FORBIDDEN FRUIT
Summary: story where their love is forbidden, lies and evil are standing between them
Is their love strong enough to keep them together?
Or are they going to fall into the darkness and never look back.
Note ✎𓂃: this story contains a lot of dark topics, please read the warnings carefully before reading any further! please keep in mind that this work is pure fanfiction, and I don't own the character Bucky barnes or others, English is not my first language
Warning ☠︎︎ : MDNI 18+/lies/cheating/scheming/ bad parenting/alcohol/ depression/ manipulation/sickness/ injuries/cursing/ enemies to lovers then back to enemies/ smut!/ physical abuse/mental abuse/grieving/ cheating!/ reader is not perfect and I wanted to write them as humanly a possible/ fighting/crying/fluff/angst a lot of angst!/au/ pregnancy/ miscarriage...
Previous chapter
Present
The building towered above the avenue like a sheet of polished obsidian, its floor-to-ceiling glass reflecting the restless rhythm of the city well if was New York, and one thing about New York that it’s never quiet.
Morning sunlight skimmed across its mirrored façade, turning the windows into ribbons of gold and silver that caught every passing cab, every hurr pedestrian, every drifting cloud.
She looked at her reflection in the tinted glass of the office building, smoothing an invisible crease from the front of her black blaze all that while trying to fix her uncooperative strand of red hair as it kept sticking upwards and Natasha kept cussing at her damned hairdresser that fucked up her hair like a fucking—
She felt an avoidable presence of irritation approaching her from behind as she huffed, then closed her eyes and muttered
“Get the hell out of my face Sam, I don’t have time for you today”
“When have you ever had time for your favourite person, my sweet adorable nat ?” Sam snickered behind her as he approached, standing tall behind her.
“Seriously Sam, I already heard bad news this morning and I don’t want to think about anything else.”
“Is Bucky part of those bad news ?”
Natasha froze in her place, hand still in her hair.
her expression went blank for a second too long as anxiety ran through her body like water running through the river.
“In a way yes and in another no”
Natasha didn’t lie.
She avoided answering it completely.
But she couldn’t tell the truth of what’s happening.
Not now.
So she just lowered her head and unbuttoned her blazer again, trying to escape Sam’s stare.
For a moment, neither of them spoke people wove around them on the bustling Manhattan sidewalk some drinking their hot coffee other held it cold and forgotten in their palm while they hurried to somewhere.
Sam’s broke the silence first.
Well kind of.
He just huffed and turned slightly, placing his hands on his hip and stared right past her, looking at his reflection on the building glass.
“I just came to ask if you needed my help at the company since bucky’s busy playing Carl la Garfield at a fashion show with his wife”
Her blood ran cold.
You meets lot of different people in your life and they may be close to the people you like, yet sometimes there’s this one feeling inside your stomach that tells you that you already don’t like them.
Arrogant, self centred, pretentious, bold and spoiled rotten.
Those were the words bucky’s mind decided to associate with you the day he had the bad luck to meet you.
His girlfriend’s little sister.
Little sister— of course, what did he expect? Most younger siblings were like this, it’s a stereotype and you did nothing to contradict it.
But it’s doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day, Lenny is the one he’s in a relationship. She’s his sweet loving caring girlfriend.
You in the other hand— won’t be a problem in his life, and that’s what matters.
Sure, you called him a dumbass the first time you met, and pointed your finger right in front of his face, close enough to poke his eyes and called him a spoiled little boy. His stomach twisted with a new feeling like a snake tightening its coil when he saw you waltz through the ballroom like you owned it, your chin held so high, confidence radiating off of you.
He couldn’t really name that feelings—or perhaps refused to
And yes, sure you also seemed to get along with his friends and his mother surprisingly very well.
His eyes didn’t fail to notice the constant stares that Steve and other men were giving you through the whole event, didn’t miss the way Sam jokes were much more attempts at flirting than joking.
Wanda seemed to like your sense of humour while he found it blank and daring.
Natasha found you interesting and sharp Bucky found you feisty.
True everyone saw you differently from was he sees.
Maybe he just got the wrong idea of you.
Bucky lifted his gaze, snapping away from his thoughts and stared at Lenny who was perched comfortably infront of him, the steam of the hot drink warming her face. still wearing her usual soft caring aura around her.
Both her expression and Her shoulders were relaxed, unlike you when he saw you yesterday in that gala wearing that stern unshakeable look, a line appearing between your eyebrows when your eyes met once again.
But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.
