Out with my best friend Alice from high school and her two stepsisters, Stella and Maggie, was the day that my life was going to be forever changed. We were eating sushi and talking about wedding details—Alice was the bride and she had met the woman of her dreams two years ago—when she turned things around on me.
"So you already RSVP'd right?" she asked me. I nodded mid-bite of my spicy tuna roll, no desire to talk with my mouth full.
"Yeah, right when you sent out the invitations five months ago. I've got to stay ahead of the game," I answered, swallowing the last bit of the roll.
"Are you going to bring a date?" Alice asked, raising her eyebrows. What is she playing at? She knows I'm coming alone, I thought to myself.
"No, I RSVP'd by myself. You should know. I'm sure you saw my response," I remarked. She sighed, reaching out and touching my hand. This wasn't a good sign. I looked at Stella and Maggie, who had amused grins on their faces.
"Emma, you're going to have to bring someone. Going alone isn't optional anymore. You've been single for five years. It's time you found someone. I'm sure it won't be that hard for you," Alice said in a mocking tone. At her comment the stepsisters burst out laughing. I felt awkward and it dawned on me that they all thought I was a joke. Over the years it seemed like Alice had started to see me as stupid or even a disappointment as a friend. I didn't realize how bad it had gotten unto her comment about my love life.
"No, It shouldn't be that hard. I'm so glad you care so much about the state of my love life. Thank you for pointing out that I'm hopelessly lonely. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go home now. Start the process of finding a date," I commented, restraining from showing them how upset I was. More giggles came from Stella and Maggie, Alice joining in this time. Finishing up lunch, I said my goodbyes to them and headed back to the Avengers compound, trying to hold my composure until I could get to the privacy of my room.
"Did you have fun at lunch? Did you sort out more wedding details? Emma?" Steve greeted me as I entered the lounge, looking up from his sketchbook.
"Hmm? Oh yeah, it was fine…just fantastic. If you'll excuse me, I'd rather be alone right now," I answered, quickly walking past him, down the hallway where my room was located. I kept my head down, hiding my expression when I collided into someone.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," I mumbled, trying to get past whoever it was.
"It's alright. Hey, are you okay? You seem a bit down at the moment," the voice, male, stated. I lifted my head to see Bucky standing in front of me. Ever since I joined the Avengers as someone who had atmokinesis and could generate any kind of weather, I seemed to get close to both Steve and Bucky. They were my best friends and I was grateful for them but I didn't want to talk at the present moment.
"I'm just peachy. Excuse me," I replied, a little harsher than I meant to say and shoved past him to my room, slamming the door shut. Kicking off my shoes and changing into something a bit more comfortable, I drew the curtains, darkness enveloping the room. I crawled into the bed and pulled the covers over my head, trying and failing to block out the pain I was feeling.
I let the tears fall, sobs racking my body as I replayed the conversation at lunch in my mind. I felt humiliated at the suggestion of finding someone for a date at this wedding. It meant that my friends thought I wasn't capable of finding someone to fall in love with. As I thought about this, the lonelier I felt, the tears continuing to flow. Some time later, a knock sounded at my door followed by Steve's voice.
"Emma, is everything okay? It's storming outside despite it being sunny a few minutes ago and no one called for it on the forecast. Thor's off world so I know it can't be him causing it. Come on Emma, open up," he remarked. Great, my emotions were now affecting my abilities. I sat up, wiped the tears from my face and tried to calm down before I opened the door to let him in. I was surprised to find him and Bucky standing outside, concern etching their features when they saw the state I was in.
"I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me, " I responded, still sniffling a little.
"Clearly, you're not. The evidence is written all over your face. Can we come in and talk about it?" Bucky stated. I nodded and returned to the bed, Bucky and Steve close behind me. Steve laid down on the edge of the bed, Bucky stretching out against the pillows automatically pulling me against his chest.
"What happened at lunch? You were more cheerful when you left earlier." Steve questioned. I clung to Bucky's shirt, his hand rubbing soothing circles into my back.
