Doll. // Bucky Barnes X OC

SEVENTEEN

Steve was calculated. He moved quickly.

He needed to get to her before anyone else could.

It was the middle of the night, Steve quietly got to her door, knocking softly.

Melany opened the door, her hair in a messy bun, her eyes half opened as she looked up.

"What, Steve?" She asked, rubbing her eyes and turning around to step back into her room.

"We need to move you." He said, concern forced into his voice.

"I already told you-"

"They're getting closer, Mel." He stepped in, closing the door behind him.

"And," she turned back toward him, crossing her arms across her chest, "how would you know that?"

"I may have been looking at the intel we have," he said, putting his hands on his pockets.

"Steve..." She rolled her eyes, disappointment in her voice.

"I'm just trying to look after you," he said, reaching out to her. She took a step back. "Nobody else here seems to care what's happening but me!" He said through gritted teeth.

"I'm not leaving."

"You are." He stepped forward again, locking her against the wall. Her arms stayed across her chest as she glared up at him. "If I have to force you out to the car I will, or you can come with me willingly."

"Stop," she said, pushing against his chest to get distance. He didn't budge. "Steve, seriously. I'm not going anywhere."

"I promise you, it's safe. It's off their radar completely."

"Won't they know what's going on when we leave?"

"They don't track you this late."

Melany rolled her eyes, "You just have all the answers don't you?" She attempted to slide around him.

"Mel," he gripped her sides, "please. Just come with me." He paused, seeing she wasn't convinced.

He needed her to go with him.

"I'm asking you to trust me again," Steve said. "Just for a little while."

"I trust other people now," she said. "That doesn't mean I don't trust you."

His mouth tightened at that. "Barnes is too close to this. Bruce is blinded by being your father. Natasha's thinking like a spy, not a friend."

"And you're the only rational one?" she asked bitterly.

"I'm the only one willing to make the hard call," he replied. "The one that keeps you breathing."

He stepped closer, slower this time.

"If HYDRA takes you," he continued, "they won't just use you. They'll parade you. Break you down piece by piece until Barnes comes running."

"Stop," she whispered.

"You think he'd survive that?" Steve pressed. "Knowing it's because of him?"

"That's not fair," she snapped.

"It's reality," he said. "And I won't let you be collateral."

She shook her head. "You don't get to decide that for me."

"I do," he said quietly. "Because you won't."

Silence stretched between them.

He reached out — not touching her — just enough that she could feel the heat of him.