Chapter 1
Bucky sighed and looked at the blank canvas in disgust. He honestly didn’t know what he was thinking, taking this night class. He sucked at anything art related. The colours never blended, his shapes were always wonky and his still life pieces were abysmal. It had been Natasha’s idea, something to take his mind off of everything that had happened. She had agreed to come with him and now sat on his left, drawing with the same militant concentration she applied to everything. To be fair, his frustration was definitely keeping his focus. They were meant to be drawing the basket of fruit in the centre of the room. Fifteen or so other people were surrounding it, their hands moving surely on the canvases in front of them, bringing their art to life. Bucky bit his lip and started to work.
After ten more minutes of unsuccessfully trying to draw a banana, Bucky threw his paintbrush down in frustration. He glanced around the room self consciously, sure his frustration was obvious to everyone. To his surprise, no one was paying him any attention. Bucky started looking more closely at the people in the room. A woman with bright red lipstick, laugh lines and a resting bitch face to rival even his sat opposite him. Her eyes flicked to him, feeling him watching her. He glanced away quickly, eyes landing on the man sitting next to her, drawing intently. He did pull Bucky’s attention for more than a few seconds. He was beautiful. His eyes looked like daylight and why was drawing so difficult? He wanted to draw the guy, his cute freckles, his pink lips, pulled between his teeth in concentration. The guy was tiny, but surprisingly muscular, one arm raised to his all-American blonde hair, fingers running through it, sticking it up and leaving streaks of paint through it. He was goddamn gorgeous.
He felt an elbow in his ribs and jumped. Glaring to the left, he spotted the amused look on his best friend’s face. With horror, he realised he’d been staring for way too long at the literal angel in front of him. Bucky nervously swallowed and returned to his work. Not long after he’d started again, the teacher told them to put their art supplies away and to go home. Bucky blinked. That last half went a lot quicker. Then he blanched. Hot Guy’s seat was right next to the door. Which mean Bucky would have to pass him. Shit. Trying (and failing) to be casual, he slung an arm around Natasha, and ushered her quickly through the door, avoiding eye contact with Hot Guy. He could feel her eyes on him, and knew she was grinning. He silently urged her to not say anything, but of course it was useless.
“Peggy?” He heard in an all too familiar voice and groaned internally. Of course Nat would want to stop and chat with someone when he was literally dying. He turned reluctantly to see who she was talking to and froze. The woman he made awkward eye contact with earlier looked up at the same time as Hot Guy.
Peggy broke out into a disbelieving smile, “Natasha?” Her voice was light, with a clear British accent. She advanced towards them and brought Nat into a hug, “I haven’t seen you in ages! How have you been?”
Nat grinned and shrugged, “oh you know, same old, same old. Putting up with this idiot on a daily basis is a full time job.” With that, she gestured at Bucky. His face heated up in a brilliant blush, almost as bright as Peggy’s lipstick. He heard a snort and looked back up to see Hot Guy’s face twist into a smile.
“Oh, sorry, how rude of me. This is Steve. Steve, Natasha is an old friend. Steve is my partner in crime and best friend.” Peggy smiled, pulling Steve forward. A blush tinted his cheeks, blotchy and oh so beautiful. Bucky couldn’t help but stare.
“This is James, my roommate.” Natasha said, “he’s very shy.” Bucky glared at her and shook Steve’s offered hand, then Peggy’s. He tried for a smile but was sure it came out more like a grimace, judging by the faintly concerned looks on their faces.
“Hi” he croaked, mentally face palming himself. He was usually a lot smoother than this. He reflexively tightened his left hand, feeling the plates shifting under his glove, the faint whirring noise deafening. He knew no one but him could hear it, but he hated new people knowing. They always treated him differently, giving him sympathetic looks. He didn’t need that. Natasha looked over at the movement and gave him a sympathetic look. She knew when he was really uncomfortable, and for all of her teasing, would always put him first and leave when he wanted to. It was one of the reasons he loved her so much.
“Well, it was lovely seeing you again Peggy, but I’ve got to get home. Promised Clint we’d go out tonight.” Natasha said brightly, “Are you going to be here next week?” She smiled at Peggy’s nod. “Wonderful. Steve it was nice meeting you, we’ll see you next week.” Bucky gave a wave and mumbled his goodbyes, internally breathing a sigh of relief. Thank God for Natasha Romanov.