bucky barnes imagines

lxiv. SHY

Bucky didn't consider himself to be shy. Quiet, yes – he generally wouldn't speak unless he was spoken to, and he found it easier to just keep to himself. But, for the most part, he had no problems with social interaction.

And then you joined the team.

He'd never had the privilege of knowing anybody like you before – in fact, he didn't think there was anybody else quite like you. You were truly unique, one of a kind, the luminous, fiery sun in a sky of comparatively dull stars.

Bucky was awestruck by you. You had the power to render him speechless on a daily basis, which would be somewhat embarrassing if he thought that you ever even noticed him in the slightest.

"Maybe she would notice you more if you actually tried to talk to her, pal," Steve had teased when he'd learned of his best friend's newfound adoration; he was right, infuriatingly so. But still, try as he might, Bucky could never bring himself to interact with you, not for long.

Little did he know, you felt exactly the same way about him. The super soldier captivated you – truth be told, you were yet to discover a single flaw. And that was exactly what kept you from speaking to him. You couldn't help the niggling voice in the back of your mind that told you he was too good for you.

In the beginning, it was fine; you were happy to just admire Bucky from afar, carefully timing your glances at him so that nobody would catch you staring. And he did the same for you, of course – only Steve noticed the way he would gaze at you over dinner, the way his eyes lit up whenever you smiled or laughed.

However, after a while, it got tedious. Your schoolgirl crush was slowly but surely developing into something more, something stronger. You weren't sure if it was love – how could it be, when the most you'd ever spoken to Bucky was to ask him to pass the salt? But whatever the new feeling was, you knew you had to do something about it, and fast.

As it turned out, your realisation came at the perfect time. Almost everyone in the tower was leaving for a mission that would last an entire week – leaving two people alone together. You, who hadn't yet been cleared for missions. And Bucky, who'd injured his ankle while training.

It was convenient, to say the least.

The team left early in the morning. It wasn't until after you'd sent them off with hugs and well wishes that your nerves finally surfaced; a week could be a long time if you somehow managed to mess everything up.

You weren't sure if Bucky was awake yet, but you decided to make yourself some breakfast regardless. However, as you strolled into the kitchen, there he was, adorably sticking his tongue out a little in concentration as he arranged two stacks of pancakes.

Suddenly, you were very aware of the fact that you were still in your pyjamas. Old, childish shorts covered in tiny cartoon dogs. Great.

When he noticed you standing in the doorway, Bucky's heart rate picked up. He thought you looked gorgeous, with your messy hair and drowsy, squinted eyes, and he had to remind himself that this was it. His chance.

Say something, quick, think of something to say, she'll think you're weird—

"I'm more of a cat person, myself," he finally spoke, gesturing to your clothes with a simple smile.

"Oh, I– um, don't mind my outfit, I should probably go change," you murmured, flustered.

"No," Bucky interjected, "you don't need to. You... you look good, doll."

His eyes widened in dismay as the pet name slipped out. He hadn't meant to say that – though he relaxed slightly as you smiled in return, your cheeks flushing at the compliment.