"It's a stupid thing, really. I don't even know why I'm crying about it. Basically, my friends think I'm a fucking joke," I answered. I was upset about the conversation but now it was making me angry.
"Come one, not all of us do. We're your friends and I'm pretty sure we don't think you're a joke. What makes you think that?" Steve commented.
"I don't mean you guys. I was talking about the ones I met before joining the team. I'm supposed to go to Alice's wedding and when she sent out the invitations we had to RSVP if we were bringing someone or not. I RSVP'd alone since I haven't been seeing anyone,"
"I found out today that I was supposed to bring someone and the reason I know that they think I'm a joke is because Alice pointed out that I've been single for five years and they don't believe that I can find anyone to bring to the wedding," I explained.
"Then don't go if it makes you feel that bad," Bucky suggested. I shook my head at my suggestion knowing what would happen if I didn't go.
"If I don't go then they'll know I wasn't able to find one which will make things worse. Besides, I'd like to go. It's her special day and I'm happy for her, but I didn't think I was such a disappointment in her eyes," I commented, tears welling up in my eyes again.
"Sh. You are not a disappointment. You're an amazing person with wonderful abilities. Don't let her get to you," Steve reassured, rubbing my leg.
"Okay, so now you need a date. Why don't you ask Strange? He could be fun to go with," Bucky suggested.
"No, I'm not asking him. I adore that man but I think he'd rather mingle around with the others and they might think that I paid him or something. Also, I'm pretty sure he's unavailable right now," I commented.
"Well, how I just go with you? We could have fun and it can be a vacation for the both of us," Bucky stated.
"I can't ask you to do that. Besides, they'll take one look at you and think I paid you as well," I replied, causing him to furrow his brow in confusion.
"Why? Is it because I'm an Avenger?" he asked, curious to know the answer.
"It's only part of it. The other part of it is that you're fucking sexy and you're such an amazing guy. I don't think they'd really believe that you would come willingly," I answered.
"You think I'm sexy?" Bucky asked, a huge smile on his lips. Immediately, I felt the hear rush to my face. I ran my hands through my hair, fidgeting with a lock of it.
"Yes. Yeah, I do. I did say that you were an amazing guy as well, but that face of yours with those gorgeous blue eyes and bear would make any girl swoon," I answered.
"That settles it then. I'll go with you as your date. Where is the wedding anyway?" he stated.
"At the Outer Banks for a week. We leave in two days," I responded. Though we were going as friends, the week would soon bring new feelings to light.
Two Days Later
Bucky and I flew into RDU, renting a car to head down to the Outer Banks arriving at the house Alice had rented for a week in Hatteras. We met Alice, her stepsisters and another one of her friends who was the maid of honor in the driveway. As we walked up to them, I noticed my friends' mouths dropped open at the sight of Bucky, surprised I had managed to find someone for a date.
"Hey, guys. I'd like you to meet Bucky Barnes. My date for wedding," I introduced him. They all greeted him, collecting their cool about the situation.
"Shall we go inside?" Alice asked, gesturing to the front door of the giant house. It was beautiful on the inside of the four-story house. We had a private pool with access to the beach if we wanted to go there one day.
"We al have our rooms but unfortunately there's only five bedrooms despite the many stories to this house meaning Bucky and Emma…you two will be sharing a room as well as a bed," Alice commented. She received snickers from the girls at the comment and I tried to keep my anger in check.
"What? Why can't you share with Bella or Maggie and Stella? On another note, where are your dates and Alice, where is your fiancée and your families located?" I asked, my hand squeezing Bucky's for comfort. I didn't mind sharing with Bucky but it was suspicious that she had singled us out.
"Jamie is with her parents at the house across from us. My family is in the house right beside them on the left. As for their dates, they won't be arriving until two days before the wedding. Since you're the only one that brought you date with you, it seems only fitting that you two share a room. Is that going to be a problem?" Alice answered, her hands on her hips. More giggles followed but soon were silenced when Bucky released my hand to drape his arm over my shoulders.
