A/N: Sorry I haven't posted the past few days. I did not have access to my computer since I was out of town. Just a bit of a warning with this chapter, it kind of took on a life of its own and got way more angsty than I had intended. I ended up with this. I did add a bit of fluff at the end though so I hope you enjoy!

Lila had gotten out of the shower and was standing in front of the full length mirror in her room. She was in panties and a bra and she was observing herself with a frown. She only did this when he was gone. It upset him to see her being critical of herself. She didn't know, however, that the reason it upset him was that he felt that he didn't do a good enough job of making her feel beautiful, loved, and wanted.

She turned from side to side. The work outs she had been doing with Nat and Pepper were helping but she still thought her thighs were too big around. She self-consciously touched her stomach. There was a slight pooch there that made her sigh.

"Why can't I just tell myself no when I want ice cream?" She asked no one in particular. Her hips were too wide. She sighed again wondering why on earth Bucky liked her. She wasn't special. She knew she wasn't ugly but she was definitely not in Bucky's league. He was so fit and cut and gorgeous. He had zero fat on his body. He usually looked like he just stepped off the cover of a magazine even when he had just woke up. Then there was her, plain, regular Lila. She felt a couple of tears fall down her cheek.

She wrapped her arms around her middle as more tears fell. She had talked to Pepper and Nat about it but the both assured her that she was perfect the way she was. It was easy for them to say. They were fit like their boyfriends. If their boyfriends wanted to go for a run, Clint and Tony probably didn't have to slow down to let them keep up.

He tried not to let it show, she knew that, but she also knew that when Bucky asked her to go for a run with him, he slowed down to make sure that she could keep up. She stood there for another minute or so before turning towards her closet to get clothes.

Bucky was standing in her doorway, leaned against the door jamb. Shit! They must have finished early. She thought. He had a concerned look on his face. She turned back around quickly trying to wipe the tears from her face, her arms then instinctively wrapping around her stomach. She suddenly wished she was wearing clothes to hide herself.

"Babe?" Bucky said, softly. "You okay?" he asked, walking towards her. She felt more tears fall down her face as she felt the cool metal of his hand touched her back. She turned her face away from him and walked to her closet, once again wiping her face.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, shakily, "I'm just gonna get dressed and then go out for a bit." She dug through her closet before settling on a sun dress and strappy sandals. She felt his prescence rather than heard him walk up. He was an ex-assassin after all.

"Let me shower and I'll come with you," he said, voice cheerful, though inside his mind he was troubled.

"That's okay," Lila said, "I just thought I would grab Nat or Pepper. I'm feeling like some girl time." She barely held back a sob. Bucky was slightly hurt but didn't push the issue. He stepped forward, his arms snaking around her waist and he buried his face in her neck, planting a few kisses there.

"Alright, if that's what you want, Doll," he said, feeling the ever so slight tremors of her body as she tried to hold back her tears. He was tearing apart inside; he wanted to fix what was wrong so badly. When she was upset, it hurt him almost more than it did her because he knew it wasn't something physical that he could fix or protect her from. The only person who could protect Lila from herself was Lila. He just wished that she could see herself the way he saw her. Then there wouldn't be anything to fix.

He reluctantly let her go. His instincts told him to hold her forever, but he knew that wasn't what she needed. Originally, his plan had been to shower and then spend the afternoon cuddling and relaxing with Lila. Right now though, he needed to blow off some steam, think. So, he headed to the gym.

He had been hitting a bag for a good 30 minutes or so before he heard the door open and someone walked in. He glanced in the direction of the door, seeing Clint eye him curiously.

"We just got back from a rather intense mission," Clint said, watching Bucky pound the punching bag with a vengeance. "I thought you were gonna just chill with Lila this afternoon." Bucky heaved a sigh, grabbing the bag, to make it stop swinging.

"That was the plan," he said, panting slightly. "I went into her room when we got back to tell her hi, get a kiss, whatever, ya know?" Bucky jerked a hand through his hair. "When I stepped in the doorway, she was standing in front of the mirror in her underwear, arms wrapped around herself, crying." Clint's face softened. "I don't know why she's so self-conscious. And I don't know what to do!" Bucky's voice was raising slightly. "I constantly tell her how beautiful, gorgeous, pretty, she is, ya know? And it's like it doesn't comprehend with her or she thinks that I don't mean it. She's hurting and I don't know how to fix it. Some creep hits on her in a bar, she gets a cut or a scratch, she has a nightmare and doesn't want to sleep alone, that I can fix. But this?" Bucky hit the bag so hard it flew across the room into the wall. He crouched down resting on his heels his hands raking through his hair again.

Clint knelt down next to him, surprised to see the formerly emotionless killer's eyes watering and red rimmed. Bucky looked at Clint. "I just want to fix it. I don't want her to hurt anymore. If she could just see how I see her she would understand." A tear slid down his cheek. "But I don't know how to show her." Clint had been already with some advice, thinking this was something new, but then realized the couple must have been dealing with this for a while. "She doesn't share a bed with me anymore unless she's scared." He whispered, sounding defeated. "She barely lets me touch her anymore. And I mean stuff like holding her hand, kissing her cheek, touching her hair. I wonder sometimes if I did something to make her feel like I didn't think she was good enough."

