better kisser
pairing: john walker x reader
summary: your boyfriend was a dick, no way around it. and john loathed him. tonight is no different when the three of you and the rest of the thunderbolts go to a hockey game. so when you and john end up on the kiss cam, john seizes his shot.
word count: 2.5k
warnings: cheating, toxic relationship, cocky/smug/flirty walker, mentions of smut
“You excited, baby?” You asked, looking over at your boyfriend, Ryan.
Bucky had surprised the whole team with tickets to a hockey game. Alexei had been talking for weeks about wanting to learn about non-Russian sports. Bucky had mainly bought the tickets to shut him up.
There’d been enough tickets for some friends of the team to join you: including Ryan.
Ryan was, on his best day, an asshole. The entire team loathed him, especially because they adored you so much.
Ryan shrugged your hand out of his, brushing off your question. “Why do we have to hang out with your friends?” He groaned. You took a deep breath, trying to remember the things you loved about Ryan— even though that list shrunk daily.
“I want you to have a good relationship with my friends. It’s important to me. Why do you hate them so much?” You asked in a hushed tone. You tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he made it harder each time. John’s familiar eyes glanced back and found yours.
He tried to read your expression— to judge whether he needed to step in or not. All your friends saw through the happy couple facade, but John took a more direct approach.
“Oh, for fucks sake,” Ryan groaned, annoyed that he was even having this conversation.
“C’mon, baby. Just talk to me,” you begged him. You reached out for his hand, but he tensed and retracted.
John noticed the way your face fell as your boyfriend pulled away from you. He jogged back towards you. Anything he could do to make you feel less alone— he’d do it.
You glanced over at John as he joined you. You saw that knowing look in his eyes— the same one he had anytime Ryan was around.
“Hey, Ryan, buddy. Don’t know if you noticed, but your girlfriend was actually trying to hold your hand. So, maybe stop being a dick and treat her with some respect.” John snapped.
“John, don’t—” you grabbed his forearm. Before you could try to deescalate the situation, Ryan shot back.
“How about you do it for me? Since you always seem so willing to insert yourself into our relationship. Or, crazy idea, mind your fucking business.” Ryan rolled his eyes.
John meant well, he always did. And he made you feel so protected, but he knew just how to push Ryan’s buttons— and he seemed to enjoy it.
His eyes caught your gaze. He recognized the look you gave him instantly— ease up on him, please.
He gave you a short nod and dropped the topic. He stayed glued to your side as you all waited in the line to get through security. Any time Ryan looked at him, he’d just scowl in response.
“I’m going to get a beer.” Ryan rushed off after you all got through security.
You had to fight to keep the disappointment off your face. “You alright?” Bucky asked you, cautiously.
Everyone on the team recognized your expression— the pretending to be okay even though your world is crumbling. They’d all worn that expression before.
“I’m fine. He just had a rough day at work. That’s it.” You lied, unconvincingly.
They all nodded— not even slightly believing you. Yelena gave you a sympathetic smile. It gave you a pit in your stomach. It always did— the pity.
You knew that they were your friends and they cared about your wellbeing, but you hated feeling like they pitied you. “Why don’t you guys go find the seats? We’ll catch up in a bit.” John said, nodding at the others.
John Walker was the last person you’d expected to bond with when you joined the Thunderbolts turned New Avengers. But slowly, you’d both started to care for each other.
And he’d started to become fiercely protective of you. Especially when your boyfriend was being an ass.
As soon as they left, you felt John’s gaze on you. It burned into your skin as you focused on the ground. His finger ghosted over your hips— there was a hesitancy in the way he touched you.
He slowly tugged you towards him.
“Why do you do that, Walker? You know it just winds him up.” You asked, still not having the courage to face him.
He stepped closer towards you. It was force of habit at this point— he always felt like he was being drawn towards you like a magnet.
He nudged your chin, forcing you to meet his gaze. His blue eyes bore into yours. It felt like he could see right into your soul.
“You deserve better.” He said, softly.
It was just three words, but there was so much more unspoken. Don’t stay with him. Be with me. Let me take care of you the way he can’t.
