Chapter 4
“Tell me again why you’re showerin’ before you train?” Bucky asks with an air of amusement. He’s seated on the bathroom counter, a bowl of cheerios in his metal hand. His sneakered feet are swinging idly in the air, thudding against the cabinets in regular intervals.
Scoffing lightly, you peak past the shower curtain. “Super soldiers,” you deadpan.
Bucky raises an eyebrow and chucks a cheerio at you. He grins when you gasp in mock anger, fishes the cereal from your hair, and shut off the shower.
“You have no reason to be here, James,” you reply pointedly, groping blindly for a towel.
Bucky hops off the counter and reaches for it. He wraps it around you, lifts you bodily out of the shower, and sets you on the floor. He places a quick kiss on your scowling face before he takes his seat once again. “So, showerin’ before you train? Is this a weird Asgardian custom?”
Rolling your eyes, you grab the sweatpants Bucky had seen fit to bring you. “No. We live with people who can smell a breadcrumb in a trash pile, James. I’m in no mood for sex jokes.”
His eyes widen momentarily before a cocky smirk graces his face. He places his bowl next to him on the counter and leans forward. “Well, dollface, I don't see the problem. I see how Mike from accountin’ stares at you, seems to me people could do with a little remindin’ of who you belong to.”
You narrow your eyes pointedly at him. “Belong? I seem to have been demoted from Goddess to possession.” You chuck a wet towel at him.
He splutters indignantly and hurls it back at you.
Giggling, you deposit it in the laundry basket.
“Not what I meant, (Y/N), but weren’t you the one who explained this whole “One” business? Isn’t that the way it works? You’re mine and I’m yours. Forever.”
“Yes. However, you are not my possession Bucky, nor am I yours. Our souls are bound together. One half of the same whole. Your emotions are my emotions. Your thoughts are mine. You would be able to find me always, but I could never control you,” you say slowly and deliberately. You knew him too well. You could see how it scared him to be so naked in front of you. “You are your own person. You make your own decisions. I could not influence your thoughts even if I tried. You alone are immune to me. Your feelings are your own,” you say softly cupping his face.
He covers your hand with his own and smiles gently at you. “You know, doll, you need to stop doin’ that.”
You frown in confusion. “Do what?”
“Stop apologizin’ for this. For us. I ain't gonna lie, it scares the shit outta me, but it's a good scared. I couldn’t imagine bein’ this happy with anyone else. You’re it. мое сердце. My heart. I love you.”
You smile lovingly at him and place a swift kiss on his lips. “I love you, too but, we’re going to be late.”
He groans and hops off the counter, delivering a stinging slap to your rump as he rushes from the room, cackling as he goes.
*******
Bucky POV
He watches you as you bring the sword over your head in an arc. Your body moves with a graceful fluidity which leaves his sweatpants uncomfortably tight. You’re beautiful to watch. Your movements controlled yet deadly. He almost feels sorry for Natasha.
She had drawn the short straw and been paired as your partner for the days training. Natasha moves into a defensive position, eyeing you with barely concealed hatred, another thing he didn't quite understand. She coils and strikes, her batons whirling as she attacks.
You smirk and dodge, and with a move he didn't catch, Natasha is on the floor, a sword pointed at her throat.
Bucky sniggers and glances at the silent Steve beside him. He sobers instantly, chewing the inside of his cheek. “Are you gonna tell me what’s eating you, pal? Or are you gonna stand there and brood till kingdom comes.”
Steve snaps out of it and turns to face his friend. “Nothings eating at me,” he mumbles.
Bucky snorts. “Uh huh, you want to try that again? Or do you wanna lie to me some more.”
Steve sighs, throwing up his guard, and turns to face his team again.
“Is it Sharon?” Bucky ventures.
His shoulders stiffen before he deflates. “Yeah, Sharon,” Steve echoes, but his gaze remains firmly on you and Nat, the latter having a really tough time laying a hand on you.
“Pal, you’re gonna need to talk to someone about what happened. I’m here if you need me. I know it ain't easy.”
A small smile pulls at the corner of Steve's mouth, his eyes alight with affection. “Thanks, Buck. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Now, I need your help with somethin’.”
Steve’s attention is instantly on Bucky. “What do you need? Everything alright?” he asks rapid fire, his words almost blurring together.
Bucky chuckles. “I’m fine. Everythin's fine. You need to loosen up some, pal. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack.”
Steve grins, a slight blush tinting his cheeks. “I have been a bit uptight lately. What do you need?”
“Are you still in contact with Thor? You know, where he’s settled with his people.”
Steve frowns. “Yeah, I know where he is.”
“Loki with him?” Bucky asks hopefully.
“Yes. Thor had to get special dispensation for Loki to settle here. Far as I know, it was granted after Thor got Strange to do a little hocus-pocus.”
Bucky nods. “Can you get them a message?”
“Yeah, I can- Bucky, what’s going on?” Steve asks impatiently.
“I need Loki and Thor to come to the compound,” he replies simply.
Steve huffs in frustration. “But why?”
Bucky smiles lovingly in your direction, his face open and happy. “I’m goin’ to ask (Y/N) to marry me. I want to ask her father's permission first though.”
Steve’s face is curiously blank when Bucky looks at him again. His eyes though, his eyes look like hell herself was killing him slowly.
He quickly schools his features into an expression of joy. “Of course, Bucky. Congratulations. I’ll get right on it,” Steve stutters out.
Bucky frowns, a ball of worry forming his stomach, but before he can ask Steve excuses himself quickly, rushing from the room. Shaking it off as nerves, he returns his attention back to you just in time to see you slam Natasha’s back into the mat victoriously a second time.