RESONANCE

Ch. One- The Problem With Barnes

POV: Y/N
6:03 a.m.
I was three minutes late. Three.

Apparently, that was enough for James Barnes to decide I had committed a federal crime.

"You're late."

I looked up from my coffee.
Bucky Barnes stood in the middle of the training room, arms crossed, staring at me like I'd personally offended him.

I glanced at the clock. Then
back at him.

"Good morning to you too."

"You're late."

"I heard you the first time."

"Clearly."

I took another sip of my coffee.

"Do you ever say anything that isn't annoying?"

"No."

"At least you're self-aware."

His jaw tightened.

I smiled.

This was going to be a long morning.

I'd been at the Avengers compound for eight months, and somehow, in those eight months, Bucky and I had developed a talent for irritating each other within approximately thirty seconds of being in the same room.

We weren't friends. We weren't even close.

We were teammates who happened to have an impressive ability to argue about absolutely everything.

And I was perfectly fine with that.

Mostly.

"You're supposed to be here at six," he said.

"I know."

"So why aren't you?"

"Because I needed coffee."

"You're holding coffee."

"Exactly."

He stared at me.

I stared back.

"Do you have a point?"

"Yes."

"I'm listening."

"You're irresponsible."

I nearly laughed. "I'm irresponsible?"

"You're three minutes late."

"Barnes, if three minutes is the worst thing you can say about me, I think I'm doing pretty well."

His mouth twitched.

For half a second, I thought he was going to smile.

Then it disappeared.

"You talk too much."

"And you don't talk enough."

"Maybe there's a reason."

"Maybe you're boring."

He stepped closer.

"You want to test that theory?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a threat?"

"No."

"Good."

"It's a warning."

I smiled.

"Cute."

His eyes narrowed.

"Princess."