Chapter 29: Whatever and Whoever
The morning was cold and grey, but the bed was warm and comfortable. He opened his eyes, and for once he felt well rested. There were no nightmares that night, and something told him there hadn't been for a long time. The early light seemed to make everything muted and quiet, the hardwood floors looking darker and the white sheets dim and soft. It all reminded him of a house he visited once upstate. He rolled over to see his companion still asleep, curled up on her side with her back to him. He couldn't quite tell what time the clock said it was, but he knew it was almost time for them to get up. He shifted over, carefully gathering her dark hair with one hand and twisting it all together. He laid down behind her, gently tracing his fingertips down her arm, taking in the warmth of her skin. Her breathing changed as his hand came to rest at her hip, his thumb rubbing the area just above the waistband of her underwear. As he pressed a kiss to her shoulder, she reached up and intertwined their fingers, pulling so that his arm was wrapped around her.
"Morning." she mumbled. If he lifted his head just a little bit, he could see the morning sunlight glinting off the ring on her finger. The sight still gave him a warm feeling behind his sternum.
"Good morning." he whispered back, kissing her shoulder again and shifting closer to her. She giggled as he pulled her flush against his chest, holding her tightly.
"Someone's feeling very awake this morning." she commented, and he let out a huff of a laugh at her insinuation.
"Physiology. Can't help it." he said lightly, kissing up her shoulder to her neck as she laughed again.
"Full of shit." she sighed, turning over so she was finally facing him. She slipped her arms around his neck, drawing him close to kiss him fully. She sweet scent of flowers mingled with the taste of her lips, the warmth of her skin overwhelming his senses as she rolled to pull him onto her.
He didn't know how much time passed before they actually got out of bed, her lazily sauntering to the restroom as he went to the kitchen to make coffee. He knew they needed breakfast, but that could wait. Coffee was more important. He poured the sweet caffeine into matching floral mugs, carefully mixing in sugar and milk to one of them. He'd just finished stirring when she joined him, taking her cup with a warm smile.
They sat on a swing on the front porch, her legs resting comfortably across his lap. The grass was incredibly green, and the landscape reminded him of upstate again. They were quiet for a long time, time which seemed to pass at half speed. Or maybe it had simply stopped altogether. She shifted slightly, getting his attention.
"Think we could have a family out here?" she asked. Her tone was curious, hypothetical. She didn't push for anything. She never pushed.
"I think we can do whatever you want out here." he replied, taking a sip from his coffee. It tasted familiar, though he wasn't sure where he had it before. She smiled again, changing her position so that she was instead resting her chin on his shoulder.
"But what do you want?" she asked. Again, simple and non-judgmental curiosity. He turned to her, her doe eyes gazing up at him as she waited for his answer.
"I just want to be with you." he said. She grinned, kissing him once more before resting against him. He pressed his lips to the top of her head before resting his cheek against it. Flowers once again surrounded him as he gazed out over their little kingdom. Happiness, that was what this felt like.
Bucky woke with a start, but not the panicked, aggressive start that he was used to. He didn't fly into a seated position, or roll off his mattress to hide behind the couch. He wasn't sweating, or panting, or tearing at his sheets. No, as he sat up and looked around his dark and gloomy apartment, he didn't feel the alarm that accompanied his nightmares or the nostalgia that surrounded his dreams that may or may not be memories from his time Before. Confusion was the main feeling, he could figure that much out as he ran his hands through his hair. The cool metal actually felt kind of nice against his hot skin. But there was something else there, a kind of wistful longing that he hadn't felt in a long time.
He missed Mika. He missed his best friend.
He couldn't remember the last time he actually missed someone. If he thought about it, the feelings seemed familiar when he thought of Steve in their time with the Commandos. But that had to be a different kind of miss - after all, Steve was right there with him. Just different. He knew at one point he missed his parents, missed his sister, but the sensations were so far removed that he had trouble actually perceiving them. This felt real, and whole, and a little bit painful. Based on his dream (however over the top it was), the emotions ran so deep that they were actually affecting his subconscious. He didn't like it.
It had been almost a week since he'd seen or talked to her after that fateful night at the pub. After much reflection and a little bit of internet searching, he'd decided that his approach that night had not been the correct one. He got up, grabbing his journal and sitting down on his couch. He idly flipped through the pages, trying to find any information that could help him. What he needed was an apology. Next door, he could hear her up and moving around her apartment; her footsteps were their normal volume, so she must be home by herself. She didn't turn her music or television on immediately, which meant she was not feeling her best. And that was probably at least partially his fault.
