Doll. // Bucky Barnes X OC

TWENTY-FOUR

Bucky woke up before Melany. He laid on his stomach with his right arm latched around his pillow. He knew it was still a little early since the sky was still dark with hints of orange from the sun coming up. He rolled over, remembering he had taken off his arm. He sat up gently, grabbing his arm and moving it towards the magnets. He placed it inside the socket and flexed his hand after he heard the click. He did his best to keep quiet as he stood up, flinging his arm in a circle to recalibrate it.

He looked back at Mel. Her black hair was strewn across the pillow, and her hands were above her head. He grabbed his phone off the nightstand. It was 7:15. He managed to notice the date, November 1st. It was their 6 month anniversary.

He grabbed a shirt from the closet and slipped it on. He heard her stir on the bed, but her breathing remained steady. He calmly looked down at her, seeing that she'd turned over on her side. Her bun was a mess, and half her hair was out of it. He smiled softly as he reached out, rubbing his flesh thumb over her cheek. He leaned pressing a kiss to her forehead. She didn't even move, she was dead asleep.

He smiled as he shoved his phone in his pocket and slowly walked out of the room. Nat was leaving hers and Steve's as Bucky passed their door.

"Morning." She muttered, walking down the stairs behind him.

"Hey." He replied. Nat looked a little confused. "What?" He asked, looking over at her once they reached the kitchen.

"Where's Mel? Is she still asleep?" Nat started walking back up the stairs.

"Let her sleep. We had a bit of a night." Bucky replied, starting the coffee pot.

"Ooohh, you did?" Nat asked, winking.

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Not like that." He paused. "She had a nightmare." He looked down. "We argued some, but everything's okay. We're fine." He licked his bottom lip as he thought about the way she reacted last night.

"What was it about?" Nat asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I didn't ask for details. I know I killed her." He looked up at Nat; her eyes were wide as she listened intently. "She wouldn't even let me touch her unless I took this off." He gestured to his metal arm.

"She had nightmares before you came to the compound." Nat swallowed hard, pausing. "They were never that bad. I'm sure it's just we've been here so long. The team is doing their best without Steve and me to take down HYDRA." Nat explained, walking behind him and grabbing a coffee mug.

"Today's our six-month anniversary." He mentioned. "I know it's not like a big one, but it's big for me, I guess." He chuckled.

Nat smiled at him. "Well, that's something to look forward to. It's big for Mel, too. She hasn't had the best luck with guys." 

Within seconds Steve walked down the stairs into the kitchen. Tension was high as Steve looked at Bucky. Nobody had even noticed that Tony was stirring awake on the floor. "Oh, God." He said, sitting up.

"How's Mel?" Steve asked, relaxing a little when Bucky turned around to get a mug.

"She's better." He replied. He sighed, looking over at Steve. "Tony, get up!"

"Okay, fine." Tony stood up, groaning as he did. "I need to invest in more couches or better carpet." He grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured himself a cup of coffee. "So, let's talk."

Tony walked over to the dining room table, waiting for the other two to join him. "Where's Mel?" He asked, looking at the two super soldiers who sat across from him.

"We talked about it last night," Bucky spoke up first. "We think Steve should stay, but he goes on missions with you. Maybe it will speed the process of taking down HYDRA. He has about as much reason as me to be out there, but I can't be."