Invisible String (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 15

You smiled at him, and he would kill to make that smile a permanent residence on your face, you didn't want him to make this crucial decision in his life because of you.

"Plus, maybe some chocolate essence would finally break you out of your writer's block," Bucky teased, quoting the words you said to him all those days ago and you giggled.

The rest of the morning was spent in comfortable silence as you both ate breakfast.

Bucky wanted to tell his friends about his decision, and he wanted you there beside him. You were terrified, you finally made friends with someone, and now they were going to hate you because you were taking their friend away from him. And Steve already hated you, that wasn't the impression you were planning on forming on his best friend.

To your dismay, everyone looked pleased with the verdict. Turns out, all of them hated hiding their families too. You should have known - worrying every second about your loved ones could make one very restless.

It was finally decided that the club would just be that - a club. No more side businesses or illegal deals or enemies like Rumlow - it would just be a normal club. The club would go to Sam and Steve, and Wanda would take Clint's place as the manager. It was also collectively decided that Peter had to go. He was just a kid who wanted to make money for his college tuition. Which now would be paid fully by Bucky. Peter could still work at the club as a part-time job, but he had to go to college too.

It was satisfying to see all of them so content with this decision. You expected at least Steve to interject, but he looked pleased too. What you did not expect was for Steve to approach you and start a conversation with you. You were just standing on the balcony while everyone was celebrating. You told Bucky you needed some air when he asked you what was wrong.

"He really likes you, you know."

"I hope so," you joked, and you saw a smile forming on Steve's lips. Progress, you thought to yourself.

"I haven't been the nicest person to you and I'm sorry for that."

You looked at Steve in disbelief. Okay, you weren't expecting that. "I don't know why you hate me. I mean, we barely know each other," you replied, honestly.

Steve inhaled sharply as he said, "I knew Buck since we were kids. He never hid anything from me until a few months ago."

What has that to do with you? You looked at him puzzled and he continued, "He attacked Rumlow. Around 3 months ago, he attacked him and we never attack first - always retaliate. That's why Rumlow came after you because Bucky started the fight. I knew it had something to do with you, but he just wouldn't tell me."

And just like that, you knew exactly what he was talking about. The timing matched with Rumlow's attempt to inappropriately touch you without consent.

"I - Rumlow came here during my shift," you stammered, you didn't know how to tell him. You wanted to heal, you wanted people to know on your accord with your permission. And you wanted Steve to know. "I told him no - several times, but he just wouldn't stop touching."

You wanted to be able to talk about this without breaking down every time. And that was a good enough start, you knew Bucky would be proud of you.

Steve's expression morphed into one of guilt immediately. He was smart enough to join the dots, and he felt like an idiot for blaming you and Bucky. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," you smiled at him, "You didn't know."

Steve didn't know how to react. He felt like a dick - he was a dick for not even considering your point of view. Bucky kept saying that he couldn't tell and Steve should have understood or taken the hint, but he was so mad at you that it blinded his judgement.