The invitation is heavy in Bucky’s hands, heavier than the rest of the mail he picked up from the joint box he shares with his roommates when he got inside the apartment building. He considers the looping, golden, script as he makes his way into the elevator. It carries him to the third floor. That’s the thing about these newer Brownstones, the landlords are puppets, working for large companies that have their fingers in many pots. Whoever actually owns these buildings, whoever calls for elevators and other upgrades to be installed, Bucky thanks them every day. He would rather not have to trek up the stairs every time he wants to get into his bed after a long day.
Putting the rest of the mail in his messenger bag, he focuses back on the envelope addressed to him. He supposes it isn’t hard to learn his full name. He’s registered as an unmated omega with the Federal Department of Designation Services, and certain aspects of his professional record are public knowledge given his academic interests… but still. Blasting his entire government name for whoever happens to randomly see this envelope? It’s crazy is what it is. When he finally opens the door to his apartment, he’s immediately hit with the scent of rich herbs, the sweetness of raspberries mixing with muling spices, and the sensation of soft fur rubbing up against his ankles.
“Alpine, Liho, have you two been good girls while I was out?” He asks with an indulging smile while leaning over to give them scritches along their backs.
“Of course they have.” Natasha’s amused voice calls out from deeper inside of the apartment. Coincidentally, from the very same direction as that delicious aroma. His own smile widens as he heads toward the kitchen. She’s cooking and by the smell of it, mediterranean chicken and potatoes.
“Sestrenka, you spoil me. How’d you know I forgot to eat lunch while I was out in the wild, wild world?”
“You always forget to take care of yourself, James.” Nat deadpans. She’s at the island, shaking out some onion powder onto some fan-cut chicken breasts and doesn’t even pause when he strides into the kitchen. There is no separation between it and the living room, allowing the sun to stream into the space from the large windows. Well, it would if the sun ever decided to make an appearance today. “Besides, I’m not even cooking for real. I’m just seasoning it up for Wanda.”
Looking over his shoulder, Wanda is right there at the stove dipping some Yukon Gold potatoes out of still boiling water and placing them neatly onto a baking dish. Her fingers are fucking bare and he’ll never understand how she does that. “Wanda, doll! My actual soulmate, my twin flame!”
“Oh shut up, Bucky. Wash your hands and start cutting the bitter ends off the asparagus,” she orders. A bark of a laugh erupts from his chest at that. He does what she says though, after putting his messenger bag and personalized envelope down on the counter furthest from all the action. The intermingling scents of a content pack and home wash over him as the water from the faucet runs over his hands. In a way, they’re both cleansing him figuratively and literally. They help him brush off the irritation from those interviewers that tried his patience and soothe his spirits. He feels like a new man by the time he’s done washing his hands, ready to help his girls with whatever they need.
Ben Barnes keeps Bucky’s attention glued to the television screen as he and the girls eat their early dinner. It still amazes him that an omega like Ben can make it onto the big screen. This adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray isn’t popular by any means but Bucky holds the film close to his heart. Back when he was younger he dreamed of being a famous omega actor before reality set in and dashed those hopes. He got his head on straight quickly after he had his first experience with discrimination because of his secondary gender; especially when not too long after, his parents and sister were killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver while he was at football practice during his senior year of high school. He needed a sure way to provide for himself after that. Well look at him now, a whole veteran, two degrees hotter, and still no job to show for it. He tries not to roll his eyes but it’s difficult.
A chance glance toward the right side of the sectional, he sees Natasha and Wanda having a conversation that consists solely of subtle gestures with their hands, quirked brows and lips. He almost hates when they do this. He feels left out half of the time. This time, though, there’s a particular tension between them. It makes the atmosphere in the living room feel dense, he’s experienced those two in action like this before. Nat’s a beta and Wanda’s an omega, at first he almost urged them to just fuck it out and call it a day when it seemed to come to a head around six months ago; when Wanda first moved in with him and Nat. As time passed and they both got to know Wanda better, he realized that it wasn’t sexual tension between them. It was more of a slow building animosity that reeked of a long time rivalry that he just couldn’t fathom the depths of. He still doesn’t understand it but the vibe between them hasn’t made living with them unbearable. Usually, he just lets it rest, but today he’s had enough. That irritation from those interviews earlier is creeping back into his thoughts. He sets his plate down on the coffee table in front of him. The clatter of his silver utensils against his plate is jarring enough to get the girls’ attention. Even Alpine and Liho sit up straighter where they’re batting their little paws at balls of scarlet and beige string, playfully biting into them.
“Okay, what’s going on with you two?”
“What makes you think something is wrong?” Nat asks. She’s holding her knife at a strange angle, as if ready to throw it at a moment’s notice.
“Oh relax, Bucky,” Wanda says with a smirk. “She’s just mad she hasn’t had her hole worshipped in a while. Me, on the other hand, well… let’s just say I’ve been blessed by the Most High. ”
“You— I— seriously? You wanna talk about his now?” Bucky sputters. “Right in front of my salad?”
“Don’t be a prude, James,” Nat cackles then. “It’s not becoming.”
“Don’t get me started on the joys of edging,” Wanda adds with a wistful tone. “Oooh, don’t you just wanna get fucked full and then eaten out right after? Bucky, this is why you need to find an alpha with the power of tongue. It really is the best stress reliever.”
“You both are so very irritating,” he chuckles, shaking his head. As if he doesn’t wish for that on the daily. “That’s it, I can’t stay here. How long have you two had this planned? Torture my poor, innocent, ears until I just up and move out why don’t you.”
He pins them both in place with a stern look. He knows sex was the furthest thing from what those two were actually talking about, it’s a feeling he has deep in his bones. He’ll get it out of them sooner or later. Wanda is the first one to break. Her sharp inhale is all they need to dissolve into a fit of giggles.
The sound of paper hitting the floor startles him, bringing the mail back to the forefront of his thoughts. Just as he makes to get up, Alpine’s collar jingles as she makes her way toward him. In her mouth is the envelope. He gingerly takes it from her grasp and considers it once again. Flipping it over, there’s a wax seal keeping the contents inside. He rubs a finger over it in curiosity, in a way it’s like he’s also scratching the surface of a memory in the deep recesses of his mind. He’s seen this symbol before. It’s a butterfly born of deep blood red wax. Rubbing over the delicate design of the wings lets loose a note that makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It’s not a loud sound at all, it’s like a buzzing of a bee from far away. The volume continues to crescendo, the tone of it growing to a pitch that is reminiscent of a scream. Bucky’s heartbeat quickens. He knows what this is, something his bunâ always muttered about when she thought he wasn’t listening to her teachings of the old ways. The scream gets louder and louder until he can’t take it anymore, until, in reflex, he finally breaks the seal. Then there’s only silence for a moment, an all encompassing silence that always follows a psychic echo.
“Whatcha got there?”
Wanda’s voice doesn’t so much as startle him, rather it gently urges him forward. Carefully he unfolds the thick, white, envelope to reveal that it’s an invitation on pitch, black, cardstock. The golden script seems to bleed through the hefty parchment. It just reeks of old money and ancient traditions.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk473HpJ1vv
Miss James Barnes,
You have been cordially invited to attend and participate in the Bacchanal Cycle hosted by the Enclave.
Please be aware that this year’s celebrations include a week full of black-tie events with the exception of the culminating frolic amongst nature in our truest forms.
We look forward to having you.
Friday, September Twentieth
Five o’clock in the evening
Peleş Castle, Sinaia, Romania18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqG1Jgflzc
“I— I think I was just invited to a mating run.” Bucky looks up bewildered. “But haven’t those been outlawed for decades?”
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