It was movie night at the compound and while the majority of the team was still on the mission, the ones that remained kept with the tradition. That night was Vision's choice and he had decided on Casablanca. They were just waiting on one more person.

"Sorry I'm late," Stella said as she strolled in, juggling two bowls of popcorn. She handed one to Wanda before collapsing onto the sectional beside Bucky.

"Not a problem, Stella." Vision began queuing up the movie.

"Hey," Stella greeted Bucky.

"Hey." He smiled at her.

"I love this movie," Stella commented before shoving a handful of popcorn in her mouth. She passed the bowl so he could take some.

"Me too."

"You've seen it?"

Bucky smirked. "Steve and I saw this in theaters when it first came out."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"What year was that?"

Bucky scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. "Must've been…'42, '43? Somewhere around then. We went on a double date."

Stella choked on her drink. "You guys double dated?"

Bucky laughed. "Yeah with a couple girls we met at the diner."

"I'm trying to imagine you two picking up women together…"

"Well, to be honest I did most of the 'picking up'. Steve was pretty awkward back then."

"Really." This intrigued Stella. Steve was so confident.

Although, he had sometimes gotten flustered at the bar when she teased him or flirted a little. Stella had thought it cute at the time. This was of course before she'd known who he actually was.

The idea of Bucky picking up women was odd too. He was so reserved and quiet. Stella wished she could have known him back then, just to know what he was like.

They had gotten close since the others left. It was hard not to, seeing as they trained together on a daily basis. They had even started hanging out outside the training facility. Bucky now attended breakfast daily and even regularly came to movie nights, like tonight.

It was weird being the only two left inside the compound aside from Vision and Wanda. The couple was often intimate, and sometimes it made it all the more obvious that Bucky and Stella weren't.

Stella knew she'd told Bucky they were better off as friends but it was hard to deny her attraction to the man. It had only worsened as the weeks passed, especially during training sessions when their sweaty bodies grappled closely or when he was using his hands to gently guide her body into the right position when they were sparring. Then there was the fact the man could easily throw her around and regularly did during training. If he could do that just think about what he could do to her in the bedroom…

While it had started off as such, Stella couldn't pretend her attraction to Bucky was purely physical. During training he was patient and kind, even funny sometimes. And he was a damn good teacher, to boot. She had come miles far in terms of progress compared to when she'd started.

Aside from what she'd learned, Stella realized she didn't know much else about Bucky despite being around him so much. He was such a closed book...

She knew the basics of course; born and raised in Brooklyn, best friends with Steve until he had been drafted into the army, captured and brainwashed by Hydra…

Stella wondered what Bucky had been like before becoming the Winter Soldier. Was he sweet? Was he different?

"Whatever happened to them? The women you guys double dated?" Stella asked.

Bucky shrugged. "Not sure. We kept in touch but after the war…" He trailed off.

"I see." Stella's hand found his knee and squeezed it. The thought of young Bucky kept nagging at her. "What were you like? Back then?" Bucky's gaze met hers. Her voice was soft now so Vision and Wanda couldn't overhear. "Sorry- that was kind of a weird question."

"It's okay," Bucky responded. He ruffled his hair. "Uh…well…"

"How would Steve describe you?" Stella suggested helpfully. Bucky pondered this.

"Cocky, charming I guess. A bit of a ladies' man if you can believe it."

Stella raised a brow.

"Really?" He nodded. Her eyes raked over his chiseled features, his stunning blue eyes and the handsome face she had noticed the moment she met him. Suddenly it wasn't so hard to see how he had been a ladies' man.

They watched the movie in silence mostly. At some point, Stella's eyes began to droop and she sunk deeper into the couch. The long day was taking its toll. Eventually she passed out, her head on Bucky's shoulder.

Bucky didn't mind but shifted slightly so her head wasn't on the bony part of his shoulder but rather the muscle so her neck wouldn't be sore when she woke. The action moved her head closer to his neck and when the girl exhaled her breath ghosted across his throat.

