[Feeling the heat of his gaze makes Natasha blush inwardly. There's not a touch of it that shows on her face, but she can feel the warmth run the length of her interior. If she'd been anyone else, it would have colored her cheeks and made her eyes flutter like the innocent woman she wished she could be at times. Unfortunately, so much of that had been repeatedly forced out of her through rigorous training. She was not to be demure until it was an act, and the last thing Nat wanted between her and James was an act.
Even in his normal get up, Bucky looked fabulous. He was a man that never failed to impress. She knew how to turn her words, to twist her gaze up under her lids to make it seem more flattering, but she didn't bother. Instead she opened her door further and offered the most genuine smile she had, striking down the first wall that she could. ]
It's alright, I'm not that offended. Come on in. You can put the stuff in the kitchen. My place is yours tonight, make yourself completely at home.
[Following behind him, there's a strong urge to simply move in and wrap her arms around his waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Fuck, she thinks. What is this effect that he has on her. ]
[The sight of her most honest smile is by far more appreciated than any demure look she could have mustered for him. James knows this is a rare occurrence and to be the recipient of such a smile is more than he could ask for, really. The sincere curl of her lips is met with one of his own, warm and genuine, the sort of smile that he used to have all the time before the war. With a curt nod, he comes into her home, carefully putting down the grocery bags on the floor to take off his boots and leather jacket, leaving the gloves with it too.
He then moves on to her kitchen with their snacks, and maybe it's the way Nat manages to make him feel comfortable around her, or maybe he does feel encouraged by how forward their flirting had been lately, it's hard to say, but Bucky's smile turns playful for a brief moment:]
Careful what you're offering there, Nat. Maybe I'm the kind of guy that doesn't wear pants anytime he's home, [he teases as he looks back at her, obvious to her sudden urge to wrap her arms around him. He wouldn't have stopped her if she had.
Bucky pauses putting away the ice cream in the freezer at her question, only to shrug lightly at it:]
Whichever you prefer? It's not like too much of it is going to make me fall asleep during the movie.
Hey, I don't have pants on. You really shouldn't have to. [She nudges him in the ribs with a bout of laughter that dwindles down to soft giggles as she pulls down a couple of bowls. Might as well go with both at once them. Do up all the good stuff in one go she figures. The champagne flutes come next, and she turns to hand him the bottle. ]
Then I will ask you to do the honors here while I make us a couple of perfect bowls.
[Perfect in her opinion is lots of scoops for each bowl, not with an old fashioned ice cream scoop or anything so fancy, but with a spoon and a swift movement through the slightly softened cream. It comes up nicely now, since it hasn't had the time to refreeze into something more hard to cut through. With that, she moves to the couch by the fireplace and while the glow made the room a little warm, she had the a/c on to make up for it. It made no sense, but why make sense when the glow made the ambiance a gentle flicker of light across the otherwise soft dimness of that side of the room.
It was perfect to lay by and watch her favorite movies. ]
All ready whenever you are. I promise not to fall asleep either. I've had enough champagne over time that it doesn't even bother me at all anymore.
Well, I was raised a gentleman by my folks: I don't drop my pants for any dame before our wedding night, [he teases back, the wide smile on his face making it clear this is utter bullshit, and he's sure Steve has told Nat all about his youth before the war.
He nods and grabs the bottle, twisting off the metal cage protecting the cork before looking around for a towel in case the champagne spills over when he pops it. His gaze sweeps over her kitchen just in time to catch Nat stretching as she grabs the bowls and flutes, and it's hard for his eyes not to drop to the hem of her nightdress as it rides up, uncovering even more soft skin on her thighs.
For a brief second, James wonders how wrong it is to remember the two times those strong thighs had been wrapped around his head, for all the wrong reasons. But he wonders most specifically how bad it is that part of him secretly hopes to have a third chance to find his head between her thighs again, and truly make up for the last two times, third time being the charm and all that. His inappropriate thoughts are quickly interrupted by the popping sound of the cork on the bottle, and Bucky manages to avoid wasting a single drop of the wine by grabbing one of the flutes as it bubbles up the neck of the bottle.
