Chapter Eight: Banter With Bucky
The front door
swung shut with a loud bang, its echo reverberating through the large space.
Bucky's Vibranium arm had a knack for making a grand entrance, rattling the
door and window frames, and today was no exception. Sam, perched on the
barstool, looked up from his phone.
"What're you
doing here?" he asked, tilting his head, instantly suspicious.
Bucky sauntered
into the room with his trademark swagger, his expression neutral. "What, I
can't come over for breakfast anymore?"
"Breakfast?
Since when does Bucky Barnes have a hankering for bacon and eggs?"
Bucky shrugged
nonchalantly. "Hey, even super soldiers need their fuel."
As realisation
dawned on Sam, his smirk widened into a grin. "Oh, wait... I get it!
You're hoping to catch a glimpse of Sarah, aren't you?"
Bucky's
façade faltered. "I can't do this. I can't put up with you so early
in the morning," he groaned, rubbing his temples in exasperation. “It’s
just not worth it.”
"Hey, no
judgement, Buck. Why do you think I'm here? I'm hoping to accidentally run
into the famous Sarah Carter too. It worked last time."
Bucky shot Sam a
deadpan look. "That's just sad."
"Oh, right.
And you're just killing it with her, aren’t you?" Sam retorted, rolling
his eyes.
On cue, Sarah
interrupted their banter, her presence instantly brightening the room. She
greeted them with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling. The surge of excitement
Bucky felt at the mere sight of her was unmistakable.
"Morning,
boys. Anyone seen Steve?" she asked cheerfully, scanning the array of food
on the breakfast table.
Bucky cleared his
throat, trying hard to maintain an air of nonchalance. "Yeah, we won't be
seeing him this weekend. He's over at Sharon's."
Sarah's
expression waned, her attempt at a smile falling flat.
"You okay?”
"No, yeah,
I'm great. I have you guys here, don't I?" she replied with forced
cheerfulness. It appeared this would have to be her go-to mask whilst residing
at the compound.
"Hey, if you
want, I could show you around…?"
Sarah considered
Bucky’s offer for a moment before declining with regret. "You know what?
That sounds amazing, but I actually have a shoot to get to. Maybe next
time?"
As Sarah left the
room, Sam glimpsed longing on Bucky’s face. "You cannot be serious,"
he chuckled incredulously, earning a glare from Bucky. "Don't look at me
like that. You. Like. Sarah.”
Bucky bristled at
the accusation but didn't deny it. "Yeah, so what? So do you."
Sam shook his
head, chuckling. "No, no, no, no... I am a fan of Sarah
Carter, the talented actress. America's sweetheart. You have
the hots for Sarah. Your best friend's best friend."
"Mind
lowering your voice? Someone could hear you," Bucky warned.
"Word of
advice… if you want a girl like Sarah Carter to even look your way, you might
wanna clean up your look a bit.”
Bucky's ears
perked up at that suggestion. "Wait, what's wrong with my look?"
"Technically,
not a damn thing. But something tells me she's a little more Rogers and a
little less Barnes, if y'know what I mean."
As Bucky
contemplated Sam's advice, his mind drifted to Steve and Sarah's history. He
knew about the deep bond they once shared, the unspoken understanding that once
existed between them. He remembered how devastated Steve had been when Sarah
left, and he couldn't help but wonder if there was still something lingering
between them.
Then there was
the matter of appearance. Bucky couldn't deny that he and Steve had very
different outward appearances. While Steve had the quintessential "Ivy
League" look, Bucky's rugged appearance seemed worlds apart.
Perhaps Sarah preferred that polished image.
Sam sipped his
coffee, eyeing Bucky with amusement. "You're really hung up on her, aren't
you?"
“Don’t be
ridiculous. It’s Sarah freaking Carter…" Bucky scoffed.
The name hung in
the air between them. Sarah Carter, daughter of S.H.I.E.L.D. legends Harrison
and Amanda Carter, niece of Peggy Carter, now a Hollywood force of nature in
her own right.
