James Bucky Barnes, the former soldier, doesn't think he's got any gentleness left in him. But Grace Juniper Cunningham, the former child prodigy, strongly disagrees.
;
"𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯."
"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴�...
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Reader, he did not buy me breakfast after that.
"So...you were with Bucky this morning."
I was in the lounge alone all afternoon until Steve sat down on the couch next to me. I laid my book down on my lap and narrowed my eyes at him. "What do you wanna know?"
He was Bucky's best (read: only) friend, after all. He might know some things. And after Bucky had walked back to the Tower with me in silence, I could use some insider information.
"I don't wanna know anything!" Steve held his hands up innocently. "I'm not prying."
"Okay, then," I said coolly. I picked up my book again.
"Only...I'm just wondering what's got him snapping everyone's heads off and sending punching bags flying into the wall."
Steve was so easy to crack. I couldn't believe he kept national and global security secrets. I hoped he held those a little closer to his chest.
"I think he's finally starting to realize that One Direction's not coming back. He's grieving," I offered. I didn't look up from my book.
"Uh...I don't know what that is, so I'm assuming he doesn't either."
"Hm."
"Did something happen this morning? All he would tell me was that he was with you, and that's only because I guessed it."
I didn't say anything, and Steve continued. "I know you're not reading. When you actually read, you turn the pages about once a second."
"Wow, Bucky really has communication issues," I commented, just to appease him.
"Could you just talk to him? Someone's going to kill him soon if he doesn't lighten up. It could be anybody. Probably Nat, though."
"Why don't you talk to him? You know him a lot better than I do. I just met the guy."
"I don't think I'm the one he needs to talk to, though." He gave me one of those Meaningful Steve Looks that made me want to scream when I glanced up at him.
"Look, he can find me himself if—"
"Grace?"
Shit, he found me himself.
"I'll let you talk," Steve said and left the room.
Bucky sat down next to me and bumped his shoulder into mine. "Whatcha reading?" He sounded strained.
"Jane Eyre." I said stiffly, closing the book.
"I don't think I ever read that one. What's it about?"
"Bright, talented young woman meets weird, moody old man."
"Yeah? How's that turn out?"
"She comes to her senses and marries her cousin instead."
