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When Bucky and Holly had been accepted into the tower, everyone was on board with the change.
Some days got very interesting with those two around, no matter who came out.
The Soldier and Holly Potter
After a morning run, Sam and Rogers came back to the towers while chatting amicably about the world and it’s good ol’ days. It was an attempt to get Rogers comfortable with the times, hitting his friend with nostalgia while sharing some new things that the other may enjoy.
However, before entering the kitchen of the penthouse, he and Steve stopped almost immediately. The two stiffened, eyes widening in slight shock as the Winter Soldier stood in front of them with a harrowing look that promised death if they took one more step inside. He was showing his build, Sam noted as he prepared for a fight. The Soldier had his arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, and lips pulled back into a tight-lipped grimace.
Steve was the first to react, holding a hand out to see if he can calm Bucky.
“Buck-”
The Soldier growled in warning. The alpha hormones blasted both Steve and Sam's nose like a tidal wave. Knowing Steve would rise to the challenge of the Winter Soldier to get Bucky back, Sam was quick to place a hand on Steve’s shoulder. Sometimes putting distance will bring a friend back.
Of course, Steve’s own hackles started to rise as a low growl rumbled out. Sam could feel himself groan inwardly while mentally facepalming.
God damn Rogers and his fight picking ways.
“Now now, none of that.” A soft, British accent cut in suddenly from behind the Winter Soldier. The voice turned into a soft coo from behind the Soldier. All 3 Alpha’s heads snapped towards the sound. The Soldier’s eyes softened almost immediately as a pale hand came down to rest over his flesh one. In an instant, the large fingers of the Soldier’s weaved around the lithe fingers of the new addition of the tower.
Holly peeked from behind the Soldier. One eye was hidden behind a headband slash cloth ( apparently, she preferred a cloth over an eyepatch, saying she looked like Nick Fury with the patch ) and was half-lidded in exhaustion. The dark circles were deeper than usual and she seemed too exhausted to be up, yet she was awake anyway at 7 in the morning.
Nightmares perhaps? It would explain why the Soldier was up and center. Just didn’t explain who had the nightmare.
“Hey, Holly.” Sam greeted first with a friendly smile. Steve reduced his offensive aroma and stood straighter, looking a bit perturbed at the sight of the shorter girl in front of him. She was holding a mug in her hand, staring at the other alphas with her strangely bright green eye. Sam could smell the hot chocolate from her cup.
It had been only a few months with both Bucky and Holly being around. Everyone was willing to have them around. Of course, most members were not as enthusiastic as Steve, but the two were accepted nonetheless.
It was just...getting used to their personalities when one or the other appears that needs some work.
“Mornin’ Sam. Hullo, Steve...” Holly was tugged closer to the Soldier’s side in a protective manner. Holly didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the motion. Sam and Steve tried hard not to look over at the other alpha in the room. The blond alpha felt himself hesitate before nodding a greeting at Holly.
Sam sometimes wanted to whack Steve with a rolled-up newspaper. He knew that Bucky with a bond-mate was different than Steve is used to, but it’s been months already. Steve should find a way to become friends with the woman instead of being an idiot and tip-toeing around her. Afterall, wasn’t he the one to suggest she stay with them too?
Holly, sensing the discomfort in Steve, merely gave a shy smile and turned her head to look up at the Soldier. The two began communicating in Russian, stepping slightly to the side, which gave the two joggers the go ahead into the kitchens and to make some breakfast. It was of no surprise to Sam that Steve was glancing now and again at the Soldier and Holly.
The short omega had her hand pressed at the dip of the Soldier’s back. His shoulders were hunched forwards in submission to the small hand on his back before he straightened like the asset he was.
After she had finished whatever comforting words she was offering, the British omega began to move. She had done little to coax the Soldier into following her. He became her shadow almost immediately with no prompting, following her steps towards the couch. Their hands were still connected, but he was just a step behind her, shielding her somewhat from their views.
Then the woman sat on the couch, tugging the Soldier next to her. Her head pressed against his shoulder while the morning news played.
Steve watched with a small smile, noticing the way the Soldier’s thumb would caress over her knuckles. Sam couldn’t help but comment how calm they were around each other.
The Soldier and The Experiment
Bruce watched the two ex-Hydra assets in the living room. Of course, he wasn’t in the room, per se. Rather, he was watching them through a screen while held up in the lab. Most everyone was gone. Whether it was a mission, work, or just to have a social life; the Tower was practically empty save for himself and the bonded pair.
Honestly, he didn't want to watch them through the screen. It's...creepy. And lack of privacy went against his own morals.
But it was for the best if both the Soldier and the Experiment are out and about- even Bucky and Holly gave permission to watch over them should they both become the Winter Soldier and Experiment Aurora at the same time. The way they walk was the main indicator for which identity took over and Jarvis would usually bring up the security screen to any of the Avengers should it become noticed.
