nothing more than a towel slung low over his hips. Despite how exhausted she was, she couldn’t help but drool a little at the sight.

His lips were thoroughly bruised from kissing, and he had marks and scratches from where she’d dragged her nails down his shoulders and over his back.

Bucky grinned, feeling her emotions through the bond. She huffed at him.

“What, ready for orgasm number 4 already?” he teased. Darcy shook her head.

“You’ll be carrying me off to medical if that happens. The only thing I can handle right now is hot chocolate and cuddles. Preferably with you.”

“Yeah?” he grinned, looking happy but surprised.

“What?”

“Nothing, just...I don’t know. Thought you might want some time to yourself after that.”

“Why the hell would I want time to myself?”

He shrugged, looking sheepish.

“Some of the, uh… you know what, nevermind.”

“Oh no you don’t, soldier. Finish that sentence.”

Bucky cleared his throat, looking embarrassed.

“Some of the other girls i’ve been with. I don’t remember much, but they’d always want me to leave straight after we...well, yeah. I thought maybe you’d want that too.”

Darcy paused.

“First of all, I don’t know what I did to give you the impression that I'm just like other girls-” Bucky grinned at her “-second of all, you are my soulmate, idiot. All I ever want is to be with you. Now hurry up, I don’t know how much longer these poor legs can hold me.”

Bucky immediately wrapped his arms under her and picked her up, bridal style. Darcy sighed dramatically.

“There. That’s better. Now, your room or mine?”

“Yours,” Bucky said, not even hesitating. Darcy grinned.

“Well then, to the bedroom?”

He made a quick stop to pick up their wet and dry clothes, including his own underwear that was still sitting on the edge of the hot tub.

“To the bedroom,” Bucky grinned.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Darcy was tasked with holding their belongings, while Bucky stayed focused on carrying her back to the room.

“Hey, big brother?” she asked aloud, relaxing in Bucky's arms.

“Yes Darcy?” the A.I replied.

“Can you do that privacy thing again? I don’t want anyone to catch us walking back to my room in a towel.”

The idea of someone like Bruce Banner catching them in the hallway, wearing nothing but a towel or a robe, was enough to make her cheeks flush red in embarrassment. There was no way in hell she could let that happen. She wouldn't hear the end of it if news got back to Tony.

“Of course, Darcy. In that case, I recommend taking elevator 2, if you want to avoid any uncomfortable meetings.”

Darcy breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re a saint, big brother.”

“You’re welcome, Darcy,” JARVIS replied, sounding distinctly amused.

Bucky carried her out of the hot tub room and towards the second elevator.

“Why do you call him that?” he asked, once the room was silent.

“Who? JARVIS?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, 'Big brother'. You know. Cause big brother is always watching?”

Darcy smiled as Bucky’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He clearly didn’t understand her reference. She sighed, shaking her head. It was moments like that where she was reminded of just how old he actually was.

“How are you going to get that hot tub cleaned, Grandpa?” she asked, changing the subject.

Bucky screwed up his face at the nickname, but answered her.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Yeah,” Darcy said, chuckling at his secretive answer. “But how?”

Bucky looked down at her and winked, providing no further explanation.

“Ookay,” Darcy laughed. “But you should know. If Tony, or anyone, finds out what happened in that room, I will definitely be kicked out of this Tower.”

“You won’t get kicked out.”

“Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?”

“Cause I won’t let you.”

He said the answer so simply, so self assured, she couldn’t help but blush. Bucky looked at her, shocked.

“Really? That makes you blush? After what we just did, you’re blushing cause I said I wouldn’t let Stark put you to the curb?”

“Sex I can handle. It’s feelings that make me go all,” Darcy paused, gesturing to her red cheeks. “Mushy.”

“Mushy?” he repeated, quirking a brow.

“Yeah. Mushy.”

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head at her.

They took the 2nd elevator up to her floor.

Darcy just hoped JARVIS would stay true to his word and not let anyone catch them. She could already imagine the assault of questions Jane would bombard her with if she found them like this.

Aka, Darcy in a robe, holding a pile of clothes, while Bucky stood in nothing but a towel, carrying her.

Yeah. No thanks.

Apparently the gods, or JARVIS, were looking out for her. Because they managed to make it to her floor, and her apartment, without incident.

“What about our dinner?” Darcy suddenly asked.

“What about it? Are you still hungry?”

“No, no, just, we left it on the roof. And the candle and table and chairs.”

“Stevie took care of it for me,” Bucky answered. “It’s alright doll, stop worrying about it.”

“I can’t help it,” she giggled.

Bucky crouched down so that she could use her fingerprints to open her door, and the two of them stepped inside. Or, more accurately, Bucky stepped inside. She was carried in.

“Here, you can put me down now,” Darcy tried, shifting in his arms. His grip only tightened.

“Not yet.”

“What-”

Bucky crossed her apartment, her still in his arms. He took her to her bedroom, before finally placing her gently onto the huge bed.

“Now,” he grinned.

Darcy huffed.

“You’re a goof. But thank you.”

He leaned forward to plant a kiss on her forehead, cradling the back of her head as he did so.

Darcy practically swooned. She could get real used to this side of Bucky Barnes. All sweet and sexy and mellow.

Bucky stepped back and grabbed the pile of clothes from her hands, disappearing to her laundry. How he knew which room it was, she had no idea, but she wasn’t about to call him out on it when he was being so sweet.

Darcy flopped back onto her bed, sighing out in bliss.

What a fucking day. This was going down as the best date of her entire life, hands down, no competition. None. First, she was treated to dinner on the nicest rooftop in New York, then she climbed into a hot tub and got gifted with three freaking orgasms and the best sex in the universe. Like seriously- 3 orgasms. Who the hell did that these days?

Well, her soulmate did, apparently. Darcy’s legs twitched in memory of said orgasms. Boy, she wouldn’t be forgetting that one anytime soon, or ever. She also couldn't look at a hot tub the same way. But hey, she wasn't complaining.

Darcy heard the sound of her washing machine start up, and a few moments later Bucky re entered her room, typing something on his phone.

She waited for him to put it away before quirking a brow.

“Hot tub’s been taken care of,” Bucky said, answering her questioning look.

“Seriously?” she said, taken aback.

“Seriously.”

“Huh. That was...quick. You didn’t make Steve do it, did you?” she asked, a little afraid to hear the answer.

Bucky laughed, shaking his head.

“No, doll. I couldn’t make Steve do that.”

“Thank god. I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eyes afterwards.”

