Once the team arrived at the compound Stella showered before the girls gathered in Nat's room to get ready together.

"I have no idea what to wear," Stella admitted after she finished securing her hair into a messy bun. Her bangs and a few other pieces had escaped and hung artfully around her face.

"Natasha and I have it covered," Wanda assured her. Natasha plopped a couple items of clothing onto the bed. Stella's eyes widened.

"It's…perfect."

"The pants are Wanda's. The top is a present from me," Nat added.

"Oh my god. These boots," Stella said in awe, holding them up so she could examine them.

"Those are a birthday gift from me," Wanda said. She smiled coyly. "You're welcome."

Stella donned the outfit and glanced in the mirror. On her feet were the black leather combat boots Wanda had gifted her. A pair of tight black jeans that were covered in rips from thigh to ankle hugged her hips. Her breasts looked amazing in the dark blue corset top which paired stunningly with the metallic makeup Natasha had done for her.

Natasha was wearing a short satin dress in a deep maroon that looked stunning with her natural red hair and wine colored lipstick. Wanda had chosen a plaid mini skirt, platform heels and a black button up top.

"Bruce is gonna die when he sees you in that," Wanda said to Nat.

"I'm counting on it." Natasha winked.

"I'm sorry, Bruce is setting foot outside his lab?" Stella questioned.

"I'm dragging him along. We're way overdue for a date night."

A knock at the door disturbed the group. Jace stuck his head through the crack, his hand over his eyes.

"Is everyone decent?"

"For now."

Jace removed the hand. He had been getting ready in Stella's room and was freshly showered. Stella noticed he had done his usual "gig" look. Floppy, greased hair and a touch of eyeliner.

"Wow. You ladies look great." He turned to Stella. "Stel, you almost ready? The band's already at the venue."

"Let's go. The guys can take their own car," Natasha declared. The girls grabbed their bags and headed down to the garage. Bruce met them at the car looking very un-Bruce-like in a grey button down and black slacks and notably, missing his white lab coat. The group slid into Natasha's BMW and took off towards the venue.

XXX

Stella peered out from backstage at the small crowd that had assembled in the club. It was a smaller venue with one bar, a dance floor and a small stage. Despite the small size the venue was packed. The preshow DJ was playing EDM and a hoard of people were gyrating together on the dance floor.

The rest of the guys had arrived a few minutes beforehand and were congregated in the bar area. Steve was wearing a dark blue shirt with rolled up sleeves and black jeans. Bucky was sipping a beer next to him, Sam, and Clint. His hair was pulled back into a messy bun. The man was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans with a white t shirt and had a leather jacket slung on over it.

Stella's mouth filled with water at the sight of him. It seemed the other women in the club felt similarly about the men as they scoped out the group from afar. Natasha, Wanda, Bruce and Vision (in his human form) were on the dance floor.

Bruce and Natasha were holding court at the edge of the crowd, poor Bruce looking very out of place. He swayed back and forth to the music as Natasha danced beside him. Her movements were beautiful and sultry, on time to the electronic beat and drawing the eyes of quite a few men and women.

Wanda and Vision were in the thick of the crowd. Wanda was jumping up and down and mouthing the lyrics to the song that was playing. Vision danced with her, staring down at the small Sokovian adoringly.

Stella's eyes flicked back to Bucky. She had spoken to the man briefly on the jet and it seemed he had been granted the same leave she had; freedom from the compound for the night while under the supervision of the rest of the team. He caught her staring from behind the curtain and nodded to her. Stella waved before disappearing backstage.

Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, her hands clammy. She wasn't sure why she felt so nervous. She had performed with the band dozens of times before, usually in bigger venues than this. She hadn't felt nervous then. She guessed it was because it had been so long since she'd performed.

"You ready Stel?" Jace asked, coming up beside her.

She nodded, her mouth dry.

"Did you memorize the set list?"

She nodded again.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Nerves?"

"Nerves," She admitted.

