Nothing Personal - Bucky Barnes x reader

Chapter 2

Chapter contents: angst, fluff, drinking, language, Bucky being a dick again 

Word Count: 4026

*****

Sam was wary of your idea the moment you explained it to him. Of course, he knew that you were trying everything in your power to get Bucky to like you, and he commended you for it, but he also knew that a birthday party would be the last thing Bucky would ever want.

You ignored his advice and went forward with the party, launching yourself headfirst into planning each and every little detail. It excited you, truly, being able to immerse yourself into something that didn't have to do with your job or this fake relationship (well, it didn't completely have to do with the fake relationship).

March 10 inched closer and closer as you scrambled to finalize the last minute details, get all of the invitations sent out, and make sure that everything would be perfect.

You and Bucky had gone on a few more "dates" after that night at the bar, mostly just wordlessly sharing a pizza in a fairly deserted restaurant or walking the busy streets of Brooklyn with your hands begrudgingly linked together. Photos of you two together, including photos from the bar, had began to litter the front pages of gossip magazines, pondering who this new "innocent mystery girl" was with "the brutal murderer-turned-civilian."

It made your heart ache every time you saw those headlines, saw the paparazzi photos that seemed to portray a couple enjoying each other's company even though it couldn't be further from the truth. That was part of the reason why it wounded you, that this was all fake, that Bucky truly despised you. But the other reason was because they portrayed Bucky in such a horrible light. Sure, he was a complete and utter asshole to you, but he wasn't a killer. He never truly was. He was a puppet, a man with no autonomy. It wasn't him, but it was all he was seen as.

You were reminded of his reputation once more when you picked up some paper plates and plastic utensils from the grocery store, standing in line and seeing your beaming face on the magazines placed next to his scowl.

Trouble in Paradise for the Man from Hell?

The scowl on your face mirrored the one Bucky wore in the picture as you grabbed every single copy of the magazine from every till and slammed the stack you gathered down onto the conveyor belt. The checker gave you a panicked look as he glanced between you and the magazines that bore your image. With a gulp, he squeaked, "Did you find everything alright?"

You stormed into your apartment with a huff, tossing the full bags onto the floor and turning to Sam and Wanda who were sat on your couch. "Woah there, Y/N, don't kill me with that glare," Sam chuckled, rising from the couch and walking over to the bags you discarded on the ground. "What's the problem?"

You just gestured to the bag that Sam was already rummaging through, pulling out the stack of magazines. he gave you a confused look before skimming over the front cover. Wanda joined his side, mirroring his look of confusion. "You don't like them publicizing your relationship?" Wanda asked, taking one of the magazines from the stack and flipping through the pages.

"No! I mean, yes, but that's not the issue!" you snapped, taking another publication from the pile and waving it around. "I hate the fucking way they talk about Bucky! I-It's disgusting and heartbreaking. I-I could sue them for defamation!" "Y/N, no you can't," Sam sighed, setting the stack down on the kitchen counter.

"I sure as hell can try! They have no right calling Bucky these things!" You slouched against the counter and let out a sigh, glancing up to see Sam and Wanda sharing a knowing look. "What?"

"It's just sweet, seeing how much you care about him," Wanda admitted with a small smirk. "Your heart's too big."

You rolled your eyes. "It is not, I just... He isn't the monster everyone thinks he is. He never was. And I know that that's all he sees himself as because that's all people see him as. It fucking sucks." You gestured to the magazines. "And I guess my anger clouded my judgement because I bought all of these magazines, but I don't know what to do with them now."