Of Love and Lines (MCUxReader)

Fifty Eight

Bucky set you down on the counter, reaching for a towel and wrapping you in the fluffy fabric before grabbing another and lifting you right back up. He took you to the bedroom, sitting down in the chair by the windows with you in his lap.

He brought the extra towel to your hair, catching the majority of the water that dripped from the short white waves. When he finished, you sent a small plume of shadows through the locks, drying it the rest of the way. Bucky smiled up at you, something you wanted to return but found you couldn't. When your frown remained, Bucky dropped the towel to the ground and reached up, his hands coming to rest on either side of your neck, his thumbs brushing along your jaw.

"Talk to me."

As your emotions came back to the forefront of your mind, new tears filled your eyes.

"Oh, Sweetheart." Bucky's hand left your neck to pull you to him.

You welcomed the embrace, sinking into his warmth. Releasing the hold on his bond, you let his love flow freely into you. It wasn't enough though. Part of your soul knew what was missing, ached for it. When the tears broke free again, you didn't bother holding them in. It hurt more to. So, you let them out, your shoulders shaking beneath Bucky's arms.

"You need to talk." Bucky said sternly.

You nodded your head.

"That's not talking, doll."

Scrunching your eyebrows together, you opened your mouth and let the stream of words flow unbridled from you. "I fucked up. I know that. I just- I thought what I was doing was the right thing. They were hurting. They were dying. How could I not help? I know I should've asked, but I knew the answer would be no. In that moment, it was too much. I didn't stop to think. I just acted. It was rash. It was stupid. But it worked. They're okay. They're going to be okay. But what about me? I don't feel okay, Bucky. I feel- I feel heavy. Broken. Useless."

A third hand landed at the small of your back and you stiffened.

"You're not useless." Steve whispered.

Bucky lifted you, turning you in his lap so that you could face Steve where he knelt on the ground at Bucky's feet. Sniffling, you wiped the tears from your face. Steve's hands landed on your knees. Their subtle weight not nearly enough. You wanted to jump down into his arms. But the fear that he would reject you again overpowered the need.

Your breath hitched anew. "I feel like you don't w-want me anymore. This bond wasn't something you agreed to. I forced it on you and now you're trapped. If you don't want this, okay. I mean- it's not okay. I'm not okay with that. But I won't keep you in this relationship if you don't want it. We can talk to Loki. Maybe he can-"

Steve's hands moved up your thighs until he grabbed your hips, pulling you off Bucky's lap and down into his. Your body froze, wanting nothing more than to relax into his embrace. But still, you held back.

"Let me in." He spoke softly.

Biting your lip, you shook your head.

His fingers reached up to grasp your chin as he forced you to look into his crystal blue eyes. "Penelope. Let. Me. In."

Taking a deep breath, you released the block you held on his bond.

You expected anger. Instead love overflowed your senses. Devotion. Warmth.

As it settled around you, you finally leaned forward, hugging Steve back. He sighed against you.

"You didn't make a good call. There were other ways to get the girls back. Ways that didn't involve jeopardizing your safety." Steve explained, his chin resting on your head. "You're so attuned to your need to help others, no matter the cost. It's one of the many things I love about you. But something we need you to realize is that it's not just you anymore. In being reckless with yourself, you're being reckless with our bonds."