Please picture this: it's the first time you've stayed the night at Bucky's place, though you spend almost as much time there as you do at your place. Alpine loves you, but you're kind of worried that she'll be angry or upset that you're also cuddling her human at night.
Flash forward, and you're sound asleep. You wake up to Bucky trying to convince Alpine that she's in his spot and that he's also allowed to sleep by you, because the second he got up for something she settled into his place and claimed you.
You don’t think you’re nervous until you’re standing in Bucky’s bedroom in socked feet, holding an overnight bag like it might bite you.
You practically live here already. Your toothbrush has been in his bathroom for weeks. Your hoodie hangs on the back of his chair. Alpine knows the sound of your footsteps and greets you at the door like you belong there. Still—this feels different. Sleeping here. Staying the whole night.
Bucky notices immediately.
“You okay?” he asks softly, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed loose and relaxed. Alpine is already at your ankles, circling like a fluffy little shark, tail flicking.
“I’m fine,” you say, which is a lie. “Just… first night jitters, I guess.”
He smiles, small and fond. “She already claimed you, y’know.”
You look down. Alpine has plopped directly onto your feet, sitting like a sentry.
“That’s actually what I’m worried about,” you admit, lowering your voice like she might understand. “What if she gets mad that I’m… you know. In your bed. With you.”
Bucky snorts, then immediately softens when Alpine looks up at him. “She gets mad if I sit in the wrong chair. You’re fine.”
Still, later, when you’re brushing your teeth side by side, you catch yourself glancing at the cat bed in the corner. At the empty space on the other side of his mattress. You’ve seen Alpine curl up there before, possessive and proud.
When you finally crawl into bed, Bucky goes out of his way to make space. He keeps his arm light around your waist, like he’s giving you an out. Alpine hops up a minute later, does one slow, deliberate circle near your chest, then settles between you and Bucky with a satisfied huff.
You freeze.
“She—she’s okay, right?” you whisper.
Bucky presses a kiss to your hair. “She likes you. That’s her saying it.”
Eventually, the warmth of them both pulls you under. Bucky’s steady breathing. Alpine’s rumbling purr, loud and insistent against your ribs. You fall asleep thinking, maybe foolishly, that this might be the safest you’ve ever felt.
---
You wake up to murmuring.
Low. Careful. Slightly exasperated.
“Al, c’mon. That’s not fair.”
Your eyes stay closed as your brain catches up. The bed feels… different. Warmer on one side. Heavier on the other.
“Alpine,” Bucky whispers, trying—and failing—to keep the fondness out of his voice. “That’s my spot.”
A soft, unimpressed mrrp answers him.
You crack one eye open.
Sometime during the night, Bucky must have gotten up. Bathroom, water, nightmares—you’re not sure. What you are sure of is that Alpine has taken full advantage of his absence.
She’s sprawled exactly where he was, pressed flush against your side, one paw draped possessively over your stomach. Her chin is tucked under your jaw. You are, unmistakably, claimed.
Bucky stands at the edge of the bed, hair a mess, t-shirt wrinkled, looking betrayed.
“You don’t even like that side,” he says quietly, gesturing. “You always sleep by the window.”
Alpine flicks an ear and does not move.
You bite your lip to keep from laughing.
“I live here too,” he continues, earnest now. “I’m also allowed to sleep with my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend.
Your chest warms at the word.
Alpine’s tail swishes once. Her paw tightens, claws just barely pressing through the fabric of your shirt.
Bucky sighs. “You’re doing this on purpose.”
He tries to ease her paw away. She tightens her grip and lets out a warning trill.
“Al,” he warns, glancing at you apologetically. “Don’t bully her.”
You finally open your eyes all the way. “She’s not bullying me,” you mumble sleepily. “I think she’s protecting me.”
“That’s my job,” he says immediately.
Alpine lifts her head and stares him down.
There’s a long, silent standoff. Super soldier versus cat. The cat is winning.
Bucky scrubs a hand down his face. “I was gone for two minutes.”
“She missed me,” you say, half-asleep and teasing.
“She replaced me.”
Eventually, Bucky gives up on moving her and carefully slides in on the other side instead, crowding closer until you’re sandwiched. Alpine grumbles but allows it, adjusting just enough that she stays pressed to you while acknowledging his presence.
Bucky wraps an arm around you from behind, tucking his chin over your shoulder.
“She kicked me out of my own bed,” he mutters.
You reach back, threading your fingers through his. “You can share.”
He presses a soft kiss to your neck. “You’re worth it.”
Alpine purrs louder, victorious.
Bucky watches her for a moment, then huffs a quiet laugh. “Guess that’s it, then.”
“What?”
“She picked you.” His voice is gentle, almost reverent. “Took my place without even askin’.”
Your throat tightens. You shift just enough to kiss his knuckles. “She learned from you.”
He stills, then squeezes your hand.
The three of you settle like that—warm, tangled, claimed—until sleep pulls you back under, this time with Bucky right where he belongs and Alpine making sure neither of you even thinks about moving.
