A Little Calm...

Breakfast By The Hudson

Last Night's Mascara - Bryan Cartelli

The next morning, you and Bucky are unusually quiet as you begin your day. Conversation is bland and you struggle to think about anything other than Fury's offer.
After drinks last night, Alice scolded you about being so distant, and so made you promise to meet for breakfast to catch up. You eagerly agreed and didn't spare much time after waking up before running out the door.
Alice got to pick the venue: a sweet little cafe next to the Hudson, with a small outdoor seating area and wisteria up every wall.

Alice
"Right, you owe me an update."

Y/n
"What do you wanna know?"

Alice
"What do you think?? Maybe tell me about the fact that you're planning on buying a HOUSE??"

You shyly laugh at her explosive words as you look around to see if she's drawing attention.

Y/n
"We just didn't think it was that big of a deal!"

Alice
"Are you kidding me?? That's a HUGE deal!! And NOT the kind of thing you randomly drop into conversation."

You shrug at her knowing that what's done is done, and you can't change the way she found out now.

Alice
"Besides, you mind telling me why you're planning on buying property with this guy without a ring?"

Gesturing down to your left hand, she taps on your ring finger.

Y/n
"That's barely an important factor! You and I both know that Bucky and I don't follow the traditional timeline."

Alice gives you an unconvinced smile as you try to continue under her glare.

Y/n
"I mean, first, he tried to kill me. Then we were acquaintances, then sort of friends. And suddenly, we were together, only for him to hate my guts the next morning. I don't think buying a house before getting married is a massive deviation, do you?"

Almost annoyed, Alice squints at you from across the table. You told her the full story a long time ago, but her shock was overpowered by her romantic side buying into the mess of it all.

Y/n
"Anyway, we're not buying yet, remember. We're looking for a smaller place to rent so we can save some more."

Alice
"Fine."

You take a sip of your coffee as she continues to stare at you. You can feel her thinking as she studies your every move, analysing every micro action.

Shake It Out - Florence and the Machine

Y/n
"What?"

Alice
"What's changed?"

Y/n
"What do you mean?"

Alice
"Apart from the physical stuff, your strength and so forth, you can't have gone through all of it without changing in some way. I just can't figure out what it is."

Y/n
"Honestly? I feel fine. It terrifies me and I should be worried as to why, but I'm okay. I'm adapting to it all now. At first I shyed away, but I'm finding a way to embrace it."

You're reluctant to tell her what happened when you got home last night. You don't even know whether you'll take Fury up on his offer so there's no point in getting her riled up.

Alice
"Fine, but what about you and Bucky? Are you guys, I don't know... okay?"

You giggle to yourself as you think about how things have changed. If anything, this whole thing has brought you closer. In your eyes, he no longer sees you as a delicate little flower. Almost like he has a new found trust, or level of respect. Not that he didn't respect you before, but it's different now.

Y/n
"Well, since you mention it, things with Bucky are... intense."

Alice
"Good intense or bad intense?"

Y/n
"Oh trust me, it's good."

Alice
"Please, continue..."

BO$$ - Fifth Harmony

Y/n
"Well, obviously, there was a lot of pent up energy when I got back. And in the process of trying to make up for lost time, I'm only just realising how much he's been holding back."

Alice
"Okay, just so we're on the same page, we are talking about sex here, right?"

Y/n
"Yes, Alice. I'm talking about sex."

Alice
"Good, just clarifying! What do you mean 'holding back'?"

Y/n
"I mean, he's a super soldier! I knew it affected his stamina, but I'm talking about his strength too. Dude put a dent in the headboard."

Alice
"With your head??"

Y/n
"No! His fist."

Alice
"Okay, but why is he now not holding back?"

Y/n
"Because of this."

Pulling your sleeve down to reveal your wrist, you show Alice the light finger marks.

Y/n
"That was just before we met up with you guys yesterday."

Alice
"Jesus, he did that?? I'm gonna murder him!"

Reaching across the table to grab your arm, she's almost shouting.

Y/n
"No, Alice, it's not like that! But it's almost completely faded is my point. My pain tolerance has sky rocketed, as has my resilience. Before he had to be careful not to hurt me, but now... now he can actually focus on enjoying himself too."

Alice
"You dirty dog... of all things I did not think this would be yours."

Y/n
"You wanna know something a little spicier?"

Alice
"Always."

Leaning across the table so that you're face to face, you bring your tone down to a whisper.

Y/n
"The first night we got back to the apartment? Kitchen island."

Alice jaw slowly drops to form a gasp, before it shuts suddenly and she frowns deeply, thwacking your shoulder.

Alice
"I would be impressed if I didn't have dinner with you on that island 3 weeks ago! Gross!!"

Y/n
"Relax! I cleaned it! But, um, there is one more thing..."

Alice
"What...?"

Y/n
"I um... I thought I was pregnant."

Till Forever Falls Apart - Finneas

Almost rising from the table in shock, Alice grabs your wrists as her face falls back into its agape position.

Alice
"What?? Are you kidding me!?"

Y/n
"Shhhhh! Jeez, Al... it was just a false alarm."

Alice
"Were you, excited? Happy? Terrified??"

Y/n
"Kind of... if it had been real, then sure, I'd have been elated. But otherwise, we're not there yet."

There's a break as both of you let the topic settle in the air.

Alice
"Okay... are there any other shocking revelations to impart?"

Y/n
"Not that I can think of."

Alice
"Good, because I have news! I've met someone!"

Y/n
"Oh my god! That's amazing, Alice!"

Alice
"Thank you! Her name is Dianna, she's a lawyer from Queens."

Y/n
"How did you meet??"

Alice
"Remember I told you my department just commissioned a massive deal with some big shot law firm? Well we were sat in some boring meeting about company expenses and got talking afterwards. We both joked about needing a drink so we went and got one. Nothing else to it really, we've just been seeing each other ever since."

Y/n
"When do I get to meet her?"

Alice
"Not for a while, it's still very new."

Y/n
"Well I'm happy for you. Now come on, I wanna know everything! Talk me through dates, details, everything!