Chapter Text
Sometimes life lands you in funny situations. Like when the dorm staff accidentally placed me in the men's dorm on my first day because they thought my name was a guy’s name. Semantics. Sure, it was embarrassing to find two men in my room—one of them shirtless, in the form of Bucky Barnes, and the other shyly waving, introducing himself as Steve Rogers. But at least that got sorted out within a day.
Then there’s my current dorm. Everyone seems to fear my roommate, Natasha Romanoff. But honestly? She’s the sweetest person I know—just don’t let her hear me say that. Being friends with her has brought me out of my shell, especially since she’s dating Steve, the golden retriever in human form who also happens to be the football team’s captain.
But this? This isn’t one of those funny situations. Not even close. No, because I just kissed the one guy I swore off from the campus.
Bucky Barnes was a lot of things, he's co-captain of the football team, the campus heartthrob, terrible at chemistry, obnoxious, loud—the list goes on. He's also the biggest thorn in my side that came with being friends with Natasha. See where that has landed me in? There has been many moments in my life that my feelings towards him teetered between mild affection and complete annoyance but it really wasn't fair for me to not admit to myself that he was pretty.
Sure, he would probably flirt with anyone who has a pulse. But when it's directed to me, there was no escaping the butterflies he brings to my stomach but I have to remind myself that it's just him. That's how he is with everyone and that's how I found myself in this situation.
Bucky was lounging on the single couch facing me while Natasha and Steve cuddled on the loveseat amused by the argument happening in front of them between me and the dark haired boy.
“I need a drink to handle the inevitable nagging that seems to accompany any conversation with you.” I say with an eye roll massaging my temple as Bucky continued on with his explanation that it wasn't his fault Maggie's heart was broken because he didn't like her.
"I'll get you a beer" Nat says shaking her head with a smile pulling Steve with her to the kitchen.
I don’t even know how the topic of Bucky’s dating life came up. I could lie to myself and pretend it wasn’t brought on by jealousy-jealousy when I found out Maggie, my Chemistry partner was going on a date with him only for him to meet up with her with Sam Wilson and I in tow at our usual coffee shop which made her angry and drop me as her partner. It was messy but no, I wasn't relieved he wasn't going out with her. I was upset I was dropped as a partner.
"Look sweetheart," Bucky says standing up as if to size me up "I'm not interested in her, not my fault she thought I agreed to her asking me out"
"You're an asshole" I mutter as I stood up pointing my finger at his chest with an angry look at his audacity.
He takes my finger gently with a smile, “That cute little face you’re pulling doesn't scare me and it definitely won’t now. Plus...” he says with a hint of tease as he pulls my finger to bring me closer to him "Why are you so worked up over my dating life anyways?"
I huff in annoyance as he smiles "I'm not," I say in between teeth "but I just lost a really good partner in Chemistry that gives me the notes which you use by the way."
Bucky raised an eyebrow at me with a smirk turning into a full-blown challenge.
Maybe it was the argument. Maybe it was how close he was, his scent invading my senses. I don’t know. But before I could stop myself, I grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him.
The smug look on his face disappeared instantly. For a moment, he froze in surprise. Then he kissed me back. And maybe it was dumb of me to think this but it was good. Bucky Barnes is a good kisser.
I pulled away quickly, his lips chasing mine for a split second before I shoved him back onto the couch.
“Fuck,” I thought as heat flooded my face. The weight of what I’d just done hit me like a truck. Bucky was still catching his breath, blue eyes wide and locked on me.
“I gotta go!” I blurted, bolting for the door.
Natasha and Steve returned from the kitchen just as I dashed out, their confused voices trailing behind me.
But Bucky? He stayed where he was, a smile slowly spreading across his face. His fingers brushed over his lips as he stood up from the couch, a spark of determination in his eyes before he ran after me.