It sent a shiver down his spine, but not in an unpleasant way.

Bucky was determined to keep his eyes open but exhaustion soon overtook him and he crashed as well, his head falling to rest on top of Stella's.

"They're so cute," Wanda said once the credits rolled on the movie.

"Rick and Ilsa?"

"No, silly. Stella and Bucky," She nodded over to the two who had fallen asleep on the opposite sofa. Stella's head was propped against Bucky's shoulder while Bucky's arm had fallen from the top of the couch across the brunette's shoulders.

"You think?"

"You don't see it? Clearly they're falling for each other."

"Is that a good idea? Mr. Stark isn't the biggest fan of Sergeant Barnes and he tried to kill Stella not that long ago," Vision reminded her.

"Is love ever a good idea? Vis, people say we're an odd couple."

"They do?"

"Well, they would if they knew we were a couple. Not to mention I was not the biggest fan of you when we first met."

"I suppose that's true."

"They'd be good together. Bucky hasn't known peace since before the war and Stella's struggled her entire life. They deserve something good; to find some happiness, don't you think?"

"Yes, they do deserve happiness."

"Mark my words, they'll be a couple before the rest of the team gets back from their mission, I guarantee it."

"If you say so, my love…Do you think we should we wake them?"

"Absolutely not." Wanda levitated a nearby blanket and draped it over the sleeping duo. Vision turned off the movie and then the lights. Wanda joined him in the doorway.

"Sleep well, lovebirds."

Stella POV (One week later)

It had been a rough week. It had been snowing and hailing all week and the tenants of the compound had been stuck inside since. Stella tried to keep as busy as possible with training and class, but she was in a rut and she knew it. And she knew why.

It was her mom's birthday, her second since she had died. And Stella couldn't even visit her grave.

The day of, Stella couldn't even make herself get out of bed. She didn't attend breakfast and knew she was late to meet Bucky for training but she felt glued to her mattress, her eyes trained on the windows as she watched the snow fall outside.

Eventually, a knock sounded at her door. Stella dragged herself to her feet and slowly made her way over to answer it. Bucky stood on the other side, his expression concerned.

"Hey," He greeted.

"Hey," She replied weakly.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay. You never showed up for training."

"I'm sorry. I'm really not feeling well."

That was putting it lightly.

"It's okay." Bucky eyed her. "Can I get you anything?"

She shook her head.

"I think I just need some rest."

"Okay. Well if you change your mind, let me know doll."

"I will." Stella closed the door. She made it back to her bed before the tears started.

She cried for the better half of the morning. Wanda came to check on her at some point, having been told Stella was ill by Bucky. The soup she'd brought sat untouched on Stella's nightstand. She had no appetite.

She knew Wanda had probably read her mind because the girl embraced her almost as soon as Stella opened the door. The redhead offered to watch some of her favorite sitcoms with her, but Stella declined. She wanted to be alone.

Her phone buzzed on the bed beside her. Stella ignored it, but it buzzed again. She glanced at it. It was from an unknown number.

I'm supposed to be giving you space but I know today is a tough day for you. I wish I could be there… I'm thinking of you.

-Steve

Steve.

The tears which had stopped started anew.

He remembered. Stella cradled her phone to her chest.

She had been burying the feeling for a while now, but she missed Steve terribly. Despite the fact they hadn't been on the best of terms when he'd left, she thought about him all the time; about the way he smiled fondly at her when she made a joke, the way he'd squint down at anything he was reading like an old man, the long nights they stayed up talking about anything and everything, the way he'd held her after they had sex…

He'd known her for two weeks at Russo's and they'd spent a week and a half together after she'd found out his true identity. It wasn't a lot of time but in that short period, Stella had fallen for Steve. Hard. She'd never been in love before, but she wondered if it felt anything like this.

God, she missed him. She still wasn't happy with the man but it meant the world to her that he'd reached out. She typed back two words.

