Neighbours (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Six

Lia

She hadn't spoke to James for two days, hiding out in her flat and making sure she didn't see him. The events of the night had completely spooked her and she really didn't feel like going out, calling in sick to work. Lucas didn't say anything about James, she assumed he thought nothing of it. He left without sex, she wasn't feeling it anymore.

Lia stared at herself in the mirror, eyes locked on the bruise that the man had left on her arm. The police had been in contact letting her know that they had found him a day later and she was grateful she didn't have to worry about that specific one anymore. She knew there would be others though. The bruise made her feel sick to her stomach, reminding her of what could've been if James hadn't have stepped in. The guilt she felt from judging his past was greater than ever, he wasn't that man that people claimed he was. He knew how it felt to be taken against your will and used and he wouldn't let that happen to anyone else, she knew that now.

She shrugged on a cardigan, covering herself up again. She had lived in a baggy t-shirt and joggers, not even bothering to shower and shoving her hair up atop of her head. It made life easier that way. Lia knew she struggled with depression but she didn't want the pills or the help, she could handle this on her own. She handled everything else.

Just as she went to flop onto her bed again a knock rang through the apartment, causing her to jump. It wasn't too loud but the silence that surrounded her made it so much worse. Slowly walking to the door she pulled her cardigan over her hands, unlocking the door and coming face to face with James. He looked like he hadn't slept, which she assumed he hadn't since she hadn't heard him screaming. Even if he did it wouldn't wake her up.

"I brought snacks, thought we could watch Fantastic Beasts?" He remembered. Her heart fluttered a little, a small smile playing on her lips for the first time since the incident. It was only now that her gaze fell onto the bag he was holding, overflowing with food.

"Yeah, excuse the mess." She stepped back from the door fully, moving away to quickly throw things where he wouldn't see them.

Lia felt immediately embarrassed by the mess but James just smiled at her, setting his bag of snacks on the side and unpacking them. He made her feel comfortable.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I got everything." She found herself releasing a small laugh as he pulled out half the sweet shop. He had truly gotten everything.

"I appreciate it James."

"Call me Bucky, if we're going to be friends." Her eyes lit up at his words, he seemed very closed off so letting someone in was a big thing.

"Bucky it is." His cheeks went a little red as his name fell from her lips but she tried not to focus on it too much, maybe it was just warm in here. Instead, Lia focused on him. The way his eyebrows scrunched together as he sorted through the sweets, also pulling out about six cans of fizzy drink.

"Have you got some kind of super strength? I bet that bag was heavy." Bucky turned to her and smirked, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

Shit, Lia. Fucking big mouth.

"I assume you haven't googled me?" She fidgeted, leaning over the bench as her cheeks definitely turned a new shade of red.

"I did, I just forgot I guess. I'm sorry, foot in mouth syndrome."

"I've heard worse." He shrugged it off like it was nothing but Lia knew it bothered him the way people looked at him, only increasing the guilt she felt. She had judged him too harshly.

Silence fell upon them as Bucky sorted out the stuff he had brought, Lia reminding herself she needed to get him something to say thank you. Or pay him back, one of the above. Bucky's hands were still gloved but he had taken off his jacket which was something. A long sleeve top covered the mental arm that she had seen on photographs, feeling the sudden urge to touch it and see how it feels. She knew better and she definitely wasn't going to ask about it after that comment. It was obvious he felt self conscious about it if he was covering it so much.

"I'll get the DVD." Bucky nodded, in a trance with sorting his stuff into piles.

Lia was noticing smaller things about him as he did it, including his concentration face. His eyes felt as if they pierced through her soul, completely overwhelming her. Their eye colours were similar but somehow Lia preferred Bucky's, his told a story. The story of a broken man learning to live again. The story of a solider who lost everything and was forced to do things no one should ever have to.

The title screen popped onto the screen, causing Lia to jump a little bit from her interrupted thoughts. Bucky didn't jump though, he just stared at it. It was like he was used to being scared.

Of course he was dumbass, he's lived through hell.

"Which ones do you want Lia?" The way he said her name made her wonder what he would sound like moaning it. Maybe she did need to see Lucas.

"Jolly ranchers please and a coke." She smiled at him, feeling happy that he even asked. Little things.

Bucky nodded and grabbed the bags with the cans, managing a lot in his one hand. She watched carefully, trying to figure out which hand was his metal one. She couldn't remember.

"It's the left." He said as he sat next to her on the sofa. "You were staring."

"Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He shook his head, opening his can and taking a drink from it.

"It's okay." He shrugged it off but she felt horrific. How could she be stupid enough to stare?

"I really am-"

"Lia, it's okay." Bucky popped a sweet into his mouth as she nodded nervously.

She said nothing as she pressed play, feeling completely stupid that she had dropped herself in it twice. During the movie though she loosened up a little, finding comfort in watching niffler. She had only discovered the movies recently but they had swiftly become new favourites of hers, mostly because of the cute characters. Bucky shared a few smiles at the comedy in the movie which warmed Lia's heart, it felt nice to forget about everything for a little while. When the credits rolled she turned to see Bucky finishing his third packet of sweets but she said nothing, knowing better than to comment on someone's eating habits.

Should've applied that to everything else earlier.

"There's a second one?" Bucky nodded, giving Lia the okay to put in the second movie.

When she pressed play this time she sat on the sofa closer to Bucky. Being on her own a lot meant that when she had someone else over she was happy to have human contact, someone other than her cuddly toys to keep her company. Not that they weren't good company but it was nice to have someone who would talk back.

As the films played neither of them realised how late it was getting, both of them falling to sleep with the comfort of the other keeping them safe. Lia felt safe around Bucky, it was a feeling she couldn't describe. Bucky felt the same about Lia but he didn't want to sleep around her, although not sleeping for a few nights made this significantly difficult. Lia was too flat out to notice Bucky stirring two hours later, another nightmare kicking in. He tried to fight this one, his subconscious knowing that he was near someone he could hurt but he threw his first into the sofa near Lia regardless. He struggled to keep in control of his sleeping body. Lia was too far into sleep to notice, but Bucky awoke with a jolt. When he realised where he had fallen asleep and the obvious dint that was left in the sofa cushions he got up to leave, only to be grabbed by the hand of a half asleep Lia.

"Please don't leave me." Bucky swallowed, knowing he could get out of her grip if he wanted to. He didn't want to. Instead, he sat back down next to her and she placed her head in his lap.