• • •

Setting: (AU) Steve is harassing Bucky to open up about his feelings for you. He thought he was doing a good job of keeping them buried, but his best friend knows exactly what's going on.

P.S. - Punk is Steve.

New Message from Punk

Punk:
Buck, it's me.

Steve, I have your number saved, pal. And other than (Y/N), you're the only one who texts me.

Punk:
Right. Speaking of (Y/N), when are you going to tell her?

Tell her what?

Punk:
🙄

What the hell is that?

Punk:
It's an emoji Bucky.

What the hell is that?

Punk:
Forget it. So?

So what??

Punk:
When are you going to tell (Y/N) that you have a crush on her?

A crush? We're in our nineties,
punk, not pre-teens.
It's not a crush.

Punk:
Whatever, jerk. You have feelings for her.

I don't know.

Punk:
Tell her.

How do you even know?
I never said I liked her.

Punk:
I'm ninety, not dead.

You will be if you keep making me
talk about my feelings.

Punk:
Aha! You do have feelings for her.
I knew it.
I'm always right.

Shut up, punk.
Oh shit...

Punk:
?
What?
READ: 2:58pm

Bucky?
READ: 3:02pm

She's here.

Punk:
Who?
(Y/N)?
Where are you?
READ: 3:05pm

Hello?
What's happening?

She's in the living room.

Punk:
Why?
You're at the apartment?

How should I know, Steve?
I can't read minds.
I'm hiding in the kitchen.

Punk:
So you left her sitting in the living room without asking what she wants?

...yeah.

Punk:
Get out there you big baby and tell her how you feel.

No.

Punk:
Seriously?

What if she laughs?

Punk:
Why would she laugh?
She probably likes you, too.

New Message from (Y/N)

(Y/N):
Bucky, what are you doing?
READ: 3:15pm

New Message from Punk

Punk:
What's happening now?

She texted me asking what I am doing.

Punk:
Well, what are you doing?
Did you text back?
Please tell me you're not still hiding in the kitchen.

Hell yeah I'm still in the kitchen.
I'm sweating.
I'm too nervous to tell her.
What do I say?

New Message from (Y/N)

(Y/N):
Is this a bad time?
Should I leave?

No, don't go.
I'm coming.

New Message from Punk

Punk:
Ask her why she's there first.
READ: 3:21pm

•••

Bucky finally exited the kitchen and padded across the living room to the couch, taking a seat beside you. You simply raised an eyebrow, noticing beads of sweat on his forehead.

"Sorry, Steve needed me to call him." Bucky explained, running a hand through his hair.

"Really? I didn't hear you talking?" You asked.

"I meant text." Bucky forced a chuckle, though it was rather shaky.

You nodded, leaning back against the couch, watching him. He was acting strange, and it hadn't gone unnoticed. You knew something was up; he'd been like this for a few days now. It was actually why you'd come—to make sure he was alright.

"So, what can I help you with?" Bucky asked, scratching his stubbly chin.

"I was actually hoping I could help you. You've been avoiding me lately, and I just wanted to make sure that I hadn't done anything wrong." You said, looking at his expression turn softer.

"No, I promise you haven't don't anything wrong, doll." Bucky swallowed, his blue eyes studying you carefully.

Your heart raced as soon as he called you that—doll. You were more than happy to hear that you hadn't done anything wrong. You were actually worried that you'd been annoying him recently, because you'd been hanging around him more than usual. The only reason why you had been reaching out to him more was because you liked him—a lot.

"Oh," you nodded hesitantly, your lips forming an 'o' shape to match.

"There's actually something I've been wanting to get off of my chest," he admitted, glancing down at his phone.

He had another text from Steve, but he knew he had to do this on his own. He couldn't rely on Steve this time. He looked back up at you, shoving the phone in his pocket.

"I—" He began, but you interrupted him.

"I really like you, Bucky." You blurted out, unable to keep the words from spilling out.

"Wh-what?" He asked, eyes wide.

"I was texting Steve earlier today and I really—"

"Steve? You talked to Steve about me?" He immediately realized exactly what his friend had been up to now.

"Well, yes. I'm sorry, I just needed advice on how to tell you."

"No, no it's fine. I was actually talking to Steve about you, too. . .because I have feelings for you." Bucky sighed, feeling relieved that he finally told you—and even more relieved to know that you felt the same way.

Your eyes lit up, which only caused his smile to grow. You could feel your own lips forming a smile as he cupped your cheek with his right hand.

"You don't know how long I've been wanting to tell you that, doll." He smiled, those baby blue eyes of his capturing your full attention.

"If only you'd told me sooner." You teased, letting out a small laugh. "I've liked you for months now, Buck."

Bucky simply smiled, looking down at his pocket where his phone was. It had buzzed a few times, and so far hadn't stopped.

"That would be Steve, probably wondering if I ever left the kitchen." He chuckled.

"Were you hiding out in there?" You cocked an eyebrow, a smirk on your face.

He shrugged, his own lips forming a smirk.

"What can I say, sweetheart? You make me nervous."