"No, not a problem. We'll go put our suitcases away and then I'd like to hit the pool. Care to join me Emma?" Bucky replied, a smile gleaming on his face. I nodded and followed him to the top floor where our room, which had the view of the ocean from the balcony in it, was located. Setting down our suitcases, we sat on the queen-sized bed, relaxing for a few minutes.
"Are you going to be okay? It seems like they're gong to try everything to get you riled up. I know this isn't ideal but it looks like we're not going to have a choice. I'll sleep on the floor if-"
"No, no. It's fine. It's not like we haven't spent the night together anyway. All those undercover missions where we play husband and wife should have prepared us for this. Let's just go to the pool. A nice swim will be fantastic," I cut Bucky off. No need for him to suffer while he's here. He nodded and we unzipped out suitcases to pull out swimsuits. I changed in the bathroom meeting Bucky in the room before we walked down to the pool in the back of the house. None of the girls had joined us and we swam around talking to each other until he splashed me. I splashed him back, starting a splash war, unknowingly getting closer to each other until we were only a few inches apart. He pulled me flush against his chest, his blue eyes darkening a little.
We were breathing hard after our war and electricity shot through me as our skin touched, eliciting a gasp from me. The sparks traveled up my arms to my shoulders as Bucky trailed his hands up to cup my head, leaning closer, closer until…
"Wow, the water feels great. Don't you agree?" Stella's voice called out, slicing the tension like a knife. I cleared my throat, breaking away from Bucky's embrace.
"Yeah, it does, especially with this heat," I responded, swimming into the deep end. I plunged under the water, clearing my thoughts at what almost happened. I had always had an attraction to Bucky especially since we had become close and he was the sweetest guy around. This feeling was new, however, at the wish that I had wanted to feel his lips against mine, taking me in his arms, my hands finding their way in to his silky hair.
Stop it Emma. You're only friends. Why would he want you anyway? I thought to myself as I resurfaced. When I met his eyes again, I couldn't help to feel that maybe he had wanted to kiss me as well. After about an hour, Maggie, Alice and Bella joined us, noticing Bucky's metal arm and having a conversation about wedding details and interests outside of that. We took a break from swimming to eat lunch, Bucky and I sitting next to each other, one arm hanging down underneath the table, fingers about to brush up against one another's
"Wait, so how did you two meet?" Maggie asked us.
"We're work colleagues. Avengers and all that," Bucky answered, turning to meet my eyes. He looked…different, almost like seeing me for the first time. He smiled sweetly, his fingers lacing through mine.
Is he acting the part like we're undercover? Or is this something new he's feeling? I thought as he turned back to answer another question. We spent a few more hours at the pool, before meeting the other parties for dinner. It was nothing special, just a dinner at a seafood restaurant, which were common at the beach. Everyone wanted to get to know the man I had brought with me and I found myself admiring him as the night went on.
Returning to the house, we played pool in the downstairs recreational room, retiring to bed a few hours later. I showered, changing into pajamas returning to the room. Climbing into the bed beside Bucky made me a little more nervous than before. I wanted to reach out and touch him, to run my hands down his toned chest, to feel his warmth pressed into me.
"We survived the first day. I can imagine we can through the rest of the week just fine," Bucky told me, interrupting my thoughts.
"I'm sure you're right. Bucky…" I stated.
"Hmm? What is it?" he whispered, moving closer to me.
"Thank you for coming with me. I don't know if I would have been able to did this without you," I told him. He was so close now. I could just lift my hand and…
"You're welcome. Good night Emma," he stated, turning over stopping my actions.
Damn. Get it together Emma. You're only friends, remember that, I thought to myself, closing my eyes, drifting off to dreamland.
The Next Day – Monday
When I awoke, I was surprised to see that I was pressed into Bucky's warm back, one arm draped over his torso. Slowly, I removed my arm from…well, I tried to…until he linked his hand with mine and held it against his chest. I debated between waking him up or just staying put and returning to sleep. Deciding on the former because I wanted to walk along the shore, I gently used my other hand to tap his shoulder.
"Bucky, it's time to get up," I whispered in his ear. He groaned but made no move to let go of my hand.
