Prompt: We really need to stop picking up stray animals..
Prompt by @toxixpumpkin
Pairing: Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) x James “Bucky” Barnes (Winter Soldier)
With a great sigh Bucky looked down at the tiny furred bundle in his arms. On his way back to the apartment he and Wanda shared. He had came across a tuxedo kitten shivering in the cold, December snow. It gave out a pitiful meow, his heart strings tugging. Unzipping the worn black jacket he wore, he set the kitten to his chest, and zipped back up. Hoping his body warmth would be enough until he could get home. He pulled his hoodie tighter, thinking of what Wanda would tell him, and how it all started.
Bucky didn’t seem by all accounts to be an animal lover. However, he surprised Wanda on their first date by taking her to a shelter, where he explained to her how he had seen a beautiful grey tabby, in the window of an adoption event. He had been determined to adopt her and give her a home. Wanda was absolutely floored and blushed, touched that he had that much trust in her to allow her into his small, closed off world.
The memory brought a small blush to dust his cheeks. He got to his destination, boots thumping heavily against the small two stairs that led up to a door. Opening the door, he made his way inside, to the elevator, and carried on his way to the apartment. Arriving to the fourth floor, he padded his way to the wooden door, a black, blaring number staring back at him. Fumbling to get the keys from his pockets, Wanda opened the door with a bright smile on her face. The way the light haloed around her red hair made him blank for a second, a light rhythmic beating inside his chest as he looked at her in wonder. The sound of a meow broke his thoughts, and Wanda gave him a quizzical look. Folding her arms, she looked at him.
“Bucky.. Would you like to explain yourself?” A red brow rose up in amusement.
Taking off his scarf to speak clearer, he made his way inside and closed the door, his back to it. “Wanda, I know we said we wouldn’t take in anymore strays, but.. I couldn’t leave the poor thing out in the cold by itself.” He produced the small bundle from his jacket, blue eyes looking up to her and letting out another meow. Sighing, Wanda took the kitten into her arms, the meow attracting three other cries. A chubby, grey tabby cat appeared, chirping and sniffing the air. Bucky bent down to pet her, the feline closing its eyes and enjoying her owner’s petting. A chuckle escaped him before he used his other to pet at a small, clothed senior mutt, her little face and big eyes looking up to him pleadingly. The third creature was another feline, a slender white cat with green eyes. She was more aloof, but obviously wanted a pet herself.
“You’re right, we do need to stop taking in more stray animals.. But I suppose this little one can be an exception. But no more!” The dark haired man stood up with the small dog in his arms, nodding. “I can agree to that.” A smile flitted through his face, Wanda blushing and holding the kitten even closer. She began to pet it, the small creature purring very loudly. “Maybe I shall call him after you. After all, I did let you name all three of them.” A playful glare appeared on her face. Bucky merely rolled his eyes in return.
“Well, your names were hard to pronounce. Plus, Tabitha likes her name, don’t you, Tabitha?” The small dog wagged its tail happily and gave out a yip, Bucky snuggling the dog to his cheek. “See?”
Wanda gave a soft chuckle and walked to the kitchen, opening a cupboard and taking out a can of wet cat food to give to the kitten. “I think Bucky Jr. will be fine then.” Setting the kitten down, she opened the can for it, and the kitten devoured it, making typical kitten mewls as it ate. Bucky came over, snaking an arm around Wanda’s waist and pulled her closer, his nose breathing in her scent.
“I like it much better than Snowball.” A quick, soft jab was aimed at his side and he oofed. “I”m kidding!” Satisfied, Wanda then laid her head on his shoulders as they began to plan their life with an extra family member.