Thank you.

She couldn't help thinking her mom would have liked Steve. Stella briefly entertained the idea of what bringing him home to meet her would have been like. Steve, always old fashioned, would have brought her mother flowers of course. Her mom would have made them dinner, something that probably would have been too spicy for him. They would have giggled as his face turned red, yet claimed the dish was delicious. Then her abuela would have come over for dessert and tea. At the end of the night Steve would've been too gentlemanly to kiss her in front of her family so he would have pecked her on the cheek before he left. Her mom and abuela would've told her how much they'd liked him, even if he was a bit stuffy.

Wish you were here, Mom. Happy Birthday.

Stella POV (One week later)

Stella awoke in the middle of the night as heart rendering screams bellowed through the halls of the compound. She sat up immediately, her heart racing. She slid out of bed and crept to the door, hesitating before opening it and peering down the hall towards the source of the sound. A scream rang out again.

The screams weren't coming from the direction of the rest of the compound…they were coming from the residential wing. Stella slid into the hall clad only in her tank top and pajama shorts, creeping along the wall towards the source.

She tried to think logically. Only she, Wanda, Vision, and Bucky were left from the team. Another scream echoed through the halls.

Bucky.

Stella started walking more quickly now. She wasn't sure which room was Bucky's as she had never been there before but another cry alerted her as to the right door.

She was reaching for the doorknob when a voice said, "I wouldn't." Wanda's softly accented voice was unmistakable. Stella looked at the girl who was standing in another doorway, the light from inside illuminating her body.

"Wanda?"

"Steve tried to wake him once and it wasn't pretty."

"This has happened before? Is he hurt?" Then it occurred to her. "…Nightmares." Stella let this sink in.

"So what do you guys do when this happens? Let him suffer?" Stella demanded. Wanda didn't answer. Stella reached out to grasp the doorknob before she could stop herself.

"It's not safe."

"He's hurting…I need to do something, Wanda."

"Stella, I know you care about him but you could get hurt." Stella paused as Wanda's words sunk in.

You care about him.

"…He's worth it."

She left herself into the dimly lit room. Bucky was sprawled on the bed, muscles straining as he bowed back against the mattress. Stella hastened to his bedside, before flicking on the light at his bedside.

"Don't touch him." Wanda warned, now standing in the doorway. Stella knew not to touch someone in the throes of a night terror and instead tried another tactic.

"Bucky," She called softly. "Bucky, it's Stella." Bucky cried out again, his face contorted in pain. His hands fisted the sheets, sweat covering his body from head to toe. His veins bulged out against his neck as he spasmed again. "Bucky," she called louder. "Wake up. Please." He didn't respond, shaking his head back and forth, his eyes shut tightly.

"Bucky!" She said, louder this time. Blue eyes shot open and the man looked around wildly. Stella knelt at his bedside, still reluctant to touch him but needing to do something to bring him back from the vestiges of his nightmare.

"Bucky," She said, her voice once again soft. His eyes settled on her, wide and frightened. Stella felt her heart constrict in sympathy. "Hey," She cooed softly. His hand reached out toward her, but a red ring of light appeared around it and held him back. Wanda was using her powers to stop Bucky from touching Stella.

"It's okay, Wanda," Stella assured her. Wanda hesitated, before dropping her hand. Bucky's cool fingers found Stella's face, gripping it tightly. She didn't flinch. His touch softened after a moment, caressing her cheek softly, experimentally.

"I'm here," Stella assured him, covering his hand with hers.

"Stella," He rasped, his voice hoarse. "Are you real?"

"I'm real," She replied. Stella got off her knees and sat on the edge of the bed. Bucky pulled her close, burying his face in her chest. Stella shifted closer, cradling his head and stroking his hair softly. She had never touched Bucky like this, but she had never seen him in such pain before either.