Bucky grinned at her. “Don’t think Stevie would be able to look at you either. Poor punk gets so shy sometimes.”

Darcy huffed- at him or just at the absurdity of the situation, she didn't know. Didn't particularly care.

Meanwhile, Bucky just stood there, admiring her for a moment.

Darcy pat the spot next to her, gesturing for him to come sit down on the bed.

“In a second,” he said.

She frowned in confusion.

“You said something about hot chocolate?” Bucky said, giving her a crooked grin.

Darcy’s jaw dropped open. Was he offering to make-? No, there’s no way.

Bucky raised a brow, trying to get her attention.

“Am I dreaming right now?” she asked.

He chuckled. “Don’t think so. I can come pinch you, if you want to check,” he tilted his head, clearly staring at her ass. Darcy rolled her eyes.

“I’m going to ignore that comment in favour of the epic day you have given me. Seriously, Bucky, this has been the best date of my life. Nothing else even comes close. Thank you.”

“It’s me who should be thanking you,” he grinned. “And the feeling’s mutual, sweetheart. Now come on, where do you keep the cocoa?”

Darcy had to bite her lip to hide her grin.

“I think there’s some in the cupboard near the fridge. Come on, i’ll help you make it.”

She tried to sit up, fully prepared to help him with the hot chocolate, but Bucky held up a hand, stopping her.

“I don’t think so, doll. You’re stayin’ right there.”

“What? Why?”

“Cause we’re technically still on a date, which means I still gotta take care of you. All part of the whole nine yards, remember?”

He grinned at her and disappeared from the room. Darcy huffed, completely lost for words.

The 25 years of waiting for him was so, so worth it.

She wriggled back on the bed, kicking back the comforters so she could get all cozy. Darcy grabbed the remote from her bedside table and used it to turn down the lights and flick on the TV.

Again, she really needed to get Tony a present to thank him for all his amazing little gadgets.

Darcy startled scrolling through netflix, trying to find something cute for them to watch. She’d finally settled on Tangled when Bucky re entered the room, carrying two steaming mugs.

“Oooh,” Darcy cooed, already smelling the delicious hot chocolate.

She sat up in the bed and he passed her the cup, before walking around the other side of the bed to sit down next to her.

The towel he was wearing rode dangerously low on his hips, and Darcy had half a mind to pull it off him. She would have, if she wasn’t worried about him spilling hot chocolate all over her white comforter. And himself, she supposed.

The scratches down his back, made by her fingernails, had already faded, much to her disappointment. Especially when she knew that the hickeys along her chest would stay there for days. Of course, she could always give him some new marks. Ones that would last longer than an hour or so...

“What are we watching?” Bucky asked, interrupting her dangerous thoughts.

“Tangled. You ever seen it?”

He shook his head. Darcy beamed.

“Perfect. You’re gonna love it.”

Bucky raised a disbelieving brow, but Darcy ignored him in favour of cozying up to his warm chest, tugging the blankets up to cover them both.

He settled his left hand over her shoulders and let it rest over her chest, the rest of his body cocooning hers. Darcy sighed in contentment before taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

She almost groaned after the first swallow.

“Oh my god this is amazing, did you make this over the stove or something?”

“Obviously. That’s the only way to make it.”

Darcy shook her head. “Some people use that instant chocolate powder and hot water. It tastes like shit compared to this.”

She couldn’t see him, but she could tell without looking that he was screwing his face up in disgust.

“My ma always made it with milk and cocoa over the stove. That’s the only way I know how.”

“Thor bless her,” Darcy moaned, taking another delicious sip. “This is amazing, Bucky, seriously.”

He chuckled. She felt the rumble of his chest on her back.

They settled in, curled around each other as the movie began to play.

Within a few seconds of the first scene, Bucky interrupted.

“Is that green thing her friend?” he asked, nodding to Pascal, the adorable little chameleon.

Darcy giggled. She could hear the judgement in his voice.

“Every disney princess has an animal sidekick, Buck. That’s Pascal. He’s actually really sweet.”

“What is it? Some kinda frog?”

Darcy spun around to glare at him.

“Pascal is not a frog,” she scolded. Bucky held his hands up in surrender, but she could see the mischief and amusement in his eyes.

Darcy shook her head and turned back to the movie, sipping on her glorious hot chocolate. She moaned again, taking another delicious mouthful.

“If you wanna keep watching this movie, Darce, you gotta stop making those sounds.”

“What sounds?” she asked, taking another sip. She groaned when the warm chocolatey goodness hit her tastebuds.

“That sound,” Bucky said pointedly. “And don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I can feel your teasin’ through the bond.”

Darcy lifted her cup to try and hide her grin, not that it made any difference. He could still feel her amusement.

Bucky used his left hand to pinch her arm.

Darcy yelped, squirming against him. She heard Bucky's laughter from behind her.

Darcy elbowed him in the ribs, like a child. They managed to watch a few more minutes of the movie in silence, before-

“Who’s that guy?” Bucky asked.

“That is Flynn Rider.”

“Who’s Flynn Rider? And why do you say his name all swoony like that?”

“He’s the love interest. And I don’t say his name all swoony.”

“Say it again.”

“Flynn Rider.”

“You just did it again. It sounds like you got a crush on him.”

“I do not!” she defended. And then, “....I mean, he is pretty handsome. And a bit of a bad boy.”

“Should I be jealous of a cartoon right now?” Bucky asked, incredulous.

Darcy giggled. “Nah. But you know, now that I think about it, you two kinda have a lot in common.”

“Seriously? Me and that guy?”

Right on cue, Flynn Rider stole the princesses crown from behind the guards.

“Yup. See,” Darcy said.

Bucky huffed. She felt him shake his head.

They managed to make it through the rest of the movie without much complaint. Much.

Bucky still groaned at all of the songs, and made fun of Flynn Rider whenever he got the chance, but she could tell he liked the movie. Even if he refused to admit it, she could feel the truth through the bond.

Somewhere around the lantern scene, Darcy started to fall asleep.

Bucky took the cup from her hands and sat it back on the bedside table.

He made her lay her head on his chest, reclining to make the angle more comfortable for her.

Bucky used his left hand to run his fingers through her hair, while the right one wrapped around her, drawing little patterns onto her back.

She sighed, warm and happy and content.

“Stay,” she whispered.

“What?” he murmured, still playing with her hair.

“Stay. Stay here tonight.”

Bucky paused. She opened her mouth to say something else, beg him if she had to, when he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Alright, doll. Whatever you want.”

