Disclaimer: Everything belongs to The Marvel Universe except for my characters Sophie and Jeremy and any other SOs that become introduced – they are my own creations and are not meant to resemble anyone else's OCs in any way.
A/N: Gaahhh! My last chapter took so long that it looks like most of my reviewers disappeared! Nooooo come back! Anyway, I tried not to take too long on this one this time haha. I hope you all enjoy and…please don't hate me *runs and hides*
Chapter 19: I Love You
The unsettled churning continued on in Sophie's stomach long after the Avengers' plane had lifted off. It continued on after the plane had touched down. And even still as she laid in bed alone, staring at the ceiling, two days later. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why she had been so bothered watching this mission. A soft knock sounded on her front door and Sophie rolled off the bed with a groan. She stood, adjusting the high-waisted, oversized, gray joggers that she wore. Her boxy cropped navy tee swung around her ribcage as she walked to the living room. A half smile tugged at Sophie's lips as she swung the door open to reveal a grinning redhead.
"Hey!" She held up her left hand, displaying the carryout bags. "Sushi time!"
"Come on in. I've got the drinks and the ice cream waiting."
Natasha sauntered into the apartment and made her way to the couch. Setting everything down on the coffee table, she kicked off her shoes and began to unload the food. Meanwhile, Sophie grabbed a bottle of white wine, some glasses and waters, then headed back over to her friend. The two settled into their usual places, each on either side of the couch, backs against the arm rests, feet tucked, and food between them as they faced one another.
"So what's up? You don't seem your usual cheery self."
Sophie lifted her right shoulder in a shrug.
"I dunno. I'm just not in a good mood I guess."
"Uh oh. Did something happen?"
"Not really, no."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, each one chewing and thinking. Sophie tried to discreetly study Natasha. She looked beautiful as always, even in no makeup and casual sweats. She held herself with such poise and confidence and as Sophie continued to watch her, she realized that for the first time since meeting Nat, she suddenly felt inadequate in comparison.
There. That's the type of woman that belongs with Bucky.
The Black Widow reached over and picked up her wine glass from the coffee table.
"What is it?" She asked softly without looking at Sophie.
The other woman startled, realizing she'd been caught.
"Nothing! Sorry…"
Nat kept quiet, deciding to let it slide while Sophie worked out whatever it was that was bothering her.
"So…how was the mission?"
The redheaded looked up at her friend.
"You watched the entire thing. You know."
"Yeah. Of course. I mean…I didn't watch everything, you know? Just…just the mission itself. So everything in the safe house was…fine?"
The chopsticks stopped halfway to Nat's mouth, her sushi hanging mid air as she stared across the couch.
"Sophie…are you ok? What is going on with you?"
She bit her lip, mind at war, then suddenly, she opened her mouth and finally blurted it all out.
"I'm sleeping with Bucky."
The sushi slipped out of the chopsticks, missing the plate and landing on the couch with an unappealing plop.
"I'm sorry. I think I just had a mini stroke. You're…What?!"
Sophie buried her face in her hands before mumbling again, "I'm sleeping with Bucky."
Nat continued to sit with the chopsticks midair, mouth agape.
"So does that mean…? Are you two…?"
She looked up at Nat sharply.
"No."
The chopsticks slowly lowered to the plate. Suddenly realizing the dropped sushi, Nat hurried to clean it off the couch.
"I don't understand."
"I don't…I…" Sophie floundered.
"Ok. Start at the beginning. How long has this been going on? How did it happen? Give me details and don't leave anything out."
Taking in a deep breath, Sophie slowly let the air slip out of her mouth, shoulders sagging.
"I started it," she whispered. "The night before my interview."
She proceeded to tell Nat everything that had happened since then in as much detail as she could while keeping it abridged and sparing her the more private and intimate moments. When she was done at last, their food had been eaten, their bottle of wine had been drunk, and they sat across from each other with spoons pushed deep in their ice cream bowls. Other than the occasional interjection, remark or question, Natasha had remained largely silent, allowing Sophie to get it all out. When she was done at last, she shoved a large spoonful of dessert into there mouth and threw herself backwards into the couch pillow.
"Wow."
"Yeah."
"Friends with benefits, huh? I can't believe you two managed to actually keep this a secret from us."
"I know."
"Wait! Does Steve know?!"
"I don't think so. We'd talked about telling you two but I don't think Bucky's had a chance to talk to him."
Natasha made a face.
"If he knew and kept this from me…"
Sophie laughed.
