Work Text:
You were new on the medical staff at the Avengers Complex. You were in charge of taking blood from all the Avengers, having it on hand in case of emergencies, surgeries, things like that. You were exhausted today. You’d collected samples from Tony, Natasha, Steve, Sam, Wanda and Rhodey. There was only one person left. You felt like your eyes were going cross eyes as you prepared the exam table.
Bucky hated hospitals. He hated doctors, even before everything happened with Hydra. He spent a lot of time in hospitals with Steve growing up. But, he wanted to be a part of the team. So, here he was. He walked into the med lab and slowly hopped off the table. A small brunette woman in scrubs came around the corner, glancing at the table where the tablet was, clicking a few things. Bucky hadn’t seen you before, you must be new.
“How are you today, Mr. Barnes?” You asked, without looking at Bucky. “Feeling alright?”
He was taken back at first. It wasn’t often he was called Mr. Barnes.
“I’m…okay. Feeling..good.” He says. “How are you?” Smooth Bucky, real smooth.
You put on the gloves, lining the vials up on the tray. “Well, you are my last patient of the day, so pretty good. I could use some sleep.” You tell him. You push up his sleeve on his right arm, taking an alcohol wipe to his skin. You take the tourniquet and tie it around his upper arm. You tap his arm a few times, looking for a good vein. Bucky watches as your brows furrow, and you tap again.
“Im having a hard time finding a good vein on this arm.” You tell him. Then, without really thinking; “Do you mind if I try the other one?”
Bucky doesn’t say anything, and that causes you to look up at him. He’s staring at you like you have two heads. “Mr. Barnes? Is it okay if I check your other arm?”
“Yeah. If you can find it in a ravine in Europe somewhere.” He says.
“I….what?” You ask. He stares at you. You stare at him. He raises an eyebrow.
Then you realize.
You realized what you just said to Bucky Barnes. Who no longer has a left arm.
Your face immediately flushes and you turn away, taking your gloves off. “I am so sorry Mr. Barnes.” You tell him. “I’m clearly tired. We can do this another day.”
You hear Bucky shuffling on the table behind you. “Are you okay?” He asks.
“Um no, actually I’m mortified.” You tell him. “I can’t believe I just said that to you.”
Bucky laughs. “It’s really okay. It was funny.”
You still. Then you turn slowly to look at him. “Funny? I just asked to check for a vein…in an arm you don’t have.” You tell him.
He chuckles. “Yeah. That’s why it's funny. What’s your name?” He asks you.
“Katie.” You tell him. “Again, I’m really sorry Mr. Barnes.” You tell him. “I completely understand if you want someone else to collect blood from you tomorrow.”
He stands and takes a step toward you. Jesus, he was tall. “No, you can do it.” He says softly.
“Then you can let me take you out for coffee.”