Cuddle Bug (Bucky x reader)

Time at the pool

When you got back to the compound, Bucky ended up carrying most of your stuff back up the stairs while you carried the large stuffed wolf plush. You pushed the door open to see Alpine and Aurora were curled up together on your couch, and Bucky went to put your books beside them before you took the bags with your groceries and you put them away into your fridge.
"Are you okay?" Bucky asked worriedly.
"Pills kicked in, I'm fine" you gave a nod and a simple smile. He quickly smiled back, and seemed to be holding back on something. You watched him curiously as he moved his hands nervously on his shirt before he took a step towards you, and he reached out to touch you under the jaw and tilted your head up.
"Are you sure that you're okay?" he asked worriedly as he finished closing the space between you both.
"Of course Bucky" you breathed, wondering if he was going to try to kiss you again. His gaze flicked to your lips and he started to lean down when your door swung all the way open and Sam waltzed in. Bucky took a step back, and had the good sense to flush a bit, while your face went completely red. You couldn't help but think that Sam had the worst timing in the world.
"Sorry" Sam spoke up, not sounding sorry at all. You looked at him, and he had a bit of a grin on his face, confirming your suspicions that he wasn't sorry at all. "You two ready to go for a walk first?" he asked expectantly.
"Sure. I'm ready" you nodded and gave a small smile.
"Don't give me that look" Sam crossed his arms. "You two have been on one date, you don't need to be kissing all the time"
"I've had a crush on her for a year, gimme a break. She said I could kiss her as an open invitation. Do you know how many times I've been dying to kiss her?" Bucky asked with flushed cheeks.
"She is pretty adorable, but you can wait Tinman. Don't want to move too quickly" Sam grabbed your hand and pulled you away with an evil smirk on his face. You looked at Bucky shocked, your cheeks a brilliant red. You couldn't believe he just said that out loud so frankly. Sam led you down the stairs and brought you through the front door where Steve and Loki were already waiting. Loki was wearing a pair of sneakers instead, but was still wearing the mirroring dress to you and in her female form.
"I'm so glad we got you a swimsuit while we were out shopping, the old one would not do you any justice" Loki intertwined her arm with your spare arm. "Where are we headed?" she asked.
"Where we became friends" Sam grinned, looking back at you and you couldn't help but smile.
"Where is that?" Steve asked.
"On the track" Sam answered quickly, pulling you forward.
"I thought you didn't like exercise first thing in the morning?" Bucky asked as he caught up.
"I don't, but when I get upset I go for walks if I don't have time for cuddles with Aurora. When I first started, I went for a lot of walks" you admitted with flushed cheeks.
"What were you so upset about?" Steve seemed curious.
"The same thing she still gets upset about. Us getting hurt on missions" Sam spoke for you.
"It's part of the job" Loki looked at you confused.
"I work hard to make sure you don't have to fight much," you admitted. "I put larger teams together for the bases that will likely have a fight in them. Probably more people than are necessary"
"The day we really started talking was about a week after she started, I met her right about here" Sam stopped on the track, and you flushed a bit realizing he was right. He had an incredible memory. "Steve and Bucky had gotten shot on a mission the day before, we were still working on Friday's mission dockets, and she was barely getting her feet wet. She was just pacing back and forth instead of going around the track. I couldn't leave her alone like that" Sam grinned.
"Super soldiers, we can handle a few wounds" Bucky whispered to you, giving you a loving gaze.
"You shouldn't have to," you quipped quickly with flushed cheeks.
"I've been dying to ask, when did you find out she was a cuddle bug as you call her" Steve looked over smiling as the group of you headed around the track at a slow pace.
"Two months in, I had been visiting for breakfast every day when I noticed she was always alone. I came into her room and..." he paused to look at you, almost seeking permission. You gave a soft nod and he nodded back. "She was crying. Clint had to go to the regeneration machine for a pretty nasty wound, and she had been up all night going over the data to see where she went wrong. Which, might I add, was nowhere. I just sat beside her and she snuggled in. Eventually she just started snuggling in more, until she would just sit on my lap and cry"
"You've been a good friend to me, it was hard to open up that much" you smiled softly at Sam.
"You've been a good friend to me too sexy legs" Sam grinned. "I'm glad you are opening up to more people. It's about damn time" he added.
"Are you enjoying getting out of the compound more?" you looked at Loki who grinned at you.
"Very much so" she nodded. "I know I have to do my penance, but it's nice to have the leash loosened a bit"
"I wish Tony would let you out more" you sighed softly. "Today, was it really hydra?" you looked at her for honesty.
"I couldn't tell, but they were watching all of us. I tried to get closer, but they moved away too quickly before I could look into their minds" she admitted.
"It could be the paparazzi" you offered.
"I didn't see any cameras" Steve gave you a look. "Is there anything you might have forgotten to have Tony check over for spyware?"
"I was going to ask him to look at my phone, just in case" you bit your bottom lip. "But then that would be it. I just didn't want to give up my phone for a few hours if we were out. I use my phone a lot"
"How about giving it to Tony when you put on your swimsuit, you won't need it while you are out swimming" Sam offered.
"I suppose" you mused and almost tripped over air. Loki pulled you back quickly while Sam tightened his grip on your hand.
"Are you clumsy?" Loki asked with a giggle.
"Sometimes" you blushed.
"She can move so gracefully, and then bam. She's flat on her face" Sam laughed. "It's one of her cuter quirks"
"Can I hold her hand for a while?" Bucky asked softly as you started on your second round on the track.
"Sure, just don't let her fall" Sam offered him your hand and you rolled your eyes at how protective Sam was being. Bucky took your hand and gave it a squeeze and smiled softly at you. Loki moved away so you had your other arm free so you moved closer to Bucky to walk beside him. You almost tripped again, but he was quick to grab you, and pulled you close to him. Steve gave a small chuckle seeing how broad Bucky's smile was. Sam and Steve started bantering a bit back and forth while you walked, and Loki started leading the way back to the compound. You softly wished you could have taken a look at the gardens today, but didn't want to bring it up. You would go during the week if you had time, since you did want to do more exploring around the main compound.
Loki led you all back inside and back up the stairs.
"I'll be right back for you" Bucky took your hand he was holding, and kissed your knuckles.
"I'll be quick" you blushed, wishing his lips were touching yours instead of your hand. You knew he was trying to be respectful and you really liked that about him.
"Do you want me to be female or male?" Loki asked you expectantly as Bucky hesitantly let go of your hand.
"Whatever you are most comfortable with" you shrugged.
"Very well, I'll return to my quarters to change into my swimsuit" he changed back to his male form. "May I have your phone to bring to Tony to have him look over it?" he asked politely.
"Sure" you didn't have to think twice, and took it out of your bra. He smirked for a moment before turning and walking away.
"Your bra, really?" Sam asked, looking at you surprised.
"The dress doesn't have pockets. Where else am I going to put it?" you asked, rolling your eyes before turning to go back into your bedroom.