Hard to Love (Bucky Barnes fanfic)

Chapter 14

"Again." Bruce's voice echoes into the chamber I'm in. He was above me in a safety box watching my analytics on his monitors

I groan in mild frustration. We've been going at this for well over two hours. A little robot assistant brings me an object, Bruce tells me to start, I turn myself and the item invisible, then he watches his screens and jots down results

I'm almost afraid to tell him I'm expanding my force field abilities. I recently found out, by trial and error, that I can use my energy to send out consistent waves and basically fly, among other things. Well, right now it's just floating a few inches off the ground but hey, progress is progress

A small table rolls up to me, but this time it didn't have anything on it for me to pick up. I look up to where Banner was in confusion

"We already tested electronic devices." I shout up to him

"This time don't grab it. We're seeing if you can shift light for objects without physically touching them." I groan louder this time

"Does that mean I have to go through everything AGAIN? We've been at this forever, can I take a break please?"

Bruce doesn't respond, too busy reading over some charts instead. I make a small ball of energy in my hand and casually throw it like I would a baseball at the security glass between us

It rattles the thick resistance glass, causing him to jump. He looks down at me with a frightened expression. I raise my arms as if to say 'well?' He removes his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose

"Fine, we'll do this later when Tony gets here." He finally speaks into the microphone. I slump my shoulders and exit the room, relief washing over me. Using my ability consistently like that started to drain me

I need some brain food or something

I head straight for the main kitchen as my phone chimes, indicating a text. I pull it out of my back pocket and can't help but to smile

B: how's testing going?

A: Taking a break for now, needed a snack

I get to the kitchen and grab a banana from the fruit basket. I quickly peel it and take a bite. My phone chimes again

B: care to join me on a walk then?

A walk?

I almost want to deny his offer but it is a gorgeous day out. I'd be an idiot if I didn't go out and enjoy it, even for a little bit. I take another bite of my banana, staring at my screen, fiddling with what to respond

I go to take another bite when the sound of someone clearing their throat startles me. I drop my phone on the countertop and look up to find Bucky leaning against the doorframe, watching me intently. He smirks at the banana against my lip

"That should be me." Bucky teases with a playful wink, pointing at the banana as he approaches the island countertop. He leans against it, directly across from me with his arms crossed in front of him

"Could've been this morning." I push a large amount of the fruit in my mouth until it hits the back of my throat earning myself a smirk from him as his cheeks tint a light pink. I get a sense of accomplishment that I can make The Winter Soldier blush and frazzled

Bucky watches with an intense gaze, his eyes darkening. He runs his bottom lip through his teeth as I wrap my lips around the fruit, breaking off the piece that was in my mouth and swallowing it whole

"So about that walk?" I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. He exhaled deeply composing himself as I threw away the peel

"Right, Yeah, I thought we could walk the trails nearby. Steve says it's gorgeous." Bucky stands straight as I round the corner to be next to him