Place Your Bets 9/9
Pairing: Bucky x Reader
Summary: Money is on the line and the months are counting down so who will win in the bet to when Bucky and Y/N finally get together? And will they figure out what’s exactly going on
Warnings: swearing, not as much comedy but a whole lotta fluff
A/N: And there you have it! The journey has come to an end! Thank you so much to everyone who has read this series, a special thank you to all of you who reblogged and commented on it!! You’re support has honestly made me the happiest person ever every time I read your comments (and tags!)!! I love you all!! This has been a fantastic journey and I hope I haven’t disappointed with the ending. WE OUT
Word Count: 2,714
Masterlist
Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight - Part Nine
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Part Five - Just a Tease
Bucky sauntered into the lounge freely, he was walking on cloud nine. He had a date with a pretty girl and at the same time he was pulling a fast one on all of his friends while making a buck or two. All in all, a pretty good outcome.
It was nearing 7:30pm now, dinner was sitting on the stove ready to be eaten by whoever was feeling it, it was hard enough getting everyone at the compound at the same time, a sit down dinner was out of the question. It did mean that a group would congregate in the common room while they ate normally.
Currently, this was the case. Wanda, Tony, Nat, Sam and Bruce were all lounging on the large couches eating what little food was left on their plates. To the untrained eye it was a normal night, the TV was on, casual conversation was in the air. Oh how those untrained eyes are wrong, these five (well four let’s be real Nat was hoping it was all over, she didn’t like the idea of betting on their friends’ love life) were waiting to catch a glimpse of either Y/N or Bucky to see what they were up to. The group chat had been on fire for the past hour and everyone was eagerly awaiting to see either leave.
There were theories, of course there were theories. Sam’s suggestion was that Bucky was lying out of his arse and he would just do a lap of the compound before coming back. Actually, that was probably the most popular theory. Wanda thought maybe they were both lying, but that would mean they had to have talked to each other and she wouldn’t believe that had happened unless she saw it with her own two eyes.
When Bucky walked into the room with his jacket on and rested his foot on the end of the couch to tie up the laces of his boots, all eyes were on him. That was the point.
“And where are you off to?” Sam asked with a devilish smile, leaning back on the sofa.
“I’ve got a date” Bucky shrugged his shoulders as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Everyone’s eyebrows raised when Bucky smiled slightly. Maybe Sam was wrong?
Before anyone could question him further the sound of footsteps came from behind them and Bucky straightened up faster than everyone turned around. He straightened his jacket and smiled at Y/N as she walked in and stood to the back of the room.
“Hey,” Bucky jogged over to her, they shared shy smiles but both had a twinkle in their eye, they knew what they were doing to their friends, driving them mad.
“Hey”
“You look really lovely,” Bucky scratched the back of his neck.
The group on the couches looked on in amazement, Tony turned to Sam and mouthed the words ‘what the fuck is going on?’ Sam could only shrug his shoulders in response, he had no idea either.
“Thank you, so do you,” Bucky blushed at her words, it wasn’t for show. To be honest, they were both nervous as hell. They had a right to be! Even if this whole plan was to get payback for what their friends had done, even if they had said it was to teach them a lesson, they were still going on a date! They’d decided that they may as well go out and get dinner while they were at it, they couldn’t get caught sneaking dinner once they got back, well, that’s what Y/N had said.
Bucky wasn’t quite sure where they were going, maybe a kebab place he’d found with Sam on a night out a few weeks ago, maybe pizza. What if she didn’t like pizza? What if she did actually have plans and they were just leaving together?
Similar thoughts were going through Y/N’s head. What if Bucky didn’t actually want to hang out with her? What if he wanted to talk about last night?
A shared thought between the duo, what if they wanted to talk about last night?!?
“Should we get going?” He sucked in a breath and held out one arm towards the elevator, his other going to rest on her lower back as Y/N turned towards it. They walked out side by side, his arm on her back and shy eyes avoiding the other, but neither turned back to the group.
“Hey wait!”
“Where are you going?!”
“Are you going on a date?!” They heard the calls as the doors closed in front of them.
“Think that worked? It was quite subtle,” she asked, Bucky dropped his hand from her back, it’s not a real date, he told himself.
“I think we got their attention,” he laughed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The drive into the city was quiet and long. The only bit of conversation the two shared was where they should go, Y/N said the kebab place sounded nice when Bucky suggested it, at least now they had a location.