You were just a line In his book, so it really didn’t matter.
6 years earlier.
A light breeze ruffled your hair while streaks of sunlight streaming through the window gently kissed your skin, like a mother softly waking her children. You shifted beneath the soft cotton duvet, that was lulling you back toward sleep even as the chirping of birds urged you to wake.
Groaning softly, you slowly cracked your eyes open. Your eyelids were heavy, your head flooded with incomprehensible thoughts but too lazy to be understood.
What time is it anyways?
The sun shined too brightly to be early.
The answer to your questions came quickly, when the door softly opened.
Then sound of footsteps muffled against the carpet, Lenny stepped inside shedding her coat off and turned around to look at you, surprised to see you still in bed.
“It’s 11:00, wake up sleepyhead” a small chuckle left her lips before seating herself at the end of your bed.
“Mmm, I’m so tired and hungry…..gosh why’s my back killing me ?” complaints spilled from your mouth first thing in the morning.
“Should’ve thought twice before you insisted on joining the after party”
Your eyes rolled at that. you weren’t going to pass up the opportunity to live your dream, even if it was only for one night. You wanted to witness the lifestyle you yearned for so deeply, the elegance in every movement, and the sparkling diamonds that shimmered throughout the ballroom.
you daydreamed the whole night that one day, one day you were going to belong here.
“C’mon, wake your ass up come eat” Lenny grinned seeing you lost in your head, making her way to the sitting area, pulling a pastry box out of the bag.
“What….you ate without me ?“ suddenly seating up in your bed, your lips jutted out in a pout.
“Don’t be dramatic, I already told you that I was having breakfast with Bucky “ she rolled her eyes at you while chuckling slightly.
“No you did not”
“Yes, I did and the only response I got was the sound of your heels being thrown off and your snoring following”
“I had too many of these delicious burgers” you sighed happily “and champagne…too much champagne”
A snicker left your lips as you recalled the night before, you had fun with everyone, they were nice and welcoming both to you and Lenny who also was having a good time with her boyfriend.
that what matters most to you.
Even though every time your eyes met bucky’s, through the clicking of the glasses or accidentally, tension rose to suffocate both of you.
You strode toward the bathroom, making no attempt to switch the light on, the sunlight coming from the ridiculously big window was enough for you anyway.
“But, I brought your favourite macarons !”
Lenny jabbered, the sound of shuffling bag got your attention.
You peeked almost immediately, toothbrush still in your mouth while droplets of water pooled down your face.
“Okay okay calm down you weirdo” she pushed the macarons toward you, and you popped them inside your mouth. moaning as the taste flooded inside your mouth. You continued to eat like you were starved. keeping your eyes closed, enjoying the delicious taste of it.
“You’re the best sister ever”
She chuckled at your statement, “actually it’s was Bucky treat soo”
You stopped chewing and turned your head to look at her in slow motion to add dramatic effect.
The image of him glaring at you with his stupid wolfish grin kept running around your mind every time Lenny mentioned his name.
“I know you don’t trust him yet, but he’s really a good man “ she defended him instantly, like she knew what you were going to say and what you were thinking.
Were you that predictable?
“There is no such a thing as a good man, Lenny” you rolled your eyes, and resumed eating.
You were simply not feeling positive about him, he was too cocky and too ugh——
“I know you have trust issues with almost everyone you meet, but I think you would really get along with him”
That did sting a bit.
sure you were always on your guard, never letting someone in easily but you’re not that avoidant either.
“Yeah ? Why would you think that” you mumbled, and rolled your eyes dramatically trying to hide the hurt in your voice and the lump forming in your throat.
“Just a feeling”
“Well remind me again to never trust your feelings”
“Well were my eyes also wrong or Steve spent all night blushing and looking at you” Lenny teased while stealing a macaron from the box.
“The blond totally looking hot dude ? O-m-g I had a feeling but I tried to not look into it” you perked up immediately after hearing what she said, you knew he did, you had eyes too.
The discussion was cut short, when a soft knock came from the door.
Lenny glanced at you then at the door her gaze questioning “did you order room service ?”
“No I didn’t ? I just woke up”
She quirked her eyebrows and made her way to the door. Bending over and looked through the peephole, then opened it.
You couldn’t hear the conversation clearly, but after a while Lenny returned with a giant velvet box in her hands.
You asked “What’s that ?” still chewing on a macaron.
“I don’t know ? It’s has your name on it”
You looked at her in disbelief, your name ?
What ? You didn’t order anything?