Darcy smiled. Bucky settled in, continuing to watch the movie, while she finally fell asleep

~~~~~

Darcy woke up the next morning feeling more rested then she had in years.

She could feel the sun warming her face, JARVIS must have opened her curtains automatically again. The sheet was tangled around her legs, and when Darcy stretched, she came into contact with something distinctly solid.

“Hrmph?” Darcy mumbled, blinking open her tired eyes. She came face to face with a chest of rock hard muscle, morphing into a shiny silver arm.

Needless to say, it was a hell of a view.

Darcy leaned back, trying to get a better view of the person she was currently using as a human mattress. Bucky must have felt her stir, because his arms tightened around her waist, stopping her wriggling.

She looked up.

His eyes were closed, but she could tell he was no longer sleeping.

His hair was spread out on her pillow like a halo, and his once clean shaven face was scattered with stubble.

“You always move so much in your sleep?” Bucky husked, his voice deep and gravelly from sleep. Darcy bit her lip, the timbre of his voice doing all kinds of things to her.

“You’re lucky I didn’t drool on you.”

“Pretty sure you did, actually. And you almost slapped me, too. I had to hold down your arms so you wouldn’t hit me in your sleep.”

“Sorry?” Darcy tried, unable to hide her grin.

Bucky huffed, his grip on her tightening so she couldn’t squirm away.

He flipped them so that she was now underneath, while he used his elbows to hold his weight above her.

“Sorry? That’s all you got to say after you tried abusin’ me in your sleep?”

Darcy grinned, lifting her head up so she could peck him on the nose.

“I promise it was an accident,” she soothed. He shook his head, chuckling at her.

His long hair fell down in front of his face, tickling her cheeks. The towel he wore was long gone, nothing but the sheets hiding his morning erection from her prying eyes.

She could quickly get used to mornings like this.

In fact, the idea of waking up next to Bucky every morning was enough to make her heart race and her stomach fill with butterflies. Oh yeah, she could definitely get used to that.

“What are you thinking?” he asked her, blue eyes assessing.

Darcy shrugged.

“Just...thank you for staying with me,” she said quietly. It wasn’t exactly what she was thinking, but she could see in Bucky’s eyes, and his warmth through the bond, he knew what she meant.

“How could I say no?” he replied, equally as quiet.

Darcy lifted her hands up to wrap around his neck, pulling him against her. Their lips came crashing together, and Darcy was sure that nothing had ever felt so right in her life.

The kiss was sloppy and messy and probably gross with morning breath, but it was also honest and passionate and loving. It was everything a kiss should be, and Darcy felt her spine arch and her toes curl with the absolute perfectness of it all.

Bucky pulled away a few moments later. His eyes dropped to her soulmark, from where her robe had come loose.

He smiled at the words, mixed emotions on his face.

‘I thought you were dead’

“Thank you, Darcy,” he said, dropping his head to kiss the words on her skin.

“For what?” she asked, confused.

“For changing my mind.”

He looked up at her, eyes full of sincerity and an emotion she couldn’t quite say out loud, but felt deep in her soul.

Darcy twisted her hand, letting it trace over the golden words she knew were written on his back.

‘Hey there, Soldier. I heard you could use a pick me up’

“You’re welcome,” she smiled, kissing him once more.

~~~~

It took them at least another hour to actually climb out of bed.

“Don’t you have work in 30 minutes?” Bucky asked, taking a break from kissing her senseless.

Darcy checked the time.

“Yup,” she said, completely unbothered.

Bucky leaned back, giving her a look.

“Shouldn’t you be gettin’ ready?”

“Nope,” Darcy grinned. When he raised his brows at her, she made grabby hands at her phone beside the bed.

Bucky, being the person on top of her and therefore the only one with the ability to actually move, reached over and grabbed it for her.

“Thanks,” she said, unlocking the phone and sending a text to Jane.

“What are you doing?”

“Texting Jane.”

“Why?”

“Because,” she said, winking at him from over the screen. “I’m taking the morning off.”

“What- Darce, it’s your second day. You can’t do that.”

“Actually,” Darcy said, her phone vibrating with Jane’s reply. “I can.”

She turned the screen to show him the texts.

Darcy: Hey, Janey. Had kind of a late night. Mind if I come in after lunch?
Jane: Only if you promise to tell me everything when you get back!
Darcy: you’re the best, boss lady
Darcy: Bucky says hey, btw
Jane: He’s with you??
Jane: omg
Jane: everything, Darcy. You have to tell me EVERYTHING!!!

Bucky’s brows raised in suspicion when he finished reading the texts.

“You aren’t actually gonna tell her everything, right?”

“No, not everything,” Darcy said, lying straight to his face. He obviously didn’t buy it, but made the smart decision to move on.

“So, what’re we gonna do with all this free time?” Bucky smirked, looking down at her seductively. His eyes lingered on her chest, which was only barely contained by the white robe.

“Actually,” Darcy interrupted. “I was thinking about cooking you breakfast. You know, to say thank you for everything you did last night.”

“Last night was nothing, sweetheart. You don’t owe me a thing.”

Darcy kissed him again, her hands running through his hair.

“You got me dinner,” she said. “At least let me return the favour. I’ll make pancakes and french toast and bacon, anything you want.”

At that exact moment, Bucky’s stomach rumbled. Darcy grinned, claiming victory.

He sighed, rolling off of her reluctantly. Darcy pet his chest, comforting him.

“Don’t worry, Sarge. Once breakfast is over, we can do anything you want.”

That certainly perked him up.

Darcy rolled out of bed and headed for the kitchen, fixing her hair as she walked. Bucky wasn’t far behind her.

She expected him to take the sheet with him, seeing as the towel he was wearing last night had mysteriously disappeared, but instead, he didn’t.

Darcy almost choked when he strut past her, naked as the day he was born, straight into her laundry room.

Apparently, Bucky walked around her apartment naked now. That was a thing that was happening.

Darcy took a deep breath. God, how was she going to survive this.

Thankfully, he reemerged a few moments later, this time wearing the same jeans from last night, now freshly washed, but still no shirt.

“What?” Bucky asked, when she gave him an incredulous look.

Darcy laughed, a little hysterically.

“Oh, nothing. Just greek gods of men walking around naked in my apartment.”

“Men? Men? Who else is walking around here naked, besides me?”

Darcy grinned, shaking her head at his teasing. Once again, he was starting to look and sound like the James Barnes from the history books.

Darcy walked past him, making sure to slap his ass as she did so. He made an offended sound.

She entered the kitchen, grabbing different ingredients as she went.

“Any special requests?”

