Chapter Text
"I'll be your date to the wedding."
The words hung in the air like a ticking time bomb. You would know that deep voice from anywhere. Your shoulders tensed up, and you didn't dare look behind you. The silence was almost painful. You stared at your half-eaten doughnut. The deep voice spoke from behind you again.
"If you need someone that badly, I''l go."
Your eyes drifted to Yelena, with whom you had conversed two seconds before. "Is he really there? Or am I just imagining things?"
Yelena's eyes drifted behind you before meeting yours again. "He's right behind you." She plastered on a smile and looked at the man behind you. "Hey, Bucky."
A soft grunt was heard behind you, but you still didn't bother turning around. "Yelena." His greeting was flat. He exhaled, a hint of which gently caressed your back. His voice came out in a deep rumble. "Do I need to repeat myself a third time?"
You took another bite of your doughnut nonchalantly. Ignoring him was good. Maybe if you pretended he wasn't there, he would disappear. He had no right cutting into your conversation. Especially since he hated your guts. And that was putting it lightly. Perhaps abhor was a better word? Either way, you couldn't believe the words that had come out of his mouth. He of all people, volunteered to go with you. He exhaled again, this time a little louder. You could hear his metal fingers clinking together softly as he opened and closed his fist.
"Alright, fine. I'll be your date to your sister's wedding."
You sat straighter in your chair. He would be your date? Yeah, that screamed trouble. You looked at Yelena and burst out laughing. Where did that idea pop out of? Your shoulders shook softly as you laughed. He grunted behind you.
"What's so funny?"
You snicker again. You still haven't turned around to meet his gaze. "Oh wow, you actually are funny. And here I thought you were only hard frowns and judgmental scoffs."
Yelena looks at Bucky, his lips were set in a hard line, before looking back at you. "Uh...I think he's serious."
You tap the table and take another bite of your doughnut, shrugging. He walks around so that he is now in front of you. His icey blue eyes stare down at you. "I'm completely serious. I'll be your date. You said it yourself." He slightly tries to imitate your voice. "I desperately need a date for my sister's wedding or I will be the talk of the town and at this point I might just get a hobo off the street." He straightens up. "You need me."
You snap your eyes up to meet his. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes were burning holes into your face. "I don't need you. Like I said, I'm sure the hobo off the street would gladly oblige."
This caused Bucky to scoff, and his hands clenched at his sides. "You're not serious."
"Oh, I am." You smiled at him sweetly, your eyes holding a fiery determination. He growled at that.
"Just think about it." His eyes roamed over your face one last time before he stalked away.
~~~~~ Three days. There were only three days before you had to fly out to Colorado for your sister's wedding, and you still didn't have a date. You ran your fingers through your hair in frustration, and Bucky's voice seemed to taunt you. You need me. You didn't need him. There were other people…except for the fact that they were all busy. And you just couldn't show up alone. You've already heard all the silent whispers and gossip. Poor girl, still single. Oh, she's still unmarried? Her younger sister is getting married before her? You could practically hear the people back in your hometown.
You decided it was best to go out for a much-needed cheesecake. You tugged on a hoodie and made your way out of the tower. The walk was fine, but looking at the clouds overhead, you hoped it wouldn't rain. You shook off the thought and entered the cheesecake place. You would think sitting alone at a table, shoving your mouth full of cheesecake, would be sad. and it kinda was, honestly, but you didn't really mind because the cheesecake was heavenly.
When you exited the shop, you groaned. Rain was pouring down, and you didn't have a jacket or an umbrella. Guess you would have to pull off the drenched rat look. You started your walk back to the tower, your shoes squelching against the concrete. Out of the corner of your eye you saw a very familiar black Camaro rolling its window down. You barely heard your name above the rain. You kept walking.
"Please, just get in the car."
You found yourself looking at a very dry Bucky in his car. He shot you a look that was less than friendly. You narrowed your eyes and shook your head. Bucky gripped the steering wheel tightly, and you swore he'd break it.
"Go home Barnes, I'm fine!" You called over the pouring rain. You looked ridiculous, getting soaked to the bone in the rain. A shiver may have passed through your body.
Bucky's jaw ticked and he exhaled. "Not if you catch freaking hypothermia! Car. Now." His voice left no room for argument. And was that a tingle down your spine? Absolutely not.
You walked over to his car angrily and yanked the car door open. You slid into the passenger seat, your clothes making a squeaky sound against the leather. He continued to drive as you rubbed your sleeve against the seat, causing a squeaky melody, wondering how long it would take for him to say something. It didn't take long.
"Have you considered my proposal?" He didn't glance at you, his eyes focused on the slippery road.
You sat in silence for a moment. You didn't really have anyone else, and here he was, volunteering. His hands shifted slightly on the steering wheel, causing his right arm muscles to scream against the fabric of his shirt. You may have stared for a second too long because Bucky cleared his throat and spoke again.
"Well?"
"Well, what Barnes?"
He exhaled sharply out of his nose. "Gosh, you are infuriating. The wedding. Your date."
"Oh…that." You squeaked against the seat as you repositioned. "Haven't given it much thought."
His metal hand tightened on the steering wheel, causing it to groan slightly under the pressure. "I can be your date." Firm. Irritated. That's how his voice sounded.
You clicked your tongue. "It's not that easy."
"Why not?" It was more of a bark than a question.
"Because…" You sighed. "It's not just a date I need. I need a fake boyfriend. You'd have to pretend to love me. And I doubt that's something you're capable of."
His jaw clenched tightly, and he hummed deeply. "I'm capable of a lot of things you don't know about." His voice came out in a deep rumble. "My acting skills are peak. I've gone on more undercover missions than you've seen rom coms."
You scoffed. "That's a ridiculously high number. I've seen a lot."
His face remained stoic. No twitch of the lips. Not so much as a noise escaped him. Stubborn, grumpy old man. You spoke again. "Besides…you never do something without gaining something in return."
"True." He growled out. "I have a congress ball tomorrow. I need a date."
Your eyebrows rose. "Ah…so that's why." You weighed your decisions. Public shaming from your small town if you attend the wedding alone, thus them all finding out you were lying about having a boyfriend. Or…bring Mr. Grumpypants along. "Fine." You gritted out. "I'll be your date for the dumb congress ball. And you be my fake boyfriend for the wedding."
You thought you saw his lips twitch slightly into a smile, but it vanished quickly. "Alright. Deal."
Now the only thing you needed to do was play nice with each other well enough to make people think you were dating. Not a problem at all.