BUFFYS ARCHIVE

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“Hey, Sunshine,” a voice said from beside you, a familiar voice engulfing your senses. You ignored him as he slid in beside you, body lingering almost too close as his arm found purchase on the bench. “Does your brother know you’re out?”

You pinched the bridge of your nose, willing the flush to die down from your face before turning to face the man who lingered behind you, stumbling at the familiar, teasing smirk. There Bucky Barnes stood in all his glory, dressed head to toe in his regiment uniform. You swallowed dryly, trying your hardest to keep your eyes glued to his face.

“No, he doesn’t,” you said to him cautiously. ‘And it’s going to stay that way, Barnes.”

You moved to poke him in the chest, and he laughed.

“Baby Rogers, out on the town,” Bucky teased. “Who would’ve thought.”

You groaned, shaking your head, before turning in the stool to face him, not realising just how close the man had been standing when your legs pressed against his. Bucky raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his face widening before he started to drag his gaze slowly over your form. You felt your chest tighten as he took his time, faltering at the sight of your bare legs before snapping out of it, shaking his head as he took a step back.

You felt yourself deflate as Bucky turned his head away, seeming like he was desperate for a getaway as he seemed to look anywhere but you.

I knew he didn’t like me, but I didn’t realise he found me that repulsive.

You turned to the counter, moving to grab your glass off the counter, but Bucky was too quick. He snatched it away to take a slow sip, your throat going dry as you watched his lips make contact with the delicate glass yours had been wrapped around mere minutes ago. He frowned as he put the glass down, looking at you accusingly.

“You shouldn’t be touching this stuff, Sunshine,” he said with a glare. “You're too young for this.”

You scoffed slightly at that; it was always an age thing with him and Steve.

“I’m twenty, James,” you said. “I’m not as innocent as you guys seem to think.”

Bucky raised an eyebrow. “Is that right, Sunshine?” Bucky then moved to whisper in your ear. “If that’s really the case then-”

Whatever Bucky was going to say was cut off when Daniel appeared back at your side. “Sorry I took so long- Barnes?”

Bucky straightened, looking your date up and down with a clenched jaw. “Sorry,” he said stiffly. “Do I know you?”

“Daniel Miller,” Daniel said, reaching out a hand. Bucky looked at his outstretched hand like Daniel just slapped him before sourly moving to reciprocate it. “We uh- we went to school together. I was two years below you.”

“Right,” Bucky said, snatching his hand back faster than they had made contact for. “Tell me-” he leaned against the counter next to you, looking the man up and down dismissively. “-don’t you think you’re a little old for her?”

You looked at the man, abashed at his blatantly disrespectful manner.

“James-” you hissed, but he just ignored you, looking expectantly at Daniel.

“I-uh-” Daniel stuttered, tugging anxiously at the colour of his shirt. “I-”

“Don’t answer that,” you were quick to say, sending an apologetic look towards Daniel. “And stop being so, so horrid, Barnes.”

Bucky’s face fell slightly at that but was quick to cover up the disheartened look with a smirk.

“Come on, Sunny,” he said. “You know I’m only teasing.”

You rolled your eyes before turning to face Daniel. “I’m so sorry about him, Danny. Someone has seemed to have forgotten his manners today.”

Daniel scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, cheeks flushed. You sighed, turning back to glare at Bucky.

“It’s really okay, nothing taken to heart, Doll,” Daniel said. “Would you like another drink or-”

Daniel started, but Bucky was quick to interrupt him. “Actually, Sunshine just promised me a dance,” Bucky said, tilting his head as he observed Daniel. The younger man faltered back. “You don’t mind, do you?”

You crossed your arms over your chest indignantly, preparing yourself to have a go at Bucky, but Daniel stopped you. “Of course not, no problem here.”

Your shoulders slumped at the disappointing reaction from your date, already deciding that there wouldn’t be another date.

Although that had already been decided the second Bucky had slipped beside you with that devastatingly handsome smirk.

 You bit your tongue, letting Bucky escort you away from Daniel and towards the dance floor before you spoke up, looking at Bucky with a sharp glare.

“Seriously?”

“What?” Bucky asked with feigned innocence.

You let out an irritated sigh as you moved to wrap your arms around his neck, craning your head to look at him. “You know what.”

Bucky’s façade crumbled as he started to laugh. “Come on, Sunshine, you have to admit it was a little funny,” he said. “He looked half scared to death.”

You sighed with irritation as you peered upwards at the man. “You know this makes me look horrible, right?” You asked Bucky with a frown, causing his smile to falter.

