𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒. ( 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 ) ✓

ii. READING PEOPLE

The Avengers were all elite, agile and just kick ass which is where your differences lied. To say the least, you weren't.

You may not have been able to thigh strangle someone like Natasha Romanoff or become green and large like Bruce Banner but there was one thing you absolutely exceeded in; Reading people. However, there was one person that made a graceful exception to your skills as they were about as closed off as a haunted house.

James Buchanan Barnes.

The other Avengers, whom you were residing with during this time, were not so oblivious to your irritation with Bucky. They, however, did not know why this irritation occurred but you were pretty sure Bucky did. In fact, you were pretty sure he went out of his way to give you false signals just so that your talents could fail you. But it was on a morning in July when it seemed this 3 month streak of passive-aggressive bickering reformed into real words.

"Come on, Steve, don't be upset you're just the easiest to read. It's in that one." Steve motioned for Clint to open his clenched palm and in it was a $5 bill. "I don't get it. I had 7 different people up here. That's 14 palms to choose from and yet you knew exactly which one I hid the money in."

"It's fine, Grandpa, I'll teach you someday."

"Do me." A voice came from the doorway and you turned to be met with Bucky standing at the doorway.

"I'm pretty sure she wants to."Natasha mumbled, earning her a thwack on the back of her head from Clint.

Your eyes narrowed at Bucky and a faint smirk glinted on his face. Bruce awkwardly cleared his throat to disrupt the silence but Tony pressed a finger to his mouth, his eyes flitting between the pair of you. "Okay." you breathed sharply before handing him the $5. You close your eyes waiting for Bucky to place the money in someone's hand. "Done, you can open your eyes now."

You stand up and look at each person in the room. By process of elimination you guess that it's either with Nat or Bucky has kept it in his own hands. You walk over to Bucky, observing his eyes flickering around, avoiding yours. "What's wrong, Barnes? Can't stand losing?" His eyes now connect with yours and the two of you stand like this for several seconds before Clint pants a "Just make out already."

The two of you glare at him before you point to Bucky's left fist which you think the money is in. His smile before he opens it makes you feel wrong and when he opens his fist to reveal an empty palm, your smile drops. "B-but I, w-where?" you stumble and Bucky's smile grows wider.

His hand moves down from in front of you and you feel it make contact with your waist. You tense up and Bucky has to force himself to conceal his smirk. He reaches into your own pocket and pulls out the $5 bill. You stare at him wide eyed, slight frustration making your brows furrow. "Here you go, doll. You can keep it anyway." He places the money into your hands and brings your hand up to his lips where he places a gentle kiss on it. He winks before waltzing back into his room, leaving you frozen in place. "What just happened?" You questioned.

Bruce exhales and says "I don't know but it was pretty hot."