Bucky came up behind her, wrapping his strong arms around her waist. He dipped his head, kissing her on the cheek.

“Whatever you want.”

“That isn’t a request. Also, I can’t cook if you keep holding onto me like a grizzly bear.”

She heard him snicker in her ear, “Can’t you?”

Darcy tried to take a step towards the stove. He immediately yanked her back into his warm chest.

“No,” she laughed, elbowing him in the stomach to try and get away.

“Damn. That’s a real shame,” he said, sounding distinctly unapologetic.

“Do you want breakfast or not, Jamie?”

“Jamie?” he repeated, letting go of her instantly. “Since when did you start callin’ me Jamie?”

“Since you started calling me baby doll,” she explained, biting her lip to hide her grin.

Darcy spun to grab a couple of pots and pans. It was her first time properly cooking in her new apartment, so she was feeling pretty excited. Plus, she could tell just by looking at them that the pots and pans were top of the range, chef quality. Typical Stark, he never did anything in halves.

“What’s wrong with baby doll?” he grinned, finally giving her some space. Hah, one point to Darcy.

“Nothing,” she winked at him. “I like it.”

“Good. But don’t call me Jamie.”

“Why not? I like Jamie.”

“I don’t,” he stated, folding his arms across his broad chest.

Darcy reached for the bond, glad to find teasing and playfulness coming from his end. She decided to keep playing along.

“That’s a shame, Jamie. A real shame,” Darcy grinned.

She heard his groan, so low it came out as more of a growl. Seconds later, he was on top of her, pulling her back from the stove and wrapping her up in his muscular arms.

“Take it back,” he husked. Darcy pretended to think it over.

“Hmm. No, I don't think I will.”

“Take it back, Darcy,” he said, tightening his hold on her.

“Or what?” she grinned, feeling mischievous.

Bucky raised a brow at her, his face suddenly serious.

Darcy felt the teeniest, tiniest bit of worry.

“Or i’ll have to do this,” he whispered.

He bent down, wrapped his arms around her knees, and lifted.

“Bucky!” Darcy squealed as he threw her over his shoulder, carrying her like a damn sack of potatoes.

“Oh, so it's Bucky now, is it?” he asked, mocking her.

She squirmed and yelped, hitting his back to try and make him put her down.

Her stomach dropped when Bucky started walking out of the kitchen.

“Where are we going!” she shouted, feeling the blood rush to her head as he held her upside down over his shoulder.

His hand came up and slapped her ass lightly. Darcy yelped.

“To take a shower,” Bucky answered.

“But i’m supposed to be making you breakfast!”

“Shoulda thought about that before you started teasin’ me, sweetheart.”

Darcy groaned, peeking her head up to double check she hadn’t left the stove on, and resigned herself to being carried back to her bathroom.

Bucky opened the bathroom door and walked in, kicking it shut behind him. Only then did he put her down.

“You got anything to say for yourself?” he said, folding his arms over his chest. Darcy was too busy staring at the way it made his biceps flex. Bucky snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Hello? Earth to Darcy?”

Darcy blushed, rolling her eyes at his self satisfied smirk.

“Nope. I stand by what I said, Jamie.”

“Good,” he said, smirk deepening. “Then I won’t feel bad for doing this.”

Bucky turned the shower on to freezing, picked her up around the waist, and practically threw her in.

“AH!” Darcy screamed, running from the freezing cold spray as it pelted down on her. Bucky burst out laughing, almost falling over in the process.

Her robe was quickly drenched with the freezing cold water and she screamed, trying to run past him to escape the unwanted shower.

“Oh no you don’t,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and walking her back into the shower. This time, he followed, the shower now drenching him too.

“Are you crazy! It’s freezing in here!”

“Doesn’t seem so bad to me,” he grinned, ignoring her squirming.

Bucky eventually took pity on her and turned the shower to a more appropriate temperature.

“Great!” Darcy shouted, pretending to be angry with him. “Now we’re both wet! And cold!”

“That’s okay, I needed a shower anyway.”

He let go of her and kicked off his jeans. Darcy blushed bright scarlet when she realised he wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

“What’s wrong, baby doll, cat got your tongue?” Bucky teased, thoroughly enjoying her reaction.

Darcy couldn’t respond, shaking her head instead, which only made him even more amused.

He untied the belt around her waist and pulled the soaking wet robe off her shoulders, tossing it out of the shower.

“You’re a menace, Barnes.”

“I do my best,” he said, giving her a sloppy wet kiss on the cheek.

Darcy shook her head, smiling at him, as he rearranged them under the shower and grabbed some soap.

It was much better now that the water was hot, but Darcy was still shivering a little. It didn’t help that she had a very wet, and very naked Bucky pressed to her front.

Once he had gathered enough soap on the palm of his hand, he took his time in washing her skin, gliding his hands over her full curves slowly and purposefully.

Darcy shivered for a whole new reason. The gesture made Bucky’s eyes darken.

“So, you think you’ve learned your lesson?” he said, voice gravelly and low.

“What lesson? That if I call you Jamie enough times, you’ll get naked with me in the shower?”

Bucky rolled his eyes at her.

“I’ll turn this shower right back to freezing, sweetheart. Don’t tempt me.”

She reached up to kiss him sweetly on the lips.

“I’ll miss calling you Jamie. It was fun while it lasted,” she sighed, resigned.

Bucky raised a brow. “No more?”

“No more,” she promised.

“Good,” he grinned. “Cause if you did it again, I was gonna drag you to the bedroom and really make you pay.”

Darcy’s mouth went dry.

“What did you say, Jamie? I think I missed it over the running water.”

“Doll...” Bucky warned. Darcy giggled.

“Only kidding. You shouldn’t tempt me like that.”

It’s true. His threat sounded a lot like a reward to her.

Bucky shook his head. “I knew you were trouble.”

Darcy smiled at him and bit her lip, grabbing some soap of her own.

If they were standing here in the shower, naked, she was going to make the most of it.

She started on Bucky’s shoulders, working the soap into a lather as she moved down his chest and over his abs.

Bucky’s breathing turned heavy, laboured, and his eyes got distinctively hooded.

She never got the chance to really look at him properly last night. Too distracted and frenzied. Now, though, now she could take all the time she wanted.

Darcy ran her gaze over his wide chest and lean stomach, her hands following suit. She dropped down lower, running the pads of her fingers over the trail of hair that led down between his legs.

Bucky grunted as she followed that trail down to his shaft, taking him in her right hand.

He was fully hard now, and even bigger than she remembered. She was able to wrap her hands around him, but it was a close thing. She almost didn’t believe he’d been able to fit inside her last night.

