Nina's POV

Tonight, the girls and I were going to hang for a few hours. By the girls I mean Wanda, Natasha, Carol, and Maria. We planned on going dancing and drinking; not too much as we had an early morning training session tomorrow. When they first invited me, I admit I hesitated, the thought of watching over Bucky more of a priority.

He had still been recovering from the last battle and I was worried about him. Though, as the days leading up to tonight dwindled down, his recovery had been progressing. He was able to start training again, easing my worry. When Wanda managed to invite me out once more, I said yes. Mainly, because Bucky had made a full recovery. The other reason – or reasons I should say – were to get out of the compound and away from Loki and Strange. Even though Strange spent most of his time at the Sanctum, he would stop by and visit; often this would incite an argument with Loki.

Yes, I had already forgiven them, but the events of that battle still made my stomach twist and turn. I needed a break from the arguing. Though it had become less frequent, the two sorcerers still were at each other's throats. They'd shoot glares at each other when asked to stop and the tension would still linger in the room. It was also enough to switch my training at night. Always with Bucky; Clint, Nat, Wanda and Vision joining us every now and then.

'You deserve to have a little fun. Away from the men,' Wanda had said, the second time she asked me to come dancing. I opened my mouth to tell her I didn't mind being around them, especially Bucky; She held up a finger silencing me.

'I don't mean you should be away from them all the time. I only want you to get out of the compound for a few hours. Then, you can come back and cuddle with your Bucky,' she continued. I narrowed my eyes, which only made her laugh.

'He's not my Bucky,' I argued. Heat flamed the tips of my ears as well as my cheeks; Wanda giggling more at my protest.

'Oh, please. I've seen the way you look at him. We all have. Not to mention you're both touchy-feely with each other,'

'He likes the comfort,'

'Yeah, yeah. Sure. You definitely don't like each other. Please, come dancing. He's made a full recovery and you need a break,' Maybe it was the way she said it, that led me to agree with her, but it brought a smile to her face regardless. Part of me still wanted to hang out with Bucky before I went out, but I couldn't find him anywhere in the building. I must have passed the living room a hundred times when Steve spoke up.

"If you're looking for Bucky, he went out an hour ago," he said.

"Really? He didn't tell me he was going anywhere. Usually he says something. Do you happen to know where he went by any chance? Or when he'll be back?" Steve shrugged and I plopped down on the other end of the couch. I went to reach for the remote to watch TV until four o'clock – a hour later – when Steve intercepted me and put it out of reach.

"What's going on with you and my best friend?" he asked.

"What do you mean? We're friends,"

"I don't believe that for a second. You hang out most of the time. You're constantly touching unless something forces you not to. I don't even have to mention the morning you two nearly had sex on the kitchen counter," he countered. I looked down, picking at my nails.

"We're friends. Super close friends. That's all," I replied again. I didn't lie to him. Bucky and I were indeed close, but we hadn't progressed from being friends at all.

"Nina? Are you in love with him?" Steve asked. My hands froze and I peered up at him. I meant to answer him; say yes. Yes, I'm in love with Bucky. Your best friend. If I could, I'd ask him to be more than friends. If that's what I thought, he'd want. None of it came out. The front door opened; our attention drifted over to see who it walked in. Bucky stood in the living room, glancing at us.

My eyes widened as I took him in. He had gone and cut his hair. The dark locks I was normally accustomed to were gone, replaced by a shorter cut, the top still a bit longer to be styled. He had a shave as well, his face void of the beard I loved.

"Looking great, Buck," Steve said, breaking the silence. Bucky only nodded, his full attention on me. The sound of rustling fabric alerted me to Steve's departure.

"I'll leave you two alone. Go train," he stated. We both nodded, not caring to see his eyebrows raise up or hear his sigh that he clearly wasn't wanted. Neither Bucky nor I spoke; I looked him over, enjoying what I saw, before meeting his gaze.

"I probably should have told you what I planned on doing. But then, I wanted to surprise you. I needed a change, Nina. I needed to find a way to begin again. I'll grow it back if-," he said, before I interrupted him.

"I like it. Actually, never mind. I love it. Could you maybe…come sit down?" His blue eyes lit up; his shoulders relaxed with relief. He walked over to the couch, taking a seat beside me.

