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tmpestuous · 5 months

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Moth to a Flame - 4

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summary: Bucky Barnes was the love of your life, and you were his. There was no denying it. But after two years of dating, you found yourselves on different paths and decided it was best to go your separate ways. The only problem was how drawn you’d always be to him even after moving on.

pairing: College!Bucky x Reader

chapter warnings: alcohol, drinking, implied (stated) sex, bReAkUpS?, angst, fluff, i think that’s it

word count: ~5k!

a/n: an update finally… i sincerely apologize for the inactivity but life has been more than stressful lately. i have the course of this story planned so hopefully i can push out a few updates for you all over the course of december and hopefully finish it! thank you for your patience.

“You should be with him,

I’ll let you go from time”

“You should give him another chance, you know,” Bucky said softly as he gazed out at the water before him.

He had brought you out to the lake to calm your nerves after he found you crying on your bedroom floor, always knowing how to best comfort you. You two were seated on a bench, watching the moonlight illuminate the water through its reflection.

“I’m surprised you’re saying that,” you joked as you looked over at him, your eyes tired from their overuse. “You said you wanted to fight him not even an hour ago.”

Bucky chuckled. “Listen,” he leaned forward on his knees. “It’s his first fuck up, and I know he cares about you. I know you care about him too. I reacted the wrong way when I saw you earlier today, I let my emotions get the best of me. But I still meant every word.”

You sighed. “I do care about him, it’s just…” you paused. “I expected more, you know? I’ve gone to all of his big moments since we’ve been together. I’ve been to his stupid frat parties when I didn’t want to go just because he wanted me to be there. I’ve done my part; I don’t know what I did wrong for him to not do his.”

“Hey,” Bucky turned his attention to you. “You have done nothing wrong. He was irresponsible and that is not on you.”

“So why exactly are you telling me I should give him another chance?” you asked, avoiding the topic of your self-blame.

Bucky shook his head. “I dunno, I just don’t like seeing you sad. He’s a good guy, he made a mistake. I made lots of mistakes with you—”

“None that really hurt my feelings, though,” you cut him off.

“I know,” he agreed hesitantly. “But they were mistakes nonetheless, and you never held a grudge too long with me.” You giggled, making Bucky furrow his eyebrows. “What’s so funny, Y/l/n?”

“I don’t think anyone can hold a grudge against you for too long, Barnes,” you said as you raked your fingers through his hair to push it away from his face. “You’re you.”

“So I’ve heard,” Bucky responded, his conversation with Atlas after the seminar creeping into his thoughts. “Still, what I said still stands. Just talk to him.”

You nodded. “Okay.”

T W O W E E K S L A T E R

Studying for an exam was indeed the bane of your existence, but studying for an exam you thought you weren’t prepared for was by far a lot worse.

Forcing yourself not to get swallowed up in your schoolwork was starting to get really difficult, and your exam for your 6:30pm class had you up at 7am this morning to study.

The library was somehow even quieter in the early morning, the silence forcing you to play some music lowly through your headphones because it had started to make you uncomfortable.

Around 11am, you had been studying for 3 hours with appropriate breaks during the time span. As you were about to take another one, you saw a familiar face that’d only make you feel better.

“I’d say you look like shit when you’re stressed, but I would very much be lying,” Bucky joked quietly as he sat across from you.

You and Bucky were… different.

It’s odd to say that your relationship with each other has changed drastically in the span of two weeks, but you both felt that it was a lot less hurtful to be around each other. You invited the warm feeling.

After that night on the bench in front of the lake, you were a lot more open with each other. Cracking jokes about your previous relationship that would have left you crumbling in tears months prior.

It felt nice to have your best friend back.

“This test is slowly going to kill me, but I desperately need to eat,” you said as you closed your textbook and finished up the notes you were writing on your iPad.

“We can grab lunch, if you want?” Bucky offered, “I don’t have much going on today before my only class at 2:00.”

Narrowing your eyes at him, you mentally questioned why he’d already be eager to leave the library if he had only just got here. “Did Nat put you up to this?”

Natasha had been on your heels revolving anything and everything in the last two weeks, not letting up on the Atlas situation either in the slightest.

“It’s not that serious, Nat, I promise,” you said.

“It’s hate sex, Y/n. Not even me and Steve would do such a thing.”

You shook your head with a chuckle. “It’s not like it was planned, it just… happened.”

“With no conversation, not even a hint of him telling you why he didn’t show up to your presentation, and no sight of an authentic apology that doesn’t end with him in your pants. I mean, when did you all of a sudden decide to want him all up in your guts anyway?”

“Natasha Romanoff!” Natasha shut her mouth as soon as she went to retort. “He apologized. As a matter of fact, he won’t stop apologizing. I’d rather him put his energy into something else anyway.”

“Do you really think he’s sorry?”

“He’s just gonna have to show me over time. Bucky said it is his first fuck up,” you mentioned, not getting your conversation with Bucky out of your head.

“I cannot believe Bucky told you to give him another chance,” Natasha slid her jacket on. “That man is still in love with you.”

“Isn’t he seeing someone?”

“Aren’t you?” she rebutted.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She winked before leaving your dorm without another word.

Chuckling slightly, Bucky pulled on the straps of his bookbag.

“She told me to find you,” he admitted. “Make sure you aren't drowning in this test. What’s it on anyway?”

“Different theories pertaining to the mind. I’m pretty well versed on who said what and their reasoning, but some of them are a bit confusing and the professor helped a bit, but he’s a philosopher through and through.”

You closed the case to your tablet before shoving everything in your bag.

“So we’re getting lunch?” Bucky raised his eyebrows as you exhaustingly zipped your bag up.

“We’re getting lunch.”

The dining hall was a bit across campus from the library, so you were glad you had Bucky as company. Your newfound dynamic brought you a sense of comfort with him you hadn’t had with him in a while—steps in the right direction to avoid the tension that’s been looming all semester.

Walking into the cafeteria, you and Bucky ordered and paid for your food before going into one of the booths, sitting across from each other. Bucky stared at you with a stifled laugh as you dug into your food, resulting in you glaring at him.

“Don’t laugh at me,” you said, mouth half-full.

“Don’t talk with food in your mouth or you’ll choke,” he teased and you rolled your eyes playfully. “How’re you and Atlas?”

“Just going straight to the important questions, are we?” You retorted after swallowing.

“I’m just checking in.”