"Bucky. Come on, we can get breakfast and go for a walk on the beach," I tried again, not whispering but talking in a low voice.
"Mm, five more minutes," he said, sleepiness in his voice. Sighing, I tried to pull my hand from his but he held tight and lightly pulled me closer. Of course he pulled to hard and I fell on top of his side. This time I tried to sit up just as he rolled over onto his back. Now, instead of cuddling him, I was straddling him, his hands landing under the shirt I had on. He sat up suddenly, our faces inches apart. My breath hitched as he leaned in closer, his eyes drifting down to my lips before flicking back up.
"Um, we should probably get going," I whispered, tilting my head as if I meant to kiss him.
"Yeah, we really should…"he agreed. Neither of us was moving anticipating someone to make a move to kiss each other.
"I should get off of you now," I stated. He nodded and I reluctantly pulled myself off of his lap to make the trip downstairs. He stopped me by grabbing my hand, squeezing it as if to say come back and kiss me. I wanted to but I tugged him forward and released his hand, before exiting the room.
When I reached the kitchen, I saw that Maggie and Alice were already fixing breakfast.
"Good morning Emma. Have a pleasant night?" Alice greeted me, a mocking glint in her eyes. No I wanted to make out with Bucky and that didn't happen, I thought.
"Yeah, it was pretty good. How was yours? I noticed Jamie was here for a few hours after dinner. Did she ever leave?" I answered instead. Alice frowned, but didn't answer my question.
"She left at midnight in case you were wondering. Where's your knight in shining armor? Still asleep?" Maggie answered for her.
"Nope, I had to put a shirt on. We're planning on taking a walk on the beach today. Want to join us?" Bucky's voice said as he walked into the kitchen. He strode over to me, kissed me on the top of my forehead, resting his arm on my shoulders.
"No I think we're heading into town but you two have fun," Alice responded. An hour later, I had changed into a bathing suit, shorts and a tank top, meeting Bucky at the beach entrance near the pool. We walked out and talked non-stop, out feet in the water, laughing at jokes and well…being us.
The more time I spent with him, the more my feelings began to grow for him. We returned to the house, had dinner by ourselves as the others had stepped out before we got back. After dinner, we tuned into a movie sitting close to each other, my head on his chest, and the feel of him warm and inviting.
"Emma, hey wake up. Let's go to bed," Bucky's voice alerted me. I guess I had dozed off because he had gently shaken me awake. I stretched my arms up before getting up, yawning, almost falling over in the process.
"Whoa, easy there girl. Let me help you up the stairs so you don't hurt yourself," he stated, catching me. He lifted me up in his arms and carried me to our room. He laid me on the bed and climbed in beside me, pulling me close to his body. I wouldn't know how much I really liked Bucky until a confrontation that occurred in the middle of the week revealed my true feelings.
Wednesday
Tuesday went by quick with more wedding details coming together. Today we were at the pool partying, having a good time when Bella approached me. She was eyeing Bucky across the pool, talking to a couple of people; it was making me jealous the way she was ogling him.
"So, you and Bucky? You're not a thing are you?" She asked.
"No. Why?" I answered; tensing up knowing the next question she was about to ask me.
"You're not into him right? So, you wouldn't mind if I asked him out?" She questioned.
"My feelings for him are none of your business and yes I do mind. Don't you have your own date to this wedding?" I snapped. She raised her eyebrows and shook her head.
"No, I don't. I don't see why it'd be a problem. He's available and you're not doing anything about it so he might be happier with me," She replied. Bella didn't give me time to protest when she sauntered over to him. I watched helplessly as she tapped him on the shoulder, watched as she whispered in his ear, as she kissed his cheek; he didn't push her away. I ran out of the pool onto the beach to get away from what was happening in front of my eyes. I couldn't believe he let her do that. He was my date, my Bucky.
No, he's not your Bucky. He's just your friend and you let him get away, I thought to myself as angry tears ran down my face. I hugged my arms around myself, stomping along the shore.