The Soldier had made himself comfortable on the floor, so Clint followed suit. "You know I don't think that right?" he said, basically just talking into the universe now. He had almost forgotten that Clint was there. "She's an angel. I definitely don't fucking deserve her, especially if I can't make her see how special she is." Another tear slid down his cheek. "She's my world," he whispered, "And she can't see that."

Clint felt distraught. His friends were both upset and he couldn't do anything about it. He could tell Bucky that it had nothing to do with him, but he would never believe him. He had seen Bucky with Lila and knew that she was treated like a goddess. The Ex-Assassin practically worshipped the ground she walked on. Not to say that this was her fault either. From what he gathered from Nat and Peppers conversations with Lila, she had been a bit chubby in high school and was relentlessly made fun of by her peers. For years, she had had it beat into her head that she was worthless, not good enough, ugly, fat. She finally had someone who couldn't and wouldn't live without her and she just couldn't believe that anyone would want her out of anything other than pity.

Bucky stood up and muttered, "I'm gonna go make some dinner." And exited the gym.

Bucky had showered and was preparing food for Lila and he when he heard the elevator open up on their floor. He turned around and saw Lila walk into the living room. He smiled at her tentatively, putting up his mask.

"Hey, Love," he said, putting the food on plates. "I made dinner." He turned and felt his heart wrench at her puffy, red rimmed eyes from where she had obviously been crying. She tucked some hair behind her ear.

"I, um, I already ate with Pep and Nat," She said, not meeting his eyes. Bucky had set the plates on the table. "I'm actually kinda tired, I think I'm just gonna go to bed." And shuffled off to her room. Bucky raked his hand down his face, sighing. He sat down, alone, at the table and ate in silence. His phone was sitting next to him and he noticed the screen light up. A message from Nat.

Nat: You guys hungry? We made spaghetti.

Bucky: You mean you guys didn't eat while you were out?

Nat: No. Why would I invite you for dinner if we had already eaten?

Bucky took a deep breath and slammed his fist down on the table. Damn it! He got up and stalked over to her room. Normally, he was polite and knocked before he went into her room but this time he just flung to door open. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why, Lila?" he asked, "Why would you lie to me?"

"What are you talking about?" she asked. He tossed his phone on her bed. She picked it up and read the messages before sighing.

"Please, Lila, come eat," he said. She picked at the bedspread.

"I don't want to," she said. He looked at her worry evident on his face.

"Lila please," he said, a sob cracking his voice. "I don't know what to do!" He yelled she looked up and seemed shocked to see tears in eyes, even as he yelled. "For God's sake, Lila, you can't not eat. It's not healthy!" he was pacing the floor, hands on his head in a panic. "Where did I go wrong? Where did you get the idea that I don't think you are perfect the way you are? God, you just don't realize it, do you?" She was staring at him wide eyed. "Lila, I love you. You're beautiful and I miss you. I miss you so much. I just wish you would let me hold you and love you again. I wish I could fix this but I can't. I just…I can't! I…I know I messed up somehow, but I'm really trying." He was on his knees next to the bed, tears streaming down his face. "Just…let me make it up to you. Tell me what I did. Whatever it was, I'm so sorry. I don't fucking deserve you, Lila, not even a little bit, but I will keep you for as long as you'll let me." She was in shock. His voice lowered and wavered. "Please just tell me what to do, I'll do it. Whatever you ask, I just want you back." Lila didn't know what to think. She had no idea that he thought her problems were his fault. She felt fresh tears run down her cheeks.

"Bucky…" she said, sliding down into the floor in front of him, "Bucky, I…you didn't do anything…" she reached up and wipe the tears from his cheeks only for them to be replaced by more. He closed his eyes and leaned his face into her hand.

"I can't believe that," he said, grabbing her hands with his and holding them, scared she would pull away again. "Lila, I'm your boyfriend, I'm supposed to make you feel like a princess. Because you are. You are my world, Lila. I wish I could make you understand that." Bucky had her face in his right hand, brushing her cheek with his thumb.

"Bucky," Lila said, wrapping her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his neck and felt his arms wrap around her waist holding her as close as possible. She had no idea what to say. She had been so worried about herself and the way she thought, apparently incorrectly, she looked to him that she didn't realize what it was doing to Bucky. "I'm so sorry, Bucky, I had no idea," she tried to lean back, so she could look him in the face but she felt his arms lock, not letting her move.

"Please don't push me away again," Bucky whispered. She could almost hear the tears in his voice, "I can't lose you." She put her hands on his face and he loosened his hold…slightly. He looked so scared. She pressed her lips to his and felt him relax and he deepened the kiss, his arms pulling her tight against him again.

They talked for a good, long time that night. They both still had some insecurities cause that doesn't go away overnight, but they had agreed to talk about them when they came up instead of pushing each other away. When they finally went to bed, they both shared Lila's bed. As soon as they had laid down, Bucky had grabbed Lila and pulled her body flush with his, his arms wrapping securely around her waist. She turned in his arms so they were facing each other, their noses touching.