The walls of her pussy clenched in memory. Darcy flicked her gaze up to him.

She pumped her hand over his hard cock once, twice, watching his reaction.

Bucky groaned, chest heaving. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the shower wall.

“Fuck, Darce-”

Darcy smirked, loving the reaction she was having on him. The bond hummed and fizzled, red hot and liquid gold inside her chest.

“What, soldier? Am I making you feel good?” she teased.

His eyes opened into slits, staring down at her dangerously.

In the next second, he had grabbed her and spun, pushing her back against the wall while he hitched her legs up around his waist.

“Fuck!” Darcy yelped in surprise, locking her ankles behind his back so she wouldn’t fall. She’d be lying if she said his easy display of strength didn’t turn her on.

“You know, doll, i’m getting real sick of that attitude,” he husked, tilting his head to lick and bite his way down her neck, over the love bites he'd put there last night.

“Oh yeah?” Darcy teased, feeling bold. “What are you gonna do about it?”

Bucky froze. Darcy had a moment to wonder if it was really a good idea to tease the world's deadliest super assassin.

His grip on her thighs tightened and he hoisted her up the shower wall, wrapping her legs over his shoulders.

Darcy squealed, searching for something to grab onto but finding nothing. He had her pinned against the wall, her hips now directly at his eye level.

Bucky looked up at her from between her thighs, challenging. She had no choice but to put her hands in his hair, using him to keep her steady against the wall, now that she was almost 8 feet high.

“You’re forgetting, Darcy. I’m the only one who can make you come. I’m also the only one who can make sure you don’t.”

“You wouldn’t,” she panted, feeling a little thrill from being so high up. If she was with anyone else, she’d be seriously worrying for her own safety. But she trusted Bucky, and his superhero biceps, to hold her up.

“Oh doll, I think I would,” he said, rearranging his grip to wrap around her thighs.

Without any further delay, Bucky dove in, lapping and licking at her core like a man starved.

She gasped, arching against the shower wall, grinding against his perfect mouth.

He used his tongue to pierce her entrance, curling it just so, making her writhe and wriggle in his hold. Her hands tightened on his hair, torn between pulling him away and pushing him closer.

The pleasure was so much and so fast, her body could barely keep up. Especially when on the next swipe of his tongue, Bucky took her clit between his closed lips and sucked.

Darcy was done for. She screamed, throwing her head back in sweet bliss. The shower was fogging up the air around them, the running water drowning out her pants and cries.

Bucky twisted his head and pushed her further up the wall, adjusting the angle. Darcy’s heels dug into his back, her face screwed up in ecstasy. He was killing her, torturing her in all the best ways.

Bucky continued to suck and lick around her clit, alternating between placing open mouthed kisses over the rest of her core before taking her clit between his lips once more.

Within minutes, Darcy felt the walls of her pussy start to clench in earnest. Her legs tensed up, and the pressure in her core was coiling tighter and tighter, ready for release.

Just as Darcy was ready to come, Bucky stopped, pulling his head away from her completely.

She lifted her head off the wall and stared down at him in shock, panting for air.

“Bucky, Bucky, Bucky-” Darcy tried, tightening her grip on his hair, pushing him back towards her dripping center.

He resisted her pushing and continued to stare, refusing to finish the job.

“Bucky,” she begged, knocking her head back against the wall. “Please, please, i’m so close-”

“Please what, doll?”

“Please let me come,” she cried, cursing him and his stupid, smug face. “Please, please, i’ll do anything. I’ll be good. I promise-” she was a babbling, begging mess, all thanks to him, and she could feel through the bond that he was loving every minute of it.

“No more calling me Jamie,” he said, dark blue eyes piercing her soul.

“I won’t. No more. Please, baby, please-”

Darcy wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe it was the begging. Maybe it was the way she called him baby. But something in Bucky snapped, and he finally gave in.

He ducked his head back between her legs and Darcy sighed out in ecstasy.

His mouth continued to work her into oblivion, so delirious she could barely remember her own name.

He worked his tongue over her clit in little patterns, learning which moves completely destroyed her. Within seconds Darcy was arching her back and screwing her eyes shut against the building intensity.

She came with a loud cry when his lips finally wrapped around her clit and sucked with just enough pressure to send her falling over that edge.

Darcy panted against the wall, going completely limp in his arms. He guided her back down to the ground, setting her on her feet carefully.

When she looked up at him, it was to see his lips bright pink and swollen, wet with her juices. Thor almighty, he was going to be the death of her. Bucky smirked, hearing her thoughts.

He leaned down and pulled her into a dominating kiss. Darcy let herself be controlled, once again, falling to the mercy of his sinful lips.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, tangling in his wet hair, while his dropped to her thighs, hoisting her up against the wall once more so she could wrap her legs around his waist.

Darcy groaned when she felt his hard dick push at her entrance. She was still feeling the high off her last orgasm, and she was quickly on her way towards another. Bucky wrapped a hand around his erection, guiding it into her warm, dripping heat.

She squeezed the muscles of his shoulders in encouragement, and Bucky pushed into her slowly, inch by inch.

She moaned in sweet bliss, feeling his thick cock stretch her wide. Her nails pressed into his shoulders, and she bit down on her lip to muffle the sound of her cries.

Bucky eased into her, slowly, pushing in deeper and deeper until he finally bottomed out. She couldn’t help but sigh in relief, any further and he might just split her in half.

Bucky gave her a second to adjust. It was only her second time taking him, and she was still getting used to his impressive size. When she pulled him in for another kiss, he finally started to move.

She could feel every ridge of his thick cock as he pulled out of her and thrust back in, somehow able to hit her G spot with deadly precision everytime. Darcy’s walls clenched and fluttered around him, and her hands tightened on his shoulders, using them as leverage to grind her hips against his.

“Fuck, doll, you’re so tight. God you feel so good,” Bucky swore, leaning his head against her shoulders, keeping his pace quick and hard. Darcy pressed her heel against the back of his thigh, urging him to go faster.

Bucky gave in, thrusting into her with quick, measured thrusts, each one causing that pressure in her stomach to climb higher and higher, tighter and tighter as he pushed her towards her second orgasm.

“Bucky, Bucky-”

“I’m right here, doll. Right here. I got you.”

She cradled his face with her hands and tilted his head, capturing his lips with hers. She could still taste herself on his tongue, and if anything it only turned her on even more.

Bucky thrusted into her, deep and hard and fast. Her legs squeezed tightly around his waist, just barely holding on as she climbed higher and higher towards her own climax.