Dusting off your hands, you stood up taking the box from her hands.
You eyed it suspiciously, then undid the bow and opened it up.
There was a card inside gracefully sitting on top of the white wrapping.
“Thank you for helping me yesterday. (I think it would look gorgeous with your dress)” Winnie Barnes.
You read the card out loud,
Lenny titled her head and looked rather confused. Inside the wrapping paper, there was a gorgeous white fur wrap, which looked insanely expensive.
You held it in your hands, admiring it while feeling the soft silky fur between your fingertips, your eyes starting to sparkle.
“It’s…beautiful, but why would Bucky’s mom send you this ?”
Lenny wondered, she saw you talking to her last night but she never got the chance to ask you what it was about.
meanwhile You excitedly wrapped yourself in the soft silky wrap and stood infront the mirror twirling around.
“I helped her inside the restroom, a few buttons gave up on her “ you responded nonchalantly, too invested on the beautiful fur.
“This looksk… rather expensive” Lenny uttered, her eyes focused on the fur wrapped around your shoulders.
“Because it is. It’s an original fur wrap, this probably cost a leg and an arm”
For a moment, everything went silent. You continued to admire it on yourself while Lenny expression changed as she looked at you.
“You absolutely cannot accept this” she spoke the words too fast, too loud, while getting up from the couch and walked toward you. Your face immediately fell upon hearing her words.
“What ! Why ? “ you turned to face her, face twisting in confusion, clutching the fur like a petulant child refusing to put the candy back.
“Because, it’s ridiculous it’s too expensive. Put it back. “ she snapped, you’ve never seen her like this. Usually Lenny would never talk to you like this.
her big sister voice.
She only used this voice when she was dead serious and not joking around.
“No ! She sent it to me. I didn’t ask for it, so why do you feel bad ?”
“I’m not going to repeat myself, please put it back y/n. We cannot accept something like this, they might start to think of us a different way.” From the tone of her voice , you knew you couldn’t argue with her so you just deflated like a balloon.
Feeling the disappointment after getting excited is the worse feeling, you huffed and let her take it away from your grasp.
her fingers wrapped around the fur and putted it back inside the box.
“C’mon let’s go together, You can thank her and give it back yourself ? “
“Pffff….okay, just let me get dressed first”
Your lips parted so wide your jaw began to ache, caught between disbelief and admiration, The breathtaking house is a large, three-story mansion in a French chateau style. made of light-colored stone, with a dark gray mansard roof. The façade is symmetrical, with multiple evenly spaced windows and a central entrance featuring a grand staircase and a fountain.
Everything about the exterior was designed formal, with elegant appearance. The landscaping included manicured hedges and a paved driveway.
Once inside, The space around you was huge, the kind of huge that intimidates you and makes you feel small, tiny even. Soft light spilled across marble floors. everything looked polished, neat but lived in.
And as soon as you stepped inside someone offered to take your coat and informed you that Madame Winnie will arrive shortly.
“This is so….” You whispered to Lenny, “dude, if you marry him and live here, I want my personal floor”
She nudged you with her elbow, and shoot you a warning glare, you couldn’t help but yelp and snicker at her attempt to be scolding but she couldn’t deny and say she wasn’t as shocked and impressed as you were.
“I swear I just saw a horse outside—“
The faint sound of someone descending the stairs caught your attention, soft heels clicking against each step.
both of you turned to look. it’s was bucky’s mom, She wore a gentle expression and a kind smile, approaching you both slowly.
“Good morning ladies, Have a seat please” she gestured to the couch inside the living room.
“Good morning, mrs barnes” both you and Lenny exclaimed, offering a polite nod and smile. Strolling behind her, entering the ridiculously big living room where Everything’s look antique and whispered wealth.
“I already told you to call me Winnie dear, not by my husband last name” she chuckled, sitting down on the soft leather.
“Madam Winnie, we just came to—“ both you and Lenny sat in front of her, hands in lap.
“It’s extremely gorgeous Madame, but I’m afraid I can’t accept it” you blurted out, straightening your back and reached the box inside the bag you were carrying.
“Oh, Why not ?” She titled her head, frowning her forehead.
“It’s too much, beside what I did yesterday was not to have anything in exchange “ you explained, smiling with your eyes. Pushing the box toward her. You felt Lenny smile proudly beside you after hearing your words.
“Well it’s shame really, I think it would’ve looked fantastic with the gorgeous dress you wore”
“I do too, Madame”
You gave her an apologetic smile, and she mirrored it.
