Invisible String (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 10

Bucky hated this. Bucky hated not knowing where his relationship stood with you. It had been three days since you returned from your family's place, three long days since he had his lips on yours, and three miserable days since you told him that the kiss was just a show for your family. He hated the uncertainty that hung around whenever he would smile your way in the club. You would always awkwardly smile back, hoping that nobody caught you smiling at him. Did you find him so repulsive that you couldn't glance at him without looking around?

Bucky wasn't doubtful anymore, he was sure you didn't want him, and it hurt him like hell. He had never been so into someone before and as amazing as it felt, it also ached his soul knowing that you didn't want him like that.

He didn't know if it was worse that you didn't even want him as a friend or even as an acquaintance. He felt a weird twisting in his stomach that he had interpreted the weekend wrong, that weekend was merely another weekend for you. Likewise, he understood the signal very clearly, and he wasn't going to push you so for now, he'd have to be fine with just being your boss - if that's what it takes for him to be at least around you.

To get his mind off you, he didn't visit the club - his club - frequently. He would come in when he was sure that you were off your shift.

"God, Buck, if you're so into her, then just ask her out," Steve recommended. Steve was done with you, he didn't even know you, but every day his best friend would tell him something about you, about how funny you are or how strong you are. Bucky kept Steve up telling him all about you, while Steve just wanted to go home to his husband, Sam. So, it's fair to say that Steve didn't like you.

"She isn't into me."

"Then maybe, just maybe, stop obsessing over her," Steve taunted, he was sure he disliked you with the way you captured his pal's mind. "You met with Rumlow and beat him up badly. Don't you think it's weird he hasn't attacked us yet?"

"He won't," Bucky pressed, "He knew he deserved it."

Even after his enduring interrogation, Bucky wouldn't tell Steve why he attacked Rumlow in the first place. Steve knew his friend, he knew Bucky would never be the one to start the fight, and he was sure that it had something to do with you.

Sam warned Steve that Bucky's action will cause a war, but so far Rumlow hadn't retaliated. It was peaceful and quiet, too quiet.

Steve was worried that with you around Bucky's head wasn't in his usual work mode. He wanted his friend to have a partner and love in his life, but he was worried about what the cost would be.

***

You hated this, you hated the way you felt when James was around you. He was your boss and a very dangerous man, you shouldn't be taking him to your parents' home or making out with him in front of your family. You should not be making out with him at all. So, when he asked you about it, you panicked and told him it was for show. You wanted to avoid being rejected, so you declined him.

And all of that would have been okay if he didn't look so fine whenever he was around. You hated yourself for thirsting over your boss that you couldn't even focus on your book. Not only that, but you had hit a severe case of 'the writer's block' since the incident in the club, and nothing worked. Furthermore, you endeavored everything, and you always ended up sitting on your computer, trying to find something about your boss that would make you hate him. Maybe he wasn't a feminist, yeah, that worked last time when you had to get over your ex. But James was perfect in all sense, and that made you fall in love with him more. You were past denying that you loved him, you tried ignoring your feelings for him; it didn't work out, and now you're stuck ignoring his attempts to wave or smile at you. In short, you were acting like a teenager in love by ignoring James at all costs.