VII

DAY 61

"Do you know what it means?" Hadassa twirled the gardenia in her hand.

"The flower?" Bucky questioned, briefly confused.

"Yes. The gardenia."

He nodded quietly, though clearly looking like he didn't know answer to her question.

"Secret love," she looked at him.

Instantly, the sergeant by her side blushed pink and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Not so secret anymore," he muttered, turning completely to look at her. "Hey, uh... well, I think I've been delaying this long enough, right?"

She just raised her eyebrows, expectantly.

"Doctor Kla... Kla-..." he struggled to say her last name.

"Klaczko," Hadassa helped, speaking slowly, and he nodded slowly.

"Klaczko," he repeated. Still clearly nervous. "We're friends it's been a while and... and you are a great friend, don't think that's bad, but..."

She watched as he tried to sense having a hard time not laughing in response.

"I like you," he finally said. "I like you a real lot and I think you might like me too."

Hadassa felt her cheeks hot in response and he watched her face under expectant eyes.

"Right?"

She looked down, feeling suddenly embarrassed and shy, and nodded positively before glancing back at him very quickly, finding James smiling.

"So I..." he cleared his throat. "I think we could go forward, right? And... Be more than friends?"

Hadassa felt even more heat on her face, and her heart raced inside her chest almost desperately, like never before.

She was feeling like a teenager, this was ridiculous.

"Yes," she managed to whisper.

He almost jumped in excitement, but only reached to hold her hand.

"So you want to be with me?" he questioned. "As my best girl, my girlfriend?"

Hadassa nodded furiously, still speechless. His smile grew ever larger, piercing blue eyes shining bright in happiness that sipped right onto her, making it hard to keep a straight face, and she was confused for a brief moment when Bucky looked around, still holding the same grin, before leaning closer to her face.

"You can smile. I'm the only one looking."

She laughed in response, fully smiling to him right after.

Bucky's shoulders relaxed and he cleared his throat right after.

"I'd really – really – like to kiss you right now," he whispered. "Well... I've been wanting to do this for weeks, but right now I..."

"Yes," she interrupted him. "You can kiss me."

He blushed but didn't hesitate when putting his hands on the sides of her waist, scooping her closer and laying his soft lips over hers.

Hadassa had never once kissed someone in her life before, but if the feeling was always the same and this good, then she really should have done it before already.

Her hands moved right up to rest on his shoulders, and when he pulled away – too soon – the two remained close to one another.

"Oh..." she muttered to yourself, but it caught his attention.

"Oh?"

"I..." she cleared her throat. "If I knew it was that good, I would have done it before. Now I see why people do that all that time."

He laughed.

"That good?"

Hadassa confirmed in a slow nod.

"I'm glad I was a good first."

She chuckled, squeezing his shoulder gently.

"Don't get so cocky."

Bucky squeezed her side softly, smiling playfully.

"How can I not? My best girl isn't only gorgeous, but she's also a doctor! Beautiful and smart, I got the jackpot!"

She giggled under his watchful eyes.

"Thank you," she finally said. "But I have to say, I don't want you publicly trying to kiss me or holding, I have an image to maintain and it took me too long to construct it."

He confirmed instantly.

"Don't worry," he assured her with a serious expression on face. "I know. The men out there can be terrible. I won't give them a reason to be worse."

She smiled softly in response.

"Thank you."

She felt Bucky's hand moving up to her face, and his fingertips caressed her cheek.

"We have to go," she leant onto his touch. "People will notice we're gone."

Her 'boyfriend' smiled sadly.

"Can I see you in the morning before breakfast?" he asked timidly.

"Of course," Hadassa nodded.

He pulled away hesitantly and reached to kiss the palm of her hand.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

He moved away and she was hit with a sudden realisation.

"James," she called and the brown-haired man turned to look at her again. "It's Hadassa."

His face twisted in confusion, and she giggled at it.

"My name," she explained. "My name is Hadassa."