“You could never be horrible, Sunshine,” Bucky said. “Nothing you could ever do would be even close.” His eyes met yours with a soft expression, and he moved a hand up to push a fallen strand of hair away from your face. “Danny? Seriously?” he added after a long pause.

Your face flushed. “He’s a friend,” you argued. “And he’s a good friend, James. There was no reason to embarrass him like that.

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry,” Bucky relented, making you smile with small victory. “It was a joke, no need to flip your wig.”

You two fell silent then, swaying to the sound of Lena Horne, your fingers relaxing enough to purchase on the on the back of his neck.

“You know, I think you did a favour though,” Bucky said, hands tightening around your waist in anticipation of you pulling away.

You glared at him but stayed in his arms, still swaying. “And what does that mean?”

Bucky scoffed. “He’s clearly not right for you.”

“And you know what’s right for me then,” you asked, lips pursed.

Bucky hesitated for a moment. “No.”

“I just know that it isn’t him,” he continued. “You shouldn’t lower your standards just to impress some guy.”

You looked at the man, appalled, stopping all your movements as your face heated up. “Well, excuse me if I wanted to feel pretty for a night,” you hissed, pushing his hands away from your waist. “It might come as a shock to you, but some boys actually want to go out with me, Barnes, even if you find me unappealing.”

As you stepped away, Bucky was quick to grab you, spinning you back around into his grip. “Come on, Sunshine, I didn’t say all that, and you know it,” he said, frustrated. “I just meant that if he was actually man enough, he would’ve stopped another man from snatching you away. He’s a boy-” Bucky pulled you closer, so your chests were nearly pressed against each other’s, “-and you need a man.”

You swallowed, feeling small under his intense gaze. Bucky opened his mouth but cut himself off with a shake of his head. After a moment, the pair of you looked away, letting the tension simmer down and die.

“So, you heard then?” you said, trying to stifle the awkwardness. “Back from you know.”

Bucky looked back at you, conflicted, before dragging his gaze around the bar.

“Yeah, I did,” he said. “The 107th regiment. I leave first thing tomorrow.”

You found yourself deflating, swallowing back the lump in your throat that threatened to break free.

“Oh,” you said, unable to voice any of your thoughts. Bucky, reading the change in your disposition, tried to cheer you up.

“Come on, Sunshine. “Don’t be like that.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about, Barnes,” you said steely, refusing to meet his gaze.

“Yes, you do,” he said softly, stopping both of your movements to tilt your chin up, forcing you to look at him. “It’s a good thing, you know?”

You glared at the man. “How is it a good thing?” you asked, before relenting at the almost pleading look on his face. “I just wish you two weren’t so adamant on fighting for the country, or whatever. It’s not safe.”

Bucky laughed. “Really? It’s not safe?” he teased. “Is that why you're so bothered, Sunshine?”

“Yes,” you said in displeasure, gnawing on the bottom of your lip.

“Are you sure?” Bucky said, pulling you closer than what you would deem appropriate for a public setting. Although you were pretty sure nothing about his actions had been appropriate. He leaned in further, lips ghosting over the shell of your ear. “Or are you maybe feeling a little selfish?”

Your face flushed, and Bucky snickered a little at your unease before offering you reprieve. “Look, I should be heading off soon. I have plans tonight.”

Your stomach dropped in disappointment, knowing what he meant by that.

“But I can walk you home first.”

You shook your head adamantly. “James, I’m fine-”

“Ah, ah,” he tutted, pressing his finger against your mouth. “What kind of man would I be if I let a doll like yourself walk home alone?”

“Okay,” you said after a moment. “But can we at least finish this dance first?”

A smile broke out across his face. “Of course we can, Sunshine.”

He then moved to spin you around, pulling a laugh from you, grin widening as he heard it. When you were back to facing him, you shifted to rest your head on his chest, knowing that it would be the closest you could ever get to him. He rested his chin atop your head, arms wrapping around you as if you were the only thing keeping him tethered.

As the song slowly came to an end, you moved to rest your chin on his chest, looking up at him.

“Promise me something, James?” you asked, looking up at him through your eyelashes.

A flicker of emotions crossed over his face, too quickly for you to read. He moved his hand up to brush your cheek, before moving to touch your hair.

“Anything,” he whispered, only loud enough for you to hear. “Anything for you, Sunshine.”

You chewed on your lip, hand moving to fiddle with the collar of his suit.

“Don’t forget me,” you said, although it came out as more of a question.

“I could never.”

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