Chapter 22

[Emily's POV]

I wouldn't let anyone in. I couldn't. Everyone's movement reminded me of her. Bucky was right. I couldn't face her again. I couldn't face anyone right now.

There was a light knock on my door. "Hey, you beautiful mess, you. Can I speak with the parrot of the ship?"

I laughed and had to let Lizzy into the room. As she shut the door behind her, I managed to catch a glimpse of Bucky's face. He seemed shocked and surprised.

"How bad is it?" Lizzy whispered, both of us knowing full well that Bucky was listening through the door. I sighed.

"Pretty bad," I whispered. "Clint's the only one I can handle for some reason, and it sucks." Loudly, I added, "I miss a certain 1940s war veteran!"

"We saw each other like twelve minutes ago," he called back through the door. "And we're talking right now." He paused, then quietly added, "Parrot of the ship?" Lizzy and I made eye contact before we burst into fits of giggles and laughter. In between spurts of those, we explained the story to Bucky, who silently listened to it all. "Y-You...Like...I can't even compute how weird and stupid you two are."

"And yet you love me anyways," I retorted gently, and I could tell he was smiling. I grinned before turning to see a sly grin on Lizzy's face. Oh no...I know that look. "Hey Bucky, could you give me and Lizzy a little while to talk...in private?"

"If you two are having a girl's talk, I'm out of here," he joked, and we heard him walking away.

I turned to Lizzy and folded my arms. "What's with that smile?"

"You and Bucky," she laughed, pushing her glasses up on her nose. I froze, my mouth dropping open.

"M-Me and Bucky?" I whispered, shaking my head. "No, no, no...we aren't...I mean, I don't think we are..."

"But do you want it?" Lizzy muttered, and I looked down at my feet, unable to come up with a response.

Do I want it...? I thought awkwardly to myself. I mean, Bucky is an amazing friend, and he's adorable, and sweet, and loving, and funny... I paused and groaned, shoving my face into a pillow. Oh my gosh...I do!

"I'll take that as a yes...?" Lizzy trailed off, raising an eyebrow at me. She laid down next to me and nudged me with her hand. "Come on, Em. It's easier to admit things out loud. Repeat after me: I, Emily Salgado, am in love with Bucky Barnes."

"I, Emily Salgado, am really in love with Bucky Barnes and I'm scared..."

:/:\:

[Bucky's POV]

I laid spread-eagle on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. My heart felt like it had just finished the Olympics. What's wrong with me? I moaned, flipping over onto my side. Why do I feel so...not me?

"Buck, something the matter?" Steve interrupted my train of thought. He was wearing his workout gear and seemed slightly annoyed I wasn't in mine too. "Come on; we train every single night, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah," I said, waving him off. "I'll be there in a second." Steve remained where he was and narrowed his eyes.

"You're in love with Emily."

I sat up, ram-rod straight, and glared at Steve. "What. Did. You. Say?"

"You're in love with Emily," Steve said, rolling his eyes. "Come on, you don't think it's obvious? I mean, the little glances you two throw at each other when you think the other isn't looking, how comfortable she was at the party with you, the way you went to try and defend her...you are head over heels for that doll."

I paused and looked at Steve with terrified eyes.

"I-I can't..." I gulped, shaking my head. My chest began to tightened up, and I gripped onto my sheets with white knuckles. "No, n-no...this can't be happening..."

I felt a soothing presence wash over me and quietly murmured a thank you to Wanda, who flicked her hands as she walked in.

"You can't let anyone that close, can you?" Wanda asked, her accent still as crisp as ever as she took a seat beside me. I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Have you ever had a panic attack like this before?"

"No one's tried to get this close to me before," I replied back to Wanda, wiping my brow with my hand. "I-I really like Emily, I swear I do! But...what if I go under and I attack her again? I can't let her get killed because of me."

"Let's pretend for a second that the Winter Soldier doesn't exist," Steve said, striding over to my bedside. "You're just James Buchanan Barnes, and I'm just Steven Grant Rogers, and this is just Wanda..." He trailed off and raised an eyebrow at Wanda.

"Elizabeth."

"And this is just Wanda Elizabeth Maximoff," Steve finished. "Just a couple of friends hanging out. Would you, James, say that you are in love with Emily Salgado?"

"If the Winter Soldier didn't exist," I began, shivering slightly. "Then yes, I would say it: I am in love with Emily Salgado."

I abruptly stood up, turning my back to the two of them. "But he does, so there is no way for there to be an us. I'll see you down in the gym."

And with that, I walked out of my room.

A/N: Ahhh! The angsty teenagerness radiating off the two of them! :)

Hey everybody! So, tada! Another chapter, another hole in my belt. What'd ya guys think? Don't worry. More Emily/Bucky fluff to come :) And there will be more Discord in there.

AHHH! OVER 50 FOLLOWERS?! You guys make my life happy. And thanks for the almost over 9,500 views! Y'all don't understand how much it means to me that my story is getting this much rep :)

On another note, I am curious: who do you face-claim as Emily (you know, like when you read the story, who do you picture as Emily?)?

You all know the drill by now (if you are reading these A/Ns): please leave a comment, question, concern, or a conspiracy theory :) Enjoy the chapter and have a great Thanksgiving!