"Here." Jace grabbed a shot from the tray of a waitress who was servicing the backstage area. He handed it to Stella who downed it with no hesitation. "Better?"

Stella didn't have time to answer before someone shouted it was time for them to head on stage. Stella hadn't realized the EDM music stopped until that moment.

Once the bar manager introduced them, the group walked on stage to scattered applause. Stella stole a glance at her friends who were cheering loudly from the bar area. She grinned at them before taking her spot before center mic.

The band began playing and she waited as the first few notes of the song played out. It was a cover, one she was extremely familiar with. A mashup of Sia and Linkin Park.

"I was born in a thunderstorm…I grew up overnight," She began. The band played the industrial rock tune in the background for Numb by Linkin Park. "Hey…I wanted everything I never had. Like the love that comes with light. I wore envy and I hated that. But I survived…"

The song was one of Stella's favorite mashups. One she resonated with deeply after everything she'd gone through, especially as of late. The lyrics were only more characteristic of the life she was living now.

"Where the wind don't change, and nothing in the ground can ever grow. No hope, just lies and you're taught to cry into your pillow…But I survived." She took a deep breath and glanced at Natasha. The woman was grinning and gave her a thumbs up. Stella grinned back.

"I'm still breathing, I'm still breathing, I'm still breathing, I'm still breathing. I'm alive. I'm alive. I'm alive. I'm alive…" She belted out the lyrics. The crowd cheered appreciatively.

Steve POV

"She'd definitely Tony's kid, huh?" Natasha said from beside Steve. Steve tore his eyes away from the stage to glance at Nat. Stella was belting out a high note. The crowd went wild.

"She sure is."

Steve had seen Stella sing once before. It had been back at Russo's, when Steve was still undercover. A cover band had performed at the restaurant for the night and they had asked Stella to join them on stage for a few songs. They'd been softer choices, mostly ballads and nothing like what she now sang with her own band.

He was pretty sure it was the night he realized he was growing feelings for her.

The band finished playing the last notes of the song, Jace strumming out the final chords on his guitar. Steve joined the rest of the team in cheering for Stella. Steve's eyes caught on the locket that glittered from her neck, sparkling in the strobe lights from the stage. He smiled.

The group performed a few more songs, most of which Steve didn't know. The crowd didn't seem to have the same issue as him, moving along to the beat of the music and celebrating the band with deafening applause when the songs were done.

Sam was flirting with a girl at the bar on the other side of Bucky while Clint had been cajoled onto the dance floor by Natasha and Wanda. Bruce had used this opportunity to escape the throng and was sipping a beer on the other side of Sam.

"Hi."

Steve looked down at the person who had spoken. A redhead with blue eyes was standing in front of him. She was smiling at him and wearing a very sexy, form fitting dress.

"Hi." He responded.

"Steve right?"

Steve never got used to the way people recognized him in public after he became Captain America. He didn't think he ever would.

"Right." Neither one of them spoke for a moment.

"I'm Jenna," The girl continued. Steve could've kicked himself. After all these years, he still didn't know how to talk to women.

"Nice to meet you."

She beamed at him. "Can I buy you a drink?" She asked hopefully.

"Uhh…I already have one." Steve answered lamely. Bucky snorted beside him.

"Your next one then?"

"I probably shouldn't. I'm the designated driver," He said to her.

"Oh. Okay." The crestfallen girl frowned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

"Steve," Bucky was shaking his head beside him. "What was that?"

"What?" Steve asked defensively.

"She was pretty."

"I know."

"And she was hitting on you."

"Believe it or not I gathered," Steve said dryly.

"You know we can't get drunk anymore." Bucky was clearly trying to put together the pieces of why Steve had turned the girl down.

"…I know."

"Not your type?"

Steve's eyes trailed to the stage where Stella was still performing. He swallowed and looked away.

"No. Not my type."

Steve got the feeling Bucky was sensing what he was thinking. An awkward moment passed between them. The subject of both of their interest in Stella was one that had gone unmentioned.

"Girls have been hitting on you all night," Steve pointed out.

