Bucky's Neighbor

Part 8/Part 9

Part Eight/Part Nine

About a week after Sam had made an attempt to ask you out, you're sitting on the rooftop of your apartment. There had, at one time, been a sitting area for the residents, but, since the building had seen wear and age, it had fallen into disrepair and you simply sat on a concrete block that helped to make up the rooftop. You had brought a book with you and sat, listening to the bustle of the cars beneath on a Friday, in your own world.

As you read about elves and Hobbits and dragons, you are enveloped in the warmth of the pages, twirling a piece of your hair around your finger.

Little did you know that someone was watching you, seeing the faces you made as you read your book, listening to the little laughs that erupted from your lips...

Around midnight, you hear a familiar voice break through your thoughts.

"Hey..." you hear, softly. Even though the voice is soft, you are still startled from the fantasy world, dropping your book as you jump.

You look up to see Bucky, standing on the roof, leaning against the doors, nonchalantly. He is clutching a bottle in one hand. He frowns, a look that deeply creases his features.

"Oh!" You let out a breath that you didn't realize you were holding. You try to calm your startled heart rate. "It's you."

He doesn't quite look at you and there is a long moment where it is nothing but silence. "Are...you afraid of me?" The question is so strange that you shake your head. Afraid? Of him?

"No," you shake your head, grimacing. "I was surprised...and I was really into my book." You glance at your watch. "And I lost track of time." You pout. You had really wanted to read more, but, it was definitely well past time for you to go to bed.

Quietly, Bucky came to sit down next to you on the concrete ledge. You smile at him, welcoming him to sit next to you. He still frowns. "What...what are you reading?" Bucky tries very hard to make conversation with you, and, you're grateful. You enjoy his company and he is welcoming to you.

You hold up the tattered paperback to show him. "The Hobbit." There is a long moment of silence where he smirks. You frown, seeing what will come next. "You're going to laugh at me, aren't you?"

He quickly shakes his head. "Not at all!" For the first time, he shares a genuine smile with you. "It's...one of my favorite books, actually."

You sadly smile at him. That was new. No one you had ever met said that The Hobbit was their favorite book. "My mom used to read it to me when I was little," you quietly say. You absently flip through the book, turning the pages carefully. "So, when I'm lonely, I think to reread it." You turn to him, smiling, but feeling tears sting your eyes. "It feels like home."

Bucky takes a drink of the beer in his hands. "It's a Friday night," he laughs, as if he is trying to ignore the entire situation. "Shouldn't you be on a date?"

You snort, standing from your seat. "With who? Sam?" You clutch the book to your chest, annoyed.

Bucky realizes that he may have misstepped upon seeing your face. "He, um, he may have mentioned that he...was going to..."

You smile. "I turned him down."

A wide smile broke out over Bucky's face. He studied his beer bottle, trying not to show her that this information pleased him. Why was that?

"I'm sure he's heartbroken."

You laugh lightly. "I should head inside."

Bucky quickly stands up at attention. "Can I walk you in?"

You laugh. "I guess that would be alright," you giggle, allowing him to walk you shoulder to shoulder to the elevator.

Bucky smiles. "Good," he says, happily. He presses the button for the elevator, and you wait, slightly hesitant. "So...what did you think of the Hobbit movies?"

You shrug. "I actually like them better than the book."

Bucky turns to you, offended. You ignore his look and sway a little bit. "You know, I could probably have found my apartment by myself..." You quickly hold your hands up in surrender. "Not that I mind the company!"

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Yeah..." The elevator opened. "But you also just told me that you liked The Hobbit movies better than the book...so, I have my concerns." He takes a sip of his beer as you both step on the elevator.

You bite your lip, smiling. "Here I thought you just wanted to spend time with me," you joke.

You watch Bucky stiffen. He laughs, awkwardly. Luckily for both of you, your elevator ride down four floors doesn't take long.

As you step on the elevator, again shoulder to shoulder, you try to stop him from walking with you. "You didn't have to do this, Bucky," you say, gently. "Especially not if you wanted to stay and drink."

Bucky glares at you, almost to your apartment. "You're not getting out of it."

You roll your eyes, letting out a long breath. "I'm so glad you don't think I'm a burden," you mutter.

Bucky looks at you confused. "It's never a burden to walk a beautiful woman home," he says, quietly.

Your hand brushes against his as you walk. You have the strong urge to take his hand and walk back to your apartment hand in hand. "Even if it's right next door?" You try and talk, resisting the urge to grip his hand...or do more.

Bucky seriously turns to you and stops. "That just gives me more of an excuse," he says, seriously.

You smile, the distance between you slowly closing as you lean into him. "Good thing you don't like me," you tease him, you eyes lighting up.

His hand reaches out and gently touches your arm. "Yeah," he says, breathily. He leans closer to you and for a moment, you wish the distance would close between you, that your lips would meet. "Good thing," he murmurs, quietly.

Without any warning, he closes the gap, gripping your face, his hands tangling in your hair. You kiss him, fervently as he pushes you against the wall of the hallway. Your arms wrap around his neck, closing the distance. You were three doors from your apartment. You could easily get inside...take things further...

And, you want to...

...but, Bucky pulls away, abruptly. For a moment, you both work to catch your breath. "Bucky," you try to say something, but he interrupts you.

"I have to go," he says, quickly and turns on his heel and quickly walks in the other direction of your apartment. You lean heavily against the wall, staring after his back.

You swallow heavily, your eyes brimming with tears. "What just happened?"