Work Text:
Bucky plucked away at the old piano, a thrift find he reveled in playing to his heart’s content to chase away the bad thoughts and keep him going. Pongo laid at his feet, a service dog he’d gotten a few years ago to help him through all the trauma. Not only an incredible companion, but a best friend.
Pongo knew hobbies were important for his human, especially one recovering from what he’d been through. But Pongo had been cooped up in that stuffy Brooklyn brownstone with him all day and was desperate for the fresh air. Afterall, getting out of the house was essential for Bucky’s health.
Pongo sauntered over to his favorite spot by the window, watching the world go by.
A tall, lanky girl walked by, brown coat shining in the sun. Her human wore a beret and oversized glasses. What an unusual breed.
Then came a pug, nose strung as high as her owners and not even giving Pongo in the window a second glance.
After them, a small child and her pup and an old woman on a bike with her dog in a basket.
Pongo laid his head on the window sill with a sigh.
Then he saw her, the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Clean white coat, symmetrical spots and the most enchanting caramel eyes.
And the human wasn’t half bad either.
It had just been him and Bucky for far too long. But this mystery pair seemed like the perfect opportunity to change that.
Pongo lept to the front door, took his leash in his mouth, and galloped over to Bucky. His sad, large eyes told his human exactly what he wanted.
“Sorry bud, got kinda carried away. Alright, let’s go to the park.”
Perfect. That had to be where the dalmatian and her human were heading.
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park was Bucky’s favorite place to be in the spring. The trees were in bloom and plenty of grass had finally grown in after the long winter, giving him and Pongo plenty of space to stretch out and play.
But today, Pongo didn’t seem interested in stopping at his favorite greenway. He ignored all the other pups he’d normally be so eager to play with. Bucky practically had to run to keep up with him, nose in the earth following a scent like a trained bloodhound and choosing a trail they’d never gone down before.
Finally they stopped. Bucky rested his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
They were by a beautiful pond, one they’d never come across before.
You were sitting on a nearby bench, head lost in a book with your dog sitting beside you, watching the water.
Pongo traipsed right over, leaving Bucky exasperated and still catching up.
He went up to your dog first, giving her a chance to sniff him and make sure he was okay before approaching you. She seemed unsure, but he went ahead anyway.
You excitedly put down your book and gave him some pets.
“Well hey there handsome guy, who are you?” you asked
“Sorry!” Bucky finally caught up “Sorry, that’s my dog. He usually doesn’t bother strangers.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. He’s a sweetie. Aren’t you?”
Pongo looked incredibly pleased with himself as you scratched a particularly good spot behind his ear.
“What’s his name?” you asked the strange handsome man
“This is Pongo. He’s my service dog.”
“Pongo! Oh you’re a good boy!”
Bucky bent down, giving your aloof dog some attention as well.
“This is Perdita. She’s also my service dog.”
“What a pretty girl.” Bucky commented as he stroked her head
Perdita shot Pongo another look, as if to say “Haha, I’m getting some attention too!”
“Well,” Bucky stood, “We’re sorry to bother you. Like I said, this is unusual for him. Come on Pongo!”
“Oh no, you’re no bother. I love meeting other dogs!”
“Well, have a nice day.” Bucky said with a smile, bowing his head and reattaching Pongo’s leash, attempting to drag him away.
Pongo jumped up, nudging his nose against Bucky’s shoulder and in one motion, took his vibranium arm in his mouth. Bucky was knocked backwards, giving Pongo the opportunity to slip away and run, leash still trailing behind him.
“Pongo! Give it back!” Bucky shouted, finally getting back on his feet and running after him
You jumped up, attempting to help the stranger chase his dog and get his prosthetic back.
Perdita, meanwhile, looked amused as she watched you and Bucky run around in circles, trying to capture Pongo.
Suddenly, you and the man collided, chest to chest, as you both were too focused on where Pongo was and not each other. You looked down at your feet and Pongo had gotten his leash wrapped around both of your legs.
“Oh gosh, I am so sorry!” Bucky exclaimed, trying to untangle the two of you
Perdita jumped in, tugging at the hem of your coat to keep you from toppling over.
But it was no use. With a loud splash you and the man went crashing into the pond.
It was a shallow pond, but still it had done a marvelous job in soaking you head to toe.
“I am so sorry!” the man exclaimed as you both flailed in the water
You couldn’t respond, this incident being the tipping point in a terrible week. All you wanted to do was go to the park and read your book and relax. The tears started flowing freely.
“Oh god.” Bucky felt awful “Here.” he said, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket that was also drenched.
What kind of an old-fashioned weirdo carried around a handkerchief? You had to giggle at the fact. And it was totally useless too, as the man and his clothes and the things in his pockets had also fallen victim to the unexpected swim. So you giggled some more.
And the man also giggled. In fact, the two of you couldn’t stop giggling.
Two sharp barks from the bank of the pond snapped you out of it, as Pongo and Perdita sat side by side, tails wagging while they watched the two of you sit in the water.
“I’m Bucky, by the way.” the stranger said, offering you his flesh hand and helping you stand
You smiled at him and introduced yourself.
“Would you like to walk with me to my place? It isn’t far from here and I can get you some towels so you can dry off? Get a warm cup of coffee for you too? It’s the least I can do after my dog caused all this.” he offered
“I’d like that.” you replied
You helped him reattach his metal arm, and then you and he walked side by side out of the park, Pongo and Perdita not far behind.