Bucky sipped his beer.

"Yeah." Bucky met Steve's eye after a moment. "…It's not like I can take any of them out Steve. House arrest remember?"

"Right." Steve had the feeling that wasn't why Bucky kept turning the girls down but kept that thought to himself.

Both the men's eyes were drawn to the stage when a new song began. The stage lights had taken on a pink hue. Jace and the bassist had left the stage. Stella and the drummer remained, however the drummed had moved from behind the drum set and was now sitting at a keyboard.

He began playing a song on the piano. The notes floated out over the crown. Stella began to sing softly. Steve actually knew this song, though it was softer and slower than the version he knew from the radio.

"I'm so into you, I can barely breathe. And all I wanna do is to fall in deep…Close ain't close enough, 'til we cross that line. So name a game to play and we'll roll the dice." Stella's voice was deep and breathy as she sang.

"Oh baby look what you started. The temperature's rising in here. Oh, baby, look what you started. Is this gonna happen?" Stella's eyes flicked towards the team. For a moment, Steve could have sworn she was looking directly at him. "Been waiting and waiting for you to make a move. Before I make a move..." Steve's heartrate accelerated in his chest.

"Baby, come light me up and maybe I'll let you on it. A little bit dangerous, but baby, that's how I want it. A little less conversation, and a little more touch my body." She smiled softly, her gaze focusing.

Sinking realization gathered in his gut. Stella's eyes were trained not on Steve, but the area beside him. Where Bucky stood.

"'Cause I'm so into you, into you, into you…"

Steve's heart constricted painfully in his chest as he listened to Stella's beautiful voice. She sang a few more lines of the song, her gaze returning to the crowd but always coming back to settle on Bucky. It was difficult for Steve to watch.

Sam was nudging Bucky playfully on his other side. Bucky was finding it hard to keep first the smirk and now grin off his face. He watched the stage with intense focus, his deep affection for the singer clear in his eyes.

"Tell me what you came here for…'Cause I can't, I can't wait no more. I'm on the edge with no control and I need, I need you to know, you to know, oh…"

The applause was deafening as Stella finished the song.

Steve muttered something about needing some air and made his way outside.

He took a deep breath once he felt the cool night air hit his skin. He could still hear music playing faintly from inside the venue as he took a seat on a nearby bench. He closed his eyes, pinching the area between his brows.

Someone sat beside him.

"You okay?" He looked over. Natasha was staring at him with something that couldn't be described as anything other than pity in her eyes.

"I'm fine."

"Steve…"

He didn't respond right away.

"I knew they liked each other but…" He trailed off.

"But it's one thing to assume and another to see it happen right in front of you."

"They're crazy about each other," Steve continued. Natasha didn't respond. They sat in silence for a couple minutes.

"It's just hard to see her look at someone; to look at Bucky, my best friend of all people, the way she used to look at me…And have no one to blame but myself."

"…Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah." He said eventually. "Just needed some air."

Natasha squeezed his hand.

"You know, no one would blame you if you took off early and headed back to the compound. I'd cover for you, say you weren't feeling well."

Steve didn't even entertain the idea. Stella and Bucky were only allowed this night of normalcy because the whole team was here to keep an eye on them. He wasn't going to risk their safety because he couldn't get his shit together.

"I'm fine Nat. Really. I'll be in in a couple of minutes."

"Okay." Natasha spared him one final look before returning to the club.

Stella POV

The night passed quickly in a blur of blinking lights and cheers from the crowd. Her earlier anxiety abated, Stella was riding her high. She stole a glance at the set list that was pinned to a nearby amp. One more song.

Jace began the song, fingers gliding across the strings of his guitar like second nature.

"Found you when your heart was broke, I filled your cup until it overflowed. Took it so far to keep you close, I was afraid to leave you on your own…I said I'd catch you if you fall. And if they laugh, then fuck 'em all."

"All." The band echoed around her.

