Don't get me wrong I love everyone in this building and they have all been so supportive but fucking hell it was nice just to be in bed. Nat helped me up to my room and left shortly after as I told her I wanted an early night. I didn't, I just wanted some time to myself. Ever since I woke up I've not had a minute alone and I just want to be alone in my thoughts a bit. Sadly my mission to walk on my own by today didn't go as planned, Nat and Wanda never left my side and even brought me up to bed so I'd not had the opportunity. Sucks to be them because I need the bathroom and I should probably take a shower! I threw the covers off me, dragged my legs off the edge of the bed, sitting myself up. I am a fucking Goddess now bitch, I can do this. I used my bedside tale to help pull my body up and what I can only describe as Bambi I wobbled over to the bathroom. OK, I can't do this, my legs collapsed below me and I fell towards the floor. My arm reached out for the bedside table again but in all my grace I grabbed the lamp and it crashed on top of my head.

"SHIT!" I shouted as I groaned and rubbed my head, maybe I wasn't going to be walking tonight. I just had to find a way to haul my ass to the bathroom. Maybe I could crawl, or just use my arms to pull my body to the bathroom. I reached out my right arm and dragged my body along the floor like a worm, yes! This was working, screw you legs. I can do this all day! As I reached the halfway point to the bathroom my bedroom door flung open and my head whipped around, "Oh hey" I smiled as Bucky ran over to me,

"What the hell happened? Why are you on the floor?" he asked as he crouched by me,

"I needed the bathroom and wanted to take a shower, my legs decided they didn't want to work" I chuckled as Bucky had his serious face on, I don't know how he was because this situation was hilarious, if I'd come into his room and he was crawling on the floor I'd piss myself laughing,

"You're meant to be on bed rest Elle! You should've called me!" he exclaimed as he began to pick me up,

"It's eleven at night. I didn't want to wake you" I told him as he began to take me to my bed, "NO! Bucky I need to pee!" he looked down at me, piercing blue eyes looking into my green ones. He let out a sigh before turning around and taking me to the bathroom,

"Can you erm... Manage on your own?" he asked as I raised an eyebrow at me,

"Thank you Bucky, but I think I remember how to pee and wipe my own behind" I laughed as he rolled his eyes and gently placed me down. I used the counter by the sink to help keep myself upright as he went to leave.

"I'll just be outside" he told me as I nodded and he closed the door as he left. After a good work out of getting my underwear down and doing my business I was able to stand up and pull them back up, flushing the toilet and leaning on the counter whilst I washed my hands. Holy shit. I was in a crop top and my knickers! My cheeks flushed red and I looked around to see if I had any pants in the bathroom, of course I didn't. What a coincidence.

"I-I'm done Buck" I said as the door opened and his face popped round, I watched a small smile fall on his face as he came up to me and pulled me into a hug. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around him, just allowing myself to be in this moment, I couldn't even lie and say I'd not missed him because I had. I hated that I had such an attachment to him but he'd been there for me in some horrible times and helped me when I needed it the most. I went to pull away but Bucky only held me tighter, he soft earthy smell once again surrounding me and I'd felt the safest I have in a long time.

"Do you want me to run you a bath?" he asked as he pulled away and I nodded. I rested myself against the counter once more and he put the plug in the bath and started running the water. That's all it took to set me off.

"NO!" I screamed and attempted to run out of the door, again my legs failed me miserably, "NO! I-I-I CAN'T DO IT AGAIN! LEAVE ME ALONE" I cried as I tried to crawl away. Dan stepped out from behind the wall and stalked towards me as he leant over to grab me. I threw my arms around, hitting him as I tried to escape his clutch, "GET OFF OF ME, YOU PIECE OF SHIT" I screamed as my arms were held down.