“You look so gorgeous, Darcy. So fucking sexy. I love the way you take my cock, so pretty, so perfect for me.”

His filthy words were only adding to her own pleasure. Darcy felt her muscles tense and her walls clamped down on him. Bucky groaned, his rhythm faltering, another sign that he was getting close.

“I need you to come for me, baby doll. Come on my cock, please Darcy,” he was rambling, not wanting to finish before her.

Darcy put her own hand between her legs, brushing over the spot where his dick disappeared inside her. Bucky hissed, tightening his hold on her thighs, keeping her up against the wall. Her fingers brushed against her clit, rubbing once, twice, just enough to push her over the edge.

Darcy came, even louder than the last time. Her legs shook and her left arm squeezed his shoulder painfully, but Bucky didn’t notice. He was two busy pumping into her. A few more thrusts and his hips stuttered. She felt his whole body shiver and tense as he finally came inside her, mumbling her name against her skin.

Darcy panted, trying to catch her breath, while Bucky held on tight to her.

It took a few moments before he could lift his head and meet her eyes.

“Shit,” he said, the first new thing to come out of his mouth. Darcy couldn’t help it. She laughed.

His eyes crinkled adorably in response, and he grinned at her, finally letting her back onto her feet.

She used his shoulders to keep her steady, only letting go when she was sure she wouldn’t fall.

The bond felt stronger than it ever had before. Almost as if those thick gold chains had doubled in size and number. The longer they spent together, the stronger their connection became.

‘Beautiful,’ Darcy heard, but this thought wasn’t her own. She looked up to find Bucky staring down at her, a small but genuine smile on his face. His eyes kept roaming over her body, from her legs to her chest to her messy hair.

Darcy blushed. Looks like she wasn’t the only one with loud thoughts now.

He dipped down and pressed another sweet kiss to her lips.