"And then I got you off your knees, put you right back on your feet, just so you could take advantage of me…"

Halsey was one of Stella's favorite artists. And this remix never failed to end the show on a high note.

Jace cut in next to her, singing Alec's lyrics, his voice throaty and deep. Stella could clearly see a few girls in the front row swooning over the man. He shot them a wink.

"You know I'm the one who put you up there. Been in the sky, does it ever get lonely?" Jace's eyes locked on Stella's.

It seemed Jace hadn't forgotten their old act. Stella held his gaze, smirking slightly. Jace began strolling toward her, his movements slow and measured, his guitar now out of the way and slung behind his back. Stella began walking towards him as well.

They'd done it a hundred times before. Play up the audience, make them think the two band members were actually in love. Their harmless flirtation never failed to rile a crowd and end their performance on a high note.

Jace continued singing, "Thinking you could live without me?"

"Thinking you could live without me…" Stella echoed.

"You know I'm the one who put you up there. I don't know why…" Jace reached her. Their bodies were only inches apart now. He reached out to stroke her cheek.

"Gave love 'bout a hundred tries…Just running from the demons in my mind." Jace continued.

"Then I took yours and made em mine. I didn't notice cause my love was blind." Stella sang.

"I said I'd catch you if you fall."

"And if they laugh then fuck em all."

"Then I got you off your knees, put you right back on your feet, just so you could take advantage of me." Jace shook his head, his arm snaking around her back. There were a few whistles and suggestive hoots from the crowd.

"You know I'm the one who put you up there, I don't know why…" Jace's hand slid up her back to wrap around the back of her neck. Stella didn't have time to process before he pulled her towards him, his lips sealing over her own. The crowd was deafening.

Once the shock abated, Stella stepped away from the man, tripping over the microphone wire in the process. Jace reached out to steady her. She shot him a look. Jace smirked at her before redirecting his attention to the crowd, thanking them for having the band and sharing their social media handles. Stella disappeared backstage.

"What the hell was that?" She demanded once the band followed her backstage.

"You guys in love and forgot to tell us?" Gus, their drummer teased.

"Jeez Stella and the way you were crooning to that guy earlier, I was sure you had a thing for him," Eddie, their bassist added.

Fuck, Bucky…I hope he's not too pissed.

"What?" Jace was doing his best faux innocent face. She knew that face well. It was one he wore when he knew he was in deep shit.

"You know what. You've never kissed me during that song before. We flirt, put on a show for the crowd, but never that."

Jace smirked.

"You said you situation was complicated. I was uncomplicating it for you."

Stella let his words settle.

"You're a troublemaker." But she couldn't help the small smile pulling at her lips.

He shrugged. "So I've been told."

XXX

Stella walked into her room, pulling the pins out of her hair as she did. She was exhausted. It had been a long day and her feet were killing her. All she wanted was to fall into her bed and crash.

Natasha and Wanda had accosted her after the show, demanding to know what happened on stage. Even Sam had asked if he needed to "kick that guy's ass for her". Stella had cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Sorry I should've warned you guys. It's part of our act. Riles the crowd up, you know?"

"That's a relief. You looked like you weren't expecting it."

The Avengers were too observant for their own good but thankfully the team had also been beat and didn't grill her too hard after her half ass explanation.

Stalla's hair tumbled down her shoulders as she dislodged the last pin. She didn't notice as her door was caught before it closed and another person stepped inside.

She turned and jumped.

"Bucky," She said, her hand going to her chest. "You scared me."

He didn't say anything at first, merely watching her with his piercing gaze, his eyes dark and stormy. Stella hadn't seen him after the show. Steve had taken him, Bruce and Clint home in Tony's Escalade after the final performance.

He perched on the edge of her bed.

"I came to ask you something."

"Oh? I'm all ears," Stella said, still standing and sliding off some of her jewelry.

Bucky reached out and pushed his fingers through one of the many rips on her jeans. His fingers were warm against the skin of her thigh. He tugged Stella so she was standing between his legs. A light blush settled on her cheeks. Bucky toyed with the loose strings on one of the tears.

