Summary: You get paired up with Bucky for training, but you're scared of him and he's trying to change that.
Word count: 1.3k
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You walk in the training room, breath already coming out shakily. Your stomach is in knots and sweat slides down the side of your neck. No one else is in the room, so you have a few minutes to yourself as you wait for Bucky to come in.
Ever since you first met Bucky, you've been scared of him. Like, terrified. The avengers make fun of you for it, but you couldn't care less. He's scary.
"Hey," his raspy voice makes you jump slightly in your place. "Hi," your words are barely above a whisper as you look at him.
"We're gonna go over some basics today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask," he says as he puts his water bottle down and ties his hair back in a low man bun. Pieces of his hair fall freely in front of his hair.
"Okay," your voice shakes slightly and Bucky smirks as he looks away.
He walks on the mat and motions for you to follow. And you do, very slowly, making him let out a sigh as he waits for you. He knows very well that you're terrified of him and you know he knows. Want you don't know, is that he thinks it's cute.
"Are you ready?" He asks and you nod slowly. "I can't start unless you're ready."
"I'm ready," your voice comes out steady for once and Bucky throws a punch at you.
You block it with ease and move to kick him. He grabs your leg and pulls on it, making you fall on your back. "First lesson, when you kick, pull you leg back immediately so they can't get a hold of it," he extends his hand out to you and you grab it so he can pull you up to your feet.
He balls his hands up into fists and puts them up in front of him to get ready. You copy his movements and he studies your hands intensely before walking over to you and adjusting them for you. "You wanna make sure you can see over this one, and this one stays here. You hit with this one first, and this one can follow, or other way around," his hands and gently with yours as he adjusts them and you can't help, but feel fear in you.
"It's okay, I won't hurt you," he says softly and you look up into his eyes. His gaze is soft and you feel safe with him for a second. Only a second until an agent comes in. His least favorite agent.
"Sergeant Barnes?" Cole speaks and Bucky closes his eyes in frustration as he looks over at him. "What?" It comes out harsh and you feel that same fear you felt before. You notice his hands still hold yours, and despite how mad he is, his grasp is gentle.
"Captain Rogers sent me here to spar with y/n—"
"Agent y/l/n," Bucky corrects him as he drops his hands from yours. He turns around fully and crosses his arms as he stares Cole down. "Are you just gonna stand there? Or are you gonna come on the mat?" His tone is harsh. He's never spoken to you in that tone, but you've heard him use it on other agents and you never want to be on the receiving side of that tone.
Cole quickly makes his way to the mat and takes his shoes off. Bucky looks back at you and gives you a soft smile before exiting off the mat. "Remember to keep your hands up," he says to you and you nod and put your hands up.
You and Cole trade blows and he manages to pin you against him one way or another, which always makes you uncomfortable. Each time you find a way to get out of his grasp and he gets the same look of anger every time you do.
Bucky stands and watches and feels more anger grow in him every time Cole has you pinned to him. He's glad you have more experience than him so you're able to get out of it fairly quickly, but it doesn't mean his jaw doesn't clench each time Cole holds your waist tightly.
The reason Bucky doesn't like Cole is because he's a fucking creep. He's seen the way Cole watches you with a starved expression. The way his eyes stay glued on your ass or boobs when you walk. The way his touches linger when he pats your shoulder or hugs you. He fucking hates it. Why wouldn't he?
He's had a crush on you for the longest time. He practically had to beg Steve to pair you up with him today. Only because you had requested to not work with Bucky. Because you're afraid of him and he was determined to show you that he wouldn't hurt you and you have no reason to be afraid of him.
But then... Cole showed up and he couldn't help his rage. He was blinded with rage the second he stepped foot in the room. His hands were holding yours and he made sure to not squeeze them. Sure he was mad, but you were that small amount of relief he felt when he looked at you.
Then it happened. He watched as it happened. He watched the whole thing as Cole grabbed your ass. He watched as the look of surprise and fear mixed with anger flash across your face. He knew Cole would play it off as an accident, so he didn't call him out for it. Instead he just ended the match.
"That's enough," he bellows and you disperse from Cole and put a few feet of distance between the two of you.
"But we haven't finished—" Cole starts and Bucky cuts him off quickly.
"When I say you're done, then you're done. If you're looking to hear who the winner is. That would be agent y/l/n," Bucky says and smiles softly at you.
"That's such bullshit. I'm obviously better—"
"Agent y/l/n was able to deflect almost everything you threw at her. Every hold you put her in, she got out of within matters of a second. Not to mention you got him more times than you blocked. You lost today Agent Griggs. Accept it and move on," he says sternly with a look that'll turn you to stone. Cole rolls his eyes and leaves the room, practically stomping with anger.
When his gaze turns to you, it softens and he smiles softly before turning around and gathering his things. You walk off the mat and go over to him. "Is there anything else for today?" You ask.
He turns his head when he hears you and shakes his head. "No, that's all for today. Good job," he smiles and you smile back.
"Yea, thank you," your voice doesn't shake or falter like it usually does and you walk over to gather your stuff.
You feel someone next to you and you look over and see Bucky standing there. "Was there something else?" You ask and he smiles softly.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, you know? I would never do anything to hurt you," he says as he comes closer to you so he's only inches away.
"I— what?" You ask and he leans down to softly kiss your forehead. "I like you, doll, and I'd like to take you out sometime," he whisper against your forehead before pulling away to look in your eyes.
"How about tomorrow?" You ask not feeling at all terrified of him and he nods his head with a huge smile. "Yea tomorrow— tomorrow works. Tomorrows great," he says and you giggle.
Leaning up, your press a kiss to his cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow then," you say and he he nods. "Yes. Tomorrow it is. Tomorrow," he says and you smile before leaving the room.
"Tomorrow," Bucky whispers to himself with a smile.