Shaking your head, you shrugged. “We’re… okay, I guess. He still hasn’t really confessed anything about flaking, but I also haven’t really asked.”

Bucky nodded. “Are you going to?”

You shrugged again. You weren’t sure if you wanted to open the possibility of another argument with Atlas, especially since you hadn’t had one since him ditching you. He seemed remorseful, trying to make up for it with time, but the thought of not knowing always bothered you in the back of your mind.

“Enough about me,” you said abruptly. “How are you and Sharon?”

It was Bucky’s turn to shrug. If he was being honest, he didn’t know how he felt about Sharon. She was a nice girl, but he wasn’t entirely positive that she’s 100% into him and vice versa.

“We have good moments; I just don’t know where it’s going.”

As you were about to reply, Natasha and Steve crashed the booth without warning.

“If it isn’t my two favorite people after Steve,” Natasha said as she scooted in next to you, giving you a side hug. “I’m glad we found you here.”

“What trick do you have up your sleeve, Nat?” you asked, knowing your roommate and best friend a little too well.

“I’m sure you know this already,” she leaned into you before turning her attention back to everyone at the table. “Party tonight at the frat house on Fulton. 9:00 PM sharp. We need a break now that midterms are finishing.”

“Sounds fun,” Bucky agreed. “I’m in. Y/n?”

“I’m not sure I have a choice with the redhead next to me,” you said, making Natasha giggle. “I will be late though, I have my last midterm for this class today and I’m taking every single second I can get to perfect it.”

“We shall meet you there then,” Natasha said before you all continued finishing your lunch.

1 0 : 0 0 P M

To Bucky’s surprise, this party had gotten live faster than he expected. A 9PM party usually meant everyone started pregaming at 9, showing up at around 11-12. But the amount of bodies within this house had him wishing he’d shown up later. It wasn’t like he had much of an option, with Natasha rushing everyone out at 9 to head over. He said it’d be best to wait for you to get back so you can all go together, but Nat had assured him you told her it was fine to meet her there.

On the bright side, Sam agreed to be the designated driver which meant he could actually drink for a change. He wasn’t a huge drinker, fancying his occasional whiskey, but he felt he hadn’t had a chance to let loose all semester. Bucky definitely wasn’t trying to get wasted, but he wanted the warmth of a few drinks that made him incapable of being trusted to drive.

Bucky couldn’t help but keep an eye out for your arrival, knowing how stressed you were about your test and even offering to study with you before and after his only class of the day. You had gotten a few texts from Atlas throughout, Bucky noting your frustration and overstimulation from everything and making you take a few breaks here and there, which you were grateful for.

Bucky knew Atlas was never going to be fully fond of him and his friendship with you, but he couldn’t really blame him. He knew he’d probably react the same way if he were in such a situation, but he also knew that he’d never purposely ruin your relationship. Atlas cared about you and you cared about him, which was enough to preserve in Bucky’s eyes.

You always caught a few longing glances from Bucky, but he was oblivious to it. You knew what was cycling through his head, as he did yours, but your current dynamic was going so well and neither of you wanted to go back to square one.

Bucky was on his fifth drink of the night when you walked in, begging him to make you the strongest drink possible without a greeting to precede it.

“How’d it go?” he asked you in your ear so you could hear him over the music, prepping his same drink for you, but with a bit more to take the edge off.

“It was fine, I’m just glad it’s over,” you sighed as you took the cup out of his hand within seconds of him handing it to you, downing the entire drink before demanding another.

“Slow down,” he warned before making you a second one.

“I need to get drunk tonight, Bucky, so you can help me by making sure no one fucks me up or I will go elsewhere,” you warned back playfully, and he could see you meant no harm when he handed you a second, third, and fourth. Soon enough, you had already passed him in drinks and he saw as you looked giggly already.

Atlas had walked up to the both of you, making Bucky look on his phone to avoid the awkwardness.

“I didn’t know you were here already,” Atlas pulled you into his arms, placing a chaste kiss on your lips. “Are you… drunk?”

You giggled in response. “I need another one,” you hiccuped before going back to Bucky, who was entertained with swiping aimlessly on his phone. “Barnes.” Bucky looked at you with furrowed eyebrows as you took his phone out of his hand, shoving it in your bag. “Get off your phone, we’re here to have fun.”

“Your boyfriend’s here, Y/n, go have fun with him.”

Shaking your head, you grabbed him by the shoulders. “We’re all here to have fun, c’mon!” You pulled him forward, Bucky and Atlas both trying to make sure you didn’t trip over your own feet. You ended up pulling Atlas into the mix as well, who was already more than uncomfortable.

Dancing in between the both of them, Natasha was giggling in the corner, earning her a hard glare from Bucky. He knew he wasn’t gonna live this one down, but he slipped away from your view once all of your attention was on Atlas instead of partially on him.

“That’s gonna be a messy conversation, huh?” Natasha asked as Bucky finished making his way over to her and Steve.

“What are you talking about, Romanoff?”

“Atlas hasn’t had a drink all night and he looked like he’d rather crawl in a hole than dance with his girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend,” she watched as Atlas carried you upstairs, taking another sip of her drink. “Wonder how that’s gonna play out.”

Atlas was dying to get out of the crowd, taking you upstairs to his room which you happily accepted, throwing yourself on his bed after he put you down to lock the door. Another giggling fit came out of you, and Atlas sat next to where your lying body was on the bed.

“What’s so funny, Y/n?”

He didn’t sound too thrilled, having the notion that drunk actions were sober thoughts in the back of his mind. When you got here, you made your way to Bucky. Not him. That on top of the most awkward situation he’d been in with Bucky since he started dating you, he was starting to lose his patience a bit, but he knew he couldn’t bring it up while you were drunk.

“You’re funny,” you said with more giggles to follow. “You’re maaaad.” You sat up, a bit too quickly which Atlas noticed, holding you stable by the shoulders so you wouldn’t get dizzy and throw up. You stared at him and bopped his nose with your index finger, giggling again. “Don’t be mad, Atlas.”

“I’m not mad, Y/n,” he responded in a shy yet stern tone. “You should probably go to bed.”

“Mm, no,” you said with a quick head shake, wrapping your arms around his neck as he wrapped his around your torso. “I’m not tired.”

“You’re drunk,” he said, laying back as you fell on top of him. “Let’s go to bed, okay? We’ll talk in the morning.”

