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   Bucky nodded at Ben's wardrobe. "Only me, my mom, and Ben knew about, my other siblings  probably found out when they moved out... When I said that I'd be your family, I meant that, and that's why I let you see it. Ben would've liked you, y'know."

   "Really?"

   "Yeah. He loved knifes and guns and things like that."

   "I can tell that he looked up to you,"

   "I miss him a lot."

   "I know,"

   "He was so embarassing, especially when I started dating. He'd try to say something cheesy about me in front of almost every girl I brought home, even if the girl was just a friend."

   Yelena smiled sadly. "Did you always live here before the war broke out?"

   "No, I moved out when I was eighteen,"

   "Do you see me as part of your family?" she asked, looking up at his stormy blue eyes, falling further into love... He nodded fervently, hair shifting. This was the loyal, protective, quiet man behind the nazi science experiment. The one who set her free despite his own mind being held captive. 

   She took a deep breath and averted her eyes, beaming wider.

   Bucky's mouth quirked up. "What is it?"

   "I think... No, it's stupid."
 
   Yelena hid her face, burying it against him. His scent and the feel of his chest rose up to overwhelm her senses. She could hardly believe that this was even happening. It felt like only a couple years ago she was improving under the Winter Soldier's tutorage. 

   Back then, when she started to feel like he was pushing her too hard, she didn't tell him until she got close to being injured. He caught on quickly that she was hesitating, and reprimanded her for not speaking up. Afterward, she tended to give him more banter and talking back, which he sometimes shot back, and also tried to be more open about her training. 

    She could tell he valued openness, which she respected, but Yelena wasn't ready to say it.

   Bucky narrowed his eyes. "Just..." he paused, "you don't need to say anything, Yelena."

   Those words sounded amazing to her ears. Yelena leaned on him, letting herself rest. His left arm circled her shoulders gently, feeling inhuman and firm, but not unwelcome. 

   "I might tell you someday," she said softly, her voice muffled. 

   "And I'd love to hear it someday,"

   "Um," she swiped the back of her hand under her nose with a sniffle. "Greek,"

   "Greek?" Bucky repeated, his face twisting with confusion.

   "My favorite kind of pizza. I never told you."

   "Oh. Greek is good,"

   "Bucky, you look so tired," she muttered, staring up at him. 

   "It's just been a long day,"

   "I agree,"

  "What kind of movie do you want to watch?"

  "A drama would be nice, I mean, I don't really care as long as it's a good movie."

  Bucky laughed. "Good choice."

  They settled into a soft, long-lasting silence, just sitting with each other. Rain started pourign outside, pattering down the window on the other side of the room. They watched as droplets lazily floated down toward the windowsill at various paces. Some fast, some slow.

   Yelena felt safe and cozy under his arm, and his breathing was even and muted. 

   "Do you want popcorn with that hot chocolate? Or rather, that luke-warm chololate?" Bucky asked her, shifting carefully.

   "Please. How about you make the popcorn and I'll choose the movie and get make the couch more comfy?"

   "Deal, and I'll make the popcorn,"

   She hesitated, a grin on her lips. "Sounds good,"

   Bucky to caught her hesitation, and it seemed to spread to him, because he averted his eyes and looked back out the window. As if he wasn't sure what to do.

   Yelena sighed quietly, and stretched upward and kissed his cheek. He froze, and his rosy lips lengthened as he smirked. 

   Bucky couldn't help his little grin as he popped the kernels in the kitchen, barely hearing anything over the popcorn machine. He tapped his fingers on the counter, then ran his hands through his hair, wondering what movie she'd choose, whether she'd sit very close to him, whether she'd kiss him again - 

   You need to stop, he thought to himself. He had enough stress in his life already, worrying about someone he trusted as much as he did wasn't going to get him anywhere. 

   He peeked into the living room, where she tossed his blanket casuallyover the couch, then added pillows with a pleasent expression, as if she was daydreaming.

 The billowy, mouthwatering smell pr the popcorn and butter mixed strongly in the air. Bucky smiled, breathing in deeply.

   "Hey," he looked up to see Yelena searching through the cupboards. "Do you have a tiny saucepan, Bucky?"

   "Oh, yeah. Two to the right from where you are, bottom shelf.

   "Now I can use it to defend myself in case some crackhead tries to break in."

   "Or you could just reheat your cocoa, like a sane person."

   She sighed, "fine," and Bucky turned on the element beside his. Yelena placed the pot there and poured her hot chocolate into it, then grabbed a spoon from the utensil drawer to stir it.

   Bucky carefully spooned out some of the melted butter and drizzled it over the popcorn, then stirred it in and added more, until the perfect amount was all mixed in. "Popcorn's done." 

   "What kind of movie do you want to watch?"

   "I don't know,"

   "I love a helpful man who knows what he wants," she winked playfully.

   "Really? 'Cause I love a woman who doesn't foil my secret, malicious plan, so I can poison her through the popcorn and kidnap her away to my evil lair in a cave,"

   Yelena paused, taken aback by his deranged -looking exression. But her smile faded, and suddenly they were serious again. "Something doesn't feel right... Wait, are you sure you even want to watch a movie?"
   
   Bucky swallowed, eyes on the popcorn. "I want you to be comfortable right now, so yes."

   "Oh." She watched his eyes carefully. They didn't quite meet hers, but she knew he was being genuine, and he definitely had a lot on his mind. 

   Some things would never change, would they? 

   She snatched a piece of the popcorn and dodged when he tried to swat her away. "Thanks, Bucky. For everything."

   Bucky met her eyes, gazing down at her, and didn't say a thing. Just gave her a tiny smile.

   The buttery smell from the popcorn wafted around, spreading infectiously. Bucky arranged it and the hot chocolate on the coffee table, along with some cinnamon chai tea for himself. They sat down an arms length away from each other, not close enough to touch. 

   She setteld comfortably onto the couch and drummed her fingers on the armrest. 

   "Wait. I forgot something,"
   
   "Fogot what?" she demanded, a small burst of fear thundering her heart. What did he forget? Was it important? Bucky got up and hurried away. 

   Yelena almost sprang up after him, scared. But he returned after only two seconds holding something green in his hand, a soft smile on his lips. 

   He sat back down, eyes on her, and flinched. "I scared you, didn't I? Don't worry, I'm alright. Here." Bucky leaned closer and opened his hand to show her. 

   Sitting on his vibranium palm were two new leaves of mint from the plant in the kitchen. 

   He picked one up with his other hand and nibbled it, still offering her the other. Warm nastolgia coated his blue eyes. 

   "Thank you, Bucky." Yelena told him, leaping closer and wrapping her arms around him tightly. He squeezed back briefly.

   She gingerly plucked the mint from him and ate it whole, savoring the flavour that spread over her tongue, as a beautiful grin lit up her face. 

   Bucky scooted closer to her. "Let's choose a movie, Yelena."