"What exactly was that stunt between you on Jace on stage?" His eyes drifted up calmly to meet hers.

Stella froze. She cleared her throat.

"Uh, sorry. It's part of our act."

Bucky raised a brow.

"Your act?"

Stella nodded.

"You seemed pretty surprised by it." His fingers drifted around to the back of her legs. He squeezed lightly before they began trailing up and down, stopping short of the curve of her ass.

"Did I?" Stella's mouth felt dry.

He nodded.

"I guess he just caught me off guard."

Bucky held her gaze. "So you're telling me you don't have feelings for him then?"

"I don't." Of this, she was certain.

"…And how does he feel about you?" Those hands stopped just below her butt then trailed back down her thighs. The sensation caused goosebumps to ripple across her skin.

"Jace doesn't feel that way about me."

"No?"

Stella shook her head. Bucky cocked his head to the side, still the picture of calm. His brows furrowed.

"…You weren't trying to make me jealous were you?"

"…No," Stella replied breathlessly.

"Because if you wanted my attention, Stella; all you had to do was ask."

"…Oh." She swallowed, her face heating. She toyed with her fingers nervously.

Bucky smirked.

"Besides, that not how a man kisses a dame like you."

Stella could hardly breathe.

"Oh?"

"Nope."

"…How do you kiss a girl like me?"

Bucky smiled crookedly. He looped his finger through one of her belt loops, guiding her forward. Stella followed his lead and let Bucky pull her into his lap so she was straddling him.

His hands dropped to her hips before trailing up her back. One locked into her now free hair. The other slid around her neck to grip her chin. The metal of his hand was cool against her skin.

He guided her mouth to his, pausing before their lips touched.

"Is this what you wanted?" He breathed. He brushed his nose against hers softly.

She licked her lips.

"Yes," She managed.

"So the next time you want me to kiss you…what're you going to do?"

"…Ask," She breathed. He smirked.

"Good girl." And he kissed her.

Stella couldn't help the moan that escaped her as he kissed her, his soft lips moving against hers with tenderness and hunger. Her arm wrapped around his neck, pressing their bodies closer so that the apex of her legs was pressed against his waist. She inhaled his heady scent, aftershave, sweat and shampoo.

His tongue swept across her bottom lip before sweeping inside. Their tongues met. He sucked on hers for a brief second before biting gently on her bottom lip.

God, she wanted him. She'd wanted him from the moment she saw him.

"Bucky," She groaned.

"Your skin is getting hot baby," He murmured, dropping a kiss below her ear. "Should we stop?"

"Please, don't."

He chuckled.

"What do you want Stella?" He teased, briefly leaving her lips to trail a series of kisses along her jaw.

"More," Was all she could manage.

"What's the magic word?" He ground his hips into hers. The feeling shot straight to the apex of her legs. She tried to return the favor but his metal hand held her hip, pinning her in place.

"Please," She panted. He'd barely touched her and already turned her into a hot, writhing pile of need. The hand released her. She twisted her hips into his, her lips taking his aggressively. He groaned into her mouth.

"Doll." He tumbled her beneath him so they were laying on the bed. "Is this okay?" He murmured against her cheek, dropping a line of kisses back to her ear.

"Yes… But I don't want to push you too far too fast," Stella said, remembering their time on the roof. Bucky lifted himself so he could stare down at her.

As he did, his gaze softened. He reached up to tuck a strand of hair away from her face. His fingers trailed down to hold her jaw.

Stella wanted him. She wanted him so badly it hurt. But she wanted their first time to be when they were both ready. She knew Bucky had trauma, plenty of which she was sure he hadn't told her about. She didn't know how deep his wounds went but she knew he was afraid of hurting her. He had told her as much. She also knew he was worth the wait.

Bucky nuzzled her neck.

"Clothes stay on, okay," He whispered. He paused. "I don't think I can control myself otherwise."

