Rooftops and Invitations ❤️

Chapter 5

"So, what is going on with you and Charlotte, Steve?" Bucky and Steve sit on the roof drinking beers after dinner a few weeks after the party.

"Ugh. Honestly, I'm not really sure. I had thought there was something between us, but I guess not." Steve was completely confused. "She kissed me a few months back and immediately took it back saying it would be better to just forget it. She never brought it up again and took to avoiding me. Besides, she seemed to enjoy dancing with you."

Bucky laughs. "well, she's definitely into you. She was looking at you and Sharon dancing the entire time she danced with me. She got all flustered when I accused her of only dancing with me to make you jealous. And though I can't deny that she is beautiful, I would never try to take a girl that so obviously has feelings for you, and vice versa."

Steve seems surprised. "You think so? I don't know. I think I messed it up. I was too hard on her and kept too much distance when she first got here. Now I'm afraid it's too late Buck."

Bucky could see his friend was confused, and also madly in love with Charlotte. He decided then he would do what he could to insure that he got the girl he wanted. It was the least he could do after Steve saved him. The guys hear someone walking behind them. They turn to see Charlotte walking with a guy, both obviously drunk.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone was up here. We'll go."

Bucky smirks at her and points to the guy on her arm, "no doll, stay. Please. Who is this?"

Charlotte hesitates for a minute, trying to remember his name, "this is..."

The man answers, "I'm Brad."

"Brad! That's it!" Charlotte laughs.

She sees Steve clench his jaw, obviously angry. "Buck, can you show Brad here the way out, I think it's time for Charlotte to go to bed."

Bucky hesitates, but complies. He shoots an apologetic look at Charlotte before guiding Brad away.

"Aw Steve! It's still early!" Steve doesn't say anything, he grabs Charlotte by the arm and walks her to her room. Why was she doing this? She had a different guy here almost every night. He hated seeing her with other men. "Ow! Steve! That hurts! Bucky brings girls home! Why can't I bring guys?"

He tosses her gently but firmly on her bed. "Go to sleep Charlotte."

Steve walks to the doorway to leave when he hears Charlotte behind him crying. "This isn't fair, you chose her over me. You don't get to be jealous or dictate my dating life Steve."

Steve feels his heart break as he watches her sob. He walks back to her to comfort her. He tries to wrap her in a hug, "Charlotte, I-." but she pushes him away.

"Fuck off Steve." Charlotte turns away from him, facing the wall.

He knew she was right, he had no right to be jealous, but he was. He wanted her, but it was too late.

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Charlotte sits playing her guitar on the roof.

Don't you ever say I just walked away
I will always want you
I can't live a lie, running for my life
I will always want you

She stops when she hears Bucky behind her. "You're a lot quieter than Steve. What do you want Buck? I usually come up here to be alone."

He doesn't listen and sits next to her. "I figured. But sometimes people shouldn't be alone."

"Ugh, Bucky, please leave me alone."

Steve had told Bucky about their encounter after he had left with Brad; Steve always told him everything. Charlotte places her guitar gently on the table beside her but doesn't say anything. "Why don't you tell him you have feelings for him?"

She just looks at him annoyed, "What good would that do anything now Buck? He made his choice."

Bucky stands up in front of her and laughs, "He never knew you were an option. He said you kissed him once and then never talked about it again. In fact, he said you actively avoided him after that. Why?"

"Oh, I don't know! He's Steve fucking Rogers? He treated me like shit the first few months I was here. Going out of his way to avoid me. He only sees me as a kid, I was never an option for him. Why would he ever want me? And besides, he never did anything after I kissed him either."

Bucky just laughs again, "You guys are both ridiculous. If you want him, make it known. If you want him, fight for him. I mean, come on, Sharon?" He rolls his eyes as she starts to cry. "Oh doll," He wraps his arms around her and lets her cry.

**************************

Charlotte decides to take Bucky's advice and make it known that she wanted Steve. She wanted to make Sharon jealous. She walks into the kitchen in the morning as Bucky and Sharon eat breakfast; Steve was getting up to put his stuff in the sink. Charlotte winks at Bucky as she walks next to Steve and reaches up in a cabinet, showing off her red lace panties she wore underneath her t-shirt. "Steve, can you help me?" Steve turns around and sees her stretching, her ass cheeks hanging out of her panties. He feels his heart race as he reaches up and grabs the glass down for Charlotte that she was trying to reach. His body presses against hers as she doesn't move. "Thank you, Steve." She makes sure to brush her body past his as she reached for the handle of the fridge. She hears Sharon scoff behind her as she grabs some orange juice and pours herself a glass. She faces Sharon, "I'm sorry Sharon, did you want some?"

Sharon stands up from the table. "Shouldn't pants be required in public spaces?"

Charlotte stands right in front of her, "well. I live here. Do you?" She looks at Steve and then back at Sharon, "besides, when Steve and I had our last discussion, he mentioned me having to wear a shirt. He never said anything about wearing pants." She looks back at Steve and sees him blushing.

Steve stands staring at Charlotte. He knew she was playing with him, but he didn't know why. He watches as she goes and sits at the table when he hears Sharon yelling for him.

Charlotte sits at the table next to Bucky as she hears Sharon yelling for Steve from the hallway. She looks up and sees Steve looking at her, "I think your girlfriend is calling for you." Steve hesitates for a minute and then leaves Bucky and Charlotte in the kitchen.

Bucky nudges her shoulder, "That's my girl." They both laugh.

"Why are you helping me Buck?"

He just smiles at her, "You're my friend doll, and so is he. He deserves to be with someone that loves him. Not Sharon. And so do you."

Charlotte just sighs and rests her head on his shoulder.