The Greatest Bastard || Bucky Barnes x OC

The Portrait

Hi my loves! Just wanted to leave some warning notes on this chapter. Please don't read if these themes upset you, and remember to be kind to yourself <3

TW: graphic description of abuse (physical & verbal)

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It was incredible. Truly incredible. Maybe even a masterpiece. Maybe even the best portrait in the entire house. Isaac regarded it carefully, moving quietly from side to side as he took it in. It was like looking at a photograph. It was like sitting across from her at their dinner table. It was almost as if he could see it draw breath, maybe even expected it to open its mouth and speak to him. It was Simone, alright. In every single detail.

It was almost too much like her.

Isaac leaned closer, his face only inches from the canvas as he looked over each near invisible brushstroke. It was all there. The light splatter of freckles that was hiding on the bridge of her nose, not yet too prominent due to the lack of sun. Each hair from her head looked weightless in the most natural way, even the smallest of them curling near her temples, just like they did in real life. The colors were incredible. The way the soft shadow cast from her lashes onto her cheeks.

But the eyes.

The eyes were something else.

Frighteningly realistic, so realistic that Isaac found himself wondering exactly how close you'd have to be, to get it to look this good. This accurate.

"Where do you want it, Sir?" The butler asked. "I think somewhere with proper light. High up, perhaps? She is the lady of the house after all" He nodded dutifully.

"hmm...Yes. That she is, indeed" Isaac's eyes were locked on the painting.

"I'll think on it. That'll be all for now, thank you." He smiled at the butler, taking a quick peek at his watch. Isaac walked over to the phone, spinning the dial and waiting patiently.

"Happy? I need you to do something for me" He cleared his throat. "And I need you to be very discreet".

"You're in a good mood" Isaac walked around the corner, stepping into view in the door frame. It startled Simone, making her let out a soft gasp.

"You scared me" She responded coldly, setting the flipped ends of her hair with a pin.

"Took a shower already?" Isaac crossed his arms, still leaning in the opening to their bathroom as he regarded her intently. Simone could see his eyes searching her as she carefully looked at him through the mirror.

"I just came from the stable" She shrugged.

"And where are you going now?" He smiled.

Simone turned to look at him, slightly alarmed by the interest he was showing.

"I'm meeting with your mother at the cake shop. She wanted me to look at the designs for the wedding cake. Remember?" Simone smiled, trying to look at Isaac lovingly. But his gaze was slightly more stern than usual, and slightly more intrigued than she had seen it in a long time. He didn't seem to be asking just for the sake of asking. He seemed to actually want to know.

"Right" He smiled, walking into the bathroom now. He hovered behind her, and Simone watched him as he lowered his gaze, looking down at her where he stood.

"Your portrait was delivered this morning" He smiled, locking his eyes with her in the mirror.

"So I was told" Simone smiled nervously. "Well?"