Before she could even leave town rumors were beginning to spread. The orphan girl was packing her things. How had she found a home so quickly? She can't own land, so who will she be living with?
She ignored the whispers as she left the orphanage, walking down the road with a purpose. Some stared at her in pity, the others in disgust. She simply clutched the handle of her bag and moved forward.
As she reached the outskirts of town she was met by the blacksmith. Brock Rumlow.
"When I heard the ophan girl was leaving I almost didn't believe it!" He chuckled.
"Leave me alone, Brock," She growled.
"Are you going to live in the woods like an animal?" He taunted. "You know a monster lives there? With only one arm and a face covered in scars!"
She pushed past him, knocking into him with her shoulder.
"He's not a monster. He's a person." She muttered under her breath.
He continued to taunt her as she walked further and further, until eventually she could no longer hear him.
Her pace picked up as she reached the hill, running to the spot he would be waiting. The spot she hoped he would still be waiting at.
Her heart grew at the sight of him. There he sat on the blanket, holding a dainty flower in his hand. He looked closely at the petals, unaware of her presence.
"It's a nice flower." She smiled.
"You're back!" His smile grew so wide it almost touched his eyes.
"Of course I'm back! I can't wait to see my new home!" She cheered.
He stood from his seat, picking up the objects from the ground. He handed them to her and watched as she shoved the items into her bag before carefully folding the blanket and draping it over her arm. Before she could readjust her hold on the bag it was pulled from her grasp.
"You don't have to do that, Bucky! I can carry it!"
"I will carry. It's a long walk to the cabin. It'll be safer." He begins his walk into.the woods, sending a reassuring smile to the girl behind him.
They trekked through the woods for about thirty minutes, Bucky slowing his pace so she could keep up with him. He'd made the walk enough that there was a pretty good trail worn down. He laughed as she pranced through the woods beside him, speaking excitedly about being his new housemate.
"What's so funny?" She quirked a brow.
"You look like a little doe, prancing through the woods like that." When her cheeks covered with blush he knew he would never call her anything else. She was his little doe.
Finally they reached the river. It was only ten more minutes to the cabin. He grew nervous with each step. What if she didn't like it? He hadn't cleaned in a while. What if she misses the village? Would she laugh at the home he built?
"Umm, I hope my home is suitable for you. It isn't very clean right now, but I built it all myself." He stuttered out.
"I'm sure it's perfectly fine, Bucky! Maybe just needs a woman's touch." She winked and this time it was his turn to blush, if she could even see it under all the scarring.
"Well, there it is." He pointed ahead. In front of them sat a little wood cabin with a stone chimney coming out the top.
The soft smile on her face gave him the courage he needed to guide her into the house. He placed her bag beside the door and quickly lit the few lanterns throughout the home. She looked around the home in wonder. It looked cozy and warm. It looked like a home.
"I know it's not much but.."
"It's perfect." She interrupted.
"Let me show you your room!" He picked her bag up again, leading her to a short hallway at the back of the cabin. The little hall lead to two bedrooms. The room was small, the bed taking up most of the space. There was also a small dresser pressed against the wall. It was small, but it was enough.
"Bucky, how will I ever repay you?" Tears filled her eyes as she took in the little room. Her room. Her very own room.
"You being here is enough, Little Doe." He softly spoke, wiping the tears from her cheek with his thumb.
He placed the bag on her bed before giving her some time alone in her new home. She looked around the room one last time before quickly unloading the few items her bag held.
After organizing her things she spent some time just sitting in her room. Simply processing how her day had gone so differently from how she has rejected. She didn't even realize she had been there for almost an hour.
A gentle knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Dinner is ready. I hope you like soup." He spoke softly.
"I love soup!" She cheered, following him from room and sneaking a peek into the room across from hers. The bed was messy with blankets diagonal across the bed and pillows hanging off the side.
"Its tomato soup." He informed as they walked into the kitchen. It was a only a little crowded with the two of them navigating the small room. As they grow used to each other and develop a routine it will get easier.
He pulled a chair back from the table, allowing her to sit. He ladles the soup into two separate bowl before carrying them to the table and sitting across from her. They sit in silence as they eat, content with the warm substance filling their stomachs.
"What do you do during the day?" She asked, breaking the silence l.
"Lumber," he answered. "There's a man at the edge of the woods who I deliver it to. He sells the wood for me, keeping a small percentage of the profits for himself. He will also get me supplies from the village sometimes."
"What's his name? I can always make village runs if you need me to! I wouldn't mind at all!" She was desperate to show her appreciation.
"Steve Rogers. He has a little farm."
"Oh! Captain Rogers? I heard he used to sail ships. Is that true?"
He tensed at the question.
She noticed.
"Yes."
She allowed the conversation to end there.
"You staying here isn't going to hurt you any is it?" He chewed on his lip with worry, staring into the now empty bowl on the table. "I know how rumors can fly in the village. I'd hate to ruin your name in any way."
"Oh, you have no need to worry about that! My name was ruined long before I met you." A sad smile covered her face.
He gripped the spoon so tightly it bent.
While his scars covered his face, hers seemed to be invisible. He wished he could destroy everything that ever hurt her.
"What would you like me to do tomorrow when you go out to do your work?" She changed the subject quickly.
"Whatever you'd like. Take the time to settle in. You deserve it."
They smiled at each other for a moment, only a moment, before quickly tidying up the kitchen.
As they went into their seperate rooms she was almost bouncing in excitement at what the future might hold.