"I love you, Bucky," she said, her arms sliding around his back. He smiled at her.

"I love you, too, doll," he said. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips before she tucked her head under his chin, her cheek pressing against his shoulder. Bucky sighed contentedly as sleep overtook the couple.

The next morning when Bucky woke up, he blinked and realized Lila wasn't there. He had a moment of panic and jumped out of the bed heading toward the kitchen. He entered and saw Lila had pulled on his robe and was making coffee, she turned and set two coffee cups on the table and jumped a little when she saw him.

"You can't keep sneaking up on me like that," she scolded, "Jeez, make a little noise when you come into a room, huh?" He walked over to her pressing a kiss to the top of her head and wrapping her in his arms.

"Sorry," he grinned, happy that he could hold her again, "Old habits."

"Just try to work on it," she said, leaning into him briefly.

"If I don't, does that make me a bad boy?" he teased, "Would I have to be punished?" he waggled his eyebrows at her as she rolled her eyes. She pushed on his chest gently.

"Go back to bed, I'm bringing our coffee in there." She said. He let her go but only after a long kiss that she felt in her toes. She smiled up at him and admired his bare back as he walked back to her room.

Once she had their coffee, she carried them into her room and handed them over to Bucky. He had been sitting up on his phone but put it away when he noticed her at the door. She climbed onto the bed and laid back against his chest. She grabbed her cup from him and he snaked his arm around her middle, nuzzling his face in her hair.

Bucky hummed in her hair. "I will definitely be getting used to this." She looked up at him smiling.

"Me too," she said. Just then JARVIS spoke.

"Sergeant Barnes, Mr. Stark has requested everyone's presence in the main living quarters." Bucky frowned not wanting to move from his current position.

"Tell him I said go to hell," Bucky said. Lila giggled but got up.

"Ignore him JARVIS. We'll be there in a few minutes." She told the AI. Bucky dropped his head against the headboard and groaned.

"Very well Miss Lila," JARVIS said.

"Now why would you do that Lila? I was comfy," Bucky whined. She stuck her head out from the closet where she was currently looking for something to wear.

"Just to annoy you," she deadpanned.

"Well it worked," he muttered. Bucky got up and walked over to the closet and stood in the doorway still wearing the jeans he had put on after the gym yesterday. He grinned as he took in her nearly naked form. She was currently wearing black lacey panties and a matching bra. "Well," he said from behind her making her jump. She whirled around glaring at him, her face turning red.

"I told you to stop sneaking up on me," she said, as his eyes raked over her body.

"I can't help myself, doll, you're just so cute when you get mad." He took a few steps closer as she pulled a dress from a hanger. She went to pull it over her head but he snatched it from her hand before she could pull it down. He set it to the side as he slid a finger along her panty line and thigh. He grinned at the blush creeping up her neck. "I haven't seen these before." He pressed a kiss behind her ear, feeling her shiver as his metal hand ran lightly along her spine. "I like them," he whispered in her ear. He turned her to face him and kissed her deeply, arms wrapping around her back pulling her flush to him. She pulled back giving him a stern look.

"Bucky, we have to get dressed and meet everyone in the living room." She said as she reached into a drawer behind her and shoved a shirt into his chest. He groaned.

"Babe, you're killing me," he said. She took the opportunity to pull her dress over her head and selected some sandals to put on. Bucky looked at the shirt. "Where did you get this from?"He asked. "I've been looking for this forever." Before she could stop him, he opened the drawer she had pulled the shirt from open, his eyebrow raising at finding it full of his shirts. "So that's why I always have to buy new shirts," he chuckled looking over at her. She looked back at him defiantly.

"They're comfy and smell like you,"she said, "They're comforting when you're gone on a mission." She stated a bit more quietly. He smiled and pulled the shirt over his head.

"You can take my shirts anytime,"he said, laying his right arm over her shoulders as they walked to the elevator. "Just maybe put a few back sometimes?"

Everyone was waiting on them as they stepped off the elevator. Lila had in twined the fingers of her right hand with his hand that was currently at her shoulder. Clint smiled as he took in their relaxed posture. He wasn't sure what had gone on the night before but he was glad they seemed to have worked out their problems.

"So I guess you were all wondering why I gathered you here this morning." Tony said as Bucky and Lila sat in the recliner. "I have some very important news about Pepper and I." He paused and took a breath. Everyone was staring at him. Nat and Lila shared a look. Pepper hadn't mentioned anything wrong with her and Tony. "I just wanted to let you guys know we are still very much in love." Everyone was still looking at him.

"And?" Steve asked. Tony had started looking at his phone and looked back up.

"I'm sorry?" Tony asked, everyone looked at him expectantly. "Oh that was all." Everyone groaned but Bucky was glaring. He stood up picking Lila up as he went.

"You interrupted primo cuddle time for that? Go to hell, Stark." Bucky said heading for the elevator as Lila tried to hide her giggles. Everyone had left Tony in the room smiling and looking pleased with himself.