"It's okay, you're safe now. You're home. You're at the Avenger's Compound." Stella's eyes met Wanda's who was still standing in the doorway. She nodded. Wanda did too, her eyes trailing to Bucky before returning to her room.

For a while she and Bucky sat in silence, Stella stroking his hair as he calmed. She had shifted him so his head was laying in her lap, her other hand on his bare chest feeling his heartbeat slow to a normal rate beneath her fingers. She was wondering if the man had fallen asleep when he spoke.

"I could have hurt you." Stella looked down at him. Bucky turned his head so he was looking up at her.

"What?" She brushed an errant strand of hair out of his face.

"I could have hurt you. You shouldn't have come in here."

"I couldn't listen to you suffer Bucky."

His eyes hardened. "The rest of them do."

"I'm not the rest of them," She said firmly.

"Except Steve." Bucky added, almost as an afterthought.

"What?"

"Steve…he tried to wake me once and I broke his nose. He never tried to wake me again…but he would come into the room and wait for me to wake up…so I wouldn't be alone." Stella was still mad at Steve but the thought of him finding a way to be with Bucky during his darkest hours made her smile softly.

Best friends til the end.

"I'm glad he found a way to be there for you." A few moments of silence passed between them. "Do you want to talk about it?" Bucky shook his head almost immediately. "…Do you want me to leave?" Bucky's eyes met hers.

"Do you want to leave?"

Stella thought about it.

"No."

"Then stay."

So she did.

XXX

Stella awoke the next morning feeling like she was inside a sauna. Something huge and hot was smothering her beneath its weight. She shifted but the weight was too much. She peeked her eyes open. The sun was just starting to rise and fill the room with light.

Stella looked down at the heat source to see Bucky's head resting in the crook of her neck. Her arms were wrapped around him tightly, as if shielding him from the world.

She ran her hand through the man's dark locks and a deep fondness settled over her. She'd almost forgotten he'd tried to kill her two months ago.

Wanda's words from last night echoed in her mind.

I know you care about him.

As she glanced down at the man who was still deep asleep she couldn't deny it. She did care about him. At first it had started as an innocent flirtation. Stella was a flirt by nature. And she was a bartender. On occasion, the trade called for it.

She was reluctant to admit it but at first Stella had thought of Bucky as a way to get over Steve; a fling maybe.

Wanda was right. She…liked him. The realization of this sunk in.

While it had started out as a flirtation…that wasn't the case anymore. Sure, Stella had been attracted to Bucky for a while now but attraction was different than what she was feeling now.

What have you gotten yourself into Rivera?

She ran her fingers through his dark hair again, studying his peaceful expression as he slept. It was rare to see the man completely at peace, all guards down.

She hoped she had helped last night. It destroyed her to see Bucky in pain.

Were the nightmares because of what Hydra had done to him? Had they tortured him? What had they forced him to endure?

Poor baby.

Stella tried shifting again and became aware of the fact her and Bucky's legs were tangled together.

She realized then how much of their bare skin was touching. It hadn't occurred to her in the heat of the moment last night, but all she was wearing a skimpy tank top and shorts while Bucky was only clad in a pair of black boxer briefs. Nothing that had happened last night had been sexual but in the light of day, she couldn't deny how it looked. And she couldn't deny the intimate position they were in. In fact, she could feel Bucky's hard length pressed against one of her legs.

Well, it is morning…She thought to herself dryly.

Bucky was so hot that the areas of their bodies that were pressed together were slicked with sweat. Stella tried sliding to the side but Bucky felt like he weighed a thousand pounds.

He's definitely all muscle.

Well, if she couldn't move him she could at least try and slide the blanket off of them. Her arm, which was partially trapped under Bucky's torso, grabbed the blanket and pulled it to the side. It slid over Bucky's back. The man shifted, inhaling deeply and exhaling warm air onto her neck. It sent a pleasant shiver down Stella's spine. Bucky stopped moving, then lifted his head slightly to look up at her.

