a small blurb set between season 4 and 5 where the party slowly begins to realize that you and Steve might be more than friends
"stop looking at me like that," you balled up the dirty cleaning rag and tossed it at his chest. with a shake of your head, you finished tidying the kitchen after getting put on dishes duty with Steve. it was your "punishment" after losing two rounds of UNO to the kids.
he released a breathless laugh as he caught the rag and placed it in the hamper with the other linens, "like what?"
moving towards the dish rack, you began to pat the dishes dry with a new towel and pass them off to Steve. it was easier for the taller man to get them all put away in their proper spot, "the way you just.. sigh and gaze at me. like you've got some secret you need to spill to me."
a nervous chuckle sounded off between the two of you. you handed off a stack of cups to him next, "robin asked me today if you finally did something. now, i don't know what gave her that impression but this... starry-eyed, hopeful look amidst the apocalypse is clearly giving everyone the wrong impression."
Steve briefly paused to mull over your words before he finished off the cups, "the wrong impression?"
"well, yes," you shrugged as if it were obvious.
He grabbed the collection of dinner plates from you, "you think that look is giving the wrong impression? what impression is it giving?"
you huffed as you attempted to find your way around the words, you didn't want to just say it and risk the tension becoming awkward. yet at the same time, if neither of you cleared the air soon, one of the kids or your friends would force it out of you.
"like you're... infatuated with me?"
"infatuated," Steve chuckled and sighed, "I didn't realize teaming up with you at the end of the world would mean we're still avoiding the elephant in the room."
"I didn't know there was an elephant in the room," you tried to play it cool. maybe he would sweep it under the rug again.
Steve's honeyed gaze flicked over your figure leaning against the kitchen counter. he closed the space in two easy strides and gently ducked closer, "I think you do..."
with a shuddering breath, you took a cautious step closer, "people will say we're in love."
"I think Joyce might kill you if you quote Oklahoma again," he lightly teased. one of Steve's large hands settled against your waist as his head dipped down, "but if we're gonna survive this, i'm making sure we both make it out on the other side."
you cocked your head to the side and gave him a gentle grin. with a simple hum, it was easy to agree, "that's alright with me."
let me know if you're interested in me expanding this thought or if you have any requests!
Summary: You've formed a friendship with Brooklyn's most fearsome mob boss. But he isn't James Barnes, White Wolf, head of the Barnes Family Crime Syndicate. No. To you, he's just Bucky and he'll be there whenever you call.
Bucky Barnes Masterlist
Bucky usually doesn't step in when it comes to interrogations but this one was different. Sam and Joaquin managed to find the mole in his organization. Said mole would relay any information about the workings within the Barnes Family to Hydra, sabotaging any efforts for Bucky and his family to continue to reign over Brooklyn.
So things were tense and the mole, his former lawyer, Sitwell, was slumped in a chair, bloodied and bruised.
Bucky had forgone his blazer jacket, the sleeves of his black turtleneck rolled up to his elbows. His pinky ring with his family's sigil on not was caked in blood, a mix of Sitwells and Bucky's, but mainly Sitwells.
The older man sobs, "Please, just kill me," after Bucky lands another blow to his body.
Bucky straightens up, a devilish smirk on his face, "You think I'd make it easy for you after all the shit you pulled? After how well my family and I paid you to help cover up for us? Nah, buddy. This is your own fault. You thought Hydra could save you, but you're just scum to them," Bucky punches the man again, "My family and I were generous to you and this is how you return the favor?!" Another punch to the cheek, blood dripping onto the pavement.
A shrill ringing suddenly echoes within the warehouse and Bucky glares to his men behind him. Joaquin immediately searches the pockets of Bucky's jacket. When he pulls out the phone, he turns it to his boss, "It's her, sir."
Bucky's eyes immediately softens when he sees your name on his screen. He then turns to Sitwell's unconscious body, "Saved by the bell," he murmurs.
Sam tosses Bucky a towel and gives Joaquin a nod. Joaquin accepts the call and puts you on speaker.
"Hey, angel, you okay?"
"...don't say you told me so but-"
"Your car finally die?" Bucky answers with a smirk as he wipes as much blood from his hands as possible.
"...yes."
Bucky snorts, "Where are you?"
"Literally a few blocks away from my apartment, which is the most annoying thing. It couldn't have waited to die after I got home?! Anyway, if you and your guys can help me push the car-"
"Angel, we're not pushing your car down a few blocks. I'll pick you up and have one of my tow guys get your car."
"Bucky," you give him a warning tone.
