Chapter 8
Grasping the rail of the marble staircase, you plastered a smile on your face making your way down. Facing towards the hoard of guests with Sams arm draped around yours. You had forgotten all of this was because of him, so when the applause and camera flashes began, you had been ill prepared for everyone's eyes to be on you.
When you heel grazed the last step, Tony had your free arm, gently tugging you from Sam. You gave him a questionable glance, turning back at the swarm of people closing in around him. You made a mental note to thank Tony for the rescue. Meanwhile Sam ate up the attention, "Make sure you get me from my good side!" He spoke over the commotion of camer flashes and questions.
"I'll be right back!" You yelled over your shoulder, hoping your voice would travel over the growing group around him.
Tony whispered in your ear, "Now what have you done to cause such a ruckus?" holding your body against his own.
Shaking your head you faced him,
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"I mean I knew you would bring attention to yourself, especially with Sam but -"
"Tony, again, what are you even talking about?"
Before long you noticed the laughter and noise had become faint as you both neared what could only be on this side of the tower- his lab.
"Now you three play nice before you can return to the party." Tony released your arm, walking inside the lab with you filling suite. Placing your hands on your hips, tugging at the material of your dress, you rested a hand to your temples.
"Stark. Seriously-"
"Can it princess! You three have been lucky I haven't meddled before now."
"Meddled with what?" You turned hearing someone clear their throat,
"It's ok Y/n-"
You jumped at the voice coming from behind you, "Our dates are out there too."
Clenching your fists you snapped yourself around facing Tony, readying your wrath. Instead you hear a small hiss escape the lab door. Tony had firmly sealed it behind him.
"STARK! I have no idea what you're referring to. But I do know that Sam is going to be pretty ticked with you whisking away his date!" You hiked up your skirt, banging on the thick glass, "This isn't funny!"
You reached for the door, finding it locked. "Let me out! I can't leave him all night!"
Tony waved a finger walking back to the door lifting his brow to look at you pointedly.
"Then it looks like youre going to have to start making up."
You rolled your eyes bringing your arms over your chest. "Oh joy."
You huffed seeing Steve standing off to the side and Bucky sitting at a table. You noticed their clothes were ruffled. You neared Steve first, observing the purple mark spreading under his left eye.
"What happened to you?"
"Oh. It's nothing I can't handle."
Releasing a heavy sigh, going against your better judgement you walked closer. Absentmindedly reached a hand up, you softly held Steve's face getting a better look. He leaned into your hand, smirking at you.
"I should get hit more often if I can get your undivided attention like this."
Scoffing, you dropped your hand to your side, glaring at his bruise.
"So you boys can't behave? What's else is new!" You turned facing the door then back at the both of them, "How did this happen?"
"Bucky and I-"
"Bucky?"
"Oh. NOW you know who I am."
You cautiously approached him, watching him wipe a trickle of blood from his mouth. You reached toward him kneeling down, he turned away before letting you look over him.
You stood quickly, "And to think I thought you both were mature adults." looking down on him then to Steve, "Really boys? How'd you're dates taking your little 'lovers quarrel'?"
"I don't think they saw it. Stark removed us both before-"
"If it was the both of you," pointed towards them, "Trust me they saw it. Anyway how'd he manage to do that?"
Buck sighed, turning in your direction, "Manipulation and threats. His specialty no doubt."
"Ah well, I wouldn't go that far. So let's cut to the chase...Why am I here?" You looked between them.
"This is embarrassing,..."
"Tell me about it. I'm suppose to be arm candy right now, stuffing my face with all the fancy food Tony ordered yet I'm wasting it with you two losers."
Steve dropped his hands snorting,
"we...." he bit his lip rubbing his hands together.
"We were arguing over you." Bucky let out a soft grunt looking up in your direction, judging your reaction.
