After training the next day, Bucky and Chloe were back on the roof. Bucky looked out over the city while Chloe lay on a lounger. She stared at him for a while before she worked up the nerve to ask.
"Did you carry me to bed last night?"
"You fell asleep while I was reading. I tried to wake you, but I guess you were too tired."
"Thank you."
"No big deal."
"Bucky... I have a confession."
Bucky turned to give her his full attention, and she sat up.
"When I read your arm, I told Sam I couldn't read anything from you... but that wasn't entirely true."
"What do you mean? I thought your power didn't do that?"
"It doesn't. Not usually. I don't know, maybe it's because the arm is a part of you... but when I first touched your hand, I felt a jolt of pain. It was right around my shoulder. Anyway, I'm not trying to pry or anything. We've just come a long way with trust, and I didn't want to keep that from you."
Bucky nodded. He sat next to her on the lounger and took her hand in his metal one.
"You feel it again?"
"No. I've touched your arm training, too, and I didn't feel it. It was just that first time, and just for a second. Were you hurt that day?"
"No. I think, maybe, you felt the pain of when I got the arm. You said you can see how things are made when you touch them. The arm was fused to me. There was a lot of pain after... and during."
She laced her fingers through his metal ones and squeezed.
"I'm so sorry."
Bucky stared at their joined hands. After a moment, he glanced up into her eyes, then pulled away.
"What's done is done." He walked toward the edge of the roof. "Why don't we take tomorrow off. You've been working hard. Take a break."
"But we just started without the gloves. Shouldn't we keep going?"
"You don't want the break?"
"No, I want to knock you down again."
Bucky smiled. "All right. How about this? Tony built a few ball courts into this place."
"I suck at all sports."
Chloe laughed, and Bucky smiled.
"All?"
"Well... I did ok with basketball in my high school gym class."
"Basketball is good. It's a workout, and it's fun. You up for it?"
Chloe squinted at him. "I'm not too sure about this guy who likes to relax and have fun. Where's the brooder?"
A grin played over Bucky's lips. "I wasn't always the Winter Soldier, you know. Before the war... I had fun a lot. Even a little during the war."
"Well, this I have to see. Basketball it is. Just don't be upset if I seriously injure you or myself."
Bucky played basketball the same way he fought. His movements were planned and tightly executed. Chloe, on the other hand, flailed around trying to steal the ball, which never happened. She growled every time he sunk a shot, but they both laughed as they played. Chloe stumbled a few times, but never fell, which was a reason to celebrate all on its own.
Chloe managed to grab the ball, but Bucky still had a tight grip on it, and they stayed locked in a struggle. They both laughed, demanding that the other let go. Neither would give, though Chloe knew Bucky could easily take it from her.
Steve wandered in. "Here you are. What are you doing?"
Bucky let go of the ball, and Chloe shouted, "Yes! Mine!"
Bucky shook his head. "We decided to have some fun today."
"Yeah, I checked the gym and the training room for you."
"Sorry. What's up?"
"Banner's here. He wants an outside opinion on Chloe's abilities. You've been working with her closer than anyone else, so you should talk to him."
"All right, let's go."
"I'll hang here with Chloe."
Chloe rested the ball on her hip. "I don't get in on this conversation?"
"Not this one."
"You guys want to make sure I'm stable, right? That's pretty funny coming from Banner."
"Chloe." Bucky's eyes connected with hers and she backed off. "I'll be back in a while."
Chloe threw the ball at him. He caught it and tossed it to Steve. Steve waited until Bucky was gone before addressing Chloe.
"You got something against Banner?"
"No. I'm just so frustrated that I'm not in full control of my ability."
"Bucky told me you were improving."
"I am, but you've worked with me. I'm my own worst critic."
Steve tossed the ball to Chloe. "How about I fill in for Bucky?"
They played a casual game, and Chloe was able to score a few points.
"You're letting me score."
Steve shrugged. "It's just for fun, right?"
"Ha. Tell that to the Sarge."
"Bucky?"
"He never let me near the basket."
Steve laughed. "He always was competitive. You two seem to be getting along well, though."
"I took your advice... got to know him. He's a good guy."
"I hate to say 'I told you so', but..."
"Yeah, I know."
"Bucky would probably kill me if he heard me say this, but this has been good for him."
"What do you mean?"
"I know he's helping you, but you're helping him, too. Bucky has been more like the old Bucky. The Bucky before HYDRA. He's laughing more. Goofing around more." He tossed the ball up in the air and caught it again. "He's playing basketball." Steve smiled.
"He's still pretty closed off. We could be having fun and he kind of freezes up if someone else comes in. Except you."
"That says a lot about what he thinks about you."
Chloe smiled. "Yeah, I guess it does."
Bucky came back onto the court and grabbed the ball from Steve.
"Did you two play?"
"Sure did. And Steve actually allowed me to score, like a gentleman."
"You mean like a punk."
"Hey," Steve said. "I prefer 'gentleman.'"
"Yeah, I'm sure you do."
Chloe cleared her throat. "So, uh... what did Banner want?"
"Well, it wasn't to see if you're stable. He's interested in how your ability developed. He and Tony are still researching the science of what was done to you. He thinks keeping track of your progress might help them understand how it works."
"And I couldn't be there for that?"
"He was worried I might not be completely honest with you there."
"And were you completely honest?"
"I was."
"Do you want to share that honesty with me?"
Bucky smiled, but stood in front of her and crossed his arms. He was close enough that she had to look up a little.
"Anything I said to them I've said to you. Seriously, Chloe, I thought you trusted me?"
"I do, but knowing people are talking about you in another room can make a person paranoid."
"Nothing to be paranoid about. I promise."
