The Prince And The Rose

23 - Steal My Girl: In Which Bucky Risks Life and Limb to Get Steve a Date

Natasha was sitting on the bar (not at it, on it) drinking a glass of vodka. Bucky hesitated a moment to assess the situation and recall his most successful conquests from his old life. With any luck, he'd be able to turn on the charm well enough that Steve would finally snap.

He'd been getting increasingly irritated with Bucky lately because of how much the Soldier was flirting with Natasha, although he was trying to hide it. That would've made Bucky feel bad, only it was so funny and was, after all, the reaction he was going for.

Bucky sauntered up to the bar, fully aware that Steve was sitting on the couch watching TV nearby, and slid onto a stool with a grin.

Natasha raised an eyebrow, smiling a little. "What's up?"

"You, apparently," he said, glancing from the bar counter to her face.

She laughed, rolling her eyes at him. "You need something?"

"Maybe," he said, smirking. It was all an act, but then, acting was what he was good at. "Just figured you weren't busy tonight, and I'm not busy tonight, so..." He winked. He wanted to glance back and see if Steve was paying attention, but Natasha would notice that, so he just kept smiling innocently at her.

"Are you asking me to dinner, Sergeant Barnes?" she said, an amused grin tilting her lips upward. Bucky wondered (not for the first time) how Steve hadn't managed to ask her out yet; she was gorgeous.

"Yes, ma'am," he chuckled.

He was almost startled when Steve grabbed his arm, which would've been bad, but he heard his friend's footsteps just an instant before a hand wrapped around his upper right arm and he was practically hauled off his stool. "Can we talk?" Steve hissed, his expression surprisingly calm and reasonable despite the obvious tension in his eyes and muscles.

Bucky grinned, although he shrugged uncomfortably out of the hold on his arm, making Steve let go with an apologetic grimace. "Sure thing, punk. Excuse us a moment, would you, doll?"

Natasha lifted her glass, expression both curious and concerned. "No problem."

Bucky couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, not because of what Steve's reaction was going to be, but because angry people (particularly when they were angry at him) made him uncomfortable.

Steve stopped him in the hallway that led to the elevator, a short distance from the common room. Close enough, Bucky decided, that if he could get Steve to talk loud enough, Natasha would hear.

"What's the problem, Steve?" Bucky asked, leaning casually against the wall. It was reassuring having something so solid at his back.

Steve ran a hand over his face, clearly still fuming but trying to control himself. He kept his voice down. "Bucky... Natasha is... she's... She's sort of taken."

"Oh, you mean that Bruce Banner guy." Bucky snorted. "He's not here. And if I've been hearin' right, he left a couple years ago and never came back. She's fair game."

That phrasing only made Steve angrier. Good. Despite his nervousness, Bucky really wanted to laugh at how predictable Steve was.

"Yeah, but... it's not fair to Bruce."

"He's gone, and she's moved on. It's obvious to anyone with eyes. She's fine and she's gotten over him." He smirked at the sudden hope in Steve's eyes. What an idiot. He probably thought she still cared about Bruce (if she ever had; Bucky suspected she hadn't, at least not like that).

Steve floundered for a minute, spluttering, and Bucky put on an irritated expression. "What's the problem?"

"I just... Um..." Steve rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, staring at the floor, and murmured, "She's, um... Look, Buck, I kinda like her and I-"

"Ohh." Bucky nodded, snorting. "And what, you just expect me to back off 'cause you gotta crush on her?"

Steve blinked, startled, hurt turning his blue eyes dark. "Well, I guess I did."

Bucky scoffed, feeling a bit bad but not bad enough to change his tone. "Yeah, well you know where you can stick that. I'm not backin' off for you or anyone unless she says otherwise. And I don't think she will."

"Look, Bucky... I think maybe I love her and I was just too scared to say anything. Can't you understand that?"

He'd raised his voice a touch, and he looked frustrated. Bucky crossed his arms, letting himself sneer, derision making his voice cruel. "Yeah, I get it. You're still scared witless of anythin' in a skirt. Maybe I like her too, Captain America. I got just as much chance as you."

Steve stared at him, shocked. Bucky never argued with Steve these days, not about anything but medication and therapy, and never like this. "I've known her longer," he said, low. Determined. There he was. "We've saved each other's lives over and over again, Buck, we trust each other."

"Yeah? And that makes you her ideal partner? Then how come you haven't said anything to her yet?"

"You got one thing right," Steve growled. He seemed to have forgotten that Natasha was right in the other room. He had good self-control, but not when you got him mad enough. Bucky ignored the twinge of fear Steve's fierce reply gave him. "I'm scared to. But I will, when I think she's ready to hear it."

"Ready to hear it? What kinda shit is that?" Bucky pushed himself off the wall, getting in Steve's face, smirking because if he didn't he might burst out laughing and ruin it. "I'll ask her on a date if I want to, punk, and what the hell are you gonna do about it?" He made as if to leave, and then Steve grabbed his shoulder and tugged him to a stop.

"Damn it, Sergeant!" he snapped, fierce. Loud. Bucky contained a shudder that threatened to ruin the perfect moment. "She's my girl and I'll be damned if I let you come waltzin' in and steal her from me just 'cause you've had a tough time of things!"

There. Bucky dissolved into gales of laughter, pushing Steve's hand off his shoulder. Give it a minute... and there. Natasha came barreling around the corner, eye blazing, hands on her hips. "Bucky Barnes, you manipulative son of a bitch," she snapped, smacking him in the face. "Sorry." Then she pivoted on her heel, grabbed a handful of Steve's shirt, and pulled him down to her level to kiss him.

Bucky managed to choke back his laughter long enough to give a piercing wolf whistle, then turned and strode off, self-satisfied. He needed a few minutes alone; confrontation was hard for him. But after that, he was gonna tease Steve Rogers mercilessly, because that was, after all, his job.

Notes : This is a sequel(ish) to  a short explanation of shippin'