Lost in Time

Thirty-Five

*December 22nd*

Bucky wiped his face, and neck with a cloth, dropping it in the sink, as he turned his head side to side, checking in the mirror. Bracing his hands on the counter, his eyes trailed down to his metal arm, just staring at it. Since waking up a few months ago, back in August, he still felt as though he couldn't settle. He had quite a lot of his memories back, even the worse ones, his nightmares were tough, but getting to know the team, having Steve here, which was a shock in of itself, it made it bearable. But it was her, Elle, that kept him going through all this. Her friendship, the way she always made sure to come see him, every day, sometimes it was a quick visit, other times she'd stay hours, but her pure light that radiated from her, had him keep going.

Hester had cleared him for visitors after a month, Steve being the first, talking about the team and who was who, showing him pictures. Tony and Bruce, helping him to adapt with life in this century, and it really was a lot different from what he remembered. He could really see Howard in Tony, and was sure his old friend would be proud of the man his son became.

His memories were coming back in their own time, but he just had a some mental block, as if he couldn't see past a certain point. Maybe that was the cryo he had been in, sixty years of being in ice, that's what files said, but he couldn't shake the feeling, that was a lie. Tony and Bruce were adamant, even showing him what they knew, they believed the files, but he didn't.

Hearing his phone chime in the bedroom on the floor he now shared with Steve and Sam, it snapped him out of his thoughts, he went in to grab it, dropping to sit on his bed, and seeing a message from Elle. Just seeing her name alone, made him smile. Oh, he'd fallen for her, not that he'd ever say. He had learned from their conversations over the months, that she was waiting for Jaces father to come back. He hadn't met her son yet, but as she told him, as well as the others, she didn't want Jace to be seen with them, she had to keep him safe, from any enemies of the team, which he understood.

He had noticed the cold friction she had towards Steve, even when she was being civil, and faking a smile. He didn't know what that was, and she didn't want to talk about it. Opening up the message, he couldn't help but chuckle...

<Make yourself pretty Buck, I'll be at the tower in 15. And I come bearing presents! 😁 x>

<I don't need to make myself pretty, I'm hot. X>

<And don't we all know it. Trust me, you're going to love what I got you. X>

<Right back at you trouble. See you soon. X>

Bucky set his phone down and got dressed. He liked how she made him feel, as though he was important, that he was seen. She had told him about some of her past, and it was something she hadn't told anyone here, not even Tony or Bruce. She understood his darkness, his broken parts, as she had some herself. Hearing about it, it made him angry, sick and wanted nothing more than to find those that hurt her, make them pay for what they did. She was kind, selfless, so full of life that it wasn't hard to fall in love with her. He would happily spend the rest of his life as her friend, if that was all he could ever be.

Hearing a knock on his door, he called for them to come in, turning to see Nat stick her head in the door, before stepping inside... 'Damn I missed the strip show..'.. Bucky laughed, shaking his head. This was another that made him feel comfortable, Nat also understood, being a former Widow of the Red Room.

'If I didn't know any better Nat, I'd think you have a thing for me..'.. He teased, sitting down to pull his boots on.