At first, it had startled him, seeing their loom and gloomy selves outside the living room after Jarvis brought out the screen so suddenly. He was then informed that it would be best not to enter for an indefinite amount of time. He had wanted to go to the kitchen and make some food before the warning had come. Of course, he was given a reason as to why it was in his best interest to stay low and was shown some live security footage for when the two would calm to be “Bucky and Holly”, so... yup. He was 'banned' from the penthouse.
While working on the small project Tony was working on with him, he watched as the two assets cuddled on the floor. There was a makeshift nest the omega had made and the alpha had simply followed; bringing in clothes, blankets, or pillows. Despite being the bigger of the two, it was clear as day that Holly, or Aurora when she is in Experiment mode, is the one who calls the shots to put order between the two of them.
Bruce remembered that Holly had once mentioned she was a leader to a small army at one point. No surprise now that she is leader to this one-man army now.
He noticed one of Steve’s shirts in the mix, but made no further observation of the nest.
It was like watching an animal documentary. The alpha and omega would be cuddled inside the nest, cozy and happy.
It was also just insanely uncomfortable for Bruce.
Aurora was half-lazing on top of the Soldier’s chest who was laying perfectly still on his back. Aurora’s position wasn’t as weird as the Soldier’s who seemed to find comfort in laying down with his hands folded over his stomach and his legs close together. He was very stiff inside that nest. Incredibly stiff. The omega on the screen began to run her fingers through the Soldier’s hair, then lick and nip at his cheek or neck.
The Soldier, in response to these actions, had turned his head to chase after those fingers, pressing unusually careful kisses to the fingertips.
Then they began rolling on each other, ready to, as Tony would put it, “bump uglies” to Bruce’s horror.
Nope!
“Jarvis, lock the living room from everyone except those two. Please turn off the feed and...erm... Let me know when they’re...done.”
“Though I would usually advise against that, I understand, Mr. Banner.”
Thank God.
Dammit, he was used to naked people walking around like nobody’s business ( Thor. ) so handing back some clothes or waking them up from “sexy time” ( Tony. ) is no problem.
Still, he didn't ask to have mental images ingrained into his brain.
James Barnes and the Experiment
“Morning...”
The sound of Bucky’s voice came out from the openings of the elevator. Clint, who had been making some omelets at the time while Tony leaned against the kitchen island with his arms folded underneath him, looked up to give a good morning back.
He was halfway flipping the omelet when the sight got even Tony to give a choked gasp. A silent guffaw.
Wrapped around Bucky’s neck were the short arms of Holly. Except...The one glaring at everyone was definitely not the British woman, but Aurora. Her eye seemed to gleam in murderous intention at anyone who looked the omega’s way. She was holding on as though her life depended on it whereas Bucky looked as if it was the most normal thing in the tower right now.
Bucky began to head to the kitchen, turning on the coffee maker while Holly dangled on his neck like a human cape. Her feet barely touched the ground and on occasion, her toes would just tap against the back of Bucky’s calves with every twist and turn he made.
Turn. Tap tap.
Turn. Tap tap.
But the best part, in Clint’s mind, was her face the entire time the girl held on to her bond-mate.
So very angry. So very murderous.
…So fucking hilarious.
Tony couldn’t help himself. He laughed into his arms before raising his head. Clint turned his head to try to catch his own breath, making sure to re-flip the omelet as he did.
“Hey Terminator 2.0, did you notice the murder monkey hanging around your neck?”
Bucky was about to respond, only to have the omega on his back glower at Tony with a ferocious stare. They heard the growl from her only to be calmed down as she sniffed in at Bucky’s neck. Tony continued to snicker behind his hand while Bucky shrugged in response to the question. “She likes to hold on.”
“Oh, I can see that.”
“Hey, catch.” Clint slid a plate Tony’s way then a piping hot omelet on a plate Bucky’s way. Barnes quickly caught it with his metal hand, swooping it up along with his mug of coffee in his flesh hand.
“Thanks.” Bucky smiled to the blond who nodded with a snicker and a wave of his spatula.
Tony began to dig in as though he hadn’t eaten a proper meal for days.
Which would probably be no surprise.
Bucky looked around before heading towards the living room to sit on the couch and eat. He placed the mug on the coffee table then sat down on the couch. At first glance, it wouldn’t look like he was careful at all just plopping down on the cushions the way he did. But it was obvious he meant no harm as his omega’s arms went outwards, waving comedically from being smushed underneath, only to wrap back around his neck. A purr escaped her.
She popped up a little more to be in a more comfortable position between Bucky and the couch. Her chin rested on his shoulder.
Clint and Tony watched as Bucky would take a bite of his food from his fork, take another piece of the omelet, and put the fork over his shoulder for Aurora to quickly wrap her lips around and munch on.
The two were comfortable around each other no matter which personality came out, they noticed.