He follows her to the living room as he pours the champagne, with a small nod of approval at the whole ambiance Nat created with the fireplace and the AC. Offering her a glass, he puts the bottle and his won on the coffee table before getting rid of the long-sleeved grey Henley shirt he came in with, revealing the blue t-shirt he's wearing underneath. Super Soldiers run hotter than normal humans, and even with the AC, there's no doubt he'll be more comfortable with one less layer. ]
I promise not to tell anyone if you snore while you sleep, if you do fall asleep during the movie.
[He teases again as he joins Nat on the couch, giving her space enough so that she's comfortable, before picking up his glass and raising it lightly for a toast:]
To an evening better spent than doing boring PR stuff?
[The teasing was light and playful, but she still turned to eye him from top to bottom as if she could see through what he was wearing to what might be settled underneath. It would be an outright lie to say that she wasn't curious. He did something that made her heart flip in ways it hadn't in - well, for as long as she could recall. Nat always thought she wasn't set out for relationships, but James got her in a whole different way. He understood the darker nature of her reality better than anyone else.
She wasn't afraid of scaring him off the way she could anyone else. Nat knew that she could be herself, and that put her more at ease around him. It made her more prone to flirting and wanting to see if what they fostered was absolutely genuine or some fluke of nature.
Settled on the couch, Nat tucks her feet up under her and settles back to watch Bucky strip out of his heavier long sleeved shirt with a look of unabashed appreciation. It's not often he walks around in short sleeves, and she certainly appreciates the small bit when both shirts ride up while he's attempting to pull one off. ]
Don't let me stop you there...
[Biting her lip, she smirks quietly and then dips her head to take a bite of ice cream, turning the spoon over in her mouth so that she can slowly lick the creamy substance off. Once it's been finished, she's able to raise her own glass to the toast. ]
So much better than stupid PR. Way more comfortable, and a much better view as well. For the record, I only snore if I haven't slept in days or when I have a cold. I can't control those things.
[Her teasing is sure to make him smile lightly, and he catches her eyeing him up in a way that makes warmth curl in his chest. He doesn't remember the last time someone has so openly checked him out, at least not since World War II, and it's no surprise to Bucky that his breath catches in his throat. He probably shouldn't want to push the limits of their flirting, for all the complications this could bring between them, but it's hard not to pull on that tread. Not when Natasha gives him this kind of look, not when it seems like this is one decision he can make for himself, after spending what feels like a lifetime of following orders.
The curl of his lips is just as teasing as her words, giving him a boyish look that's rarely seen in public as some heat darkens the icy blue of his gaze:]
Maybe I can be convinced to make an exemption for you.
[An invitation, barely hidden in teasings, to pull on that thread further if she feels like it, if she wants to just as he does.
It's certainly a sign of how comfortable he is with Natasha that he chooses to wear short sleeves around her. The sight of his vibranium arm is often one that makes people uncomfortable, like a constant reminder of the violence he used to deliver, that he could still deliver if he chooses to. But he knows that if there is anyone who can understand the darkness that follows one with a past like his, it's her.]
I wasn't aware this was that kind of 'Netflix and Chill'. I would have dressed properly for it if I had known, [he teases back as he joins her on the couch, his gaze ever watching how she makes good work of the ice cream on her spoon, making him swallow slowly as he forces his mind not to devolve to filthier comparison for the spoon.]
Yeah, [he says as he clears his throat], though I'm still considering asking you out to the opera just to see you in that dress. Still feels like I miss something really breathtaking.
[He clinks his glass against hers before taking a sip of the champagne, humming approvingly as he tastes the wine. He moves to settle himself comfortably, stretching his long legs under her coffee table.]
I'm pretty sure everyone snores when they're tired or have a cold. And you can't be worse than Sam or Torres, so there's that at least?
[There was a direct correlation to how Natasha was eating her icecream and the thoughts going on in her head. The eye contact that she made over her spoon was wide and almost a little 'too' innocent every single time she did it as well, like a very well acted out play. Perhaps she knew exactly the amount of fire she was playing with and had decided to toss all caution to the wind after sitting down with him.