"Hey," Stella managed. Her voice was raspy. She wasn't sure if it was because she was still tired or for another reason. Bucky's blue eyes were soft from sleep, his hair mussed.

He looked undeniably sexy.

You said you were better off as friends, make up your mind already.

"Morning," He greeted.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Like a rock."

Stella fought the smile pulling at her lips. "You don't say."

Bucky quirked a brow at her. He shifted, one of his thighs sliding over the apex of Stella's legs. He froze, seeming to realize how much of their bodies were touching. A moment passed between them, their eyes locked.

"Er…sorry." He rolled off her.

"It's okay." Go now before you do something you regret.

Stella couldn't help the way her eyes trailed down Bucky's half naked body. He was all cut lines and hard slabs of muscle. A deep V started at his lower abdomen before disappearing beneath his boxer briefs. Her eyes settled on the outline of his still hard dick that was pressed against the fabric, pitching it forward.

Holy hell, this man is sex on a stick. Stella tore her eyes away.

Bucky seemed to notice the hard on because he pulled the blanket up over his lap.

"Uh…sorry again," He mumbled.

"Don't worry about it," Stella replied. They held one another's gaze for a moment. "Well, I'd better go." She sat up and slid her feet over the side of the bed.

"Hey." A hand snagged her wrist. She looked back over her shoulder. Bucky was still holding the blanket over his lap but his other hand tightened around her arm. "Thank you. I mean that." Stella smiled.

"Anytime Barnes."

Bucky POV

Bucky watched Stella go, longing pooling inside him. His eyes settled on her ass which peeked out beneath the edge of her shorts. He didn't want her to leave but what could he say?

I know I tried to kill you a few months back, but I think I'm falling for you?

It was a lost cause and he knew it.

The door clicked shut behind her. Bucky fell back against the bed, slinging his arm over his eyes.

Stella's scent was all around him; on his sheets, on his skin. He could practically still feel her pressed against him, her luscious curves pliant beneath his body.

His fingers found his dick before he could stop himself. He pulled his shaft out of his boxers, Stella's image still at the forefront in his mind.

If only this morning had gone a little differently…

"Bucky…" His eyes drifted up to meet hers.

"What is it doll?" She moved her body beneath him teasingly.

"I want you."

Bucky bent down and placed a soft kiss on the side of her neck. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Please." Their lips met. Stella guided his hand to the curve of her breast.

Bucky stroked himself, the events playing out in his mind.

He squeezed them through the fabric, leaving a trail of kisses along her neck. He ripped off her barely there tank top to reveal her perfect breasts, before taking a bud in his mouth. She moaned his name.

"Bucky…"

Bucky rubbed himself faster, his cock hardening further with every stroke.

His fingers slid down beneath her shorts to find her already wet.

"You're so ready for me, doll."

"Yes. Fuck me now, please." He grinned against her chest before looking up into her dark brown eyes.

"Already?"

"I can't wait. I need you, Bucky."

Bucky pumped his fist faster now. His dick was rock hard in his hand.

Stella slid out of her shorts and laid before him stark naked, her legs spread wide. Bucky dropped between them. Grasping her hair in one fist and using the other to press one of her hands into the mattress, he thrust inside. It was sopping wet and tight, exactly how he'd imagined countless times before.

"You feel so good baby…" She moaned.

"Fuck," Bucky gasped as he came, shooting spurts of white into his other hand. He collapsed back onto the bed, his heart pounding, sweat gathered on his chest and brow.

You've got it bad, Barnes.

Stella POV

Stella stood in the kitchen barefoot as music played from her phone. She stirred the pasta she was cooking and turned the meatballs down to a low simmer. She had woken up that morning with a craving for carbs and planned on sharing with the rest of the tenants of the compound once the meal was complete. As a matter of fact, they were due to show up any minute.

A familiar song started playing, droning throughout the empty kitchen. Stella danced along to the tune as she finished prepping the meal.

