An Unexpected Christmas

Part 6

Tonight was the Christmas Eve party. Well, it was more of a small celebration than a party. Nothing fancy, very relaxed and chill, everyone lounging around the living room together. The plan was to stay up until midnight, then go straight to bed. Until then, stories were told, and Christmas songs played on the radio.

When a rendition of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" came on, Mr. Barnes pulled his wife up off the couch, and they started dancing. Steve and Peggy followed suit a moment later. You and Bucky looked at each other, then got up and joined.

The Christmas tree was in a corner of the room, so there was enough space to rock around it, but this would do. The song ended, and "Merry Christmas Darling" came on.

As Bucky lead you into a slow dance, you made a decision. When this was over, and you were back home, you would tell him. You planned it all in thirty seconds--how you would tell him, what you would tell him. You were fucking terrified, but you weren't gonna let that hold you back. And if he didn't feel the same, so be it. You would survive.

You wondered if he knew you noticed how he looked at you, even when it was just the two of you, like you were the only one in the room and nothing and no one else mattered. You wondered if he noticed the looks Steve gave the two of you, like he knew you weren't just faking it.

Bucky's gaze flitted down to your lips, then back up to your eyes. Your breath caught in your throat as he leaned forward, and you leaned forward, and--

The grandfather clock in the hall chimed. You and Bucky jumped, locking eyes. Before either of you could say anything, his mother swooped in and hugged you, wishing you a Merry Christmas. Slightly distracted, you parroted the phrase back to her, hyper aware of Bucky's eyes on you.

You ended up in bed first. When Bucky came in, you pretended to already be asleep. You had a feeling he wanted to say something, but you didn't want to have that conversation now, not until you'd left, in case it didn't go the way you wanted it to.

You didn't fall asleep until after Bucky did.