Only a Memory | Bucky Barnes

Chapter 9: The Not-So-Secret Crush

"We're presenting our drama skit today," Bucky said to Peggy. For once, Steve was sitting at Tony's table. Bucky didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved.

"Hmm." Peggy looked off in the distance to a group of senior girls that Bucky had never talked to. She was clearly distracted. "Oh! Right. Steve told me that. He's super nervous."

"Really?" said Bucky, incredulous. "Steve Rogers, nervous?"

Peggy rolled her eyes. "He's afraid of stuff too, you know."

The girls were giggling, loud enough to cause many heads to turn, Peggy's included. She abruptly turned her head back to Bucky. He was surprised she didn't get whiplash.

"Why'd he take drama if he's so scared to present?" Bucky was genuinely curious.

Peggy shrugged. "Easy class? I dunno. I think he likes it, he just gets stage fright."

Pietro leaned over from across the table. "Are you guys going to Tony's party tonight?"

Peggy said, "of course we are" at the same time Bucky said, "wasn't planning on it."

They both looked at each other and frowned.

"Weren't you the one asking about the party in the first place?" Peggy asked. "You were talking about it last week, with Bruce."

"I—" Bucky started, but realized he didn't have much of an excuse. He couldn't very well tell Peggy why he had brought it up in the first place. "I just changed my mind. I have a bunch of homework."

Peggy sighed, exasperated. "You can do your homework when you get home, the party's not until later. Besides, Steve wants you to go."

Bucky narrowed his eyes. "He said that?"

"Well, no, but—"

"I can't go."

"Fine. Don't. I won't make you, but you're going to be missing out."

Bucky could hardly believe that. Parties weren't his thing. Sweaty teenagers making out at parties weren't his thing. Peggy and Steve making out definitely wasn't his thing. He couldn't express that last part, though.

Bucky just stayed silent and started talking to Pietro instead.

**

Bucky didn't know exactly how it happened, but somehow he was currently at Tony's house for some dumb Halloween party. He was dressed as the eleventh Doctor, which was super nerdy but he didn't really care.

He watched Peggy and Steve, dressed as superman and supergirl. It was so cheesy that he had to look away.

Bruce had even come. Bruce. He was standing there so awkwardly that Bucky felt bad for him. While everyone had glasses of god knows what, Bruce just had water. If anyone asked, he would've said it was vodka, but everyone knew it wasn't.

"Hey Banner!" Tony, of all people, approached Bruce and clapped him on the shoulder. "I didn't think you'd come."

Bucky didn't think anyone ever looked like they wanted to get out of a situation more than Bruce. "Honestly, neither did I."