the team doctor || bucky barnes

18.

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴏɴɢ: ᴇʏᴇꜱ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇᴅ - ʜᴀʟꜱᴇʏ

~

VALERIE HAD A GREAT WEEK.

The team had suddenly embarked on an important mission, leaving Valerie with some free time. She and Bucky hadn't had another session in the two days between that night and the mission, and she was beginning to wonder if she had enough research to end the experimental phase. 

Nick Fury phoned Tony and told the team to immediately suit up, details scarce and urgency high. Valerie was only able to briefly see Sam before they were all off. She was instructed to tell his girlfriend of the mission since the new team phones were only programmed to communicate with each other as of right now. Any external communication wasn't encrypted yet, Cody explained, so they were encouraged to only use the group thread and individual threads with each other. 

What about Snapchat? Sam had asked, making Valerie snicker. 

So, she made herself busy. She went out with Cody for the first time. 

It was a lot of fun. He took her to dinner with the promise of ice cream after, and she learned a lot about him. She learned he had six siblings and hated New York City. She learned his favorite movies and how many different languages he spoke. Seven, to be exact.  

It was normal. Stable. 

After their second date, he kissed her. 

"I had a great time tonight," He said as they walked through Central Park. 

"So did I," She admitted. "I've never been to the Guggenheim before," 

"It's cool, huh?" 

He had taken her to an exhibit featuring technology as art, something he thought they both had in common. They walked together in Central Park afterward, the night air refreshing as autumn drew to a close. 

"Riddle me something," Cody stopped walking next to some beautiful amber trees. 

"Hm?"

"What would you do if," He took her hand. "I tried to kiss you?" 

Valerie blushed suddenly. "Uh, I wouldn't be opposed, I don't think." 

"You don't think?" He chuckled. 

She looked up at him as his eyes met hers, her breath slightly quickening. He reached down to cup her face, bringing her closer. He then let his lips slowly meet hers.

Valerie's eyes closed, allowing her lips to move against his. She held onto his arms gently as if to ground herself, but she quickly began to feel that she never felt ungrounded. It was a good kiss, but it didn't transport her anywhere. She didn't melt. Her heart rate remained steady. 

She ignored that feeling. 

Cody smiled brightly. "Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?" 

"I believe three times," She laughed. 

He took her hand and led her back down the streets of New York toward the tower. 

<>

They texted daily now. He came to see her at her lab, cutely distracting her from her work to crack jokes or to ask her if she'd seen the most recent episode of Shark Tank. 

As more days went on, she grew used to Cody's comforting presence. She liked that she always knew how he felt about her. He was vocal about it. He never was in a bad mood.