Chapter Eleven

Looking Spiffy

An hour later, James is sitting in the bathtub with his hair cut and I'm brushing all the leftover hair off his shoulders.

"You know you're picking this all up right? There's no way I'm explaining to the king that I've clogged the drain." I tell him and he laughs, making me grin. "Okay, that's it. You're done. Let me look at you." I shove the scissors and razor back in the drawer and turn around to see Bucky standing in the tub. His face is no longer shadowed by his long hair and it makes his eyes look brighter and greener than before. The hair left on his head seems lighter too, more of a brown than black. It's curlier than before and adds a more boyish quality to his face. Overall, he's still sexy as hell. He grins at me and holds his hands out to his sides.

"So?" He asks. I smile at him and tug him out of the shower and push him in front of the mirror.

"See for yourself. For the record, I still think you're handsome." I tell him as he stands there, running his hands through his newly shortened hair.

"I look like I did when I was twenty." He says incredulously. I smile softly at his happiness, glad I could help with it. I plant a small kiss in his cheek. Before I know it, I'm being lifted off my feet into his arms.

"Thanks doll." He whispers. I laugh and wrap my arms around his neck.

"Of course." I reply simply. He puts me down and rubs the tiny hairs on the back of his head. A knock on the door has me slipping past him and out of the bathroom. "Clean the hair up please." I tell him as I go to open the door. When I do, I find Steve standing there, Victoria tucked against his side. "Hey, come in." I step aside and wave them in. They enter and I see the two of them scan the room for Bucky. "He's cleaning the bathroom. Is anything wrong?" I ask. Both of them shake their heads in unison.

"No, no. We were just worried about you. You left dinner suddenly..." Victoria trails off, her eyes filled with concern. I lay a hand on her arm and squeeze gently.

"Thank you both for your concern, but I'm fine. Better than fine." I grin and Victoria smiles back at me, her eyes searching and hopeful. Suddenly, Steve looks over my shoulder and stiffens. Glancing behind me, I see Bucky standing just outside the bathroom. The fluorescent lights shine on him warmly and make his radiant smile seem even brighter. My heart warms at the sight of him and I don't think I'm the only one.

"Hey Stevie. Just like old times, huh?" James jokes, but Steve's face is anything but funny. It's like he's seen someone he thought he lost a long time ago, and I guess he has. In a second they've crossed the room and are embracing each other like brothers.

"Should we give them a moment?" I whisper to Victoria and she nods, slipping out the door behind her. I'm right after her and shut the door behind me. Gesturing down the hallway with a hand, I start walking and she follows. "So, how long have you and Steve been together?" I ask, genuinely curious. She smiles and it's gorgeous. God, their children are going to be breathtaking.

"Almost two and a half years." She replies and I can her the affection in her voice.

"Wow. That's impressive." I remark. She laughs quietly.

"Thank you. Actually, it's been easy." I look at her like she's crazy and she laughs again. "No, no. Not easy. I mean, it's a choice we make every day and we argue like every couple, but being with Steve," she shrugs. "it's like breathing." I stare at her and find myself smiling. It's good that she and Steve found each other. Loneliness can be a bitch.

"That's great. I'm glad you found someone like that." I tell her sincerely. She looks up at me and the side of her mouth twitches.

"Haven't you?" She asks, causing my mouth to pop open in surprise.

"How did you-?" I trail off when she waves a hand at me. The hall starts to curve, letting me know we're about halfway back to my room.

"I've known Bucky for two years, and while that isn't nearly as long as Steve, I know him pretty well. I saw how he was looking at you, how you were looking at him. It was a deduction." She explains nonchalantly. "So? Are you two something?" She asks nicely, somehow making the question seem sweet instead of pushy. My smile practically answers the question for her, but she waits until I confirm.

"Well, we kissed." My smile is practically splitting my face in half. "And we made some sort of, kind of, plans?" I end hesitantly, but Victoria stops us completely and throws her arms around me.

"That's fantastic!" She exclaims and I return her hug, then we part and keep on walking. A nervous laugh escapes my lips, but I'm supremely happy to relay the news. This is one of the rare few girl talks I've ever had and enjoyed.

"Thanks. By the way, would you and Steve be open to double dating?" I reply and ask. She laughs and nods as we round the corner to find two handsome men waiting for us.

"Hey, we didn't see you two duck out." Steve says, turning away from Bucky to face Victoria. Her smile comes easy as she folds into his arms like she belongs there.

"Hmm, you must be slipping Steven. By the way, since Bucky cut his hair does that mean you're going to shave this beard of yours?" She asks in a teasing tone. He cracks a smile while looking at her and both of their eyes shine with joy. It's sickeningly sweet. I myself contentedly lean against Bucky's chest and he puts his arm around me. That's all that I need.

