#jamesbarnesxreader

The beautiful moodboard is by the talented @heloisedaphnebrightmore, and she’s a brilliant writer too, so go check her out!

This is my entry for @jbbuckybarnes writing challenge. Happy birthday and congratulations on 900!

Prompt: ‘Why is your cat such an assh*le?’

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Word count: ca. 1400

Warnings: fluff, language?

Summary: basically a cute, ‘domestic’ moment with your lovely super soldier!

A/N: this is my first time writing Bucky, and I really enjoyed it! Feedback is welcome and appreciated!

I hope you enjoy it!

PS: I changed the title

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stairs. Stairs. And more stairs. Why did you choose an apartment on such a high floor? Right, the view. However, in hindsight, you were wondering if it was worth the five flights of stairs after a long day of work.

Sighing heavily, you dragged yourself up the last few steps and to your apartment door. Your fingers rifled through your bag, searching for the familiar key, a sappy Valentine's keychain from Bucky hanging from it.

For a moment you panicked. What if you had lost it? You'd never forgive yourself. You'd have to change the lock, which you frankly couldn't afford at the moment, and... and the precious keychain Bucky had given you on your first Valentine's Day together. No, you couldn't have lost it.

You dug through your bag frantically. Bucky had a spare key, so you could always call him to come over and open your apartment for you, but you didn't want to trouble him with that.

'Yes!' You exclaimed in triumph, producing the keys from the bag you would now be more inclined to call 'a container for absolute chaos.'

You slipped the key into the lock, taking your time so as not to startle anyone. You wanted to surprise Luka, your cat.

Upon opening the door, you heard a voice and remembered you weren't the only one home. Rather than being a cause for alarm, it relaxed you, for the voice belonged to none other than your beloved boyfriend, Bucky Barnes.

'No. I fed you recently, you're not getting any more.' His voice was firm, his tone similar to the one he used when training new recruits at the Avengers compound.

As you slipped your coat and shoes off, slowly and silently, you recognized the answering meow to be Luka. A smirk crept onto your face. Oh, this was bound to be good.

Bucky only groaned in reply. You could already picture him in the middle of an intense glaring contest with your cat. 'No, Y/N will kill me if I over-feed you. Have you seen her when she's mad?'

He waited for the cat's response, continuing when none came. 'No, right? Well, I have and I'm staying on her good side.'

Luka meowed again, the same meow that he used to beg you for whatever he desired. You had to admit, maybe, just maybe, maybe you spoiled your cat a little. Hey, in your defense, he had been your only companion until you met the Avengers, and Bucky.

You took a couple of tentative steps forward, halting in the doorway as you watched the scene unfold in front of you. Luka was using the same tactic he always used on you, which basically consisted of meowing in a whiny tone, purring, and rubbing up against your legs, but it didn't work so well on Bucky.

Bucky heaved a heavy sigh and ran his hand through his long, soft, brown locks. For a split second, he resembled a parent with a child he had no idea what to do with.

'Do you want me to put you outside?'

Luka trotted over to the couch where plopped down on his behind. He was clearly going to be as difficult as possible.

'I thought not. You're not getting any treats and that's final.' Bucky crossed his arms like a defiant child, except in this scenario, he was playing the role of parent.

Apparently he got a little too close. Luka shot out a paw, letting out a hiss as his claws pierced Bucky's skin, the latter crying out not in pain or shock, but indignation.

'Seriously? I've been nothing but nice to you, but the moment I say no, this is how you treat me? Nope, now you're definitely going outside.'

You attempted to stifle your laughs as he scooped Luka up in one swift move, carrying him to the balcony as if the cat were an infant. Luka meowed in protest.

'Oh, now you're sorry? Too bad, you're still in timeout.'

He plopped your beloved pet on his behind on the balcony (which had, of course, been made pet-proof). He closed the door behind him, glaring daggers at Luka, who in turn struck an aloof model-like pose with his head high in the air, turning around and sitting down with his back to Bucky.

You called his name, alerting your dorky super-soldier boyfriend to your presence, who only offered you a sheepish chuckle as he approached you.

'Y/N, doll, how long have you been home?'

You smiled, snuggling into his warm embrace. 'Long enough to know you and my cat don't get along.'

'In my defense, I tried to befriend him. Not my fault he's a bitch.'

You chuckled, despite your efforts not to.

'Y/N, this is serious! Your cat attacked me!' He exclaimed, your reaction clearly not what he expected.

You looked up at him, still grinning. 'It's just a couple of scratches, Buck, you've had worse.'

'Yeah, but none of them were caused by such betrayal! Why is your cat such an asshole?'

You burst out laughing again, deciding to play along and dragging him to your small but cozy kitchen. He followed without any form of resistance, a wide, loving smile gracing his handsome features.

'Alright, hero, let's go take a look at your wounds.'

He seated himself on one of your wooden kitchen chairs, each of which you had sewn a pillow for. His eyes followed your movements as you placed your kitchen stool in front of the cabinet, proceeding to stand on it to retrieve the band-aids from the highest shelf. Why did you put them up there? You really weren't tall enough to reach without the stool.

'Show me where it hurts, soldier.' You teased.

'Everywhere. Doll, I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it.'

Bucky let out a groan, leaning back in the chair as if in pain.

You played along, adopting a very feminine, theatrical voice and kneeling by his side, pretending to be concerned for your injured partner's life. 'No, Bucky, you must! I can't live without you, you can't leave me! Not after all we've been through!'

'I'm sorry Y/N. I think... it's too late for me.'

Bucky closed his eyes for what you assumed to be dramatic effect. You latched on to him, pretending to sob like a princess from the early Disney movies.

'No, no, I can't lose you too!'

Bucky spoke one last sentence, his voice dramatic and emotional, like you'd expect from a dying character in a play. 'Goodbye, Y/N. I love you.'

You both burst into laughter simultaneously, laughing at how silly this was. But you knew you would treasure this memory, and those like it, while Bucky was out on his missions. Moments like these, calm, relaxed, peaceful, just the two of you, were rare, given your jobs, but you wouldn't have it any other way.

Bucky pulled you into his lap as your laughter died down, his arms around you to prevent you from losing your balance. You noticed his face turn serious as he gazed at you and you couldn't prevent the wave of unease washing over you.

'Doll, you know I'd never leave you, right?'

Relief flooded you as you smiled. This was Bucky we were talking about, your Bucky, who loved you so much the thought of breaking up with you would never even cross his mind, who loved you so much he'd do anything to see you happy.

'Of course, Buck.'

Your both leaned in, your eyes fluttering closed as your lips brushed his unbelievably soft ones. Arms wrapping around his neck, you deepened the kiss as Bucky flooded your senses and your thoughts, the scent of his cologne and his warmth enveloping you like a soft, fluffy blanket.

You finally parted for air, your cheeks flushing when you saw the sheer amount of love on Bucky's face as he gazed at you. He kind of resembled a lovesick puppy at times like this.

He leaned in again, pecking your nose gently, an action you mirrored immediately. You sat together in comfortable silence for a few moments, a silence you were the first to break, what you said eliciting a laugh from Bucky.