I watched as Bucky made his way into my bathroom to shower, unable to keep myself from staring at his naked backside.

Oh God Eden, you've literally died and gone to Heaven.

It took me a minute to recover from what had just occurred….the feel of Bucky's hands on the back of my thighs…the way his muscles flexed as he held my weight in his arms…the intense look in his eyes at the end. I smiled to myself and shook my head, attempting to clear my mind so I could concentrate on getting dressed before Steve showed up. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the closet before making my way to my dresser to grab a bra and panties. I heard the shower running in my bathroom and my thoughts went back to Bucky. He was in there right now…slick and wet…I could almost picture the water sliding down his….

Get it together Eden!

I opened the drawer where I kept my undergarments; looking for a very specific set I wanted to wear. I found them, all the way in the back, tucked under everything else. They panties were made of a silky red material…the matching bra was sheer with lace trimming. I slipped them on with a smile, anticipating tonight when hopefully Bucky would be slipping them off again. I got dressed and then pulled my hair up into a long ponytail. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was 5:25, Steve would be here any minute.

I thought about how kind Steve had been to me the last few days. He had come by to visit me several times…calling Brooke for me to update her, getting all my junk from my SUV. I thought about the conversation we had last night when Bucky had stepped out to get me more ice chips. After Bucky had left the room, I had turned to Steve and asked, "Was Bucky always like this with girls…you know…before" I didn't have to finish my sentence, Steve knew what I meant.

"No actually, I've never seen Bucky like this. There were always girls flocking around Bucky…he was full of charm and charisma…but I don't think he ever really thought of them as anything more than a fun night on the town. Bucky was always looking for the right one, he just never found it before we left for the war. It turns out he had to wait much longer before he found the perfect lady"

I could feel my face getting red and I lowered my eyes, "So Bucky doesn't treat me the same way as he did all those other girls?"

"You are not just another fun night on the town to him Eden" he said in a serious tone "You are the one he was always searching for. What about you? How do you feel about Bucky? I mean, if you don't mind me asking"

I had sighed, "You promise you won't say anything to him?"

"Cross my heart" he looked down at me with the most honest smile on his face.

"Steve…I think…actually I don't think, I know…I mean…" Steve was looking at me expectantly and I finally whispered, "I love him Steve. I know it seems crazy because we haven't know each other that long but I do…I really do love him"

Steve looked surprised for a moment before a huge grin spread along his face, "Bucky is a very lucky man to be loved by someone like you. Have you told him how you feel about him yet?"

"No. I don't want to scare him away Steve. I know he is still working on his issues with his past. What if I try to push him too fast and I mess everything up?"

Steve had scooted closer to me, "Eden, do you realize how far Bucky has come since he met you? He was having nightmares all the time. He didn't need or want to talk to other people except me. If he had gone on that mission before he had met you, I guarantee you it would not have ended the same way. I think the only thing that kept him from completely losing himself that night was the thought of what it would do to you. After all this time, he is finally starting to heal…and it's because he met you. I should actually be thanking you…for helping me get my best friend back again"

He had leaned down to hug me and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. I heard him whisper in my ear, "Thank you"

A moment later, Bucky had entered the room, "Hands off my girl Rogers"

I smiled to myself, thinking about the pout on Bucky's face last night when I wouldn't tell him what Steve and I were hugging about…it really seemed to bother him.

KNOCK KNOCK!

I made my way out of the bedroom , through the living room and checked the peep hole to see Steve standing outside my door, his hands tucked in his jacket pockets.

I threw open the door to give him a big hug before motioning him inside. He followed me into the living room, looking around my apartment, "This is a nice place you have here"

"Thanks"

"So where is Bucky?" he asked, taking a seat on the couch.

"Ummm…in the shower" I said "He should be out in a minute" I added, hoping he would inquire any further.

Being the good guy he is, he didn't ask any other questions….just smiled and nodded at me.

"So, Brooke is moving here this Saturday right?"

