An unconventional trio

"Thank you?"

Bucky's POV:

"Did—did you just...say..." Nova's words stumble out, her voice shaky as she tries to process what I've just said. Her wide eyes search mine, clearly looking for some kind of reassurance.

"This—this isn't how I wanted to do this," I reply, letting a soft grin pull at my lips—the one she calls my "Toothless smile." It works. I see her relax just a little, but she's still nervously fiddling with the bubbles floating around her.

"You—you, um, ok, you love me? Like—like 'hey bestie! Love you!' Or like..." Her voice trails off, and I can hear the anxiety behind her words. It makes me smile more than I probably should.

"No, Nova. Like I am in love with you," I whisper, holding her gaze, making sure she knows I mean every word. The moment hangs in the air between us, thick with her stunned silence.

"Wow..." she finally whispers.

"Yeah," I whisper back, leaning just a bit closer, still watching her carefully.

"You...you..." She stutters again, her fingers now tracing random patterns on the edge of the tub. She looks so vulnerable, so uncertain, and I can't help but grin wider.

"Mmhmm," I hum in response, feeling warmth spread through my chest, a kind of lightness I haven't felt in a long time.

"Ok....uh....you...I...um...I don't...I don't think I can do this in the... I'm still in the bath.... Water's...cold." She stammers, looking everywhere but at me as her cheeks flush pink. "I'm gonna... I'm gonna get out now."

"Okay," I say, trying to stifle a laugh but failing miserably.

"Can you... um... can you hand me the towel?" she asks, pouting a little, nodding towards the counter behind me. The pout, the nervous energy—it's all so Nova.

"Sure," I say, reaching for the towel with a soft chuckle, handing it to her while making sure to keep my eyes on her face. No need to make her any more flustered than she already is.

"Thanks," she whispers, clutching the towel tightly to her chest, still processing everything.

I hold out my hand to her, watching as she hesitates for a moment before placing her hand in mine. Her fingers feel cold, probably from the water, and I gently help her out of the tub. She still won't look at me, her eyes fixed on the floor, her movements a little stiff as she steps out.

Leaning back against the counter, I cross my arms, watching as she dries off quickly and wraps the towel tightly around herself. She's nervous, that much is obvious, her breathing uneven, and I catch her stealing glances at me from the corner of her eye.

"Nova," I say softly, trying not to overwhelm her more than I already have.

Finally, she meets my gaze, her blue eyes wide and unsure. There's a vulnerability there that tugs at something deep inside me. I smile, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"I don't expect you to say it back," I begin, keeping my voice low, steady. "I know me saying this to you is a lot. And after everything this weekend, I know you're overwhelmed." I push off the counter, taking a step closer to her, careful not to crowd her space. "But I wanted to tell you, because... it's how I feel. And I know I'd probably need to say it a million times before you believe me."

Her eyes flicker with something—it's there. It was the same thing I saw last night, now just mixed with nervousness. It's all over her face.

"And I'm more than willing to give you that reassurance. Because I know you need it."

I move closer, just a step, my heart beating a little harder with each word I say. Her face flushes, and she stares at me like she's trying to make sense of everything I've just said, like the weight of it is pressing down on her chest.

"Um...I, um..." she stutters, biting her lip, "I think...I need a minute."

Her words are quiet, shaky, but I nod, giving her space, not wanting to push. "Of course," I say gently.

I take a few steps back toward the bathroom door, my heart still racing from everything I've just said. Nova follows me quietly, her footsteps soft.

I reach the door, about to step out when I hear her small voice, barely above a whisper. "Bucky?"

I turn, meeting her gaze, and for a second, I swear she's going to say it. Her eyes are searching mine, her lips start to curl into a small smile, and hope flares in my chest. But then, just as quickly, I see her nerves creep in again.

"Thank you," she whispers instead, and I watch her face twist in confusion as she quickly shuts the door in my face.

I stand there for a second, my eyebrows raised, amusement dancing in my chest. *Thank you?* I think, a smile tugging at my lips. "Thank you?" I whisper to myself, still processing. "Thank you?" My voice gets a little louder as I try to make sense of it. And then, from the other side of the door, I hear it.

"Thank you!" Nova's voice, clearly frustrated, breaks through the muffled sound of the door. I blink, trying not to laugh.

"He confesses his love for you, and you say 'Thank you!' Jesus, Nova, you are the biggest romantic movie cliché!! Could you be a bigger asshole!" she scolds herself, and I bite back a laugh, covering my mouth with my hand.

She doesn't stop there. "Couldn't just be like a normal person and say it back! Why? Oh, 'cause you're an unhealed human who can't use her words like a fucking adult!"

I lean against the doorframe, shaking my head, my shoulders shaking with silent laughter. God, she's something else.

Maybe she'll need more than a minute after all.

Nova's POV:

I pace the bathroom, my bare feet padding across the cool tiles, mind racing. "Adult," I mutter under my breath. "Ha. You're not an adult. You ran around the house last night in a unicorn onesie!" I shake my head, pressing my hands to my temples. "God, why didn't I just say it back? Jesus, I'm a mess."

I stop for a second, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair's still damp, the towel wrapped tight around me. "Okay. Okay. Just breathe, Nova. Just go out there and..." I trail off, sighing. "I don't know what the fuck I'm gonna do, but I can't hide in the bathroom all night."

With that pep talk, I gather up what little courage I can find and reach for the doorknob. The door creaks as it opens, and I freeze when I see him standing there, right where I left him.

"Shit. Hi," I say, startled, feeling my face heat up.

"Hi," he replies, that grin tugging at the corners of his lips—the one that makes it so damn hard to think straight.

I glance at him, then quickly look away, biting my lip. "Um...how...how much of that...did you hear?" My voice is shaky, embarrassment creeping up my spine.

"How much of what did I hear?" he asks, raising an eyebrow, his voice laced with amusement. He's definitely heard enough, but he's playing dumb, and I can't help but smile, knowing he's just trying to make me feel better.

"Thank you..." I whisper again, hating myself for saying the same ridiculous thing.

"You said that already," he replies, his brow quirking, a teasing glint in his eyes.

I close my eyes for a second, willing the ground to swallow me whole. *Please let this be a bad dream,* I think, taking a breath to calm the nerves swirling inside me.

"Hey," he whispers, his voice soft as he steps closer. His hands gently glide up and down my arms, his touch grounding me in the moment. "Let's go to bed. It's late, and we have to head back tomorrow."

I exhale, finally letting some of the tension leave my body. He's giving me an out, and I'm more than ready to take it. For now. I smile, nodding. "Yeah. That...that sounds good."

And just like that, the weight on my chest lightens a bit. Maybe we can figure the rest out tomorrow.