Extended Imagine - Dare to Confess
Intro | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
“Why do people still think matte lipstick looks good?”
You’re laying on your bed, flipping through the latest issue of Cosmo, when you hear a soft knock at the door. So soft, in fact, you weren’t sure you heard anything until they knocked again.
“Come in!” The door opened just a crack, and you could see Bucky’s metal hand around the doorknob, his face peeking through the gap. “I said you could come in, Buck.” For someone who could kill you with one hand, either one, he sure was bashful. It was endearing.
“I can come back later if you’re busy...” he said, hesitating by the door. You smile at the sight of him. Everyone knew recovery would be difficult for him, but every time you see him, he seems happier. Healthier. “I’m only busy wishing this matte trend would disappear. What’s up?”
With a puzzled look, he sits on the little sofa you have on the wall opposite your bed. It was meant for two, but Bucky took up two-thirds of the space. You get up and sit on the arm of the sofa, leaving him some distance.
“Are you sure? I can come back later; it’s not important.” He starts to get up, and you instinctively reach out to his arm to pull him back. It seems to startle him; he stops walking and lets his eyes linger on your hand for a moment.
“Bucky, are you okay?” He’s always been a bit timid around you, but now you’re concerned. Why would he come into your room just to try to escape? He moves to sit back down again, and this time you sit next to him. You lay your hand on his back and give him a little rub to make him comfortable. “You can tell me.”
He nods with a slight smile. “I know. I’m really okay, I just.. Clint dared me to tell you something, but I - I don’t know if it’s the right time.” He let out a nervous laugh, but his eyes looked worried. His eyes always gave him away. Whatever it was, you’d try to help him through it. You’ve had a soft spot for Bucky since he and Steve got back to the tower. Not everyone thought he could be trusted, especially in the beginning, but you did. Your intuition was never wrong. That was your superpower.
“Okay. Well, it’s totally up to you, not Clint.” You brush the hair out of his face as he looks up at you with those sweet, puppy dog eyes.
“Ya know, I used to be so good with the ladies. Before, I mean. I had a line for everything, ask Rogers. He never knew how to talk to women. And now, I just... I feel so out of place. Like I don’t belong. I never really know what to say to anyone, so I usually end up not saying anything at all.”
“You just need time, babe. You’ll get through this. Look how far you’ve come already!” You hold his face in your hand, grazing his cheek with your thumb. He knows how proud of him you are; you tell him all the time.
“Thanks, doll. You’ve helped me through this, more than you’ll ever know. But Clint is right, there is something you should know.” He pulls back a little, turning to face you, keeping his gaze on your hands as he takes them in his. “I think I have feelings for you. My heart goes crazy every time I see you walk into a room. I get so tongue-tied around you; I never know what to say. Until now, I guess. Now I can’t stop talking, the one time I probably should. I don’t know how to handle it,” he said, his voice breaking. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered.
If he’d bother to look up, he’d see you smiling. You’ve had a crush on him since you met, but you didn’t want to interfere with his recovery. He deserved that; to feel whole again, to be himself. As you start to pull your hands away, he looks at you with despair and regret in his eyes.
“No, it’s okay!” You pull him into your chest and kiss the top of his head. “It’s okay, Bucky, I - I feel the same way.” As soon as you said it, he sits straight up, holding you at arm’s length. “You do?”
You let out a breathy laugh. “Of course. I’ve always had a thing for older guys,” you say with a wink. “But I think we should take things slow. I don’t want to rush anything, or get in the way of your recovery, or anything like that. You deserve to feel like yourself again, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.”
“That sounds great,” he agrees. “I think that’s why I started to have all these feelings for you. You’re such an incredible person, I can’t help but want to spend time with you.” He pulls you in for a hug so tight you think you’ll burst, keeping one hand on the back of your head. He slowly let’s go, but not before kissing your forehead. The way he handles you, it makes you feel like a priceless treasure.
“By the way, what was Clint going to make you do if you didn’t come tell me this?” He rolls his eyes at the thought. “He wanted me to parade around the tower in these ridiculous Captain America boxers he found online.”
He sees your eyes widen at the thought, and before you can even say anything, he roars, “NO!” You both start to laugh. It’s so nice to see him at ease with you, to be comfortable. That’s one less person he needed to feel guarded around.
He takes your hand and leads you out the door. “C’mon, babe, I’m hungry. Let’s go get dinner. People still do that for a first date, right?”
