Winter's Daughter

Chapter Twelve

A few hours later than I would have liked, but whatever! This may be the last chapter, unless you want me to continue then I may make a prologue or even a second book. Whatever makes you happy. Also, I may have been like halfway drunk and really tired when writing a lot of this so there may be grammar errors or stuff that makes no sense. Sorry about that in advance.

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It was safe to say Bucky was nervous. Actually, "nervous" may be an understatement. Bucky was terrified. It is the day before New Year's Eve and this past week has been great. No, it isn't something that happened within the week that terrified him. What terrified Bucky was his inability to stop falling in love with you. Bucky knows, or at least suspects, falling in love with you will end in heartbreak (on multiple levels) or worse, losing you and Killian in one way or another. Then there is the additional factor of Rebecca. The sergeant knows how heartbroken his daughter would be to lose you or Killian or both. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he put her through that. Bucky also had to take into consideration how much more danger you would be in if you did somehow liked him back and started dating. Hydra or any number of bad guys would surely go after you and Killian just to get to him. He couldn't stand putting in any more risk than you already were, and especially not an innocent kid like Killian. Bucky already has his daughter to worry about; he can't add another kid to that too. Before he could further fall down his rabbit hole, Bucky feels someone poke his cheek. He looks up and sees you giving him an expecting look like you had just asked some unheard question.

"I'm sorry. What? I kind of zoned out there, doll," Bucky says.

"I can tell," you laugh. "I asked you what you were doing tomorrow for New Years,"

"Oh, well, Stark got the team tickets to see the ball drop in Times Square. Rebecca is excited. You and Killian should come. I'm sure Stark can whip up some tickets for you two," Bucky offers.

"I don't have anything nice to wear. I'd stick out like a sore thumb," you sigh. "Thanks for the offer though."

"I doubt you wouldn't look anything but stunning, but I wouldn't push you," Bucky says. He turns to watch the kids build a snowman in the middle of Central Park.

"Oh, really? And why's that?"

"Why's what, doll?" Bucky smirks as he turns back to look at you.

"Why wouldn't I look anything but stunning, James Buchanan Barnes?" You tease.

"Because you're always stunning, doll," Bucky smirks as he leans in like he's going to kiss you.

"Oh, stop lying," you laugh at the comment and gently push his face away.

Bucky has been doing this a lot more recently, blatantly flirting with you. You took it as friendly teasing, more than anything else. You assumed Bucky found out you had started developing a crush on him almost two and a half months ago and wanted to poke fun at it. You didn't take it seriously. He couldn't be serious about it anyway. Besides, he probably flirted with a lot of girls.

"I'm not joking here, doll," Bucky insists. "You're gorgeous. I've seen people stop and stare at you wherever you are. Outside your shop, I've gotten stopped by a few men who wanted to know who you are and my relationship to you so they could try to ask you out."

"Why have I never been asked then? If they asked you about me, you'd think they come to talk to me," you ponder.

"Because I lied to them," Bucky states through a clenched jaw. His fists clench and unclench with jealousy. "I told them we were together and if that if they try anything on you, they'd have to hear from me."