"All you needed to do was ask, Ria." He says affectionately. "It'll be gone by morning." I groan and Bucky groans with me.

"I'm sorry, you too are giving me a toothache from how sweet you're being. I'm going to bed before I get a cavity. Night." I nod at all of them and slip into my room, leaving the door open for James to slip in through. It only takes a moment for him to do just that, and by then I've turned the bathroom light off and turned on the lamp beside my bed. I'm straightening up the bed when he does come in, shutting the door behind him. "Hey, did you tell Steve what you decided?" I ask, folding down the comforter and hopping onto the bed. He walks over to the other side of the bed and gets on it with me, running a hand through his shortened hair.

"Yeah. I told him we're together, but taking it slow. He said he's really happy for us and since Victoria likes you so much there won't be a problem getting Tony to let you stay at the tower." He relays the information with a triumphant smile, but that isn't the question I was asking.

"Wow. That's great, but I was actually talking about going to court." I specify, smiling humorously.

"Oh, right. I told him about that too." I laugh a little at how this was less important than our relationship status. Silence settles over us at the sheer momentous shit we're going to do tomorrow. I throw the comforter over me and move closer to James. Tucking myself under his arm, I sigh.

"Are you at all ready for what might happen tomorrow?" I whisper quietly, looking up at him with my chin on his chest.

"I'm ready to be free and to live my life how I want. With who I want." He replies just as quietly. I settle down a bit more and put my cheek on his chest, wrapping my arms around him.

"You will be. I'll be in there the whole time and kick anyone's ass who says any bullshit. I will see you exonerated James. I swear it." I tell him firmly, meaning every single word of it. All he does is chuckle and hold me a little closer, then turns off the lamp beside us.

"I believe you, doll. I believe you." His words settle the fire in me and I relax against him again.

"If you leave this time I will punch you in the stomach, though." He laughs and I fall asleep smiling.

* * * * * * *

*Bucky's POV*

I didn't sleep a second last night. The risk of hurting her was too real a threat. But, of course, being so near her and so warm made me fall asleep. Seems like only an hour or two though. I blink and look around. Her room is just the same, early morning light streaming through it to illuminate the room. I feel something with my left hand and find that somehow, I've been covered with the sheets and the comforter. Akilina's arms are still wrapped around my chest, but now she's partly cock-eyed. Most likely because she is now splayed across my entire body. Her head is tucked under my chin, making it hard to look at the rest of her since I can't look down. My eyes skim the shape of her body under the covers, just barely able to see her. Her chest is pressed against mine while her legs are hooked around both of mine, like some sort of koala. I can't help but chuckle and she tightens around me.

"Pillows don't move." She mumbles quietly and moves her head slightly, now every time she breathes her breath tickles my neck. Her comment only incites more laughter and she groans in response to it. Sighing, she wiggles some more and I stiffen. Her wiggling is not helping our new go-slow plan.

"Sugar, you may want to stop wiggling unless you're interested in waking up something else." I tell her and she freezes. Slowly, she unhooks herself from me and places her knees on either side of my waist. She slides herself up and I have to press my lips together to keep from making a very provocative noise. After a moment she's sitting on my stomach, her face hovering above mine.

"Sorry, bad habit." She whispers, making it even harder not to touch her.

"Where is the girl that blushed every time she looked at me?" I tease. She rolls her still sleepy eyes at me. I give in to my urge and place my hands on her bare thighs, rubbing up and down. She blushes and I grin happily at seeing the lovely color on her face again.

"She's still here. Obviously." She points at her red face. "I'm just not afraid of freaking you out anymore." She explains and leans down just enough to give me a small kiss. Her expression turns serious and she bites her lip. "Are you ready for today?" She asks me considerately. Looking up at her with her light, wild hair draped over her shoulder, I'd like to think I'd take on the world just to make her happy. I reach up and run a hand down her face, then twist a piece of her hair between the tips of my fingers.

"I'm ready." I sigh. She gives me a smile and pats my chest.

"Good. We have thirty minutes." She tells me and hops off the bed, running over to the bathroom and shoving everything in her bag, including all my clothes that were in the bathroom. I get up as well and make the bed while she packs up.

"I'm going to clean up next door." I tell her and go through the adjoining door.

"Tell me if you need help taking down the fort." She remarks teasingly and I turn back to her to see her smirk. "I saw it the other day. Move!" She encourages me and I jump to clean everything up before we leave. After all the blankets and pillows are relatively organized again, I go back into Akilina's room. I make sure I grab her book as well. She takes it from me and shoves it in her bag. Before I can get a word out she's grabbed my hand and is tugging me towards the door. I open it for her and she drags me out. Then we start running.