"Hey hey hey, Elle it's me... It's Bucky" I opened my eyes and saw Bucky over me, a sob escaped my lips and I threw my arms around Bucky and cried, "Hey darling, it's OK. You're safe" he soothed as tears fell down my face,

"I-I don't want to go back Buck" I sobbed as his fingers traced patterns on my back,

"I've got you, you're safe. I'm not going to let anything happen to you" he assured as he lifted me up from the floor and into his lap, never letting go of me once. My head rested in the crook of his neck, the sound of the water flowing in the bath getting louder and louder,

"Buck. Will you turn the water off please?" I begged, my voice breaking slightly as Bucky lifted us both up and placed me on the bed before going and turning the tap off. What was happening to me? Was I going crazy? He came back and sat on my bed, pulling me onto his lap yet again, "I'm so sorry Buck" I apologised after a short silence.

"Don't ever apologise to me Elle, you went through hell. It's normal to be on edge" he assured as I shook my head and looked up at him,

"It's not normal for me. I should be better than this."

"No Elle, you went through something I can't even imagine, you are right to be shaken up" he told me as he wiped my tear away,

"I can't even take a bath" I sobbed as he tightened his grip around me and rocked back and forth. "I just want to smell nice" I chuckled through my tears,

"You smell fine to me" he hushed as I smiled,

"I've not showered in over 10 weeks" I admitted with a chuckle,

"Oh in that case I'll be back once you smell better" he joked as my grip on him tightened this time,

"P-Please don't leave" I whispered, I knew he was joking but at this moment in time I needed him. I didn't want anyone else, I loved Nat and everyone here but I wanted Bucky. I felt safer with him. We stayed like this for a while, sobs occasionally escaping my lips and Bucky just comforting me. "I heard you reading to me you know." I watched him smile once more,

"I knew you would. I read your favourites" he smiled at me,

"Will you stay the night? I don't want to be alone at the moment" I asked as Bucky tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and flashed his pearly whites at me,

"I wouldn't dream of leaving you on your own, but you do kind of smell so I want to try something... Do you trust me?" I nodded as he moved me onto the bed and stood up, "I'll be two minutes doll." He left the room and my eyes wandered around at the four walls that were currently containing me, within a minute he returned with a big bowl and I shot him a look. "You do kind of smell so maybe we can try a bucket bath, that way you don't have to be in the bathroom and there's not a lot of water" I smiled at him as he went and filled it up with water, he came back and placed it on the floor beside me alongside a towel. "We'll sit you on the floor and I'll turn around so you can do your thing" he smiled as he held his hand out to me. I took it and he helped me stand before supporting me over to the bucket which had my loofa in it along with soapy water and eased me down. "I'll just be over here doll" he motioned to the other side of the room as he walked away. I looked back at the bucket and grabbed the hem of my top, ready to pull it over my head, just my luck to get it stuck over my head with my arms restricted by the sleeves.

"Buck... I don't suppose you could help me could you?" I asked as I heard him walk over to me and sit behind me, he paused before touching me. "P-Please don't look at them" I whimpered, I knew he was looking at the scars on my back, Nat and Wanda had seen them when they helped me change, I'd yet to look at them, wanting to avoid the reminders of what happened back in that room. I felt his hands help pull mine out of the sleeves and my head out of my top. His hands stayed on y shoulders and I sat where I was, not daring to move. "I look horrible."

"I still think you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen" his breath tickled the back of my neck and I closed my eyes before reaching over for the loofa and wringing it out.

"Will you wash my back?" I asked as I looked back and held the loofa up, Bucky's eyes flickered from my back up to my face as he nodded and grabbed the loofa from my hands, I turned back around and waited for the contact of the loofa. As if he was petting a baby duck, Bucky ran it along my back ever so gently, making sure to avoid my bra. I could lightly feel his fingers on m back from where he'd grabbed the loofa and I let out a small sigh, this was the most intimately I'd been touched in a long time.