There had been no small amount of flirting they'd danced around for a while now, and Nat already knew that there was no one else in this entire world that she could make an actual go of it with. She knew that Bucky understood her, and didn't judge her for her past-- he respected her and considered her intelligent and considerate. She hoped that something like this would lead them further into something lasting if it happened, but that wasn't anything she could tell until they took the first step. ]
Maybe I'll dress up for you in that dress tomorrow, and you can see the full picture later. Right now, I'm wondering if you were just testing me or if you really would make an exception for me.
[Moving forward on her knees, she's set her food and drink aside. Nat slides her finger along the strong line of his jaw and then down his chest.]
I'll take mine off if you take yours off. [She says, barely above a whisper.]
[As 'innocent' as she's trying to make her look every time their gazes meet, Bucky is not fooled easily, but still can't take his eyes away from her. For all the years he's been forced to hide his emotions and stay the stoic good little soldier HYDRA needed, he can't hide how much she's affecting him, at least not to Natasha's trained eyes. He feels heat pool in his cheeks and neck, and Bucky smiles lightly as he puts his glass on the table, turning to face her:]
As tempting as that offer is, I think I'd still prefer to take you out on a proper date for it. If you let me, that is.
[He's old fashioned like that, but if Nat prefers to keep this...whatever is developing between them discreet and secret, he would respect that. In truth, he'd take whatever she's willing to give him and not ask for more, because boundaries are meant to be respected.]
I would definitely make an exception for you, Natasha. [He says in a breath: there's no game or tests from him. He's too old and too jaded for those: he would rather face brutal honesty than jump through hoops.
James is pretty sure he's stopped breathing when the redhead turns to him, moving closer to him, and for a brief moment, he leans against her touch, his eyes searching her face for any signs of doubt, before he leans closer as well.]
Isn't that cheating? You're not wearing any pants already. [He teases just as softly as she's spoken, and with one last searching look in her eyes, he hits the 'fuck it' button in his mind and leans even closer as his flesh hand comes up to cup her face before he closes the distance between their mouth.]
Then it's a date. I'll be looking forward to seeing you dressed up as well.
[It's true, she will. She can only imagine him all trussed up in some form of formal wear. She's seen plenty of pictures of him in his military finest and fuck if he wasn't the most handsome, most sexy thing on two legs. She knew from those pictures alone that he would have been her ideal type physically.
Add to it all their shared experience, and his distinct chivalrous qualities that make her want to blush, swoon and do all those things she never thought possible with as world worn as she was, Natasha knew she'd never find anyone like James elsewhere. He made her heart beat, and made her want to think of a future that had him in it.
It was a frightening proposition, but she was facing it head on now. There was no more hiding it as she knelt next to him and offered herself. Nat knew exactly what she was doing-- finally. Giving in to her desires, and letting go of all her hard won reigns of control was difficult, but she trusted him to take them.
There was a devilish grin on her face when he accused her of cheating, and if he hadn't leaned in to kiss her, she would have pulled it off right then, but instead she found herself falling into him. Her mouth opened, and she slid her arms around his waist. Licking her way into his mouth, she feasted on every flavor that existed, the dark richness of him, tangling tongues and nipping at his lip. Her hands skimmed his back, climbing up beneath his shirt without thought to trace over his hard won muscles. It was everything she'd ever desired, and dreamed of for so long. Finally. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2024-06-15 03:51 pm (UTC)Even in his normal get up, Bucky looked fabulous. He was a man that never failed to impress. She knew how to turn her words, to twist her gaze up under her lids to make it seem more flattering, but she didn't bother. Instead she opened her door further and offered the most genuine smile she had, striking down the first wall that she could. ]
It's alright, I'm not that offended. Come on in. You can put the stuff in the kitchen. My place is yours tonight, make yourself completely at home.
[Following behind him, there's a strong urge to simply move in and wrap her arms around his waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Fuck, she thinks. What is this effect that he has on her. ]
Do you want me to pop the bubbly now or wait.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-17 03:48 am (UTC)He then moves on to her kitchen with their snacks, and maybe it's the way Nat manages to make him feel comfortable around her, or maybe he does feel encouraged by how forward their flirting had been lately, it's hard to say, but Bucky's smile turns playful for a brief moment:]
Careful what you're offering there, Nat. Maybe I'm the kind of guy that doesn't wear pants anytime he's home, [he teases as he looks back at her, obvious to her sudden urge to wrap her arms around him. He wouldn't have stopped her if she had.
