Old Habits Die Hard

by ZeroToWeirdo

Bucky's slowly but surely regaining old habits and memories, though not (it would seem) in any sort of order, be it that of chronology or importance. Of all the habits for him to remember, this would not have been on the top of Steve's list. Also known as the five people who notice Bucky's new habit, and the one person at the end who finally realises it isn't exactly new.

1. Natasha

NATASHA

It starts with Natasha, as most things do. She notices it first when Steve is having an extremely pleasant day kissing babies (yes, kissing babies), despite the cameras flashing everywhere. Bruce and Tony, in the meantime, are entertaining themselves with one of the journalists who is actually asking them about science instead of their love lives. Clint is just acting goofy for the cameras and trying to get a rise out of Coulson, who's a few feet away and hiding his endearment rather well for a dead person. She hears the soft hum of about three notes next to her, enough to know someone is humming, but not enough to catch the tune. The fact that it's Bucky that's humming, the 'just come back from the grasps of Hydra four weeks ago' Bucky, makes the humming all the more notable.

She knows better than to look at him, knowing that will just scare him into a defensive stance. Instead she waits and watches him from her peripherals. He's looking at Steve with a curious face, his hands clasped in front of him in an 'at ease, but not that easy' stance. Then she hears it again, a hum of three notes. They sound so damn familiar, but she can't quite put her finger on it, and apparently neither can Bucky, because he ends up scratching the back of his neck with a confused-cum-frustrated look on his face. He's casting glances at the main entrance to the Tower just behind him, and she knows he's getting uncomfortable in front of all these people.

She doesn't have much time to contemplate it as an obnoxious journalist seems to notice her and Bucky's silence, immediately barraging them with questions on whether or not they're seeing each other. Bucky looks blank and stiff, sure signs that he's retreated into his mind, while Natasha rolls her eyes and grabs Bruce's arm, clinging to it as her face morphs to a sickeningly sweet smile. "Oh, no, I would never. That would just make Bruce jealous, wouldn't it?" she asks and kisses his cheek. He huffs a laugh and plays along, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Practically green with envy." He said, making Tony squawk and complain about bad puns on national television. Natasha turns in time to see Steve hurrying Bucky off back into the Tower. Steve shoots her a grateful look at her distraction, and she nods back in acknowledgement.

She thinks about those three notes for the rest of the day.