"I meant it you know" he told me as he massaged my back ever so carefully with the loofa. I was silent, "Nothing on your body or face could change the fact that you're gorgeous." He brought the loofa up to my shoulder and held it out for me to take. I took it from his hand and dipped it in the water, wringing it out and washing my chest and arms with it, Bucky stayed where he was and I was thankful for that. I didn't want him to leave, even if it was the other side of the room. After washing my upper body I did the best I could to wash my legs and placed the loofa in the bowl of water. "You done doll?" he asked, his breath ever so slightly brushing my ear.

"Yeah, can you get rid of this water for me please?" Before I could even finish my sentence Bucky had got up and was moving the bucket as I dried my body. As I was finishing up he came back into the room, "Would you like me to get you some pyjamas?" I nodded and pointed to the drawer in the corner, he walked over and opened it up, grabbing it before returning to me. I pulled the oversized t-shirt over my head and Bucky smiled at me, "Done?" I shook my head and unclasped my bra, taking it off under my top and throwing it on the laundry pile. I watched as Bucky's cheeks grew a shade deeper and smiled at him.

"Done" I told him, he held both hands out to me and helped me up, "Do you think you can stand a little further away and I can walk to the bed?" I asked as he nodded,

"Of course, just let me know if you need me for support but I will be here to catch you if you fall" he assured me as he took a few steps back towards the bed, I shakily moved my left leg towards him, you can do this Arielle come on. You've done it before, it's easy. Left, right, left right and so on. My mind couldn't even think before I came crashing forwards but as promised Bucky was there to catch me, "You OK?" he asked as I nodded,

"Let's try again" I ordered as he stood me up and waited until I had my balance before stepping back. OK. One step at a time, nice and slowly. Left leg moved, check. Now balance on my left leg and just pull my right one forward. YES! I was doing it, I looked up at Bucky with a smile on my face and an even bigger one was returned as I wobbled into his arms. I embraced him into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you Elle" he said as he moved his head to face me. "Yo-" Then it happened, the moment you've all probably been waiting for. I shut him up by placing my lips to his before pulling away to see a worried look on his face, "Are you OK? Are you having another panic attack?" he asked as I shook my head,

"No Buck, I did that because I wanted to." I bit my lip, awaiting a response from him, shit what if I've ruined our friendship? What if I read the whole situation wrong and he was just helping me out? The thoughts in my mind were stopped instantly when Bucky's lips were once again on mine, this time a much deeper meaningful kiss. Our mouths moved in unison as his arms moved from around my body to my legs, he pulled me off the ground as a gasped escaped my lips before being silenced by his. My arms moved from around his neck to allow my hands to run through his hair as his lips left mine. His forehead now directly on mine as he looked me in the eyes, my lips tingling slightly.

"You have no idea how long I've waited for that" he said between breaths as I giggled at him, "Don't you dare laugh. I've waited since our first moment alone on the roof for you to do that" a silence fell between us and my eyes didn't leave his for one moment.

"Buck you can put me down now you know" I laughed as he shook head head,

"I'm not ready for this moment to end. Just want to take everything in and then I promise I'll put you down" he told me as I smiled at him. His breathing had calmed down now and he smiled at me, "OK I'm done. Come on, let's watch a film or read a book or something doll" Bucky suggested, now he's speaking my language. I was sat down on the bed as Bucky rose up again, "Book or film?" he questioned,

"Let's watch a film for now. I'm sleepy so I don't think I could concentrate on a book right now" I chuckled as he rolled his eyes and got on top of me, causing me to lay down,

"You slept for nearly three weeks. You don't need anymore sleep!" he chuckled as my hands rested on his shoulders,

"Bucky Barnes, we are watching a film" I laughed as he chuckled and got off me and into the bed, patting the spot beside him. I crawled to him and watched as he grabbed the remote and turned the TV on, immediately going to Netflix.

"Any preferences?" he questioned as I shook my head. He selected a random film and moved his body down, allowing me to cuddle into him,

"I like you Bucky" I blurted out as the film started, he let out a small chuckle "Just to clarify."