“I don’t want to sleep,” you pushed up off of him, straddling his lap. “And I don’t want to talk. There’s nothing to talk about.”

Atlas scoffed. “There’s a lot to talk about, Y/n.”

“Like what?”

“We’re not doing this right now, you’re drunk,” he said as he removed you off of his lap gently, placing you back on the bed. “Let’s just go to sleep.”

You shook your head, suddenly starting to feel your buzz get killed. “No, what is it that you want to talk about so bad?”

“I’m not doing this right now, okay?” he said, pulling one of his shirts for you to change into.

Rolling your eyes, you reluctantly got changed, getting into bed as he slid in behind you, knowing the following morning was going to be irritating.

And that it was.

Waking up slightly late, you were surprised you weren’t sporting a raging migraine from the previous night’s endeavors. Atlas was no longer in bed and the bass from the speakers downstairs blasting music long gone. You checked your phone, seeing a few texts from your friends who you left without a goodbye.

Bucky <3

Hey, everything all good?

We’re heading out in a bit. Not sure if you drove here or not if you want a ride back

I would assume your phone’s dead but all the messages are delivering

Nvm all good. Atlas just told us you went to bed. See you tomorrow loser

Future Russian Spy (Nat)

Where is your drunk ass at

Hoping you’re not getting laid again

Sleep is for the weak but I’m glad you’re resting. Let me know if you need a ride back tomorrow when u see this

You had driven to Atlas’s place, but given the fatigue you had, you texted Nat back asking for a ride. After doing so, you got out of bed, deciding it was best to take a hot shower and at least make yourself look human for the day. Atlas came back into the room after you were dressed and brushing your teeth with the spare toothbrush you’d left here the last time you slept over.

“I made breakfast,” he said, standing in the bathroom doorway.

“Not hungry,” you said, rinsing your mouth with water. “But thanks.”

You were pretty intoxicated last night, but definitely not blackout drunk to forget the impending comments from your boyfriend about whatever was bothering him. Not to mention, the last thing you were looking for was an argument at 11 in the morning after you just woke up.

“Can you please not be difficult right now?”

Stopping in your tracks as you were about to grab your jacket, you turned to face him. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

Atlas sighed. “I’m not arguing with you, Y/n.”

“I never said you were,” you rebutted. “You wanted to talk, so let’s talk.”

“Do you seriously not see that nothing is getting better between us? You were throwing yourself at Bucky right in front of me last night, and he has a girlfriend. You don’t even seem regretful.”

Scoffing, you rubbed your hands down your face. “I’m not repeating myself for the thousandth time to you, Atlas. You know how I feel about Bucky, and he and Sharon aren’t even dating.”

“You still love him.”

“I will always love him, that’s what you don’t get!” You yelled in frustration before exhaling deeply. “Bucky and I didn’t end on bad terms. We didn’t end because he cheated on me or I ruined his life. I will always have love for him, regardless of whether you think it’s platonic or romantic. I can’t just change that.”

“Well, you need to,” he replied flatly.

You chuckled. “You’re giving me an ultimatum?”

“Me or him, Y/n. I can’t play second-fiddle to Bucky Barnes anymore. It’s me in your life or him.”

“You can’t sit here and give me ultimatums like I’m constantly the one that’s doing you wrong.”

Atlas crossed his arms across his shoulders. “I knew this was going to come up eventually. You’re still mad at me.”

“I have never been mad, Atlas. I just wanted an answer. And that was so fucking difficult for you to give me.”

“Maybe you should ask your little ex-boyfriend what happened that day.”

“It’s always about Bucky with you,” you dejected. “I’m starting to think you’re the one that’s in love with him.”

“I’m serious, Y/n.”

Throwing your hands around in frustration, “What could Bucky possibly know abou–”

“He’s the one that told me to leave!” he interrupted you. When you simply stared at him without words, he continued. “I showed up. Bucky told me to leave. I fucked up the night before, I get that, but I was there. I made it after you walked in and Bucky told me to up and leave because I couldn’t support you in the state I was in. So if you need someone to be upset about, maybe start with him.”

Staring at him in disbelief, you scoffed again, shoving your jacket on your shoulders, checking your phone to see Natasha text you that she’s outside. “I’ll talk to you later, Atlas.”

“When you come back here, I want an answer.”

“Yeah, whatever,” you said, starting your day off with an immeasurable amount of frustration, which Natasha could feel radiating off of you as you got in the car angrily.

“I’m going to ignore the fact that you slammed my door and ask what happened.”

Sighing to yourself to calm down, you leaned back in the car seat. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Fiddling with your fingers, Natasha was talking your head off but you could not hear her one bit. You know Bucky was mad about Atlas not showing up, but it wouldn’t make sense for him to sabotage you like that. Was he telling you to give Atlas another shot because he felt guilty? Did he not want to be the reason things fell out?

No, that wasn’t Bucky. He would never do such a thing.

Sighing to yourself, Natasha snapped you out of your thoughts in the middle of the diner you were seated at having breakfast food at 1pm.

“Are you even listening? What’s got you so distant since I picked you up?”

“Are we seeing Bucky at any point today?” you avoided her question.

“I told you he’s meeting us here with Steve. What’s going on?”

Knowing how Natasha feels about Atlas, you decided to wait until Bucky made it before jumping to any conclusions, assuring her that it was no big deal. It’d be better to hear it straight from Bucky than being mad at anyone over anything yet, and you knew Bucky would tell you the truth.

At least that’s what you’d hoped.

Almost as if on cue, Bucky and Steve walked into the diner, looking around before Bucky spotted you with a smile, tapping Steve to draw his attention in the same direction. You half-smiled back, but Bucky knew something was off. As the boys made their way over, Bucky sat next to you in the booth, looking over at you with concern.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, making you shake your head.

“We didn’t order for you guys not knowing what you guys wanted,” you said as you slid both of them the menu, leaving Bucky confused while Steve was excited.

“Bucky and I have been thinking about bacon since we left the dorm,” Steve chatted looking at both you and his best friend, which you returned, but Bucky couldn’t take his eyes off of you. “Buck?”

“What’s wrong, Y/n?” Bucky asked you again, Steve diverting his attention towards you.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out for the past two hours,” Natasha interjected, and everyone at the table was now staring at you.

You sighed, looking down at your hands in your lap, biting down on your bottom lip. “I don’t know.”

