Secrets 🖤

Chapter 10

Bucky didn't know how long he had been asleep when he woke to a knock on his door. He looked down to see he had fallen asleep reading. "Come in." He looked up to see Natasha enter his room.

"Maggie is awake and she's asking for you." She started to walk away when Bucky stood up but she turned back to face him. She pulled him into a hug, "thank you Bucky. For taking care of her."

Bucky was taken aback by Natasha's being so open with him but he reciprocated the hug, "always Nat."

She pulled away, "don't tell anyone Barnes. Come on."

Bucky laughed and followed her to Maggie. He found her sitting up on the bed. "Maggie. I'm so glad you're okay." He sat on the bed facing her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She started to cry as he held her, "James."

He pulled away a bit to look at her, "hey. It's okay." He wiped her tears away, resting his head on hers.

She looked around at Natasha, "can we have a minute alone?" Natasha nodded and shooed everyone out of the room before leaving herself. She turned back to Bucky, placing her hand at the side of his neck, "I'm so sorry. For leaving. And you're right. I was acting like a child."

"No. Well you were," they both laughed, "but I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm sorry." His eyes searched her face as he leaned forward, kissing her softly on the lips. She moved her hand to the nape of his neck as she moved closer to him, keeping his lips on hers. He moaned softly before pulling away, resting his head on hers again. His voice was almost a whisper, "I can't doll." He wasn't sure anymore who he was trying to convince her or himself.

"I know. Just know, I've only kissed you because I've wanted to. Not to make Steve jealous or to forget Steve. I've done it because I want to." They were interrupted by Friday announcing a meeting in the conference room. Bucky stood up, holding his hand out to her to help her stand. "I'm okay Bucky." She let go of his hand as he nodded. He knew she didn't want it to appear as if they were together. He opened the door for her, following her to the conference room.

Maggie and Bucky sat next to each other across from Steve. She looked up to see Steve watching her, watching them. She knew she was going to have to face him, but she wasn't sure she was ready. She locked eyes with him for minute before looking back at Tony at the front of the room. She felt Bucky reach over and hold her hand under the table. She didn't want to draw attention, so she didn't look at him. She just intertwined her fingers in his as she felt him squeeze her hand.

"It looks like we have some stuff we need to discuss. We can't have people disappearing and not checking in."

Maggie let go of Bucky's hand and leaned forward, "I know. I'm sorry. I.."

Before she could finish, Tony held his hand up to make her stop. "No. It seems we owe you an apology." She looked at Steve as Tony continued, "you honestly didn't think we would come for you? Or that we didn't care about you?" Steve looked away from her as she hung her head down, tears starting to fall.

Bucky leaned forward, rubbing her back, "of course we would doll."

She looked back at him, "well I knew you would."

Natasha leaned forward, "Maggie I'm sorry if you ever felt like we didn't want you here. We all do. I'm sorry."

Maggie looked back at Steve who was still watching her and Bucky, "not everyone."

Steve shook his head, "of course I do! Did you read my letter?"

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms, "I read it."

Steve started to say something but Tony interrupted him, "alright. Everyone out." He pointed to Maggie and Steve, "except for you two. You're not allowed to leave until you fix this."

Everyone got up to leave except for Bucky. She turned to him, "it's fine. Go." He hesitated but nodded and left.

Steve got up and sat next to Maggie, making her face him in their chairs. "Margaret."

She put up her hand, "why didn't you ever tell me about Peggy? Why did I have to hear it from Bucky?"

He shook his head, "I don't know. I'm sorry. I was distant at first because of your name and I had feelings for you." He leaned towards her, "you're so beautiful and smart. And strong. I wanted you. But I didn't know how to tell you. I fucked up. I didn't know how to let you in. I'm sorry Margaret."

"Language Steve." She leaned towards him as he laughed, "were you only attracted to me because I looked like her?"

"No. Of course not. I was worried that's all it was at first, so I kept my distance. But I soon realized that it was more than that." He placed his hand on her cheek, "is it too late?"

She shook her head softly, taking his hand and holding it, "I don't really know Steve. I'm sorry for Halloween. I never would have dressed that way if you had told me. I thought you'd like it. Me as a woman from your time." She started to cry as she turned her head away from him.

"Margaret. Maggie. Look at me." He waited until she did as he asked, "you looked beautiful. I'm sorry I got angry. And I appreciate the sentiment. But I love this you." He motioned to her, "I've spent enough time living in the past. I love you. Please."

"I need some time Steve. I'm sorry." She stood up as he mirrored her. He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her as she melted into him. She pulled away a bit to look up at him, his hand finding the nape of her neck as he pulled her lips to his. She moaned softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he pressed her body firmly to his. His tongue parted her lips softly before she pulled away. "I'm sorry. Like I said, I need time. There's more factors now. I don't know what I want. We're good though."

She started to walk away, her hand on the door when she heard Steve, "is Buck a factor?"

She groaned, resting her head on the door a moment, "maybe. I don't know Steve. Please. I just need time." She left the room before he could say anything else.