Doll. // Bucky Barnes X OC

ELEVEN

Bucky walked through the doors of the training facility. He needed to let off some steam after his fight with Steve. He spent a few minutes with Melany so he could reassure he was okay.

He wasn't.

The only thing he wanted to do was bash Steve's skull into the kitchen island for still being so protective of Melany. His doll.

He lifted up a punching bag, clasping it to the ceiling. He wrapped up his flesh hand in tape and started throwing punches to the bag. His jaw was tight, and his muscles flexed under his skin. He heard the door open as he kicked it off the hook, causing it to fly into the wall. He sighed as he looked at the door.

"Bruce. Hi." He muttered, facing him and taking deep breaths.

"Hey, Buck." Bruce gave him a small grin, keeping his distance. "I talked to Steve."

Bucky chuckled, looking down. "And?"

"First, I wanted you to know that I was the one that pushed Melany to you." Bruce sighed. "I wouldn't have done it if I didn't trust you." He walked closer to Bucky. "I know you'll keep her safe, and I know she trusts you."

"Thanks," Bucky replied, crossing his arms over his chest, looking at Bruce. "What'd Steve say?"

"He was irritated that you wouldn't fight."

"That's not who I am anymore," Bucky said, licking his lips.

"I know." Bruce paused. "He's just upset that he won't give Melany a chance."

"You want me to give him one?" Bucky looked offended.

"No. Not at all. I want him to leave her alone just as much as you do, at least for now. She's still hurt about what happened." Bruce paused, taking a breath and looking down. "I came to warn you that he's still going to try and get her back. Nat is with her now to keep Steve away, but, I know she can only do so much, and Mel doesn't want me involved because well— you know." Bruce chuckled. "It took a lot for me to keep calm after I heard what happened with Sharon."

"I'm sure." Bucky smiled a little, thinking about how he got to punch Steve more than once that day. "I don't want to lose Steve, but he's being a fucking idiot." Bucky paused, taking a deep breath and sighing."I want Mel to be happy, and I want to be the one to do that, but Steve..." Bucky trailed off.

"He'll get over it. You two have gone through so much, I'm sure you two can find a middle ground." Bruce smiled. "Get back to beating up punching bags." He chuckled. He started to walk out when Bucky called for him.

"Bruce." He paused. "Should I be worried about Mel? We've just kind of..." Bucky was at a loss for words, he wasn't even one-hundred-percent sure what they were.

"You've been trying to figure it out." Bruce finished his statement. "She likes you, Bucky. I don't see why you should be worried. Although—" Bruce crossed his arms. "She tends to overthink a lot, and get in her head about things, especially about guys she likes, and I know she's told me that she doesn't want to get between you and Steve. Which I told her she's not, no matter what she thinks." Bruce rushed out the last sentence.

"No, she's not. If she was..." Bucky trailed off, starting to feel bad.

"You'd choose Steve," Bruce said for him. "I know. He's all you've had for a long time, but she's there for you too, now." Bruce reminded him. "You guys will figure it out, but if she gets hurt by either of you again, I will not hesitate—"

"You got it." Bucky interrupted him, not really wanting Bruce to finish.

Bruce nodded, returning back to the lab.