bucky barnes x fem!reader
tw: throwing food, minor mention of alchohol
The first time it happened was during a training session.
Bucky had you pinned to the wall, close enough to feel his breath against your face. You didn't even notice how close you were because you were so focused on analysing what moves he did to get you into that position.
Then you hear music suddenly start playing.
Sam is standing in the corner with his phone blasting at full volume. He's playing Careless Whisper.
Bucky looks confused. He doesn't even know or care about George Micheal, he has no idea how annoying this is.
"Sam!" You shout, managing to push Bucky away. "Turn that off!"
Oh, now thats a mistake. You reacted strongly, which means Sam will start doing this constantly to antagonise you. He chuckles at the realisation. "Oh, calm down. Just playing some background music for you two lovebirds."
"Well, could you not?" You glare daggers at him. You can feel your face beginning to warm up, and you have no clue if it's because you're mad or flustered. Maybe both.
Sam looks up, putting a finger to his chin to act like he's actually thinking about it before shrugging. "Nah."
"Lovebirds?" Bucky speaks up, folding his arms over his chest. He now has an idea of what that song means. "Sam, do you not have anything better to do?"
"Nope!" Sam laughs, turning around to make a quick exit, but he hits play on Spotify once more to get one last reaction out of you.
---------------------------------
The next time it happens is a few hours later at the dinner table.
Tony ordered about ten boxes of pizza, and much to your disapproval, you were chosen to carry them all the way from floor one to floor eight.
Bucky decides to be a gentleman, unlike the rest of the team and tags along to help you.
When you two step out of the elevator, he's carrying every single box because he refused to let you help in any way. Sam immediately pulls out his phone at the sight and blasts the song at full volume. The team's heads all turn towards Bucky and you.
You groan in frustration, your hands clenching at your sides. You know you should just ignore him, but with the whole team staring at you and that evil grin on his face, it feels impossible. "Sam, I swear to Thor's Dad-"
Bucky throws an entire box of pizza at him with perfect aim before you can even start threatening him.
It hits Sam's stomach with a loud thud, and the lid pops open, causing the slices to fall onto the floor. It also causes the entire team to laugh at him.
Sam lets out a whiny, "Ouch, dude."
"There's your pizza." Bucky gestures to the floor, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he places down the rest of the boxes on the kitchen bench.
You can feel yourself becoming even more attracted to Bucky at this moment.
--------------------------------
Sam playing Careless Whisper starts becoming a regular thing, and you and Bucky throwing things at him also becomes regular.
You also explain to Bucky what exactly the song is, and he compares it to As Time Goes By from the movie Casablanca, which you don't fully understand, but you nod along anyway.
You definitely find yourself talking to Bucky more often. You'll never admit it out loud, but Sam helped break the ice. You have a fat crush on Bucky. You have always looked at it like it's something silly. It's not like you have a serious chance with him. You're you, and he's him. Way out of your league. Right?
You start testing a theory. Whenever Sam plays the song, you smile and laugh instead. You try to hold eye contact with Bucky longer, you start brushing your shoulder against his when you pass him, and so far, you have gotten no hint back from him.
You try not to be sad about it, you knew you had no chance. It's alright, he's just some guy... some very attractive guy.
----------------------------------
"C'mon, tell the DJ to put it on, pleaseeeee!"
What a surprise, Tony threw a party. Totally unexpected and not something he commonly does at all. Cough.
"No, he's playing my usual setlist, and I don't want anything different on." Tony denies Sam of his fun, waving his hand dismissively as his other lifts a shot of vodka to his lips.
"You're boring," Sam scoffs, shaking his head in disappointment.
Tony does a double-take. "Me? Boring? Ha ha, very funny, Sam."
While Tony and Sam argue like children, Bucky stands alone in the corner of the room, nursing a whiskey. He's not a fan of these parties, but something entertaining always happens, and he has nothing better to do. Though if someone asked, he'd say he has a lot of better things to do.
He always ends up standing alone and observing everyone else. Steve is usually playing pool, Sam tends to get drunk, same with Tony and Thor. Bruce and Nat linger around whoever is the most amusing.
Bucky doesn't do those things. He goes where nobody will approach him.
But then his gaze lands on you.
You're approaching him. You have a dress on, nothing too fancy, but it's still nice. Your hair is down, letting it flow freely, and you look so, so awkward.
You lean against the wall next to him, letting out a tired sigh. "I hate it here."
"Me too," Bucky says, his head tilting slightly. "Have you had anything to drink?"
"Just a little beer," You pout. "I'm trying to be mature and stay sober."
"Ah," he nods. "That's understandable-"
You both hear the beat start to play.
Bucky's eyes dart around, trying to spot Sam. "He got the DJ to play it?"
"Apparently so," You reply, your gaze going to Bucky while he's distracted. "It's getting old."
