Married to the Job (BUCKY BARNES×OC)

Chapter 4

She fell asleep after Bucky came to her room. He held her hand but took up residence in the chair at her bedside. 

The next day she was more awake and alert. The doctors understood now that she didn’t have memory loss or confusion, she had just been undercover for months. 

Wanda was the first to visit, she brought a giant bouquet of flowers and some comfort things from home. She told Evelyn how glad she was that she was alright. 

Steve and Nat visited next. Nat and Evelyn talked while Steve stood at the door and Bucky glared at him. 

“What’s with you two?” Evelyn asked. 

“Nothing, sweetheart,” Bucky told her, kissing her hand. 

“Just a misunderstanding, Shaw,” Steve told her and Bucky glared at him harder. 

“How is a misunderstanding, nothing?” Evelyn looked to Nat for help but she just shrugged. “Did we get Sharon and Pierce?” 

Steve glared at Bucky this time. “All taken care of, they’re at the Raft.” 

“Just focus on getting better so we can go home,” Bucky told her, rubbing his thumb across the top of her hand. 

“Oh, home,” She looked down feeling sad, “you mean the compound.” 

“What’s wrong?” Bucky noticed some tears falling down Evelyn’s cheeks. 

“I think we should go,” Nat pulled Steve from the room. “We’ll see you guys later.” 

Evelyn was full blown crying at this point and Bucky didn’t know what to do. He hugged her to his chest and ran his hand down her hair. 

“Talk to me,” Bucky whispered against her head, kissing her forehead. 

“I’m not confused, don’t tell the doctors,” Evelyn shook her head and wiped away at her tears, “It’s just we’ve been in that house and we’ve been,” She trailed off and started hyperventilating. “My rings!” 

“Hey! Hey! It’s okay!” Bucky looked at her hand and then around the room. “I’ll find them, I promise.” 

“I’m such a mess,” Evelyn took her pillow and covered her face. 

“You’re my mess,” Bucky took the pillow and kissed her nose. 

Evelyn let out a giggle. “People are going to think I’m insane.” 

“We thought that before you were shot,” Bucky gave her a mock glare, “Speaking of which.” 

Evelyn groaned and shook her head, “No, I don’t want to talk about it.” 

“You knew,” Bucky accused her. “You knew what was going to happen and you sacrificed yourself for me.” 

She didn’t say anything, she just shrugged. 

“Do you remember anything after you got shot?” Bucky asked carefully. 

She pursed her lips but still didn’t say anything. 

“Evie,” Bucky sighed, “Promise me you will never ever sacrifice yourself for me.” 

“Eyes and ears, babe,” She shrugged again. 

“I didn’t keep my promise,” He looked at her sadly. 

She laid back, feeling exhausted and closed her eyes, “And if you’re asking if I remember telling you I love you, the answer is yes. If the question is, did I mean it? The answer is yes.”