"This again? Cmon fellas!!" You growl, throwing up your
hands, "I'm trying. I really am. But I can't be around you both. I'm trying to get some normalcy. "
"Doll I-"
"Don't. You've both broken my heart. Don't you understand or even realize, there's not a night I don't cry myself to sleep or wrack my brain trying to see if there was anything I could have changed, that I did wrong, that's my fault-"
Bucky grabbed your hands pulling you towards him. With your calm persona slowly shattering, appearing more broken than the both of them, Bucky rubbed circles on the
Back of your hands.
"Please forgive me for doing this to you. I can't express how sorry I am. I didn't know you had been affected like this. " he swallowed thickly,
"Did I tell you how beautiful you are tonight?"
"Bucky. Stop."
"Y/n I'm trying."
"And what do you think I'm doing?! I miss you both so much."
"Then why are we staying apart?"
Steve neared you both.
"Because I'm making the choice to move on, no matter how I feel and I suggest you two do the same."
You wiped a stray tear hearing the lab door hiss, Tony lingered, a sorrowful expression on his features. "Sweetheart I didn't know-"
"Shut it Stark. Take me back to the party."
----------------
Spotting sam you try to push the current issue out of your head.
"Hey Y/n, I've never seen a girl disappear with Stark and reappear the same night." Sam spoke turning on the bar stool to face you.
"Really? Are you experienced in that field..?"
"Funny, very funny. I just thought..
I might have gotten a tad worried- with his rep and all..."
"No there's nothing between me and the Charmer."
"Oh so your single? You weren't just joking you're serious?"
"Recently actually" you signaled the bartender ordering a few shots.
"Wouldn't have anything to do with Rogers and his brooding friend would it?"
"Eh- wait, No.that is not something I am discussing tonight." You slowly slide a bottle of vodka from the underside of the bar, filling the glasses to the brim. "That, whatever that was, is over."
"Right sorry." He watches as you knock back three shots, " If you don't mind me asking, do you have a drinking problem or is something on your mind?"
"Yeah- no. I'm fine Sam! Just peachy!" You wave the comment away wiping your mouth on the back of your hand. "Look, I'm not looking for a relationship but if you wanna just have fun tonight, I'm your gal."
Sams eyes widen, he never expected you to be this open. " um, ok. You wanna dance?"
"Yes! Yes I'd love to!" Grabbing the bottle of vodka and tucking it under your arm, you followed behind Sam.
-----
'Not enough'
You jolted forward grasping at your chest at that phrase echoed through
Your mind. The bed sheets stuck to your sweat cleared body as you came to understand where you were, in your room, in the middle of the night- alone.
Your hair was matted to your dampened neck. Your breath was sporadic, while you surveyed your surroundings. Kicking off your cover you swung your legs to the side.
Hearing someone breathing you tip toed from your room. Looking around your living space your eyes land on a faint light shining, coming from the sofa. Curiously you walked over kneeling down discovering a very exaused Bucky.
"Hey. Jerk. Why are you on my sofa. "
"Tony said you started drinking after our talk... and we must have stressed you out because you drank so much you threw up...on Sam. . "
"Eww! wait. I did what?! Noooo!" You covered your face.
"What's wrong- y/n, still feeling sick?.. "
"Ugh. You two?! Don't you have other things to do than sleep uncomfortably on my furniture in my room?"
"We were worried."
"Huh. Yeah I'm sure. Why else would we be here?"
"Good point. Where's you're dates?"
"Oh. Yeah."
"Tony ran interference actually."
"No. Tony wanted to stay with you and I vetoed it." Bucky spoke laying on your shoulder.
"Trust me boys I'm good to go now. So, up and at them gentlemen! It's only.." you grab bucks arm squinting to read his watch." Three in the morning. THREE IN THE MORNING! Shit. Well...I'm sure you can salvage your night and make it up to Nat and Wanda."
"Nah. I'm pretty beat."
"I second that."
"Look I. Thanks for..."
"You know you don't have to thank me."
"Can we atleast go back to being friends. I miss you doll. We've been talking and we both do. Having your friendship is something neither of us can live with out."
"Well, it's a start."