Whistle sounds interrupted the conversation, the sound of footsteps coming from behind. you snapped your head toward it and found bucky’s head peaking through the door.
He was dressed casual this time, a simple black shirt and a jacket, dog tags around his neck, and his signature gloves.
Wait dog tags ?
Was he in the military?
When bucky’s eyes fell on Lenny, his expression softened and he quickly made his way toward her.
“Well, hello beautiful” he smiled, kissing the crown of Lenny’s head ,”I saw you two times today, is it my birthday or something ?” he joked, and turned to you, “hey, kid” he teased with a grin.
God he lighted a fire of annoyance inside your chest whatever he opened his mouth.
It’s okay, you just go out of the wrong foot. You tried to persuade yourself. Again.
You gave him a quick small smile, and forced yourself to not roll your eyes at him, especially since his mother gaze was fixed on you.
“We were just about to leave” Lenny explained, putting a strand of hair behind her ear. Bucky nodded his head and hummed at her words.
“I just was about to go meet Steve, do you want me to drop you off ?”
“Weren’t you supposed to meet your father, James ?” His mother questioned.
“Yes but I need to see Steve urgently, apparently there’s a problem with the campsites”
Bucky groaned and for a moment, he then froze in his spot and turned around.
“Wait—“ Bucky all of sudden, seated himself beside Lenny, and took her hand in his. “didn’t you tell me you were on leave ? Why don’t you join us ? Plus they haven’t stopped asking about you”
“I— I don’t—“ Lenny hesitated, and squirmed in her place.
“I think that a wonderful idea James.” His mother smiled and clapped her hands together, “you could join them also ! I’ve seen you’ve got along well with the others, Natasha had only nice things to say about both of you” she gestured to you and you just froze.
“Oh me—? I don’t think I-“your word died in your mouth when Lenny gently reached for your hands and squeezed them, pleading you with her eyes.
And Bucky eyes bored into your skull.
Not saying anything.
He was probably wishing you would say no.
“So what do you think ? This shirt or this one ? “ you were on call with your friend after returning home.
mel from college the one you were on the phone with the other day when Bucky bumped into you with his coffee.
“The corset top, I’ve always wanted to steal that from you” a small chuckle left your lips hearing her words “So where are you going anyway” she questioned, curiosity getting the best out of her.
“Just a getaway with my sister.”
“Mhm, that’s great. Will Her boyfriend be there ?”
“ I—“ you hesitated, acting focused on folding your clothes, but she quickly resumed asking “who is he anyway ? is he some kind of weirdo or something that you won’t talk about him ?”
“No, I don’t talk about him because he’s none of my business and neither is he yours” you snarled, quickly getting annoyed.
you didn’t know why talking about him bothered you so much.
You didn’t even realise that you snapped at her for simply asking.
“Jeez, just asking “
After a moment of silence, you were starting to feel bad and guilty for snapping harshly at her like that.
“It’s Bucky barnes”
“WHAT !”
Okay not the kind of reaction you were hoping for.
“god stop screaming!”
“I’m just… just shocked that it…I mean yeah great great”
you stared at her while mel squirmed under your stare, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t.
“Yeah I think he’s a little bit of douche but she likes him, so”
The following silence and her avoiding eyes only reinforced your statement, she was hiding something.
“Why are you so quiet all of sudden”
“Nothing ?”
You stared at mel for a hot minute, then you deadpanned at her.
“Go on, say it “
“Say what ?” She continued to act clueless but you were done with it.
“Say.it.”
She lifted her eyes and met yours, staring at her intensely, then averted them, avoiding your gaze once again.
“It’s nothing, I mean Bucky barnes ? He’s literally a dream. He got the looks and the charm and is really really fucking loaded but…”
Oh wow, he was really that famous huh ? You’ve heard about him before, slightly. In reality you heard about his family more, his father George Barnes who owns a private security and weapons manufacturing company that supplies the government and foreign armies and also own half the buildings there in New York. Imagine your disbelief when Lenny told you he also was in her university.
“But… ?”
After she let a long breath “He’skindofaplayboy” she blurted out.
“What did you say ? Girl I don’t think you even heard yourself”
“He just kind of has a reputation, not a good one. Bucky and his friends are trust fund babies...At this point they’re celebrities in the east side and Bucky doesn’t really have the cleanest reputation with girls”
This got your attention.
Your hands stopped fiddling with the clothes you were supposed to be folding and your eyes snapped up at her.
