Twisted Ways (Part 2)
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x F!Reader
Summary: A year has passed since your feelings for Bucky were unrequited. You find someone new but is he good for you?
Word Count: 1,826
Warnings: Absolute jackass of a boyfriend, jerk John, protective Bucky, little angst with lots of comfort, language.
A/N: Here is the second part to It's A Heartache. This is fast forward one year on and I promised protective Bucky would come out to play, I hope I lived up to your expectations. A massive shout out and hugs to my lovely friend @jobean12-blog for proofreading this for me and giving me awesome suggestions, you're the best and everyone should go and read Jo's work because she is an amazing person and writer! ❤️
Taglist: @intothesoul @avatarofthetimelords @sinistersnakey @ravenswritingroom @rogersxbarnes
A year made a heck of a difference.
It took a long time for you to bury your feelings for Bucky. Too long, honestly. But how could it not? Your feelings for Bucky became genuine. This wasn't some kind of high school crush that lasted a few days.
To you, it was serious.
His relationship with the mystery woman outside the compound hadn’t lasted very long. It ended ugly and with betrayal that cut deeper than he’d admit out loud.
She cheated with some guy she called an “old friend” Simon. She begged him to forgive her, swore it didn’t mean anything and it was a one time mistake. But Bucky wasn't interested in her excuses or lies. Once the trust was gone, it was gone. He wasn’t about to try to glue pieces back together knowing the cracks would always show and have a constant reminder of her betrayal by having to look at her everyday. He didn't need to go to bed at night wondering what she was doing or who she was with.
Bucky was done with her, once and for all.
Bucky needed a friend because it was what he so desperately needed and that’s where you came in.
Late nights brewing hot tea in the kitchen. Breaking into Tony’s ridiculously expensive stash of chocolate that he always hid in the top cupboard. Dunking cookies in milk, laughing at dumb movies, sitting shoulder to shoulder with books open but barely reading. It was just the little comforting things.
The things Bucky needed and loved doing, especially with you.
You got close. Closer than you had ever expected.
The walls Bucky had built around himself started to crumble piece by piece, especially during the times you smiled at him like he was worth something.
And maybe that’s why he looked so completely pissed and defeated when you walked into the common room with some guy’s arm slung around your shoulders.
This guy was no good, he could tell just by the aftershave he was wearing.
“Hey, everyone,” you said, voice quiet and nervous. “I'd like to introduce you to my new boyfriend. This is John.”
The team greeted John with handshakes, hugs and even ‘bro’ hugs as Sam liked to call them.
But Bucky just sat there with his fists clenched in his lap, jaw locked, staring ahead like the world had just ended.
And for Bucky, that's exactly how it felt.
John really did look the part. He was tall, he wore an expensive suit with shiny shoes and an expensive watch. His hair slicked back neatly with hair gel, though by how greasy it looked, it looked as though John had used the whole tube.
But there was something in John’s eyes that put Bucky on edge, there was something behind those eyes Bucky just didn't like about John.
Just as arrogant as Tony, he thought.
John's gaze flicked to him, a smirk etched into his features.
“Oh, you're the famous Bucky Barnes.”
John said, flat toned. But that smirk? It wasn't casual, it wasn't friendly. Not even close.
“You don't seem as scary as I imagined.” John chuckled, one posh hand slipped into the pockets of his tight slacks.
Bucky’s jaw twitched but kept focused on the white wall ahead. His vibranium arm whirred with the tension of the clenched fist.
Keep cool Barnes, keep cool.
But it didn't take too long for the cracks to start showing in yours and John's relationship.
It was very subtle at first. John would interrupt you mid sentence, intentionally being contradictive, making comments that he would disguise as a joke.
Intentionally being a dickhead.
Then as time went on John’s mask began to fall.
“Do you really think you should be wearing that? It’s a bit tight, you're going to attract unwanted attention.” he muttered one evening before training.
“Oh for fuck sakes Y/N! You're too damn sensitive. Why can't you ever take a joke?” whenever you would scowl at his immature comments.
The others noticed of course. Clint’s eyebrows nearly shot off his head. Natasha’s lips thinned every time she witnessed one of his digs.
But you being the sweet and stubborn you just kept brushing it all off, as if trying to make it hurt less.
Bucky however felt his blood boil hotter with every passing day that John was around. There were days Bucky was more tempted than others to ring John's neck.
Bucky often imagined what it would feel like to hear one of John’s pathetic bones crack under the pressure of his arm.
Because he’d heard those same words before. Cruel, narcissistic, leaving you to feel smaller than you deserved to be.
He just couldn’t stand watching it happen to you.
Things came to a boiling point one Friday evening.
The team had gathered in the common room for a takeaway and films, a rare moment of downtime that you cherished when it happened. You sat cross legged next to John, food in your lap and snacks on the other side of you. Your shoulders were tense and your smile felt a little forced.
Halfway through one of the films, you offered a light hearted joke on the plot. A few chuckles were heard, but your smile soon faded when John snorted.