"Fuck you and your mom and your sister and your job and your broke-ass car and that shit you call art," She sang along to the song as she put the garlic bread in the oven. She did a little twirl as she stood and kicked the stove door shut.

"Fuck you and your friends that I'll never see again. Everybody but your dog, you can all fuck off," She continued, stirring her pots once again.

"Nananananananana." Wanda entered the kitchen and joined her chorus, singing along as well.

"ABCDEF-U," The two chanted in tandem. They began to dance around the kitchen, still reciting the lyrics word for word.

Vision strolled in, but froze once he noticed the dancing girls. Wanda swayed over to him and began serenading him.

"I was into you but I'm over it now." Vision shot her a bewildered look. Wanda continued, unperturbed. "And I was tryin' to be nice but nothing's getting through, so let me spell it out." Vision smiled though he still looked uncomfortable and made his was back out the doorway, almost bumping into Bucky.

"You may not want to go in there," He muttered to the assassin before disappearing down the hall. Bucky quirked a brow, then looked back at the girls who were still dancing around the kitchen.

Stella sang along as she poured the spaghetti into a colander. Bucky, unfazed per usual, walked up to the island and took a seat at one of the stools. Stella picked up a plate and spooned some pasta onto it, then sauce and meatballs. She slid it in front of him. Bucky began eating.

"Nananananananana. ABCDEF-U!" Bucky chewed his pasta as the girls danced around him, finishing out the song.

"I'm gonna see if I can convince Vision to come back," Wanda laughed. She took off down the hall in the direction the android had headed.

Stella helped herself to some pasta and took a seat next to Bucky at the bar.

"No encore?" He questioned after he swallowed a mouthful.

Stella grinned. "I could be talked into a reprise."

Bucky laughed.

"How're you feeling? I never got the chance to ask you the other day." Their eyes met and Stella could sense the hidden words behind his eyes. You know…when you comforted me in bed?

"Better. Thanks for asking," She replied.

"Glad to hear it, doll."

She got the feeling Bucky knew she hadn't actually been sick but she was grateful he didn't ask questions. She felt mostly better now.

Mostly. Her feelings about her mother's passing were safely tucked away in the box they lived in deep in her subconscious. She had locked her feelings for Steve there too.

Stella shot a covert look at Bucky. It was the first time she'd seen him since they'd spent the night together and Stella was still mulling over her newly discovered feelings for the man. Was it possible to have feelings for two people at the same time?

She sighed. A fork appeared in her line of vision and plucked a meat ball off her plate. Bucky popped it in his mouth.

"Hey! Get your own, Barnes."

He brandished his already empty plate.

"I'm guessing you liked it?" Stella commented.

"It's nice having someone to cook for you."

Stella had to laugh.

"This place has catered meals 24/7."

"They're not you." He smirked at her, leaning forward and propping his elbows on the bar. Stella smiled. Bucky reached toward her and wiped a smear of sauce from the corner of her mouth. He licked it from his thumb. Stella felt her face heat.

"Well…there's more if you want it," She said after a moment.

"Trust me. I definitely want it." Bucky pushed back from the bar to refill his plate. Were they still talking about food? His expression said otherwise. It seemed every time they saw each other, their flirtation escalated more and more.

It was only a matter of who would make the first move.

Bucky POV

Bucky never considered himself to be the type of guy who wore his heart on his sleeve. Even back in the forties that hadn't been him. He had always been the type to hold his cards close to his chest, keep the girls guessing. He supposed it had added to his charm.

Right now, he couldn't have felt further from that guy. Stella was unlike any other girl he'd ever been interested in. She constantly kept him guessing, constantly pushed his boundaries. It drove him crazy, but usually in a good way. Lately his thoughts had been consumed by her. When he had asked her out those months ago, it had been a crush; at least compared to how he felt about her now. The thought made him feel vulnerable, something he hadn't been in a long time.

