Be a peach and leave a review pretty please!
"Blue jeans, white shirt
Walked into the room you know you made my eyes burn
It was like James Dean, for sure
You're so fresh to death and sick as ca-cancer" Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey
Chapter 3
We take the elevator down to the employee cafeteria. You really think Tony Stark wouldn't make this like a second Stark tower? I didn't even know what half the employees in this building did. I try very hard to keep my eyes trained ahead of me to not openly stare at the handsome man next to me, though I'm pretty sure I feel his eyes on me.
Making our way to the cafeteria has become an interesting ordeal. Most of the people passing us are doing double takes. I hear the whir of something electronic…maybe mechanical? This time I do look at my companion. I notice his Vibranium hand is clenched tightly in a fist. Oh, that was his arm making that sound. I wrap my hand around his fist causing him to unclench it. His eyes meet mine. We've come to a stop not far from the cafeteria.
"What's wrong Bucky?" He looks pained, gulps visibly before answering.
"All the people staring…I hate that all they see is a monster." What? I look over his shoulder and again notice a few people looking a little longer than necessary at him….they're women, women hiding giggles behind their hands. I can't help it, I double over in laughter. Bucky's expression is a mixture of hurt and confusion. I shake my head in amusement.
"You ridiculous man." A raise of an eyebrow is all the response I get from him. "They aren't staring at you because you're a big bad assassin. They're staring because…well…" Still he's completely silent and lost looking as I gesture with my arms up and down. He can't really be this clueless. The Bucky Barnes Steve had told me about was absolutely aware of what a charming attractive man he was. "Have you looked in the mirror lately Sarge? I mean the world war two pictures of you with that handsome smile on your face were bad enough but now you're all broody and have that hair and the muscles." He just blinks slowly, blank faced for a moment before the biggest shit eating grin tugs up that pouty mouth of his and I think I'm actually swooning.
"Is it the muscles that do it for ya doll?" That low purr of his should be illegal. This must be the Bucky of the forties shining through again. I answer without thinking, a bad habit of mine, a lack of filter.
"That and the metal arm I think." I'm taken aback by my own words, not that they were untrue. His eyes blow wide and dark, suddenly looking strangely stormy, far too intense.
"Hey Buck, Liya! C'mon lets get some lunch." The sound of Steve's cheerful voice breaks the spell of whatever the hell was just going on there. I walk past Bucky quickly, hear the low murmur of опасная женщина (dangerous woman) and try to push the blush from my face as I greet Steve.
We all grab some cold cuts and sit at an empty table, before long Natasha is slipping into the chair besides me.
"Вы посмотрите из него" (You look out of it) I glare at my friend. The men look instantly interested. Bucky of course speaks Russian and is about to find out I do as well, instead I answer her back in Bulgarian. It was just how conversations between us happened sometimes.
"Гледай си собствен бизнес Natalia."(Mind your own business) Not often did I use her true name. She laughs in that raspy way of hers. Steve looks confused, Bucky intrigued.
"You speak Bulgarian?" I nod my head at the man.
"Have you heard my name?" He smiles warmly, I refuse to turn into a puddle of goo.
"А ты говоришь по-русски?" (And you speak Russian) If its possible he sounds even better using a foreign language.
"Да. Большинство славянских языков" (yes, most of the Slavic languages.)
"So you better be careful what you say Barnes." I bump Nat's shoulder playfully at her quip.
Small talk breaks out among all of us. I'm grateful that Natasha seems to be giving Bucky a chance, she's talking to him just like he's anyone of us. It's not long before Nat's phone is ringing. She ends the call with an "understood." She stands as gracefully as ever.
"Have to come with me Barne's. Facilities doc wants to see you." Steve stiffens and stands when Bucky does. Bucky shoots an annoyed look Steve's way but he doesn't seem to notice.
"Hey Stevie there's something I gotta talk to you about." He's about to protest when Bucky reaches out and squeezes his shoulder.
"I'll be fine punk, stay here and talk with Aneliya." I can tell he's grateful for me intervening.
A small wave and him and Nat are on their way. I may or may not notice how nicely those jeans fit him as he walks away. I turn back around and meet the expectant blue eyes of the captain.
"What'd you need to talk about Liya?" He's anxious to run after his friend. I snort and shake my head.
"Stevie you're smothering the poor guy. He's not a little kid, you have to trust him to do things on his own." A loud groan and he's running a hand over his face.
"He thinks I'm being smothering?" I laugh at his apologetic tone. He's too good for this world.
"Sweetie, you just can't help it, it's in your nature." A scoff is the only response he gives me to my sugary sweet tone.
"I didn't expect this you know? He's so different than the last time I saw him. He's so close to the old Bucky…but not. He's more cynical and unsure of himself. He told me he barely sleeps, he can't stand himself. I'm scared that if I back off I'll lose him, that all of this is just a front to make us all feel better." My heart aches for Steve. He really loves Bucky, he's his family in every way that matters.
