Battlefield ★ Bucky Barnes

XXXI. What Are You Doing To Me?

The sun shone brightly through Connie's bedroom window. She could hear the gentle sound of the shower running in the near distance, further lulling her back to sleep. She wondered what time it was, but she couldn't really bring herself to care. She had stayed up all night with Bucky watching movies and just talking, so she felt as if she deserved some well-needed sleep.

Just as Connie was nearing sleep again, the sound of her phone ringing loudly on the bedside table startled her awake. The shower cut off as well, but that was the least of her worries at the moment; her only worry was getting rid of whoever was on the other line so she could get back to sleep.

Connie plucked the small device from its spot and answered it without so much as checking the caller ID, a habit that had become hard to break for her. Bucky then stepped out of the bathroom wearing nothing but sweatpants, while his damp hair hung over his shoulders. Connie forced her eyes away from him—and his torso—and spoke into the phone's speaker, almost shocked to hear the voice at the other end of the line.

"Someone sure is sleepy," Steve chuckled.

Connie sat up in bed immediately and ran a hand through her short, brown hair. "Steve?"

Bucky snapped his head over to look at her at the sound of Steve's name, but Connie simply dismissed him.

"I'm assuming you didn't check the caller ID again," he laughed again. "What's goin' on, Connie? I haven't talked to you in a month, and believe it or not, I actually kind of miss you."

"Not much really," Connie answered with a small smile on her face. She missed Steve more than she cared to admit, and hearing from him just made her feel happy inside. "What's goin' on with you? Are you out of the hospital?"

"I've been out for three weeks," he informed her.

Bucky moved to sit down beside Connie on the bed as if to listen in on the conversation. Regardless of whether or not it Steve's words were directed at him or not, the mere sound of his voice made Bucky feel better. He just wished he wasn't so terrified to see his best friend.

"Well, that's good. I'm glad you're feeling better," Connie replied.

Steve laughed. "I'm as good as new. I actually called because I had something to tell you."

"And what might that be?"

"Sam and I are looking for Bucky," Steve informed her, startling the couple sitting on the king-sized mattress.

Connie stood up and began pacing as she tried to process his words; she had specifically told Steve it was better not to look for him, as she was sure he didn't wanna be found. "W-what?"

"I know." Steve sighed, "I know you said he probably didn't wanna be found, but I couldn't help it, Connie. My original plan was not to tell you about it because I knew you wouldn't react well, but I couldn't just keep it from you, especially if we did find him."

In that moment, Connie's heart dropped. She looked at Bucky with slight anger in her brown eyes. She hated lying to Steve, especially when it was about something of such importance to him, but she was conflicted between Bucky's wishes and Steve's, and she absolutely despised it. She wished things could be easier.

"I appreciate you telling me," Connie spoke quietly.

Bucky gave her a look as if to ask her what was going on, but she simply shook her head and turned away from him.

"When are you coming home, Connie?"

Connie shrugged, although Steve couldn't see her. "I don't know, Steve. I'm hoping soon. I just have several things to take care of before I do."