“Did that asshole do something again?” Natasha asked, clearly starting to get riled up. “I swear to G—”

“Nat,” Bucky cut her off sternly, giving her a glare. He knew you were nervous about something and anyone getting angry would just make it worse.

He always knew how to read you.

“Did something happen after we left? This morning?” he asked softly while Steve ordered for himself and Bucky.

“He told me it was you, Buck,” you responded hesitantly, causing Bucky to shake his head in confusion. “The presentation. Him not showing up. He said you told him to leave when he got there. Before you walked in?”

Shaking his head again, Bucky was now annoyed. “Bullshit.”

“Bullshit?”

“He showed up during Banner’s slot, Y/n. Yeah, I told him to leave, and if that was wrong on my part, I’m sorry, but I would never force him to leave if he actually showed up on time.”

“That and he smelled like a bad liquor store,” Steve added.

“He was only going to make things worse. I’m sorry for telling him he should leave but—”

“No.”

“No?” Bucky questioned your interruption, not quite catching on.

“You’re not apologizing. You did what you thought was best, and he lied to me about it again anyway.”

Feeling defeated, you urged everyone to move on. Bucky felt bad that you had to find out in such a way, and the urge he got to beat Atlas’s ass was even stronger than it was the day everything happened.

After you all ate, you went back to the dorm and relaxed for a bit before asking Natasha to give you a ride to get your car at Atlas’s house. The gang all asked to meet up at Bucky, Steve, and Sam’s dorm for drinks and games, so you told Natasha you’d meet her there.

“You sure you’re gonna be okay?” she asked for the second time that night.

“Yeah, I’m just gonna get my car and go,” you unbuckle your seatbelt and open the door. “I’ll see you at the boys’ place, okay?”

Nat nodded before watching you walk towards your car and driving off. Unlocking the vehicle, you saw Atlas rushing out of the front door from your peripherals.

“You weren’t even gonna come inside?” he said as he walked up next to you.

“Don’t think picking up my car requires me to go inside, does it?” you retorted with an attitude, not really wanting to talk.

“You know why I’m asking.”

“Well, I wouldn’t think it’d matter considering Bucky has no involvement in the reason why I’m breaking up with you, Atlas.”

Stunned, Atlas stared at you incredulously.

“Cat got your tongue? Or are you coming up with some other lie you think I won’t find out about?”

“Y/n—”

“Save it. We’re done. If you think I’m choosing Bucky over you, then maybe I am,” you cut him off, tears filling up your eyes. “Now that I think of it, I’d choose him over you every single time, Atlas. He’s never lied to me, never treated me like I was less than him, and he sure as hell would never make me pick between him and someone else that he knows I care about. I’m over it, I can’t do this anymore. We’re done.”

Getting inside of your car, Atlas decided not to say a word as he watched you pull out of his driveway and drive off. He definitely had other ideas in mind.

Meanwhile, you were trying to gain your composure as you made it back to campus and to the boys’ dorm. You managed to get yourself to stop crying but given the amount of it you just did, you knew it was evident on your face.

Even though it might be the worst option at this given moment, you wanted nothing but to jump into Bucky’s arms. You wanted his hugs back, you wanted to feel his warmth again.

You wanted him back. You knew it was dumb to even think of, but you couldn’t help it. All of your emotions were crashing down on you and you finally knew why everything was weighing so heavy on your shoulders for the past few months.

You never wanted to move on. It was foolish to even think of doing, let alone actually doing it. Bucky was always going to be it for you. It’s him. It’s always going to be him.

But much to your demise after opening the door to the boys’ dorm, you walked in to see everyone in the living room.

Including Sharon.

Everyone looked up at you, seeing your face and immediately asking what happened.

Again, including Sharon.

“Um– sorry, I didn’t want to be a buzzkill or anything, I just—”

“You’re not,” Sharon spoke up again, and you couldn’t help but notice her hand on Bucky’s thigh while she spoke. “We weren’t talking about much, just some updates on everyone. Right?”

Everyone agreed.

“Updates?”

“Yes, like Barnes here making it official with Sharon,” Thor added eagerly.

You looked back at Bucky, who suddenly looked like he wanted to throw up.

“Are you okay?” he asked, not wanting to talk about the bombshell news that just got dropped on you.

“Yeah, I-I’m fine,” you shook your head. “Don’t worry, I just got into a heated argument with my mom is all. Um, I actually forgot something in my room that I should grab so I’ll be back.”

Natasha knew your excuse for leaving was full of shit the second you walked back out the door, telling everyone she was going to check on you. She walked downstairs to see you sobbing to yourself in your car, thankful you didn’t drive off yet.

Opening the passenger door and getting inside, Natasha pulled you into her embrace.

“I know it wasn’t some argument with your mom that got you like this, so what happened with Atlas?” Natasha asked right away, knowing you weren’t calming down anytime soon unless she knew how to help.

“I broke up with him.”

Well, she wasn’t expecting to hear that.

“Oh,” she said, rubbing your back up and down. “I’m sorry—”

“For Bucky.”

Or that. She definitely wasn’t expecting to hear that.

“Oh.”

“I’m such an idiot, Nat,” you sobbed into her shoulders. “I just broke up with him and now Bucky’s with Sharon and I can’t tell him that I broke up with Atlas because he’s gonna ask why and I—”

“Hey, hey,” she lifted your face in her hands to look at her while you cried. “We’re gonna figure it out, alright? You’re gonna be fine.”

You nodded, even if you weren’t fully convinced. But little did you know, everything was about to bite you in the ass.

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes fic #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x reader #james bucky barnes #bucky fic #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes fanfiction

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tmpestuous · 6 months

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I appreciate this so much!

Moth to a Flame - 3

series masterlist

pairing: College!Bucky x Reader

chapter warnings: mentions of alcohol, angst and sadness, Atlas is kind of (really) an asshole, possessive/protective Bucky (because he deserves a warning), verbal argument

word count: ~4.5k

a/n: A bit of a longer update after the long wait! Things are getting juicy… I hope you guys enjoy <3

“Does he know the pictures that you keep?”

***

Bucky had really held out on his personal promise to himself to move on, though the process had never been more challenging.

He was no stranger to girls lining up for him; it was a common occurrence before he met you. As soon as word spread about your breakup and your moving on, it hadn’t failed to start once again. Bucky had been on constant dates, maybe bringing a girl or two back, though he never had them stay. He had felt as though he was just borrowing some friction from strangers. It was his way of distracting himself from the evident resentment he had for his own actions, how easily he let you slip out of his fingers.