You want to dance with him. Which is weird, because you've never wanted to dance with a guy before. You don't want to ask him. Yeah, it's the 21st century, screw gender roles or whatever, but you still want him to ask you. Plus, he's old-fashioned.
"People are actually dancing to this," You chuckle quietly, trying to put the idea into his head.
"Yeah," He says gruffly, squinting a little. "It's not a song to dance to."
"I don't know, it's just not." His tone is getting grumpier with each word. "They should put on Bea Wain or Frank Sinatra."
"C'mon, this song isn't that bad.." You nudge him with your elbow. Take the hint, Bucky. Please.
"It's-" he pauses, his gaze lowering slightly as he thinks. He suddenly notices your hand hovering near his. Is he missing something?
He clears his throat, tearing his eyes away from your hand. "I suppose not."
"It's just annoying because Sam plays it constantly," You shrug, eyes roaming his face. Your mouth suddenly feels dry. "It's still, uh, danceable."
Bucky breathes in, then breathes out. That's a hint, right? He's not picking up the wrong signals, right? Right. It's been a long time since he's danced with a girl. Seventy years, to be exact.
"Do-do you want to test that?" He finally suggests, his gaze meeting yours. He's nervous and trying his hardest not to let it show on his face. "If you want to."
Despite you also trying to keep your expression neutral, a shy smile appears on your face. "Yeah, if you want to. I-I don't mind."
"Alright," He agrees, nodding with a quiet grunt.
You both stand there in awkward silence for a moment until Bucky's hand gently finds yours, ready to lead you onto the dance floor.
The loud noise of the music and overlapping voices suddenly seems quieter as he gently tugs you closer, trying to figure out what position to start with.
One hand cautiously moves to your waist, looking at you for silent permission before landing on your waist gently yet firmly. His other hand goes to yours.
Then he starts dancing. He leads, his movements slow as he tries to remember what steps to take. You're already messing up and stepping on his feet.
You mumble a quiet "sorry" whenever you mess up, and he does the same. Even though you're both a bit messy, it's fun. What's the fun in perfection anyway?
"It's been a while since I've done this," He says, leaning in slightly so you can hear him over the crowd.
You nod, "That's alright. I've never done this, so it's not like I'm any better."
A small smile tugs at Bucky's lips, and with a sudden surge of confidence, he spins you.
You try to match the flow, letting yourself spin with a giggle before he pulls you closer once again. You remember Steve telling you that Bucky was a good dancer back in the day, and this is certainly proving him correct.
As the night continues, Bucky's shoulders relax, and he becomes less tense. He rarely lets himself feel this free. He always feels like he has to be on the lookout constantly, so this is a nice change for him. Something he can maybe get used to.
You manage to match his pace, your body moving more naturally with his. Careless Whisper stopped playing a while ago, and you barely noticed. You're focused on Bucky's movements, his breath against your face when he pulls you close and his hand placements on your hips that feel slightly lower each time you notice it.
"Thank you," Bucky speaks up after a little while, his gaze meeting yours.
Your head tilts. "For what?"
"Getting me to dance," He explains, giving you the most genuine smile you've ever seen him do. "I missed it."
"Don't thank me," You laugh softly. "Thank Sam, for playing the song."
He scoffs, "Yeah, no, He'd never shut up."
"Good point." Your dancing slows to match his gentle swaying. "Still, he kind of broke the ice, right?"
"I guess so," Bucky hums in agreement. "Never tell him that, though."
"Of course," You nod, now trying to hold eye contact. Your gaze flickers to his lips for a moment.
He doesn't miss the glance, he just can't tell if it was a hint or not, so he also lets his eyes wander down to your lips too.
When you mimic him, that's when he knows you want to kiss him.
He leans in ever-so-slightly, testing the waters.
Your eyes meet his, and you give him a small, simple nod of consent.
The hand on your shoulder carefully creeps up to rest on your neck, just barely brushing your jawline. He uses that to pull you closer, and then your lips finally meet his.
The kiss is soft and hesitant, something that feels new but nice, like most first kisses. His nose pokes your cheek as he tries to find an angle that's comfortable. Your hands go to his shoulders, unsure but gentle. The noise around you drowns out...
Then you hear a loud, annoying voice yelling, "I told you guys!"
You both force yourselves to pull away, your heads turning in the direction of the voice. It's Sam ruining the moment from the other side of the room, pointing directly at you two with the biggest grin ever. The rest of the team is also looking at you, thanks to Sam.
"I hate him," Bucky grumbles, his hand still resting on the side of your neck. "I really do."
"You're a good kisser," You comment quietly, but randomly. You don't care about Sam at this moment.
Bucky's focus goes back to you, a small smirk on his face. "You too, darlin'."
A blush spreads across your face. "Shush."