"Angel," he gives the same energy back.
"It's fine, Bucky," you try to reason with the mob boss even though you know you probably won't win. Bucky is incredibly persuasive.
"I got it handled, angel. Let me do this. I like to take care of my friends." When he says this, Joaquin and Sam give each other a look and Bucky give them a finger. The other two men snicker.
"I'll let you pay half for the repair costs," you compromise.
Bucky scoffs, "Repairs? Nah, angel, we're getting you a new car."
You sigh, and Bucky imagines you shaking your head, "We'll discuss it when you pick me up. I'll send you my location."
"Alright. I'll see you in a bit. Just wait inside your car. Lock the doors and keep that pocket knife I gave you in hand."
"Yes, sir! See you soon. Bye!"
"Bye," Bucky replies and ends the call.
Sam makes kissing noises and Joaquin laughs. Bucky rolls his eyes at the two, "Shut the fuck up." He looks over his shoulder to the still slumped, unconscious Sitwell, "Keep an eye on him. Ask him more questions if or when he wakes. I'm gonna clean up a bit more and head out."
"Sounds good. Say hi to your angel for us!" Joaquin says as Bucky heads to the bathroom to scrub off the remaining blood from his hands.
_________________________
You jolt away when you hear a knock on your window. You see Bucky standing there with a teasing smirk. You roll your eyes and open the door, "You scared me."
"You shouldn't have fallen asleep. Something could've happened to you."
"I was tired from work and you took too long!"
"It took me twenty minutes to get here, angel."
"Well that twenty minutes was the longest twenty minutes of my life!
Bucky playfully rolls his eyes and rests his hands on his hips, "Okay, we going or not? Grab your stuff. I don't want you freezing out here any longer."
You grab your work bag and purse, and hand them to Bucky. He guides you to the passenger seat of his matte black Rolls Royce. He opens the door for you and lets you slip into the car. He hands you your stuff and then shuts the door.
He swiftly goes to the driver's side, getting into the car and starting it. He cranks the heat up all the way. He saw you shivering in your car. As the heat spreads throughout the vehicle, your shivering decreases.
You look to Bucky in appreciation, "Thanks for getting me. No one else was answering since it's late."
He quickly glances at you with a soft grin, "I'll always answer when you call, angel."
A warmth spreads through your chest and you know it's not from the car's heater.
The car ride is short since you only live down the next few blocks. Bucky parks on the street and immediately rushes to your side to help you out of the car. He grabs your bags and follows you to the front door where you punch in your code and the door swings open.
"Come up with me so I can bandage your hands," you point to his right knuckles that are covered in cuts.
"I'll be fine."
"Then at least have a drink with me and we can talk about a new car."
A grin appears on Bucky's face, "I'll humor you into thinking I'm going to let you pay for any portion of your new car."
"I'm not easily swayed, Barnes."
"Don't I know it," Bucky replies as he follows you into the building and towards the elevator. You stand beside each other as the lift reaches to the fifth floor.
In a comfortable silence, Bucky follows you to your apartment. As soon as the door opens, your cat, Willow, gives you scolding meows since it's passed her feeding time.
"I know, honey. I know, I'm sorry!" you rush to grab her food and scoop it into her feeding bowl. She happily scarfs down her food as Bucky bends down, giving soft pets to your cat.
"She's so cute."
"She's a menace, but I love her," you say as you head to the kitchen, "Beer or whiskey?"
"Beer, please!"
You grab a bottle from the fridge and fill a glass of water for yourself. You hand Bucky the bottle as he plops onto your couch.
"So, for the car, I don't need anything fancy or super expensive. Literally just a normal car that runs, has good mileage, and doesn't require a shit ton of gas."
Bucky chuckles as he opens the beer bottle with his metal prosthetic, "I'll take you to a few dealerships tomorrow. You don't work on Thursdays, right?"
You look at him in surprise, "Yeah...you remember my schedule?"
He shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant, "Just in case," he mumbles, sipping from his beer.
"Anyway, yeah, I think it's best you come with me to the dealership anyway. Because sales people will try to get one over me because I'm a woman," you roll your eyes in annoyance.
"Well, all the local places know me so they'll know not to give you a shit deal."
"Sweet," you say in excitement.
Willow, done with her meal, hops onto the couch and onto Bucky's lap. She sniffs him and looks up at him expectantly, giving him a meow.
"She wants you to pet her," you translate for him.
He chuckles, "Well how can I say no to an adorable face like that?" he says, scratching Willow behind the ear, which she loves. She leans into his touch and it melts Bucky's heart.
