Doll. // Bucky Barnes X OC

THIRTY-FOUR

It had been a few weeks since Bucky's accident. He'd been slowly going back to his normal routine; working out, breakfast, meeting Melany for an hour in the lab, training with Steve or Nat, and then continuing his day with his fiancée. Although today was a little different.

It was February 14th. Valentine's day.

This would be his first Valentine's Day for about 90 years, and his first with Melany. He sometimes forgets that they hadn't even known each other a year yet, and they were already engaged. Sometimes he thinks that this is all just a dream, with how well they have been doing. Especially with all the Steve drama to start. To Bucky, Steve was and always would be the better choice, but not for his Melany. His girl.

He woke up around 5 in the morning, his static with his routine for the day. He knew Melany wouldn't be up for a few more hours, so he decided to take a shower to help wake himself up. He stopped in front of the mirror and sighed softly as he looked at himself. He'd noticed some physical changes since he got shot. Nothing major, he just was a little slower when sparring with Steve or it struggled to finish his workouts in the mornings. Steve had told him it was normal, given he was literally wide awake when Bruce was taking out the bullet. Bucky had never really been able to understand the effects of the serum, since as soon as HYDRA patched him up with band-aids and duct tape, they stuck him back in his 'ice chamber' as he liked to call it.

He still had some slight bruising from the stitches, but Bruce said that should go away with a few more days of healing, although the fact he was already training back up to go on missions probably wasn't in his best interests. He started the shower, closing the door behind him to muffle the noise. He didn't want to wake Melany early, she would be grumpy all day and that really isn't what he wanted for today.

After his shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist after drying off his torso and shaking a towel through his hair. He quickly brushed his teeth and stepped out of the bathroom. Melany was still sound asleep, her hair sprawled out against the pillow and her lips parted slightly. A soft snore fell from her lips as he rummaged quietly through his closet. He pulled out a pair of black jeans, the boots she gifted him for Christmas. From his side of the dresser, he pulled out a pair of black boxers, a grey t-shirt, and a red Henley he liked.

He changed before retreating downstairs. He hadn't realized how long he was in the shower before he checked the clock on the stove once he reached the kitchen. It was almost 7. He pressed the 'on' button on the coffee machine and he pulled two mugs from the cupboard. As he was rummaging through the fridge to find something to make the two of them for breakfast, he heard someone clear their throat behind them.

"Good morning." Bucky mumbled before turning around, seeing Steve standing in a pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt. He looked like he'd just woken up. Bucky handed him a mug to give himself some coffee.

"Morning." Steve grumbled back, creeping toward the coffee pot. He poured himself a cup, not wanting to wait till it was finished brewing. He took a sip from the steaming cup as he watched Bucky fiddle with a pan on the stove. "Whatcha makin'?" He tried leaning closer to the stove to see.

"French toast for Mel and I. You want some? I can make extra." He said, his eyebrows furrowed as he grabbed the needed ingredients from the pantry and placed them on the counter.

"Sure. Thanks." Steve said, rounding the kitchen island to sit on the other side. With Bucky's back to him he continued to speak. "Is she even awake?"

Bucky shook his head. "No, but I can leave it in the oven to keep it warm till she is."

Steve chuckled. "If you're gonna wait till she's awake, you may as well just make some for everybody."

Bucky frowned slightly, knowing his friend was right. "Help me then." He looked back at Steve.