"Oh come on. They've been best friends since they were like five. If Bucky asked Steve to keep a secret, you really think there's anyone in this world Steve would actually tell?"
"Ok, you might have a point there. But still."
"I don't think he knows."
They grew quiet.
"So…?"
"So?"
"Do you have feelings for him?"
"No!"
Natasha scooped some ice cream in her mouth, eyes never leaving Sophie's face. The other woman exhaled, spoon falling into her bowl with a loud clang.
"Fuck. I don't know…maybe?"
Just saying that much out loud sent a burst of butterflies spiraling through her stomach. Natasha tried to bite back her smile, but Sophie caught her.
"What? What is that look for?"
"Sophie, seriously? You guys are made for each other! I don't know why the two of you have resisted for so long. Or why you never started dating when you first met."
"You know why."
"Ah yes. Jeremy."
"Don't say it like that. By the time we'd connected on any level Jeremy and I were already a couple."
"I don't think that's true."
"What? What do you mean?"
"You guys were dating, yes. But you'd only just started out. I remember the way you and Bucky looked at each other at Tony's party. Want to know what I think?"
"I'm not sure I do anymore. But I know you'll tell me anyway."
Natasha laughed and rolled her eyes. Finishing off her ice cream, she set the bowl aside.
"I think that you guys were instantly attracted to each other, but you were both too scared to do anything about it. And Bucky is too much of a gentleman to try to steal someone else's girl. And you…"
"And me?"
"You decided to go with the safe bet. The man that didn't send you through an instant rollercoaster corkscrew as soon as you saw him. The man who seemed uncomplicated and, well, safe."
Sophie sucked in a breath. She'd never analyzed their early days like that, but Natasha might be dead on.
"So then the question is, what's holding you back now?"
"I just…I don't know if that's really what I want. Or if it's just the sex talking. And the last thing that I do want, is ruin our friendship. Especially when…when he…"
She paused, unable to finish that thought to the end, heart already aching. Picking her bowl back up, she shoveled the rest of the half melted ice cream into her mouth. Finishing it off at last, she stood up, both bowls in hand. As she walked over to the kitchen, she remained lost in thought, yet keenly aware of the eyes following her.
"When he what, Sophie?" Nat asked her gently.
Sophie's hands paused in the sink. Her entire body seemed to sag as she stared at a spot just below the faucet, eyes unfocused.
"When he doesn't have romantic feelings towards me," she all but whispered.
Sighing quietly, she walked back over to the couch and sat down across from her friend again.
"You know that's bullshit, right? That man is crazy about you."
"You're wrong Nat. Yes, over the years we've grown close. Really close. But I'm nothing more than a good friend…and a fuck buddy for him."
"I wish you could see the two of you from my perspective. Because that's just not true."
"Nat, he's the one who wanted to start dating again. He already had everything set up before he told me he'd even been considering it. If he had any feelings towards me whatsoever, why do that? Why not ask me out?! At the end of the day, he just sees me as a friend. I'm not…I'm not drop dead gorgeous or a badass like you are. He wants something…more."
She was on the verge of tears now, her voice pitching at the end.
"Oh Sophie, you're not only beautiful, but you're his rock. You can be there for him in ways that even Steve can't. You're more than enough. Have you ever thought that maybe he's just scared too?"
"That's bullshit. Bucky isn't scared of anything."
Natasha laughed.
"Now that is most definitely not true. Besides, men can be so dumb and oblivious."
Sophie huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Look, just take a few days and really think about this. Do some soul searching and figure out what you actually want. If you really do have feelings for Bucky, you need to tell him."
Glancing at her friend sidelong, Sophie pursed her lips.
"It's probably just the sex fucking with my head."
Nat rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Maybe. But I highly doubt it."
…
It had been a full two weeks since the mission in Boca Raton and Bucky and Sophie had hardly seen each other. The intel that Tony managed to steal had been decoded four days later and led to a flurry of other missions. The major bomb being that Marco Moretti was, in fact, an alias. The man's real name was Ivan Fennhoff. Unfortunately, that was all that they knew. The Avengers had been scrambling ever since to unearth any further information. And since much of SHIELD's and Hydra's old documents had been lost or destroyed, discovering who his grandfather was and the connection with Zola seemed near impossible.
