𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝙰𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗

Chapter 31: Progress

(Bucky's P.O.V.)

I couldn't sleep after we got back. The thought of Angela on the other side of that door taunted me. It seemed like that door was taunting me the entire night, too. The following morning went as usual. I ran my morning jog with Sam and Steve and then got bothered by Nat about any progress I was making with Angela. Half the time I couldn't answer any of her questions because I didn't know the answer either. Overall, the day went by extremely slow and I felt like I everything was sluggish. Each minute felt like hours and I couldn't ever seem to make time pass faster no matter how busy I kept myself. My thoughts always trailed back to Angela. The way she clung to me on the bike last night, how she gazed out at the city so innocently, her plush lips parted with wonder and curiosity. It was getting late and I'd decided that taking a shower might help... with what, I don't know. But I was bored as all hell.

But before I did that, I checked my mini-fridge next to my dresser and nod my head with approval when I see that I'd remember to restock my beer. I'll definitely need a drink later tonight. While I was grabbing a pair of jeans out of my dresser drawer Angela came in the main entrance, a smile on her face. I could see Wanda passing through the hallway, also smiling. They must have been laughing together. I was glad she was getting along with everyone on the team. It couldn't have been easy for anyone to consider being friends with the person that tried to assassinate them. Angela's eyes beam as she spots me while closing the door behind her.

"Hey, James." I turn my head to look at her at the mention of my name. "How are- Woah," She stops abruptly and her face falters a bit. I furrow my brows at her.

"What?" She takes a few steps towards me and cocks her head to the side when we're face to face.

"You look awful, James. You were up again, weren't you?" She's been catching onto my signs of sleep deprivation. I don't know whether to consider that a good or a bad thing.

"How'd you know?" I say sarcastically. She rolls her eyes and tilts my head to the side, examining my face. "What are you doing, Doll?"

"Your eyes are bloodshot as hell. You need to go to bed early tonight." I give her a weird look.

"Woah, Woah, Woah. Are you mothering me?" She giggles softly and I internally groan with disappointment when she retracts her hand back to her side.

"Maybe just a little." She notices the pair of jeans in my hand. "You going to take a shower?" I cock my eyebrow and smirk.

"Only if you're joining me." Her cheeks turn pink as she gazes up at me, her lips parted and throat blocked as if she's not sure what to say. I smile at her frozen state and wait for her to answer. Finally, she swallows and glances at the ground.

"Will it make you feel better?"

"Most definitely," I tell her, thinking she's only joking. The look she gives me when she gazes back into my eyes makes my stomach clench. Her eyes hold a sparkle I've never seen before, her blue iris' swirling with mysterious intent. Her cheeks are still pink and she's fidgetting with her hands. My stomach drops. This look only causes me a greater attraction to her.

"Maybe next time, James." A small tinge of guilt and disappointment sparks through my body, but it's gone almost as soon as it came. She starts walking towards her entryway to her bedroom before she turns back towards me abruptly, her hand grasping the door handle. "Oh, is it still movie night tonight?" That's right. I nearly forgot it was Thursday.

"Yeah. I think we're watching The Goonies or something."

"Oh," Her face twinges with slight disgust. "I think I'll probably stay in tonight then." I nod my head and make my way towards the bathroom.