Your Ivy Grows

Chapter 9

Bucky

John gave himself away that night at the ball. As soon as Bucky saw the look on his face as Alexis walked away from Bucky on that dancefloor. He saw the jealousy there; saw exactly where to strike John to hurt him. Unfortunately for John, Bucky isn't too good not to use that information to his advantage. Dr. Raynor would have a field day if she knew what he was doing. She'd want to pick apart why he's so fixated on fucking with John, why he wants to hurt him so much. But Bucky lies to her plenty already in their therapy sessions, so he may as well add another lie to the list.

At least he can admit to himself that his actions over the last few days might have pushed it a bit too far. That hasn't been enough to stop him, though. His research on the Walker's might have led him to finding out where they live. It also might have led him to watching the house, especially once he learned John was off on another pointless press tour without his wife.

For the first few nights, there was nothing to see; Alexis Walker didn't even leave the house. No friends came by, and she didn't go out to see anyone. On the third night, he was finally coming to his senses and was about to head home when it happened. He was just about to start up his motorcycle when he saw her, a woman, leaving out the back gate of the Walker property. Confusion set in immediately because he'd seen no one go in there all day, yet here was a short-haired brunette sneaking out as if they were doing something wrong.

It was only when she'd walked directly under a streetlight that he'd got a good look at her face. It was Alexis. He knew he had to follow her. There had to be a reason she was disguising herself and sneaking away like some criminal. Bucky was determined to figure out what that reason was. He thought he had a pretty good idea, but once again, she'd proven him wrong.

He'd assumed she was doing a pretty good job of betraying John all on her own. That she didn't even need his help. But she didn't meet up with anyone. She wasn't off meeting some secret lover. In fact, she didn't speak to anyone the whole night she was out. She drank and danced, getting completely lost in the music. And all he could do was watch. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She'd seemed so uninterested in dancing that night at the ball, but it seems it was just dancing with him she didn't enjoy. Because out there on that dancefloor she transformed completely and it was mesmerising to witness.

When she'd snuck off again tonight, he couldn't stop himself from going after her. And this time, he knew he had to do more than just watch. Although watching her dance in that dress all night didn't sound like a bad way to spend his night. That wasn't why he'd come here tonight though, but approaching her was proving difficult. Until the giant Viking of a man starts harassing her at the bar, giving Bucky the in that he needs. Her discomfort is obvious on her face, but this guy can't seem to get the hint.

Bucky's getting closer, trying to think of what to say when the guy makes the mistake of putting his hand on her. Every thought leaves his head and instinct takes over. His arm seems to shoot out of its own accord. He grips tightly onto the guy's arm and rips it off of her. And once he has it in his grasp, he doesn't let him go.

"Did you not hear her say no? It seemed pretty clear to me." Fury seems to coat every word as it leaves his lips.

Now that Bucky has the guy's attention, he doesn't miss how he sizes him up. The assessing way he looks Bucky up and down. Go ahead, he thinks, hit me. He'd happily knock the guy out and not feel bad about it. But Bucky tightens his grip instead, applying almost enough pressure to break the bone. That does the trick, as the guy holds his hands up in surrender and Bucky lets him go, watching him walk away.