The Winter | Bucky Barnes Fanfiction |

Chapter 3

Now, I have to ask if you're good at being intimidating," I gave Bucky a quick smile, and turned the key out of ignition.

"This is a grocery store," Barnes commented in confusion. He stepped out of the car, and used the glasses to push his hair back.

"That's correct. I really just don't feel like talking to anyone."

"Isn't that an abuse of power?"

"I guess," I walked to meet him on the other side of the car. "It would be rather efficient, although the people here might be immune to the glares you give. They might even be compelled to speak to you because of your brooding."

We paced the isles together, and I grabbed things off of the shelves. Things that I thought we would need and things I thought Bucky would enjoy trying. I stocked up on tea for myself, and it wasn't until we got to the produce section that we got approached.

"Magnolia! Is that you?" I took a deep breath before turning to look who had called my name. A tall, slender blonde woman was pushing her cart closer. I recognized her as Joana Sellers. She had to be the most conventionally pretty person I had ever met, she also had to be the biggest flirt. I could feel Bucky's defense rise even higher than was when we walked in.

"Joana," I gave a smirk, "how are you?"

"I'm alright," she flashed her bright, wide smile. "Oh! I don't think we've met, I'm Joana Sellers."

"James," Bucky spoke up from behind me. I saw the slightest amount of color rise onto Joana's porcelain skin.

"Are you staying long, James?"

Before Bucky had a chance to answer, I answered for him, "James here is working as an assistant at the Beaumont house for a short time before returning to work with a sister branch of my hospital staff."

"Oh, well, if you get any free time," she smiled again before walking in the opposite direction.

When she was a safe distance away, I turned to Bucky, "Are you staying long, James?" I couched out a laugh.

"I thought she was being nice."

"She was practically drooling over you," I dead paned while looking over the seasonal fruit section. "She did the same thing to Steve when I had him up here. She's like a rose. Pretty to look at but once you touch it you realize your mistake."

He leaned down so his mouth was level with my ear, "then I guess it's a good thing I don't like roses."

We made it back home just after noon, and Bucky helped me take in the groceries. I thanked him for the help. Steve had picked up the leftovers, and they were all stacked away nicely in the fridge. I was busy with putting things in the pantry when Steve leaned against the doorway.

"Did you have fun?"

"It wasn't about fun, Steve. It was about building trust." I straightened up and looked at him.

"Doctor Amherst. The queen of all work, no play. As I recall, that makes her a dull doctor."

I didn't respond, instead I took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. His shining reference didn't seem too far fetched; although, I didn't think I was going to go mad any time soon.

Steve crossed his arms, "alright, I'll drop it. I answered the questions you left me, and I wrote some other things down that you may want to know."

"Thank you, Steve."

The rest of the day was fairly slow, and mostly consisted of Steve and Bucky training together. It was best for his treatment that he feel safe and comfortable in the house. There was a world of hurt that was waiting for him.

I took another break from my file to walk out on to the roof. It was just past sunset, and I could see and hear Steve and Bucky laughing on the lawn. They had just come back from a run around the edge of the property. I watched as Bucky held his hair out of his face, his chest heaving with a genuine laughter. His hand shined brightly under the pale light of the moon. Although it was a weapon, it had a certain beauty about it. Almost as intricate as the scales on a snake. It was truly a marvel of engineering.

Steve seemed to also be enjoying their conversation. I couldn't help but smile at the both of them. They seemed happy here. Perfect.

I walked back into the house to greet them. Earlier that afternoon I had lit the fire, and the living room was comfortably warm. I sat curled up on the couch with a brewing cup of tea.

Steve was the first to come into the house, he opened the door and walked in. They were both still laughing, but it wasn't quite as boisterous as before.

"Did you two have a good time?" I asked. Steve laughed out a quick yes before they came and sat down next to me. I watched as they chatted with each other, the yellow fire behind us was the only light on in the whole space.

After a long period of quiet Bucky was the first to speak, "Doctor Amherst, how did you and Steve meet?"

"Good question," I adjusted how I was sitting to better face them both, "I worked with Shield for a brief time. They called me in to stabilize Steve's mind while he was coming out of the ice. I was asked to be his psychologist while he adjusted. After Loki's attack on New York I was asked to retire. They said my particular skillset is too useful to be found by the enemy."

"The good doctor here is the one that taught me how to play Tetris," Steve joked, and I rolled my eyes.

"Tetris teaches good life skills, like how to efficiently load a dishwasher."

"They thought you were a danger?" Bucky asked.

"Well, I wouldn't say that. I think I was more of a potential threat."

He nodded in responce.

"And besides, I enjoy by banishment to my little slice of heaven."

After they went upstairs to bed, I was the one who watched the fire as it smothered itself to nothing but a dull glow.