homecoming » bucky barnes AU

chapter ten

TW / slight mention of body image issues that could be related back to EDs. all love.

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The roller rink was humid and dark. Neon lights spattered the walls as they flashed, the noises of the arcade games chimed every so often and the whole group sat on the cushy leather benches lining the floor, pulling skates onto their feet.

Laecie sat between Wanda and Vision, tugging at her dirty laces. The skates were cream leather, but smudged with various bits of dirt and marks from wear. The wheels were bright orange. She was wearing comfy, straight leg black and white gingham trousers, paired with a black spandex vest-style bodysuit. She wasn't wearing a bra, the top would provide enough support as it was so tight. Her wavy hair was half up half down in a scrunchie that matched her trousers. She stood up wearily, brushing herself off.

Wanda then had placed her small leg perched on Vision's knee as he tied her laces for her. She was blushing, thanking him quietly for doing it for her and calling him a gentleman. Laecie smiled at her quickly, before pushing forward on her skates to grip onto the outer edge of the rink.

Every year, her and her friends went to the rink. This year, it was nice to have some new faces join them. Natasha rolled up elegantly beside Laecie.

"It smells so good here. Always reminds me of when I first met you."
She smiled, her hazel eyes crinkling as she placed a gentle hand over her friends. Laecie smiled softly, recalling the once arrogant girl she'd first met at the rink.

She was here with her father and his then girlfriend, miserable and uninterested in skating. Natasha was poised and beautiful as she danced to the music on the rink, skating backwards and swaying her hips and arms with the music. Laecie remembers looking on at her, wishing she could skate like that, admiring her beauty. She was like something straight out of a fashion magazine, gracefully touching her body in all the right ways as she glided along the shiny floor.

Natasha's eyes eventually caught Laecie's curious ones, and her signature smirk danced across her face. She wore denim flares and a white cotton halter neck shirt with her long, red bob cut. Turning her body, she showed Laecie just how knowing she was of the activity, performing to her as if she was the only one watching. Laecie looked on in awe, cautiously and clumsily skating onto the rink like Bambi.

Natasha wasn't long to skate up beside her.
"Hi."
She had said, enthusiastically but mysteriously.
"I'm Natasha."

Since that day, the two had been as stark as chalk and cheese. Natasha represented sex, she was trendy and attractive and as far as Laecie could tell, all the boys wanted her.

Nowadays, the two were still so different, but also so similar. Natasha was someone Laecie could always turn to, no matter how bad she'd messed up or no matter how much judgement she put upon herself.

Laecie smiled, pulling back to reality, gripping Natasha's soft hand right back.

Behind, Bucky sat on another bench, frustrated and annoyed. He could barely stand in the stupid skates, wobbling over and over every time he attempted to move. This was, of course, not ideal in front of a girl he so obviously wanted to impress. Flustered, he sighed in annoyance, before a strong arm held him upright. He glanced over the hand, his eyes meeting with Thor, who guffawed at the smaller man's inability to balance.

"Is this your first time?"
He laughed, holding firmly on to Bucky's arm. Bucky, irritated, through furrowed brows, gave the larger man a stare. Thor laughed once more, pushing off and dragging an unprepared Bucky with him. He wobbled behind, holding his other arm out for balance. He let out an 'a-aah!' as Thor brought him to the more slippery wooden flooring.