"Would you mind if I ran my hands through your hair?" I asked. I never had to ask his permission – in the beginning, I had to, respecting his boundaries – the comfort speaking for itself. This time I wanted to, seeking an excuse to sit on his lap.

"You don't need to ask. It's okay," he responded. He patted his lap, instinctively knowing what I wanted. I straddled his hips instead, leaning closer to lace my fingers through his hair. Still soft to the touch, I stroked it a few times. Bucky reclined his head back, closing his eyes; his hands came up to hold my hips in place.

I let my hands drift over his ears to his jaw, tracing over his cheeks with my thumbs. I used a finger to glide over his lips; they parted, his warm breath fanning over it. He lifted his head, opening his eyes. His pupils had dilated, lust dominating his features.

"Nina," was all he said. His hands moved slowly up my body, reaching up to cup my jaw. He pulled me closer, our lips almost touching. Closer, closer…

"Nina. Get ready. We're having dinner before we go dancing," a voice chimed in, before Bucky and I kissed. Damn, I thought. I turned to face Natasha standing near one of the armchairs. She smirked; a knowing glance etched onto her features. She walked off, I suspected, to her room.

"Dancing with the girls? That's tonight?" Bucky asked.

"Mm-hm. Why? Do you need to stay?" I answered. Something in his tone set alarms off in my head. He sounded worried. Scared. Of what? I wasn't sure.

"No. No, it's fine. I'll be okay. You should go have fun,"

"Are you sure? I don't want to leave if there's something bothering you,"

"It's nothing. Go with them. If I need you, I'll call," he said. I watched him to see if he was sure about sending me out with the girls. Watched to see if he'd give me a sigh, which read 'No. Please don't go,' There was not a thing in his steely blue gaze that told me such a thing. I got off his lap, standing up.

"You'll call if there's something wrong? Promise? I won't hesitate to come back. I don't want you to be upset," I told him.

"Yes, I'll call you. Don't worry. Now, go. Before, they get mad about you being late," he said, pulling me into a hug. I let out my breath and squeezed him tight. Letting go, I headed to my room to change.

I showered, quickly drying my hair and tying it up in a ponytail. Still in a towel, I did my make-up to match my outfit; a plum, short, sequined dress. It one strap, the same fabric out to drape down my arm. Once done, I slipped on dark purple boy-short panties and stepped into my dress. I fixed the top to cover my breasts. Sitting on the bed, I strapped on my black heels, the straps lacing up over my ankle and went downstairs.

Wanda had dressed in her signature red color, a ruched dress that came to mid-thigh. Carol had dressed in a tight white tank top, black leather pants and knee-high boots; Nat in a strapless black dress and thigh-high boots. Maria had on a navy blue, skinny strapped top and brown leather plants, opting for booties, navy in color.

"You girls look stunning. Try not to get too crazy. Early morning run tomorrow," Tony greeted us. The others stepped out into the entrance, Bucky giving me a wink after his eyes roamed over my body from top to bottom.

"Want us to join you? We could have a lot of fun," Loki asked, emphasizing the word fun. I suppose he meant to address the entire group, but his eyes were locked on me; a mischievous grin twisted his lips much to my annoyance.

"No. It's girls' night only. Have fun doing…whatever it is you boys do alone," Carol stated, wrapping an arm around Natasha's shoulders. We headed out to dinner; the local shawarma place we frequented as a team, much deserved fun to be had later.

"Okay, okay. I think there's some kind of war going on with Strange and Loki. They're always snapping at each other whenever I come into town. I don't know what it's about, but it's enough for them to constantly argue," Carol said, her laugh cutting off. We had been laughing because some guy had tried to hit on Natasha and Carol had spun the red head around to plant a giant kiss on her lips deterring him. He had sneered at us before walking off, giving us a terrible laughing fit.

"How did making that guy really uncomfortable bring up the magic users?" I asked. I finished up my first drink of the night; a cosmopolitan waiting on her answer.

"Loki wanted to come with us tonight and I think it's because of you. I saw the way he was looking at you in that dress. I think he likes you. I think Strange does too. Maybe they're locked in some sort of competition to win your heart. Also, because before that man hit on Natasha, he was also staring at you,"

"I mean, seriously, you're a catch if all these men are lusting after you, Nina. If that man had been Loki in disguise, then I'm certain he would've asked you to dance or participate in a one-night stand," Carol answered. I nearly spat out my drink, wondering if I had heard her correctly.

