Neighbours (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Twenty Three

Lia

"You're quite literally glowing Lia." Marie was just happy to see her smiling. Lia had always had a bit of a resting bitch face, even if she was in the best mood possible. However, now she had a glow about her.

Lia blushed and shook her head, biting down on her lower lip. She knew she looked different but how could she not? Despite her parents coming to town in two days she felt at ease. Plus, Bucky promised her that he'd be back. He pinky promised her.

"I guess being happy can do that to a person."

"You hear that Lou? Our little Li's finally happy." Lia and Louis laughed. She loved being with them. It helped a lot that her work didn't really feel like work anymore.

The news broadcast interrupted their moment, flashing on the screen obnoxiously loud.

"Breaking, video emerges online of Captain America murdering a civilian."Everyone's attention in the cafe turned to the TV, Lia feeling like she was going to be sick. "Warning, this content may be sensitive for some viewers."

The video itself was extremely blurred, only seeing John Walker and his shield crashing down on someone who was laying on the steps. The cafe was completely silent, watching the dark red spots appear on the shield as John screamed in anger. Lia's heart was racing, she immediately ran into the back and fumbled with her phone to call Bucky. He hasn't got him, has he? Bucky had warned Lia of how John seemed to not like him but surely he wouldn't do this?

She pressed Bucky's contact and listened to the dial tone. With every ring she felt herself becoming more worried and unwell, bile rising up her throat.

"Come on Bucky, please be okay." Tears began streaming down her face. She knew the voicemail would answer soon.

"Doll?" She let out a breath she never knew she was holding, relief washing over her.

"Are you okay?" Her voice was quiet, struggling to get her words out after experiencing that.

"I'm okay. Just dealing with Walker's aftermath."

"I thought- I-" It was obvious what she thought and Bucky knew it.

"I'm okay Li, it wasn't me." Her entire body was shaking as she slid down the wall, grasping her phone tighter than she thought she ever could.

"Can you come home please?" Bucky smiled at her words. Home. He hadn't had a home for a while but he knew he could find one with Lia. She reminded him a lot of what home could be.

"I'll be home before your parents arrive, I promise." She nodded, sniffling slightly. "I won't break it, Lia."

The way he said it she knew it had a deeper meaning. He won't break her or her trust. He won't break her heart.

"I trust you." She meant it. Every single word. He knew she did.

"I'll speak to you soon angel, okay?"

"Speak soon, Buck." She wanted to say it. It was too early. She just had strong feelings, you can't love someone in such a small span of time. She couldn't.

It took Bucky all he had to hang up the call, chewing on the inside of his bottom lip.

"You've got it bad tin man." Bucky eyed Sam, trying his best to come up with a snarky comment but he just didn't have one. Sam was right.

"She's perfect Sam." His expression softened, Sam sitting down next to him and patting him on the back. "She's perfect and she's my girl, what if I fuck it up?"

Bucky never confided in Sam. Well, he never confided in anyone apart from his therapist. That was his safety net. He was never one for sharing his feelings but he knew that he needed to start for his own benefits. It was good to get his feelings out in the open.

"Despite what you may think about yourself, you're a good man Bucky. You'll take care of her, the same way you took care of Steve. Just make sure you make it home for her parents, that's the start of the true trust process." Bucky nodded, running his fingers through his hair. "You've got this man."

Unknown to Bucky, Lia was having the exact same conversation with Marie.

"Is he okay?" Lia nodded, her body still shaking a little from the shock. "I've never seen you like this."

"I've never been like this." Lia laughed lightheartedly, she always dealt with her pain by laughing. It made things easier. "The last time I had someone like this it all blew up so quickly, my parents didn't approve and did everything they could to ruin it. He promised me it wouldn't but it did. What if they do the same to Bucky? I can't lose him Marie, I just can't. Who knew the screaming guy next door could mean so much to me?"

"I had a hunch." Marie smiled at Lia, sitting down on the floor next to her and pulling her into a tight hug. "Your parents can only ruin things if you let them, Bucky's stronger than them. You remember how he dealt with Lucas?"

"Yeah, Lucas was mortified." Lia laughed a little, feeling slightly better about the situation.

"You two can get through if you just stick together."

Lia nodded, huddling in closer to Marie. Maybe things would be okay.