"I know you're scared Steve but I really believe that he's doing ok. He's not homicidal, he's not suicidal. He's going to struggle but all we can do is support him as best we can. We have to give him a chance to live his life. We can't treat him like a timebomb, he doesn't deserve that, whatever happened in Wakanda did wonders for him obviously. I just met him yesterday but he doesn't even seem remotely like the shell of a man you described to me six months ago. I'm going to help him, ok?" Steve Rogers had a hell of a smile when he was truly happy, he was a great friend.
"Thanks' Liya, you always know just what to say." I kick him under the table playfully.
"That's why Tony pays me the big bucks Stevie." We laugh together.
"So uh, what were you and Bucky talking about out in the hallway earlier? You guys were standing there for a while." My cheeks burn red instantly and Steve raises an eyebrow. "Are you blushing?" I don't blush damnit! What the hell was that man doing to me? I glare at the blonde. "Oh c'mon Liya you can talk to me too ya know?" He was right, he had always been a good friend and confidant. I also knew that my reaction was just driving him crazy with curiosity.
"You better keep this conversation to your damn self you got it Rogers?" He nods in affirmation. I sigh loudly trying to prepare myself for this conversation. "Nat was worried about me taking Bucky on as a patient…its like she knew…" Confusion marks his face, he's as clueless as his buddy.
"Knew what?" He apparently couldn't handle my silence.
"Knew that I would…that I'd be…that Bucky would…that I'd think he was…" I hate this, I really couldn't get the words out of my mouth. I didn't do stupid silly instant attraction bullshit. I hadn't gotten attached to a man in almost ten years. Nat said I was too picky. I thought I was too until James Barnes showed up here. Even while studying him there was a pull, something my red headed friend had apparently picked up on. Something seems to click in Steve's head because his eyes widen and he's flashing that apple pie smile of his.
"Oh. You like Bucky!" I shh him and kick him none too nicely this time. "That's great Liya! Perfect actually!" I kick him again. "Ow! What's so wrong with that?" I shoot him an are you stupid kind of look.
"I'm supposed to be his therapist! You're the one that was all worried about him five minutes ago, wondering if he's actually doing alright. I don't want to complicate his already complicated life Steve, I refuse to screw up his progress." He's still smiling, almost smugly.
"Maybe it'll help his progress. He deserves to live his life right? And lord knows you deserve happiness. I've never seen you interested in anyone before. This is seriously great Liya." My mouth drops open.
"What the fuck Steve!? You're supposed to be the voice of reason. Aren't you supposed to be more worried about your friend here? Relationships mess with people's emotions big time, it could completely stall his progress or cause him to snap, it could be too much for him." My voice is rising making Steve laugh.
"Or it could be exactly what he needs to feel normal again, to know that someone can still care about him that way." I'm well aware that I'm gaping at him like a damn carp opening and closing my mouth at a loss for words.
"Who even says he's interested in me in anyway? He doesn't know me." He rolls his eyes and continues to smile like a big jerk.
"He hasn't been able to keep his eyes off you anytime you've been in the room. The second you left last night he asked me a million questions about you." I'm fucking blushing again. My heart is racing. This was bad wasn't it? "Stop trying to talk yourself out of whatever you're feeling. This could be a really good thing for both of you. There's no other woman I'd ever approve of for my best friend Liya." Why does that bring tears to my eyes? It shouldn't warm my heart so much.
"It's just too fast. We barely know each other, this is silly." My voice is sounding weaker even to my own ears.
"Sometimes you just know. The first time I laid eyes on Sharon I knew she was special. I invited her over and barely knew her." I groan and lay my head on the table.
"What the hell do I do Stevie?" Wasn't I supposed to be the therapist here? I lightly bang my head against the table making my friend chuckle. I never lift my head up out of sheer embarrassment over this entire situation.
"Well I think maybe you should take the initiative here. He'll probably think he isn't good enough to even really try anything with you." I moan in protest again.
"I'm supposed to make a move on the one-hundred-year-old former assassin?" I'm on a roll with making cap laugh today.
"You've never been shy before, why start now? It's kind of nice to be the one giving advice for once." I lift my hand up just enough to flip him off.
"What kind of advice ya handin out punk?" It sit straight up at the sound of Bucky's voice. I must look like a deer in headlights because Steve is clutching his stomach he's laughing so hard.
"Fuck off Rogers." Bucky takes his seat back next to Steve. Where the hell is Nat when I need her?
"Natasha wanted me to tell ya she had to take an unexpected trip and she'd call you tonight." Did he read my damn mind? I force myself to stand up.
"Well as fun as this has been boys I have to get back to work. Believe it or not my expertise can be used on more than just ancient super soldiers." Is that disappointment I see in those stormy eyes of Sergeant Barnes.
"Why don't you come by for dinner tonight Liya? We can order from that Thai place you like and show Buck here the wonders of Netflix." I could punch Steve Rogers right in his ken doll looking face. But then I see a spark of hopefulness in Bucky and I can say no.
"Fine Rogers, you're lucky you're only a floor away. See you later geezers." I turn away quickly before I can get sucked back into conversation. I should have kept my mouth shut, Steve wasn't going to let this go.
Who was I kidding? Of course I wanted to see Bucky later. Maybe he'd flirt with me again…maybe I'd flirt back.