Her lips felt hot against his, her fingers tugging his hair and pulling him closer. His hand pressed firmly against her low back, drawing her to him. He could hear her pulse rising, feel his own temperature elevating. He wanted to let go completely, but he could hear the groan of the counter as his metal hand clenched, hear it clicking as he tried to keep it away from her. He abruptly stopped, pulling away before anything could go wrong.
"I'm sorry. I - I should go." he said, moving away so fast that she almost fell from her perch on the kitchen island. Her shoulders fell, her eyes looking defeated, rejected. He wanted to curse himself - what would be worse, hurting her physically or hurting her emotionally? He couldn't look at her any more, turning and going towards the door.
"Please stay." she whispered, so quiet he wasn't sure she meant for him to hear it. He stopped in his tracks, hand barely resting against the door. He hung his head for a moment, trying to calm his speeding heart.
"It's late. You should get some rest." he said softly. He heard her as she hopped down off the island and came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle and resting her head against him.
"I want you to stay with me." she whispered. He sighed, shaking his head.
"I'm afraid to hurt you." he replied, his tone still low and quiet. The risk was too great, he wouldn't take it.
"There doesn't have to be any funny business. I just want to fall asleep next to you." she murmured. He paused. Without the pressure of anything more on the table, he found himself considering it.
"Sometimes I have nightmares. They can get…violent." he warned her. He didn't know what actions he performed in his sleep, but he knew he'd woken up multiple times to torn sheets.
"I'm a very heavy sleeper." she said, hugging him tighter. "Please, Bucky. I just want to be with you."
He turned around in her embrace, his hand going to her cheek. She looked so sweetly at him, so hopeful. He should have known as soon as he turned around that her eyes would make him crumble.
"I don't have pajamas." he said, this time his tone lighter, teasing. She grinned, her hands running over his shoulders.
"I think I may have a shirt that I stole from you." she said, grasping his flannel and pulling him toward the bedroom.