But if Sophie was being honest with herself, she was relieved. For ever since her conversation with Natasha, she felt a sudden uncertainty about Bucky — a deep and unnerving anxiety having settled in her stomach. Although she didn't realize it, Bucky had picked up on her sudden awkwardness around him. The sudden fear that she may have found someone and was too nervous to tell him gripped him like a vice. Every time he saw her, there was a pang in his chest so strong he had to clench his jaw to keep from doing something stupid. So he continued on dating, certain that finding someone else himself would prove to him that his unexpected emotions around Sophie were nothing more than sex induced delusions.
And then one day, it finally happened. As Bucky sat in the nice but casual restaurant across from a petite woman, whose perfectly even raven hair skimmed her shoulders as she talked animatedly, she made him laugh. A true, genuine, whole hearted laugh slipped from his lips as his head tipped backwards. He gazed over at her, blue eyes locking with shimmering green ones. She smiled back at him shyly. But this wasn't the coy or sly smiles he'd grown accustomed to on his dates. No, this was a real, adorable, smile from a woman who was just as nervous as he was. She was former Air Force and already seemed to connect with him like none of his other dates had before. A sudden warmth filled Bucky's chest. The feeling of dread and anxiety that seemed to be permanently living in the pit of his stomach these days lifted just a little. And for the first time in a while, there was a pang of excitement for what the future might hold for him. For the first time in a long time, he felt hope. Bucky smiled.
…
He shifted nervously in his seat. This was one session he was not looking forward to. Things had grown so confusing between himself and Sophie, and now add Rose to the mix, and he wasn't sure which way was up and which way was down anymore. And so here he was. Hands clasped together, leg bouncing up and down uncontrollably, as Dr. Young leveled him with a knowing stare. The therapist heaved out a sigh as he crossed one leg over the other and pursed his lips.
"Well, whatever this is, it can't be good. Never is when you start with that," he stated as he gave Bucky's leg a pointed look.
Bucky stilled immediately.
"So are you going to tell me or am I going to have to drag it out of you?"
Licking his lips, Bucky ground his teether together, momentarily wondering if he should just keep it all to himself. But he knew Dr. Young. And now that he'd seen that there was something eating at him, the therapist wouldn't just let it go. So with a sigh of his own, he finally let it out.
"I'm sleeping with Sophie. Casually."
"Casually."
It was a statement and not a question.
"What are you doing? This is Sophie we're talking about. Did you give this any thought at all? Or did your cock just accidentally slipped inside of her?"
Bucky looked at him sidelong for a moment before launching into his explanation.
"There's nothing wrong with friends with benefits," he finished lamely.
"Don't lie to me, or yourself. It's not friends with benefits for either one of you. You two have been dancing around each other for too long."
"We've always just been friends, nothing more. And now, whenever we're in the mood, or we just need that connection, we can go to each other rather than seeking out someone else."
Dr. Young stared at him in silence.
"And how's that working out for you?"
"It's been great," he replied defensively. "We know each other and trust each other. We're comfortable with one another."
"But?"
Bucky let loose a long breath as he deflated, suddenly losing steam. His foot began to tap again.
"But lately, there have been one or two times where it's felt…different…like…" he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
"Like you're making love instead of just fucking?"
He flinched, a deep frown marring his face.
"I was going to say, like there's something more."
"Same difference. That conflict inside of you, twisting in your gut? You need to listen to it."
"There's no conflict. It's just sex," he lied. "I'm probably feeling like this because of everything else going on with Hydra and sex with Sophie is just a release. Anyway, it doesn't really matter, because I'm dating again. And I might have met someone."
Dr. Young lurched forward in his seat at that.
"Why the fuck are you dating?!"
"What do you mean?" Bucky looked back at him affronted.
"Look at what you have in front of you!"
"She doesn't have feelings for me! She made it very clear when we discussed dating other people!"
Unable to stand it any longer, he let his voice rise in frustration.
"If she actually does have feelings for you, you're going to end up hurting her. And more to the point, you can't just ignore your own feelings or you're going to be the one who gets hurt."
"Look, even if I did have some feelings for her, it's fleeting. It will pass, like it has before."
"Oh yeah? I thought you said there were no feelings on either side?"
Bucky frowned again, shooting his best glare at the therapist.
"Do you really think it's fair to this girl you're seeing now that you're using her to try to get over someone else?"
"That's not what I'm doing. And if this turns into anything with her, Sophie and I agreed we'd stop."
Dr. Young silently studied him for several minute before responding at last.
"Well. Since you clearly know what you're doing…ok. I'll play along with this little game of yours. For now. But let me know when you're ready to be real with yourself. Then we'll really talk."
