bucky barnes oneshot
the white cat
bucky barnes x fem!reader
a late night stop at the animal shelter, a truck, and a dinner date
a/n: not bucky’s cat being named after the place he died 💀 anyway sorry i’ve disappeared i got busy lmao. BUT. i have an idea for a new series based entirely off a winterguard show i was told ab this year by dupont manual so we’ll see if it goes anywhere 👀
Working at an animal shelter had its benefits.
For all the sad stories you often had, you also got to save pets, watch them get healthier, and most of the time, go to a loving home.
Plus, every so often, a very attractive customer would come in, and, seeing as you are the only employee constantly in the so-called “meeting room” for potential adoptees, you would help them.
Today was one of those days. Or, rather, nights.
Technically, you were closed. Everyone else had left earlier and you’d stayed to clean up. You were sweeping up fur and treats, listening to the radio as you worked.
The man outside the window showed up around 8:56.
Normally, you’d be creeped out. A woman, alone, while a man stared at her through a window? It’s the plot of, like, every Scream movie.
But you recognized this man. He’d been showing up the past few days, not to ogle you, but to ask questions about the cats you had, what he’d need to buy, what kind of care they needed.
You’ve only seen him, never actually talked to him, but he seems sweet. A bit shy, very nervous.
“Hi.” You wave and the man looks behind him before pointing at himself. Laughing, you nod. “Yes, you.”
Setting down a cup of pens, you unlock and open the door for him.
“Sorry about coming in so late. Are you guys even open?” He fiddles with his glove-covered hands, turned a bit awkwardly so his left side is further away.
You shrug, not wanting to scare him off. “We can be. What can I help you with?”
He scratches at the back of his neck before pointing towards the back. “Can I get a cat?” He pauses before barreling on. “I’ve done all the research, got all the stuff set up back at my apartment, and honestly…”
He trails off a bit. “I think it’d help with some… stuff.”
You understand. Plenty of people need company, and you could confidently say that animals provided plenty of that.
“No problem,” you smile. “Come with me.”
Leading him back, you don’t comment on the fact that he makes no noise when he walks, or how a soft, pleasant whirring like quiet machinery has reached your ears.
The meeting room has a few beanbag chairs, a table, and cat and dog toys scattered around. The mystery man sits cross-legged on the floor, looking up at you with eyes that make you think he might be the puppy.
He looks around, a little lost. “So, what do I…”
You pick up where he leaves off. “Are you looking for anything particular?”
He shakes his head, and some of that shyness seems to shake away too.
“No, I trust your judgment.” He smiles. You ignore the warmth in your cheeks and whisk away to the back, looking into the kennels until you find what you’re looking for.
A young cat, only a few months old. Just came in last week. Every time that man has come in, she’s been excited.
“Alpine, sweetie, c’mere.” You gently coax her into your waiting arms, cradling the white fluff as you head back to the room.
It’s impossible to miss how his eyes light up when he sees you, even more so when he spies the cat.
You sit across from him, so close your knees touch, and pass off Alpine.
“She’s so small,” he whispers, almost reverently. You chuckle, watching her climb unceremoniously into his lap.
“She likes you. Been trying to see you all week.” His eyes are still fixated on the little white blob that contrasts his jacket. “Her name’s Alpine, unless you wanna change it?”
He pauses, laughs a bit like there’s some inside joke there, and shakes his head. “No- no, Alpine’s perfect.”
A few minutes later, he’s filling out the paperwork and making small talk when you finally notice his name and age.
James Buchanan Barnes, age 106.
The ex-Winter Soldier. The Howling Commando. The Fallen Sergeant.
He notices you mentally smacking yourself and holds out his right hand.
“Hi, I’m Bucky. Sorry I didn’t say anything earlier,” he chuckles.
You wave a hand. “Don’t worry about it. Sorry if I made you feel weird.”
Bucky shakes his head and readjusts Alpine. Steeling his nerves, he gives you his best smile and finally does the second thing he was hoping to achieve tonight.
“No, no, you didn’t make me feel weird at all. In fact-“ He meets your curious gaze. “-I was wondering if you like to go out sometime?”
You can feel the blush you know he can see, but manage to respond anyway.
“Yeah, I’d really like that, actually.”
Apparently, he isn’t expecting you to say yes so quickly, and pauses for a bit.
“I- Uh, what’s a good time?”
You gesture around. “I get off work tomorrow at 7:30?”
The two of you enjoy the moment, Alpine purring softly in Bucky’s arms. It’s perfect.
Until a car horn honks from outside. Heading out, you see a truck with three other people in it.
Three other Avengers, to be exact.
“Thought you’d never be done!” Sam Wilson jokes from the driver’s seat. From the passenger’s, Natasha Romanoff waves while Steve Rogers opens the back door for the soldier next to you.
“I’m sorry, they’re being stupid,” he grumbles. “But, I’ve only got a motorcycle, so I needed some help.”
“It’s cute that they came along,” you say. “Still on for tomorrow?”
He laughs and gestures to the truck. “If those heathens haven’t scared you away, then yes. Absolutely.”
