The vibe - Bucky Barnes x gender neutral reader
Maybe he should've stayed at home, going out with Sam was definitely a mistake. He never should have listened to Steve, now here he was, in a house filled with people to the brim. Drunk and or high. He couldn't even get dunk for god's sake. This night was gonna be long.
It all started two days prior when Steve and Sam had finished their morning run. Sam was trying to get Steve to go to one of his get together with veterans, he was sure that 'the guys would love it' as he put it. Sure, it would be a nice gesture but Steve was one of those guys that didn't quite like to be in the spotlight. Even if the people attending the event would be too drunk to remember it. The least he knew was that he would remember it, and that was enough to making him refuse the offer to go. Beside, he was suppose to meet with Sharon that night anyway. And as much as he didn't know quite enough about her at the moment, he was willing to try. She seemed like a nice person. It was then evident that Sam was gonna have to bring someone else to the party.
That's when Sam noticed Bucky behind the counter of the compound's kitchen. He was drinking coffee when the other two walked in, obviously he already knew what he was gonna get asked. He was definitely going to refuse when Steve looked at him with pleading eyes, as if to convince him to go instead of him. Yes, it was kinda weird coming from Steve but could you blame him? The guy had plans!
-"Hey Buck, what would you say if I took you to this get together with veterans? I know you probably already know them but think of it: you reuniting with your friends and me...not getting ridiculed?" Sam asked with a slight tilt of his head.
Okay, put like this and it was almost impossible to refuse; yet, Bucky still had his reserve. He wasn't completely capable of being in places with big crowds. On one side it would help Sam not get made fun of for bragging to know the First Avenger; and on another it could quite literally cause him a panic attack. Something that he for sure didn't ever want to experience in a long time. He wanted peace, to stay where calm 'vibes' where. (He saw the term on the internet).
-" No." He responded and proceeded to drink the rest of his beverage.
He had pondered the question, had analysed to pros and cons and honestly, the fact that there was already one con was enough to convince him to stay at home. That's when the other two guys in the room made some sort of sighing noise before he heard Sam talking.
-" See, I told you he would never." Sam was getting nervous, if he didn't bring anyone at the party in two day it probably meant that he wouldn't be able to help these men anymore. He loved this association, loved the message that it brought out there. He especially liked the way that even if he was 'working', these people understood his struggle in life and him theirs.
- "Okay, Buck I understand why you don't want to go but think about it. It could be a good occasion to go out, even for a night and enjoy yourself. Even if it's the only time you do." Steve always had this way to talking to Bucky in a way that encouraged him to be better for himself. Okay maybe Buck would think about it, contemplate the idea even if he didn't do it.
-" I don't know Steve I think it's too soon for me to go." Sure it would be good to get out of this building but the possibility of chaos ensuing were too big.
He then, went to his room to 'think' about going to this party.
There he was; in a house filled with people to the brim. Drunk and or high. Maybe he should've stayed at home, going out with Sam was definitely a mistake. He never should have listened to Steve. He couldn't even get dunk for god's sake. This night was gonna be long.
He didn't like crowded places, people all over each other and just the smell of alcohol when he couldn't even feel the effects of it. Really he wasn't having a good time. Steve had dodged a heavy bullet.
Sure they were excited to meet 'a living figure of the past', but it didn't help Bucky to feel less anxious, that the people in this establishment looked at him like a legend that just got discovered. And while that was sort of true, he still didn't like how these words mad him feel. He didn't want to feel like an artefact nor a legendary dragon as Sam had put it in the past. He just wanted to be seen as a man, a man that was tired and just wanted to go home.
He had just started to think of a plethora of ways to get out of here without getting caught when Sam reappeared with someone.
-"Buck, You've got to meet Y/N! They're a cousin of mine and are working here. I wanted you to meet them, that's why I wasn't there. I was searching for them." As soon as Sam had finished his words, he was already being dragged by someone else to another direction. Probably to welcome someone in the place.
Bucky was then left with Sam's cousin, probably the most refreshing person he had seen all night. They had a similar skin complexion as their cousin; their hair down to their shoulders. And their smile had this warmth to it. Bucky was certain that if he could get cold, their smile would definitely be able to warm him up. He was so caught up in analysing their features that he didn't catch what they were telling him. Maybe he should speak up.
-"I'm sorry I didn't catch what you said with the music" That was really the lamest thing he could have said. He felt so embarrassed. Yeah, the people talked loudly, but the music wasn't as loud as them.
-"Oh, yeah it's true that the noise is loud. I asked if you wanted to go outside?" They were nervous, the guy in front of them was very attractive. Plus, they felt nervous in crowded places. Whether he wanted to go with them or not Y/N was gonna go outside and breathe some fresh air. They needed it.
Bucky pondered the question, and yes he felt weird in this place. Additionally, going outside might do him some good.
Once they were out, they started walking to the porch's steps and decided to sit on them.
-" I'm really sorry I made you go out but I really have a hard time being in rooms with lots of people. Sometimes it becomes too much, I honestly thought it was gonna be a small party." They looked up to the stars as they talked.
-"No, it's okay. Me too I get those feelings when there's too much people around me. I guess it foes away at some point. I'm not there yet though." He didn't know if he felt nervous because of them or because he was actually talking to someone. His hands were wet and he was starting to sweat.
To Bucky they looked so much more peaceful, he felt the same way he did back in the day when he would talk to one of those fine dames. If he thought of it more, he would say that he had butterflies in his stomach. But he didn't want to think about it. He wanted to keep looking at their face bathing in the moon light. Now that they were alone, he noticed how he could breathe correctly again without the feeling of weight on his chest. He really had a good night with them, the jokes that they told him were all genuinely funny and he understood how they were related to Sam at that moment. Their humour was slightly different but at the same time so similar. He didn't see the hours go by as he was so enthralled in them. He wanted to know more and more about them, maybe become friends down the line if they were okay with that.
To them, under the light of the stars, Bucky looked so interesting. They knew his story, what it entailed and sure they didn't know how much of a broken man he was but they could understand the pain to a certain degree. They truly wanted to get to know him, maybe even be friends if he wanted to. They had fun, felt at ease with him for the first time in a long time. He was way better than what they imagined, than how Sam described him. He wasn't grumpy in his responses, he was actually giggling and laughing at some of their jokes and he wasn't an awkward mess, they were! Seriously they had a great time with Bucky, they didn't even see the time fly.
Both of them were upset their time together was coming an end. However, they had exchanged numbers and promised each other to hang out again.