“Babe, please don’t embarrass yourself tonight. Then again, you never seem to get it.”
The room fell silent. So silent that you could absolutely hear a pin drop. Your throat suddenly felt like sandpaper and it was hard to breathe. It felt as if there was no air and you were suffocating under the stares.
You tried to laugh it off, but nothing sound came out.
And that's when Bucky stood abruptly, his own food flying off his lap. His heavy breathing cut through the silence of the room. All eyes were on you.
“Get the fuck out.” Bucky’s voice boomed. His nostrils flared and vibranium arm whirring by his side, ready to punch that irritating smirk right off this guy's fucking face once and for all.
John blinked, chuckling as if finding this whole exchange humorous. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Bucky shouted. “You’re not welcome here. Not after the way you’ve been treating her.”
John scoffed. “Oh come on, Buck. She knows I’m only teasing.”
Bucky stepped forward, eyes blazing. “No you're wrong, John. Teasing doesn’t leave her looking small. Teasing doesn’t make her laugh like she’s trying not to cry. You’re not teasing her, you’re tearing her down and I've had enough of it.”
The weight of his words hung in the air.
John sneered, glancing around the room for backup. “Are you all just going to let him talk to me like that?”
Natasha crossed her arms. “He’s not wrong though.”
Sam gave a sharp nod. “She deserves better, man. Way better.”
John’s expression changed like the weather. He looked angry as he turned back to you, as if expecting you to defend him. “Y/N?”
You swallowed the hard lump in your throat, torn between instinct and the truth. For so long you’d brushed off his cruelty and comments. But the look in Bucky’s eyes, he was furious, he was protective of you and you realised it tonight. It made something inside you snap.
“I… I just think you should go,” you whispered, avoiding his stare.
John’s face twisted into disgust. “You are fucking unbelievable.” He shouted, causing you to flinch at both his words and anger.
He snatched his coat, muttered something under his breath, and stormed out.
The slam of the door echoed and rang in your ears.
The silence was intense. Embarrassment crept up to your cheeks.
Wanda leaned forward gently. “Are you all right, Y/N?”
You nodded quickly, though your throat felt tight. “I’m fine honestly. Just… I’m so sorry you all had to see th-”
“No,” Bucky said firmly, interrupting your train of thoughts, his voice softer now but no less intense. “Don’t apologise Y/N. He should never have spoken to you like that. Not once. Not ever.”
Your eyes met his, and something in your chest shifted. For a moment, you weren’t sure whether you wanted to cry or throw your arms around him.
“Thank you Buck.” You murmured instead, eyes glossing over.
When the evening officially ended and the team headed off to their own rooms, you lingered in the kitchen staring thoughtfully into your lukewarm cup of tea. Your chest felt tight, and your shoulders slouched under the weight of what happened tonight. Your mind replaying everything John ever said to you, his jokes, his control over you.
Bucky found you there, sitting on the stool in the kitchen staring out into the void.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
You gave a weak smile. “I will be. Just… I just feel stupid, you know? For not seeing it sooner.”
“Don’t.” His tone was fierce, but not with you. “People like him Y/N, they’re very good at hiding it, at twisting things and never taking accountability for it. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Your throat tightened. “Still. I thought… I thought he cared. I only wanted that.”
Bucky’s jaw clenched. “He didn’t deserve you. Not even close.”
The words were simple, but the way he said them was low, steady, filled with genuineness and made the warmth spread through your chest despite the ache.
You studied him for a long moment, searching his face for any signs he's lying. “Do you really mean that?”
He stepped closer, blue eyes locking with yours. “Y/N… you deserve someone who sees you for who you are, doll. Someone who makes you feel stronger and taller, not smaller. Who knows exactly how lucky they are to have you.”
Your breath caught. “Bucky…”
He swallowed hard, fighting the war inside himself. For years he’d kept it buried. Convinced he wasn’t good enough for you, convinced you deserved someone whole. But watching that man tear you down had snapped something inside him.
Bucky didn't just need you. He loved you.
His voice was raw when he finally admitted, “I’ve always seen you that way. Even when I tried not to.”
The air between you shifted, heavy with something unspoken, finally given breath.
You blinked, heart drumming fiercely against your ribcage. “You… you’ve always…?”
“I thought it was better if you didn’t know,” he said, voice low. “When I was with someone else, when you deserved more than a broken mess like me, I thought keeping it to myself was protecting you. But tonight, seeing him like that… God, Y/N, I can’t just stand by and let you think that’s all you deserve. Because it’s not. You deserve everything. You deserve love.”
Tears stung your eyes, but for once they weren’t from pain.
You reached for his hand. The cool metal of the vibranium was steady beneath your palm.
“Bucky…” Your voice shook. “All this time, I thought you didn’t want me.”
His laugh was rough, almost disbelieving. “Want you? Doll, I’ve been in love with you longer than I ever care to admit.”
The words settled over you like a balm, like sunlight breaking through a storm.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, you let yourself believe it.
