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   She helped herself to some of Bucky's coffee reserves (he had a large package up above the fridge) and brought it out to the living room. She put her mug on the dining room table and wandered around to take a better look at the house.

   Near the stairs that led to some sort of basement stood a worn, dark chestnut brown desk with multiple letter sorting compartments and drawers, an extremely vintage shiny, black telephone that looked like it was from the 30's on it. The phone was in the corner of the desk and connected to the wall. 

   Yelena hadn't noticed it before, and wondered how many times Bucky had sat at that desk and written long love letters to old girlfriends. It was hard for her to picture it, but he might've signed his letter with flowery cursive and kissed the envelope before he mailed it.  

   He would've smiled so wide. 

   Running her hand along the side of the desk as she passed it, Yelena headed back out to the living room couch where Bucky was.

   His socked feet still touched the carpet, and he leaned ot the side at the torso, cuddling a pillow. 

   Out like a baby.

   He'll wake up sore, she thought, and carefully nudged him in the shoulder. His eyes cracked open.

   "Lie down, Bucky," she whispered.

   He said nothing as his head touched the cushions. Yelena moved his legs up onto the couch so that he was proberly lying down, then pulled the blanket he hid himself in before over his body. 

   Half asleep, Bucky frowned slightly, his eye twitching. She wasn't sure what to do. Should she just leave him alone? No, he would get a nightmare. He needed to think about something peaceful. 

   She leaned down near his ear. He smelt of sweat, with a hint of that vanilla, mint and cinnamon mixed in. "Bucky..."

   Bucky cracked his eyes open again, listening. "Maybe we will be alright," she finished, but he caught her arm and stopped her as she moved away.

   He looked so tired. "I... think I might actually be starting to believe that." He knew she was just trying to make him feel better, and now Yelena felft her heart warm. His words comforted her. 

   "Are you sure?" He was definitely sure, but Yelena wanted to hear it from his lips again. 

   "I believe it, Belova. If anyone can do it, it's us. We've made it this far, haven't we?"

   She smiled. "Barely,"

   "We can do it."

   Yelena knelt down next to the couch and took a deep breath. "You are... so strong. It's inspiring," 

   "Oh,"

   "Yeah... You should go to sleep now, Barnes. I'll go so you can..."

   "I don't feel strong anymore. I haven't felt that way in a while."

   "Really? Because you are! You're relatively sane still, and that has to count for something, right?" 

   "Yeah, right. I guess so," he chuckled flatly. "Have you ever thought I was selfish?"

   "Never, why?" Yelena didn't like where this was going. This was another moment where she couldn't read his calm expression. It was like a pretty book with no description. 

   "I don't know if... I'd be a good person to live with. I could be triggered by random things and... I could hurt you. I know I act pretty normal sometimes. But I don't show people what's really going on, it's hard to... so I..."

   "Oooh," Yelena realized what he meant. "Bucky, it's okay to want company, and it's okay to have problems to deal with. You're only human, even if you're a Super Soldier. There will be things like that for a long time, I think. Go to more therapy."

   "...And?"

   "Aaaand. I, uh... will stay."

   "Really?" His lips stretched into a smile.

   "Y-yeah." 

   "I'm going for therapy on Monday anyway, after work. Wanna go out for pizza?"

   Yelena felt her heart squeeze. "Oh. Sure, tha twould be great. What's your favorite flavour?"

   He paused, his eyes glazed over for a few seconds. "Uh... Hawaiian. What is your's?"

   "I don't think I'll tell you that, James."

   "Why?" he just about whined. 

   "I'll tell you on Monday."

   Bucky rolled his eyes. "Fine, then. Keep your secret until Monday, if that's what you want."

  "It really is,"

   Why was he so talky suddenly? His mood swings are crazy, Yelena thought. 

   The musty apartment building on the busy streets of Manhattan was large and crowded-looking, but Yelena's little room was miniscule inside it. And cramped, too.

   "Agh." Speaking of cramps. Yelena pulled off her shoes and massaged her calves, careful not to let them spasm. 

   It wasn't a home, but it wasn't the Red Room at least. She'd have to make do, and find some way to eat. Hopefully the Soviets wouldn't find her here.

   Her hands started to shake under the stress of it all. What would happen to the Soldier, Bucky, now that she was gone? They'd find out if they hadn't already, that he smuggled her out. 

   There had been so many people in the airport, clamoring to see loved ones, while she, the small alone girl, slipped away for fear of being noticed. It was overwhelming to be around so many people. 

   The risk that had been involved with the escape hadn't even processed. She'd trusted Bucky blindly, because Natasha trusted him. His actions were somewhat unpredictable, to be honest, and even Nat hadn't seen that escape coming. That was what made him dangerous, his slippery mind that might turn and loose control at any moment.

   How long had it taken him to organize everythinf and orchestrate this grand shenanigan? Months? Longer? It must have been extra stressful for him. 

   The fact that it couldn've been a test of her loyalty to the Motherland was running rampant in her brain. 

   This was the first time in her life that blind trust had paid off. 

   She took a deep breath and flipped on the light switch. The lights flickered a little, before evening out steadily. 

   Bucky had been so scared, even when he touched her hand last night and told her to leave, fast. 

   Sacrificing himself for a mere chance that she might live. 

   'Promise me...'

   'I love you,'

   'Go!'

   Tears fell down her face, and she let them come. He might be the best person she had ever known, if he was even alive now. 

   He knew he'd face hell to see her leave that place, and only now did she realize just how much pain she'd caused him.

POOKIE

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