Oleander - Bucky BarnesxOC

CHAPTER TWENTY: RESTLESS HEART

CW: Discussions of sexual assault. Specifically, a statement from Dahlia's abuser. This discussion of what happened to Dahlia isn't just a one-off. Trauma has a lasting impact on people. Dahlia isn't magically cured just because she played the piano and got over one hurdle. It kind of comes in waves. Sometimes the waves are light and we can withstand them and other times, they knock us right off of our feet (this is my personal experience after going through therapy and looking back on my assault years later, yours might be different).

This is my way of telling you that this is going to be a recurring theme for Dahlia. As a survivor, I will always treat this subject with the utmost compassion and empathy. If you're also dealing with something like this, please take care of yourselves, talk to someone you trust, know that you're very, very loved and I'm grateful that you're here 💓

Other content warnings: Drug use, smut (oral sex), daddy kink, alcohol use, and violence.

"He what?!" Wanda hisses.

It's just the two of them in the shop. Kate and Scott are coming in later in the morning with coffee and croissants. Dahlia is working on mockups for Steve's birthday party.

James dropped her off early this morning. She feels even closer to him after last night. The way he held her all night. He never left he side without making sure that she needed something. James always makes sure she's taken care of. He's everything she could have possibly dreamed of and more. He made her gnocchi for lunch as promised, and Dahlia made him a peanut butter sandwich when she woke up. She even put it in a paper bag and wrote his name on it with a little heart. He blushed and told her no one had done that for him in years.

Dahlia is finding it difficult to be without him. He's become such an integral part of her life. She laughs. She told Wanda a little bit about her night when she asked.

"He asked me if I wanted to do this... traffic light system, and we got a little—"

"Fifty Shades of Grey with it," Wanda finishes.

"No!" Dahlia laughs. "Fuck no. Nothing like that."

"But he slapped you and stuff."

"Yeah. And pulled my hair and... fuck it was hot."

"Did he make you sign a contract?" Wanda asks.

"What?"

"Like in the movie!" Wanda says softly.

"No! I don't really get that part of the movie," Dahlia replies as she messes around with photoshop on the shop computer, trying to get the right shade of black. If they're going to dye these roses, they're going to need to start putting things together soon.

"It's a real thing," Wanda replies.

"I know it's a real thing, I just... I just wanted some dick, I didn't want to get a whole lawyer involved," Dahlia mutters as Wanda chuckles. "Besides, James and I aren't about to organize the particulars of our relationship with a contract. I would feel really weird about that."

"So you wouldn't want to be permanently submissive to him?"

Dahlia shakes her head.

"That's very much not my thing — again, it works for other people—"

"Why are you trying to not offend the nobody in the room?" Wanda asks. "We're alone, Dahl. You can say what you think."

"I'm trying to be respectful, Wands!" Dahlia hisses. "Some people like that kind of relationship and it works for them. Come on. I thought you were all open-minded and shit."