…
The only sound that surrounded the two men for the last twenty minutes, besides the typical city noises, were their feet thudding against the pavement. Steve chanced a glance at his companion. His brows were furrowed, mouth set in a seemingly permanent frown.
"Alright Buck. Enough brooding. What's eating at you?" Steve huffed out.
Bucky blinked in surprise a few times. Then his frown deepened and he slowed into a brisk walk. Steve followed suit. His last therapy session weighed heavily on him. Guilt and indecision eating at him constantly. He finally decided there was no one better to get another opinion from than Steve.
"I…I need to tell you something."
"That doesn't sound good."
"No, it's nothing like that. I just…don't be mad, ok?"
"This isn't the best build up buddy. Just spit it out. What's wrong?"
Bucky continued to slow their pace down to a stroll. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his gym shorts and stared straight ahead for a moment.
"Sophie and I are sleeping together. And we have been for a while."
"Woah."
Steve came to a grinding halt. Bucky went a few paces further before he realized his friend was no longer with him. He stopped and spun around to face Steve, a wary look etching his face.
"How…how long?"
"She came to me the night before her interview for the Eye position."
"She came to you, huh? Wow. I mean…this is great Buck. Why are you so upset?"
"It's not what you think. This isn't anything serious."
"Wait, what? What do you mean it's not serious?"
Steve grabbed Bucky's upper arm and steered him to a bench.
"I mean…it's just a friends with benefits set up."
His friend stared at him blankly.
"Bucky…It can't…you're not serious are you? You don't really think that Sophie is ok with this, do you?"
The former assassin sighed and leaned back, arms crossed over his chest.
"It was her idea Steve. It was all her."
Steve rubbed the back of his neck and leaned back as well.
"Alright, alright," he began with his take charge voice. "Start at the beginning. Tell me everything that's happened between you two since the start of this and up to now."
Bucky leaned forward, forearms resting on his knees as he let out a deep breath. Then he told Steve everything.
…
Steve ran his palms up and down his thighs as he blew out a low whistle.
"Well dang. But I don't get something. Why in the world did you two start dating around? Why don't you just…date each other? There's clearly something there."
"That's where you're wrong. She wanted to be friends with benefits for a reason. She doesn't see me that way. And I mean…I don't blame her. Look at me. How could a woman like that want a real future with someone like me?"
"Bucky, don't do that. You know she loves you just the way you are. Your arm and your past included."
"But she doesn't love me like that."
"And do you?"
He sat staring at his hands quietly for several long moments before sitting back and casually draping his elbows over the back of the bench.
"It doesn't matter Steve."
"Like hell it doesn't. Are you in love with her?"
Bucky turned his head slightly towards his friend, eyes still downcast.
"Look Steve, you know full well that I don't have a lot of people in my life that…that I can really, truly trust. Like, completely and in every way. And Sophie…Sophie is one of those people."
His eyes darted up to Steve's and the sorrow Captain America saw there seized his heart.
"I can't lose her. I won't risk it. It was bad enough when she discarded me for that asshole. But to know that I was the cause of her leaving," he shook his head. "I can't do it. She didn't even blink when I told her I had a date. She's never shown me that she wants anything more. I'm not willing to ruin everything between us for a long-shot."
"But Bucky…"
The former assassin shifted so he was fully facing Steve, eyes boring into his.
"I'd rather have her in my life just as a friend than not at all," he whispered.
Steve sighed, fingers ruffling his hair. He knew there was no point in trying to convince his best friend of anything else.
"Yeah…yeah, ok."
"Anyway, I don't know how long any of this is really going to keep going between us."
"Why is that?"
Bucky couldn't help the small smile that tugged on his lips.
"I've met someone."
Steve stared at him like he'd grown a second head as his brows furrowed in confusion.
"I don't understand."
"Well, I've only gone on one date with her so far, but I really like her. And, I don't know. There might be something there. There's…the potential for something, I guess."
Groaning, Steve put his face in his hands and rubbed vigorously.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
Bucky repositioned, pressing his back against the bench again and letting his knees fall wide. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
"I don't know. But…whatever this is with me right now…once we stop everything, it will settle down and it'll all go back to how things were before. That was always the plan. No strings attached. Just sex and friendship and nothing more."
"And if it doesn't?"
"It will."
"But if it doesn't?" Steve repeated quietly.
Bucky's jaw ticked.
"It will. It…has to."
…
Another three weeks went by and Sophie's head was spinning. It felt like Bucky hardly had a breather between missions these days. With the new intel, they felt like they'd taken a massive step closer to their end goal and so all the Avengers were chomping at the bit to put this Hydra business to rest. Most of Bucky and Sophie's time together was spent eating dinner and watching a movie until he inevitably passed out on the couch. But at last, all their leads ran out until they were left standing empty handed once more.
