An unconventional trio

Like...like a skillet?

Bucky's POV:

I adjust my position in the tub, feeling the warmth of the water envelope us. The steam curls around our faces, a gentle reminder of the contrast between the heat here and the chill of the outside world. Nova leans back into me, her body soft and relaxed, and I tighten my arms around her, drawing her closer.

"Are you warm enough?" I murmur, my lips brushing against her ear.

She nuzzles into me, her head resting on my chest, and I can feel the rise and fall of her breathing, slow and steady. She lets out a contented sigh, the sound melting away any lingering tension from my muscles.

"Mmm, yes, it's perfect," she whispers, a smile playing on her lips. "Your tub might be better than mine."

Her hair, damp and fragrant from the bath, tickles my nose, and I press a kiss to the top of her head. The simple intimacy of the moment fills me with a sense of peace. I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of her in my arms, the way she fits against me like she was always meant to be there.

"Good," I reply softly, my voice a low rumble in the quiet room.

For a moment, everything else fades away—our pasts, our worries, the chaos of the world outside. It's just us, wrapped in warmth and each other. Nova's fingers trace lazy patterns on my forearm, and I smile, a rare and genuine smile that feels as though it might split my face in two.

She tilts her head up, looking at me with those deep, knowing eyes, and I can't help but lean down to kiss her, slow and tender. Her lips are soft and yielding, and the kiss deepens, a silent promise of more moments like this, more stolen bits of serenity amidst the storm.

When we finally pull apart, her eyes are sparkling, her smile radiant. I hold her gaze, feeling something shift and settle in my chest, a warmth that has nothing to do with the bath and everything to do with the woman in my arms.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water.

"For what?" I ask, my brow furrowing slightly.

"For this," she says, her eyes closing as she rests her head against me once more. "For being here. For being you."

I don't know how to respond, so I just hold her tighter, letting the silence speak for me. And in that silence, surrounded by warmth and the quiet beating of our hearts, I find a contentment I never thought possible.

The warmth from the bath still lingers on our skin as we step out, the bathroom mirror fogged up and the air thick with steam. Nova wraps herself in a towel, her hair damp and clinging to her shoulders. I turn on the shower for a quick rinse, letting the water wash away the last remnants of the bath. We dry off quickly, the soft towels absorbing the moisture from our skin.

I rummage through the closet and pull out one of my hoodies, the soft fabric worn and familiar. Turning back to her, I hold it up and smile.

"Arms up," I say, looking down at her.

Nova's brow furrows, and she cocks her head to the side, an amused glint in her eyes. "Bucky... you don't have to dress me! I'm a grown woman!" she protests, her tone playful yet firm.

*God, she's adorable,* I think, feeling a smile tug at my lips despite myself. "Nova, I like... doting on you. Taking care of you. It... it's slightly selfish, if I'm being honest," I admit, my voice softening.

Her curiosity piqued, she asks, "How so?"

I step closer, my thumb gently brushing her cheek as I whisper, "It fulfills something for me."

Her lips purse, and she tries to fight back a smile, but it's a losing battle. Finally, she sighs, a small, resigned smile spreading across her face. "Fine," she says, giving in and throwing her arms up in the air.