The truth was that none of the girls Bucky had spent time with could ever distract him from you. He was bored because none of them were as interesting as you. They weren’t as smart as you, as humble as you, as caring as you. They weren’t you. They never would be.

But Bucky promised. He promised he’d be there for you, and he couldn’t fulfill that promise if he didn’t move on.

Recently, Bucky was seeing a new girl: Sharon. He had met her in one of his classes and much to his luck, Steve actually knew her and told him that she was a really nice girl. Bucky had never anticipated getting involved with someone like Sharon, and if he was being honest, he’d assume she was more Steve’s type and vice versa. Nonetheless, he really enjoyed getting to know her.

He knew his feelings for you wouldn’t subside so fast, but he didn’t find himself comparing Sharon to you while he was with her. That gave him a glimpse of hope, a glimpse of finally pulling himself from the hole he’d been stuck in for so long. It was a foreign feeling—the thought of letting you go—but given the fact that you had already done so, it was the right thing to do.

About three weeks had passed since that night after the party, the night you told Bucky you needed him. Since then, Bucky had seen you about half as much as usual. Natasha said you were caught up on finishing your research for your major, working endlessly on preparing the presentation you needed to give at the university’s annual research seminar. Plenty of research journal editors would be in attendance, hoping to find a research study worth publishing. You wouldn’t stop until you ensured your research was perfect.

Bucky knew once you got immersed in your schoolwork, it was difficult to pull you away from it. He’d seen it plenty of semesters prior, and he couldn’t blame you. You were one of the smartest people he knew, a quality of yours he never failed to admire.

He decided not to seek you out as he usually would have when you were together, but rather forced himself to try and be a better friend for you. Bucky wanted to be someone you could trust without worrying about old feelings or possible conflict arising. He owed that much to you after you made it clear you didn’t want to lose him despite everything. He also knew he was on the same page.

When Natasha had invited him up to your shared suite as they walked together after class, he politely declined. Bucky was well aware you wouldn’t be in much of a mood to talk or pay attention to anything other than your task at hand. You had always valued how much he appreciated and understood your work ethic, never overstepping. Bucky didn’t want to push that boundary now.

As Bucky continued his trek back to his residence hall, Natasha made her way up to your suite. Much to her surprise, Atlas was in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water as he noted the redhead’s presence.

“Hey, Nat,” he greeted with a half-smile.

“Hi, Atlas,” she returned the greeting. “Is Y/n in her room?”

Atlas nodded, “She’s just finishing up her report. Seems pretty stressed, so I’m just waiting out here for her to finish before we go out to eat.”

Nodding at his response, Natasha made her way to your closed bedroom door. You could never be mad at Natasha for checking on you, especially when she would never let you live it down if you had been. Nonetheless, she was your best friend and you knew she only had your best interests in mind, so you always made an exception for her.

You were about to complain, assuming it was Atlas behind the door, until you saw Nat’s head peek through.

“You know, I’m surprised you’re alive and well with how long you’ve spent in this room,” she teased.

“Hi, Nat,” you said, rolling your eyes playfully with a smile. “I’m on the last page of my findings and then I am free.”

“Until tomorrow when you have to present said findings.”

“I didn’t need the reminder,” you said with a whine. “I really need this presentation to go well or I’ll cry.”

“And it will,” she said, letting herself in the room and taking a seat on your bed. “Now why are you letting your boyfriend bore himself to death outside?”

“Well I told him not to come over,” you noted as you returned to typing away on your laptop. “I can’t focus with him ogling me the entire time.”

“Am I not ogling you?”

“It’s not the same, Nat,” you said, flipping a page in your research notebook.

Atlas hadn’t been in your best graces for the past few weeks. You were taking your work more and more seriously as the days went by, dedicating a lot more of your free time to finishing up wherever you needed to. He wasn’t too fond of that, constantly asking you to take a break when you knew you didn’t need one or telling you to take a day off when you knew you couldn’t afford to.

You were pretty adamant on making this research as thorough as possible, with little to no errors to account for. The competition for a publisher’s attention this year was strong, with big brains like Tony Stark and Bruce Banner giving presentations as well. You couldn’t stand to look pathetic or basic next to them.

You didn’t ask for much. It’s not like you didn’t take any breaks or completely cut off all contact with the real world. But your time to work was the time you allotted for it, and being distracted wasn’t in your best interest. You had just wished Atlas would understand that rather than nagging you to spend time when you spent more than enough time with him at all times.

“He’s trying, at least, Y/n,” Nat urged. “Don’t shut him out.”

“I’m not,” you replied shortly. “I just shouldn’t have to explain my boundaries all of the time. I appreciate him being here and he could sit in here while I worked if he wanted to, but he doesn’t. That isn’t my fault.”

Giving in, Natasha sighed. “Is it a bad time to talk about Bucky?”

Furrowing your eyebrows, you looked over at her.

“What’s up with Bucky?”

“He’s seeing someone, just thought you should know.”

“Oh,” you said before turning back to your work. “Good for him, he deserves it.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes..?” You said, genuinely confused. “I moved on, why shouldn’t he?”

“No, no, I just expected more questions is all,” Natasha put her hands up in surrender. “Are we seeing you after you’re done with your date later?”

You nodded, your eyes not diverting from your work. “Yeah, I shouldn’t be long.”

Patting your shoulder, Natasha left your room.

Bucky moving on was a good sign, but ignoring the weird feeling in your stomach was difficult. You shouldn’t be bothered by it, but for some reason, you were. It felt strange, thinking about Bucky being involved with someone else.

Those thoughts were only selfish, though, seeing as you were in a relationship of your own with a completely different person. Second guessing your decisions always got the best of you and moving on was one of those choices you vowed not to fall back on. Not again.

Was it wrong to feel this way?

You had finished your presentation about an hour later, heading out to eat with a slightly heated Atlas, a demeanor not really hidden from anyone.

“Are you okay?” You asked him as the waiter left to get your check. “You’ve been off since we left the dorm.”

“Yeah, I’m good,” he responded with no hesitation, his tone short. “Just thinking.”

“About?” You inquired.

“Natasha spent some time in your room and you didn’t complain about being distracted then,” he finally admitted. “So how come it changes with me?”

You sighed. “Atlas, I’m sorry, it’s just not—“

“Would you have complained if it was Bucky?”

