[ Things had settled down relatively well, of a sort -- they were still tricky, but Steve had been accustomed to what to expect when it came to Bucky and his instincts, and keeping his secret had been more crucial than ever, especially when SHIELD agents were still keeping an eye on them both.
With Bucky's recovery came a fiercer, more pointed protectiveness, both from himself and Steve; his mate was territorial, instinctively aggression when intruded upon, and Steve had taken every precaution not to have Bucky exposed, including setting some ground rules that required some getting used to. He'd noticed Bucky protecting their fridge even more, and it had been amusing, endearing; and he'd always noted how particularly protective he was when the fridge was stocked especially full.
But things were better between them -- things were good. Steve could never forget or forgive the way Bucky was treated, but Bucky's returning health had made him more relaxed, happier. He had found his meaning in life again, and he wasn't about to give it up.
He was reading in the living room tonight, enjoying the quiet evening when his ears pricked at the sweetly soft trilling Bucky issued from the doorway of the bathroom. By now, he knew all of those trills intimately enough to differentiate them. Some signified idle pleasure, others were a happy contentedness -- there was even a couple of indignant and confused ones; but no. This was fuller, and he was already halfway down the hallway before the words were even issued.
He tutted softly when he saw his lover in the doorway, and simply leaned down to pick him up bridal style in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead before he took the man down the corridor. He was getting heavier, bigger, but he wisely made no comment. ]
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With Bucky's recovery came a fiercer, more pointed protectiveness, both from himself and Steve; his mate was territorial, instinctively aggression when intruded upon, and Steve had taken every precaution not to have Bucky exposed, including setting some ground rules that required some getting used to. He'd noticed Bucky protecting their fridge even more, and it had been amusing, endearing; and he'd always noted how particularly protective he was when the fridge was stocked especially full.
But things were better between them -- things were good. Steve could never forget or forgive the way Bucky was treated, but Bucky's returning health had made him more relaxed, happier. He had found his meaning in life again, and he wasn't about to give it up.
He was reading in the living room tonight, enjoying the quiet evening when his ears pricked at the sweetly soft trilling Bucky issued from the doorway of the bathroom. By now, he knew all of those trills intimately enough to differentiate them. Some signified idle pleasure, others were a happy contentedness -- there was even a couple of indignant and confused ones; but no. This was fuller, and he was already halfway down the hallway before the words were even issued.
He tutted softly when he saw his lover in the doorway, and simply leaned down to pick him up bridal style in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead before he took the man down the corridor. He was getting heavier, bigger, but he wisely made no comment. ]
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