"Stupid Bella and her seducing people. I'm so stupid for not acting on my feeling. Ugh, why can't she go find someone else to hit on? Why does it have to be the one person I have a crush on?" I said, mumbling to myself. In all my frustration, I hadn't noticed Bucky running after me until he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him.
"You have a crush on me?" he asked. My blood ran cold knowing he had heard me. No denying it now, it's time to tell him the truth.
"I…yes, I have a crush on you okay. It wasn't something I had planned but from that moment we shared in the pool the first day here and then in the bed…things just developed. I saw Bella kiss you on the cheek. I assume she asked you out. Did you-" I began but got cut off by Bucky's lips on mine. His lips were soft and I wrapped my arms around his neck, fingers tangling in his silky locks.
He pulled back, one hand cupping my chin, a loving look in his eyes.
"I rejected her because I love you Emma. Always have, ever since the day you joined the team. I wanted to tell you but I was afraid you didn't feel the same way. Now I know you do after seeing you reaction to someone else asking me out," he stated. He kissed me again before suggesting that we head back to the party. Bella shot me a glare when we entered holding hands but I didn't care. I had him and I wasn't about to let him go.
The party went on until close to midnight, Bucky and I sneaking upstairs to our room, locking the door. He kissed me, holding me tight in his arms. We walked to the bed, the edge making his legs buckle and for me to fall on top of him. We laughed but kissed again, beginning to make out. My hands found the buttons of his shirt and I slowly unbuttoned each one until I reached the last one, showing off his bare chest. He sat up so I could slide it off of him and I ran my hands over him feeling each muscle, resuming out make-out session.
His hands found the hem of my tank top and pulled it off of me leaving me in my bra and shorts. He unhooked the bra, throwing it to the floor, once off and pushed me back onto the pillows. He trailed kisses from my neck to my collarbone, stopping momentarily to circle a finger around one my breasts, pulling on the nipple, occasionally rolling it around between his thumb and forefinger. He replaced his hand with his mouth, sucking on it massaging the other breast. Moving to the other breast, he repeated the same actions, returning to my lips after a few minutes.
"Are you okay? We can stop if you think we are going too far," Bucky told me.
"I'm okay. Keep going," I answered him. He smiled and trailed more kisses down to my chest, to my navel, and stopping to unbutton my shorts, pulling them off, my panties included. I was now completely naked in front of him.
"You're so fucking beautiful," he stated, spreading my legs with his hand. He inserted two fingers of his metal hand inside; I flinched at coolness. He worked me slowly at first eliciting moans out of my mouth as he got faster, stopping to unbutton his jeans and pulling off his underwear revealing all of him. Lying down on top of me, he kissed me once before he met my eyes again.
"I'm going to ask you again. Are you sure you're okay with this? I don't want to pressure you if you don't want to," he questioned again.
"Buck, it's okay. I want to. I want you," I responded.
"Okay good. I just wanted to make sure before we do this," he told me. He kissed me again to get things started; his fingers finding that sweet spot once more. I moaned in his mouth at the touch, my arms wrapping around him, my legs spreading wider allowing him more access. He pulled out his fingers and leaned over the nightstand to pull out a condom. Bucky put it on and centered himself at my entrance.
"Ready?" he asked and I nodded. At that he slid into me, another moan escaping my mouth, his size filling me. He pumped in and out of me slowly, then faster, fucking me hard and rough, both of us moaning and grunting in pleasure.
"Faster! Oh, fuck! Bucky! Harder! Yes! I'm close. Oh, god! Bucky!" I cried out coming undone as we climaxed at the same time. He buried his face into my neck, coming down from our release, not pulling out just yet. Lifting up his head, he kissed me a few more times before pulling out of me, disposing of the condom and returning to bed; he lifted me so we could get under the covers. I turned to face him, kissing him, pulling his body against mine.
"I love you Emma," he confessed.
"I love you too," I told him. We fell asleep holding each other ready for our next adventure.