"Is this really necessary?" I ask her as we sprint down the hallways. She rolls her eyes.

"Yes! Run faster!" She yells at me and I laugh as we run, feeling younger than I have in a long time. We run out the front doors, no guards today, and skid to a stop when we see the quinjet still on the ground. "Ugh, thank god." She whispers and starts walking towards it, not letting go of my hand. As we get closer I see that everyone is already on board, including a certain King I haven't seen in a while. We enter the jet and Akilina tosses her bag into the corner under some seats.

"Ah, Miss Liya and Mr. Barnes. Good to see the two of you here." He greets us politely. The door shuts behind us and the jet shakes as Clint takes off.

"One moment please, your Highness." Liya says cordially and raises herself up off the ground with just air. Glancing at me, she puts me in a ball of air too. We hover there as everyone else shakes and shudders with the jet as we take off. Once we're off the ground and flying steady, she lets us back down. I incline my head towards T'Challa as Liya offers him her hand. He takes it and kisses it, then releases her. I frown a little at the show of affection, but relax when she presses herself closer to my side. I'm sure that was her intention too.

"It's good to see you too, your Majesty." Akilina is polite as ever, more used to human contact than I am. "Will you be coming with us?" She asks nicely. The King's eyes flick between the two of us, but his smile doesn't waver. Whether he approves or disapproves, he hides it well.

"I will. If there's any way that I can help Mr. Barnes and his friends, then I will do it. I want you to find peace, Mr. Barnes." He speaks to me directly. Inclining my head once again, I nod once.

"You've done plenty already. Your highness." I tell him genuinely. He holds a hand out to me and I shake it once. He nods at me before starting to walk towards the front of the plane. He pauses a moment and turns back to the two of us.

"I brought you a gift, by the way. Steve has it." He nods to us once again and goes to the front, leaving me and Akilina to stare at one another.

"A gift?" Liya questions and instantly looks around the jet for Steve. He's in the indentation of the wing, sitting down in a chair with Victoria lounging back in his lap. Seems he kept his word to her, he has shaved and looks years younger because of it. Sam stands in front of him with Scott leaning against the wall beside him. Liya and I start walking towards them at the same time, but I do see her eyes check on Wanda in the front of the jet with Clint and T'Challa. As we make our way over I notice Victoria and Wanda both have dresses on. Maybe Wanda's case is first? "Hey, fellas." Liya greets them with a smile. Murmured hi's make their way out of everyone's mouths, but all eyes are on my hair. Ignoring them, I turn to Steve.

"T'Challa said you had a gift from him to me?" I ask Steve. He nods and points behind him at a long brown bag hanging from the top. I stop a groan from slipping out of my lips when I realize what it must be.

"I know that face. You'll need a suit for court, Bucky." Victoria reminds me and I sigh, nodding. I meet Steve's eyes and see understanding.

"Right. I just haven't worn a suit in a while." I tell her, but I'm looking at Steve. He knows when the last time I wore a suit was.

"Be that as it may, you should change now. As soon as we land you'll be going to court." I take a sharp breath when Victoria says that and Liya's hand tightens on mine in reassurance.

"I'll be with you." She says instantly. My eyes go down to her and an easy smile overtakes my face. I'm so damn lucky.

"I'm sorry, are we not talking about the hair?" Sam asks with attitude. Despite myself, some nerves are lifted off my shoulders at the normalcy of his assholery.

"Jealous, Wilson?" I tease back and get a grin in return.

"Not of your hair, man. Not of your hair." He responds and shoots Liya a playful grin that she returns. I roll my eyes and grab the suit bag, then let Liya drag me over to the corner of the jet where her bag is.

"Alright, I'm going to make a wall of fire and that'll be our curtain, okay? I have to change too." She tells me and digs around in her bag until she finds some crazy high heels and a black dress. I nod at her and she snaps with both her hands, making fire erupt in both of them. She leans down and stands back up, as if she was forming the wall of fire out of clay. Once it's ablaze she grins at me and nods. I turn away from her and change, knowing if I was facing her I wouldn't care about changing at all. After shedding each piece of clothing, I fold it and put it to my side. I finish everything but the tie when the flames disappear. Turning towards Akilina with my mouth open to ask her to help me, I freeze when I see her leaning over to put her heels on in that black dress.

"Um, fuck." I whisper and she stands with a beaming smile on her face. Her eyes widen when she looks at me and her face turns red in the way that I love.

"Language, Buck!" Steve yells over at me, but my eyes don't leave Akilina. She laughs at Steve and I feel my heart being warmed in a way it's never been warmed before. She takes my clothes and tucks them in her bag, then stands and flattens her dress.

