Bucky and Steve's Shared Soul...

Bucky didn't let go of her hand.
If anything-his grip tightened just a little.
Like he was afraid she might disappear if he blinked.
Layla smiled softly at the way his fingers intertwined with hers.
"You okay?" she whispered.
Bucky let out a quiet breath, his shoulders relaxing for the first time since he woke up.
"...yeah," he murmured. "I just-"
He leaned back against the headboard again, gently tugging her with him.
"Stay."
Layla blinked.
"Stay?"
He gave her a small, almost shy look.
"...just a little longer."
There was something so soft, so unguarded in his voice that Layla didn't even think about it.
She shifted closer, letting him pull her into his side again.
"Okay."
Bucky exhaled slowly as she settled against him, his arm wrapping around her almost instinctively-like it already knew where she belonged.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Just the quiet sound of breathing.
Warmth.
Presence.
Then Bucky looked down at her.
Really looked.
His eyes traced her face like he was trying to memorize every detail.
"...you're beautiful," he said quietly.
Layla smiled a little, hiding her face slightly against his chest.
"You've said that already."
"I didn't say it enough."
She let out a soft laugh.
Bucky tilted his head slightly, his fingers gently brushing a strand of her hair back.
"No, really," he continued, voice low but certain.
"You're... insanely beautiful."
Layla looked up at him this time.
"And you're biased."
He huffed softly.
"I'm serious."
His gaze didn't waver.
"Every man walking on this planet would be jealous if they knew you're mine."
Layla's heart skipped.
Bucky's arm tightened around her just a little.
"And they lost their chance," he added, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Bad luck for them."
Layla laughed softly.
"Wow... confident, aren't we?"
"Not confident," he said, shaking his head slightly.
"Just stating facts."
She raised an eyebrow playfully.
"Facts?"
"Yeah."
His thumb brushed gently over her knuckles.
"Because you're not just beautiful," he added more quietly.
"You're... you."
Layla stilled slightly at that.
Bucky's voice softened even more.
"And somehow... you're here. With me."
He glanced at her hand in his.
"...with us."
A small smile tugged at his lips again.
"And I'm not letting that go."
Layla's expression softened.
"You don't have to."
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then, almost absentmindedly, he leaned his head slightly against hers.
"...good," he murmured.
She shifted just a little closer, resting more comfortably against him.
"You know," she teased lightly, "for someone who didn't believe I was real five minutes ago, you got attached pretty fast."
Bucky huffed a quiet laugh.
"Can you blame me?"
Layla grinned.
"Not really."
Silence settled again-but this time it was warm. Safe.
Bucky closed his eyes briefly, still holding her.
"...we're not getting out of this bed anytime soon, by the way," he added lazily.
Layla laughed.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah."
He tightened his arm around her just enough to prove his point.
"I waited decades for this."
She raised an eyebrow.
"So your plan is... what? Stay here forever?"
"Tempting."
Layla giggled.
"Steve is definitely going to come check on us."
Bucky groaned dramatically.
"Don't remind me."
She smirked.
"Your best friend."
"Yeah, well," he muttered, "he can wait."
Layla laughed again, resting her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Steady.
Strong.
Real.
Bucky looked down at her one more time, his expression softening again.
"...forever, huh?" he murmured quietly.
Layla looked up at him.
"Forever."
He nodded once.
Like he was sealing something inside himself.
Then pulled her just a little closer.
And for once-
Neither of them felt like they had to rush anything.
Because they had time now.
And for Bucky Barnes, that might've been the most unbelievable thing of all.