Yes, Mr. Barnes. // Bucky Barnes X Reader

EIGHT

"Where do you want these?" James asked, carrying a stack of books you had on your old bookshelf.

James was adamant about helping you and Sylvie switch offices, when in reality, he was only truly helping you. Loki had managed to come up to help Sylvie while Steve covered James' meetings for him.

"Here." You grabbed them from him, quickly placing them down on your desk. You finally had enough room to have chairs on both sides of your desk, a bookshelf along the wall and a couch on the other side of the room like your other office. A small coffee table sat between the chairs and the couch. You'd already placed a plant there as a centerpiece, a fake one. "Why did you decide to transfer me though?" You asked him as you turned back to him.

James sighed. "Do you want the I'm-your-boss answer, or the I'm-your-friend answer?" He asked, pressing his tongue against his cheek.

"Both?" You asked, leaning against your desk. You crossed your arms over your chest.

"Okay, well, as your boss - You're more capable than what you were doing for Steve. Under me, you'll have more time to work through cases rather than sitting in on meetings. As your friend," He paused, thinking about if he truly wanted to tell you. "There's something about you. I don't know." He sighed, turning to walk out of your office and to your old one to grab some more books you'd kept.

"Wait." You said, reaching out to him. You grabbed his forearm, silently asking him to face you.

When he did, your faces were inches apart. Your breath hitched when his breath fanned over your cheeks as he looked down at you. You were hoping he didn't notice. He did. "Yes, Ms. Y/L/N?" He whispered, saying your name as if he were trying to remind himself that you were his employee, and your location.

You stepped away from, clearing your throat slightly. "What do you mean when you say 'there's something about me'?" You asked, using your fingers as air quotes.

He sighed, licking his bottom lip. He looked away from you and to a corner of your office for a moment. He opened and closed his lips, as if he were struggling to find the right words. "I want to protect you." He said, looking back at you.

You took a moment to register what he'd said. You nodded, taking a deep breath turning back to your desk. "Okay." It was the only thing you could think of to say.

He nodded, swallowing hard before stepping back out of your office. You followed him out after a moment, to help him bring just a few more items over. He passed you with another stack of books, keeping his gaze in front of him. The way his fingers stretched across the bottom of the pile sent a chill down your spine.

You walked into Sylvie's office, grabbing some leftover files. When you turned back to the door, Loki was standing there with a water bottle in his hand. "Hi."

"Hey." You replied, giving him a soft smile. "I should uhm..." You muttered, weakly pointing to the door.

"Right." He sighed, stepping to the side. "It was good to see you." Loki said as you walked past him.

"You too." You replied, turning back in front of you.

Sylvie was walking back toward her new office, but you were still rather close to your new one. Her head was held high as she walked past you, but she didn't hesitate to stick her foot out in front of you just in time. You grunted as you fell forward, the files following suit.

You waited for the impact on the cold floor before a pair of large hands grabbed your waist, preventing your fall. You opened your eyes, looking up to see James. His jaw was clenched as his hands gripped tightly to your waist. He looked down at you, his jaw softening.