“He loves me. He just has bad days.” You covered for Ryan as you’d done countless times before.
Even you didn’t know why you were still with him. Probably just nostalgia at this point. You’d been together since high school. He wasn’t always cold and standoffish. It was only in the last year that things had soured.
Every time you told yourself that you were going to call it quits, you were reminded of all the good times.
“I’m only saying this because I care about you and I don’t want to see you get hurt. Every time you’re around him, you seem tense. And he acts like such a jackass. You can do so much better than him.” He told you, softly.
His rough calloused fingers traveled lightly down your side. He caressed your hand slowly. His eyes were glued on your face. He’d stop the minute you told him to— but you didn’t. He started to slot his fingers in yours when Ryan appeared at your side.
You jumped away from John, startled by Ryan’s presence. You followed Ryan's gaze to where your hands had been connected five seconds ago.
The way Ryan was clenching his jaw was a pretty good indicator that he’d seen it. “Ready to go to the seats?” John asked. He was technically asking both of you, but his eyes never left yours.
You started to step towards him, but Ryan grabbed your wrist. “We’ll catch up. We’re just gonna chat for a minute.” Ryan said through clenched teeth.
Ryan’s tight grip on your wrist made John’s skin crawl. He wanted to pry him off of you and break every bone in his hand. Then, he could finally sweep you up off your feet— away from Ryan.
“Call me if you need me.” John told you before walking away. He didn’t care if Ryan heard him— in fact, he hoped he did. He wanted Ryan to know that he had to answer to him if he hurt you.
“What is your fucking problem tonight?” You hissed at Ryan.
He scoffed. You wanted to smack the smug look off his face. “I’m being a pretty good sport considering I have to spend the whole night with your friends.” He told you.
You took a deep breath— feeling the air fill up your lungs and hoping it would replace the rage in your body. “They’ve been so friendly and accommodating. They keep trying to get to know you, and you brush them off.” You argued.
They were some of your best friends, and you hated hearing Ryan bash them when they’d been more than welcoming.
“They all act like they don’t like me. And don’t get me started on Walker.” He ranted.
You sighed, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. “Oh my god. You’re always ranting about John. Nothing is going on between us. If you’re that insecure that you can’t handle me being friends with a guy, just say that.” You snapped.
“Oh, bullshit. He wants to get in your pants and you know it.” He yelled, drawing attention from other guests. You could feel the eyes on you— it made your skin crawl.
“No, he doesn’t. And stop yelling.” You said, smacking his hand.
He rolled his eyes. “Stop being so naive. Everyone can see it. He’s into you, and it pisses him off that you’re not his.” He explained.
You brushed him off— hating the voice in the back of your head that told you he was right. Ryan sulked behind you as you both headed towards your seats.
There were two empty seats on the end next to John. “Oh, that’s fucking perfect,” Ryan muttered behind you.
You felt the team’s eyes on you as you approached your seat. Concern written across all of their faces.
You both sat down silently. “You alright?” You heard John quietly whisper beside you. He kept his eyes focused straight ahead, knowing Ryan would lose it if he saw you both talking.
When he only heard silence in response, he frantically looked over at you. That’s when he saw the tears welling up in your eyes.
“Count your fucking days, Ryan.” John snarled at him before slipping some tissues into your hand.
“Yeah yeah go fuck yourself,” Ryan mumbled in response.
This encounter had grabbed the whole group’s attention. The boys were debating punching Ryan in the face. At the other end of your row, Yelena and Ava were watching how heartbroken you looked. “There’s an extra seat down here, love. C’mere for a minute.” Ava waved you over towards them.
You slowly stood up. John noticed how much your hands were shaking. His heart fractured into pieces. You carefully walked past all the guys— each of them gave your hand a quick squeeze as you passed them.
The girls quickly pulled you into a hug and comforted you. They were the closest things you had to sisters. They’d been there for every long night after a fight with Ryan.
John turned in his seat, facing Ryan. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to keep up the protective friend act when she’s not here.” Ryan said, sensing his gaze.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” John snapped.
Ryan chuckled. He’d gladly take any shot to get under John’s skin. “Being glued to my girlfriend’s side. You don’t have to pretend it comes from friendship. We all know you just want to fuck her. And I know you can’t stand that I’m the only one who gets to fuck her.” He said.
