It started a while ago. Slowly. Bucky was acting… differently. One day, he bought something for you out of nowhere. “I saw this and thought it was stupid… but maybe you’d like it. Or not. Whatever.”

He stared at you way too long — then looked away like he got caught doing something illegal. Sam caught it regularly and made a face behind him. You already started to wonder if something was on your face, constantly checking the mirror. But there wasn’t anything.

You had no idea that Bucky was practicing in the mirror how to tell you. Multiple times. Face palming himself afterwards because he was so embarrassed. But the worst thing was that a Dora Milaje once caught him doing finger guns and he didn’t leave his room for the next to days.

Tonight, you already had a few drinks, laughing at something Rhodey was saying. The atmosphere in the tower was relaxed, people mingled around, the drinks were delicious. And then there was Bucky. Trying Thors asguardian mead ans getting surprisingly drunk. “I’m gonna tell her.” He said, his eyes fixed on you. Thor furrowed his brows, trying to follow his gaze. “Who?”

Instead of answering, Bucky raised his hand to point at you. Thor finally understood. “Oh! Yeah, the pretty little human. Yeah, you should tell them!” He said, patting Bucky’s back and shoving him forward at the same time. Bucky grinned and nodded, placing his drink on the table next to him. He wiped invisible dust off his shirt and walked up to you, his steps a little wobbly. “You look-…” he wanted to say pretty, but he was interrupted by a hiccup.