Bucky pauses putting away the ice cream in the freezer at her question, only to shrug lightly at it:]
Whichever you prefer? It's not like too much of it is going to make me fall asleep during the movie.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-19 05:28 pm (UTC)Then I will ask you to do the honors here while I make us a couple of perfect bowls.
[Perfect in her opinion is lots of scoops for each bowl, not with an old fashioned ice cream scoop or anything so fancy, but with a spoon and a swift movement through the slightly softened cream. It comes up nicely now, since it hasn't had the time to refreeze into something more hard to cut through. With that, she moves to the couch by the fireplace and while the glow made the room a little warm, she had the a/c on to make up for it. It made no sense, but why make sense when the glow made the ambiance a gentle flicker of light across the otherwise soft dimness of that side of the room.
It was perfect to lay by and watch her favorite movies. ]
All ready whenever you are. I promise not to fall asleep either. I've had enough champagne over time that it doesn't even bother me at all anymore.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-22 10:43 pm (UTC)He nods and grabs the bottle, twisting off the metal cage protecting the cork before looking around for a towel in case the champagne spills over when he pops it. His gaze sweeps over her kitchen just in time to catch Nat stretching as she grabs the bowls and flutes, and it's hard for his eyes not to drop to the hem of her nightdress as it rides up, uncovering even more soft skin on her thighs.
For a brief second, James wonders how wrong it is to remember the two times those strong thighs had been wrapped around his head, for all the wrong reasons. But he wonders most specifically how bad it is that part of him secretly hopes to have a third chance to find his head between her thighs again, and truly make up for the last two times, third time being the charm and all that. His inappropriate thoughts are quickly interrupted by the popping sound of the cork on the bottle, and Bucky manages to avoid wasting a single drop of the wine by grabbing one of the flutes as it bubbles up the neck of the bottle.
He follows her to the living room as he pours the champagne, with a small nod of approval at the whole ambiance Nat created with the fireplace and the AC. Offering her a glass, he puts the bottle and his won on the coffee table before getting rid of the long-sleeved grey Henley shirt he came in with, revealing the blue t-shirt he's wearing underneath. Super Soldiers run hotter than normal humans, and even with the AC, there's no doubt he'll be more comfortable with one less layer. ]
I promise not to tell anyone if you snore while you sleep, if you do fall asleep during the movie.
[He teases again as he joins Nat on the couch, giving her space enough so that she's comfortable, before picking up his glass and raising it lightly for a toast:]
To an evening better spent than doing boring PR stuff?
no subject
Date: 2024-06-24 04:40 pm (UTC)[The teasing was light and playful, but she still turned to eye him from top to bottom as if she could see through what he was wearing to what might be settled underneath. It would be an outright lie to say that she wasn't curious. He did something that made her heart flip in ways it hadn't in - well, for as long as she could recall. Nat always thought she wasn't set out for relationships, but James got her in a whole different way. He understood the darker nature of her reality better than anyone else.
She wasn't afraid of scaring him off the way she could anyone else. Nat knew that she could be herself, and that put her more at ease around him. It made her more prone to flirting and wanting to see if what they fostered was absolutely genuine or some fluke of nature.
Settled on the couch, Nat tucks her feet up under her and settles back to watch Bucky strip out of his heavier long sleeved shirt with a look of unabashed appreciation. It's not often he walks around in short sleeves, and she certainly appreciates the small bit when both shirts ride up while he's attempting to pull one off. ]
Don't let me stop you there...
[Biting her lip, she smirks quietly and then dips her head to take a bite of ice cream, turning the spoon over in her mouth so that she can slowly lick the creamy substance off. Once it's been finished, she's able to raise her own glass to the toast. ]
So much better than stupid PR. Way more comfortable, and a much better view as well. For the record, I only snore if I haven't slept in days or when I have a cold. I can't control those things.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-03 03:54 am (UTC)The curl of his lips is just as teasing as her words, giving him a boyish look that's rarely seen in public as some heat darkens the icy blue of his gaze:]
Maybe I can be convinced to make an exemption for you.