She nodded, her blood heating. His head dipped and his lips sealed over hers again. His tongue swept inside, massaging her own. Stella wrapped her legs around his waist, twirling her hips against his package.

He groaned into her mouth.

She did it again.

"You little tease," Her murmured, breaking the kiss to hiss in her ear. She smirked.

"My clothes are still on," She reminded with a shrug. He returned her smirk.

"Two can play at that game." Then his lips were on her neck, his metal hand guiding her face to the side. He licked and teased below her jaw and along her pulse. Stella ran her hands up his chest, feeling the strong muscles beneath his shirt. Bucky lifted himself to shrug off his leather jacket.

"You're breaking your rules," Stella chided playfully.

"I was more so talking about you not losing any layers. You look delicious enough in this." Bucky gestured at her corset top. Stella was pretty top heavy so the silk and lace left little to the imagination. "This shirt is borderline explicit. It looks like lingerie."

"You don't like it?" Stella faux pouted.

"I think I like it a little too much."

She laughed.

"I just don't like that people other than me got to see you in it."

"So possessive," Stella teased.

"Speaking of possessive…" Bucky's hands pinned Stella's wrists to the bed above her head. "No more kissing other men to make me jealous. You tested my control enough tonight. Deal?"

The first person Stella thought of was Steve.

Things are over between you two. You said it yourself.

"Deal."

He smiled. Bucky kept her hands pinned as he kissed along her collarbone and the hollow of her neck. Stella longed to touch him, for his lips to move a couple inches lower. As if reading her mind his breath ghosted along the seam where her breast met the top of the corset. She writhed beneath him.

"Bucky…"

"What is it doll?" He dragged his lips across her collarbone before biting it lightly.

He was teasing her. This was his revenge after the stunt she pulled earlier.

"Please," She whined, once again trying to move her hips. They were pinned tightly beneath his.

"Please what?" He licked along the top curve of her breast, before blowing cool air along the moist skin.

He was going to make her say it. He wouldn't go any further without it.

"Touch me." He lifted himself so he was smirking down at her.

"Where?"

Jerk.

"Everywhere." His fingers released her right wrist but before she could move it he pinned both with his metal arm, ensuring they weren't going anywhere until he released her.

His flesh hand trailed along her shoulder, across her collar bone, over her cleavage to play with the lacings of her top.

"That's not very specific."

Stella was about to make a sound of protest but then Bucky continued.

"How am I supposed to know if that means here?" He dropped a soft kiss on her lips.

"Or here?" His fingers trailed south, dragging over her hot skin. He traced the line of her top before following the boning over the cup. His finger brushed against her nipple through the thin fabric. Stella arched in pleasure when he thumbed it.

"…Or here?" His fingers trailed south again, down her exposed midriff, along the edge of her jeans.

Stella felt like she might burst. Bucky shifted his hips slightly so his hand could slide over her mound, cupping her. Stella gasped.

"So you can understand my confusion…" Bucky said, staring directly down at her.

"All…" Why was it so hard to speak? "All of those places…"

His mouth dropped lower. She could feel him just above her breast, his breath hot and warm.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Yes what, Stella?"

"Yes please."

"That's right, sweetheart." His lips sealed over her nipple, teasing it through her shirt. She gasped, arching into his touch. His mouth was hot and wet as he lathed his tongue over the delicate flesh. His fingers began teasing her over her jeans, running along the seam before cupping her fully again.

"Have you thought about me doing this to you? Touching you here?"

Stella nodded.

"What was that?" He stopped his ministrations. Stella whined in protest.

"Yes, I've thought about it."

His fingers pressed deeper, against her clit. Stella gasped. Bucky bit down lightly on her nipple.

"Bucky," She moaned. His fingers found the button to her jeans and undid it, then her zipper. He stilled her when she tried to shimmy them off.

"No further."

She paused. His fingers slid inside, over her underwear.

"God, you're so wet," He groaned.

He stroked her through her panties, two of his fingers circling her clit.

"Are you close baby?"