John clenched his fists— it was becoming harder and harder to keep his cool. John was riled up, and Ryan knew.
It was John’s turn. He knew you’d probably kill him if you heard him, but he wanted to put Ryan in his place— even if he had to lie to do it.
“If that helps you sleep at night, go ahead and keep thinking that. But, do you really think I haven’t fucked her already? What exactly do you think happens on our long missions? Somebody has to keep her satisfied, and she knows to come to me and not you.” John said, with a cocky smirk.
Every last word of it was lies, but Ryan ate it right up. “What the fuck?” He asked, mouth agape.
Next to John, Bucky was covering his mouth to keep from laughing. Less than a hundred words and John was in Ryan’s head.
“You’re bluffing.” Ryan said, still in disbelief. John shrugged, shooting him a playful wink. “Am I?” He asked. And Ryan was spiraling again.
A couple seats down, you got a text from Ryan.
Ryan: “You lying bitch. Your little boytoy just told me about your mission hookups. Knew you were lying.”
You quickly typed back a response.
“Oh for fuck’s sake, he’s trying to get under your skin. Just ignore him.”
You got up to go back to your seat— hoping you could quell his anger before it blew up into a big fight. “I promise, he’s just messing with you. Can you just try to be civil, please?” You whispered to Ryan. He sighed and nodded, throwing his arm around your shoulder.
The rest of the game went as smoothly as possible, until Ryan started flirting with the girls sitting behind him. It was revenge— you knew it was just a way to punish you. But you hadn’t actually done anything wrong.
You sat there still, not letting your face show any emotion. That was what he wanted.
You focused your eyes on the screen at the center of the arena. They were showing the kiss cam and random couples.
The few elderly couples made your heart swoon. That was what you wanted— someone to grow old with. You knew that someone wasn’t Ryan. You needed someone to choose you.
John nudged you with his shoulder. “I’m sorry that I lied to him earlier. I should’ve been the bigger person, I know that. I don’t want to do anything that complicates your life. It’s just that…you deserve so much more than him.” He said, genuinely.
“Thank you,” you said, giving him a sweet smile. A smile that made him weak in the knees.
“You deserve the fairytale and all that romance shit. Not that asshole,” he said, almost perfectly reading your mind.
Before you could respond, you heard cheering around the arena. You glanced up and realized you and Ryan were on the kiss cam— not that he noticed, he was too busy talking to those girls.
The entire arena roared, and then started booing when they realized your boyfriend was ignoring you. You looked over at Ryan, hoping for him to just turn his head.
Looking back up at the kiss cam, you shrugged your shoulders, earning a laugh from the crowd.
Then, the camera operator started to scoot the camera, so that you and John were in the frame. You could hear the “Ooooo’s” from around the room.
The heat rushed to your cheeks. Suddenly, the attention was making your skin burn. The commotion finally got Ryan’s attention. His eyes went wide as he saw the both of you on the screen.
He jumped to his feet, frantically waving his hands in front of you. “No, she’s my girlfriend.” He yelled, desperately trying to stop anything from happening.
Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed the smirk on John’s face. He scanned your face, waiting until he saw the start of a smile.
It was a blur. Suddenly, he was cupping your face and kissing you like his life depended on it. You felt your entire body relax and melt into his touch.
He smirked against your lips as Ryan started to protest. He cupped the back of your head, devouring you.
Your stomach was doing flips as his lips attacked yours. The kiss was hungry— and made you feel wanted.
You heard cheers and whistles from your friends. You ran your fingers over his chest— trying to memorize the feeling. You wanted to remember every second, in case you woke up and this was all just a dream.
“Fuck both of you,” you heard Ryan complain before he stormed off.
You both pulled out of the kiss— giddy and smiling. John shot his arms up in the air victoriously, earning a cheer from the crowd. He swooped you out of your seat and pulled you into his arms.
“Hi, honey,” he said, the pet name effortlessly rolling off his tongue.
“I’m gonna treat you so much better than he did. I promise,” he said, pecking your lips again.
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