The common room buzzed with low conversation, the clink of glass bottles, and the dull hum of post-mission exhaustion. It should’ve been relaxing—but it wasn’t.

Not for Bucky.

He stood off to the side, arms crossed tight over his chest, metal fingers curled just slightly into his bicep. His jaw was locked, eyes sharp and unblinking as they tracked one person across the room.

Chad.

The guy had only been on the team for a few weeks, but he already carried himself like he owned the place—leaning too close, talking too loud, laughing even louder. And right now? He was hovering near you.

Bucky’s stare darkened.

Beside him, Alexei let out a low chuckle, nudging John with his elbow. “You see this? Is like watching tiger before it pounces.”

John smirked, glancing between Bucky and the scene unfolding. “Man’s two seconds away from committing a war crime over there.”

Bucky didn’t respond. Didn’t move. But the tension rolling off him was enough to make both men ease back a step.

Across the room, Chad was mid-sentence, flashing that too-easy grin as he leaned in your space again. “—c’mon, you gotta admit, I’m more fun than Barnes. Guy barely talks—”

Your expression didn’t even change.

You lifted a hand and planted it firmly against his face, shoving him back just enough to break his rhythm. Not hard—just enough to make a point.

“No.”

That was it. Flat. Final.

Chad blinked, caught completely off guard as you stepped around him like he wasn’t even there. Like he hadn’t just been trying to charm you for the last ten minutes.

Bucky’s posture shifted immediately.

Not relaxed—no, not yet—but something in his shoulders loosened as your eyes found his across the room.

You didn’t hesitate.

Crossing the space between you, your boots echoed softly against the floor, purposeful, steady. Conversations dimmed a little as people picked up on the shift in energy.

Bucky barely had time to uncross his arms before you were right in front of him.

Your hand fisted in the front of his shirt, tugging him down just enough—and then you kissed him.

Not shy. Not quick.

Deliberate.

Possessive in a way that said more than words ever could.

For a second, Bucky froze—surprised more than anything—but then his hand came up, gripping your waist, pulling you closer like it was instinct. Like it was the only place you were supposed to be.

When you pulled back, his eyes searched yours, something softer breaking through the jealousy that had been burning there moments ago.

You didn’t say anything.

Didn’t need to.

You just gave his collar one last small tug, then let go and turned on your heel, heading straight for the door like nothing had happened.

Like you hadn’t just shut Chad down in the clearest way possible.

The room stayed quiet for a beat.

Then—

“…Damn,” John muttered under his breath.

Alexei grinned, clapping Bucky hard on the shoulder. “Ah! She chooses you. Good. I was worried I would have to fight annoying one myself.”

Bucky didn’t answer.

He was still staring at the door you disappeared through, lips pressed together—but this time, there was the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

And across the room, Chad had gone very, very quiet.