𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓷𝓲𝓪𝓬 ❖ 𝓫. 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼

C H A P T E R (6) - G R O W

Bucky had led Cassie all the way back his house opposite her own, and had made sure she was alright as he sat her down on the bed.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked for what felt like the millionth time.

"Yes, Bucky. I'm fine." Cassie responded with a harsh glare.

As she sat on his bed with her legs dangling over the edge and her hands placed on either side of her, Bucky stood looming over her. He placed a hand on either cheek and made sure she looked him in the eyes.

"I just want to be sure."

Cassie's thoughts were troubled. They were close, too close, perhaps. Was this what she wanted, or was she caught up in the moment? Every possible outcome of the following moments ran through her head, putting her on edge.

She gulped down the fear she felt in her throat and forced herself to look away from Bucky's captivating eyes.

"I should really go home..." she mumbled quietly before removing herself from Bucky's grasp and standing up.

Bucky stood dumbfounded in the middle of the room, as if he was expecting anything but that. But before he could say anything else, Cassie was already in the doorway.

"Goodnight, Bucky."

Cassie exited his home and quickly ran into her own, passing Steve in the hallway. She didn't care to stop in her rush, attracting his attention. Steve was still slightly angry from his previous conversation with his sister, but he never was one to hold grudges; only against those who hurt his friends or family.

Cassie entered her room, closing the door hard behind her. She slid down the door, closing her eyes and placing her head in her hands. Every moment she had spent with Bucky played in her head, every word he had said speaking to her. Was it more than a friendship that she wanted from him?

No. No!

Before her thoughts could go any further, a knock sounded from the door.

"Cass, are you alright?" Steve asked, his voice muffled by the wood.

Cassie cleared her throat before answering, "Yeah, yeah I'm fine..."

She heard Steve sigh from the other side of the door, followed by faint footsteps and a door closing. Just a few seconds later, the footsteps returned along with an even louder knock.

Cassie stood up with a grunt and pulled open the door to be met with a smiling Steve.

"I'm sorry if I made you upset, is that why you seem...off?" He asked, guilt rushing through him.

Cassie couldn't have been quicker to wrap her arms around the skinny boy, nearly crushing him in her tight grasp. She placed her head into the nook of his neck and screwed her eyes shut, knowing that she had him now. Steve was alive and well in front of her in that moment, and she wasn't prepared to let go.

Steve was hesitant before hugging her back, knowing that she would usually cower under another's touch unless it were Bucky's. Steve often thought to himself how he had been the one to notice whatever was between them before either of them had, and he took pride in that. He had never brought it up, he wanted to watch it grow on its own.

Steve, a hopeless romantic, had seen the spark between his best friend and sister long before either would ever admit it.

But it would soon become apparent that sometimes not even love can overcome evil.