Please forgive me, I haven't watched any of the newer Marvel movies/shows that contain Bucky. So, if these seems a little off - I am going off comics, games and the older marvel movies.
But enjoy regardless!!
⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕫𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟:
It's the banter.
The way you give him a look after a solid one-liner that makes you both grin - laughing at the sarcastic tones and little scoffs. Even the comments that don't warrant any reaction other than an eyeroll or sigh; he finds himself craving this familarity.
It's the ease at which the two of you talk that is comforting to Bucky. And it's when you go silent that he realizes just how much he likes listening to you speak.
You were having a bad day. Nothing world ending or emotionally wrecking - just a shitty morning that soured your mood enough that you didn't feel like talking as much.
Bucky picked up on it immediately and he tried everything in his vocal arsenal to get you smiling again.
When you didn't counter his retorts with something smart - Bucky found his mood tilting as well.
It wasn't until you smiled, full of warmth and so goddamn sweet, that Bucky realized it wasn't the silence that was ruining his mood. But knowing that you were upset.
When you smiled - it felt like he could breathe again. Everything was going to be alright because he finally managed to crack that icy exterior.
In that moment, Bucky finally realized just how much danger he was in.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕖𝕡𝕤 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕕:
Bucky tried to pretend nothing changed between you. Going about his days as if he didn't crave your attention like a sugary sweet.
What was worse was when Sam and Steve noticed something was off with him.
As always, Sam made jokes about it. Giving Bucky the heaviest of side-eyes whenever you walked into the room and Bucky shifted his attention to you instinctually.
He never said a thing, though. At least...not when you were in ear-shot. Bucky wasn't sure if that was worse than Sam shoving you two together and saying "now kiss"
"Do I need to lock you two in a closet or are you going to do something about that puppy-eyed look you give her?" Sam once asked and Bucky didn't have a retort. Which seemed to make things worse with Sam.
Steve took a little longer to figure things out but he got there in the end. He was kinder than Sam. Never said anything and tried acting like he wasn't keeping a secret from you.
Bucky appreciated Steve greatly - but the man could not lie or act non-chalant to save his soul.
He stuttered whenever he tried to make excuses for Bucky around you.
You tried to make a joke about Bucky seeing other people once and Steve fumbled with a 'I don't think that's the case at all. He likes you a lot.'
Bucky had to listen to you coo and joke about his supposed crush on you for the rest of the day.
It would have been an excellent moment to reveal his feelings...but anything he thought of saying sounded like he was trying to teasing you.
Bucky still, to this day, slaps himself for not telling you right there and then.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕚𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℙ𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕥:
Bucky hated it...but a for fleeting moment, he felt his old rage surge forward. Something twisted and malicious in him lifted its head and ever since he's felt this sunken hole of guilt attempt to swallow him up.
You had been hurt.
The plan went south and suddenly you were out of his reach, fighting for your life among the chaos of a war-zone.
Bucky found you first and the sight of blood snapped his carefully healed mind.
Whoever was in the room with you didn't last a minute. He doesn't remember much of what happened - but the team informed him he went dark, no comms or direction. And after a worryingly long time, it was your voice over the commucations telling them where the two of you were and that you were injured.
Safe and sound.
But Bucky was quiet. Not unresponsive but just quiet.
Bucky didn't leave your side while you slept in the hospital bed. The wounds weren't bad and most of the blood hadn't been yours but Bucky still felt like he needed to stay with you until you opened your eyes.
The confession comes out of him on a whisper. In the quiet of the night, the time somewhere close to midnight - it should have been impossible for you to hear him.
But you did. You woke to him talking softly next to your bed about your bad habit of getting yourself in trouble.
The usual scolding, one you both heard more commonly from Steve, so you pretended to be asleep so he didn't go into a proper rant about your safety.
But then you hear him say it. Like a prayer. Soft and sweet from dry lips surrounded by rough stubble - Bucky opens his heart to the quiet room. To, what he believes, is your sleeping form.
But then your eyes open.
There's no sarcasm in your smile. Just warmth - with a slight sheepishness coloring your tone. "So...Steve wasn't lying?"
Bucky hangs his head. Half because he can't look at you out of embarrassment and half because he's trying not to laugh too hard.
"Yes...yes, Steve was right." He says in the same soft voice. As if he was afraid to say it outloud.
But it's been said. Finally.