What he needed was coffee and pastries.
He quickly dressed, nearly forgetting to tuck his left hand into a glove before leaving the apartment. He made quick work of the stairs and set off with a purpose to the bakery around the corner. He wasn't sure what time they opened in the morning, but he hoped that it was early enough. Luckily, the lights were on and the door unlocked when he arrived, the middle aged woman giving him a warm smile as he entered.
"You're out early." she commented, already filling up his customary cup of coffee. Across the room, her teenage son was dousing warm cinnamon buns in frosting, his eyes half closed as he performed his task.
"Just a bit earlier than usual." he replied, taking the cup from her. He stayed her hand as she went to punch the numbers into the register. "I'll be expanding my order slightly. A pumpkin spice latte, and a few of those." he said, gesturing to the cinnamon buns. She smiled knowingly, going to place them in a box.
"Have some points you need to make, huh? What did you do?" she asked, closing the box and tying an unnecessary pink ribbon around the outside of it.
"Doesn't matter. I've learned my lesson." he said, taking the box from her and handing her a few lei. She gave him a pointed look, measuring out his change and handing it back to him.
"That's a good lad. The woman is always right." she told him. He gave her a brief glare, not vocalizing a response before taking the second cup of coffee and carefully balancing it amongst all his parcels. She gave him a cheeky grin and a wave. "Have a wonderful day!"
"You as well." he said, turning and exiting the shop. He hoped that Mika would still be home when he returned; he didn't know why she was up this early, as she usually didn't get to work until mid morning on Fridays. He could feel the warmth of the cinnamon buns through the box as he walked back to the apartments, the first winds of autumn starting to circle through the city. As he walked, he ran through various possible conversations in his head, trying to decide exactly what to say. Sure, he'd apologized for a few things over the past two years since his escape, but this was another animal entirely. He'd not had to repair a personal relationship in a few decades.
He took the stairs two at a time, trying to reach the top landing faster. He paused once he did, trying to listen through Mika's door. Her television was on, but it wasn't playing the news or the early morning variety shows. It was playing that baking program, her comfort show. He could faintly hear the violins. He went through his options once more in his head before stepping up to her door and knocking. Time seemed to slow as he waited for her to come to the door, his heart thumping painfully as he heard her pause for a long while before opening it. Her expression looked hopeful, but her posture was still slightly defensive, closed off. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to speak first.
"May I come in?" he asked, his mouth suddenly dry and his voice raspy. He cleared his throat, looking away for just a moment before returning his eyes to hers. She eyed the box in his hand.
"Depends. What do you have in there?" she asked lowly, trying to cover up her hesitation with vague humor. He held it out to her, but she did not take it.
"Cinnamon buns. Still warm." he said, and she waited a long time before plucking the box from his hand. He noticed she was careful not to touch him.
"Very well, access granted." she said, turning and going inside her apartment and leaving it up to him to follow. She was trying to keep her tone clinical, but he could hear it waver. Perhaps she was as nervous about this as he was. She went to the far side of the kitchen island, keeping an eye on him as he settled across from her. Her expression alternated between cool indifference and looking like she wanted to cry again. She was trying to be tough, but she was failing.
"I owe you an apology." he said softly, reaching across the island to put her coffee in front of her. He had many things in his life that he needed to atone for, and this was one he could most readily strike from his list. Her face softened, and she held the cup between her hands, trying to soak in its warmth. She shook her head.
"No you don't. I'm the one who should be apologizing. You were just trying to help." she said, taking a sip and dropping her gaze to the cup.
"But I'm sorry for how I went about it. I should have…" he thought for a moment before laughing. "I don't know what I should have done instead, but I know it should have been something different."
She finally smiled then, letting out a soft chuckle. "Perhaps. But I've not been a good friend these past few weeks. I'm sorry for that. And I'm sorry for snapping at you when you were trying to be helpful."
He paused for a long minute, a question burning a hole in the front of his mind. He took a deep breath, deciding now was as good a time as any. "Can I ask you something?"
"I think that's only fair." she said carefully, but she couldn't hide her tension. He remembered how quickly she became defensive last time, how she was probably prepared for the worst from him. He tried to think of the best way to phrase his thoughts.