You snicker, "If only your friends could see you now."
"If you tell any of them this, I will deny everything."
You laugh, "Don't want everyone to know what an absolute softie you are. Bucky?"
"I'm only like this when it comes to you, angel," he says.
"Hmm," is all you respond with. You turn away from Bucky and the air shifts.
Bucky gently picks up Willow up and places her on the floor. He turns his body towards you, "I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"You're so confusing, Bucky."
"Huh?"
"Or maybe I'm just stupid. Or both. I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
You let out a deep breath and turn your body to face him, "One moment, I think you're flirting with me and it seems like you like me. But then the next, you keep mentioning how we're friends and you like to treat your friends a certain a way. I just-I dunno. It's hard to process how I'm feeling with how your actions and your words don't match up."
It's true. Bucky has been holding himself back. He does like you. He really does, but he's also scared. You're a civilian, a completely normal person. Whereas he was born and raised in a prominent crime family. He leads a dangerous life and he's scared to get you involved in his shit. But he also loves spending time with you and talking to you, it makes him feel normal.
Bucky runs his fingers through his shoulder length dark brown hair, "You're right. I haven't been very clear on where I stand in this...thing between us. The truth is...I like you. A whole lot, angel. I didn't expect for things to go this way. I didn't expect you to stick around after finding out who I really was, but it's nice being with you. In my crazy hectic world, everything is so loud and busy. But when you, I feel peace and there's silence.
"Truth is, angel, I've fallen for you. I just don't want you to get caught up in my shit. But I also can't seem to stay away from you."
You scoot closer to him, placing your hand on top of his metal one, "I really like you too, Bucky. And I understand where you're coming from. I'll admit that what you do is scary to me, but I also trust you enough to keep me safe."
"So...do you wanna try this out?"
You nod, "Yeah. I do."
"Great," he says breathlessly, eyes darting to your lips, "Can I-"
"Please," you mumble before pressing your lips to his.
_________________________
Bucky holds a gun to the man's head, a deadpan expression on his face as the man begs for his life.
"I swear, it was only the one time! I-" his words get cut off as Bucky's phone rings. Bucky looks over his shoulder to see Sam holding up his phone. A picture of you and "My Angel" on the screen. A grin breaks out onto Bucky's face.
He turns to the man, "Enough of this," he pulls the trigger, the man falling back onto the pavement with a bullet in his head.
Bucky walks over to Sam, trading the gun for his phone, "Hello, my beautiful angel."
You giggle, "Hey, Big Man. Just making sure you're coming over for dinner right?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be coming over in an hour and I can help you cook."
"You don't have to help, Bucky."
"I want to."
"Softie."
"Only for you," he replies with a soft grin.
"Alright. I'm gonna start prepping. Say hi to the guys for me. Bye!"
"Will do. See you soon. Bye!"
When Bucky ends the call, he points a finger at Sam and Joaquin, "Not a word!"
The two men laugh as Bucky walks away. He's ready to spend the rest of his night with you, his angel.
Since I started writing for Bucky Barnes, I gave him is own masterlist
Neighbors - Bucky moves into the apartment next door
Neighbors - First Date Bucky visits you at work
Neighbors - Next Door Bucky returns from a mission
Neighbors - Doll & Nerd Sam helps Bucky move into his apartment & Bucky tells Sam about you.
Neighbors - Xmas Shopping Bucky asks you to help him with his Xmas lust...list.
Neighbors - Morning After
Neighbors - Alpine
Neighbors - Green Eyed Monster - You're jealous of a new Agent working with Bucky.
Krewe of Boo -Halloween Parade in NOLA w/ Bucky & Reader
Lunch in New Orleans - Bucky visits one of Sam's friends for lunch
First Crush, Part 2, Part 3 , Part 4, Part 5-, Part 6, Part 7 , Part 8 , Part 9. Part 10., Part 11
Part 12. Uncle Steve Part 14 , Part 15
Bucky Ask - Sick Abby, Ask #2 - Daddy Who wouldn't have a crush on Bucky Barnes? You try to fight it, but your toddler daughter, Abby, has no problem indulging in her adoration.
They Met in Delacroix , Part 2 , Part 3- Invited to a BBQ at the Wilson House. Sam & Bucky are in town for a visit.
Then & Now, Now & Then, Now & Then 2, Now & Then 3
“... just watching your eyes, watching you react, watching you take in. your face changes a lot. you can look absolutely handsome, leading man, gorgeous in one frame and absolutely fucking hideous in the next. it's a gift, man.”
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