Rooftops and Invitations ❤️

Chapter 15

Charlotte laid in bed next to Rick, staring at the ceiling and thinking about Steve kissing her. And how about how he said he would wait for her to be ready. She looked at the time to see it was just before 4 in the morning. She groaned, getting out of bed and going to Bucky's room. She found him awake, reading on his bed.

"What is it doll? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" He scooted over on the bed, patting for her to sit next to him.

"I couldn't sleep." She sat on the bed next to him, laying her head in his lap as he played with her hair.

"Why do you do this to yourself? He loves you. He made a mistake. He regrets it."

"Because I love Rick too. I was with Steve once, over a year ago. I've been with Rick practically everyday over the last 8 months."

Bucky laughed, "so? Doesn't mean he knows you, or loves you like Steve does. And you and I both know you don't love Rick like you do Steve. Stop kidding yourself."

She groaned, sitting up to look at him. "How can you be so sure?"

He placed his hand on her cheek, "how can you not be?"

She sighed, laying back on his lap, falling asleep quickly. Bucky covered her with the blanket and went back to reading his book.

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Steve entered Bucky's room to find Charlotte asleep with her head on his lap. "I just came to tell you I'm leaving for a mission and to keep an eye on her." He laughed, pointing to Charlotte.

Bucky nodded, "yeah. Of course. You don't need me?"

Steve shook his head, sitting on the edge of the bed, "no. Should be fine without you." He reached forward, stroking Charlotte's leg, "Charlie."

Charlotte woke up to see Steve sitting on the edge of Bucky's bed, "Steve? What's wrong?"

"No. Nothing. Just letting you know I was leaving for a mission."

She sat up, grabbing his hand, "be careful."

He nodded, "of course." He grabbed her chin, pulling her lips softly to his before resting his head on hers, "I'll be back. I love you."

She watched him walk away before laying back on Bucky's lap. After a few minutes, she jolted up, "Rick! Fuck." She heard Bucky laugh behind her as she left his room. She found Rick in her room getting dressed. "I'm sorry. I fell asleep talking to Bucky."

He shook his head, "it's fine. Really." He held his arms out to her, wrapping them around her, "I said I'd stay as long as you wanted me. Do you still want me here?" Charlotte groaned, pulling away from him. She got dressed, still not looking at him or answering him. "Charlotte."

She turned to face him, "I don't know what I want!" She shook her head, placing her hands on her hips, "I'm sorry Rick."

"Don't be." He put his hands on her shoulders, "I knew the risk coming here. I knew there was a possibility you'd still choose him. I love you Charlotte. I want you to be happy."

"Ugh. Rick. Stop saying all the right things! You're making it worse."

She pulled away from him to sit on the bed. Rick laughed, "I'm sorry, but I mean it. Hey," he knelt on the floor in front of her as he grabbed her face in his hands, "I've gotten to spend so much time with you over the last 8 months or so. And I've loved every minute of it. I love you Charlotte. Even if you choose him."

She shook her head as the tears streamed down her face, "Rick." He didn't say anything, just wrapped his arms around her as she cried. When she finished, she stood up, "I'm gonna go make breakfast."

Charlotte found Bucky in the kitchen already making breakfast. He handed her a cup of coffee when he saw her enter, "thank you Buck." She sat at the counter, watching him.

"Where's Rick?"

She groaned, "probably still in my room? I think he's avoiding me. Or giving me space, I'm not sure.

When they finished breakfast, Bucky started the dishes, "do you want to watch a movie while you wait for Steve to come back?"

Charlotte laughed, "he asked you to keep an eye on me?"

Bucky dried his hands, "well I would have anyways. But yeah. He always does."

She stood up, "let me go check on Rick first. I'll meet you in the screening room." She went back to her room to find it empty. On her desk was an envelope labeled: Charlie. She groaned, sitting on the bed to read it.

I knew when we stepped onto the compound that my days with you would be numbered. I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with you. I thought it would be better to leave without saying goodbye because you might have convinced me to stay. Or I might have convinced you to come with me. But your place is with your family, with the Avengers. And with Steve. I love you. I always will.
-R.

She sighed, reading the note a few times. She knew he was right because she read the letter and even though she loved him, she wasn't sad he made the decision to leave. He made it easy for her so she didn't have to. She walked down to the screening room to see Bucky waiting for her on the couch. "Hey. How's Rick?" She didn't say anything, sitting next to him and handing him the letter. When he finished, he set the letter on the table, "are you okay?"

Charlotte nodded, "I am actually." She laid her head in his lap like she had the night before. She felt him play with her hair as the movie started. "I miss Steve."

"I know. He'll be home soon."

She doesn't know how long she had been asleep for when they hear Natasha, as she tries to wake them. Charlotte sits up, "Nat? What's going on?"

"It's Steve, just follow me. Both of you." Charlotte and Bucky follow Natasha to the lab to find Steve on the bed with a gash across his stomach.

"Steve!" Charlotte ran to him, seeing more bruises on his chest. Sharon was hovering over him. She gave Charlotte a half smile and backed away when she saw her approach.

She looks at Doctor Cho, "he's fine. He heals quickly. He just needs time." Charlotte nodded, crawling into the bed with him, with her head on his chest. Bucky smiled, pulling the blanket over them both before shooing everyone out of the lab.