Going through both minds were similar thoughts still, wondering that maybe the fun they had had was just because they were getting back at their friends and not because the other was enjoying their company. There was so much that was going unsaid, so much was hanging in the air between them, they sleep with each other was the one in big bold letters, there was also the little speech Bucky had given beforehand, or the mutual pining they were experiencing for each other without the other knowing at all.
Conversation at the small kebab store was anything but what they were doing and why they were doing it. It gave the pair an opportunity to get to know each other, there’s always a positive isn’t there. They talked about their favourite things, about what they liked to do in their free time. They even shared stories from missions, the funny ones, like when Sam fell asleep on the roof and almost fell through a window, that seemed to be one of Bucky’s favourites.
The only time the conversation really lulled was when they were eating, and even then it was only one of them that ate while the other talked. It was so easy to talk to one another, they were both so intrigued with what the other had to say that they were almost fighting to ask the questions. The smiles on both of their faces never left their faces.
The pair strolled down the street towards towards the car, they’d gone the long way, Bucky having taken a wrong turn, not realising where he was going with Y/N blindly following him while they continued to talk. There was a comfortable silence between them as they walked side by side. The air was starting to cool now and Y/N felt the wind cut through her, she leaned closer towards Bucky as they walked. He took his hands out of his pockets, opening his body as an invitation for her to lean closer. They never quite made it past fingers brushing against each other, pinkies almost locking when they reached the car.
“How many do you think are waiting up for us?” Bucky asked with a chuckle as the compound came into view.
“I say they’ll be three of them at least,” she laughed back, looking over to Bucky whose smile broke out further across his face.
“Wanna bet on that,” he winked causing both of them to erupt into laughter for the millionth time that night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Pay up Sam it’s over,” Steve stood over Sam sticking the jar that was already overflowing with cash towards him. Sam stayed in his seat, his arms crossed and shaking his head.
“It’s not over until I hear it from them, I need evidence,” he was determined they were lying, everyone else had admitted defeat but Sam was a stubborn man, luckily, Steve was just as stubborn.
“You saw them leave together for christ’s sake!” Nat threw her hands up at Sam.
“That means nothing!” Sam yelled. The room filled with groans and you could almost hear them roll their eyes at Sam’s comments.
“They’re driving up!” Sam and Steve spun their heads to Bruce who stood by the large window, The two of them, as well as Wanda, Clint and Tony jumped up and ran towards the window to see the car driving around the bend and into the garage.
“Sam, I believe you owe me $100” Steve smirked and held out the jar towards his friend. Sam huffed out a breath and dug into his pocket, pulling out the crumpled bill he’d gotten purely for this bet, and shoving it into the jar. “Thank you.” Steve hummed and walked out of the room, time to share his winnings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“I can’t believe we were able to sneak past them all,” Y/N looked up at Bucky in awe, he’d snuck them through every hidden hallway he knew.
“I get bored of watching movies all night when I can’t sleep,” he smiled at her, “sometimes I like to explore around the place.” “Well maybe you can show me some other hidden gems you’ve found around here,” they rounded the corner, reaching Y/N’s hallway.
“I’ve got a few I can show you,” Bucky bit his lip looking down at her, it’s not a date he was still telling himself.
“Ya know Buck,” Y/N turned once they reached her door, she leaned against the door frame. They were almost chest to chest, she could almost feel his breath on her face and he had to shove his hands into his pockets to stop himself from reaching out and grabbing her waist. “This has got to be the best fake first date I’ve ever been on,” Bucky’s smile widened for a second before it slowly fell again.
“What about compared to real first dates?” he held his gaze to the ground and bit his lip waiting for her answer. Y/N moved away from the door frame and took a small step closer to Bucky, causing him to lift his gaze back up towards her.
“That’s just an unfair comparison,” he raised an eyebrow, questioning her comment, “if it was a real first date it’d end in a kiss.”
“And what if it did? Would that change the status of it’s realness?” he leaned forward further, Bucky brought his hands out of his pockets and held them firmly to the side. His eyes darted down to Y/N’s lips then up to her eyes and down again.
