[ yelena didn't mean to come off as a complainer — even though she is one, through and through — but then, little by little, he lifts his head from his pillow to peek up at her. she's eating her words now, because she is finding it increasingly difficult to find any more flaws in bucky not having curtains over his head when the sun complements his baby blues the same way it does with the ocean.

she's staring, but she doesn't care. she's never had an issue with anybody calling her out on looking for a little too long before. besides, maintaining eye contact is important, isn't it?? ]

James. [ his name rolls off her tongue in a way that sounds like she's scolding him, which she kind of is. he has no reason to apologize. ] It's fine. It has been many moons since I shared a bed with somebody. [ that she liked ] And it was not even that bad, really. It was actually... Kind of nice.

[ she shrugs her shoulders with as much nonchalance as she can muster, giving him a small smile before finally sitting up. she's pulling off the blanket of her in a dramatically slow manner because she's trying to weigh her options here: lie back down and ignore her morning routine or go use the bathroom because her bladder is about to explode and get ready to leave?

but if she's being completely honest with herself, she doesn't really want to get out of his hair just yet.

yelena is seated on the edge of the mattress now, the palms of her hands planted flat on either side. she chews on her lower lip and looks over her shoulder, turning to gauge bucky. the expression on her face is probably unreadable, because it may just be the most unsure she has felt in forever. when she speaks, her voice is unusually small and soft. ]

I have to use the bathroom, but — can I come back here? [ she pats her— err, the side of his bed she occupied! ] Or do you have things you urgently need to attend to? I can handle being kicked to the curb, I promise.