Dear god, she could get used to this.

~~~~

Chapter Text

Bucky pulled away a few moments later, eyes lingering on her kiss swollen lips.

Darcy sighed, running her hands over his wide shoulders.

To think, only a matter of days ago, she was happy being alone. She never even wanted to meet her soulmate. And now look at her, all loved up in a shower with the Winter Soldier. Thor almighty.

Bucky ran a hand through her long dark hair.

“Can I wash your hair for you?”

Darcy quirked a brow. “What do you think?”

He gave her a crooked grin and twisted so that she was further under the shower stream, drenching her already damp hair.

He grabbed the shampoo and worked it into a lather on her scalp, massaging and running his fingers through her long curls. Darcy sighed, resting her forehead on his chest while he worked. She was practically falling asleep on his chest.

When Bucky was finished, she made sure to return the favour by washing his hair too. It was a little awkward with the height difference. Bucky hand to bend down a bit while Darcy stood on her toes, but they made it work.

Once they were done, she grabbed a couple of her fluffiest towels, because obviously Bucky deserved fluffy towels, and quickly got dressed. Bucky’s jeans were ruined, but Darcy managed to find a pair of Thor’s old sweatpants in her closet for him to wear.

Originally, he gave her a look for pulling some other guys sweatpants out of her closet, but Darcy explained that she borrowed them off of Thor after some sleepover. His jealous look relaxed into something more neutral. Darcy thought it was kinda cute seeing him get all riled up.

They re-entered the kitchen almost an hour later, completely starving.

“Finally,” Darcy sighed, picking up her frying pan, once again. “Take two. Any requests, Jamie?”

The look he gave her was enough to make her burst out laughing. Bucky looked distinctly unimpressed.

“One request. I thought we agreed you’d stop calling me Jamie. Or do we need to take another trip to the shower?”

“I mean…” Darcy trailed off, biting her lip. Bucky took a step towards her, challenging. “Nope-nope, only kidding, Sarge.”

Bucky raised a brow at her, the corners of his mouth lifting up in a smile.

“So, no breakfast requests?” she clarified. He shook his head.

“You choose. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

Darcy hummed, thinking of some options. She was craving something sweet after their little shower incident.

“Chocolate chip pancakes and bacon?”

“Oh hell yeah,” Bucky said enthusiastically. Darcy giggled at him. “How can I help?”

“Can you put away these other ingredients for me and grab the chocolate chips? I’ll get started on the batter.”

Bucky got to work, moving effortlessly around her, almost like they were in sync. Darcy knew she moved a lot in the kitchen, always grabbing and swapping different things. Usually, having someone else in her space just meant that someone was always in her way, and she’d get all frustrated. But Bucky seemed to know exactly where she was going and what she needed, moving out of the way or grabbing the high up things she couldn’t reach.

It was nice, actually. For once, she enjoyed having someone else in the kitchen.

Darcy finished mixing together a pancake batter, searching for the chocolate chips.

She was yet to do any grocery shopping since moving into the Tower, but Tony seemed to have everything well stocked. She knew there would be a brand new, unopened bag of chocolate chips somewhere. Just enough for the batter.

That was, until Darcy turned around to find Bucky clutching a half eaten bag of chocolate chips.

Darcy put her hands on her hips, facing him. “Are you serious?!”

“What?” he mumbled, shoving more chocolate into his mouth.

“I need those!”

“There’s still some in the bag.”

“Barely. Jesus, Bucky, give it here-” she reached for the bag, just as he put his arm in the air, holding it high above her head. “Bucky…” she warned.

He grinned at her, licking damn chocolate off his lips.

“One more handful,” he bargained.

“No! Your hands are huge, you’ll eat all of them!”

“One of your handfuls, then.”

“No, Bucky. Gimme the damn chocolate chips. I need them.”

“Please?”

Darcy gave him an incredulous look. “Seriously? You never say please, and now you’re trying to use it to eat all my chocolate chips? Uh-uh, I don't think so, buddy-”

Darcy climbed onto the counter, using the extra height to grab his hand. Bucky was having none of it. The second her hand wrapped around his, he took a step back, away from her.

“Bucky…” she growled, stuck on the counter. He smirked at her.

Darcy took a deep breath, folding her arms.

The logical part of her brain knew she couldn’t catch him if he ran. She wasn’t strong enough to wrestle for them, either. That left her with only one option.

Blackmail.

“Fine,” Darcy huffed. “If you weren’t hungry, you should’ve just said so.”

She climbed off of the counter. Bucky gave her a confused look.

“I tripled this recipe for you, ya know,” Darcy continued. “But if you’re really not feeling hungry, I could just give Sam a call. Maybe he’ll eat breakfast with me, and you can finish off that bag of chocolate chips, all on your own, just like you wanted.”

Bucky’s face hardened at the mention of Sam. He knew exactly what game she was playing, but dammit, it was working.

“Don’t call Sam,” he said, voice gruff.

“Why not? Clearly, all you want is those chocolate chips. I’m sure Sam would eat breakfast with me. He might even bring some dessert. You know, i’ve sure been craving chocolate covered strawberries this morning. Do you think he’d bring some if I asked?”

Bucky came stalking towards her, murder eyebrows in full effect. Darcy squealled internally, feeling victorious.

Men. So easy.

“Don’t call Sam,” Bucky said again, coming to a stop just an inch away. His jaw was clenched and he was holding the bag of chocolate chips just a little too tight.

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“You can have the chocolate. I’ll go raid Steve’s apartment to find you more.”

“Oh really?” she smiled. Sweet, sweet victory.

Bucky nodded, shoving the bag of chocolate into her hand and high tailing it out the door.

A moment too late, Darcy realised he was only wearing a pair of Thor’s sweatpants. No shirt, or shoes. She giggled. He would make quite the picture if anyone caught him stalking down the hall, expression set to search and destroy.

She grabbed what was left of the chocolate chips, which was really shit all, and poured it into the pancake mixture.

So. Bucky liked chocolate chips. And brownies. Apparently, her soulmate had a sweet tooth for chocolate. Good to know.

All too quickly Bucky came bursting back into her apartment, carrying two full bags of chocolate chips. Darcy’s face lit up.

“That was fast.” Seriously fast. He was gone and back in 2 minutes tops.

“I got held up at Steve’s. He wanted to know why I needed chocolate chips so bad.”

Bucky placed the two full bags on her counter. She raised a brow, unable to hide her smile.

“Here,” she pushed one of the bags back towards him. “Your reward for being so efficient.”

Bucky’s whole face lit up. He snatched the bag and cracked it open, taking mouthfuls of chocolate. Darcy shook her head, her chest squeezing a little.

He might be a pain in the ass at times, but damn was he adorable.

She tore open the other bag and poured it into her mixture, stirring everything together. She got the bacon started, and turned on a couple pans, pouring pancake mixture on each.

The other perk to having a big family. Darcy got very good at cooking lots of food for multiple people. Or, you know, just herself and one very hungry supersoldier.

She took her time flipping pancakes, setting them onto plates when they were ready. The whole apartment smelled like warm buttery pancakes and delicious bacon by the time she was done.

Darcy got Bucky to grab the maple syrup while she brought the plates and utensils to the kitchen table. He poured a good third of the bottle over his pancakes, along with whatever chocolate chips still remained in the bag, before handing her the syrup.

“Jesus, bud. You sure do have a sweet tooth, huh?” Darcy laughed at Bucky’s plate, more syrup than anything now. Bucky just shrugged.

“I survived the past 70 years on pills and god knows what, Darce. I’m making up for lost time.”

She took a seat at the table, shooting him a soft smile.

“It’s good. I like watching you eat. Is that weird?”

He chuckled, taking the seat opposite her. “Kinda. Why?”

“I dunno. It's satisfying? I can tell you’re a foodie. Your emotions get all warm when you’re eating good food, and your face lights up. It’s nice.”

Bucky laughed at her, picking up his knife and fork and digging into the breakfast.

“Whatever you say, doll. Thank you for the meal.”

Darcy waited, watching as he took the first bite (drenched in syrup and chocolate chips). His mouth stretched into a content smile, and she felt the bond thrum with satisfaction.

“Good?”

“So good, Darce. Tastes almost as good as you.”

Thank god Darcy wasn’t eating, because his response made her choke.

“Christ, Bucky. It’s ten in the morning!”

He just winked at her. Fucking winked at her.

Darcy groaned and took a bite of her pancake, wondering how, exactly, this had become her life.

“What time do you need to start work?” he asked.

She shrugged. “12? Maybe?”

He nodded.

“Why’s that?” Darcy pried.

Bucky shrugged. “Just wondering how much time we have left, before I have to give you back to your boss.”

Darcy giggled. “Don’t sound too upset about it, Soldier. It’s only for a few hours.”

She smiled when he didn’t respond, but she could feel his disappointment through the bond. He was getting all soft on her.

“What do you do during the day, anyways?” Darcy switched subjects. “You can’t be off saving the world at every second, clearly.” Seeing as he was currently sat in her kitchen, wearing nothing but Thor’s sweatpants.

Bucky smiled. “No, not every second. During the day I usually train with Steve. And lately we’ve been having a lot of team meetings. This HYDRA situation is starting to get out of hand. We need to neutralise them before things get any worse.”

“Right…” Darcy frowned. “And what does that look like? Things getting out of hand, I mean.”

He looked right at her. “They could attack the Tower. Or blow up half the city to try and draw me out. Honestly, i’m not sure. They’re desperate without me. I was their best weapon. So we don’t really know what they’re capable of.”

“That’s…terrifying,” Darcy huffed, but there wasn’t any humour in it. She felt Bucky’s sadness in her chest.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault, none of this is,” she reached over to squeeze his hand. “Once they’re gone, you’re free, right? You can leave the tower?”

“Once HYDRA’s gone, and we find a way to make my words stop working, I can leave the tower,” he confirmed. “Maybe then I can take you on a proper date,” he laughed, but it was bitter sounding.

Darcy felt something like determination take root in her chest. “We’ll get there,” she nodded, squeezing his hand. “Whatever it takes. We’ll stop them, and find a way to get rid of your words.”

Bucky didn’t say anything for a while, just looked at her.

Tentatively, he smiled.

“Okay, doll.”

Darcy smiled back, before picking up her fork and eating the rest of her breakfast.

She never once let go of Bucky’s hand.

~~~

Two hours later, dishes done and both Darcy and Bucky finally in some decent clothes, they were in the elevator headed to the labs.

They’d made a quick stop at Bucky’s room so he could get changed, Darcy shamelessly snooping through his apartment while he got dressed.

It was the same layout as hers, which explains how he’d known exactly where the washing machine was last night. Except where hers was filled with colour and plants and fluffy cushions, his was kept minimalist. The only thing that looked like it’d been added to the room was some weights and exercise equipment in the corner.

“No wonder you wanted to come back to my place,” Darcy laughed. “Your apartment’s so boring.”

She felt more than saw Bucky roll his eyes.

“Sorry we don’t all have 50 decorative pillows on our bed, that no one is allowed to touch.”