“…I mean, she’s
not just another starlet. She’s…”
"Royalty,"
Sam finished for him. "Hollywood fucking royalty… Modern royalty."
Bucky nodded,
reaching for a glass of orange juice. “Exactly.”
Sam considered
for a moment, watching Sarah leave the premises from the window. "But you
know what? You're Bucky fucking Barnes, my friend."
A slow smile
spread across Bucky’s face as he contemplated Sam’s words. Maybe it was the
insane caffeine fix, or maybe it was the intoxicating allure of a challenge,
but suddenly anything seemed possible.
Sarah flopped
onto the sofa, phone pressed to her ear. "He's actually really hot.
Admittedly, not my usual type... but hot," she confessed during another
late-night phone call. "And how cute is he to ask to show me around? I
don't think he thought that one through.”
"Wait, who are
we talking about here?" Althea’s voice crackled through the speaker.
"Another adoring fan who just had to tell you how much they loved your
last film?"
Sarah rolled her
eyes. "No, smartass. Bucky Barnes."
There was a
pause, then a fangirling shriek. "You’re living with James Barnes?"
"Do you ever
listen? He doesn’t live here; he came over for breakfast, I
think,” Sarah clarified, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "And
Althea, he's... God, he's even hotter in person. It should be illegal to look
that good at 7 AM."
"Okay, you
cannot be pining for one super soldier whilst being pursued by
another. That's just wrong. Even for you."
Sarah giggled,
her cheeks flushing with a hint of embarrassment. "I'm neither pining nor
being pursued. At best, it's a casual flirtation in passing."
"Oh, poor
Sarah. Accosted by devastatingly handsome men before she's even had her morning
latte. However will you cope?"
"Be
serious!" Sarah protested, though she couldn't help but laugh. "But
I’ll admit… There is something about him.”
"Yeah, it's
called 'being ridiculously attractive,'" Althea quipped. "Welcome to
how the rest of us mere mortals feel around you, darling."
Sarah snorted.
"You're no help at all. Listen, before you go, promise me you'll be at
Cece’s high tea this year. I won't get through it without you."
Althea's response
was noncommittal, her silence speaking volumes. But Sarah, sensing her
hesitation, whizzed Althea off the phone, not giving her a chance to reject the
invitation. "I'm taking that as a yes, Althea. You’d better be
there!"
Lily, the Carter
sisters’ ever-so-determined aunt, stood in the centre of their expansive Carter
penthouse, a whirlwind of activity around her. Interior decorators flitted
about, adjusting the finest details, while caterers meticulously arranged
delicate finger sandwiches and dainty pastries.
This was no
ordinary gathering; it was Cece Carter’s Annual High Tea, a prestigious event
that sent ripples through New York's elite social circles. Socialites from far
and wide waited with bated breath, hoping for the coveted invitation that would
grant them entry into this exclusive world.
With an air of
authority, Lily directed her team with precision, ensuring that every aspect of
the event was executed flawlessly. But amidst the hustle and bustle, her phone
buzzed discreetly, signalling an incoming call. With a quick glance around to
ensure no one was listening, Lily answered, her tone hushed.
"Yes,
Mother," she murmured into the phone. "Sarah's just RSVP’d. I do hope
your meeting with the boy went favourably.”
A calculating
smile crept onto Lily's face as she double-checked the guest list, the
name Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes at the top of the VIP
list. Her intentions remained shrouded in mystery, but one thing was certain…
Lily was orchestrating something significant—perhaps underhanded, perhaps
not—and Bucky Barnes was about to become a key player in her plans.
************************
Sarah took a deep
breath, steeling herself as she stepped into the lift bound for the penthouse.
Unpleasant memories from her teenage years, particularly her senior year,
flooded her mind, each memory leading back to her first meeting with Steve. But
she quickly pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. With one last
glance in the mirror to ensure she looked presentable, she braced herself for
the inevitable flurry of attention awaiting her.
