Burning Heart - Bucky Barnes x Reader

Part 4

Hey there!

Here's part 4! I hope you guys like it! It's starting to get suspenseful and exciting! Thanks for reading and let me know what you think.

1,638 words

You released a hefty breath of air and stepped away from the small cot. After pulling Ja-Bucky from the exam table, with dread, you realized that you needed to assist him into the resting area and set him on a conveniently cleansed and refreshed cot. Everything seemed fine until you realized that none of the cots had been cleaned from the ill soldiers you treated that day. With a huff and a mouthed swear word, you helped him back onto the table and mouthed apologies over and over and over again, knowing it hurt him to continue moving him around.

"It's okay, Doll. I'm fine right here." Bucky's kindness was beyond you. He was a wounded soldier, being treated by a nurse who was not only new but mute. He was being too kind to you and you bet he knew it.

Shrugging off his kind comment, you shook your head and grabbed new bedding for the cot before he could protest. Your new plan was to treat him with more kindness than he could offer you because most of the time you dealt with soldiers who did not want to be in the medical unit. Ones that proceeded to say they were fine even though they were practically bleeding out. But, that was the type of attitude that was needed to win this war, so you never reacted to it.

You stripped the bed of its contents and sheets and laid the new ones across the cover. You picked out the softest sheets and the most comfortable cot for him, and with a smile, you headed back into the exam room. You blinked your fatigue away and glanced at the clock quickly. It only felt like you had been assisting him for a few minutes but you were not even remotely close.

"Everything okay?" Bucky lifted his head toward you when you entered the room, and sat with patient eyes as he watched your eyes shift from the clock to him. You offered a promising smile and a nod, your eyes glossing over with ennui but joy bubbling in your stomach at the sight of him looking much happier than before.

The corners of his eyes crinkled in delight and a dapper smile found its way onto his now clean face. "Good." He began pushing himself from the table but you were quick to rush over and help him. You heard him chuckle softly and you smiled at the sound as you struggled to support most of his body weight.

You very gently laid him upon the bed and watched a content smile form on his face. It was beautiful - he was beautiful. Once he was comfortable, he let a small frown grace his features before opening his mouth to speak.

"Can I ask you something?" You nodded and folded your hands in front of your body. He patted the spot beside him on the bed and you complied, sitting in the exact place he patted. You barely fit, but it was sweet of him anyway. "Are you choosing to be mute? Or are your vocal cords damaged?" As soon as the words left his mouth, you glanced away and furrowed your brow; deep in thought. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

You pressed a finger to his lips to quiet him and your stomach fluttered when you felt him smile against your fingertip. You gently pulled your finger away and reached into the pocket of your uniform. You pulled out a notepad and a pen and began scribbling words down upon the new paper. It wasn't neat handwriting, but it was legible.

You're fine, Bucky. My vocal cords are damaged but it's not severe.

You handed him the notepad and he nodded as he read your hand-written words.

"You've never tried to speak before?"

You shook your head and lowered it in shame but when his hand found yours and he offered a kind squeeze, your eyes tore from your hands and back to his blue eyes.