❛ @nexusbeing asked: you aren't the monster you think you are.
the cool of the linoleum tile permeates through the soft material of his sweatpants, back covered in a thin layer of sweat. the hum of the fan distorts wanda's words, but they reverberate through his skull nonetheless, cause him to pull his gaze away from the floor where had been sitting in silence for at least half an hour. bucky turns his head, an expression that's both equal parts pining and lamenting. most he could hide from, but she… not so much.
" did my absence wake you? " he poses the question, rises to his feet and moves to linger in the doorway. here they stand eye to eye, her examining all the parts of him he desires to shield while all he can see is the woman he loves. the thought sends a wave of repose to his aggravated consciousness. " perfect. " he doesn't realize he's thinking out loud, metallic hand reaching out to cup the cheek between thumb and pointer. " it's unfair of you to catch me at my worst when you look like that. " tone is jesting, body bending forward - seeking her familiarity, her warmth.
forehead rests against her own, lips brushing the bridge of her nose. for a moment he listens for the evening of their mixed breathing before he finally decides to speak on the unavoidable. " i close my eyes at night and all i hear is the remains of a past i can't forget, no matter what good i do. my mind tells me things i know are a lie, and i feel this … unrest that everything i have is going to be ripped from my fingers again. " his touch slides down her neck to rest there, sensors picking up her heartbeat. " it's irrational. " words run short, so he opts instead to capture her lips in a kiss, a reassurance that he is fine despite the nightly disturbance. " at least if i can be certain of anything, it's your belief in me. " bucky withdraws slightly, uses his free hand to flick off the bathroom light and swoops wanda into his embrace so he can guide her forward with a gentle hand. " bed calls. "
