Never Safe

Chapter Nineteen

You used the spare key to get into the apartment, but Bucky was sitting in the living room waiting for you to get home anyway.

"Hey" he smiled.

You didn't say anything. You didn't look at him. You went to your room. Bucky stood from the couch and followed you.

"If you're trying to hide your hangover from me, it's too late. May already told me."

You sat on your bed and took out your phone. Your eyes focused on the screen. Bucky leaned on your doorframe.

"It's fine, you know. I don't care."

You ignored him.

"Can we talk?"

No response.

"Okay, let me rephrase that. Y/n, we need to talk... can you put your phone down please?"

You didn't. You weren't even acknowledging him.

"Okay, put your phone down or I'm going to take it."

You turned off your phone and slammed it onto the mattress next to you. You rolled over to face the wall. Bucky came and sat down next to you.

"Y/n, I'm really sorry... about everything I said... and what I did... I was mad about something and I took it out on you and that wasn't fair... please forgive me."

You still refused to speak to him. Bucky placed his hand on the back of your head and gently stroked your hair. "Come on y/n/n, please talk to me."

He wasn't going to get anywhere, Bucky realised. He didn't want to give up but he couldn't think of what else to do.

"Okay" he sighed. "I'm... I'm gonna be in my room. Come find me if you need me... I'm gonna make us some lunch soon."

Bucky reluctantly left you alone.

A short while later, he went to the kitchen. As he was looking in the fridge, deciding what to make you, you came through the door. You had headphones on. You avoided looking at him as you walked around the kitchen making yourself a sandwich. You put it on a plate, grabbed a packet of crisps, and left without a word.

Forgetting about his own lunch, Bucky sat down and pressed his forehead down on the table in front of him.

***

The next day, Bucky drove you to school. It had been a very awkward morning. He didn't try to speak to you as he knew he wouldn't get anywhere. He just correctly assumed that you still wanted a lift, so you both got in the car without saying anything to each other.

The entire drive was silent. The radio wasn't on; you had your headphones on again. You were staring at your phone the whole time. Bucky kept glancing at you.

You were about a minute away from school when Bucky pulled over. You pushed your headphones off so they were sitting around your neck. You grabbed your bag and tried to open the door. Bucky had locked it. You sat back and stared out the window.

"Y/n."

Bucky reached over and placed his hand on yours. You didn't react to his touch.

"Come on, talk to me."

You pulled your hand away from his, stuffing it in your pocket.

"You wanna skip school today? You and I can go do something fun?"

Bucky checked the time and sighed. He restarted the car and drove the rest of the way to school. He didn't bother to park; he unlocked your door and stopped for a second. You quickly got out the car and ran up the steps towards school. Bucky drove off. He pulled over round the corner to use his phone.

He sent you a text. 'Have a good day at school, love u loads'

He sent one to Steve. 'Is the compound still on lockdown?'

Steve replied. 'No. All good. You coming?'

'Yeah, be there soon.'

***

"So what did you find?" Bucky asked.

"Three more undercover. That means five total" Steve explained. "Everyone else is clear."

"Do they know about y/n?"

"We don't know. We can't just ask them, because then they will know if they didn't before. Did you talk to her?"

"We're not exactly on speaking terms right now."

"Why? What's up?"

"I was kinda a jerk."

"Does it have anything to do with the yelling I heard over the phone?"

"Mhm. I was trying to listen to you so I knew what was going on but she was trying to tell me about her day and I didn't listen and I really fucked up."

"Oh. I'm sure she'll forget about it by the time she gets home."

"I don't think so... I broke her basketball trophies."

"What?" Steve exclaimed.

"I didn't mean to. It was an accident but I don't know what to do."

"Can you fix them?"

"I could try."

***

Bucky jumped up from his bed when he heard the key in the door. He ran out and saw you walking to your room. He hurriedly stepped in the way of your door.

You avoided eye contact, staring blankly at the wall beside you.

"I have a surprise for you" Bucky smiled.

He turned and opened your bedroom door himself. You pushed past him but stopped when you saw what was on the bed.

Bucky had managed to fix all three trophies. They didn't even look like they'd been broken in the first place.

"Y/n, I'm really sorry" Bucky tried to apologise again. "I wish it never happened in the first place."

You suddenly moved, walking towards the bed.

You pushed the trophies off it, like you were brushing away crumbs. Luckily, they didn't break as they fell to the floor. You sat down with your back facing Bucky. He shamefully looked away and left to make you dinner.

***

Bucky got up early the next morning to make you a proper breakfast. He put it all on a plate and went to deliver you breakfast in bed. He'd expected you to still be in bed, but he got to your room and heard noises coming from inside.

"Hey y/n/n" he pushed open the door. You were already dressed for school. "Why you up so early?"

You picked up a textbook on your desk and walked over to the bed. You put it in your bag and zipped it up.

"You in a rush?" Bucky asked, placing the plate down on your bedside table.

You picked up your bag, swinging it over your shoulder. You turned for the door, but Bucky stood in the way.

"Are you okay?"

You didn't say anything.

Bucky shook his head. "Right. You're still not talking to me-"

"I'm walking."

"What?" Bucky was surprised that he got a response that he hesitated to move when you pushed past him. Then he processed what you said and went after you. "Wait, y/n... I- I made you breakfast. But if you don't want that- have you got lunch? Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?" Bucky ended up standing in front of the door so you couldn't reach the handle.

"God, leave me alone!"

Bucky looked down at the floor. He wanted to apologise again but he knew you wouldn't listen. He stepped away from the door. "I'll see you when you get home."

He'd barely gotten his words out before you slammed the door in his face.