"No judgment, but I'm curious," he paused. The phrase felt weird on his lips, but he knew from context in her shows that he'd used it correctly. He also meant it, but that was beside the point. "Everyone says that Dominic has wronged you in the past. And that they worry about you. Why stay with him?"
"Have you ever had that moment where everyone is telling you not to do something, so it makes you want to do the thing, just out of spite?" she asked, giving him a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Her normal sass was not as strong. He thought of his training, and how it still tried to give him orders that he chose to blatantly ignore. He nodded, encouraging her to continue; yes, he knew the feeling of which she spoke. Her smile faded, and she looked back down at her cup, turning it in her hands. "He wasn't always like this. He used to be very sweet, and caring, and God could he make me laugh...he was there for me at a very difficult time in my life, when I thought I had no one. I think I just always hope that that's who he's going to be again. I've always believed in second chances, but I think his might have run out. What do you think?"
Oh, no. This was way out of his wheelhouse. Friendship with Mika? Natural. Easy. Things felt normal with her. Her romantic relationships? Too many unknown variables, too many different stimuli and outcomes. Nope. He racked his brain, trying to come up with a proper response. "Does he make you happy?" That was a safe question. Romantic relationships were supposed to make one happy. He was certain that was not something that had gone out of style in the past seventy years.
Well, he thought it was an easy question, but Mika was silent for a very long time. She put her face in her hands, hiding her eyes as she contemplated. He sipped his coffee, giving her ample time to respond. After what felt like an hour, she ran her hands through her hair and looked up at him, blinking back tears. When she finally spoke, it was barely above a whisper. "No. He doesn't." She let out a heavy sigh. "I have to break up with him, don't I?"
Again, another question that he was not qualified to answer. Her words from however many months ago came to him then: I can't complete the puzzle if I don't have all the pieces. He didn't have all the pieces here. So, he did the next best thing he could think of: support. "Do whatever is best for you. But remember, you deserve happiness."
She stood up straight then, her brows furrowed as if surprised by his answer. "What?" she asked. He shrugged. He thought his answer was concise and distinct, but perhaps he needed to expand it.
"You are the only one who has all the information. So you are the only one who knows what the best move is." he replied. It seemed obvious to him, but Mika looked like the puzzle was suddenly much more complicated.
"Didn't realize I had that much power." she said, sounding awed. He laughed, shaking his head.
"You're a smart girl. You can do whatever - and whoever - you want. So trust me, do whatever makes you happy. You'll always have me in your corner." he joked, and her face split into a bright smile. There she was. She moved around the island, extending her arms out to him for a hug. She wrapped them tightly around his neck, and he hesitated for just a moment before circling his around her waist. He was surrounded by the scent of flowers and the hint of holiday spices, and he sighed into her hair as he pulled her just a little bit closer. Yes, he'd missed her more than he realized.
"I'm sorry for being so awful, Bucky." she mumbled, her voice muffled by his shoulder. He thought of rubbing her back, but refrained. The gesture felt too intimate, and he didn't want to overstep while she was feeling vulnerable. Their relationship was repaired, and he was sure there would be plenty of time to demonstrate affection at a later date.
"Water under the bridge, Little Bird." he murmured, pulling back and giving her a smile. She put her hands on his cheeks, and for a moment he thought she was going to kiss him again. But instead she moved away, going to the counter and slicing bread to go in the toaster. He found himself feeling the slightest bit of disappointment, but that quickly dissipated when he realized that the toast was breakfast for him. Now that the anxiety of the conversation had passed, he noticed that he was very hungry. It felt just as it had before, except somehow like they were closer, their bond stronger. He meant what he said; he would be in her corner, if she ever needed him. Mika had helped him and supported him in ways that she would never know. Even though his attachment and affection went against everything that had been forced into his mind the past few decades, he no longer fought it. What was it he and Steve used to say all the time? Til the end of the line. He hadn't felt this loyal to someone in a long time.
The feeling continued to the next morning as they made their way to the gym. The air was cool and fresh, telling tales of the changing seasons. A new dawn, a new day. He fought back against her a little harder today, making her really work. She really was getting pretty good, reacting quickly and properly to his advances. She was landing more and more hits on him nowadays, and dodging him more than he anticipated. In a fight, he depended on his size and strength. She wasn't as strong, but she was quick. Very quick.
