Escape from the Red Room

Chapter 2: Confession Time

I huffed at Bucky and turned toward my dresser, pulling out my pajamas.

"You are so fucking annoying, James," I muttered under my breath.  Bucky looked back at me.

"What did you call me?"  His voice was cold and emotionless, not giving an inch.  I smirked as I got dressed, knowing I got under his skin.

"I called you fucking annoying.  Get over it."

Bucky smirked as he slunk over to me, towering over me.  He smelled like a mixture of soap and leather, which was intoxicating.  Of course he has to smell like that, I thought irritatedly.  I rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms, forcing him to keep a safe distance from me.

"What?  Why do you look so smug?"

"I'm smug because I know there's no way you'll be able to resist me in this tiny room with only one bed."  His tone was low, almost like a threat.  "It's been a long time since anyone has been able to deny me anything."  I laughed mirthlessly.

"Right.  When was the last time that a girl fell at your feet?  1943?"

Bucky's eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his face inches away from mine.  Oh, shit.  Maybe that was too low a blow.  As soon as he stepped a little closer, almost uncomfortably into my space, my guilt faded.

"What was that?" He asked softly, leaning even closer.  His voice was dark and menacing.

"I said, the last time anyone failed to resist your charms was eighty years ago when you were a soldier in the American military during World War II," I answered, matching his tone.

"And what makes you think you're any different than those women who tried to resist me back then?"  His gaze turned intense, his eyes staring deeply into mine.  "Tell me something, Olivia..."

I raised an eyebrow, daring him to continue.  His tone became even more serious as his look intensified.  Why the hell is he looking at me like that?  It's not as if he wants to screw me.  More like he wants to murder me.  But that look says something else.

"What would happen if I decided to make love to you right here and now?"  I stared up at Bucky in shock.

"W...what?"

"Would you fight against me?  Would you try to run or scream?  Or maybe cry out for help?"

My heart pounded at Bucky's suggestions.  Bucky is definitely attractive and hooking up with him could be interesting, but he's an annoying man-child who never takes anything seriously.  Ever.  Why would he suggest screwing me unless...Oh, fuck.

"Are you attracted to me, Barnes?" I asked softly.  Bucky braced his hand against the wall above me.

"You have no idea how attracted to you I am, Liv.  And I'm pretty sure you have no idea how much I both hate and love that fact," he answered in the same tone.

My mouth dropped open at his admission.  No.  Nope.  This can't happen.  For a lot of reasons.  Not the least of which is that I'm a killer and, while he's an annoying man-child, he is also incredibly sweet toward his friends and cares about them deeply.  Then I shook my head, brushing off his confession, and slipped past him toward the bed.

"No, no, no.  We're two agents on a mission.  I'm not entertaining whatever you think this...these bickers are between us.  Go to bed, Barnes.  We need to focus on our mission."

I climbed into bed and faced away from Bucky.  Why would Bucky love me?  Doesn't he know who I am?  Doesn't he know that I could kill him faster and more efficiently than he could kill me?  I heard him sigh and climb into bed behind me.  He gently wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him.  He nuzzled my neck lightly as he held me close.  I unsuccessfully tried to brush him off.

"You're awfully tense, Liv.  Is there something bothering you?" Bucky said teasingly.

"Hilarious," I said sarcastically.  He chuckled.

"Well, I hope you didn't seriously expect me to deny that I could have any kind of sexual desire towards you.  Don't be a fool, Liv.  We've been on three other missions besides this one together.  We know each other well enough to see that there's something more than just a professional relationship happening between us."

"I'll believe it when pigs fly, Barnes."

I know I'm denying the possibility that I might also have feelings for Bucky, but it's better that way.  Bucky may have been a brainwashed super soldier for fifty years and was forced to kill dozens, but I was a brainwashed Widow who believed what she was told and killed thousands more in less time.  I don't think I'm worthy of someone as kind and protective as Bucky, despite all of his glaring flaws.  I internally snicker at that last thought.

"Liv..."

"Go to sleep, Barnes."  I pulled myself out of his arms and shifted to the edge of the bed.