"I like you too Elle... Just to clarify" I smiled to myself as I moved my head to his chest. It didn't take long before my eyelids grew too heavy and I could no longer keep them open.

~~

My eyes fluttered open to see a snoozing Bucky, on his back with his face relaxed and eyes closed, chest rising and falling with each breath he took. His usual styled quiff no longer intact, instead falling forwards onto his forehead. The stubble peaking through on his face and his jaw line not as defined when he wasn't tensing it. I looked down his neck to the line where his shoulder and metal arm met, the scar between it a light red colour. If you looked up the definition of handsome on the dictionary you'd see this exact image. He wasn't putting on his serious face, he wasn't being goofy. He was just him. His eyes fluttered open and he smiled as he looked up at me,

"I could get used to waking up like this" he said as he wrapped his metal arm around me and pulled me into him.

"Me too" I said, lifting my head to look at him, he stared into my eyes and lightly began brushing my hair with his hand,

"Have I told you your eyes have gotten an even brighter green since you woke up?" he asked as I shook my head, "Not that you weren't stunning before but since you realised you were and actual Goddess your eyes have gotten brighter, your skin seems to glow more and your smile even more beautiful" he smiled as I chuckled at him,

"My skin seems to glow more... You sound like a beauty guru" I joked as he turned on his side so we were face to face,

"I'm just saying it how it is" he chuckled as I rolled my eyes.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked,

"This" he grabbed my face and once again pulled me into him, his lips crashing onto mine. I took no time in moving them along with him as his hand slid from my face and grabbed my neck, my hand ran up his arm and made its way to his hair, running through it as I continued to kiss him. I smiled into the kiss as his hand traced up and down my neck before pulling away.

"As much as I'd like too, we do need to get up and do things today" I chuckled as he nodded,

"First thing's first, breakfast! What do you fancy today?" he asked as I thought about it,

"I'm happy with just some cereal" I told him as he sat up, the covers now dropping from his torso revealing his defined stomach. Man oh man, he's looking good. I snapped out of the thought and brought my eyes back up to his face to see him smirking at me,

"Is it just me Arielle Romanoff, or were you checking me out?" he laughed as I bit my lip and smiled at him,

"I might have been" I teased as I sat up also, "Do you mind helping me grab my clothes?" I asked ashe got up fully and much to my dismay, put his top on that he'd taken off late last night.

"Which drawer?" he asked as he looked around my room.

"I just need some joggers from there and a top from there" I pointed to the drawers against the wall and he pulled me some clothes out. "I erm... Also need some underwear" I muttered,

"What?" he asked as he looked at me and I cleared my throat,

"I need some underwear... It's over there" a blush made its way to his cheeks as he opened another drawer and grabbed me a pair of underwear and a bra, throwing it at me almost immediately. I laughed at how shy he'd gone, "All it takes is some underwear to make the mighty Winter Soldier blush?" I teased,

"It's only because I had to pick it out. Don't worry doll. I wouldn't be blushing if it was on you" he sent a wink my way, "I've managed to not blush seeing you in it before" It was my turn for my cheeks to glow a red now as Bucky let out a laugh.

"Do you want to go change in your room? I should be able to manage all this on the bed and you can come back in five minutes?" I offered as he nodded and left the room. I took no time in stripping my top and underwear off before replacing them with the clean ones. I then pulled my joggers on and slipped on the tank top Bucky had grabbed for me before crawling around my bed and attempting to make it. It didn't take long for the tiny knock to sound at the door, I told him to come in and I was greeted by a now dressed Bucky.

"Before we go out there I just wanted to discuss something with you" he said as I nodded and motioned for him to sit down, "About us. Now don't get me wrong I want to scream from the rooftops that I kissed the most beautiful woman in the world but I don't want to anyone or anything to overwhelm you so I wanted to ask what you want to do" he said as I smiled at him,

"Thank you, I think maybe just keep it on the down low for now. I'm not the biggest fan of PDA anyway, just act as we usually do?" I sort of asked and told him as he smiled at me,

"I'm glad you said that. I don't want everyone asking twenty-one questions" he chuckled as he stood up and stretched his arms out. I gladly took them and he helped me up, only very slightly supporting me as we walked to the kitchen, "Your walking is getting much better now" he said,

"I know! I think I'll be walking on my own in no time" I laughed as we pressed the button for the lift.

