Marvel Imagines

being rivals to lovers with bucky barnes

I just couldn't stop writing for Bucky *shrugs*
I hope you enjoy this headcanon, and let me know what you think!

• It was no secret that you and Bucky were rivals
• Always having to be the fastest
• Always having to be the best
• Everything always a competition
• "I bet you can't catch me!"
• "Race you there!"
• It doesn't matter that you almost always draw
• It's the challenge, the competition
• It's the thrill of the chase

• Honestly, you both really should be better behaved
• You're well-respected, kind to others, a badass reputation of your own
• He's the Winter Soldier for goodness' sake
• But when he's smirking at you
• Or you're being an absolute tease
• You turn into little children
• Squabbling, cat-fighting
• Him calling you names
• HE'S SO DAMN PATRONISING
• "Nice, try, sweetheart. I'm better, though."
• You sticking out your tongue at him
• "Expected better from the Winter Soldier."
• Which drags you into another fight
• All your fights are over nothing
• He ate the last plum
• You drank the last of the coffee
• He stole your phone charger
• You switched his shampoo

• Steve is exhausted
• "Guys, can we please not do this again?"
• But Sam and Nat are delighted
• They egg you on, always keen to watch Bucky lose
• "Come on y/n, stick it to him! PUNCH KICK FIGHT MAKE HIM HURT—"
• Tony honestly could not care less
• Peter just wanted to know what's going on
• "Hey, um, Mr Winter Soldier? Why are you and Miss y/n always fighting?"
• Bucky ignores the kid
• Terrified of him
• But you were nice to him, and so Peter becomes your biggest supporter

• But after a while, things start to change
• The pet names get a little too comfortable, a little too easy
• Your screaming matches become flirty banter and play fights
• But it's a competition, and you have to win
• Of course, you're in love with each other
• Will you admit it?
• no
• Does everyone know?
• yes
• You both profusely deny this any time you're asked
• You blush and he avoids the question
• Nat and Tony and Steve and Sam are all getting tired
• And any time you try to get close... you end up fighting
• Look, you're not complete idiots
• Both of you can tell something's up
• You'll defend him to anyone who will listen
• Because "he is more than just the Winter Soldier"
• He'll start fights
• Because "that guy was disrespecting you and I won't stand for it"
• You clean up his cuts and scrapes and bruises from fights and missions
• With heavy sarcasm, of course
• "Seems even the Winter Soldier himself gets hurt sometimes."
• "I can take damn well care of myself. I don't need you protecting me."
• Bucky knows this, knows you can fight your own battles
• But he wants to fight them anyway
• Fighting to be the better Avenger becomes... well
• It becomes a fight to get the other to confess
• And neither one of you want to back down, give in

• You try to make him jealous
• HE'S INFURIATED BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT YOU'RE DOING
• AND BECAUSE IT'S WORKING
• You slide your hand up someone's arm, bat your eyelashes
• They fall over themselves to try and get you but you always pull away
• Bucky wants to touch you, wants to be the one buying you drinks
• But he's just not ready yet
• And he's not about to let you win
• So he either sulks in the corner with his whiskey, and lets it burn
• Or he cuts in between you and your latest suitor
• "Back off, buddy. That's my girl."
• You're not his girl but does he care?
• of course not
• He gets to see that frustrated look on your face
• And it's worth it, worth you punching his arm once the guy leaves or the girl gives up
• "Screw you, Barnes."
• It's worth it every time
• He deliberately gets into arguments and fights to defend you
• Just because he knows you'll be the one patching him up
• And you get so close, so damn close every time

• So everyone is tired of this
• And Tony, insufferable Tony
• He decides to do the one thing he knows will work
• And that is to lock you both in a room until one of you confesses
• You don't know how he managed it, really
• But Tony's stubborn and tells FRIDAY to let you out once you're done
• You and Bucky get into another argument
• "This is your fault, l/n."
• "MY fault? Look who's talking, Barnes. This is on you."
• You're arguing and arguing and don't notice you're getting closer
• Until he's inches away from your lips
• He whispers, "Shut up."
• But he keeps getting closer and closer
• You can feel his breath on your lips
• You barely reply, "Make me" before he's kissing you
• All of that pent-up frustration and competition and infuriating feelings
• His lips are on yours and it's hot, it's unbelievably hot
• How are his lips so soft?
• It's incredible and you're panting
• And he smirks into the kiss, but do you care?
• Do you honestly care?
• It's all over too soon
• "Bucky..."
• "Yes?"
• "I... I think we can stop arguing now."
• "So you forfeit?"
• He's an absolute tease and makes you want to tear your hair out
• But somehow you've fallen in love with him
• "I absolutely do not forfeit, Barnes—"
• And somehow he's kissing you again