New Years with the Winters

Fireworks lit up the winter sky in vibrant shades of red and gold, flashing shadows across the Avenger Tower. It was December 31st, New Years, and the world gleamed brighter underneath a fresh canopy of stars and promise.

From deep within the large building, a woman looked out of her window onto the snowy courtyard of the compound below. Doc, the woman in question, was petite of stature. She had short cropped dark hair and golden-hazel eyes. Most would have considered her pretty in a reserved sort of way, though she rarely took extra time or effort on her physical appearance.

Doc was a simple type of woman, with simple desires and dreams. After innumerable years of living, she was content in her skin and had figured out what she wanted from life. And after years of searching, she had finally found her place . .  . At the side of the once infamous Winter Soldier, James Buchanan Barnes.

Currently, Doc smiled as she glanced towards the kitchen where said soldier was preparing the evening meal.

When Doc had first met Bucky she’d never have pegged him as a culinary artist. But after getting to know him quite well, she had been pleasantly surprised by his evident skill. He tended to make quaint dishes that were simple, but had proven in the past that he was quite capable of complexity when the mood suited.

It was several minutes later that Bucky exited the kitchen, with a plate in each hand. Before he had slipped away an hour earlier, Bucky had been quite secretive about what he was preparing. . . And now as Doc’s gaze flittered over the food he carried, she understood why he’d felt the need for secrecy.

A soft smile rose to her features as the scent of fresh pho and chomchom filled her eager nostrils. Bucky watched her expression carefully, gauging her reaction with intent blue eyes.

“You did say it was your favorite…?” He almost seemed uncertain, as he proffered the food to her.

“I did.” Doc took one of the plates from him, before leaning over to plant a sweet kiss to his cheek. “Thanks for the holiday surprise, sweet one.”

Bucky’s stubble-laced cheeks flushed slightly, and he returned her smile with a loving one of his own.  “Of course. You ready to eat then?”

Doc nodded before she captured his metal hand in her own smaller one, and led him over to the window seat, where she’d been perched before. He followed willingly, and they settled on the seat quite comfortably. As they ate in an easy silence, the two watched the sparkling light of the fireworks dance across the darkened sky with tranquility.  

Normally the sound of such dazzling explosions would have put them on edge- seeing as both were survivors of war and the jaws of death. But Steve Rogers had spoken to Tony Stark, and the playboy billionaire had put in soundproof glass in their section of the Tower. It had been a blessing for both of them, and though Bucky and Tony didn’t always get along, it was a good step in the right direction.

When they finished their delicious meal sometime later, Doc gathered up their dishes and deposited them in the sink, before she went back out to join Bucky. As she came to stand before him, the Winter Soldier held his arms open for her silently, as complete warmth crossed his handsome face. She climbed into his lap without hesitation, before she wrapped her arms around him slowly and buried her face in his neck. They sat, holding each other for what seemed like hours. Neither moved, and soon their breathing and heartbeats matched one-anothers in cadence and rhythm. This was quite normal for them, seeing as they often spent time in each other’s personal space.

“You warm enough,” Bucky asked gently, as he peppered her hair and forehead with several feather light kisses.

“Mmm hmm,” she hummed, leaning into the contact happily. “You’re keeping me warm.”

For so many years, Doc had been alone and afraid. So many years of regenerating and losing those she came to care for. . . . Until Bucky had come into her life. . . Sure, it hadn’t been all sunshine and roses for them, but in the end he’d been there. Day after day, he stayed making her life worth living. Slowly he reminded her of what true beauty was, and she loved him for it.

After several more minutes of cuddles, Doc pulled back from Bucky’s neck to look him in the eye. There was so much affection housed in the blue orbs, matching her own heartfelt adoration, and the woman immediately raised a hand to cup his face. He stared at her, unblinking, as she rubbed her nose against his in an eskimo kiss.

He chuckled deeply as their noses brushed again and again, before he gently pulled her in. As their lips met, Bucky sighed contentedly. His whole body seemed to melt into the window seat, as he breathed her in. She tasted like spring with a touch of summer; exquisite and pure to the touch.

When they stopped kissing, Bucky brought her back into a tender hug.

“I’m a lucky man,” he said, making Doc smile into the fabric of his shirt.

“And I’m a lucky woman,” she returned peacefully, as she closed her eyes to listen to his steady heartbeat. After a breath she continued in her softly accented voice, “Happy New Year, Bucky.”

He nuzzled the scar on her left temple as he whispered back, “Happy New Year, beautiful.”