hardest to love: bucky barnes

eight.

I woke up around eleven since I must have forgotten to set my alarm last night. I rolled out of bed and went down to see where everyone was since it was oddly silent. I finally found Wanda and Vision in the living room talking.

"Hey guys, where is everyone?" I questioned while grabbing a pop tart from the kitchen.

"Tony is at Peters high school for Career day, Steve and Nat are to meet with some government officials, Sam had a family event and Wanda and I are gonna go out to the Farmers Market." Vision said grabbing Wanda's bag for her.

"Oh, well if I knew everyone had plans today I would've made some." I said mid pop tart eating.

"Would you like to join us?" Wanda offered.

"Nah, you guys deserve to enjoy your day as planned, plus I don't really wanna third wheel." I said laughing a bit.

"Well, If you don't mind me asking what exactly will you do today?" Vision questioned and I paused.

What was I going to do today?

"I don't know yet, maybe start a new show or finally redecorate my room. I'm sure I'll find something to do alone in this big tower." I said joked again.

"You do know Bucky is still here?" Wanda questioned with a raised brow.

"Oh, well he will probably just stay in his room." I said throwing away my pop tart wrapper, not paying much attention till I run into the super soldier's chest.

"Well maybe I should just stay in my room, huh?" James said almost in a jokingly tone.

I assumed we were just staring at each other because next thing I knew Wanda and Vision were already saying their goodbyes and rushing to leave. I turned on my heels to go back towards my room after they left but I was stopped by James.

"So, What are your plans today, doll?" He questioned leaning over the counter.

"Umm.. you know..." I blanked. I had no real plans.

"Go get dressed. Preferably in tights." He said before passing me to head to his room. "Meet me in your studio in ten minutes."

Then he left. I went to my room and picked out nude tights, a white bodysuit and grabbed my slippers. When I got down to the studio James was already setting things up.

"You wanted to see me?" I questioned while sitting on the small grey bench, lacing my shoes.

"Yes, I want to help you practice." He said in a very matter-of-fact tone.

We went through the dance I was working on the other day he walked in. He sat on the bench and watched. I'm still not sure where he learned about ballet, maybe on his days off from being the Winter Soldier Hydra gave him ballet books to put him to sleep, I thought and chuckled to myself as I start to place myself back into first position. When I went through the five positions I was staring off into space until I suddenly felt two hands on my waist. One metal and one flesh.

"Maybe try moving your right arm like this." James said fixing how I placed my arm in fourth position. I could feel his breath lightly on my neck. I wanted to look up at him but wasn't sure I could control what I would do after. "You do know that you still haven't told me how you started do ballet."

"Don't hold your breath because I don't plan on telling you." I said a stern but not cold way.

"Didn't plan on it." He said. It was silent for a minute as I finished and James walked back to stand next to the large mirror as I positioned myself to a pirouette.

"Do a spin for me, doll."

So I did.

Two hours later, we finished practice and  headed upstairs to get some dinner. I told James I was gonna order takeout from the Italian restaurant downtown while he showered. The car ride downtown gave me sometime to think about how I was feeling, seeing this new side to James. Not even a week ago he was telling Steve how I'm arrogant and obnoxious but now he sees me as graceful and witty. It was all pretty confusing.

When I returned to the tower I headed to James room. I have only been in there once, two years ago when I helped Steve and Sam paint it dark grey. I won't lie, I have peaked inside from time to time but it was riskier than you might think. For almost his whole year here he never left his room.

"Hey, I'm back. Here's your dinner." I said after knocking and entering his room before quickly trying to exist with my dinner.

"Where are you going?" He questioned.

"To my room to eat." I said confused as I stood in his doorway.

"Sit with me." He said before moving his black blanket to create more space in his bed.

I sat on his bed and we ate together. It was silent for a little bit but I couldn't quite shake the thought of him being so nice all of a sudden. The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them.

"James, not that long ago you hated me. What changed your mind?" I said while shutting my takeout container and sitting it next to his empty one.

"I only saw you as a one dimensional person. It was my fault for only noticing your flaws and not getting to see you for all your talents and hard work that is in there." He said softly moving closer. "Valentina, you are truly extraordinary. I'm sorry for how I was before and if I could go back and change it I would, but since I can't just promise you won't push me away."

James was now inches from my face. He looked down into my green eyes with some kind of sparkle, a side of him I had yet to meet. It was tempting to just lean in and kiss him but something stopped me.

"James, I'm sorry but I can't." I stumbled trying to get the words out.

"It's okay, Valentina." He said reaching out to touch my cheek. The metal making contact with the flesh.

"It's delicate."