Steve's POV

Over the next few days I noticed a change in Bucky whenever he was around Manda. He was softer, kinder.

I swear I almost saw him smile once when Manda showed him a picture she drew of him. His left arm was done with just a pencil; she had walked in on me changing his bandages and saw his arm, since then he's been less worried about keeping his metal arm covered. 

Manda loved it.

She was so innocent, maybe that's when eased him. 

He still didn't like Marcus, but didn't seem to have an issue with Sara. Me however, well, it seemed like whenever we were alone together he grew distant, so I tried not to let that happen often. 

He was almost completely healed thanks to the serums HYDRA had put in him, and was I glad to see that. I sat in the guest room with Bucky and Manda. They were laying down on the bed, and Manda was reading him one of her storybooks, Jack and the Beanstalk. She begged me to let her read him a 'bedtime story', and he was actually kind of intrigued as he'd never heard it before. 

About halfway through, she handed the book to Bucky and asked him to read it. He was taken aback, but he reluctantly took the book and started reading from it. His voice started out rough and slightly hoarse from lack of use; he didn't really talk much. 

Manda snuggled herself into his right arm, which caused him to stop reading for a second and glance at me. I nodded reassuringly, and he continued. 

After a few minutes, Manda had fallen asleep on his arm, and he looked like he didn't want to move for fear of waking her. I stepped out for a moment to go to the washroom; I was no longer afraid of Manda and Bucky being alone together, and when I got back I saw he'd set the book down and closed his eyes beside her. 

His breathing was evening out and I could tell he was fast asleep. I smiled to myself. This was the first sleep Bucky had gotten since he arrived here, he looked peaceful for the first time. 

I went to shut the door, but not before seeing him roll over in his sleep and wrap an arm protectively around her. 

His metal arm. 

He was always so careful not to touch her with his left arm. I guessed he was afraid to hurt her. It was nice to see him do it, even if it was subconsciously.

I shut the door quietly behind me and stepped into the kitchen to grab a drink, then going over to talk to Marcus. It bothered me how little he trusted Bucky, but I couldn't really blame him. 

Sara was sitting beside him and I sat down opposite them. The first thing out of Marcus's mouth was "Where's Manda?"

"She's still in the spare room with Bucky. She's fine, their asleep." I tried reassuring him, but it had little effect.

"You left her alone with him?" He stood up, taking a step towards the room. I grabbed him, not hard, but firmly enough to make him look back.

"He's not as dangerous as you think. Besides" I stood up. "In case you haven't noticed, this is the first sleep he's gotten since I brought him here. I don't know what it is, but Manda seems to calm him down." This made Marcus frown. "Here, let me show you." 

I went in front of him guiding him to their door. He stood beside me and I cracked the door open to see that neither one of them had moved. 

Marcus obviously didn't like how Bucky's arm was wrapped around her, but trusting me, he seemed satisfied. We went to sit back down, this time Sara had left us. We sat in semi-comfortable silence until Marcus spoke up.

"Why do you think it is that Barnes is so comfortable around Manda?" He looked genuinely confused. "And why does Manda like him so much?"

I sighed. "I don't know Marcus, I don't know. But for now, let's use that to our advantage. Since he seems so much more comfortable when he's with Manda, maybe he'll be more willing to cooperate with us. How long do you think Buck can stay here?" I questioned. I didn't think he'd be very welcome at the compound, nor Sam's house, not yet anyway. He really didn't have anywhere else to go.

"Well Steve, if it were up to me he'd be out already, but Sara seems to want to give him a chance. So, I guess you can stay as long as you like. We only have one extra bed, and if Barnes is gonna take that, I hope you're fine with the couch." He sighed and stood up.

"Thank you, Marcus. This really means a lot to me. I owe you one."

"Your darn right you do. Now, I'm going to bed, Sara's probably already asleep. G'night, Cap."

"Goodnight Marcus." 

I smirked, knowing that the only reason he said 'Darn' was because Tony had gone and spread that language thing all over SHEILD. I sat there for a couple more hours, just thinking, until somewhere late in the night my mind finally allowed me to sleep.