Say you'll remember me

33. Slowly

The next morning, Bucky was up early.

He headed straight to the gym at the tower, knowing Natasha would be there.

He was surprised to see her performing delicate stretches this morning, instead of her normal routine which was usually punching things.

Her graceful movements reminded James of a ballerina.

A ballerina

Why did that feel familiar?

Bucky shook his head before continuing his way.

"Natasha", he greeted.

The spy turned to face him.

"James, are you okay?" She replied.

Bucky frowned.

James?

No one called him that anymore.

He suddenly remembered Natasha had asked him a question.

"Oh, yea I'm fine. I just needed to ask you something", he told her.

Natasha nodded and turned to face him.

Bucky couldn't help but notice she looked nervous.

"I had a dream last night, about something from my past, someone to be more precise", he told her.

Natasha nodded slowly.

"Do you know who?" She asked cautiously.

Bucky shrugged.

"That's the thing, I don't know who it is exactly, but there are little things that feel familiar. I know she has red hair."

Natasha's breath hitched.

She had to take a few quiet breaths before speaking again.

"Anything else?"

Bucky nodded.

"We were close, I saw us holding hands in a bar", he explained.

Natasha couldn't help but smile.

Maybe he would remember in his own time after all.

"I think she was called Isabella", he told her.

Natasha felt her heart skip a beat.

"You don't know her do you?" Bucky asked.

Natasha didn't know what to say.

"James...", she begun.

"Why do you call me that?" Bucky interrupted.

Natasha frowned.

"What?"

"You call me James", he said.

Natasha mentally kicked herself, she hadn't even noticed.

She had been trying to call him Bucky since he arrived, she didn't even notice she had started using his name.

"It's what I used to call you", she almost whispered.

She suddenly felt very stupid.

"I'm sorry", she began. "I'll call you Bucky if you prefer", she promised.

But he shook his head.

"James is fine", he smiled.

There was a silence then.

"You remind me of the girl from my dream, you know. Are you sure you don't know her?"

Natasha sighed.

"I can't tell you that, it's not fair on you to be pressured into remembering. You should have a chance to remember in your own time", she said quietly.

Bucky nodded.

"That must be hard for you, waiting for me", he said softly.

Natasha smiled weakly.

"Knowing you're alive is enough for me", she whispered.

Bucky then did something that shocked Natasha.

He reached out and hugged Natasha.

She instantly tensed and froze.

Her heart was racing and James must as noticed as she heard him whisper.

"It's okay."

Natasha slowly reacted and raise her own hands gently to rest on his back.

She slowly melted into the embrace, resting her head on his chest.

She closed her eyes to prevent any tears from falling or any signs of emotion from showing.

This was the first time she had touched him properly for almost seventy years.

As she felt James begin to pull away she tightened her grip.

James didn't seem to mind, he just returned the gesture, holding her close.

Natasha wasn't ready to let him go again.

However, eventually the had to separate.

"Are you sure we were just friends?" James asked smiling.

Natasha tried to pull her most convincing smile.

"Yea", she said quietly.

"Okay", James smiled.

He slowly walked towards the exit of the gym.

Natasha waiting until he was gone to wipe away the tears that had fallen as he had walked away.

She took a few deep breaths before regaining her posture and continuing her stretches like nothing had ever happened.

However one thing had stuck int her mind.

He was remembering.