"Mm. Strange would have absolutely wanted that too. I agree with Carol. I think they're attracted to you, but they're afraid to admit it out loud. They like the sweetest, nicest, and kindest girl of the group and they can't do anything about it," Nat stated.

"You're both being ridiculous. There's no way both of them are interested in me," I said, ordering another drink to stop hearing this conversation.

"I wouldn't be so quick to deny it. The way they both look at you or stare at you says otherwise," Nat said.

"It wouldn't matter if they were. We all know who would win in the crush department. A certain Mr. Bucky Barnes, perhaps," Wanda commented.

"It's not a competition. I'm not a prize to be won,"

"I never said there was competition. All I'm saying is that you and Bucky should be together. You two have a sort of unspoken chemistry anyone would want to have," Wanda said.

"Don't say you don't know it's true. Always hanging out together. Touching whenever you get a chance. Hell, I'm positive you would've kissed this afternoon if I hadn't walked in," Nat stated. Thank goodness for the darkness of the club. They wouldn't been able to see if I blushed or not. Going by the heat on my cheeks, I most certainly was.

"I'm sorry. Did you say they almost kissed? When?" Maria chimed in.

"This afternoon. On the couch. She was straddling his lap and they were holding each other's jaw. He was pulling her in, not that she was objecting, and they would've kissed. Of course, that's when I walked into the room, before they even had a chance," Nat answered. I shook my head and silently checked my phone. No messages or calls from Bucky. A good sign.

"Can we stop talking about my supposed love life and dance?" I asked, getting off my stool before they could object.

"Fine, but I'm willing to bet you'll end up together by the end of the month," Natasha replied. We made our way to the dancefloor, swaying to the pounding of the music. I let go, having fun with my friends. A break was needed, and the music relieved me of all thoughts of Loki and Strange. It left room for me to think only of Bucky. I chose not to worry about him. He was evidently fine. He hadn't called or texted tonight. It wasn't until I got back, the nightmares would begin.

The Winter Soldier tried to distract himself with books, music and, eventually, a shower. Nothing was working. It happened to be the fourth anniversary of meeting Nina, but it was also the same night he'd lost his way to his room. Nightmares still plagued him; memories of what he'd done while he was the lethal soldier. They'd gotten better with her. She had become his comfort at night. Now that she was away with her friends, those same nightmares would build back up. This time, they'd be something new.

This time he would be of her. Of him hurting her. Not that he ever would. That side of him was long gone. Shuri and the Wakanda technology made sure of it. He supposed they came because he loved her. Loved her more than he could possibly imagine. They would mix in between older ones.

People he had hurt before; killed before. The images of his victims swirling around inside. Haunting him. Tony's parents. People who got in the way of HYDRA's plans. Those victims sometimes were innocent. He stripped down to his boxers, prepared for the sweat that would glisten on his chest. He fought sleep as long as he could, but the dark of his room lulled him to it. He began to dream.

Around 1 a.m.

Nina's POV

We got back to the compound, slipping off out heels to not wake any of our sleeping companions. Tony would surely be up, as would Bruce, both men usually staying up until 3 a.m. at the latest. Others would be peacefully sleeping unless nightmares kept up others. I managed to stick to not going overboard, knowing there would be an early morning training session in the morning. The other women did not, and they were obviously tipsy. They kept giggling, shushing each other, collapsing into laughter after a minute. I helped them up their rooms, making sure they changed into their pajamas, hooking their phones up to be charged and tucked into their beds. I crept back down to my room to change into a large, baggy t-shirt.

I had barely slid down among the covers when I heard it. The screaming. Bucky's screaming. Bolting out of bed, I left my room to go to him. Steve appeared to have the same idea as he walked out of his room at the same time I did. He looked worn out, like he too had been having trouble sleeping.

"Should I go to him? Or would you rather go?" he asked. We were the only two who were able to calm Bucky and we would trade turns going to him. Most of the time it was me, since Steve tended to go away on missions that lasted a few days. He rubbed his eyes, preparing for me to say him since I'd been out most of the night. Oh, yeah. He's tired, I thought.

