Play Pretend - Bucky Barnes

Part 4

Nothing special was heard through the bugs placed in the Williams household since leaving them; small arguments, mindless chatter and the occasional sound of loud music was all that flickered through.

So you continued living life in the suburbs; Bucky went to work and you played the part of a dutiful housewife taking care of all chores. It was becoming so comfortable that you at times had to shake yourself and remember the mission that you were sent on. After all, you were not here to live in a dream world with Bucky but rather prevent people from dying.

The sky was lit up with different hues of warm orange and night time was closing in. Bucky's hand had a tight grip on yours, his thumb rubbing soft circles as you walked along the road. The slightly chilly wind was making you seek the warmth radiating from his body.

"How can you not be cold when only wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt?" you complained making him chuckle.

"'Cause I've got you to keep me warm," he grinned pulling you in close, "and maybe because I forgot my jacket..." He dropped his arm from your shoulders locking fingers again.

"Well, who's stupid now?"

"At least I didn't forget my keys inside the house and got locked out." he humphed.

You laughed, "Lucky I've got such a lovely husband who's willing to come home from work and open the door for me." The word husband rolled right of your tongue, neither of you noticing that you were alone and that there technically was no need for pretending.

"Very lucky!" He grinned squeezing your hand affectionately. You were currently walking home from your weekly date night. You went to a nice restaurant having a romantic candlelit dinner; Bucky was the perfect gentleman even going as far as to pull out your chair. You hated admitting it but Wanda and Natasha were right about Bucky. You did have feelings for him.

The epiphany happened some days ago on a simple afternoon. You were feeling a bit ill and not looking forward to cooking dinner but after a nap, you mustered up the strength to go down to the kitchen. The sight that met you almost made you cry in relief; Bucky had just finished setting the table, complete with food, and gestured for you to take a seat. His compassion and thoughtfulness set a flurry of emotions and thoughts into motion.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted a figure turning down an alley. The large glasses were a sure give away for Daniel Williams. This could be what the other ladies at the church event was talking about. It did seem sketchy that he was out on his own late at night, in a part of town that wasn't that close to his home.

Bucky had also noticed him and you silently agreed on following him. You kept your footsteps light as you neared the alley. You peeked over the corner observing Daniel and another person exchanging words and finally Daniel grabbing something out of the other man's hand and putting it in his pocket. He looked around suspiciously before they shook hands. He began walking towards where he entered and you quickly surveyed the area for places to hide. The road was mostly empty and the few cars that were around, were too far away for the two of you to reach.

You needed to think of something quick. Bucky stood in front of you similar thoughts running through his head. You could hear Daniel's footsteps nearing and the panic started to flow through your body before your training kicked in. Keeping a cool head you looked up at Bucky whispering, "Trust me." Without any warning, you surged forward locking your lips. He grunted in surprise but soon wrapped his arms around your waist moving his lips in time with yours. His soft lips felt better than imagined and when his tongue gently nudged your bottom lip, your mouth opened on its own accord. You explored each other's mouths so lost in the kiss that you almost missed the sound of Daniel sneaking away, dismissing you as a PDA loving couple lost in their own worlds.

You pulled back both breathing heavily and you wanted nothing more than to connect your mouths again. You looked into his eyes for a few seconds as you regained your breath and reality set in.

"Seems like he bought it," you whispered dropping your gaze to look at his kiss-swollen lips. You could only cross your fingers and hope that he thought this was only so you wouldn't get caught. You wouldn't be able to bear his rejection, especially while having to play his wife and be the object of his affection. His friendship had also turned into one of your most cherished ones. You knew you could always come to him and the many days being forced to share your living space made you closer than imagined.

"Yeah," he coughed dropping his hands so fast it was like your waist was burning his fingers. An awkward tension surrounded you as you walked home. His fingers brushed against yours on several occasions and you wanted nothing more than for him to grab your hand, but instead, his fingers recoiled every time, like you were once again burning him.

It seemed like the moment was quickly forgotten by the two of you with everything returning to normal the next morning. The night before, you went to bed with space between you, and after having gotten used to skin-on-skin contact, it felt awkward and almost forced. Apparently, your bodies thought so, too. When you woke up you where cradled to his chest, your head tucked into the space between his neck and shoulder. You breathed in deeply, savouring it, knowing that soon the mission would come to an end and that lying in his arms would be gone. Bucky soon began stirring and you slowed your breath down to make him think you were still asleep.

He carefully nestled you out his grip, placing your head on the pillow. He sat still for a moment, presumably looking at you. He raised his arm and soon you felt his fingertips tracing over your features. They brushed against your lips a few times before eventually he eventually settled on caressing your cheek. With an almost inaudible sigh, he leant down placing a soft lingering kiss on your forehead. It took everything for you to not open your eyes, but you held it together only relaxing once you heard the shower being turned on. You groaned softly, a persistent question making itself at home in your mind. How were you supposed to survive being "his wife" while also keeping your feelings hidden?