In a lot of ways, Stella made him feel like a teenager again. She was younger than him, for one. Biologically they were separated by ten years but in reality…he didn't even want to do that math. She was also easy going and fun, playful and flirty. He loved being around her.

Bucky had gone through puberty early and remembered the raging hormones well. Something else he'd had difficulty doing at that age was controlling his body…an annoying anomaly that had resurfaced lately, much to his frustration and embarrassment. It seemed his body sometimes had a mind of its own in her presence.

The other day at training Stella managed to flip herself on top of him after Bucky had pinned her down. With her hips pressed against his, he had instantly hardened beneath her. Stella had been oblivious to his predicament and stared down at him triumphantly. Bucky had all but thrown her off him in his haste to hide the hard on.

He had been better at controlling his body and mind in the forties but after years of being under Hydra's mind control he found he liked burying his true feelings less and less.

Despite his attraction to the woman, the two of them had been hanging out more and more outside the gym. Stella had cooked for him a few times and forced him to start attending regular meal times. She had dragged him to a few movie nights with Wanda and Vision and even picked out a forty's movie for his sake. Bucky couldn't deny seeing Vision and Wanda as a couple made him long for intimacy even more.

In the short span of a couple months, Stella had become his closest friend.

Aside from Steve.

Bucky had never been friends with a girl before. He had dated plenty sure, but they were never his friends first.

Being her friend took the pressure off. He got to know her in his own time, in his own way. It wasn't forced or rushed like dates could be. It had felt natural, easy. He hadn't felt the need to be someone else. Around her he felt like Bucky.

That very night there was a meteor shower scheduled and Stella had asked him to watch it with her on the roof.

Things had become more charged between them lately. There had been a lot of extended touches and prolonged glanced between the two, but in the end neither of them had made a move.

Were they afraid of ruining their friendship? Or afraid of spoiling the game they had been engaging in these past few months? Bucky wasn't sure, but he had a feeling he'd find out that night.

Stella POV

Stella stared up into the night, watching as the stars streaked across the sky.

"Did you see that one?" She murmured. She looked over at Bucky who was stretched out beside her, his arms folded behind his head.

"Mmm."

Bucky was a man of few words, though he and Stella had become close in the few months since she had come to the compound. She was on break from classes, having aced the two courses Tony signed her up for. He had promised her next September he would get her into MIT and Stella believed him. He emailed her occasionally to see how things were going. She had even been replying lately. It was the least she could do since he had paid for her classes at Steve's suggestion.

Steve. She hadn't seen or heard from the man in almost two months, aside from the text he'd sent her on her mother's birthday. She knew the team was still hunting Loki but no one aside from Tony spoke with them as they were deep undercover.

It hurt to admit but she had missed the man dearly after he left, especially after he hadn't said goodbye. The past few months had lessened her anger towards him but not her resolve. He had lied. And it was unforgivable. She needed to move on.

Speaking of…her eyes once again drifted to Bucky. The man intrigued her and her attraction to him was undeniable; especially after long training sessions in the gym where they grappled closely.

The other day Stella had accidentally clocked the man in the face when they were sparring. She had apologized profusely but his lips pulled up in a half smile with an almost a proud look on his face. That is, until he hooked his leg around hers and pushed her so she tripped and fell on her ass.

"Now we're even. And don't let your guard down," He'd replied with a smirk before helping her to her feet.

Then there was the time he'd been demonstrating how to do a jab cross hook combination. He had demonstrated the attack himself, patiently explaining how her body was supposed to move with each strike as he aimed pulled punches at her. His fist had connected with her jaw as he demonstrated, but not in a painful way. Before she knew it his fist had uncurled and his fingers stroked her cheek, sliding briefly over her lips. Stella had stood there transfixed as desired pooled low in her belly while Bucky's gaze slid over her face and settled on her mouth. She had thought he was going to kiss her but then he dropped his hand and turned away, liked nothing had happened.

She supposed she would have to take charge.

