Chapter Text
Out of Spoons ch 3/?
The bar was nice, upscale and clean but still crowded. Steve, Sam and Bucky went to grab a drink before settling in at the pool table while Natasha led (Yn) and Wanda to a table, a round of drinks soon following. (Yn) eyed her drink for a moment before taking a sip. One wouldn’t be an issue this early in the night.
“That guy over there is checking you out, (Yn),” Natasha said from behind her glass, eyes flicking to a man at the bar. (Yn) laughed and shook her head.
“No I think he’s looking at you, or maybe Steve’s ass...” (Yn) tilted her head to Steve standing behind her, earning her a laugh from both Natasha and Wanda.
“Maybe, (Yn), maybe.” Nat downed the last few sips of her drink. “Shall we dance ladies?” Wanda immediately stood and waved her arm beckoning Sam over.
(Yn) hesitated and finally shook her head. “I’ll run out of spoons before we get halfway through the night,” she spoke into Natasha’s ear. Natasha didn’t say another word, only nodded with a smile watching (Yn) make her way to the bar alone.
Bucky watched (Yn) from his spot at the pool table. Steve glanced up from setting up his shot and smirked. “Checking out the new girl huh? Thought you didn’t want anything to do with her.” He hit the ball with the cue sending balls scattering on the table.
“Something is just off,” Bucky shrugged and took his shot sinking a striped ball.
“She Nat’s friend. Nat never brings people around so just... try to be pleasant?” Steve pleaded watching Bucky set up his second shot. There was a crack and a thunk as the cue ball hit the yellow striped ball sinking it into the pocket. Bucky looked over at Steve but caught a man walking up to (Yn) out of the corner of his eye. He stopped, watching their interaction as the man nodded to the dance floor holding his hand out for (Yn) to take. Bucky frowned as he saw her decline once, twice, three times. “Guy can’t take a hint,” he muttered setting his pool cue down.
“Bucky, no bar fights tonight,” Steve warned and Bucky grinned back over his shoulder.
“No promises old man!”
Bucky walked up and stood a few steps behind (Yn) waiting for the man sitting beside her to notice him. When he finally made eye contact he visibly swallowed. Bucky raised one eyebrow and nodded his head, signaling the man that it was time to leave.
(Yn) looked at the man confused at his change in demeanor but relieved as he made to leave. “Uh have a nice night ma’am,” he stammered and left.
“Well that was odd,” (Yn) said under her breath sitting forward in her seat instead of sideways as before so she could speak with the man without appearing rude. Bucky watched from a few feet away, swirling his glass of whisky before taking the seat the man was in before.
“What are you doing over here at the bar? Thought girls usually wanted to stay on the dance floor,” Bucky smirked looking down at his glass of whiskey. “Always see the girls on a man’s arm or dancing together in groups these days.” He mused before looking over to (Yn).
(Yn) looked at Bucky before craining her neck to look at the dance floor. “Yeah, I cant argue with that. I mean, I love dancing...it just doesn’t usually love me.” (Yn)s voice trailed off as she took a sip of her drink. The truth was she didn’t know how long she’d last on the floor. The risk was often more trouble than the payoff and she wanted to be able to last the entire night Natasha had planned. Explaining herself and her situation usually ended in too many questions, too much pity, and too many “you have such a great attitude” comments. Better to let unasked questions to unanswered and let Bucky think she was mysterious than risk over sharing
Unfortunately, at that moment Natasha returned to refresh her drink dragging Steve along with her.
“(Yn)! Come join us for a dance! Steve, be a gentleman will you? (Yn) hasn’t had a partner all night!” She winked at you before poor blushing Steve offered her his hand.
“Would you like a dance?” He asked, glancing quickly to Bucky sitting nursing his drink.
(Yn) hesitated but Natasha gave her a gentle push from behind whispering she’d watch her drink. “A dance would be nice, just take it easy on me, I’m a bit of a klutz,” she tried to make light of her situation but Steve was too gracious to let her get away with it.
“I’m sure you’ll be the one making me look like a fool, miss,” he said gently leading (Yn) to the dance floor.