Shaking your head, you sighed once again. “Yes, I would have. Where is this coming from?”

“Just wondering.”

This wasn’t the first time Atlas had been bothered by something before dropping Bucky’s name into the conversation. It frustrated you, especially because it made you feel awful that he’d compare himself to your ex when you were committed to him. You had your moments of doubt, but you knew who you were loyal to and in what capacity.

“I said that I’m sorry,” you urged once more. “I could have phrased my words better, I just got irritated with you asking me when I’d be done every five minutes. I finished, I’m here with you now. Let’s not fight about it.”

Atlas nodded and took his card out as the waiter came with the check, paying the bill before you both left.

The car ride back was fairly silent. You could understand where you had gone wrong, but you also felt a bit suffocated every time Bucky had been brought up by Atlas at any given moment.

Bobbing your knee anxiously up and down, you tried not to get stuck in your own thoughts but it was an evident failure. As soon as Atlas parked the car in front of the boys’ dorm, you looked over at him.

“You’re not coming?” You asked.

“I have some fraternity event to attend, so I can’t go,” he said calmly, but you could tell he was still upset. “Text me when you get back to your room.”

“Oh, okay,” you said in defeat, not wanting to argue again. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, right?”

“You know I wouldn’t miss it,” he said as he nodded, catching your attention once more before you exited the car. “Hey, I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have talked to you that way.”

“It’s okay, I’m sorry too,” you returned. “I don’t want to fight with you. At all.”

“Me neither,” he agreed. Hesitantly, he bit his lip and you could tell he had something else on his mind. “Can I ask you a question?”

Once you nodded, he turned in his seat to face you.

“Do you keep any photos of you and Bucky from when you were together?”

Furrowing your eyebrows in confusion, you shook your head. “I’m confused.”

“While you were working, I noticed you were getting a few texts. I went to silence your phone but I noticed Bucky’s contact picture was still one from when you were together. With your head on his shoulder and him kissing your head. I just wondered if you still kept any other pictures.”

Shaking your head once more, “I don’t have any pictures. I just haven’t changed Bucky’s contact at all.”

He nodded. “Okay. Thank you for answering.”

You kissed his cheek before getting out of the car without another word, Atlas driving off as soon as you closed the door.

Sighing a third time to yourself this late afternoon, you walked up to the building and entered luckily as someone opened the front door.

You hated yourself for lying, but it’s not like you were holding onto old pictures with Bucky on purpose. You just hadn’t deleted any pictures, and for a while, you were harping on the idea that you two would realize you made a mistake and get back together.

Another fight with Atlas over Bucky would drain you. You moved on from him, you weren’t enticed by seeing him or tempted to get back with him. Bucky was one of your best friends and that wouldn’t change with a relationship. Provoking another fight would have ended badly.

At least that’s what you convinced yourself of.

You were grateful Atlas was opening up to you more while also acknowledging your feelings, though the road was still rocky. Times like this only made you constantly think about how you’d never have any issues like this with Bucky, but, of course, the circumstances were different.

Atlas was good to you. You both had your moments but he treated you the way you’d want to be treated. He understood you (for the most part). You once again felt bad about him comparing himself to Bucky, and hated yourself whenever you also did so subconsciously. Nonetheless, you were glad you could both somewhat talk about it and move past it.

Taking the elevator up to the boys’ floor, you walked down the hallway and knocked three times, shoving your hands in your jacket pocket before Steve opened the door.

“Hey there, little genius,” he greeted you as you shook your head and walked in. “Ready for tomorrow?”

“I hope so,” you breathed out, seeing everyone seated in the living room. “I’m sandwiched right in between Tony and Bruce in the schedule which is not daunting at all.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” Sam said, taking a sip of his Coke from his seat on the couch. “They’re in a totally different field of study, you’ll do great.”

“Thanks,” you acknowledged before noticing one blue-eyed brunette missing from the bunch. “Where’s Bucky?”

“He’s out with Sharon,” Steve said, sitting next to Natasha at the same time you sat in the love seat next to Pietro.

“Sharon as in Sharon Carter?” You asked.

“Yeah, why?” Steve retorted.

“Oh, no reason,” you shook your head. “I’ve seen her around campus before. Didn’t know she’d be interested in Bucky.”

“Yeah, they’ve been seeing each other for about a week or so,” Sam said while he typed on his phone. “He seems pretty interested.”

“That’s good,” you said, genuinely happy Bucky was moving on.

You didn’t want him to be stuck on you if you had moved on. It didn’t seem fair nor did it ever make you feel good, especially remembering how anxious you felt before telling him yourself. Bucky deserved to be happy, and that was all you cared about.

After a few games, the group trying to get you to spill all the contents of your research, and a movie, you called it a night. You had also left before Bucky had made it back, missing him by a few minutes since you knew you had to be up early before your presentation. Plus, Bucky would be there to support you so you’d see him then.

Walking back into his suite, Sam, Steve, and Natasha were still in the living room to see Bucky before retreating to their beds as well.

“Hey, loverboy,” Sam teased. “How’d it go?”

“Pretty well, actually,” Bucky shrugged his jacket off, hanging it in the closet. “I kind of lost track of time. What’d I miss?”

“Not much,” Nat picked her phone up. “We were just waiting for you to get back before going to be—“

Cutting her sentence short, the guys all looked at her.

“What’s wrong?” Bucky asked first, though they were all curious.

“Y/n mentioned Atlas not coming over because he had a frat event, right?” She asked, her tone coming off hesitant.

“Yeah,” Sam answered. “But she said he didn’t specify what it was, assumed it was some meeting or somethin’.”

“What’s up, Nat?” Bucky inquired once more, seeing the redhead’s face change into a slightly angry one.

“He looks shitfaced drunk in this story,” Natasha said, showing her phone screen to reveal a very wasted Atlas in a picture. “How is he gonna do that the night before Y/n’s big day?”

“Maybe it’s an old picture?” Steve suggested, obviously searching for the best justification.

“Definitely isn’t,” Bucky shot it down. “I had heard about a party but I assumed he was here with you guys.”

“Atlas always gets hungover after a drunken night,” Natasha said next. “Y/n’s presentation is at 8:00AM tomorrow and those frat parties never end earlier than like 4.”

“You really think he’s gonna bail? No way,” Sam interjected.

“Wouldn’t be on purpose,” she locked her phone and set it on the coffee table.

