Doll. // Bucky Barnes X OC

TWENTY-ONE

"Are you okay?" Bucky asked, as he walked into the living room, Steve sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.

"I'm worried about Mel." He said, looking up at Bucky.

It's been a six weeks of physical therapy for Melany, and she was finally getting to where she could move better on her own. She walked a little faster, was able to keep her balance without needing crutches and even starting to work out again, very slowly - with Bucky's supervision.

During those six weeks, Steve and Bucky have managed to smooth things over. Bucky basically told him to get over himself, and recognize that she chose him. Steve, of course, kept denying it. That was until Melany never asked for him, never asked how he was. She spent all her time with Bucky and Nat. Never him.

His obsession was finally subsiding. Easing Bucky and Melany's concerns.

"She's better, Steve."

"Do you think she'll ever want to talk to me again?" He looked down at his hands on his lap, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"I don't know," Bucky sighed, walking closer to him and shoving his hands in his pockets. "That's up to her, not to us."

Him and Bucky have been through this conversation multiple times since she was rescued.

"You have to get over this, Steve." Bucky sat down next to him on the couch, leaning back. "She's healing. She's doing so good now, it's amazing. She's amazing."

"She was my best friend before I fucked everything up. That's all I want." Steve paused, exhaling a slow breath. "I respect that you're with her, I really do." Steve said, looking over at Bucky.

"For real?" Bucky asked, a little amusement in his voice. "You're done chasing after her like a maniac?"

"Hey," Steve warned. "I will admit I was over the top. I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven. She might need more convincing though."

They heard slow footsteps from down the hall and looked up. Melany walked through the doorway, careful with her steps, her hand against the wall for extra balance. "Oh, hey!" She said, smiling.

"Hey, Mel." Steve said, a soft smile on his lips.

"What're you guys doing?" She asked, stepping closer, limping slightly.

"Are you good?" Bucky asked, getting ready to stand up.

She nodded, sitting on the arm rest next to Bucky. She let out a shaky breath. "I was looking for Nat, but I found you two."

"Nat's in a meeting with Bruce and Tony." Steve said, looking up at her.

"About?"

"Not sure."

Bucky instinctually grabbed her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Oh." Melany said, the gears turning on her head.

"Is everything okay?" Steve asked, noticing Melany staring at the ground for a little too long.

"Yeah." She said, snapping out of it.

"Something's wrong. What's up?" Bucky said, looking up at her.

"I'm worried about HYDRA's next move." She admitted. "Nobody will tell me anything."

"You don't need to know." Bucky's voice was quiet, firm.

She rolled her eyes. "They almost killed me, I think I deserve to know."

"You need as little stress as possible right now, Mel." Steve said, leaning back on the couch cushions.

"What he said." Bucky gave her a cheeky grin.