Chapter Text
The smell of coffee and breakfast led you out of your room and into the kitchen. Clint stood in the centre, jamming out to music as he stirred a pan of scrambled eggs. Everyone's eyes were hazy with sleep. Natasha even had her head down on the counter, her coffee still hot in her hands. You could hear the soft murmur of conversation coming from Wanda and Vision as you reached for a plate. Clint's eyes flicked towards you, far too awake for your liking.
"Good morning!" He exclaimed, too happy even for Clint.
"What's got you so smiley today?" You questioned, a suspicious smile on your lips. Clint only rolled his eyes at you.
"I just happen to be having a good morning.'' Was all he responded with. You hummed in response, sighing happily as you sat down with a heavy plate and a large cup of coffee on the edge of the large counter. You slowly blinked away the sleep in your eyes as you watched more people file in steadily. Everyone exchanged their good mornings as usual but there was one thing out of the ordinary.
"Hey, did you see Steve this morning?" You questioned Nat, knowing she was the most likely to have been up so early. She only shook her head. As if on cue the door opened to Caps hulking body. He seemed nervous, slightly unsteady as he stepped forward. From your angle, perched at the edge of the counter, you could see the dark haired man behind him. His eyes immediately met yours. They were a muted blue, like washed out jeans; but his stare was sharp and seemed to reach through you. His eyes left yours quickly to look at the floor and they left you with an odd sense of loss. Cap cleared his throat and waited as everyone's attention went to him. Nobody else had noticed the visitor yet.
"Sorry to interrupt your breakfast but I'd like to introduce you guys to someone." Cap slowly stepped to the side and the room stayed silent as everyone took in the image in front of them.
"What the Fuck." Tony exclaimed, quick as ever. The room broke into outrage and you watched as the blue eyed man shrank into himself. His eyes glued to the floor. Cap allowed the complaints for a few moments before he raised his voice again.
"I have asked Fury to allow Bucky to be placed here, in our care, as a way to slowly get him used to a semi-regular life again. He went through extensive mental rehabilitation in Wakanda and has been deemed ready to assimilate back to regular life." Cap's professional words rang out into the room. You recognized the name, you’d heard many stories about the Winter Soldier.
"And you didn't think to ask us first?" Clint all but screamed. Cap bowed his head shamefully.
"I understand that I overstepped, but I knew you guys wouldn't even give him a chance so-"
"Of course we wouldn't give him a fucking chance, he tried to kill us, he tried to kill you!" Tony cut off Cap. The room lapsed back into a heady silence. You cleared your throat softly.
"Well, wouldn't you guys rather have him here where you can keep him under your watch?" You kept your voice neutral in a tone that they knew meant you weren't picking sides. The group seemed to mull over your words carefully and for the second time those blue eyes met yours. His face was unreadable. Cap met your eyes, grateful for your input. Tony let out a dramatic sigh that only he could manage.
"I suppose he's already here" Tony's tone was wary. Both Steve and the man seemed to deflate slightly with relief. Cap nodded slowly and led the man to the kitchen. Clint's music and the clanking of cutlery were the only things heard for several seconds as everyone's eyes stayed on the dark haired man.
"Mind passing the coffee?" The man- Bucky's eyes snapped to yours, already looking at him. He turned slightly and handed you the extra large coffee pot. You gave him a small thank you with a smile and the room seemed to lose some of its tenseness. Wanda and Vision picked their conversation back up, and everyone else tried to do the same.
Congrats for making it through that! I know at some point I'm going to look back on this fic and be so embarrassed but for now I'm having fun. Be safe and drink water! 07/07/23