“How do you know that ? rumours ?”
“I mean I think so, but He also kinda of dated my roommate Dolores, I thought she was bluffing and just straight up lying but it’s was really him ! Apparently he was after her, like literally head over heels even giving her a cute nickname like dote, then when she slept with him, boom. he disappeared and blocked her”
you paced around your room, thoughts flooding inside your mind after you ended the call with Mel.
You knew it. You knew it the moment you saw him, nothing good would come off of him.
Lenny was a sweet girl, the sweetest person you’ve ever met.
That’s it, that’s the feeling you got when you first saw him.
It was distrust.
It explains why your chest was tight and your stomach was flipping every time your eyes met.
You can’t imagine the impact that would have on her, if Bucky’s really playing with her feelings.
You never trusted him, but you’ve never trusted anyone to begin with.
But if he dares to hurt Lenny, you don’t think you can forgive yourself for allowing it.
She was basically a mother figure for you, you’ve always protected her and always will.
Anxiety caught you in chokehold, you decided to go and check up on her, see what she’s doing and maybe ask her few questions.
Marching towards her room, Your ears picked the muffled sound of her voice. She was talking on the phone, her tone melancholic, but still soft.
You Knocked on her door, at first she didn’t answer but after another knock she stopped talking for a few seconds, then muttered something, and opened the door.
Lenny looked troubled, Her lips were slightly puffy and swollen, indicating she was biting them, her eyes slightly red.
And that did not help your overthinking.
“Was that Bucky ? “ you asked in a gentle voice barely audible.
“Um— yeah, why…..why are you asking “
“Nothing, are you okay ? “
She massaged her temples and gently rubbed her arm “I’m fine, just tired and…”
“Do you want to talk about it ? “
“No. I just want to sleep, beside can you meet dad please ? He’s said he wanted to talk to us and I just want to rest” Lenny scratched her forehead this time, and sighed.
You stared at her for a moment, trying to read her mind.
Why wasn’t she telling you what’s troubling her.
She used to tell you everything.
“Sure, is he still working at that shitty company ?”you joked, leaning over the doorway trying to lift her mood.
“Yeah, Mrs.patty’s kicking his butt”
She gave you a huffed amused laugh, You smiled at that, then carefully turned around to leave but stopped on your tracks.
And turned to look at her, your eyes begging for an answer.
“you sure you’re okay ?”
“I’m sure, don’t worry”
With that she closed her door, leaving you standing there.
You were in the living room, when the front door opened, revealing your dad.
He was slightly surprised to see you lying on the couch watching tv, a big bowl of popcorn laying on your lap.
Well the tv was sure playing but you weren’t paying any mind to it, your eyes were glued to the ceiling.
“Hi dad” you muttered, not taking your eyes off that ceiling.
“Hey honey, back from that gala or whatever?”
“Yepp, came back this morning. How was work ?”
“It’s was tiring but great, wish I could ask the same question to you”
You rolled your eyes hard, great what a nice way to continue this shitty day, your dad complains.
“Don’t start please, or I’m going to my back to my room”
“I’m not starting anything kiddo, I just want what best for you”
He gave you that dad voice, while taking off his coat and hanging it.
“Yeah well thank you but I can handle myself, besides why is Lenny back here, wasn’t she in New York ?” You changed the topic hoping he would drop it.
“Why she didn’t tell you ?”
He raised his eyebrows, and walked towards the kitchen grabbing himself a beer from the fridge.
“No I didn’t really ask too”
“She’s now in manhattan, the building she was in had renovations so in the meantime I invited her to stay here while they finished.”
After Lenny finished university at Ny, she quickly got a job and a nice apartment. But you heard it was in east village not in freaking manhattan.
when you saw her here, you couldn’t help but get concerned, But you couldn’t ask.
“That very thoughtful“ you hummed.
“you’re going with your sister to that camping thing with her boyfriend?”
“I’m still debating, i don’t know”
“I think you should go, having actual connections other than your college friends may push you to have a real job and a real future“
His voice still ringed inside your head, while you were trying to get some sleep.
You couldn’t lie, his words hurted you badly, especially when he knows how much it’s been your dream to study fashion and how much you sacrificed to go there.
When you finally pushed the thoughts away, another crept in.
“He’s kinda of a play boy,”
“He slept with her and blocked her the next day”
You can’t let this happen, you can’t.
You were going to protect Lenny, like you always did.
So you’ve made a plan.
You’re going to spy on him during that camping and confirm your doubts.