Chapter 2
Steve awoke, Bucky was still asleep, his breathing steady. Steve, trying to be as quiet as he could, swung his legs of the bed, got up, and headed to the bathroom. When he returned, Bucky was awake. Bucky said nothing as he stretched and sat up. He said nothing as he tried to tie back his hair but failed because his left hand snapped the hairband.
“Let me” Steve offered finally, hurrying over to Bucky, picking up a second hair tie. Instead of putting up Bucky’s hair however, he placed the hair tie back down on the nightstand.
“Why don't you take a bath?.” he asked Bucky.
Bucky considered for a moment before agreeing. He headed to the bathroom. Steve didn't follow him. Bucky looked back at Steve as he entered the bathroom.
“You can get in, I’ll help you wash your hair in a moment, tell me when you're ready.”
Bucky nodded once before closing the door.
After a few moments, Steve heard the water turn on and Bucky’s quiet voice:
“Steve?”
Steve opened the door, hesitating a little. Bucky was sitting in the bathtub among a thick cloud of bubbles. His pajamas in a heap on the floor. Steve stepped over to the tub and rolled up his sleeves. He picked up a bottle of shampoo and squeezed some into his hands. Bucky slid down a little further into the water, his head now resting on the edge of the tub. Steve ran his hands through Bucky’s wet hair, moving them in circles and massaging Bucky’s scalp. Bucky closed his eyes, sinking into Steve's touch.
Steve sighed, happy he could provide a moment of peacefulness for Bucky. He continued to wash Bucky hair, rising away the shampoo and then repeating the process with conditioner. After rinsing the last of the soap suds from Bucky’s hair. Steve left a light kiss on the top of Bucky’s head. Bucky turned and a flush spread across his pale cheeks. Steve left the bathroom. Allowing Bucky privacy to continue his bath.
Steve sat on the edge of he and Bucky’s bed. Changing from sweat pants into jeans and putting on a new t-shirt. Steve then lay back down, they had two hours before Bucky had a therapy session. After a few more moments, Steve heard the water turn off and Bucky stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his hips.
Steve laughed. The usually shiny metal of Bucky’s arm now frosted with perspiration. Bucky followed Steve’s gaze to his arm.
“It always does that.”
Bucky replied in a flat tone. His mouth however, smiling a little.
Bucky sat down on the bed and Steve sat behind him. Brushing his wet hair. Bucky garbed the previously discarded hair tie and handed it to Steve. Steve pulled Bucky’s hair into a little bun.
“Ready for your session?”
Steve asked as Bucky got dressed. At first, Bucky had expected Steve to choose his clothes, but now he was beginning to choose his own.
“Да”
Steve sighed for the second time this morning, this one sad… no day was ever perfect. Hoping Bucky would revert back to English before his therapy session, Steve did not react to the Russian.
“Ready to go?”
“Yea”
Steve couldn't help laughing when he noticed what Bucky had chosen to wear, a Captain America t-shirt! In the forties, Steve had his movies and comic books; but after the battle of New York, Avengers merchandise had cropped up everywhere. Now you could find a “Captain America” t-shirt or an “Iron Man” action figure in almost any gift shop. Still smiling, ears pink with a touch of embarrassment at Bucky’s clothing choice, Steve walked Bucky out of their room.
They exited their bedroom and moved towards their private elevator. When arrived at the elevator doors, Steve clasped Bucky’s flesh hand in his own. As if on a timer, when the elevator doors opened, Bucky’s previously steady breath hitched. Steve leaned over and kissed Bucky’s cheek. Bucky relaxed.
The elevator descended and the doors opened when they reached the sixth floor. Steve and Bucky stepped out and walked to the room strait across from the elevator doors. Steve knocked and a soft female voice answered:
“Come in?”
Steve pushed open the door, revealing a small, private sitting room. A woman with wavy blond hair glasses sat in an armchair, across from her sat an empty couch. Steve and Bucky sat down. Bucky’s breath hitching up again, only a little.
“Hello Bucky, Steve.” The woman said in calm voice.
Bucky said nothing.
“Good morning Ms. Carver” responded Steve.
Ms. Carver nodded and turned to Bucky.
“Why don't you start by telling me how your week has been? Can you do that?”
“Yes”
Ms. Carver sat silent and watched as Bucky started to describe his week.
“We went shopping”
“When?” Ms. Carver prompted.
Bucky thought for a moment.
“Tuesday… and Thursday.” Bucky answered finally.
“What did you buy?”
“Shirts and socks, and hair ties, and plums and candy…”
Ms. carver nodded, making a note on her clipboard.
“Did you choose these things?” she asked.
“Yes”
Ms. carver made another note on her clipboard.
“That's good. Do you like these things?”
“Yes”
“Are they just useful or do you enjoy them?”
“Both”
Steve wrapped an arm around Bucky’s shoulder and sat back a little.
“Did you choose your clothes this morning?”
“Yes”
“ Why did you choose these ones in particular?”
Bucky looked down at his t-shirt and sweatpants.
“There comfortable… and I like Steve.” Bucky said referring to his t-shirt that featured a picture of Steves shield on it.”
Steve blushed and ran his hand through his hair. Bucky turned to stare at Steve lovingly for a moment.
“Do you like being comfortable?”
“Yes”
“Can you explain why?”
“Because it's nice… and because I’m allowed to be now.”
“But you weren't allowed before?”
“No”
For a moment, Bucky’s eyes flashed with pain. Sometimes memory could be wonderful, other times… not so much.
Ms. Carver waited a moment before asking another question.
“Have you seen anyone else besides Steve this week?”
“Natasha and… I can't remember his name.”
“Clint” Steve offered.
“Clint” Bucky confirmed.
“Do you like these people?”
Bucky shrugged.
“I like Steve”
“I know”
Bucky leaned his head on Steve’s shoulder. Ms. Carver smiled.
“Tell me about that?”
“Steve?”
“Yes”
“He’s big now… not sick. He’s happy. He’s here”
“Are you happy?”
“I think so”
“Alright boys, that's all for today. I shall see you both next week. I ask that you continue to make choices every day, Bucky. Goodbye.”
Ms. Carver got up and collected her bag. Depositing her clipboard inside it.
Steve and Bucky also got up.
“Thank you ma'am” Steve said looking looking at Ms. Carver
Ms. Carver smiled and noded. Then letting herself out and leaving Steve and Bucky alone in the room.
“Would you like some food? A run? Or we could spar in the gym?” Steve asked with a hint of concern in his voice, never quite sure how Bucky would be after a therapy session.
Bucky thought for a moment before responding.
“Food, then the gym”
“Anything for you, Buck.” Steve replied a grin forming on his lips, relieved Bucky was speaking and not in Russian or Romanian. Steve put a hand on Bucky’s shoulder, leading him out of the room, and back into the elevator across the hall.