"I've got him. Go back to sleep, Steve," I told him. He looked relieved, going back to his room. He shut the door, leaving me to go next door to Bucky. I quickly shut and locked his door when I was inside, shrouding myself in darkness. I headed over to the bed, the path familiar beneath my feet. When we first started this routine, I had to use my phone's flashlight to find him, immediately shutting it off once I reached him. Now, I recognized the path by heart.

Careful not to touch him at first, I waited until he had stopped screaming to call out to him.

"Bucky. Bucky it's me. It's Nina," he whimpered, his right hand finding mine in the dark. He squeezed three times, the routine starting to play out. It was now my cue to slide beneath his duvet cover, my body pressed against his back. Next, I slid a hand into his hair, slowly stroking it. He shuddered, turning to face me, the metal of his left arm, circling around me.

I let my fingers do the work, moving slow down his body and back up again.

"You're okay. You're safe," I whispered to him. This would take a while. Thirty minutes to an hour at most; it brought back memories of the first time the routine took place. The first night we met.

Four Years Ago

Natasha and I were planning on heading out to a late-night movie when I first met Bucky. I had just grabbed my leather jacket when Steve walked in the front door, with someone new by his side.

"Steve! You're back!" I squealed, sprinting to wrap him up in a tight hug.

"I'm glad to see that someone's happy to see me. Where are you off to?" he said.

"I'm meeting Natasha for a late-night movie. Steve. You're being a little rude. You still haven't introduced me to your friend," replied, nodding to the man beside him. He had shoulder length dark brown hair and – at that time – the bluest eyes I had ever seen.

"Nina, this is James Buchanan Barnes. My best friend,"

"Bucky. Call me, Bucky," the man said.

"Bucky, this Nina Hartley. She calms people for a living," Steve said. Bucky flinched, stepping back.

"Don't worry. I don't use it on those who don't want me to. Especially not on those who I don't know," I said, reassuring him.

"I'm sorry. I've just…been through a lot. The people I…they did…"

"Bucky, it's okay. I understand. You're safe here," I told him. Though he was still a bit tense, I noticed his shoulders relax a little; the blue of his eyes lit up a smidge and the tell-tale signs of smile twitched on his lips.

"Do you have a few minutes Nina? Could you show him around the compound? I need to talk to Tony," Steve commented.

"I've got plenty of time. I'll be glad to show him around. Follow me," I said. I took him around to the living room, the kitchen and then to the basement where the training rooms and the pool were located. Upstairs, I took him around to the bedrooms, then to the labs where Tony and Bruce worked. We went by the conference rooms where we ran into Tony and Steve.

"I gave him the room next to yours, Nina. If that's okay," Tony said.

"No problem. Well, I've got to go. Oh, can I see your phone for a minute Bucky?" I answered. His brows furrowed in confusion as he handed me his phone. I quickly typed in my number and name, taking a picture to save in his contacts, handing it back to him.

"There. You have my information should you need anything. Text me, call me. I'll come running. Nice to meet you. Steve, glad you're back. Tony, give me a hug before I leave," I said. Tony pulled me into a side hug, and I ran off to meet Natasha. I didn't know how soon Bucky would need me until I got back later that night.

Nat and I came back to the compound, retiring to bed. I opened my door, flipped on the light and…

"Turn it off. Please," a voice called out. Startled, I turned in the direction it came from. I saw Bucky curled up into a ball in a corner of my room.

"Bucky? Are you alright?" He met my eyes and I saw pure fear in him. "The light. Turn it off. It's too bright," he said. He was visibly shaking; it was enough to make me turn the light off. I found the flashlight on my phone, pointing it at the ground and not directly at him; I didn't want to trigger him more. I made my way over to him and sat down, sitting the phone a few feet away from us.

"I'm sorry. I went to get a glass of water and then I couldn't find my room. I panicked when I realized I was in the wrong room. Nightmares. They make me sick. That's why water…I'm sorry. I couldn't move," he explained.

"You're fine. No harm done. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I want to lay down. It's hot. Are you hot? I'm burning up. I want to sleep…but…"

"Nightmares. I know. Can I touch you? I'll bring you over to the bed. You can stay here tonight. I know a trick that might help if you'll allow me to touch you," He nodded and I took his hands, helping him stand up. I guided him to the bed.

"Do you want me to take your shirt off?" I asked. I needed to be gentle with him. Every person was different with PTSD. Steve needed to be calmed before he allowed anyone to lay their hands on him. Tony needed someone to cuddle him. I'd been that person while he and Pepper had been on a break. Then she waltzed back in, leaving her the job. Natasha wanted me to sit on her bed while she laid her head in my lab, stroking her hair and singing to her.