"Yeah, she is moving to that apartment complex over on Hamilton, about two blocks from here. I actually wanted to ask you about that, do you think you could come help move some furniture and boxes. The plan was for me to do some stuff but I don't think I will be much help and Bucky wouldn't let me lift anything anyway. I figured if I could get you and Bucky to help, everything could get moved in pretty quick"

He nodded enthusiastically, "Of course I'll help! Just let me know what time. It will be nice to finally put a face to the voice on the other end of the phone. Brooke seems…very nice"

I nodded my head, trying not to laugh at his excitement, "Brooke is one of a kind, that's for sure"

Talking about Brooke's move made me think about what me and Bucky had discussed earlier…Bucky had said yes to moving in with me, I figured it was probably okay to talk to Steve about it…he was his best friend.

"So, speaking of moving…I know you only have a one bedroom apartment and Bucky has been sleeping on your couch…and I'm sure you're ready to have your home to yourself again…soo….I sort of invited Bucky to move in here….in my spare bedroom of course" I said it all very quickly.

Steve looked surprised, he didn't say anything, but it appeared he seemed to be thinking hard about what I had just said.

"Do you think it's a bad idea? I mean…I was just thinking that if he stayed here, he would have his own room…his own personal space…that would be good for him, right?"

Steve chuckled lightly, "Do you honestly think Bucky would be in his own room for very long?"

My mouth dropped open and he laughed again at the shocked expression on my face, "Eden, I think it's great that your invited Bucky to move in with you" he said, patting me on the back, "into your spare bedroom I mean" he added with a wink.

I punched him lightly in the shoulder and giggled at the pained expression he feigned on his face.

"I'll have you know, Captain Rogers, that Bucky will be sleeping in his own room each night…thank you very much" I crossed my arms over my chest, a serious look on my face.

"Okay, I believe you" he said, putting his hands up in defense "Come here" he said, motioning for me to scoot closer. He wrapped his arms around me and enclosed me in a tight hug.

I had been an only child growing up, always envious of Jill and Brooke who both had older brothers. I watched them interact with their siblings and it always brought a smile to my face. Big brothers looked out for their sisters, punched the ex-boyfriends in the face, and didn't let anyone pick on them….besides themselves of course. I had always wanted that kind of relationship and sitting here on the couch with Steve, being hugged so tightly by such a good natured person, I finally felt like I might have the chance to know what it would be like to have a brother.

Of course, Bucky chose that exact moment to come out of my bedroom to see Steve and me embracing each other…again.

He had a frown on his face, "I thought I told you to keep your hands off my girl" He tried to say it like he didn't mean it, but I saw a hint of hurt in his face….I think Steve did too. "I'm going to grab the take out menus so we can figure out what to eat" he said, making his way into the kitchen.

Steve and I broke apart, and I stood up to follow Bucky. He had his back to me when I walked in…hands on the counter, just standing there, very still. I stepped up beside him and laid my hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at me, the frown still on his face, "Bucky, what's wrong?"

He shook his head, "Nothing" he mumbled and tried to turn away from me.

I grabbed his arm and pulled him back around, "It doesn't seem like nothing. You seem upset that you saw me and Steve hugging again"

He shrugged his shoulders, not looking me in the eye. As confident and cocky as Bucky could seem at times, I realized that deep down inside, he had the same insecurities as everyone else.

I put both of my hands on his chest, "Look at me Bucky. I need you to understand something okay?" I said very gently.

He finally looked up at me and I continued, "I hug Steve because I think he is a great person and he does and says nice things…he is also your best friend and he cares about you just as much as I do. Please stop worrying every time you see us hugging"

He nodded, but didn't say anything.

"Do you honestly think after that we have been through the last few days or even after everything that's happened in the last few hours, that I desire anyone but you? Do you want to know why we were hugging?"

He looked up curiously, "We were hugging because I had just told him that I had asked you to move in with me and that you had said yes…he was happy to hear it"

Bucky looked up and I saw all the tension in his body fade away, he finally sighed, "I'm sorry Eden. I'm such a fool"

I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, "But you're my fool" I felt him slide his hands around my waist and I kissed him softly on the mouth.

I pulled away before we could get too carried away with the kiss, "Now, grab those menus and get your sexy ass in the living room so we can pick out something to eat….I feel like watching a scary movie tonight" I said with a wink.

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I hope you are all enjoying my story. I love to hear your feedback! Thanks for all the comments and the follows/favorites.