"Back at you, sexy." She says and tightens the bow resting on the back of her neck. "You look dashing, sweetheart." She compliments me again and I'm finally snapped out of my hypnosis. I take a step towards her and wrap my hands around her waist, finding that her back is completely bare. Without thinking about it, I suck in my bottom lip and run my teeth over it. Our face are inches apart and as always, there's a fire in her eyes.

"May I kiss you?" I ask, knowing we're in a room of people and that she might not want me to. Her arms wrap around my neck and her fingers push up the small hairs on the back of my neck. I put my forehead on hers, fighting the urge to kiss her until she answers. She smiles.

"I think you have to, Bucky." Her breath slides over my lips and I connect my lips with hers. I don't care at all about who might be watching, including the king, so I take all the pleasure in the world in running my hands up her bare back and putting them in her long hair. She moans quietly and her lips vibrate against mine, making me think of how much better it would be if we were alone and I could untie the bow around her neck. I release her instead and have to take a step completely away from her. We stare at each other for a few moments before she gestures to Steve and lays a hand on her collar bone to indicate my tie. I nod, still breathing hard. I turn towards Steve and everyone else and find either disturbed or impressed looks.

"I feel kind of dirty after watching that." Scott whispers and gets a high five from Sam. I glance at Liya, but find that Wanda and Victoria have joined her and they're talking happily. I go over to Steve and he instantly stands to tie my tie. We could never tie it ourselves, so we'd have the other do it.

"Shut it." I grunt at the too of them, but they just chuckle to one another. When I see their eyes drift over to Liya I resist putting my hands to their throats. "Touch her, and she'll kill you." I growl. Scott raises his hands and shuffles over to the front with T'Challa. Sam just shakes his head and looks back at me.

"You look sharp man. If you go to jail I'm sure you'll make friends fast." He pats my shoulder before I hit it away from me.

"Can you two act your age every once and a while?" Steve asks as he finishes tying my tie. He steps back and smiles softly at me. I'm sure I look more like the Bucky he knew when he was younger. Hopefully the court sees Bucky Barnes too, not the Winter Soldier.

"Our age?" Sam questions, crossing his arms across his chest. "Steve, both of you are over a century old. If you want to act your age, lean over and I'll get you a walker." We all chuckle at that before the ladies come back over.

"Shouldn't you both be changing as well?" Victoria asks Steve and Sam as she tucks herself under Steve's arm. I smirk at the two guys, but look back at Liya when she takes my hand. Her hair is now up in a braid and twisted in a whirlpool shape on the back of her head. The other girls must've helped her do it. With her heels on, all I have to do is lean over a bit to kiss the side of her head.

"You look beautiful, by the way." I whisper to her and she smiles.

"Thanks." She replies and inclines her head to the others. I look back at them and grin a little at their talk.

"Why do we have to change?" Sam asks indignantly. Victoria smiles at him and shakes her head.

"Because there's no way we're letting him go in there without back-up." She points to me and Akilina squeezes my hand happily. "Tony will meet us there too."

"I've got to risk my life for this guy, again? Ugh, god. At least I look good in a suit." Sam, as always, whips out some witty quip he always has on hand.

"Just change, airhead." Victoria gestures to the other side of the wing and the couple of bags hanging over there. Steve and Victoria kiss and she pats his chest before he goes over with Sam, meeting with Scott. Liya lets go of my hand and heads over to the guys, being nice and making a wall for them to change behind. Wanda nods at me and goes to the front of the plane with T'Challa and Clint, leaving just me and Victoria. I smile down at her and lay an arm over her shoulders. "Is she going to make you happy, Bucky?" She asks after wrapping her arm around my waist. Surprised, I blink once then chuckle. From the moment I met her she's been like a sister to me. Every once and a while she reminds me of Rebecca, simultaneously making me happy and making my heart ache. Anyway, to say I'm happy Steve met her would be an understatement. I look over at Akilina and take note of the scar on her left shoulder, as well as the one on the lower part of her right side. My smile comes easy as I watch this kind, sweet, smoking hot, gem of a woman.

"More than happy, Ria. More than happy." I tell her quietly.

"Good. Although, I guess this means I'm going to lose my coolant to her?" She asks and I laugh, looking back down at her. I nod and she huffs playfully. "Well, good thing I like her then." She approves. Patting my hand, she looks up at me. "You know everything is going to be okay right? All this is going to work out." Ria assures me. It seems she can't help but be optimistic, and I admire her for that. It's probably one of the things that makes Steve love her so much. I hesitate only slightly before answering.

"I hope so."