As she made her
way through the crowd, navigating the sea of unfamiliar faces, she spotted a
figure that stood out from the rest. It was Cece, her
almost-ostentatiously-elegant grandmother, waving her over with a welcoming
smile. Beside her stood Bucky, a familiar face with a charming grin that sent a
ripple of warmth through Sarah's chest.
"Sarah,
sweetheart, I believe you've already met James," Cece cooed.
Sarah's heart
skipped a beat as she met Bucky’s gaze.
"Sarah.
Beautiful as always," he replied, his grin confident and his demeanour
exuding charm. It was a striking difference to the man she had encountered just
days before, and she couldn't help but be impressed by his transformation.
Dressed in a sharp three-piece Tom Ford suit, he looked every bit the debonair
gentleman.
"Bucky. Wow.
Hi," Sarah breathed, unable to hide her surprise.
Bucky felt a
surge of satisfaction, inwardly fist pumping the air in triumph at Sarah’s
reaction. But he maintained perfectly composed, offering her nothing more than
a sexy grin in return.
Beside him, Cece
observed the exchange with a knowing smile, silently congratulating herself on
a job well done. "Mission accomplished," she thought to
herself, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Outside the
penthouse, Sharon and Steve braced themselves for the swarm of adoration they
were now accustomed to at such events.
"Okay, so
they all know we're busy people. They do not expect us to stay very long,"
Sharon reassured him. "Just one round of obligatory mingling."
Steve nodded in
agreement. "Got it. In and out. An easy mission."
She reached up to
adjust his tie, her touch gentle as she straightened the fabric. Sharon paused,
her hands resting lightly on his chest as she gazed up at him.
"They're
going to be your family soon, too. At some point, you're going to have to get
along.”
Steve closed his
eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
As they stepped
into the luxurious penthouse, Sharon and Steve were met with a select few
gathered in the living room. Among them were Cece, Sarah, her best friend,
Althea, and, to Steve's surprise, Bucky.
"James
shared quite a humorous anecdote about my sister earlier," Cece announced
to the group, her tone light and jovial.
Althea, visibly
enchanted by Bucky's presence, shifted closer, eager to hear more. "Do
tell..."
Bucky set his
delicate teacup down on the table, a playful glint in his eyes as he launched
into his story. "It's more humiliating than humorous, really... I hit on
Peggy once, and she threw her drink in my face."
Cece's laughter
filled the room as if Bucky's misfortune was the most entertaining thing she'd
heard in ages. "Turns out I have bad luck with the Carter women,"
Bucky concluded with a casual shrug.
Cece then turned
her attention to Sarah, her gaze playful yet pointed. "Sarah, perhaps you
could make up for your old aunt's poor decorum?"
Sarah,
well-acquainted with Cece's subtle directives, nodded in agreement, though a
hint of discomfort flickered across her features. It wasn't the first time
she'd been nudged into compliance by her family.
"Yes,
Gran," she responded, knowing better than to defy Cece's wishes,
especially in public.
Bucky flashed
Sarah a teasing wink, causing her cheeks to flush, while Steve stood across the
room, his jaw clenched as he observed the playful banter between the two.
Though he tried to conceal it, a pang of jealousy shot through his chest,
unsettled by the obvious rapport between them.
"So, how old
are you exactly, James?" Althea enquired, tucking a strand of hair behind
her ear.
"Uh, I
guess, technically, a hundred and seven."
Sarah, sensing
the flirtatious exchange, interjected as she nibbled on a lemon macaron.
"He prefers Bucky, by the way."
"You're
right. I do," Bucky confirmed with a raised eyebrow. "But you can
call me whatever you want."
Sarah's cheeks
flushed again, surprised by Bucky's smooth remark. "Good to know... Good.
To. Know," she stammered.
Bucky couldn't
help but chuckle at Sarah's flustered response, enjoying how the tables had
turned.
Steve, feeling
increasingly uncomfortable with the all-too-obvious chemistry between Bucky and
Sarah, silently excused himself from the room, choosing to walk away rather
than linger in their presence.
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