Steve Rogers Story: Modern Royalty Chapter 8 — Banter With Bucky

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.

---

 

Watch Episode 8 Here:

(Tags: steve rogers fanfic, steve rogers fanfiction,  fanfic, steve rogers, fanfiction sites, fanfiction websites, adult fanfic, fanfic websites, adult fanfictions, fan fiction sites, avengers fanfiction, bucky barnes and steve rogers, bucky barnes steve rogers, captain america steve rogers, marvel fanfiction, best fanfiction sites, avengers fanfic, best fanfiction, ao3, wattpad, wattpad stories, steve rogers x reader, wattpad stories romance, best wattpad stories, chris evans, sebastian stan, blake lively, gossip girl scenes, modern royalty, youtube, youtube fanvid, marvel pov series, romance novels, wattpad stories, young adult literature, fanfiction.net, romance novel books, best romance novels, romantic love novels, ya novel, ya books, young adult books, best young adult books, young adult romance books, best ya books, romantic novels for adults, fantasy love story books, filmfiction, romantic love novels)