Say my Name-rewrite

"Where are we going?"

Bucky's POV:

After lunch, the compound settled back into its usual rhythm.

Sam and Wanda were still in the kitchen, arguing over seasoning. Clint and Scott were in the middle of some ridiculous debate about '80s action movies. Tony had disappeared into his lab, and Thor had gone off somewhere, leaving just me and Steve making our way upstairs.

The halls were quiet, the only sound our boots against the floor.

Then, Steve spoke.

"You and Maya seemed comfortable today."

I didn't look at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Steve shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Just an observation."

I scoffed. "Sure."

But he wasn't letting it go.

"It's funny," he said after a moment. "Because last night at the party, you told me you couldn't do this. That you couldn't let someone in."

I clenched my jaw. "And I meant it."

Steve hummed, unconvinced. "Didn't look like it today."

I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head. "It was just conversation, Steve."

"Yeah?" He gave me a knowing look. "That why you were smiling like that?"

I shot him a sharp glance, but he didn't back down.

"I haven't seen you like that in a long time, Buck. Laughing. Teasing. The way you were this morning."

I rolled my shoulders, keeping my gaze forward. "You're reading too much into it."

Steve was quiet for a second before he asked, "What's she like?"

That made me pause. "What?"

He smirked, shaking his head. "You heard me. What's she like?"

I sighed, rubbing a hand down my face. "She's..." I hesitated, searching for the right words. "Sharp."

Steve raised a brow. "Sharp?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Smart. Quick. She picks up on everything, sees through people before they even open their mouths. It's like she's always one step ahead."

Steve hummed. "And that doesn't bother you?"

I huffed a quiet laugh. "Oh, it does. She's got a mouth on her, too. Pushes buttons just to see what happens."

Steve smirked. "Sounds like someone I know."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't start."

His smirk faded, his voice quieter now. "So what is it, then?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Steve sighed. "You told me last night you couldn't let someone in. That you wouldn't. You want to, Buck. I see it. So why are you hesitating?" He glanced at me. "Is it because you're afraid she'll find out?"

I stiffened slightly.

"About your past?" Steve clarified. "The things you've done?"

I clenched my jaw.

Steve exhaled. "Buck, you know she wouldn't judge you for it. She wouldn't look at you like—"

"Like a monster?" I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended.

Steve held my gaze. "Like someone who was forced to do things beyond his control. Because that's what you were."

I let out a slow breath, shaking my head. "It's not that, Steve."