“He’s not gonna bail. Let’s not put that into the universe right before tomorrow,” Bucky said, making his way to his room after saying his goodnites.

He had only hoped for your sake that Atlas would show up tomorrow. Bucky’s protectiveness over you would never subside, relationship or not, and he knew just how important this research was to you.

Not having someone you hold with such high regard to support you would only hurt you. Bucky’s never wanted to see you hurt, especially not by a boy. He made the grand effort to always see your perspective on things, even when you disagreed, just so he’d never hurt your feelings or make you feel small. When it comes to anyone else, he’d be damned to allow that either.

He really hoped Atlas would come. You deserve that much.

The following morning was excruciating for you. You hadn’t remembered the last time you woke up this early, and it wasn’t even on purpose.

Your body decided to wake you up at 5AM before proceeding to not let you fall back asleep before your 6:30 alarm.

Already off to an amazing start to your day, Atlas wasn’t picking up his phone, Natasha and Wanda had already made their way over to the boys’ dorm to make sure they were ready, and you were running slightly late.

Check-in was at 7:30, and you walked in at 7:45.

Amazing. Just amazing.

After you checked in and made sure all of your work was ready to go, you peeked out into the lobby to see if you could catch a glimpse of anyone.

Bucky and Natasha were standing in line together, looking around just as anxious as you were.

“He has to show up, Nat,” Bucky pushed. “He’s not gonna just bail on her like that. It’s not like him.”

“It’s 8:05 and he isn’t here, Bucky. I’m not all too sure he’d be this late when Atlas is always at least 5 minutes early to everything he shows up to,” Natasha countered. “I swear I am going to kill him when I see him.”

On the opposite end of the doors, you couldn’t make out what they were talking about, especially more focused on trying to contact your boyfriend who was nowhere to be found. As soon as you were about to try once more, one of the moderators tapped your shoulder to let you know to take your seat.

You sighed and shut your phone off. You had reserved seats for everyone ahead of time, so it’d be no problem for him to show. He was just late, and he’s never late.

The anxiety was eating you alive as you waited for the seminar to start, and it only grew as everyone before you was presenting.

Looking back to check on the seats, you saw everyone seated but Atlas. Catching Bucky’s eye, he could definitely tell how you were feeling and what you were thinking. He always somehow had the ability to see right through you, and a pep talk from him wouldn’t sound too bad right now. But Tony Stark was just about to start his presentation which only meant you were next, and Bucky shot you a thumbs-up, mouthing ‘you got this’ before you turned back around in your seat.

As Tony wrapped up his presentation on the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, you mentally prepared yourself to give the best presentation you could ever give in your entire college career.

Your friends gave you looks of encouragement as you walked up to the stage, gathering all of your information as they put your presentation on the screen.

The anxiety didn’t get the best of you at all. You felt a lot more confident once you had started speaking, knowing every single detail inside and out about your research and your presentation.

Atlas hadn’t shown up throughout it all. It bothered you in the back of your mind, but it’d be improper to let something like that stump you in front of an auditorium filled with so many people smarter than you could imagine. Overall, you felt confident with your discussion, even surprised by receiving the second standing ovation of the day (which you concluded was only because you went after the Tony Stark), and tons of praise as you returned to your seat.

Feeling as good as you possibly could, Atlas was the last thought in your mind. You were definitely upset with him, but the high you felt from excelling in something you spent so much time and effort on completely overshadowed the current resentment brewing.

What you hadn’t realized was Atlas slipping in about 20 minutes after your presentation concluded, your focus too centered on Bruce’s presentation on gamma radiation to look over your shoulder.

Bucky, on the other hand, was more than glad to address the elephant in the room that decided to right next to him.

“You smell like alcohol, Atlas,” Bucky spat at him in a whisper, then grasping Steve’s attention from his other side.

“I came as fast as I could—“

“Yeah, well you already missed it. She shouldn’t even see you like this to begin with,” Bucky stood up and walked out of the aisle, waiting for Atlas to follow shortly after.

Sighing and exiting out of the auditorium behind Bucky and Steve not too far behind the both of them, Atlas ran a hand through his hair. As soon as they were out of the auditorium and walked out of the building, Bucky turned around to face Atlas. Steve stayed towards the entrance, knowing Bucky could handle it.

“Look, Bucky—“

“No,” Bucky cut him off right away, placing his hands on his hips and staring at Atlas in disbelief. “She doesn’t deserve that, Atlas. At all. I’m more than positive she can and will give you this entire lecture herself so I’ll save you the dramatics, but you can’t seriously expect to show up in the state that you are to try and support her.”

“I didn’t have time to shower, I ran all the way over here—“

Bucky scoffed. “And you still couldn’t even bother to show up on time, huh? An hour and a half. An entire hour and 30 minutes passed before she got on that stage, and you weren’t here.”

“I’m sorry, Barnes, but is Y/n my girlfriend or yours?”

Rubbing a hand across his face in frustration, Bucky did everything he could not to land a clean punch on Atlas’s face for his sake and yours.

“She’s your girlfriend, Atlas,” Bucky answered. “That’s the problem. She’s giving a presentation on something that could give her the opportunities she may have not even dreamed of, and her boyfriend shows up hungover, smelling like alcohol, and late. I was here on time. We all were because that’s the kind of support she needs and deserves. Not what you just pulled.”

It was Atlas’s turn to scoff now, putting his jacket back on. “What is it that you’d like me to do, Barnes? Completely bail on the whole thing? You should at least appreciate the fact that I showed up.”

“I don’t, though, and I won’t. You should leave,” Bucky crossed his arms over his chest, and Atlas could tell he wouldn’t let him back inside that building.

After taking a deep breath, Atlas gave in and walked away. He knew he didn’t stand a chance against Bucky, to begin with, and he was actually well aware you wouldn’t appreciate your boyfriend fighting with your best friend. Atlas’s thoughts also very much got the best of him, assuming you’d take Bucky’s side over his in a heartbeat.

Bucky wasn’t happy. He also hated the fact that he still felt so protective over you, but he knew that you deserved better. It was a good thing to do as your friend nonetheless.

Inside the auditorium, you had noticed Bucky and Steve’s absence, meeting Natasha’s eyes but she seemed as lost as you were. Slipping out of your seat, you walked out of the auditorium, seeing an annoyed Steve and even more annoyed Bucky walking back into the building.