I didn't know how Bucky would react, didn't know his history. So, the gentle approach, the asking permission each time would have to do. He nodded and I pulled it off of him slowly, taking caution with my fingers brushing his skin. Once it was off, I placed it on the floor near the bed. I asked him if he wanted me to take off his pants. Again, he nodded, and I removed them, leaving him in his boxers. Once done, he laid down, curling up on his side. I laid down facing him.

"Would you like me to run my fingers through your hair?"

"Please," he croaked out. Tears spilled from his eyes; my heart hurting for him. I went slow, combing my fingers through his hair. He reached up after a few minutes and moved my hand to his shoulder and urged me to continue down his body. His breathing was ragged as I did this, pausing my movement.

"Are you sure this is okay? I can stop if you want me to?" I asked. His answer: a whimper but he nodded. He shifted closer to me and closed his eyes. I kept going until his breathing became steady. Kept going until my eyes dropped until my breathing evened out. Didn't stop until I too fell asleep.

My hand continued its path over Bucky, his chest now against mine. He still hadn't drifted off to sleep, his eyes still on me. He moved his hand until it came to rest on my cheek, four of his fingers on the back of my head, his thumb stroking my cheek.

"They were about you. Not all of them. I dreamt I hurt you. Nina, they scared me," he whispered.

"Sh. I'm here. You won't hurt me. I know you won't ever hurt me," I told him. He inched closer and then his lips were pressed against mine. My eyes fluttered shut and I kissed him back, his tongue pushing its way inside my mouth. His hand drifted lower. Lower until it stopped to glide underneath the hem of my t-shirt. I gripped his hand, pushing back and sitting up.

"Bucky? What's happening here?" I asked. My heart was hammering in my chest over what we shared. I worried he wasn't thinking clearly. He sat up, lifting me to straddle his lap.

"Do you not want to?" he asked, removing my ponytail holder and brushing my hair behind my ears.

"I do. Believe me, I do. But…"

"Nina. What is it?" he asked, scanning my face.

"Are you…do…"

"Tell me,"

"Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, it's not because it's the heat of the moment, right? I want to make sure you're thinking clearly before we…I just don't want you to regret it in the morning," I confessed. I winced at my words, worried I might have hurt him somehow.

"Nina. Nina, look at me. I want to do this. Don't worry. My mind is clear. I'm not going to regret anything. Not one bit," he answered. I leaned in and kissed him then, my mouth devouring his. His hands drifted down to my ass, squeezing it. He moved to lift my shirt off, pulling a breast into his mouth. I moaned, automatically responding to him. My hands tangled in his hair, my back arching as he switched to the other one. I ground my core against growing erection, Bucky groaning as I rocked against him.

Still swirling his tongue around nipple, he pulled my underwear to the side, inserting two fingers inside me. He pumped in and out as I bucked my hips against his palm.

My walls clenched around them, Bucky pulling them out before I came. He ripped my underwear off and sat up to yank off his boxers. He reached into his nightstand drawer to pull out a condom, rolling it on. He went to stroke his cock a few times, but I shoved his hands away doing it myself. He hardened more, pushing my hands away and slid inside my soaked pussy.

He thrust into me, sliding down so I could ride him, my orgasm he first denied me spilling over. I continued riding him, faster and faster until he came for the first time. We didn't stop there, fucking each other a few more times until we came again. I shifted off of him, disposing of the condom, and coming back to trail kisses down his chest. I licked over his shaft, swirling my tongue over the head next. His cock twitched and I took all of him in my mouth. I bobbed up and down, building up his orgasm until he exploded in my mouth. I swallowed, cleaning up my lips before coming back up to kiss him. He flipped me over, reciprocating what I had done to him, pulling me into his arms after, exhaustion claiming us both. We were both breathing hard, covered in sweat in each other's arms; nowhere we'd rather be.

"I love you," he said, throwing me off.

"What? Bucky?" I asked, but he had already fallen asleep. I let out a content sigh and pulled the duvet over us, falling asleep in Bucky's arms. A few days later he's repeat what he had told me, and we'd go on our first date. Things would go well for us, but we would find out something our fellow team mates were holding from us, from me.