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It's a split second decision. Sharon jumps in front of Bucky. She can't let him die. She can't. Even if it means risking her own life, she can't risk his.
The bullets hit her body. Bucky and Steve let out anguished screams. But the bullets do not hit Bucky. Sharon is glad. It's the last thing she thinks before her eyes close. That she saved her friend.
When she wakes up again she's in a hospital bed and Steve and Bucky are sitting next to her bed. They both have beards now. They look handsome, aside from the bags underneath their eyes and their worried faces.
"Hi," Sharon says.
Her throat is dry and she begins to cough. Steve immediately gives her some water. Sharon gives him a grateful smile.
"Why would you sacrifice yourself for me?" Bucky whispers.
Sharon smiles at him. "Why wouldn't I? You and Steve… you are the most important people in my life. I would do anything to keep you safe."
Bucky puts his hand on top of hers and frowns. He opens and closes his mouth a few times. Some days words are hard for him. Sharon knows this. She'll always give him space to find his words. Just like Steve.
"You are important for us, too," Bucky says eventually. "So you dying… that would hurt badly. It would… would kill me. I…" He pauses and looks at Steve.
"Tell her. For both of us," Steve says.
"Steve and I… we love you. We're in love with you. But even if you were just our friend… we need you. We care about you. We don't ever want to watch you die."
"Do you mean it? That you love me?" Sharon asks.
"We do. We love you, Shar," Steve says.
"I love you, too, both of you. I don't take a bullet for just anyone, you know?" Sharon smiles.
"You took eight bullets," Bucky says. "And I really would prefer it if you took zero next time."
"I'll do my best," Sharon says. "Now does anyone want to kiss me?"
"Not until the doctor clears you," Steve says.
Sharon pouts but doesn't fight him.
"We'll hold your hands," Bucky says.
He carefully takes her hand, metal touching skin, while Steve calls the doctor.
She insists that Steve and Bucky stick around while the doctor checks her over. She doesn't want to be alone. She doesn't want to be away from them. Not now.
The doctor tells her she can't leave the hospital yet, they need to observe her for a few more days at least. And afterwards she needs to take it easy. She does manage to convince the doctor that her partners can kiss her. Carefully, that is. It's a win.
Her boys wait until the doctor leave the room before they take turns kissing her gently. As far as first kisses go, this is pretty special, Sharon thinks.
They both hold her hands and talk with her until she falls asleep. Her body needs the rest. She hopes she recovers soon. She wants to go home and be with Steve and Bucky all the time.
She's still glad she saved Bucky, though. She knows it hurts her boys to watch her get hurt. It would kill her to watch either of them get hurt, too. Just the thought hurts.
The boys stay with her every single day of her hospital stay and once she is cleared to leave, they take her to their apartment to help during her recovery. She never really moves out again. It becomes her home as much as theirs. They are her home.