Steve had noticed that Bucky had been very quiet lately. Well ore so than usual. He also noticed that Bucky hadn’t been sleeping well either. Several times over the last few months he would wake in the middle of the night to find his lover gone from their bed and wandering their floor or in the gym fighting the ghost in his mind. He had dreams too but Bucky’s mind was a mine field with the remnants of Hydra hiding in the shadows. Today he found Bucky on their couch sleeping with a frown on his face. The captain didn’t like that he had been seeing that frown a lot lately.
“Hey love,” Steve whisper gently allowing the former Hydra assassin to follow his voice back to the waking world and away from his demons.
“Hey Babe.” Bucky smiled his voice was rough with sleep. “What time is it?”
“It’s close to 3 in the afternoon. Come on we got shopping to do.”
“Yes, shopping unless you want starve. We are out of milk and I promised you I would make my special Spaghetti.” Steve stifled a chuckle as he watch Bucky sit up wide awake.
“Spaghetti? Then what are we waiting for?” The former Soldier was up off the couch and heading toward the door.
“Yes, what are we waiting for?” Steve rolled his eyes as he grabbed his jacket. “Jarvis if anyone asks we went out shopping.”
“Of course Captain Rogers.”
“So Bucky, what were you dreaming about?”
“Nothing just flashes here and there. I can’t seem to get rid of them.”
“I know love but I’m here for you if you ever want to talk about it.”
“Yeah, I know you are Stevie, but I don’t want to bring up your ghosts by chasing mine.” The couple walk down the street a little grey cloud hung over them. It was hard to talk about stuff they really didn’t want to talk about.
“So how was your trip with Tony, Loki, and Bruce, going Camping?”
“I was good, the quiet helped but I missed you. I wish Fury didn’t always have you tied up with Shield work.”
“Me too, but Captain America is always in high demand. Well we had an interesting time while you were gone. Clint and I along with Thor and Peter had a chili cook off. Thor and Peter’s chili was so terrible RC wouldn’t even eat it.”
“That’s bad. I bet yours came out picture perfect as always.” Bucky smiled nudging his lover with his Vibranium arm.
“Well I did win the cook off, but I ended up with RC that night. The smell coming from penthouse was terrible that the Cat refused to go back until Jarvis had filtered it out.”
“Hard to believe those two have animals together and they’re still alive.”
“Be nice Buck, RC is really smart. I’m sure he let’s them know when he’s hungry and when he wants cuddles. Also the bunnies belong to Jarvis and he makes sure Tiny knows to feed his pets.” Steve pointed out.
“RC really seems almost human even though I know he’s a cat. He once helped me through a panic attack. I was having trouble breathing and he suddenly appeared laid on my chest until I calmed down and fell asleep.”
“Why didn’t you tell me Love? Do you need to have a session with Sam?”
“I didn’t want you to worry. It was weeks ago and I forgot about it.” Bucky shrugged trying to put it off as nothing. He didn’t see the concerned look his lover was giving him while he brooded over his flaws.
Steve watched sadly as Bucky withdrew into his head. He wished there was more he could do for his best friend and boyfriend. Then he thought about what Bucky just said. RC helped him through a panic attack. They couldn’t take Tony and Loki’s cat but maybe they could adopt one of their own. If he remembered correctly from their numerous walk there was an adoption center on the next block to the left.
“Hey Bucky I want to stop somewhere before we hit the market.”
“Sure Babe, I’m up for anything.” The Sargent would follow his captain until the end of the line. They walk down the block and made a left at the corner. He was familiar with the area from their walks and runs around the city. New York had really changed since the 40’s but he had adjusted better than Steve to this new world. As he was lost in thought he didn’t noticed he was pulled into a store until he came face to face with turtle that was slowly wondering the shelves. “Uh, Steve where are we?”
“We’re at Wonder Pets Adoption Center. I think it’s time we got our own cat to cuddle and love.”
“A cat really? I thought you would be more into dogs.”
“Yeah I like dogs but I think you and I need a calm soothing presence instead of high energy. Maybe later we will get a puppy but for now we need a cat. Besides if you want some one to play catch with Hawkeye’s dog is always willing to go to the park.” Steve smiled.
“Yeah I like the sound of that.” Bucky relaxed letting a small smile grace his lips as they wandered the cages looking at cat. They looked a lot of cats but none seemed to connect with them until Bucky heard a soft ‘Meow.’
“Hey there, you seem to be foot loose and fancy free.” Bucky knelt down to the cat that wound around their legs. The cat was fluffy white with smoky grey feet and masked face.
“That’s Al, he’s a recent rescue under a year old. He was found outside an Italian restaurant scrounging for scraps. He really is a sweet heart for being a feral cat.” The Adoption volunteer supplied.
“He’s super fluffy that means we’ll have to vacuum more often.” Steve stated watch Bucky pick up the kitten and cuddle it close.
“True but I think he’ll be worth it don’t you?” Bucky’s smile just grew as the cat began to purr.
“Yeah, you’re right. We’ll take him.”
“Al seems to short of a name though, he reminds of snow on the Mountains when we were in Europe. We should call him Alpine.” Bucky said looking to his boyfriend for name approval.
“You know what I think that’s a great name for our new family member.” Steve grinned holding his love with one arm while petting their new cat. He could feel the stress melting away from Bucky’s shoulders. Already their new cat healing his lover and would bring much love and joy to their lives. Life couldn’t be better for the Super Soldier Couple.