Natasha and Bucky sat in silence, watching the pair walk away. Bucky watched how she walked, favoring her left leg? Right shoulder up and guarded. Very slight limp.
“What’s her deal?” He finally asked Natasha, eyes never leaving (Yn) even as she began to dance with Steve. Natasha’s move was calculated, knowing Steve would dance more formally. A hand on (Yn)s waist would help stabilize her if she needed it, her hand on his shoulder and in his hand would minimize her risk of a fall and an injury.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Barnes,” Nat took a sip of her drink avoiding eye contact.
“Mhmm sure,” Bucky huffed. “I know you can see she’s at least got a mild injury or two. Plus she’s staying at the tower for a weekend. Is she being abused? Are you trying to help her?”
“Look, It’s not my place to say. If she wants to tell you she will.” Natasha said firmly.
Bucky grunted and downed the rest of his whiskey. He turned in his chair to watch (Yn) dance with Steve. She held onto him with a death grip until he surprised her with a twirl and a dip, coaxing a laugh out of her. Her grimace lasted only a second but Bucky caught it.
“I think I’ll go cut in,” Bucky said as he walked away, Natasha’s eyes following him.
“Bucky, don’t interrogate her,” Nat called out after him but her warning fell on deaf ears.
Bucky watched (Yn) and Steve until the music reached a lull. Clearing his throat to get their attention he gave Steve a nod and flicked his eyes to (Yn). “Mind if I —“ Bucky let his voice trail off while extending his hand to (Yn).
Steve eyed Bucky warily from over (Yn)'s head unsure of his friend's intentions while (yn) looked over her shoulder at Bucky stunned. Bucky raised his eyebrows as his hand remained outstretched, waiting for (Yn) to accept.
"Ah, alright," (Yn) nodded then glanced at Steve who quickly schooled the bewilderment on his face. Steve stepped back allowing (Yn) to take Bucky's hand. Bucky smoothly stepped forward placing his right hand on (yn)'s waist while he held his left hand up but much closer to their bodies than Steve had done. (Yn)'s body relaxed just enough for Bucky to notice, confirming her right shoulder injury.
"Any other injuries you want to tell me about before we start? Dancing can be dangerous,"
(Yn) pulled her head back to look up in shock at Bucky. Her eyebrows drew down and she began to step away.
"Excuse me but is that any of your business?"
"No, but it is my business why you're hiding setting while getting close to my friends," Bucky stepped closer and began moving slowly to the music, his mouth near (Yn)'s ear so she could hear him easily.
(Yn) warred within herself. Did she lashed out like she wanted to put Bucky in his place and cause a scene or appease him enough until she could get Nat to sneak her home.
"Natasha knows, and it's a private matter. Is that not enough for you?" (Yn) settled on a combination of both extremes.
"Nope," Bucky began and as soon as the word left his mouth (Yn) yanked her hand out of his before turning on her heel to walk back to the bar. In her hurry to get out of Bucky's arms, her foot caught on Bucky's and she felt her knee give way before she could steady herself. (Yn) instinctively grabbed onto Bucky's arm as her leg gave out, biting her lip to keep from screaming.
Bucky in his confusion managed to support (yn) easily though their situation drew stares from the other patrons nearby.
"What's going on? Are you ok--" Bucky began but (yn) held up her hand, unable to speak yet. Bucky looked at the odd angle her knee was at and his heart sank. Before he could offer to carry her he saw (yn) reach down grab her kneecap and bend her knee. He faintly heard the pop over the music though he doubted anyone else could.
Bucky knelt at (yn)'s side preparing to help her to a chair but Steve was there, leaning down to pick (Yn) up with Natasha at his side.
"You couldn't leave it alone, could you," Natasha snapped at Bucky.
"Steve I'm okay, I can walk. Please," (yn) looked at Steve then to the growing crowd nearby. "I really don't want to be a spectical," she added and Steve nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well.
Setting (Yn) down Steve offered her his arm to her support her while she walked slowly to their car. Natasha followed and Bucky came last.