Hard to Love (Bucky Barnes fanfic)

Chapter 15

We had been basking in the sun both to dry off and warm up for close to an hour. I told him a bit more about me, like the types of jobs I had, where I'm originally from, just little things that he was eager to learn

He told me more about him. Details the museums and history books don't mention. Like the trip him and Steve stole a ride in the back of an ice cream truck all the way to Coney Island because they couldn't afford a cab or the bus. Or about the multiple times Bucky had to save pre-serum Steves ass from a back alley fight and explain to his mom what happened. Bucky also talked about his own mother, Winnifred, and how she practically killed Bucky for spending so much money on a fair game. He told that story through small little chuckles, reminiscing on the memories. He would trail off sometimes, trying to remember certain events about his adventures before and during the war. It turns out, before Hydra got ahold of him he was only 28 years old

"... then the train car wall blew out. The hand railing I clung to giving way at my weight. That's when I fell." He sighs heavily at the dreaded memory

I reach my hand over to where he was laying, he laces our fingers together, a fond smile on his face as he looks at our hands. I can't imagine what it's like to fall to your doom only to barely survive and become a weapon. He brings my hand to his lips, kissing it gently. His stubble scratching my skin softly

"You make me forget everything they did to me.." he whispers, trailing his eyes from my hand and making his way to my face

I feel heat rise to my face, and again it's not because of the sun. "Come on Romeo, we should get back." I smile and sit up from my laying position. We start back down the path we originally came from once more in a comfortable silence. After a couple of minutes walking Bucky speaks up

"So, when did you learn Russian?" He raises a brow at me as we walk, curiosity twinkling in those swirling blue orbs of his

I laugh nervously, earning an even more curious glance from him. I comb a hand through my tangled still damp hair, biting down on my lip. In the past week I've been learning how to properly speak with a Russian accent and small phrases to not only flirt with him, but to also talk with Natasha around other people. I shouldn't be learning to flirt but it was a glorious sensation seeing his look of astonishment when I spoke it to him this morning. He nudges me when I don't respond

"I've only learned a handful of words." I shake my head, now embarrassed with myself. My response furthers his interest

"And why Russian?" He pries, a cocky smirk on his face. I wring my hands together, slowly looking from my feet to meet his amused gaze

He motions for me to answer. I roll my eyes and drop my hands to my side as a smile tugs at my lips. "You'll just have to wait and find out."

His expression quickly changes to one of eagerness. "Can't wait," he licks his bottom lip, glancing at mine. Desire dripping from those two simple words. My legs want to give out under me every time he uses that tone and I think by now he knows it's my weakness

We make our way back out to the main road and back to the base. Again scanning his hand and entering the code to open the gate. As we approach the building, a car honks behind us grabbing our attention. I look over my shoulder to see Tony drive up. He gives us a quick wave as he passed by

Great, he's back..

To not draw further suspicion, I took a step away from Bucky, creating an appropriate amount of distance between us. Tony waited for us by the main door, leaning against his sleek car. As we approached him, he put his phone away and looked in our direction, mild confusion in his eyes

"Several questions. Where were you two? You're both wet." He looks between us and our half dried clothes

I shrug, trying to play things cool, which was harder than you'd expect under Tony's prying gaze. "Steve told us to check out a trail nearby so we did. I lost my balance on some loose rocks by the river and fell in. That okay with you?" I cross my arms over my chest defensively. Though it was an almost obvious lie, Tony knew just how clumsy I could be and I was working that part to my advantage in this situation