Accidents Happen

Tabula Rasa

"Well, this is interesting," said the voice behind you.

With your hands still on either side of his face, you kept your eyes on Bucky. You could feel the tension rising in him for being caught with you and during such a vulnerable moment. His eyes wide, you slid your hand to the back of his neck, massaging it, and wove your fingers into his hair. You gave a small smile and he started to relax. Still keeping your gaze on Bucky, you finally responded.

"Hi, Nat."

You finally looked her way once you were sure Bucky was calm. The redhead stood with her arms folded, one cynical eyebrow sky high. She took slow steps toward you, coming to the side of the chair a few feet away. Bucky was resting his forehead on your shoulder, avoiding her gaze.

Natasha parted her red lips to no doubt ask the multiple questions she had, but you spoke first.

"Can we have a day?" desperation in your voice. "Please, Nat? I promise I'll answer any questions and let you yell at me for lying or whatever tomorrow. Just a day."

She paused, taken aback by the odd the request and seriousness of your tone. Her features softened as she took a step back.

"Fine," she agreed, leaving the room the way she came.

Exhaling finally, you met his eyes and gave a wide smile, a little relieved.

"It was time anyway," you shrugged, pressing a kiss to his lips.

He met your smile with a small one of his own, sighing loudly. "Should definitely be interesting."

"Come on. Let's go." You crawled off his lap and grasped his hands, pretending to pull him up although he clearly outweighed you by a lot. He grabbed your CD player and you pulled him along by his other hand toward your room.

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Bucky collapsed on your bed, lying on his back and covering his eyes with his metal arm.

"Is all of that Florence woman's music just as intense?"

You thought for a moment, "Um. Yes. Cathartic as it may be, we could probably take a little break from Flo."

Crawling onto the bed next to him, you curled into his side as he wrapped his arms around you.

"So," you began, "this love stuff is pretty new and exciting."

You felt a rumble in his chest as a chuckle erupted from his lips. "Yeah, I'm liking it," he grinned.

His face fell, though, still showing the weight of his admissions.

"Hey," you said, turning his face toward yours with a finger on his chin, "I know that was hard for you to share, but I'm so glad you did. I am here for you, Bucky Barnes. Like I said, I'm not going anywhere."

He finally offered that wide, toothy smile you loved before he pressed his lips to yours.

"I love you. Man, it just feels so good to say that."

"And it feels good to hear it," you grinned.

"So with Florence on hold, what else have you got for me?"

"Hmm. Well, I'll be little more cautious this time. Or at least give you a warning."

You rolled out of his grasp to the edge of the bed and nearly fell before plopping yourself on the floor next to your disorganized pile of CDs. Bucky propped himself up on his elbows, watching you. Picking up a few cases and then tossing them aside, you finally found the album you had in mind. Standing, you walked over to your stereo and inserted the disc before searching for the perfect song and pressing play.