She Made The Wish △ Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers

Chapter 21: Passing Time

"Hey Hamlet?"

Ophelia sighed, turning her head to meet Tony's gaze. "Yes Tony?"

"I actually am getting the operation soon."

She sat up, straightening her back against the couch she was lounging on. "Oh, really? How are you? How have you been feeling?"

"Calm down, I'm alright. You don't need to do all of that."

"Do what?" Ophelia asked as she sat back into the couch.

Tony just waved his hand in her general direction. "That," He replied, "thing that you do. You are always so quick to worry about me and the others. Especially after missions and stuff. It's weird."

"Showing concern for friends is weird?"

Tony's full attention went to her when he heard her say that they were friends. Were they? It had been nearly three months since Steve and his friends moved into the tower, and a few days since Ophelia revealed her past. Certainly, after all that time, there was something between the two. She had shown many different types of kindness in her time in the tower, from making food for Tony to listening to his rants about the government.

"We are friends, aren't we?" She asked after she noticed the faraway look in his eyes. She knew he needed to be brought out from the depths of his head, and she was glad to be the one to do it.

Tony smiled. "Yeah kid, yeah we are."

"Good," She said, smiling as well, "So then I can ask if you are worried about the surgery. Are you?"

He sighed, throwing his head back to collide with the back of the couch. "I don't know. I should be. It's just, that is nothing compared to some of the other problems I have."

"You mean," She said, looking around to make sure that the room was clear. After deeming the room safe to talk in, she continued, "the nightmares?"

Tony's eyes narrowed at her for a moment before resigning the act, instead raising his eyebrows. "How do you know about the nightmares?"

"Tony- I've seen all of your movies. I probably know more about you than I should."

Tony groaned. "I don't even want to know what you know. That's almost as scary as my nightmares."

"Sorry about that," Ophelia sighed, "it seems like I've invaded all of your guys's private lives, but I just can't help it."

"It's okay Hamlet, you didn't mean to."

"Thanks Tony."

"No problem."

It was silent for a moment before Ophelia piped up again. "I would like to address something, but I'm not sure if you're the type that wants to be eased into this sort of thing."

"Out with it. You should know that I don't like things sugarcoated."

"Tony- you have PTSD. I think you should see someone about it."

"Excuse me?"

"I went to med school Tony, I know the signs when I see them. I don't like the fact that everyone is ignoring your problem, especially since you're their friend. But, no matter what they do, I'm not going to ignore it. I care about you and I want to see you get better." And not create Ultron, but that's a story for another day.

"You really don't pull your punches, do you Hamlet?"

"You said that you wanted me to- hey! I know what you're doing. I'm not changing the subject Tony."