Summary: You rescue Bucky once again.
Author's Notes: Fluff; A teeny bit of hurt/comfort; Collab with @princessmisery666; A sequel to Wet-nosed Houdini
Word Count: 841
Characters: Bucky Barnes; Reader; Alpine
Word of the Day: (May 22, 2026) - Vocal
Graphics: Made by me.
Master Lists: Word Of The Day
The yowl is so loud it makes your heart stop. Although the war has been won, as all residents are allowed one pet under 25 kilograms, Denise will likely put in a noise complaint.
Dropping the pen onto the open notebook, you stand so quickly your chair rolls halfway across the room. Once again, hearing the pitiful, heartbreaking howl of an animal in distress, you rush through your apartment to the door across the hallway.
Not quite pounding on it, you call, “Bucky, open up. It’s me.”
There’s a brief worrying silence, and then he shouts, “It’s open, come in.” Even though it's muffled, you still hear his frustration.
Slowly opening the door, you jam your leg in the gap. Alpine has a habit of running out and causing havoc in the corridors. Bucky has had to repaint three walls because she fancied herself as Spider-Cat.
Checking for flashes of white, you step inside and quickly close the door. “What on earth?” The entrance rug is folded in on itself and shoved against the wall. The vase on the small sideboard lies on its side, wilted flowers dangling over the edge as water trickles to the floor. “Bucky?” you anxiously call.
“In here.”
You assume he's in the kitchen as the clang of metal follows his response. Setting the vase upright as you pass, your eyes widen upon seeing the destruction in the living room. The sofa cushions are askew, and the lamp and books that normally sit on the side table are now strewn across the floor.
Bucky is no longer in the kitchen when you peek in, but a pot lid is still wobbling on the counter, and a decorative pattern of cat food from Alpine's overturned bowl dots the floor. Righting a dining chair, you follow the path of fur, plant soil, and what appears to be pillow feathers, to find Bucky sitting on his bed, head in his hands. A cat carrier and tattered pillow frame his feet. A fresh set of scratches runs from his elbow to wrist, trickling blood.
"Hey."
Exhausted eyes look up at you. "Hey." The single syllable carries irritation and defeat. “Tried a practice run for the vets tomorrow."
The explanation is unnecessary, but you give him a sympathetic smile. “Let me guess, she doesn’t want to go in?”
As if to answer you herself, Alpine bawls from somewhere in the room.
Bucky shakes his head. “She’s being very vocal. Violent about it, too.”
“I heard." Trying to lighten his mood, you tease, "I thought you were murdering her.”
“More like the other way around.” Clearly offended, he twists in place and tilts his head to show you the scratches on his neck.
“Ouch.” You wince. “Come on, let’s get you patched up.”
Bucky sits on the edge of the tub as you swab his injuries with alcohol. They'll heal quickly enough, but after the chaos of the last half hour, it feels nice to have you fussing over him.
You're putting away the first aid kit when the little demon slinks into the room. Of course, Alpine ignores him and winds herself between your feet. Laughing, you scoop her up and turn to face Bucky. Scratching between her ears, you whisper, "You're so adorable."
"More like a traitor," Bucky scoffs as she nuzzles beneath your chin.
With a wink, you head back into the bedroom. "Come on. I have an idea."
Bucky sighs. "I'm not letting you try. I don't want you getting hurt." Though he doubts Alpine would ever attack you.
"Wasn't going to."
Now he's curious, but it turns to confusion when you pull one of his t-shirts from the laundry basket and toss it to him. Purring loudly, Alpine hasn't moved from her position of resting on your shoulder.
"Drape it over your hands. Kind of like a hammock."
The gears click. He knows what you're going to do. With slow, steady steps, you come closer as he follows your instructions. Alpine only wriggles a little when you place her on top of the makeshift sling and then wrap her into a cocoon. Bucky holds her against his chest, and within seconds, she's sound asleep.
"Now what? She has to be in the actual carrier when we go."
Reaching for the tiny pink caddy, you open the small door and hold it up. "Put her in."
"Really?"
"Just take your time."
Bucky feels that his hesitation is warranted considering recent events. All he can picture is his favorite shirt being torn to shreds. Yet your encouraging smile gives him hope. Trying not to pass his nervous tension to the sleeping kitten, he gently places her inside the cage. She doesn't even flinch when you flip the tiny latch to hold the door closed.
"See." Setting the carrier back on the floor, you give him a triumphant smile. "Just wrap her up in something that has your scent. It's comforting and familiar.”
Bucky's so grateful that he doesn't even think before leaning in to kiss your cheek. "Thank you."
I don't have a MCU tag list, so adding a few peeps that I know like Bucky.
