He’s always been the type to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders like he’s the only one who can take it. A soldier’s soldier. A protector.

Which, frankly, is hilarious. Because you? You run toward trouble like it’s an old friend.

It makes no sense why someone like Bucky Barnes—the golden boy with a sharp tongue, sharper aim, and an even sharper temper chooses to love a girl like you. You’re reckless. Impulsive. You light matches just to see what’ll burn.

And he? He walks through every flame you spark, silently handing you the extinguisher.

And yet—somehow—it works. Most days, he’s grumbling about your poor life choices while dragging you out of alleyways, bars, and occasionally, crime scenes.

Tonight, you barely got the door open before he was already there—hair disheveled, jaw tight, and blood drying on his knuckles.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he hissed. You blinked, caught between a laugh and a wince. “Good evening to you too, Sergeant Grumpy.”

“Don’t,” he cut you off, stepping closer. “Don’t joke. You could’ve died. Again. Do you ever think?”

You roll your eyes, brushing past him toward the kitchen. “Do you ever stop worrying?”

He follows, of course he does, muttering under his breath about how one day you’re going to give him a damn heart attack. But when you glance over your shoulder, he’s already reaching into the paper bag he brought—pulling out your favorite sandwich and drink, the one from that diner you love, the one that closes in ten minutes and is way across town.

“I told you not to eat gas station food,” he mutters, sighing, gently shoving the bag toward you. “Figured I’d save you the stomachache.”

You grin, heart fluttering. “You love me.”

“I tolerate you,” he says, deadpan.

You bite into the sandwich, mouth full. “You love me.”

He finally looks at you then—eyes soft despite himself—and sighs, like loving you is a battlefield and he’s already waving the white flag. He smiles—ever so gently, so lovingly, like you’re the only person he’s ever known in this life.

“God help me. Yeah. I do.”