"What kind of cereal do you desire today m'lady?" Bucky asked as I chuckled and we got into the lift, pressing the button to go to the kitchen,

"Oooooh, are there any coco pops left?" I questioned as he smiled,

"We all knew they were yours so no one touched them, you've got a full box near enough" he told me as I smiled at the thought of it. He lift dinged, followed by the doors opening and we walked out together,

"Good morning, your walking is coming along well!" Sam shouted as soon as we entered, he ran up and engulfed me in a hug, picking me up and twirling me around. "I already got your breakfast ready, coco pops... No one touched them whilst you were asleep and I knew you'd want some" he smiled as he placed me down and helped me walk over to the kitchen before giving me a hand up onto the seat. Bucky sat beside me and Sam placed a bowl of coco pops in front of me along with a spoon and some milk.

"If I'm going to get this kind of treatment I'll take 3 week naps more often" I chuckled, pouring my milk on my cereal as both Sam and Bucky shot me a look, "I'm joking! Relax" I laughed as Bucky shook his head,

"Not funny at all Elle" Bucky muttered as Sam agreed.

"I'm messing with you guys. I've got a Chinese Buffet awaiting me and an ice cream parlour calling my name" I stated as Sam smiled,

"You remembered our ice cream date!" he jumped with joy as I began to eat my cereal,

"Of course I did. It's ice cream" I let out a laugh, "Just let me get the hang on walking first. I don't want to be babied in the ice cream shop" I explained as Sam nodded, just then Tony walked in.

"Good. The woman of the hour is here! he said as he came towards us, "How're you feeling Goddess?" he smirked as I rolled my eyes, "Goddess for one day and I see you're getting the boys to wait on you" he laughed,

"I am feeling good, think I'm going to practise my walking a bit and do some research on my Mum" I responded as he grabbed a glass and began to fill it with water,

"Good. Get walking because I am throwing a celebration party for your safe return home on Friday" he informed me before taking a swig of his water,

"Any excuse for a party with you" Sam laughed as Steve entered the room, he smiled at everyone but avoided eye contact with me,

"I think he wants to talk to you alone" Bucky whispered to me as I nodded, "Hey Sam. You want to come down and train? Like now?" he asked as Sam jumped up,

"Of course, man. Ari you look after yourself. I'll see you soon and we'll work on getting you on your feet" he explained as he and Buck left the room. Tension filled the air and for once in his life, Tony got the message,

"I'm going to go erm... Call Pepper" he said as he left the room.

"I-I left something in my room" Steve said sheepishly and went to leave,

"Steven Grant Rogers get your arse here and help me to the sofa" I ordered as he froze and turned around to face me,

"I'm so sorry Arielle" he whispered as I began to see tears filling his eyes,

"Hey hey hey, Steve it's OK. None of this was your fault, you know that right?" Steve looked to the floor, "Look if you want to blame yourself then I'm part of the reason to blame too. I have some weird obedience power I think. My Mum used it on me when I had the dream with her and she told me to be quiet, I couldn't talk no matter how hard I tried. I think that's what happened with you Steve. You are in no way to blame, HYDRA were waiting for a small opportunity and-"

"And I gave them it Ari! I'm the reason you were taken!" he cried as I shook my head,

"You kept me in that alley longer than needed to see if they'd show up. You did what you had to do to make things believable and it worked, we just didn't anticipate my abilities. Which is no ones fault because we didn't know if I had any, let alone what they could be" I explained as he nodded and I held my arms out to him, "Come here and hug it out" I chuckled as he came towards me and engulfed me into a hug.