He threw hand after hand, and she blocked shot after shot. He could see her eyes as she kept track of his movements, started trying to anticipate them. Yes, she was improving at a higher rate than he anticipated. He needed to switch it up. He grabbed her wrist, and she successfully escaped his grasp. She expected him to go for her other wrist; instead, he grabbed her ankle, making her tumble to the mat with an oomph. He was just about to brag when she shot her leg out, knocking one of his feet out from underneath him and sending him to the floor. With impressive speed, she scrambled on top of him, locking his arms down with her legs. He could escape if he really tried, of course. But he decided not to play the super soldier card.
"I yield." he groaned, noticing that he was short of breath. Perhaps he was working harder today as well. She let out a whoop, rolling off of him and collapsing onto the mat.
"Mark the day. I finally won." she said, her victory punctuated by her gasps. She was more tired than usual; the farmer's market was closed this weekend, so they'd stayed extra long at the gym. After all the mess that she'd been dealing with, she needed it. She needed the extra exercise, and she needed extra time with her friend.
"You certainly did." he said, sitting up with a groan. "Come on, I've got just enough time for breakfast before heading to the pub."
"Wait, I need to bask in this victory for a moment longer." she said, still sprawled out on the mat. He got up and went to their stuff, grabbing her sweatshirt and tossing it onto her face. She let out a disgruntled noise, but sat up nonetheless. "Hey, come on. Let me gloat a little bit. You're like, a billion times bigger and stronger than me."
"Not a billion. Approximately six times, I would say. You're much stronger than you realize." he said as she pulled on her sweatshirt.
"Thanks to your awesome work outs, yea." she said, grabbing her bag. They made their way out of the gym, heading back home.
"So, did you talk to Dominic last night?" he asked, trying to casually ask. She didn't look at him, instead directing her eyes away. "Mika…"
"I choked, okay? He came over, and I tried to talk to him but he was super drunk so it got nowhere. Today, though. I promise." she said, trying to justify her inaction. He held up his hands; he wasn't here to judge, only to support.
"Just looking out for you." he said, making her heart swell. She linked their arms together, leaning heavily on his shoulder and giving his arm a squeeze. He looked down at her, noticing the smile on her face and the warmth from her hand. It was good to be back in their routine. Back at her apartment, everything seemed normal as she made coffee and toast - normal, that is, until Bucky heard rustling from the bedroom. He gave Mika a vaguely annoyed look, and she gave him a pained expression in return.
"I told you he came over, I didn't say he left." she whispered, trying to justify herself. Bucky held up his hands innocently; what she did was her business. "Nothing happened though, I swear, I couldn't even think about-" she stopped mid sentence, her eyes going wide and her jaw dropping in horror. She was looking behind Bucky, which immediately put him on edge. Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't what he saw when he turned around.
Dominic strutted into the living room, in all his pride and glory, naked as the day he was born. "Morning, lads." he said, not giving a single fuck about Bucky's presence or Mika's look of complete and utter dismay. Bucky perked an eyebrow as he walked by, his expression tired and unamused as the other man threw a wink at him.
"Wha - what are you-" Mika couldn't finish a sentence, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to form anything coherent. Red completely covered her face, though Bucky wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or anger - or, perhaps, both.
"Breakfast time, yea?" Dominic asked, turning to the coffee maker. Mika snapped back into action then, grabbing him by the shoulders and shoving him back towards the bedroom. He protested loudly, but she didn't heed it.
"No, no. Pants on. I can't believe-" she shoved him again before turning her back to him, covering her face with her hands. He laughed as he walked back towards the bedroom, not caring at all how ashamed and appalled Mika was. "Oh my God, Bucky, I'm so - so sorry. That was - I can't even - we didn't even-"
Bucky knew he promised not to antagonize Dominic, but since the end of their relationship was eminent and he was being a royal jackass first thing in the morning, he decided it was warranted. He gave Mika a mischievous look before downing the rest of his coffee, putting his floral mug on the counter before chiding, "It's okay. Some guys need to compensate."
He didn't know exactly what happened after that, as he decided to take his leave. He heard Dominic yell something, but the door closed before he made it back into the room. Bucky made quick work of his lock, ducking into his apartment before his adversary could reach him. Once in the solace of his apartment, he let himself laugh fully, in spite of the screaming match that had erupted next door. He didn't have to use his super hearing to know that Mika was winning.
