Resilient

Chapter 26

Bucky woke up in the morning hearing Steve knocking on his door down the hall. He looked down at Evelyn and saw she was still cuddled up to him and he internally cursed Steve for ruining another moment for him. He slowly slipped out of the bed and brushed her hair out of her face before walking out of the door. As he shut the door behind him he looked down the hall and met Steve's eyes.

"No way," Steve said walking towards him but Bucky quickly met him in the middle shaking his head.

"No, I just stayed with her to help her fall asleep - I was supposed to go to my room once she did but I fell asleep too," Bucky said putting his hand on Steve's chest.

"Wait - you didn't have any nightmares?" Steve asked, looking at Bucky.

"No, none. I can't explain it," Bucky said, shaking his head.

Steve put his hand on his chin and thought about it for a second. "Go and get ready for the run. I'll wake her up."

-----

"Evelyn you up?" Steve asked, knocking on her door.

Evelyn's eyes shot open and she realized she was alone in bed and felt her heart sink. "Yeah Steve. I'll be right out!"

"See you in a couple minutes," Steve said and she heard his footsteps walking away from her door.

Evelyn laid on her back and stared at the ceiling thinking about laying in Bucky's arms and bit her lip. She rolled over and put her face in the pillow where he slept and smiled when his cologne filled her nose. How did this man have this affect on her? She barely knew him but felt like she had known him her whole life.

Sighing, she rolled out of bed and put on her shorts and tshirt. She pulled her hair up and realized she didn't have a hat to put on. Grabbing her shoes she opened her door and yelled down the hall at the boys rooms "do either of you have a hat I could borrow?"

"I'll grab you one!" she heard Steve yell and she laughed pulling her shoes on. She walked out of her room and headed down towards his room.

"Morning Doll," Bucky said from behind her as she walked past his room.

"Morning Buck," Evelyn said, smiling wide at him and before she could say anything; a hat was put on her head and pushed over eyes.

"Thanks Steve, " she laughed as she pulled her ponytail through the back and had it sit on her head normal.

"No problem! Now let's get this run in," Steve said walking towards the elevator.

"Are you always this excited to run in the morning?" Evelyn said, shaking her head as her and Bucky followed him.

"Sam's waiting on us at the Park - we're running late since you two were still asleep this morning," Steve said as the elevator door opened.

Evelyn looked over at Bucky who gave her a quick wink. "I thought I felt you sneak out of bed this morning."

"Sorry - I know I was supposed to go back to my room. I fell asleep a little after you," he said sneaking a small glare at Steve.

"No need to be sorry. I'm probably to blame for keeping you guys up so late telling stories. Plus I was comfortable and probably would've been grumpy if you tried to leave," she laughed and blushed when Steve gave her a sly smile.

"How far is the park from the tower?" Evelyn asked, looking at the men.

"Not very. I good warm up walk," Steve said, holding the door as they arrived on the main floor.

Bucky stood to one side of Evelyn and Steve stood on the other as they walked towards the door. Evelyn took a deep breath before walking out the door into the sunlight and noise of the city. She was thankful for the early morning wake up from Steve - she felt she was able to take in the city with how calm and peaceful it was.

Evelyn couldn't help but smile as they walked down the street. Shopkeepers gave her smiles as they set up their stands while Bucky and Steve talked about what shops used to be and talked about the old shp keepers.

"He was always a cranky ass old man," Bucky said, shaking his head as they stopped at a crosswalk.

"Buck - language," Steve said, tilting his head towards Evelyn earning a giggle from her.

"Thank you Steve," Evelyn said smiling at him, "but you should know I curse like a sailor."

"I know. Sometimes I forget how much things have changed," Steve said embarrassed.

"I like it," Bucky said, winking at her.

Evelyn gently shoved him when the crosswalk signal blinked. She noticed that Steve's cheeks were a little flushed and she bumped his arm with hers, "if it bothers you when I cuss I can try to tone it down?"

Steve shook his head, "no - no it's fine. I just realized how dated I am."

Evelyn stopped on the sidewalk and looked at him. "Steve, the last time you thought about dating a woman was in the 40's. Things are bound to have changed since then. But you are going to find the perfect woman for you and it may be someone who 1940s Steve Rogers wouldn't have dreamed of but she will be perfect for you."

Steve looked at Bucky who shook his head in agreement. "I hope you're right Evelyn."

"I am - trust me when I say the sooner you realize this the better," she winked, "and if she hurts you; she'll have to answer to me."

Bucky laughed, "you said you always wanted a sister - but I think she might actually follow through with that threat."

Evelyn smiled innocently, "what threat? That's a promise." And she continued to walk leaving the two men stunned behind her.

"How is she so perfect?" Bucky said quietly

"Like I said - I will steal her right from under you if you don't act on your feelings soon Buck," Steve said laughing starting to follow her.

The two men caught up with Evelyn as she waited at the next crosswalk. "So why do you guys wake up to do this run so early?"

"It's nice to be up and out before a lot of people," Bucky said as they crossed the street and could see Sam in the distance spread out on a bench.

Evelyn smiled as Sam jumped up and jogged towards them. "Rocky! You're joining us now?"

"For today at least," Evelyn smiled, "you missed all the fun in my training with Wanda yesterday."

"You can fill me in while these two show off," Sam said as they made their way to the bench.

"Running at a person's natural speed is not showing off," Steve said as he stretched

"Nothing natural about y'alls speed," Sam said shaking his

"Sounding a little jealous there Sam," Bucky said laughing.

"Why would I be jealous? While you guys are running I get to spend my morning talking to Evie," Sam said wrapping his arm around Bucky's shoulder.

Evelyn laughed at the look on Bucky's face, "okay guys let's get this over with so I can get back to the Tower and start baking."