Crossing Paths
You run your hands over the fabric of your dress, smoothing down imaginary wrinkles in an attempt to calm your nerves. As you stand there in front of the full length mirror, you turn your head from side to side, getting a better look at your hair from every possible angle.
While this wasn’t your first time attending one of Stark’s parties, it would be your first time back there since moving out.
Regular lunch dates and movie nights at your place with Sam and Steve happened often enough that you considered the two of them your closest friends now. Occasionally one of your co-workers would also be included. The life you had now was fairly normal, taking into consideration your job and acquaintances.
A sudden knocking at the door jolts you out of your nervous thoughts.
“Right there!” you shout, jamming your phone into a small handbag as you rush to get out of the apartment.
Once you’ve closed the door behind you, Sam pulls you in for a quick hug before the two of you head down the stairs of the building.
Voices and music immediately greet you as the doors of the elevator open. With his hand on your back, you and Sam step out in unison before he leans in, concerned.
“You’ll be okay, but do you want me to stick with you for bit?”
“Would you?” you reply, giving him an apologetic smile, thankful for his offer. You hadn’t realized until just then how high your nerves really were.
Knowing that Bucky must be in the room somewhere, you avoided giving the area your usual once-over and just focused on those immediately in front of you. After a while you began to notice how Sam had been gently guiding you away from one side of the room, and it didn’t take much thought to put together why, so you did your best to avoid glancing in that direction at all.
---
It had been weeks since she moved the last of her things out of the tower. Weeks since she had begged him not to leave that room. And weeks since he let his fear of hurting her cloud his better judgement.
Part of him worried that she would do something reckless again, something like the last time he had pushed her away. Sam and Steve were both keeping an eye on her as far as that went and according to the two of them, she was doing well. Or so they would tell Bucky whenever they returned from visiting with her.
And that is what he let himself believe. That the woman he had pushed away was doing well, that she was doing better without him.
There wasn’t any reason for their paths to cross now. Bucky avoided the distance between her work and home at all times, even though he knew the times she could be found there, just in case.
“I hope you realize that you’re expected to actually make an appearance at this thing.”
Bucky turned away from the counter to look at Steve, the blank stare on his face causing Steve to explain further.
“Tonight. Tony’s-” Steve began.
“Got it,” he replied dully before trudging off, leaving the glass he just pulled from the shelf sitting empty on the counter.
He got there early, before the crowd of people grew to that uncomfortable level. Being in the room as they trickled in would be easier for him to handle tonight than it would be to wait until there was a room full of eyes staring as he walked in. Plus, he could hunker down on one of the sofas for as long as needed, making his presence even less obvious to those not immediately near him.
It should have been a giveaway when Steve suddenly broke away from a group of people he had been speaking with, making his way directly to Bucky. Caught up in his own thoughts and replays of the last few weeks must have caused him to have his guard down, because it wasn’t until the sound of Sam’s familiar laugh sounded nearby that he realized she was there. Now he was remembering how Sam was the one to pick her up from her apartment while Steve stayed behind to make sure Bucky didn’t sneak off in an effort to avoid this party. To avoid her.
Once the two men had spotted one another, Sam appeared to be making a conscious effort of steering clear of Bucky’s general area.
“How are you holding up over here?” Steve asked, taking a seat on the armrest next to where Bucky was sitting.
Unamused, Bucky looked up at him. “Are you providing the distraction?”
“Guess so,” he replied with a remorseful grin.