"What the fuck was that?!" she exclaimed, eyes blazing and heart racing. Dominic had the audacity to look offended, which only fueled her rage further.
"A man has a right to be free in his own home." he shouted back, resting his hands on his hips. He'd managed to get his jeans on, but he was still shirtless. Mika's anger was so intense she thought she might burst. She never remembered being so angry in her entire life.
"First of all, you are not a 'man,' you are acting like a child!" she screeched. "Secondly, this isn't your home! This is my home! And you are no longer welcome here!"
"Whoa now, let's not be hasty." he said, reaching his hands out to her. She took a step back, maintaining the space between them. His charming smile lost it's shimmer as he continued trying to recover. "Baby, come on-"
"No. Don't 'baby' me. You and I have a lot of history, Dominic, but it's time for our story to end. I'm done dealing with your antics and your games and your bullshit." she said. Now that the words were out of her mouth, she felt calm and confident. She was done. She was finally ready to let go.
"Mika, please, you know I love you." he said, reaching out and grabbing her wrist. She twisted and pulled, perfectly executing the move that Bucky taught her over a year ago. His expression hardened, and he reached for her again. She kept slipping out of his grasp, his expression growing more frustrated until she finally pushed his chest, making him stumble back a couple steps. Now, he looked shocked. Mika ignored his look, going to the other side of the kitchen island to put some space between them.
"I fully believe that you loved me at one point. But this right here? It isn't love, Dominic. It's settling. And I will not spend the rest of my life periodically settling for someone who treats me like shit." she said coldly. She was done with this conversation. She was done with him. He came to the other side of the island, bracing his hands on the countertop.
"Now, Mika, think about what you're saying. You and me, we're meant to be." he said, trying to be smooth. She scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"No, we're not. You bring out the worst in me, and for some stupid reason I let you." she said shortly. "I can do whatever or whoever I want in this life, and I'm tired of dealing with you. Now please get dressed and leave."
"Fuck!" he yelled, grabbing the nearest thing he could find - which happened to be her floral mug - and throwing it against the wall. Her eyes widened at the outburst; sure they argued a lot, but this was a new development. But instead of feeling scared, like she might have before, she just felt pissed. She knew if she really had to, she could hold her own in a fight. And if she couldn't, then Bucky would back her up. "So that's what this is about, huh? Who put you up to this, creepy neighbor man?"
"Don't bring Bucky into this, this has nothing to do with him. This is about you, and how I'm done with you." she said, her voice raising again. She felt like she had Amazonian strength like the girl in the movies that everyone said she looked like.
"Of course it's about him! You're obsessed with him! Going to the gym and the market and having your little movie nights and your breakfast dates. Are you fucking him? Be real." he snapped, his eyes starting to look a little frenzied.
"He's one of my best friends, dumbass!" she eyed the broken mug on the floor, then shook her head. "And no, I'm not fucking him. He just happens to make me happy by being a fucking good person, which is more than you can do even with certain advantages."
"So you want to fuck him?" he accused, making her throw her hands up in the air.
"This is not about sex! This is about how I am not happy with you. I don't want to sleep with you, I don't want to talk to you, I don't want to see you. We. Are. Done. Now leave, before I make you." she said, marching over to the door and opening it. She held it ajar with her foot, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him until he finally moved towards the opening.
"You're gonna regret this." he said, pointing a finger at her. But she wasn't scared of him, only tired of him.
"Go, Dominic. And please don't ever contact me again." she said shortly, waiting for him to pass. He stepped out into the hallway, but immediately turned around, his face aggressive again.
"I gave you fucking everything. Don't call you? You don't call me. I don't want to hear your stupid, insufferable whining about-" he started to raise his voice, but she cut him off.
"About what? About how I want you to respect me? Care about me? Be nice to me? Get out of here. We're through." she said, still standing defiantly in her doorway. This was her home, she was her own woman, and she would not budge.
"We're not through until I say we're through." he said, taking a step toward her. They were both distracted by Bucky's door opening. He tried not to make eye contact, closing his door and going to lock it. Dominic rounded on him. "Of fucking course, your fucking knight in shining armor is stepping up to save you."
