It's Looking Up From Here

Warnings: relationship angst, fluff, implied smut

Summary: You and Gio grow closer over your shared interest in fashion and create something beautiful that only you can pull off. He invites you to a party this weekend but Bucky has bigger and better plans you can't resist.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then

Bucky was very secretive when it came to most of the things in his life. He trusted you enough to let you sleep over in his house but didn't trust you enough to keep all the doors unlocked. You just wanted to know everything you could about Bucky since he didn't share a lot with you. He'd always been with you whenever you went exploring his house but he was still in bed. This was your opportunity to look before he caught you.

Bucky's mansion is huge with more rooms than he used. There was an entire wing of the house that no one used but he still kept this house as if he needed every room. Bucky didn't keep a lot of stuff on the wall because he claimed that the pictures he wanted to look at were either in his wallet or on his phone.

All of them were of you.

Bucky's mansion had a personal gym, two movie theater rooms, a bowling alley, two game rooms, a shooting range, two bars, over a dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, a spa, a huge indoor pool, and a multi-story car garage. You were still not sure how that even worked and you've seen him use cars that were on the second story. Sam and Steve had rooms here since he trusted them more than his other men but you hadn't seen them in a while.

What kind of job does Bucky do that requires him to have a boatload of men with guns? Maybe you knew the answer and didn't want to face it. You didn't want to think of Bucky other than the sweet man you loved.

Since you knew of almost every room in his house, you head to the one place he kept under lock and key. Of course, his office door is locked when you get there. He told you never to go in here but why? Bucky's maid walked out of the room next to his office, scaring you. You knew he had a chef and a maid that lived in the house but you didn't expect her to be up this early.

"Sorry, you scared me," you chuckled. She rolled her cart past his office and continued to the next room. "Aren't you going to go in there?"

"Mr. Barnes doesn't want anyone going in there but him."

Now you were more confused than ever. You grabbed the door handle and tried again as if the door would be magically unlocked from the last time you tried it. Why didn't he want anyone in there? What was really in there? What was he hiding? You stood on your tiptoes and felt along the rim of the door. Maybe he kept a key there even though it was unlikely.

"What are you doing?"

You jumped at hearing his voice and you turned to face him. There was no point in trying to hide it. You were caught red-handed.

"Nothing," you said sheepishly.

"Were you trying to get into my office?"

You dropped the innocent facade with an eye roll.

"I'm sorry, Bucky, but I'm curious. You don't let anyone in there."

"Yeah, there's a reason why," he glared.

"So, what's the reason? What do you have in there?"

"Nothing. It's just an office."

"Tell me, if it's just an office, why can't I go in there? Why do you keep the door locked?"

"I let you have free reign in this entire house. Why can't you let this one go?" he sighed in frustration.

You've always wanted things you couldn't have.

"If it's not a big deal, why can't I go inside? What are you hiding?"

"Nothing." You kept asking questions that pissed him off but he wasn't going to yell in your face. Until you kept pushing the issue, and he exploded. "I said it's nothing, Y/N! I don't want you going in there!" You jumped from the sudden explosion and immediately hurt that he'd yell at you. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, I just don't want people in there. I'm very private."

"Okay," you said in a hollow voice.

"I'm sorry for yelling. I'm just stressed at work."

"And what is it that you do? You keep that a secret, too?"

"I really don't want to get into this right now."

"Yeah," you scoffed, "what did I expect? A mature conversation? No, you go off running away every time I bring up your job that you don't want me to know about."

Bucky's fists clenched but he didn't move them from his side.

"Y/N..."

"No, it's fine. It's not like this is a relationship or anything," you scoffed and walked back to your room.

Now

You and Gio put the finishing touches on the dress you two are making for class. The dress is light pink and goes all the way down to your feet. If you're not wearing some kind of heel, the dress will drag. The top is elegant where the silky fabric crosses over each other over the breasts. It's spaghetti straps but a line of fabric drapes from the front to the back giving the false look of flowy sleeves.

"Damn, you're good at this," Gio smiles.

"We're good at this," you correct.

"Alright, you should be putting the finishing touches on your projects," your professor announces. "I'll need one person from each group to try on the project and show the class."

"So, who is going to put this on?" you ask Gio.

"I think this was made for you."

"I don't know, I'd like to see you wear this," you joke.

You and seven other people take their projects and leave the room to try on what they made. You're the first one back so you walk into the classroom with a shy smile. Gio stares at you with parted lips like he thinks you're the most beautiful woman in the world. The dress fits you like it was made for your body. When designing it, you might have put your own size into it. If your professor would let you, you'd love to take this home and show Bucky. You and Gio explain to the class the process of making the dress and why you chose the silky fabric. Afterward, you step down and let the next group go.

"You look beautiful," Gio smiles once back at your desk.

"Thank you. I love it."

"It was made for you. It fits really well."

"I wish I could take it home."

Before class is done, you change out of the dress and leave it for your professor to grade. You and Gio walk to the cafeteria to grab something to eat. Bucky will be pulling up to the meeting point since you have a half-day today but you figure he can wait while you have lunch with Gio. You two pay for lunch and find a spot to eat outside.

"So, a bunch of us are going to a party this weekend. My friend is in Delta Phi and is going to be throwing one of their legendary parties. I want you to go."

"I've never been to a frat party before. It sounds like fun. Let me check my schedule and see if I have anything planned."

You take out your planner and look at this weekend.

"You did a really good job on the dress."

"You helped," you smile.

"Nah, that was all you. You're going to make a great fashion designer one day."

"Thank you. I don't have anything planned for this weekend. I'd love to go to a party."

Gio is about to respond when he notices something behind you. His entire face hardens into something you think is hate. You look back and see Bucky and sigh knowing he is pissed you weren't there. He takes a seat next to you but doesn't regard Gio at all.

"Where were you?"

"I'm having lunch with my friend. Bucky, this is Gio. Gio, this is Bucky."

Bucky only grunts in Gio's direction. He's never been a people person much less with men you know

"Come on, I have a surprise waiting for you at home."

"You're dating him?" Gio asks in surprise.

"You say that like you know him." You look at Bucky. "Do you know him?"

"I've never met you before."

"Sorry," Gio chuckles breathily, "I thought you were someone else."

"I have to go. Thanks for lunch," you smile and pack up.

"So, you'll be at the party?"

"Yeah."

You leave with Bucky but only until he is back in the car does he say something.

"What party?"

"He invited me to a frat party. I told him I'd go. It's this weekend."

"You know what's at those college parties? Booze, sex, and drugs."

"What, you think I can't handle myself?" you ask and look at him.

"I know you can. It's them I don't trust."

"Then why don't you come with me?"

Bucky looks at you with a bitch face.

"Do I look like a frat boy?"

"I don't know. Sometimes you act like one." He laughs and shakes his head. When he gets home, he escorts you inside with a hand on the small of your back. "So, what's this surprise?"

Bucky steps away from you and walks over to four suitcases by the stairs.

"We're going to Italy." You gasp in shock. "Awh, looks like you won't be going to that little party after all."

"What about school?"

"I worked out a deal with your teachers so you can do it online."

"I've never been to Italy before," you grin.

"So, would you trade fine dining, luxury, and me for frat boys, drinking, and beer pong?"

You walk up to Bucky and put one hand on his shoulder and the other on the side of his face.

"You. I choose you."

He grabs you by your hips and kisses you desperately. He picks you up by your thighs and you wrap your legs around his waist.

"We leave in the morning."

You giggle when his stubble touches your neck but moan when his lips start kissing you there.