James Barnes and Holly Potter
He’ll be honest... He wasn’t as used to Holly as he is with Aurora. In fact, Holly and he seemed to get along a lot worse than their other identities did, and Bucky would be lying if he said they weren’t doing this on purpose. In some ways, he knew Holly would avoid him or speak minimally. In return, he only ever did the same. Neither of them truly opened up and even though their therapists recommended doing it together, the two of them were adamant about not being ready.
And he was okay with that. With their pace. Did he blame her? No. Never. But it didn’t mean he wasn’t just a little upset at how they both reacted to their bond links sometimes, especially when he would feel her misery through their bond and he was sure at times his own would leak out... Only a flinch would be either of their responses to negative emotions that rolled around their bond link. Neither of them sought each other out unless it became so bad that their other identity was forced to come out to comfort the other. And that... That's usually when it upsets him. When they're both so terrible at just helping each other out that the other personality has to come out to comfort them.
It is unfortunate. Very much so. But he was scared to make the first move as Bucky. Someone like him with a dame as wonderful as her... Only to remember time and again they were a forced bond- it could only ever sour his mentality.
There was a blank look in Bucky’s eyes as he wandered into the penthouse. The floor with the kitchen, the living room, and beautiful balcony. The area that Steve's... pack likes to gather. He knew to expect not being alone, but he didn’t expect the scene before him once he walked out the kitchen with a cup of coffee.
In the balcony was his bond-mate along with the only female Avenger. Natasha Romanoff. The alpha was talking quietly to Holly in the balcony. A soft Russian shared between the two that Bucky could not pick up from behind the thick glass door, but he was sure that what the two were talking about is in Russian. For some reason, Holly and Natasha only liked speaking in Russian when alone.
Bucky watched with an odd clench in his throat when the female alpha laid her head against Holly’s shoulder. Holly stood there, leaning on the rails and staring up at the sky, her back towards Bucky. There was a miserable look in her eyes. It was then that he felt it at the same time a tear dripped down from her eye- the feeling of woe. The loneliness. A touch-starved loneliness and sob through their shared bond.
He couldn’t...handle it.
And he left to his room, coffee forgotten on the counter.
…
He stopped in the entrance of his room, back towards the hallway and hand resting against the frame of his door. He stared at the large bed in his room that was meant to be for both he and Holly, but they were still given separate rooms just in case.
When it was both Holly and Bucky out simultaneously, they had a tendency to stay separated.
The piercing pain of depression and frustration coming back had him clutching at his chest and gritting his teeth. He felt his own tears building up at the corners of his eyes. He didn’t like this feeling. He didn’t know what to do... But at the same time he did.
Bucky felt himself sniff and relax his hand against the doorframe. He thought over and over about why he was running away from Holly when she was the reason he was still trying to stay alive today. He thought about why he didn’t reach out, but compared it to all the times Holly could have done the same. He wondered why he never reached out to her when they were both Bucky and Holly.
Then he realized it.
He was scared.
God, he was scared.
Extremely so that just the thought could put him to is knees, force him to curl, and sob into his hands.
He didn’t want to be rejected by his bond-mate... The possibility was and is too high. A rejected bond from someone he wanted to love but is too afraid to.
Bucky rested his forehead against his arm, leaning into the frame for support. A tear fell... Then another. And another. Soon enough, he was shaking in silence; a trembling sob wracked his body. What he thought were Holly's feelings were also a mix of his own. He couldn't...stop. Time passed and he was still a broken mess not even going into his room to sleep.
A soft palm pressed against his back. Bucky felt himself stiffen- only to smell clean laundry and flowers... His shoulders hunched over.
He now realized the pain he was feeling was no longer Holly’s, but his own. And he realized he may have leaked everything out.
His lips grew taut. His eyebrows were furrowed and the wrinkle between them only marred his face further. He was about to tell her to go away, to leave, that he was fine...
But he found himself wanting as her hands flitted around him, wrapping tightly around his chest. Oh how he nearly melted into her. So much so, that for once his own Alpha identity didn’t come out.
More time passed with her holding him in the doorway. And only when he had the energy to move, did he force himself to.
His legs dragged his heavy body towards his bed, kicking off his boots. Bucky sat on the edge of the bed, elbows to his thighs as he slumped somewhat. He stared at Holly, who only stared back from where she stood after following. Both of them had deep bags under their eyes. Bucky's eyes were red rimmed from his weakest moment just seconds ago. Holly's eye peered deeply into his before closing. She began to remove her own shoes. Once finished, Holly came closer to the bed, standing in front of him until both their knees touched.
Bucky separated his legs and reached up, flesh hand grazing her elbow, then gently guided her towards him.
Holly obliged by letting herself crawl into his arms.
The two of them laid in bed, Bucky’s legs wrapped around her and Holly’s face buried into his neck. Her eye was closed and Bucky’s arms kept her as close to him as possible. He noticed they were still both trembling. The opened wounds of their life picked at when they had quiet days.
He was still scared of rejection if he were honest to himself- And he can feel Holly agreeing with him in silence. He could feel her fears just as she could feel his.
But healing trauma takes time on both ends.
This was a good start...