"Just trying to go to work. Sorry to interrupt." Bucky replied, though he gave Mika a subtle glance. He may be on his way to work, but he was for sure checking on her. Her heart warmed with affection for him.
"Bull shit. You came to get in on the action. Well, this doesn't concern you." he snarled, and Bucky simply held his hands up.
"It's between you two." he agreed, though Mika noticed that he hadn't moved. He'd angled himself so that his metal arm was closer to Dominic, just in case. As always, he was looking out for her. For a moment, she wondered what she'd done to deserve such a wonderful friend.
"Damn straight it is." he snapped, turning back to Mika. "Back inside, let's talk."
"We're done talking. Leave." she countered, also staying still. She'd bowed to him too many times over the years, and she was done with that.
"Oh no we're not." he said, taking a step towards her. Bucky moved closer as well, and though his face was calm and his voice quiet, his posture conveyed the subtle threat.
"She asked you to leave. Very nicely, I might add." he said, and somehow his calmness was even scarier than Dominic's yelling. "I will not be so kind."
"And what are you going to do about it, eh?" he asked, digging into his pocket. Mika was afraid he was going to pull out something dangerous (even though he never had before), but instead he just fished out his keys, holding up a silver one. "See this? Means I can come back whenever I-"
Before he could finish bragging, Bucky snatched the keys from his hand, using his metal arm to rip it from the keychain and crumple it into a useless hunk of metal. He displayed his work of art for a moment before tossing it down the stairs. "She asked you to leave. Do not make me ask for her."
Dominic stared for a while, seething. Eventually, he turned back to Mika. "You're a right fucking bitch, I hope you know that." he said, flipping both of them off and finally leaving. Bucky moved to the bannister, his watchful eyes tracking Dominic until he finally exited the building. He looked to Mika, who couldn't quite decide if she was proud of herself or completely overwhelmed.
"Thank you. Again." she said with a hesitant smile. Her mind was still reeling from everything that happened, but even then she still felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. He stepped closer to her.
"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" he asked, his eyes colored with concern. Classic Bucky, always checking on her. Always taking care of her. She shook her head.
"No, no I'm okay. He did break your mug though." she said sadly, remembering the ceramic pieces on her kitchen floor.
"I'll kill him." he replied immediately, making her laugh. She felt the emotions welling up in her throat, tingling behind her eyes. She blinked them rapidly, trying to stop them. "It's okay to cry."
"No, it's not. He needed to be gone. And I'm glad he's gone." she said, her voice steady and sure. She was happy with this decision. So why did she still have these feelings?
"Doesn't mean you can't cry." he replied, and he hesitated for a minute before opening his arms to her, initiating the hug for the first time. The gesture was so small, but so welcome, that Mika couldn't help but dive into his embrace. His arms held her steady, and he whispered calming and encouraging things to her as she let her emotions spill out with her tears and into his shirt. He held her there for a long while until her breathing evened out and her heart settled.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry." she said, shaking her head and wiping tears and mascara from her cheeks. He grinned, brushing his thumb across a spot that she missed.
"No worries. What are friends for?" he asked. She gave him a watery smile before taking a steadying breath.
"You must be so late to work. Go, or Hans will kill me." she said, gesturing towards the stairs. Sure, she didn't really want him to go, but she'd already displayed enough immaturity for the year. She needed to be strong on her own right now. His brows furrowed, as if he didn't believe her.
"Are you sure? I can call in. Be a little late." he replied, but she shook her head emphatically.
"You need to go to work, Bucky. I'll be okay." she said. When he still looked uncertain, she continued, "I'm going to bake some things, and go for a long run, and tonight I'll probably get so drunk I can't remember my own name. But then tomorrow, I will be back and ready to take on the world."
He grinned. There was the Mika he knew. "Call me if you need anything, okay?" he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"I will. Thank you again. For everything." she said. He nodded, giving her one last look before going off to work. Mika took one last breath, watching as he rounded the stairs towards the ground floor.
She was lucky to have Bucky in her life. Very lucky indeed.
Wow, y'all, I have never updated this quickly in my life. And it's all thanks to your amazing and awesome reactions to the past two chapters! Not gonna lie, I've been looking forward to this drama for a loooong time, and it seriously made me so happy to see how it made y'all feel. Now we've had some sweet resolution, but don't you worry, the drama isn't over yet - just the part with Dominic. And we're still six months away from Civil War!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know what you thought!
-XM