Darcy giggled, remembering how Bucky had tried to lounge on her bed while she got ready for work. Which would’ve been fine, except he was lying on all of her decorative pillows and creasing them- of course she made him take them off the bed before he lay back down again.

“Shut up,” Darcy laughed. “Theres only like, 8.”

“8 too many,” Bucky muttered.

“Besides, I thought you liked my apartment? You said it was homey.”

“It is,” he replied, finally dressed and appearing out of nowhere to kiss her cheek. “Now hurry up, you’re late for work.”

And so here they were, in the elevators going down to the labs. One smoking hot supersoldier at her side.

Funny how life changed so fast.

The elevator doors opened, and Darcy could already tell that the labs were much more lively today than they had been yesterday.

There were a few random scientists that Darcy didn’t know walking around. And when they entered the lab itself, Darcy spotted Jane, Dr Banner, Helen Cho and Tony Stark himself all gathered around. Darcy’s brows instantly shot up in surprise.

She squeezed Bucky’s hand in her own, feeling his apprehension through the bond. Honestly, she was still surprised he’d actually come into the lab with her, half expecting him to just leave her at the elevator.

Except she’d forgotten that this was Bucky. Aka, world's most dedicated soulmate, who had already surprised her at least a hundred times since they first met.

She walked deeper into the lab, he stayed firmly at her side.

“Ah, the lovebirds,” Tony grinned, first one to notice them.

Jane’s head whipped around in excitement, as all eyes in the room landed on her and Bucky.

“Hey nerds,” Darcy smiled apprehensively, leaning into Bucky’s strong chest. His nerves were so strong they were starting to mess with her own emotions. She tried to push calm and comfort down the bond, and felt him relax minutely at her side.

“Hello Darcy, Bucky,” Helen answered politely. Bruce just nodded.

“Would either of you care to explain why I tried to take a swim this morning, only to find my whole pool room had been closed for unscheduled maintenance?” Tony asked.

Darcy’s whole face turned beetroot. “Uh.”

“Actually, spare me the horny details. I don’t want to know,” Tony grinned, eyes shining with delight.

“Anyways-” Jane interrupted, trying to change the subject. Darcy thanked the universe for the gift that was Jane Foster, even though Jane was looking at her in a way that clearly said ‘you will tell me EVERYTHING later.’

“I’m glad you’re here, Darce,” Jane continued. “I was just telling everyone about the research we did in New Mexico, on the biological contributors to soulmate selection theory.”

“The work you guys did is outstanding,” Bruce said quietly. “I haven’t done as much investigation into soul bonds myself, but it’s clear that this research is exemplary. Particularly your reports on your own soul bond with Thor, Jane. Your bond is so new, and yet already so advanced.”

“You think Thor and I are advanced?” Jane huffed. “You should see those two. Bucky and Darcy have practically been telepathically communicating since they claimed each other.”

“Really?” Helen asked in surprise. Suddenly everyone regarded them with renewed interest. Darcy recognised the look in their eyes. It was the same look Jane got before she was about to dissect something.

“Yup, we’re pretty rare. Probably because we’re such awesome people. ANYWAY, Bucky and I are gonna go now, so-” Darcy squeezed Bucky’s hand and not so subtly ran away from all the freaky scientists, before they got dragged into chairs and poked and prodded with tools.

Bucky laughed at her, but she felt his relief through the bond as they hightailed it out of the private labs and back towards Darcy’s calm, not so white, sterile and scary, desk.

“For a moment there, I thought we were about to become lab rats,” Bucky joked.

Darcy led him over to her desk, crowding him against it. “Oh, we were. Years of working with Jane has taught me to run first, ask questions later, whenever she gets that look in her eyes.”

“Really? Been used as a guinea pig before, have you?”

“Many times,” Darcy laughed. Bucky smiled down at her.

She leaned further into his warm chest. He had his metal arm on the desk, holding them steady, while his right one curled around her waist.

“I can’t believe Tony figured us out,” Darcy said quietly, referring to the Pool Incident.

Bucky chuckled. “Can’t get anything past him, apparently. Good thing JARVIS wiped all the audio and footage, so no one can prove what happened in there.”

“Good thing,” Darcy whispered, pressing up on her tip toes to kiss him.

Bucky met her half way, his arm tightening around her waist, lips moulding perfectly against hers.

They were warm and soft, so different to his rough hands. Darcy felt herself melt in his arms, soft and pliant. He moaned as she deepened the kiss.

Darcy squeezed his shirt in her hands, reluctantly pulling away after a few moments. She wondered if it would ever get any easier, kissing him. Or if it would always be as overwhelming as the first time.

“Don’t think i’ll ever get used to this, doll,” he said, echoing her very thoughts. “You’re so addicting.”

Darcy grinned, brushing her thumb over his cheek, lingering over the rough stubble. “I’m not the addicting one, soldier.”

“NO MAKING OUT IN MY LABS!” Tony called from the other room. Bucky huffed and rolled his eyes.

“More than 90 floors in this tower, and not a single bit of privacy.”

“Guess we’ll just have to be sneaky, then,” Darcy grinned.

Bucky smiled back, leaned down to kiss her again, when all the scientists rounded the corner at once.

Bucky pulled away with a groan.

“Out of the lab, terminator. The scientists have ‘science stuff’ to do,” Tony grinned, herding Bucky away. “Meanwhile, you, Banner and I are late for a team meeting.”

Jane followed Helen to a different section of the lab, while Tony and Bruce dragged a very reluctant Bucky towards the elevators.

“Oh come on, don’t look so mopey, Barnes. You’ll see her in a few hours, for crying out loud,” Tony said.

Darcy giggled at the sight the three of them made, leaning back against her desk.

“As if you’re any better,” Bucky mumbled.

“Excuse me?” Tony replied, aghast. They had just entered the elevators.

“I mean, he’s not wrong, Tony.”

“You too, Bruce?! I am offended, I thought you and I had something special-”

Darcy couldn’t stop the laugh from bubbling out of her. Bucky winked at her from the elevator.

‘I’ll come see you after work?’ he asked, brushing against the walls of her mind.

‘I’ll be waiting,’ Darcy replied.

She felt his happiness through the bond, those gold chains around her chest taking on the faintest hue of pink.

Darcy barely had time to sit down before Jane came storming over to her desk, Helen Cho nowhere to be seen. Jane must’ve left her in some other part of the lab.

Her face said it all, but still Jane said,

“Tell. Me. Everything. Wait, ARE THOSE HICKIES ON YOUR NECK?!”

And so Darcy did.

Oops. Sorry, Bucky.