Advent Day Fifteen

Summary: Set after Avengers: Endgame. Fluff and stuff leading up to Christmas.
Warning(s): Explicit. Disciplinary and erotic spanking; Heavy Domination/submission; sexual situations; dub/non-con (consent after the fact/reluctant agreement); violence and mentions of violence; AU
Authors: Cat and Hope1iz

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The days were beginning to blur in a rush of activity and day to day living. If it weren't for the children loudly announcing, every morning, how many days until Christmas, Bucky wouldn't have known it was the fifteenth of December. It was disorienting, living underground. Even if they went topside for supplies as often as possible, they were never out for long and seldom in the same location, so it was difficult to get one's bearings. Of course, he was used to being disoriented. Years of being frozen and thawed and brainwashed, to the point he had no clue what year he was in, let alone what day, kept him from becoming too anxious. Still... he sat in the park and meditated.

Thena had spent some time in the training area. It calmed her as much as meditating did, as there was something soothing about going through the familiar motions of her fighting forms. Since being bonded to Bucky and Gilgamesh, she was finding it somewhat easier to stay in the here and present...although it was still hard to stay focused at times.

As she finished her set and began to put away her weapons, Thena headed back to the room to take a shower...reaching out briefly through the bond to touch her two bond mates, checking on them and where they were.

Bucky sent back a gentle response, enabling Thena to sense he was in the park, but not stopping his meditation.

Thena sent through a wordless acknowledgement. She finished showering and then walked towards the park, planning to join him in meditation. After all, she found meditation to be soothing and helpful as well.

Bucky could feel Thena approaching. He sent a welcoming beckon to her through the bond, then tried to locate Gilgamesh, as the other man had remained 'silent' so far.

Gilgamesh had gone to the kitchens, preparing food for his mates while they meditated and trained respectively. When he felt Bucky reaching out, he responded...letting the other man know where he was.

Do you need any help? Bucky immediately asked.

No. But there will be food ready for both you and Thena when you are finished, Gilgamesh replied.

Bucky's stomach rumbled at the promise. New plan... he sent through the bond to both Thena and Gilgamesh. Food first!

Thena's laughter rippled through the bond. Shall we all meet in the dining area? Or perhaps we can all meet in the park? she suggested.

The food will be easy to eat anywhere, Gilgamesh answered. If you'd prefer the park, I can bring it there.

Eating in the park would be good. It's quiet. Bucky didn't say, but he needed the quiet sometimes. The compound was very crowded.

I will meet you both in the park, Gilgamesh replied. Any preferences for drink?

Juice would be fine for me, Thena said.

Is it too early for beer? Bucky asked, honestly unsure what time it was.

It's nearly lunchtime, Gilgamesh answered. So probably not too early.

I'll have a beer then, thanks, Bucky responded happily. You sure you don't need help carrying everything here?

I'll be fine, Gilgamesh responded. You and Thena just pick out a good spot.

By that point, Thena had arrived in the park.

Near the pond. We can watch the Koi while we eat... Bucky decided, fluidly rising to his feet and moving in that direction.

I will meet you there, Gilgamesh replied.

Thena immediately headed in that direction, arriving at the pond at nearly the same time Bucky did.

Enough people had arranged picnics in the 'park' by this point, there was a small basket by the path that held blankets. Bucky withdrew one and placed it on the ground. It wasn't long until he saw Gilgamesh arrive, and he went to relieve his mate of some of the burden. "This looks and smells wonderful..." he enthused, stomach rumbling again.

Gilgamesh grinned at Bucky...and Thena, when she came to help. "It makes me happy to care for my mates in this way," he said sincerely.

Thena smiled and kissed his cheek as she took some of the food and drink items.

Bucky smiled at Gilgamesh. "I never had much time to dedicate to learn to cook... At least not anything that required more than a quick fry or boil..." He snorted softly. "Maybe you can teach me a few tricks."

"I would be more than happy to," Gilgamesh replied, as he joined Bucky and Thena on the blanket.

Thena sat close to her two mates. "Gilgamesh has always enjoyed cooking," she said to Bucky. "I would say he is as skilled with that as I am with my own weapons."

Bucky nodded. "If I had any particular skills before...before I became Winter Soldier... I don't remember what. But nowadays, I prefer peace. Learning to cook seems peaceful."

Gilgamesh smiled. "It is very peaceful," he confirmed, as he began to share the food out between the three of them.

Bucky relaxed as the food was passed out. He continued to enjoy the rest of his day with his mates.

****

Peter Jason looked around suspiciously before stepping into the recreational room, looking over his shoulder. I don't see it. I think the coast is clear.

Are you sure? Loki sounded a little nervous, even though he wasn't fearful. The little creature he kept seeing had really rattled him.

I can't see him. And it doesn't feel as if I'm being watched, so I think we are safe, Peter reiterated.

Okay. Thank you. Loki's gratitude came through the bond...along with a slightly sheepish feeling for being so freaked out by something that was actually quite small and minor.

Hey. No problem. I know if I was worried, you'd help me too. Besides. It is creepy how he just moves around and watches us... Peter responded. And Thor has noticed and gotten worried too, so you aren't the only one.

Yes. If I knew where he came from.... Loki sighed and stepped into the recreation room, sticking close to his mate.

I don't remember there being tiny elves that moved around when you weren't watching but looked like dolls otherwise when I was growing up. I know there were movies about possessed dolls...but I didn't think that was an actual thing in real life. Peter was obviously worried. Maybe we should ask someone?

Who would we ask? Loki questioned. It only seems to be us and Thor who have noticed...or at least are bothered by it.

Stark might know... He knows a lot of stuff. Or Pepper. Peter shrugged.

I guess we can ask one of them about it, Loki said. Perhaps Pepper. If it turned out to be a Midgardian thing, he was unfamiliar with, he thought she might be more understanding of his ignorance than Tony.

I think Pepper would be best. Less likely to tease if it is something I should know about, Peter agreed, a sheepish feeling coming through as he admitted ignorance of his birth planet customs.

I think she will understand that you were away from your birth planet, and therefore couldn't learn all of the customs and rituals, Loki said.

They all understand that...just the others like to tease, so... Peter shrugged.

Yes, Loki agreed. He glanced towards the TV, noticing the movie that was playing. Are you interested in watching? Or would you rather play a game? he asked.

Oh! I remember this movie! Mom loved it... Peter's emotions became sentimental. Almost sad.

Let's join them to watch it, then. Gently squeezing Peter's hand, Loki led his mate over to one of the smaller sofas, so they could sit next to each other.

Peter, lost in the feelings of remembering his mom, curled up tight against his mate, snuggling close like the kid he once was before life had made him grow up too quick.

Loki responded, wrapping his own arms around Peter and hugging his mate close and tight, almost snuggling him into his lap.

In no hurry to leave, Peter stayed that way for the rest of the movie, content to be with his lover.