Chapter Text
“Bucky?”
His eyes turned to look at yours. “Yeah, doll?”
“This movie is a little intense, isn’t it?” Your grip on the pillow tightened when the eerie music began. You had made the unfortunate mistake of letting Natasha pick what movie to watch. Naturally, since Halloween was fast approaching, she picked Insidious . And when you objected, Clint shook his head and said you owed them since you had chosen Sharknado last time.
“I’d say so,” Bucky answered. “You have a death grip on that pillow and we’re only ten minutes into the movie.” A smirk played on his lips, but disappeared when you shot him a glare.
Throughout the first half of the movie, quiet gasps and obscenities would escape your lips but your eyes- albeit squinted- remained on the screen. You visibly jumped from your seat at one point and cursed your friends for picking this movie.
You muttered, “Oh my god. I hate this movie.”
“C’mon, don’t wimp out yet. We’re not at the scary part,” Natasha grinned. Beside you, Bucky chuckled and draped his arm around you.
His arm squeezed around you throughout the movie. You can’t tell if he did that to comfort you or if he is just as scared as you are. Either way, you lean into him.
Once the movie ended and your heart settled into its normal pace, you said, “Thank you, Nat. I’m not going to be able to sleep.”
“Well, since you say you won't be able to sleep,” Nat smiled wickedly and reached for the remote, “I’m putting on the second movie.”
Before you can object for the second time that evening, Clint pointed a finger at you and reminded, “ Sharknado . You haven't suffered enough.”
“The pillow she was clutching begs to differ,” Bucky said. Despite this, Nat pressed the play button and once again the ominous music began. Bucky stood to his feet and offered his hand. “Let’s get outta here, doll.”
Nat quirked an eyebrow and gave you a knowing smile. You took Bucky’s hand, grabbed your jacket from the coat rack by the door, and let him lead you out into the bright city night. “Where are we going?” You asked curiously, tightening the jacket closer to your body.
“To that donut shop down the street you like so much,” he said, shrugging on his sweater. “It’s my treat.”
“You’re so nice to me,” you said. And he was. The ever so perceptive Natasha Romanoff was the first to notice how he was around you. Although he claimed to have taken an instant liking towards you, he was quiet and distant at first. As his trust in you grew, so did the friendship.
“I know,” he said as you approached the 24-hour donut shop. His hand surged forward to push the entrance door open. “I’ve gone soft.”
You were greeted by chiming bells and the shop's employee. Bucky ordered a dozen donuts and gave you a glance that said No, they are not all for you . You sat down with the dozen in a pink cardboard box at the booth by the window.
“Until you,” you said as you bit down on the chocolate donut, “I had never known someone who liked those plain donuts you eat. I didn't even know they made them."
“You see these pearly whites?” He grinned, showing you his teeth. “Unlike yours, no cavities.”
“Hey! It was only one time,” you said, failing to stop the laughter that erupted from your lips. Afterwards, Bucky ordered two cups of coffee and the conversation continued to flow until the time neared one in the morning. And as you made your way back into the tall building that you called home, you said, “Next time, it’s my treat.”
“I’ll consider it,” he said as you walked onto the elevator. You grabbed the pink box from his hands and said you would leave it on the counter in the kitchen. “Save some for the team, okay?”
“I won’t make any promises,” you said as you got off the elevator. “Goodnight, Buck.”
“Goodnight.” And as the elevator doors closed he smiled, “Try not to think of the old lady from the movie!”
“Damn it,” you muttered as you entered the kitchen.
“Late night?” The sudden sound of Natasha’s voice made you gasp and you nearly dropped the box in your hands.
“You scared me!” You placed the donuts on the counter and said, “And yeah, we lost track of time.”
“Oh? You and Bucky?” She asked suggestively, a sly grin on her lips.
“ We’re just friends , Nat.”
“If you say so. I see you guys holding hands, she said before quickly adding, “And I wouldn’t be surprised to learn if you do more when we’re not around!”
You laughed, “Do you always say exactly what you’re thinking?”
“Not nearly as much as I’d like to,” Nat quipped, grinning with a broad, feline smile.
You countered. “It’s too late… well, early for this. I’m going to sleep.”
“Don’t lie to yourself,” she chuckled as you turned away and made your way up to your room. “Or the old lady will appear!”
“Damn it!”