You felt warm, and a comfortable weight was placed around your waist. Slowly opening your eyes, the events of last night flashed through your mind. A small smile graced your features and you moved closer to Bucky, nuzzling yourself into his chest. He subconsciously pulled you tighter against him, a soft breath escaping his lips. After a little while, Bucky's scratchy voice broke the silence.

"This is nice."

You hummed in agreement. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a baby. I've got to admit, it's one of the best nights of sleep I've had in the past 70 years. You?"

"Really well. Y-you're very warm."

He chuckled at that and moved down a bit, so his face was next to yours. "One of the many effects of the serum. I didn't trap you next to me, did I? I tend to be immovable in my sleep."

You shook your head, staring into his soft blue eyes. "No. I didn't squeeze you too much? I tend to strangle my body pillow."

"You were perfect, doll."

Your breaths seemed to be in sync, and you guys stared at each other, studying each other's features. After few awkward moments slipped by, and Bucky was the first to move.

"I'll, uh, I'll go find something for breakfast." He threw the covers off and grabbed his arm before leaving the room.

You missed his warmth, but you decided you should get up, too. You wandered into the kitchen and saw Bucky pulling some eggs from the fridge. He smiled at you, and he grabbed a pan.

"Sam said we should probably spend a week here."

"What?!"

Bucky cracked an egg. "Yeah. Sorry, but those guys are probably still looking for you."

"But what about our therapy? It's court mandated." You said picking up Alpine as he walked toward you.

"I know. I think Sam was going to talk to our therapists. He has a knack for calming people down, don't worry."

You carded your fingers through Alpine's fur and nodded your head. "I'll try."

"Great. And in the meantime, you can sit back and relax while I make breakfast." Bucky said with a smile as he twirled the spatula in his hand.

~~~~~

You and Bucky were chatting quietly as you ate your breakfast. It was peaceful, and Bucky seemed to be in a really light mood despite all that has been happening. This morning had been full of soft domesticity, and you felt completely safe. Bucky brought you a strong sense of comfort, and you hoped you brought him some too. The morning was going well, until your phone began to ring. You looked at Bucky and he seemed to tense. You saw it was from an unknown number, you decided to wait it out. Once the call ended, the ringing started back up. With a glance toward Bucky, you answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Y/n! Are you okay?! I saw a couple unconscious guys in your yard, and you weren't home. You were on TV this morning. Wh-where are you?"

"Charles?" You asked raising your eyebrows. "H-how did you get my number?"

"I asked your therapist. We were supposed to have dinner tonight, remember? I saw you on TV this morning and you were on a motorcycle with what people suspect is an Avenger. I came over and you weren't home, I grew worried." He actually sounded concerned.

"Sorry, Charles. It's complicated. I, uh, I promise I'm safe though. I'm with a friend at the moment, I'm staying with them for about a week. I'll try to explain things to you when I get back."

"O-okay then. Stay safe."

"One last thing," You fiddled with your fork. "How do you know my therapist?"

You heard Charles shuffle on the other side of the phone. "She told me not to tell you, but she visits me sometimes to ask me how you're doing. I don't see you very much, but I try to be friendly. I basically make sure you're okay."

"Oh. Well, I see you next week, okay?"

"Okay."

When you ended the call, Bucky was staring at you expectantly with wide blue eyes.

"That was my neighbor, Charles. He wanted to make sure I was okay. I was supposed to have dinner with him tonight." A small frown appeared on Bucky's face, and you shook your head. "Just as friends. Anyway, he was worried, and apparently he saw me on TV with an Avenger."

Bucky rubbed his hands over his face. "We were on TV? My therapist is going to kill me. Run away with me?"

"What?!" You almost choked on the forkful on eggs you had just put in your mouth.

"Just kidding. Um, yeah. I'm going to wash my dishes." Bucky's chair screeched against the hardwood floor as he stood up. "Are you done with your dishes? I can take them if you want."

You shook your head. "I can wash my own, but thanks."

Bucky nodded and then walked toward the sink, Alpine trailing behind him. Alpine pawed at his owner, causing Bucky to look down at his furry companion. Alpine shook his back, and Bucky sighed.

"Right, almost forgot. I gotta take my meds and put on your vest." He said grabbing Alpine's service vest from the couch where he set it last night.

He plucked one of the pill bottles from the vest and swallowed a couple pills, before putting it back in its rightful place. He then tugged the vest onto Alpine with a smile.

"There you go little guy. Thanks for the reminder." Bucky pet Alpine's head before going back to the sink to wash his dishes.

You watched their interaction and found yourself smiling. Bucky was really sweet, and he didn't deserve everything that had happened to him. He was now probably going to get in trouble with his therapist because of you. This man had already been through so much, and you just dragged him into your drama. You didn't even know why Mark needed you so much.

"Hey, Bucky?"

He hummed in acknowledgement as he scrubbed his dishes.

"How did you know I was in danger?"

Bucky set his dishes on the drying rack and turned toward you. "Well, Sam brought up a group of guys who had been kidnapping people who survived the snap. He showed me some pictures and I noticed Mark. I had also thought I saw Mark after I had walked you to the car. So, I kind of put two and two together."

"I see. I'm glad you saved me, don't get me wrong, but why go through all the trouble?"

It was a fair question. He didn't know you that well, and he could have just ignored it. But there was something about you that made Bucky's chest swell with a warm tingly feeling, and he wanted that feeling to stay. Besides, he's a good guy now, isn't that what good guys do?

"Trouble?" He laughed. "Doll, trouble follows everywhere I go. I might as well have a reason this time. I don't like seeing people get hurt, and when I can, I try to save people from enduring that pain. It...it kind of makes up for all the bad things I've done."

You brought your dishes to the sink, now standing very close to Bucky. "For what it's worth, I think you're an amazing person. And those things you did as the Winter Soldier, they weren't your fault. You were a victim and I have no idea why people keep telling you that you should make amends over something you were a victim of. But if it makes you feel better, then do it. Just know that you're a good man."

Bucky's blue eyes glazed slightly with water, and he engulfed you in a hug. "Thank you. I needed that."

"Anytime, Bucky." You whispered into his chest as he squeezed you a bit tighter.

You could tell he was having a hard time with everything. You just needed to let him know that he was a victim in his situation and that he can still be a good person. Bucky deserved all the happiness in the world, and you wanted to prove that to him, one way or another.