Frostbite |The Alternate Timeline

Not Alone

The morning sun nearly blinded me as I stepped out onto the front porch, glancing around for the taxi that was due to arrive soon. I'd be going home while Bucky stayed a few extra days. Sam thought it'd be good for him. And I knew he wanted to try and talk to him about his nightmares. The PTSD that he was battling. If anyone was qualified to broach that subject with him- it was Sam.

I didn't have a single nightmare last night. The first night in a long time. Sam had tried to talk me into staying, but I knew it would turn into a group therapy session. And I didn't want to talk about any of it- didn't need to. Not now at least.

"Already trying to sneak out of here, huh?" Sam's voice sounded from my right. He came around the corner, a wry grin plastered there.

I chuckled, "I said goodbye to Sarah and the boys this morning. No reason to stay and be in your guys' way. Thank you again."

"Don't mention it," he shrugged, standing next to me and glancing out at the tree line, "This still all feels surreal, you know? Like it was just yesterday we were fighting Thanos and everything was at least close to being normal. Now..."

"I know," I agreed, nudging him with my elbow lightly, "Now our friends are gone and we've been left to sift through this mess of a world on our own... You know, I'm here if you need an ear as well, Sam. I know you're not one to voice everything that bothers you, but if you wanted-" I shrugged, offering a warm smile to him.

"I know, thanks, Mel," there was a moment's pause before he asked slowly, "Does anyone else know about Natasha?"

I knew who he really meant. The man who had watched her die; who had tried to sacrifice himself for the soul stone. Guilt raked my entire body. Clint was my oldest friend, my mentor- and I had kept it from him. I had picked up the phone so many times to tell him, but in the end I had chickened out every single time. For all the bravado I usually held- I was actually a coward.

"No-" I whispered, my voice cracking, "He'll never forgive me once I tell him. I should have told him right after. Then I couldn't decide whether knowing would be worse for him. She's still gone regardless. He'll still never see her again. I know it's unfair of me, and I'll tell him. I will..."

I took a deep breath, hating myself for stupidity of it. For holding back in fear of losing him.

"I don't think it'll be as bad as you think. Yeah, you should have told him if no one else, but you were asked not to. Just make sure you make it right," he offered, trying to calm me.

I nodded, tears pooling in my eyes. I would. The door creaked open behind us and Bucky joined us finally. His eyes darted between us, sensing the tension. He only cocked a brow, hoping for some form of explanation, but I saw Sam shake his head. He gave me one last goodbye before going inside, leaving Bucky and I alone.

"Are you alright?" he inquired, peering down at me in concern.

I plastered a fake smile on my face, "I'm okay. There's just a few more messes of mine to clean up."

"Let me know if you need me," he offered softly, knowing that I'd want to deal with whatever it was myself, but also wanting me to know he'd do what he could in a heartbeat, "You could stay you know."

I snorted in amusement, leaning into his tall frame, "It will only be a few days. Then you'll be back in Brooklyn driving me crazy."

He scowled, pouting slightly. His finger trailed down the side of my neck, teasing and cruel. "Oh, I can't wait to drive you crazy," he breathed, his eyes flashing promisingly. A shiver ran down my spine, my mind hyper-focused on his touch.

"You're all talk and no bite," I sighed dramatically, receiving the reaction I had been hoping for. His eyes glinted at the challenge, a smirk appearing on his handsome face.