Bucky must have felt her eyes on him because he glanced over at her. They held each other's gaze for a few moments, silence passing between them. Stella moistened her lips with her tongue. Bucky's eyes glazed over.

"Kiss me."

"I thought you said you wanted to be friends." Bucky seemed like he had this response prepared, he said it so quickly.

"Friends can kiss."

"No, they can't. Because then they stop being friends."

Stella sighed. "I know what I said. To be honest I was frightened after you attacked me and still reeling from finding out about Tony and still getting over-" She cut herself off.

"The guy."

"Yeah." Silence passed between them.

"Are you over him?" Stella couldn't tell him the truth. That she still thought about Steve all the time. That she missed him dearly. That she longed for him to come back.

So she lied.

"Yes." She drifted closer, laying her head on his pillow and propping it against his arm which was still folded behind his head. Bucky turned towards her unconsciously. Their faces floated towards one another's, as if pulled by a magnet.

"Are you sure?" He whispered, their foreheads pressing together, then their noses. Stella could smell his body wash, feel his breath on her lips.

"Yes."

His lips touched hers, softer than she had expected. They were moist and his facial hair tickled her face. The first kiss was simple, a bare brush of their lips. Bucky pulled away after a prolonged moment, as if giving her the chance to rethink her decision.

She leaned in again, capturing his mouth. This kiss was deeper, more intense. Their lips moved against one another's restlessly.

Her hands tangled themselves in Bucky's hair. His metal hand gripped her face, before pulling her closer to him. His tongue slipped inside mouth and played with her own. The way he kissed her made her dizzy and also surprised her. She hadn't expected him to be this good of a kisser.

Stella shuffled closer, pressing her butt into his lap. Bucky's hands guided her legs over his so they were stacked on top of his own. He gripped her thigh.

Stella's hand slid down the man's chest, fisting his shirt. Her other hand remained in his hair. Bucky's hand slid up her leg.

Stella was suddenly aware of how turned on she was getting. It had been months since she had been with someone, the last person of course being Steve. The thought annoyed her.

She didn't want to think about Steve right now, the man who had lied and manipulated her. She wanted to think about Bucky, the man who had been by her side for the past two months, patiently training her and expecting nothing in return.

Stella broke the kiss. Bucky's eyes were still half lidded and filled with desire, but he didn't kiss her again. Subtly giving her the chance to change her mind if she wished. If only he knew how much she wanted him.

Stella pushed the man onto his back, crawling on top of him as she did and straddling his hips. Bucky's eyes were trained on her. He sat up so they were eye level, his gaze never leaving hers. Stella had to hold onto his shoulders to stay upright.

She pressed their lips together again. Bucky wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him so the warmth of his chest enveloped her. Their lips met again and again, never separated for more than a couple seconds. Each kiss was deep, searing and filled with passion.

Fuck. He was a good kisser.

Stella gyrated her hips over his. Bucky stilled. Experimentally, she did it again.

"Stella," He growled against her lips.

It was then she felt the hard length beneath her, pressed against the apex of her legs.

He wanted her too.

Her fingers slid down his chest, settling on his belt. She began unbuckling it.

"Stella," Bucky whispered, breaking their kiss.

"Hmm?"

"I think we should slow down." The words hit her like a ton of bricks and she pulled away, out of his circle of warmth. She blinked.

"What?"

"I don't think it's a good idea for things to move too quickly between us."

"…Why? I thought things between us were, well…" She paused. "I thought they were going well."

I thought this was what you wanted.

"I just…" He trailed off, looking nervous. "Think it's for the best."

Stella felt her face heat in embarrassment. She got off him and turned away.

"Stella…"

"Don't." She stood quickly and made her way back to the compound, not looking back when he called after her.

A/N: It's been a long time coming but finally a Bucky/Stella kiss! Thanks for your patience guys. Let me know what your thoughts were on this chapter and if you're rooting for Stella to be with Steve or Bucky! Thanks for reading!