She nodded, borderline incoherent. He'd barely touched her but it had been so long since she'd been with someone…And she'd been wanting this since the moment she'd met him all those months ago.

"Are you going to come for me like a good girl?"

"Yes," She gasped. She was so close. Her toes were curling, her skin like a live wire. She tried to move but her hands were still pinned by his metal arm.

He brushed her panties aside, his fingers finding that bundle of nerves again. He circled it slowly, his teeth biting down on her nipple.

"Oh my god. Bucky," She gasped as she fell over the edge. Bucky's mouth covered hers, silencing her moans. He rode out the orgasm with her, his fingers still gliding over her clit as he grinded his hips into hers.

Once the moans had quieted and she'd stopped writhing against his hand, Bucky slipped his hand from inside.

"That was…wow," Stella managed.

He smirked.

"Glad to know I haven't lost my touch."

Stella kissed him again, this one soft and sweet. He'd finally released her hands and she slid them down his chest to rest on his belt.

"Your turn."

His hands found hers, stilling them.

"Give me something to look forward to," He said, dropping a kiss at the corner of her mouth to soften the rejection.

"You mean, you don't want me to return the favor?"

"Seeing you come was good enough for me for tonight."

"Bucky…are you sure?" Stella had never been with a man who hadn't expected her to reciprocate after giving her an orgasm.

"I'm sure sweetheart." He kissed her again. "Another time."

He began to rise from the bed.

"Bucky?"

He paused.

"What is it doll?"

"Will you stay for just a little while longer?" She hesitated. "Just hold me?"

He smiled and nodded, crawling back onto her mattress. He opened her arms for her. Stella settled on his chest. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I can't stay." He murmured.

Because of the nightmares, Stella thought to herself.

"But I'll stay until you fall asleep."

XXX

Stella woke a few hours later. Bucky was gone, the space beside her noticeably vacant. Her sheets still smelled of him, of their tryst. She smiled to herself.

Her stomach growled noisily. So that's what had woken her…

She stood and stretched before making her way to the kitchen. Along the way she picked up the locket Steve had given her and draped it over her neck. She'd removed it before she'd been with Bucky. It didn't feel right wearing it with someone who wasn't Steve.

She arrived at her desired location a couple minutes later. The compound was dark and abandoned with the exception of the kitchen. Surprisingly, one lone occupant sat at the island.

"Caught you," She said as she strolled in. Steve looked up mid bite from the pizza he was eating.

"Cold pizza craving?" He questioned.

"Cold pizza craving." She confirmed, reaching into the box and removing a slice. She took a bite.

"God that's good," She groaned.

"Did you enjoy your birthday?" Steve asked, wiping his hands on a napkin.

"I did." Stella smiled. Steve smiled back.

"…I'm glad I caught you," She continued. Steve glanced at her.

"Oh?"

"I wanted to say thank you. For today."

"I didn't do anything."

"Natasha told me you told her, Steve."

He smiled to himself.

"I wanted your birthday to be special. You've been through so much this past year."

"It was the best birthday ever." She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His skin was warm, like always.

"Stella."

She looked back at the man. He was staring at her with those turquoise eyes that had made her go weak in the knees the first time she saw him. Steve reached out and wiped a smear of sauce from her cheek.

A memory tugged on Stella's mind. Bucky had done the same thing to her once.

Steve's hand lingered before falling to finger the locket around her neck.

"I'm glad you like it."

"I love it Steve. Really."

You and Bucky are exclusive now. That means no more flirting with Steve.

But she couldn't bring herself to step away from the man.

Steve looked up at her. A moment passed between them where neither of them spoke. Steve dropped his hand.

"I'd better get to bed," He said, standing and dropping his dish in the sink. He turned to face her before he left the kitchen.

"Good night Stel."

"Good night Steve."

"Happy Birthday."

Stella watched him go, a thought nagging at her.

Why can't I just let you go?

A/N: Finally a little BuckyxStella spice. Hope you guys are liking the story so far. Please let me know your thoughts in a review! Thanks for reading!