Invisible String (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 5

Brock's business with Hydra did not bode well with Bucky. Rumlow wanted everything that Bucky had, from his business to his friends to anything which had Barnes written over it.

Bucky had warned Rumlow several times to stay away from his business, but when he assaulted you in his club and territory, that was sufficient for Bucky to start a war. He couldn't remember the last time he went alone to Hydra's base, only to thrash and threaten the leader. He thought once you'd go to the cops, that'll be enough for the police to issue a warrant against him and arrest him for good this time, but you decided not to go ahead with the plan, which he didn't quite understand but respected your decision nonetheless.

At that time, what Bucky didn't realize was that he was directly putting you under Rumlow's radar. Another goal for Rumlow to acquire when he took down Barnes.

That day at the bar, Rumlow wanted you for a night, but now he wanted you as a trophy, as another win against his rival. Brock Rumlow understood that you meant more to Bucky than an employee and, that was sufficient for him to desire you whether you wanted him or not; he decided he would have you one way or another.

***

After almost a week, you woke up with excruciating pain in your head. In your drunk state, you never woke up hungover because you were never not drinking. But looking back at it now, you would say that wasn't your wisest choice, but again you aren't exactly a wise person.

You were still debating whether the headache was from all that crying or you were hungover when Bucky came into the room, his office, carrying a tray with a bowl of apple and a glass of juice on it.

He placed the tray on the side table beside the couch where you spent your night and said, "I know, you're toast and a coffee kinda gal," his lips did something, it looked like a smile, but surely, you were wrong, this was your boss who is always void of emotions. "But you need to eat this."

You wondered maybe you were still asleep or even dead because this isn't Mr. Barnes that you've known and hated for the last few weeks. You were also really thankful that he chose to not discuss last night's events or anything related to your vulnerable state.

"Are you actually being chirpy this morning or am I still drunk?" you joked, but it was an honest question.

Your boss chuckled like actually had an emotion displayed on his face. And you'd be lying if you said it wasn't a good laugh, it was the kind of laugh that would put a smile on other people's faces. That would explain why your lips turned upwards from just looking at him now.

Bucky moved towards the chair, behind his desk, and settled down before looking at you. "So, what do you have planned for today?"

"The usual," you answered, shrugging your shoulders nonchalantly.

"Which is? Getting drunk while working?" he asked mockingly, and you were about to give him a piece of your mind when you saw his lips curling upwards in amusement, resulting in you being honest with him instead of sarcastic.

"I've had a rough couple of days, give me a break."

Without saying a word, he nodded and stood up, "Let's go to Barry's."

"What's that?" you asked and he looked at you as if you had asked him to kill puppies and kittens.

Mr. Barnes huffed out in disbelief and answered in the most obvious tone. "Only the best diner in the world."

"Only the best diner in the world!" you repeated his words with fake enthusiasm in a mock taunting way, and he shook his head and chuckled at your childish behavior. You wanted to explain to him that you're usually very well put together and not this immature, but he didn't seem to mind this version of you that only your close friends get.