Sophie slumped in her seat at the bar, chin resting in her palms as the bartender placed a cocktail in front of her. Natasha heaved a sigh and plopped down on the empty stool beside her. She signaled to the man on the other side of the bar, placing her drink order the moment he stepped up to them. Once he walked away again, she let out a groan and looked over at Sophie.
"Well?"
Nat sighed again.
"We're taking a step back. All missions regarding Hydra are being put on hiatus until we have more solid information to go on."
"How are you supposed to get this solid information if you're not going on any missions?" Sophie asked sharply.
Nat rolled her eyes.
"You're starting to sound like Bucky."
Then she took a hefty gulp of the drink that had been set in front of her.
"Look, they've been running us ragged with this wild goose chase. Nothing has panned out. It feels too much like they're purposely laying out breadcrumbs to lead us astray. Or to wherever it is they want to lead us. That's not good. We need better information before any of use go out and get ourselves hurt, or worse."
A rush of air escaped Sophie's lips.
"I know. It's just so frustrating."
"You're telling me."
They sat there and sipped their drinks silently.
"Let's change the subject," Nat finally suggested.
"Ok. What do you want to talk about?"
"How about where you're at with Bucky?"
"What do you mean where I'm at?"
"You know perfectly well. Have you told him you're in love with him?"
"Nat!" Sophie hissed.
"What? There's nobody around that's going to overhear and tell him. But clearly that's a no."
"I never said I was in love with him."
"You didn't have to."
"I just don't know!" She moaned pathetically as she sucked down her drink.
"There's no way you haven't been thinking about this over the last month."
"Of course I have."
"And?"
Sophie felt the words bubbling up. They put pressure in her chest before coming to lay solidly in her mouth. Her tongue twisted, longing to blurt them out even as her lips pressed together in a desperate attempt to keep them in. She buried her face in her hands.
"Oh God Nat…maybe I am…maybe I am in love with him."
"If you're not there yet, you're definitely well on your way," her friend said softly. "And you need to tell him. Because even if it isn't love yet, it's something. And it's something more than just friendship."
Sophie cradled her cheek in her palm as she gazed at the woman beside her, her words resonating through ever fiber of her being.
…
She was standing right in front of the door but she couldn't bring herself to knock. Thoughts of being in this exact position months ago ran through her mind. If it were possible, Sophie was pretty sure she was more nervous now than she had been then.
At least this time you have clothes on over your lingerie.
Sucking in air through her nose, it escaped out slowly through her mouth. This was going to be it. She was going to talk to Bucky. But what exactly she was going to say, she wasn't sure. She had, however, come up with an idea that would hopefully help her decide. She was planning on letting Bucky take her to bed and asking him to go slow. And if at the end she felt the way she suspected she would, she would tell him right then and there. If he reciprocated, fantastic. And if not…
At least I'll have one last great memory.
Squaring her shoulders, she reached up and knocked at last. It didn't take him long to answer. And when he opened the door, the sight of his sweet smile stole her breath away. She stepped inside, mind fogging as her emotions began to take over. And it was in this moment that Sophie knew. Now that the thought was clearly in her head, it was just so obvious. She didn't need to have sex with him one more time, for her heart was already screaming it at her.
But it certainly won't hurt…just in case.
"Hey Soph."
"Hey yourself. You certainly are in a good mood."
"Yeah. I am. I really am. I'm glad you came over. There's something that I wanted to talk to you about actually."
"Oh yeah? Me too."
Then she stepped closer to him and pressed her palms against his chest. Standing on tiptoe, Sophie laid a light kiss on Bucky's jaw. He inhaled sharply, hands moving upward until his fingers gently curled around her wrists.
"But we can talk later," she whispered against his skin.
Except where she had expected him to pull her closer and bring her into a passionate kiss, instead he gently pushed her away, forcing her to take a half step backwards.
(Crush — Sebastian Paul)
"Sophie…" he began gently. "I…I can't."
Heart beating painfully in her chest, eyes open wide in confusion, she took another step away from him.
"Why not?"
"I've met someone. That's what I wanted to tell you."
She stood still, lips parted in shock. She wasn't sure she'd heard right. She couldn't possibly have heard right.
It's fine. You've taken breaks for dating before. This isn't a big deal.
"We've been on three dates now. And…I think this really might turn into something. I like her Soph. A lot."