Wedding Day
The day of the wedding arrived, other days going by in a flash with everything coming together. At the rehearsal dinner, everyone had been shocked to see Bucky and I holding hands and kissing but Alice and her stepsisters were happy for us at the end of the day. Bella wasn't so thrilled because she had wanted my boyfriend for herself. Yes, I said boyfriend. He had asked me officially two days after we had slept together. Of course I had said yes to him, glad to have found the one person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.
This morning I changed into a long, silver backless dress, coming out of the bathroom once I finished putting makeup on.
"Hey can you help me with this necklace, sweetie?" I asked Bucky, handing him the silver chain with a heart pendant hanging on it.
"Wow, you look absolutely beautiful," he told me, taking it from me.
"Thank you. You look quite handsome as well," I stated, turning around for him to slide the necklace on, lifting my hair so he could clasp it. He fingers lingered on the back of my neck, moving to my shoulders so he could place a kiss in between my shoulder blades. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close to him, tilting my face so he could kiss me on the lips. My hands snaked in his hair, one of his hands sliding a strap of my dress off of my shoulder. He the slid the second one off too, both slipping off my arms, exposing my breasts.
"What time do we have to be at the wedding?" he whispered, cupping my breasts, massaging them, pulling my nipples.
"12 o'clock, which is three hours from now," I answered.
"Plenty of time then," he stated, pushing the dress off my hips, the material pooling at my feet. One hand kneaded a breast, the other sliding down my stomach to my core. He slid my legs apart with his foot, so could insert two fingers inside me. I panted as he fingered me, inserting another finger, stretching me wider. He worked me faster, pinching my nipples, the pleasure intensified inside me.
"Come for me baby," he told me and I did, coating his fingers in my juices. I turned to face him, pushing off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt and sliding it off him as well. I moved to unbutton his pants but he stopped me, kneeling down in front of me.
"Stay right there. I want to make you come in my mouth now," he ordered, holding my hips. His mouth connected to my core and he started licking and sucking me, my hands flying to his hair, holding him there. I erupted again, Bucky standing back up, wiping his mouth before pulling me in for a kiss. I unbuttoned his pants, pulling them off as well as his underwear. He lifted me up and laid me on the bed, kissing me. We made out for a few minutes before he pulled out a condom, sliding on and entering me. Thrusting in and out of, he linked our hands together, holding them against the pillows, kissing me, fucking me. I let go, flipping him so that I was on top, linking our hands back together as I rode him, slow at first, getting faster.
"Emma, fuck!" he cried out. I continued riding him until we both came undone. I collapsed onto him, panting, out hands still entwined.
"We should get dressed. We've got a wedding to attend," he told me after a few minutes.
"Mm-hm, just give me another minute," I stated. He chuckled, removing one hand and stroking my back. Leaning up, I kissed him and climbed off of him, getting off the bed to pick my dress off the floor. I changed back into my clothes as he did the same, descending the stairs to head to the wedding. The ceremony was beautiful, tears of joy were shed and afterwards we headed to the reception to celebrate even more. At a slow song, Bucky took my hand and led me to the dance floor. He held me close, my head resting on his shoulder.
"I'm glad we did this. It was fun and now I'm happy to call you mine," Bucky whispered in my ear. I lifted my head to look up at him, my eyes sparkling with adoration.
"Me too. You make so happy. I love you Bucky," I told him. He smiled, leaning down to kiss me.
"I love you too," he said when he pulled back. The reception ended a few hours later; we returned to the beach house to pack for home.
The next day, we arrive back in New York and drove back to the compound. We entered and walked to the elevator to drop our suitcases off in our rooms. We shared a kiss waiting on it to arrive; a cheer came from behind us,
"I told you that they'd end up together," Nat's voice called out. We turned to see Steve, Natasha, and Tony standing in the hallway.
"Hey guys. Did you two have fun?" Tony greeted us. We nodded, laughing as Natasha held out her hand.
"Pay up boys. I won the bet," She stated, annoyed groans coming from Steve and Tony. The elevator arrived and we waved goodbye before making our ascent to our rooms. The wedding date was incredible and brought me to someone I fell in love with. We couldn't be happier than with each other.