“Depends on how good the kiss was,” she gave him a small smirk, her gaze flicking down to his lips as well. Bucky reached out to place a soft hand on her neck, his fingers brushing against her jaw. He smiled as he leaned forward and captured her lips in his, they both smiled into the kiss. Her hands rested on his waist while his held her face gently. It was soft and quick but not quick enough for Bucky to not taste the soda she’d had with dinner on her lips or imprint in his mind what it felt like when she kissed him with a smile.
“Definitely one of the best first dates I’ve ever been on,” Y/N whispered against his lips, Bucky’s smile widened as he breathed out a laugh and took a small step back, his hands going down to hold hers.
“Does that mean I’ll get a second one?” Bucky’s voice was quiet as he spoke, his fingers played with hers nervously. Y/N nodded her head, she didn’t quite trust herself not to squeak if she opened her mouth, needing to compose herself. Bucky nodded along with her letting go of her hands, he breathed out another laugh “How about tomorrow?” he ran his hand through his hair.
“Sounds perfect Bucky.”
“Great, uh, awesome,” Bucky stepped forward and gave Y/N a quick kiss on her cheek before pulling back, “night gorgeous” he winked and turned to walk to his room. Before he got far Y/N reached out and grabbed his metal hand, pulling him back around to her.
“Just so you know, it was you I was talking about,” he gave her a look of confusion, knitting his eyebrows together, “my birthday wish, that was you.” Bucky’s hands went back up to hold her cheeks as he pulled her towards him and placed a rough kiss on her lips. She giggled as he pulled away and kissed her cheek again.
“Night doll” he called as he practically skipped down the hall.
Y/N walked backwards into her room, a big goofy smile on her face as she shut the door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bucky couldn’t shake his smile even if the world exploded right then and there. He was floating as he walked into his room with a skip.
“Fucking hell!” Bucky jumped as he looked up and saw Steve sitting at his desk with the lamp as the only source of light, a jar full of cash sat next to his arm that was on the desk. “What the hell are you doing here?!”
“Waiting for you to get back from your date, how was it?” Steve smiled at his friend who stood there in front of him opening and closing his mouth.
“And what if I bought her back here?” he gathered himself quickly, folding his arms over his chest and starring a challenging look at Steve.
“I know you Buck,” he shook his head, amused by the whole ordeal, “you wouldn’t do that on the first date. Even if you’d already slept with her,” he laughed.
“What’s that?” Bucky nodded towards the jar, he could take a guess at what it was but he wanted Steve to confirm it.
“Your winnings,” Bucky nodded and leaned against the couch opposite Steve, “how long did it take for the pretend date to be real?” Steve smirked.
“You knew?!” Bucky’s eyes widened, he should have known he wouldn’t be able to pull a fast one over on Steve, of all the people.
“I’m not an idiot jerk, you both asked to be in on it hours apart!” Steve threw his hands out in front of him as he talked, did Bucky really think he was that dumb?
“Pretty sure you’re an idiot” Bucky rolled his eyes as Steve leaned back into his chair.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“And what was that?” Steve rolled his eyes, he was sick of the games, it was late, he wanted to go to bed and just be happy for his friend, “the whole bloody night but god it was worth it Steve.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Seven fucking days Buck,” Sam shook his head and laughed. As much as he didn’t like losing, especially to Steve, he couldn’t be happier Bucky had finally gotten his head out of his arse.
“Couldn’t let you win mate, I’d never hear the end of it,” Bucky smirked over his coffee cup. He’d told Steve about his date last night, then Sam this morning, though he’d made sure to keep out the fact that it wasn’t exactly a real date until the end but that’s beside the point. Sam continued to laugh as he took a bite out of his toast.
“Morning all,” Y/N chimed as she skipped into the kitchen and made her way to the coffee machine.
“Morning” Sam said between bites.
“Morning gorgeous,” Bucky beamed at the sight of her, he walked over and wrapped his arm around her waist, placing a kiss on her cheek. She looked up at him smiling right back at him while he leaned on the counter next to her. Y/N could get used to this attention from Bucky, though she’d have to stop herself from swooning every time.
“Dammit, now we’re going to have to deal with the lovey dovey bullshit!” Sam gagged, running out of the room. Steve and Wanda burst out laughing from their spots at the bar, watching with ever present satisfaction on their faces at their friends happiness. It was well worth the loss of his winnings, Steve thought, he was never in it for the money anyway.
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and a big thank you for reading! Let me know what you think and requests are open!
Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight - Part Nine
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