Ruth woke bright and early on Saturday morning. She showered and dressed. Not knowing what the day might hold, she put on jeans and a casual blouse and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She switched her purse to a crossbody bag and headed out the door for Stark Tower.

She stepped out of the elevator on their floor right at 7:30 and saw Steve step out their door. He spotted her coming down the hall and called,

"Hey Ruth."

"Hi Steve. Heading out?"

"Sparring match with Natasha downstairs."

"Ah. Well have fun with that. Don't let her completely kick your ass."

Steve let out a bark of laughter causing Ruth to grin. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Have a good day, Ruthie."

"You too, Cap."

Steve headed down the hall and Ruth stepped into the apartment and called out as she hung her purse by the door,

"Good morning Sarge!"

"Good morning darlin'! I'm in the kitchen."

Ruth rounded the corner to find Bucky at the stove. She walked over and stood on her tip toes to place a kiss on his cheek.

"There's coffee in the pot. I'm almost done if you want to have a seat at the table, I'll be there in a minute."

Ruth poured herself some coffee and couldn't help the smile when she found creamer in the fridge. She took a seat at the set table and watched Bucky finish cooking and plating up the eggs, bacon and toast. As they enjoyed breakfast, Ruth asked what the plan was for the day and they decided to take a ride and spend the morning at the Historical Society once it opened.

When they'd finished eating and cleaned up Ruth took her coffee cup and sat in the chair by the window. It had become her spot when she spent time at their apartment. It had the second-best view in the apartment. Bucky sat on the end of the couch across from her and studied her a moment while her focus was out the window. She had a peaceful, relaxed air about her and Bucky was grateful once again that she felt like that in his presence.

They were immersed in a conversation about a new project Ruth was working on when Steve came in. He joined them and took a seat on the couch with Bucky. They talked about their plans for the day and Ruth's upcoming trip to Chicago to see her best friend.

Ruth and Bucky spent all morning wandering hand in hand through the museum. Ruth truly was lover of history and their two quite different perspectives on the events of history sparked fascinating conversations that took them all the way through lunch and back to Bucky's apartment. They ordered take away for dinner and evening found them on the couch watching a movie.

Ruth was snuggled up against Bucky's left side and he had his arm draped over her shoulder, hand resting on her hip. As the credits rolled on the movie, Ruth turned her head to look up at Bucky and said,

"Random question."

"Hmm."

"Are you right or left handed?"

Bucky looked down at her in question. She sat up and kneeled facing him.

"I was just thinking…your left arm is super strong, for obvious reasons, but were you right hand dominant before and are you still? Cuz like, for the average person our dominant hand is stronger because we use it more but you are in a unique position."

Bucky just chuckled.

"I am right hand dominant but yeah…"

In one quick movement, he leaned over and slid his left arm under her legs where her butt was propped on her heels and lifted her up. She let out a startled squeak as she was lifted in the air and then landed straddling his lap with a breathy laugh.

"…the left is a lot stronger."

The smirk on Bucky's face and the being manhandled caused a blush to bloom on Ruth's cheeks and heat to settle in her gut. Her hands settled on his shoulders to steady herself and his rested on her hips. He looked up at her and his voice was quiet,

"Come here."

She leaned down and kissed him. She sat down on his thighs and let her hands find their way into his hair. Sitting on his lap put her just a little taller than him so, with her hand in his hair, she gave a little tug to coax his head to tip back. The moan that rumbled in his chest made Ruth pull back and look at him. His blue eyes opened and stared into her soul. A smirk slowly spread across Ruth's lips, her brown eyes, sparkling with mischief, stayed locked on Bucky's as she tugged on his hair again. His eyes closed briefly but snapped back open and gave her a glare,

"You're playing a dangerous game, darlin'."

"Am I?"

She leaned in and kissed the side of his neck up to just below his ear then whispered,

"What do I win?"

Bucky's right hand gripped the back of her neck and pulled her back to kiss her hard. His left hand slid under her butt and he stood off the couch with no effort and started to walk for his bedroom. He kicked the door closed and pressed Ruth's back against it and pulled back from her lips. He waited for her to open her eyes then, his voice rough and low asked,

"Ruth, we can stop or we can keep going but I need to know if you are ok with…"

"Yes Bucky. I want you. Please."

Bucky captured her lips again and Ruth buried her fingers in his hair. He lowered her back to the ground and both hands made their way up her body. His left hand slipped under her shirt to skim the soft skin along her hip and lower back and his right hand slid up her back and pulled her ponytail gently to coax her head back. He proceeded to kiss a line down her neck and collar bone. Ruth untangled her hands from his hair and slipped them under the hem of his shirt and started to push it up over his abs.

Bucky stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head for Ruth. Before he even had a chance to let any doubts settle in his mind Ruth had stepped forward and her hands began to wander up from his abs over the dips and planes of his chest. They ghosted over the scars on his left shoulder and settled behind his neck and she pulled him down for a kiss. After a moment, she pulled back just enough to whisper,

"Do you have any idea how damn hot you are?"

Bucky couldn't help the laugh that slipped out. He stared at her as she pulled her shirt over her head and kicked her socks off, just marveling silently at how at ease she made him. She reached for his belt buckle and caught his eye. The look she gave him was begging for permission and he just grinned and reached for her hips, lifting her up, he turned and tossed her onto the bed. A squeak and laugh escaped her lips as she bounced on the plush surface. Bucky stripped out of his jeans and climbed on the bed to straddle her legs as she propped herself on her elbows. He undid the button and zipper on her jeans then scooted off the bed as he shimmied them down her legs. He tossed them aside then left a trail of hot kisses up her legs as he crawled back over her. She tossed her bra in the general direction of the rest of their clothes and Bucky paused over her to appreciate her in all her naked glory.

Ruth felt a hot flush creep over her chest and up her neck under Bucky's unabashed gaze. He finally met her eyes and leaned close,

"You are stunning."

The blush bloomed over her cheeks and her whole body heated as he kissed her. The noises Ruth made as Bucky loved on her were intoxicating and drove him on late into the night.

Ruth woke a few hours later. The room was dark and it took her a moment to figure out what had woken her. Then she heard Bucky's voice and felt him moving next to her. She rolled over to find him tossing and talking in his sleep. She couldn't make out the words but the tone didn't sound good. He sounded like he was in pain. It was clearly a nightmare and knowing his past, that was a truly horrifying thought.

She sat up and quietly repeated his name, hoping to draw him gently from the nightmare. He stopped talking after a moment but continued to thrash slightly. Ruth repeated his name and slipped her hand into his right hand. That did the trick. His eyes shot open, he sat up straight and his eyes searched the dark room. Ruth squeezed his hand and whispered,

"Bucky."

He turned and locked eyes with Ruth. His shoulders sagged immediately, and he dropped his head as though he was ashamed or defeated. Ruth reached out with her free hand and gently stroked his cheek then tipped his chin up to look at her again.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"What? No."

Her thumb gently stroked across the stubble along his jaw. Then leaned over and kissed him once.

"Are you ok?"

She asked again. He just nodded.

"I have nightmares…or memories…I'm not sure."

"I'm not surprised. You've endured more trauma and abuse than any normal person could ever be expected to survive. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You tell me what I can do to help."

"You're not scared of me?"

"No. Why would I be?"

"I'm a monster."

"James Buchanan Barnes you are not. You were a victim. You are a survivor. You are a good man."

Bucky visibly relaxed and laid back against the pillow. Ruth followed him and snuggled up against his side, her head resting on his shoulder. His arm curled around her, securing her to his side. He turned and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Bucky."