[An invitation, barely hidden in teasings, to pull on that thread further if she feels like it, if she wants to just as he does.
It's certainly a sign of how comfortable he is with Natasha that he chooses to wear short sleeves around her. The sight of his vibranium arm is often one that makes people uncomfortable, like a constant reminder of the violence he used to deliver, that he could still deliver if he chooses to. But he knows that if there is anyone who can understand the darkness that follows one with a past like his, it's her.]
I wasn't aware this was that kind of 'Netflix and Chill'. I would have dressed properly for it if I had known, [he teases back as he joins her on the couch, his gaze ever watching how she makes good work of the ice cream on her spoon, making him swallow slowly as he forces his mind not to devolve to filthier comparison for the spoon.]
Yeah, [he says as he clears his throat], though I'm still considering asking you out to the opera just to see you in that dress. Still feels like I miss something really breathtaking.
[He clinks his glass against hers before taking a sip of the champagne, humming approvingly as he tastes the wine. He moves to settle himself comfortably, stretching his long legs under her coffee table.]
I'm pretty sure everyone snores when they're tired or have a cold. And you can't be worse than Sam or Torres, so there's that at least?
no subject
Date: 2024-07-03 07:21 pm (UTC)There had been no small amount of flirting they'd danced around for a while now, and Nat already knew that there was no one else in this entire world that she could make an actual go of it with. She knew that Bucky understood her, and didn't judge her for her past-- he respected her and considered her intelligent and considerate. She hoped that something like this would lead them further into something lasting if it happened, but that wasn't anything she could tell until they took the first step. ]
Maybe I'll dress up for you in that dress tomorrow, and you can see the full picture later. Right now, I'm wondering if you were just testing me or if you really would make an exception for me.
[Moving forward on her knees, she's set her food and drink aside. Nat slides her finger along the strong line of his jaw and then down his chest.]
I'll take mine off if you take yours off. [She says, barely above a whisper.]
no subject
Date: 2024-07-06 10:09 pm (UTC)As tempting as that offer is, I think I'd still prefer to take you out on a proper date for it. If you let me, that is.
[He's old fashioned like that, but if Nat prefers to keep this...whatever is developing between them discreet and secret, he would respect that. In truth, he'd take whatever she's willing to give him and not ask for more, because boundaries are meant to be respected.]
I would definitely make an exception for you, Natasha. [He says in a breath: there's no game or tests from him. He's too old and too jaded for those: he would rather face brutal honesty than jump through hoops.
James is pretty sure he's stopped breathing when the redhead turns to him, moving closer to him, and for a brief moment, he leans against her touch, his eyes searching her face for any signs of doubt, before he leans closer as well.]
Isn't that cheating? You're not wearing any pants already. [He teases just as softly as she's spoken, and with one last searching look in her eyes, he hits the 'fuck it' button in his mind and leans even closer as his flesh hand comes up to cup her face before he closes the distance between their mouth.]
no subject
Date: 2024-07-07 05:30 pm (UTC)[It's true, she will. She can only imagine him all trussed up in some form of formal wear. She's seen plenty of pictures of him in his military finest and fuck if he wasn't the most handsome, most sexy thing on two legs. She knew from those pictures alone that he would have been her ideal type physically.
Add to it all their shared experience, and his distinct chivalrous qualities that make her want to blush, swoon and do all those things she never thought possible with as world worn as she was, Natasha knew she'd never find anyone like James elsewhere. He made her heart beat, and made her want to think of a future that had him in it.
It was a frightening proposition, but she was facing it head on now. There was no more hiding it as she knelt next to him and offered herself. Nat knew exactly what she was doing-- finally. Giving in to her desires, and letting go of all her hard won reigns of control was difficult, but she trusted him to take them.
There was a devilish grin on her face when he accused her of cheating, and if he hadn't leaned in to kiss her, she would have pulled it off right then, but instead she found herself falling into him. Her mouth opened, and she slid her arms around his waist. Licking her way into his mouth, she feasted on every flavor that existed, the dark richness of him, tangling tongues and nipping at his lip. Her hands skimmed his back, climbing up beneath his shirt without thought to trace over his hard won muscles. It was everything she'd ever desired, and dreamed of for so long. Finally. ]