Oh.
She tried to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. Her mouth was dry and her heart had just disintegrated.
"Please say something," he whispered.
A look of alarm had come across his face. His right hand reached out as if to touch her but stopped half way there as he waited for her response with bated breath.
Say something. Say something. SAY SOMETHING!
She could feel the tears starting to build, the panic rising, the guilt and self blame, the maelstrom of emotions spinning into a tornado inside of her. She had to get out of there.
"I'm glad Bucky."
Somehow, Sophie managed to plaster a small smile on her face.
"You sure about that?" He asked her, voice low and cautious.
"We always knew this would come to an end at some point," she told him with a small shrug of her shoulders.
The sudden truth of her words felt like a knife to her chest. And the realization came crashing down. This. This was it. This was exactly why she'd never let herself truly analyze how she felt about him. Because deep down, she knew it would eventually come to an end. Just like this.
"But you deserve it. It's been a long time coming and…you deserve to be happy James. That's all I want for you. That's all I've ever wanted."
The use of his given name struck something in Bucky and a sudden sadness welled up inside him. As happy and excited as he was about the prospect of the future, he realized now that there was something between him and Sophie that was really and truly coming to an end.
"Sophie."
He reached out for her again, taking a step towards her. But she took one back, maintaining their distance. Tugging her fake smile back onto her face, Sophie looked him in the eye.
"It's fine Bucky. I'm good. Really. No strings attached, remember? This had always been the plan."
His arm dropped back down to his side. Head cocked slightly away from her, his eyes roved over Sophie's face, analyzing her.
"Ok," he said softly. "What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
She blinked, then swallowed hard, suddenly glad she hadn't blurted out those three dumb words.
"You know, I can't remember now," she whispered.
He continued to stand there, staring at her. Sophie could see the worry in his eyes, the slight downturn of his mouth. She swallowed again, fighting hard agains the growing lump in her throat.
"Are we ok?"
Bucky's question was quiet, edged with a hint of panic. Gritting her teeth, she smiled at him again before stepping up to him. She cupped his left cheek, then pressed a soft kiss to the right one.
"Of course we are."
Pulling away, Sophie took a few steps backwards, then glanced at her phone.
"But I have to go now."
"You're not staying?"
The hurt in his voice was clear.
"No…I can't. Nat just texted me and she's got some kind of…fashion emergency or something."
Bucky nodded, though they both knew it was a lie.
"Ok."
"Alright well, I'll see you later."
"Yeah, ok."
She turned and headed for the door, trying not to trip over Alpine as she weaved through her legs.
"Hey Soph?"
Bucky's quiet voice stopped her with her hand on the doorknob. She looked over her shoulder at him but remained silent.
"We really are ok…right?"
Her hand tightened on the handle as she stared back at him.
"Of course we are. You're my best friend James, and I…I love you."
And then, before he could see the tears nearly spilling onto her cheeks, before she could run back and throw herself into his arms, she walked out his door.
A/N: Ok so before anyone jumps on me about what Sophie says at the end, there have been times when they've told each other that they love one another and it's always been obvious that they didn't mean it in that way. So although at this point she really does mean it like that, poor Bucky is none-the-wiser and she knows it.
Anyhoo, I hope all the back and forth discussions were ok and not too boring. I'm sorry there wasn't a ton of Bucky/Sophie interaction in this one but it was an important turning point in their relationship. So please leave a review and tell me what you think! Also, since it is obvious at this point that no one's PMs seem to be going through on FF dot net, I'm opting to go back to replying here instead. It sucks and I'm sorry. But such is life.
A BIG thank you to my tiny handful of reviewers on the last chapter! IggyTheNugget, Season Two, Alices Rabbit1, isabetta1463, Vokunkendov, and 22
IggyTheNugget: I'm just going to assume that you did not get my PM like everyone else lol. So I'm copy and pasting what I'd written to you haha: Yay! I'm so so glad you're enjoying the story! And yes! I really wanted that chapter to be super emotionally intimate between them so I'm happy it came across that way. The story is NOT done yet! Would love for you to continue to read and review pretty please! :D
Season Two: OMG I am so frustrated that I haven't received any of your PMs! Boooooo. But I'm so happy you loved the last chapter! And yay your review made me do a little happy dance haha. Anyway, I hope you'll continue to follow me on AO3 after this story is over. I'm considering a sequel at some point but likely won't bother posting it here :(
Alices Rabbit1: Girl, you are astute. Lol! Thanks for your review, as always 3