“Go out for a smoke, boys?” You asked them playfully, trying to alleviate the clear tension in the room. Bucky’s eyes softened at the sight of you, making your cheeks feel a bit warm, but you pushed the feeling aside. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, little genius,” Steve pulled you in for a hug. “Nothing to worry about, we just needed some air.”

You nodded as you pulled away from Steve and hugged Bucky next. Steve made his way back inside, but Bucky tugged on your wrist before you could follow.

“What’s wrong, Buck?” You asked as he looked a bit hesitant to speak to you, not even meeting your gaze entirely.

“Do you love him?” he asked, his voice nothing higher than a whisper.

“What?”

“Atlas, do you really love him?” he asked once more. “And does he really love you? Because I can’t stand by and watch you get anything less than what you deserve, Y/n.”

Bucky’s voice was low, only loud enough for you to hear, and his face was dangerously close to yours. You genuinely couldn’t tell what was happening, or what he and Steve were actually doing. His gaze finally met yours directly, his eyes more grey than blue today.

“I know you have all our pictures and our texts,” he spoke once he realized you wouldn’t. “I know you have your doubts, and hell, do I have some of my own. But regardless, if I’m gonna see you with someone else, I need it to be someone who cares for you, who adores you, who loves you. Does he love you, Y/n?”

Looking straight into his eyes, you nodded. You didn’t even think about it, give it a moment, or second guess it. Going with your gut, you nodded. He nodded once in response.

“Okay, then. But the next time he treats you like this, I might have to take matters into my own hands, prinţesă.”

Bucky let go of your wrist, and the both of you walked back inside although the presentations were already over. Everyone was scrambling toward the exit so you and Bucky stayed back to wait for everyone else.

You couldn’t help but think about the last 5 minutes that had just unfolded, while Bucky was pretending as if nothing happened. Draining couldn’t even begin to describe your day, between Atlas flaking on you, you having to present months-long research in front of hundreds of people, and Bucky making you the most speechless you had ever been in your entire life, you couldn’t fathom what was going to happen next.

The rest of the group quickly made their way towards you and Bucky, each of them giving you a hug, Sam even giving you a “celebratory” pat on the head. You all walked out together, Natasha walking in the back with you as everyone walked ahead and talked amongst themselves. Nat caught your eyes focused on Bucky in his usual, quiet state, listening to everyone else talk with a stoic face that’d make anyone else assume he was in a bad mood.

“What were you and Barnes talking about?” Natasha asked you, snapping you from your train of thought.

You weren’t too sure if you should say anything, not exactly knowing how Bucky felt anymore. He was seeing someone, but he had never been so openly protective of you in that manner, let alone warning you of it. It also didn’t help your extended confusion about everything else going on in your head about the situation.

“He was just apologizing about Atlas not showing up,” you responded quickly, wanting to get away from the group for a bit before going out to dinner. “I’m gonna change out of this outfit before we go out, is that okay?”

Nodding right away, Natasha gave you a side hug as you walked in the opposite direction of the group to your dorm. Bucky couldn’t help but watch as you left, hoping he didn’t overstep, though he really had no regrets.

As you walked into your room, you saw Atlas sitting on your bed, remembering you had given him the key to get past the front door.

“Hey, swee—”

“Where were you?” you cut him off, not wanting to hear the pet names and soft talking.

“Y/n, I’m really sorry, okay?”

“That isn’t what I asked you, Atlas,” you said sternly, not letting your guard down. You couldn’t help but think about what Bucky said earlier, about deserving someone who cares about you and loves you. “I trusted you. You told me you’d be there and you missed the entire thing. All of it. I can’t do this if you’re gonna give me absolutely nothing, Atlas. It’s draining.”

“I’m giving you nothing?” he spat in response. “You still love Bucky, Y/n—”

“Bucky is my friend, Atlas. Yes, we dated, we dated for two whole years, but I am with you and you are the one I want to be with. He asked me if you loved me today and I told him you did because I really do believe that you do. I love you too. But I felt so embarrassed today knowing that my boyfriend couldn’t even bother to show up to one of the most important events of my career. I needed you there. I need you, period, and I don’t even know why you didn’t show up. Tell me why.”

He was quiet. You were tired of talking about Bucky, you were tired of him thinking about Bucky. If you had decided to be with Bucky, you’d be with him right now. But you aren’t. You had your own faults, as did anyone, but you really wanted to make this relationship with Atlas work. You couldn’t just break it off over miscommunication and unwarranted jealousy.

But he didn’t say anything. He didn’t answer and it hurt because you were well aware he did not want to tell you the real reason he didn’t show up.

“Nothing?” you asked, trying to prompt him to speak, but he didn’t.

Feeling the tears well up in your eyes from the sense of betrayal, you sighed to yourself. Still nothing. As a tear fell down your cheek, you wiped it off quickly, not wanting to be vulnerable in front of Atlas at the moment.

“I need you to leave.”

“Y/n, please don’t do this,” he pleaded.

“Oh, so he does speak,” you said with an intentionally snarky tone. “Leave, Atlas. Please.”

While you were trying your best to hold your composure, Atlas put his jacket on and left you alone in your room, where you evidently crumbled. Closing your bedroom door, you slid against it down to the floor, choking out a sob. You stayed there for a couple of hours, consumed in your thoughts that you couldn’t even begin to interpret.

After a while, you grabbed your phone, calling the familiar contact that you’d probably regret afterward. A few rings and the familiar voice responded.

“Prinţesă? Where are you? I was just about to go and find you since Nat told me you were in your room—” Bucky rambled until he heard a sniffle. “Y/n? Is everything okay?”

“Can you come over please?” your voice cracked as you sniffled once more, still getting over your crying fit.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be on my way, okay? Don’t worry.”

After he hung up, Bucky rushed over as fast as he could, avoiding all the questions everyone was asking him before he walked out of the door.

He knew he was digging himself into a deeper hole than he was already in, but he couldn’t help it. All Bucky cared about was your well-being, and he was more than positive he’d do anything to ensure it was preserved and protected.

So when he rushed into your room and saw you crying and shaking on the floor, he knew he had to make sure this never happened again.

–

Very happy with the course of this story and I already have the next part planned. Thank you for reading!

tags: @jessybarnes @cjand10 @blulemonades @sebsgirl71479 @eclecticpatrolroadlawyer @a-serene-place-to-be @paulasocean @rebloggingmyrecs @sarapolare @barnesselo @roofwitty779

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