Diving Bell | Bucky Barnes
Summary: Bucky and Reader both get sad on rainy days.
Warnings: Slight angst. Much fluff
Prepare the diving bell. It's time to take this low again. I sink into myself, low. No need for farewell. I know you always understand.
There were days, like today, where the weather outside mirrored the condition inside of Bucky's head. On these days, where the rain cleaned the city, Bucky tended to fall inside his own mind. More often than not he locks himself away in his room, hiding not from his team but from having to face his own emotions in front of others. Each time he did this you could feel your heart sink into your stomach in worry. And despite your best efforts you could never seem to break through to him during the rainy days. But today you felt the rain and cold creep into your own soul and today, you decided, Bucky would not be sad alone.
Sorry there's no place for you inside the solitude. Just stay up here until I'm back again. I swear I'll be there for you, I swear I'll follow through. Stay the course and keep the ship manned.
"What?" Bucky's voice was barely audible through the sound of your knuckles hitting the door. "It's been raining for two days" You stated matter-of-factly as you gently wiggled his door knob. "Really? I haven't noticed at all" The bite in his voice was colder than the rain hitting the windows. Yet you remained unfazed. Your determination to pull your friend from whatever grip his mind had on him was far heavier than his need to push you away. "Probably because you're something yourself under the blankets like a frightened cat or something" You shot back, smirking when you heard the faintest annoyed sigh. "Just leave me alone Y/N, I'm tired" Your smirk fell into a frown as you wiggled the knob again. "Yeah it's called depression fatigue or some shit just let me in" Bucky pulled the blankets tighter as you continued your incessant wiggling of the door handle. He was sure that soon the knob would give and you'd come tumbling through the door. "Just go-" He stopped mid sentence as the lock popped and you came through the door.
"Y/N" He sat up, taking in the worried expression on your face. Suddenly guilt seeped in and he felt colder than he did before. "I'm fine just" "Just tired yeah I've heard" You didn't face him as you kicked your shoes off. Bucky nearly bolted from the bed when your warm body slipped in beside him. "I'm not asking you to leave your room" Your voice was quiet but seemed almost like a scream in the silence of his room. "I'm just asking you to not be sad alone" Your eyes finally met his and for a brief moment you could have sworn that his eyes were storm clouds. "That's asking for a lot" He said quietly.
I was certain if I fell through the bottom you'd be happy to just float here on your own. I was never quite prepared for the long ride. Oh away, away, away alone.
"It's not really" You quipped, settling under the blanket with him. Bucky's eyes roamed around the room, determined to look at anything but your bright pleading eyes. "Why are you here, Y/N?" He finally asked but still refused to make eye contact. "Because I'm sad too" This finally made his eyes meet yours. "Not as sad as you but still...sad" Despite your confession a small smile graced your soft features. Bucky shifted his body so he was looking toward the ceiling giving you the opportunity to lay your head on his chest.
This was new for both you and Bucky. Aside from the occasional hug your intimate contact was limited. Not that either of you minded the sudden position. You, nor Bucky, would admit the feelings that the two of you had for each other. He insisted, primarily to himself though Steve had to hear the occasional rant, that you were perfect but it was dangerous and the wrong time. You always said that you were too afraid to ruin your friendship with Bucky, after all you were the second closest to him.
But here and now you both couldn't deny the warmth and electric feel that radiated between the two of you. "Why are you sad?" Bucky finally broke the silence that had settled over the two of you. "I hate the rain" You responded. "It's cold and I swear I can feel it sinking into my bones. It just makes everything feel so-" "Heavy" He finished the sentence for you. "Yeah" It came out as a sigh. "Is that it? Just the rain?" He asked, his flesh hand now moving soothingly on your back. He hadn't even noticed he started doing it until he felt your tense muscle relax. "Hm there's one more thing. Maybe I'll share if you tell me what's got you so down and out" His hand stopped and his body tensed. "It's not important I'll get over it" He said lowly.
"If it makes you sad then it's important. Stop hiding behind your tough guy shell Buck. It's me" You prodded softly.
"It's just..It's stupid" Bucky sighed and continued to massage small circles on your back. "It's just..on days like this..the memories eat at my brain. I try so hard to listen to you and Steve and the rest of the team but..I will never not feel gilty for what they made me do" Your heart sank as he spoke with a cracked voice.
You pulled your body up and looked down at his face, brushing back a couple of strands of his hair. "I know..I know theres nothing I can say that will take that guilt and pain away. I wish there was but that will never happen" You spoke softly as your hand cupped his stubbled cheek. "But I can assure you that we do not blame you" This time when you offered a soft smile he returned it. Your words didn't calm the raging storm inside of his brain but it did send a warmth that spread through out his chest. If he were not so afraid, he would have pulled you to him and kissed you there.
"I confessed. Now its your turn" Bucky said as you pulled your hand from his face. You gave a soft laugh before settling back down to lay beside him.
"There's this guy" You started and Bucky could feel that warmth turn to ice again. "He's incredibly handsome and dumb but also smart and funny and when we're together I feel like we're the only two in the room ya know? But I'm scared because we're friends and I'm sure that he only sees me as a friend." As you spoke your heart slammed itself against your rib cage. You couldn't believe that you confessed your feelings to him.
"I think you should go for it" Bucky said despite wanting to tell you that he was he was in love with you. Your chest tightened with fear as you sucked in a nervous breath. "And if he doesn't like me? What if me asking ruins my friendship with him? He means the world to me Buck. I can't lose him" Despite your best efforts your fear crept into your voice. Bucky grew quiet for a few moments before sighing. "Then I'll beat his ass" He said in a dead serious tone. His comment caught you off guard and you erupted into a fit of laughter. "You can't fight yourself doofus" The words flew from your mouth before you had the chance to stop yourself.
Both you and Bucky went stiff as your laughter came to a quick stop. "Oh fuck" You groaned, rolling away from the comfort of Buck'ys body. You sat on the side of the bed, face in your hands as you contemplated running from the room.
"Hey" Bucky spoke softly, moving his own body so his chest was pressed to your back. "You're not going to lose me" His said, tone gentle as he gave the top of your head a soft kiss. You moved your hands from your face and tilted your head back to look at him. This was the first time during a rainy day that you got to see his bright smile. "Because I want to be with you as more than just a friend too" He confessed. Your face split into a grin. Any nerves that were tense before were flooded with relief. He shifted your body so you were now facing him. "I've been wanting to tell you for so long. I was just so scared. You mean the world to me. Losing you would've crushed me" You admitted.
"I know thee feeling, sweetheart" He said. "Watching you flirt with people on missions drove a knife into me every time I swear" He laughed, causing you to laugh as well. "Didn't take you for the jealous type, Barnes" You teased, earning another laugh from him. "Oh you have no idea" He matched your teasing tone. Quickly after, a comfortable silence fell over the two of you. The only noise filling the room was your breathing and the sound of the rain hitting the window.
"Best rainy day ever" He whispered, breaking the silence before your lips met in the most passionate kiss either of you have experienced.