Pleasant Burn

Bucky strode silently through the kitchen to get a drink. His hair was tied in a bun while his shirt clung to him because of his sweat covered body. The flow of the water down his throat immediately relieved the dryness. Yesterday was nice for him since a strange woman approached him without fear. Steve already told him that she'll be his own therapist and he thought if she could be his friend. He smiled at the scene that replayed in his mind, her talking to him about the cartoon that they were watching.

His thoughts were interrupted when Steve's voice came, accompanied by a female voice he was starting to like.

"Steve, I told you, Sharon will get bored if you kept kissing her like that." Her voice came out pitchy before a laugh erupted after.

"Tell me, how should I kiss her?" Steve replied.

"The generation now is different from then, Stevie. Try to experiment...be naughty—Hi James." She stopped her tracks abruptly that made Steve look up to the person she greeted.

Bucky turned his body to face the two person who just entered before acknowledging them with a nod. He scanned the woman across from him, taking every details and storing them inside his brain. He liked what she wore today, it was simple, not like the formal attire she wore yesterday. The cream coloured knitted long-sleeve dress fitted her nicely and accentuated every curves she had.

When someone cleared his throat, Bucky stopped gazing at her and turned his attention to his buddy. What a punk.

"Buck, how's the training?"

"It was fine." Bucky replied flatly.

"G'Morning, James." She greeted. Bucky laid his eyes back on her again.

"Morning, Y/n." He greeted back, smiling a bit as he did so before excusing himself out of the kitchen. He walked back to his room while mentally telling himself to approach and be more friendly to her. She was going to help him for Christ's sake, he better be good to her. As soon as he entered his bathroom, he shed his clothing bit by bit until he's standing naked at the center of his bathroom. He went to the shower before switching it on to life by turning the knob. The shower poured warm water and it soothed every used and tensed fibre of muscle inside him, refreshing him after his intense workout.

_______________________

"Hey James!" She greeted as soon as Bucky walked to the entertainment room. The tv was on and it was playing a cartoon with three girls as the protagonist. "Could you join me?"

Bucky flicked his eyes back to her bright ones before nodding, he rounded to the couch before sitting on the plush carpet. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she sat down beside him, pulling up her knees.

"James, you know that I'm going to be here as your therapist right? But I'm gonna throw that idea away. I want you to treat me as a friend and I'll treat as one as well." She started, her eyes never leaving his face. Her voice was serious but the softness never left. "That way, you'll never find it hard to talk to me. Is that okay?" She leaned as she questioned.

Bucky felt her warmth and softness as she leaned closer to his metal arm. He shifted and placed his metal hand on his lap. "I guess so." It was short but his answer seemed to please the woman beside him.

"Have a little optimism, James—can I call you 'James'?"

"O-Of course." He answered coyly. He threw another glance at the lady beside him before he focused his attention to the show. After a while, she shifted and cleared her throat.

"I love this show so much because it is encouraging girls to be brave and fight the evil without losing femininity." Bucky looked at her and she saw her smiling at the show. Her smile was contagious that even Bucky got infected, he smiled a little as he turned his attention back to the tv.

"Do you know what they're called?" She asked, a bit of giggle escaped after. James shook his head no.

"PowerPuff Girls." Her face lit up more as she turned to face Bucky.

"Cute," Bucky muttered softly. She perked up at the word before shifting in on the floor. Her smile was big that it made her eyes crinkle at the outer end. Bucky thought she wouldn't hear that word because he was commenting about her, not the girls on the show. But he was also thankful she heard it because it was a gift to see her smile. 

"Did you just say the word 'cute'?"

"I did, yes. Why?" Bucky asked as the smile on his face got bigger. The smile not only lit up his face but also his spirit. He felt a lot lighter when he smiled, like some of his burden was gone.

"Nothing, it's just...so unlike you." She spoke softly as she reached for the tv control before lowering the volume. Every beat of their hearts became apparent and their breathing became much more laboured. Bucky's smile widen that it flashed her his teeth, eyes crinkling at the outer end and his cheeks were flushed.

_____________________

You and Tony were catching up by the common room when Sam interrupted your talk.

"How did you do it?" He was angry and a bit curious but mostly, angry. His brows were furrowed and his was scrunched up. 

"Do what?" You asked him, laced with a hint of teasing. You knew what he was talking about.

"Bucky, h-he was smiling as he talked with Steve and I." He finished before he straightened his back and crossed his arms, he changed the sour look on his face with a bright mischievous smile. "He likes you." He said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Your cheeks went red and the room became much more smaller than it was previously. You glanced at Tony across from you and he was smiling, smiling like an idiot. Traitor. Tony cleared his throat before leaning closer, he placed his elbows on his knees while doing some hand gestures. 

"You, lady,"—his pointer finger was pointed at you with his brown eyes equally straight towards you.—"Should live with us." He finished before casually settling his back on the backrest of the couch. 

You looked at Sam who's nodding his head in approval to what Tony said. "I don't know, Tony..." 

Tony stood up before hauling you up with him. Suddenly, Steve entered the scene when he cut Tony off before he could even open his mouth to retaliate to what you said. 

"Yes, Y/n, Tony's right. It would be better and easier for you, if you lived with us." The sun was setting outside and it should be time for you to go home since it's a long drive back to your place. The invitation was honestly tempting but living with them could push you back to who you were. You were alright from being simple and happy as you help people in your own little way. 

"Steve—"

"It's for your safety too. Hydra could be anywhere and they could possibly hurt you." His face and his tone became serious as he took a step closer to you. "We could protect you from them, even though I know you could do it. You're part of the team--our team. Please just let us."

You looked at Sam who had a sincere soft smile on his face, then to Tony who had a smile too, which came from excitement that there would be another addition to the team, and lastly to Steve. He had the most warming smiles you could ever have(except for Bucky). They were kind enough to think of you as they find a person who could help Bucky but this time they were so generous that they even let you inside their team and to their facility. It would be rude of you to reject the offer, so you gave them a smile before nodding your head, yes. 

Steve pulled you into a hug before whispering those words you feared yet you honestly missed. 

"Welcome back, Steel Rose."