"I just wanted to apologize about earlier. I know how you feel about personal space and I didn't mean to disrespect that in any way and -"
"Don't worry about it," he laughed, looking to the floor. "Do you mind if I tell you something?"
She nodded in response.
"You're touch was so gentle." He whispered, his cheeks turning pink again. "Even in falling, you clutched my arm so carefully. It felt so natural. I think, I think I found your touch comforting."
"Oh!" Her mouth hung open in shock as she processed his confession. "That's good Bucky! That means you're healing!"
"Thanks," he chuckled nervously, looking at his shoes. "This might be a lot, but since I am comfortable with you, would it be okay if I could explore that, umm, that touch?" He stuttered his words out, trying to get them out as quickly as possible.
For a moment she was unsure how to feel about his request. She didn't want this to put them in a weird place with each other. Then the more she thought about it, the more she realized she wanted to be there for him. If he was able to find even a little bit of comfort in her, she would use it to help him.
"I'm going to assume you would like to experience this new sensory in private?"
"Yeah, I would prefer if Sam didn't have another thing to rag me about."
"Okay, umm, how about this whenever you want some touch time take your hand and close it in a fist like this, palm facing out, with your thumb tucked in between your middle and your index finger." She demonstrated to him. "That's sign language for the letter t. So, if you do that I'll know you want some touch and we can go to your room or mine. Whether you just wanna hold hands or even cuddle, I'll be there."
"Thank you, so much." He whispered while giving her a soft smile. "Umm, do you have time now?" He formed the t with his hand.
She nodded her head in confirmation, carefully grabbing his hand in hers and pulling him into her room.
See AlsoLaw Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target RunFestive Finds for Disney FansSinking Stone/TranscriptAs he looked around her room his body tensed, not quite mentally prepared for the touch he was about to experience.
"You're entirely in control Bucky, we do as little or much touch as you want."
He acknowledged her comment before carefully sitting beside her on her bed as she chose a random TV show to watch. As the first episode was reaching its halfway point he slowly reached his hand over and linked his pinky finger with hers, a slow smile growing on his face.
☆☆☆☆☆
The debriefing had even going on for hours as Steve and Tony lectured the team like disappointed parents. The Avengers had been reckless on their mission. They had let their egos grow after months of successful missions with only minor fails occurring.
Steve and Tony had warned them not to be cocky in the field. They should always be cautious and vigilant. Something they clearly weren't as Clint had a minor concusion, Wanda dislocated a shoulder, and she sat with three broken ribs. Those were only the major injuries that had been obtained.
Now as they sat around the table looking worse for wear, they were also getting their ass handed to them by their leaders.
A deep sigh fell from her mouth, pulling Buckys attention to her from across the table. When her eyes met his she let her glance fall to the table where his hand was formed in a tight fist to show their signal.
The signal had been working for months and no one on the team had a clue of their secret meetings.
She made the signal back to him and could immediately see his frame become less tense.
When the team was finally released from the debriefing they all but sprinted from room. All of them ready to be out of the tension filled room. It wasn't ten minutes later that Bucky was pulling her into his bedroom.
"At least let me change into something more comfortable." She giggled, trying to head to her own room.
"I have some clothes you can wear." His voice was shy has he held his grip on his wrist. "I just don't wanna be alone longer than I have to after a mission like that."
"Okay," she said, walking to his closet. She chose a shirt to steal a little too quickly. It made Bucky smile. He gave her a pair of sweat pants as well, even though he wasn't sure she would be able to wear them. After coming out of the bathroom his breath caught in his throat.
"The sweatpants didn't fit right, I hope your okay with this." She blushed as his eyes grazed over her bare legs.
"Uh, yeah, that's okay."
As always she allowed him to take the lead. He held the blanket up, allowing her to climb under the comforter of his bed. As he got in next her he carefully pulled her towards him, positioning her so that she was almost on tip of him.
"Let me know if I'm hurting you," he whispered, not wanting to injure her ribs any more than they already were.
She nodded as she placed her head in the crook of his neck and threw her arm over his torso, cuddling into his side.
Warmth filled his body, he was basking in the skin to skin contact. Their 'touch time', as she liked to call it, truly had helped in his healing. While he was still hesitant about touch from others he found himself allowing it more often and even making the effort to touch others. Even if it was only a small growth, the team had taken notice. Especially Steve.
"They really let us have it back there, huh?" She muttered into his neck.
"Yeah, they did." He agreed. "We hurt enough to know we messed up. We didn't need an hours long lecture from them to figure it out."
She pulled her head up, allowing their gazes to meet. She pressed a short kiss to his cheek. Then another. And another.
A breathy chuckle escaped his lips as he caught her chin between his fingers. A large smile took over face as she left her head settle on his hand. When he brought his eyes back to hers only to see her gaze also settled on his lips.
Slowly he leaned forward, their foreheads resting against each other. Their lips only centimeters away.
After what felt like an eternity, she gave the final push. Their lips connect in a slow and passionate kiss.
"Is this okay?" She asked, pulling away for only a second before bringing her lips back to his.
"This is perfect."
She laughed into the kiss as she climbed onto his lap, her legs straddling his hips.
Sadly the moment is ruined by Buckys bedroom door slinging open, causing her to dive under the covers beside them.
"Buck, I just wanted to apologize about my attitude earl-"
"Get outta here Stevie!" Bucky threw a water bottle at Steve's emerging figure in the doorway.
The blonde stared in shock as the bottle flew past his head. He turned back to the scene I'm front of him. Bucky sat on the bed with flushed cheeks and a giggling lump layer under the covers beside him.
"Steve!" Bucky reached for his boot laying beside the bed.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He left the room with a slammed door and blushed cheeks.
He stood by the door for a moment longer to hear Buckys ranting voice and her contagious laughter being muffled by the door.
A smile grew on Steve's face as he realized where Bucky's healing and growth was coming from.
"That punk."
