everything has changed

chapter one

Bucky has hated you from day one.

Seeing your friendship with Steve was what set him off. He finally got his life back, got Steve back, and there you were. Laughing with Steve about jokes Bucky didn't understand, listening to music Bucky had never heard, watching movies Bucky had never seen. You managed to swoop in and replace his role as Steve's best friend and he hated it.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you're still my best friend?" Steve asked. You had just left Steve's apartment for the night and Bucky was going on another one of his rants about you. "I know you don't like her Buck, but she means a lot to me. She got me through some low points while you were gone and while we were working on getting you back. No matter how it seems, she can't replace you. You've always been my best friend, okay?" Steve continued. "I know. It's just...everything feels so different. It used to just be us, and I'm not used to sharing you. I know that sounds shitty, but it's true."

Steve sighed. "I understand that. Just know that nothing will change our friendship, not Y/N, not the Winter Soldier, nothing." Bucky knew he was being selfish, he knew Steve knew it too, even if he would never say it. "I know. I'm sorry, she just really gets under my skin. I can't believe you had a crush on her." Steve laughed as he thought back to when he first met you. SHIELD brought you in to help find the Winter Soldier which meant you worked with Steve nearly every day, they even set you up in an apartment across from his.

You knew Steve had a crush on you, it was something you teased him about all the time. He had actually taken you out on a date, but it was awkward enough for him to realize you worked better as friends. Bucky had choked on his drink when Steve told him about his old feelings. "Her? Seriously? She's intolerable," he had said. "Feelings mutual Barnes," you had said back. That was another thing Bucky hated, you only called him Barnes. When you really wanted to make him mad, you'd call him Buck knowing only Steve called him that.

"Yeah, it was a while ago," Steve shrugged. "Still, I don't understand it." Bucky would never admit it, but when he first saw you, he thought you were beautiful. Maybe he still did. But any romantic feelings or ideas died quickly when he saw you and Steve together. "I better get home, it's late," Bucky said. "Don't forget we got reservations at that new restaurant tomorrow. 8:00." "How could I forget?" Bucky mumbled as he left Steve's apartment. He glared at your apartment door on his way out even though you couldn't see him.

* * * *

You got to the restaurant right at 8:00 and they led you to the table where Bucky was sitting. Alone. "Where's Steve?" He shrugged, "I figured you'd know, since you're so far up his ass." You rolled your eyes and sat down in the seat across from him. "Nice to see you're still bitter about that after how long now? Almost a year and a half?" "You try being a brainwashed assassin and coming back and seeing your best friend has a new friend who's obnoxious," Bucky scoffed. He knew bringing up the Winter Soldier kept you quiet. As much as you didn't like him, you knew using that against him was going too far.

You ignored him and sent a text to Steve. To: America's Ass - Steve, where are you? I'm stuck here with Bucky. SOS. Steve was embarrassed you had his number saved as America's Ass at first, but now he thought it was funny. Bucky didn't (okay maybe he did but he wasn't going to admit it). "What can I get y'all to drink? We have a lovely red wine that's great for a first date," the waitress said with a wink. "We aren't on a date," you and Bucky said at the same time. Your face was probably redder than the wine. "We're waiting for a friend," Bucky clarified.

"My apologizes. I'll come back when the other person arrives," she smiled awkwardly and moved to the next table. "Your face is red," Bucky pointed out, which only made it worse. You hid your face behind the menu. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious." "What's got you all flustered?" You knew he was smirking without even looking at him. "I'm just embarrassed she thought I would ever go on a date with someone like you." Bucky laughed, "You'd be lucky to go on a date with me, or anyone for that matter." "What's that supposed to mean?" You huffed.

"When was the last time you were even on a date? And Steve doesn't count." Like Bucky had any room to talk, he hadn't been on a date since the 40's. "Why does it matter? And shouldn't you be asking yourself the same thing? Dating's changed since the 40's." "I'll have you know I did go on a date. Last weekend actually." Your head snapped up and he laughed at the reaction. "What? How did I not know about this?" "Because it's none of your business." He was probably lying just so you'd admit he had been on a date more recently. Or that he had a love life at all.

It's not like you haven't tried. Steve tried setting you up with Sam, and although he's a great guy, the spark wasn't there. You embarrassed yourself asking out the barista at the coffee shop across from your apartment complex, you were certain he was flirting with you. Turns out he was just being nice to get better tips. Dating apps had been a dead end, you either ended up ghosting or being ghosted. But if Bucky knew how unsuccessful you've been, it would just be another thing for him to tease you for.

"I don't believe you anyways." "Because you don't want to admit I actually went on a date more recently? The guy who lost 70 years of his life? How embarrassing for you." You sent another text to Steve, STEVE. Please hurry, I'm in my own personal hell right now. Don't be surprised if I've killed Bucky by the time you get here. "I know you're texting Steve, ask him about it," Bucky continued. "I don't care that much. What's embarrassing is you trying to make me jealous." He laughed loudly enough to get some glares from tables nearby.

"Make you jealous? Don't flatter yourself. Notice how you still haven't answered my original question." You groaned, "Fine. My last date was three months ago with some dude from Tinder. Happy?" His stupidly smug face answered your question. "Very." Your phone lit up with a text from Steve. Sorry, Tony needs me. I won't be able to make it. :( "You're kidding me," you muttered to yourself. To Bucky you said, "Steve can't make it, Tony needs him for something." He reached for his jacket, "I'm out of here then."

As much as you wanted to leave, Steve had made reservations. It felt rude to just leave and not even use it. "Steve made reservations though. I don't want them to go to waste." "Steve isn't here though. Order yourself some food if you really want to stay." You thought of how embarrassing it would look for you to be dressed up at a nice restaurant just to be eating alone. Especially since the waitress already saw you guys together.

It was either that or eat with Bucky. "You aren't hungry?" His stomach growled but he was still adamant about leaving. "It'll make Steve happy if he knows we're civil enough to have dinner together for an hour or two," you pointed out. "Are we though?" He had a point. "Never mind. Just go." The waitress came over. "Still waiting on the third?" She was eyeing Bucky who was standing.

"He actually can't make it," you said. "Will you two still be dining with us? I'd hate for the reservation to go to waste. I'm not just saying this, but the food is great. It'll be a while before you'll get another chance to eat here." Bucky sighed and sat back down. "Yeah, alright. We'll take some of that wine you were talking about."

A/N:the next chapter will continue right after this part. I just split it up toavoid the chapter being too long.