Hi! I love your fics with Bucky and child reader! I thought about a Bucky x teenage reader, but maybe the reader is around 16-19 y/o. Somehow he finds us, maybe while raiding hydra with other avengers or whatever you want, but the point is - the reader turns out to have hearing loss, which makes it hard for the reader to trust him. I would love to read about the process of Bucky trying to make the reader trust him and making them feel safe and comfortable<3
Building Trust -> Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier
Pairings: Platonic/Avenger!Bucky Barnes x Platonic Teen!Female Reader
Summary: Bucky finds you when he was raiding a HYDRA base with the Avengers and does everything he can to get you to trust him.
Written on my phone. My apologies for any mistakes
Header made by my friend / divider made by me
GIF IS NOT MINE! Gif credit goes to the creator
Alarms blaring and red lights are flashing throughout the HYDRA base the Avengers are currently raiding. They split up to cover more ground. You were hiding in a room not too far from the hallway Bucky was currently walking in. You waited till he was past the room you’re in before poking your head out of the room. The coast was clear. Or so you thought. You ran out of the room, running in the opposite direction as Bucky. That’s when Bucky heard the sound of your feet hitting the floor loudly as you ran. He turns around, his gun held up in front of him.
“Hey!” Bucky shouts at you.
Due to your hearing loss, you didn’t hear him since he was on the other side of the hallway. Bucky chases after you. You felt his presence behind you and ran faster. He caught up to you and grabs your arm, which made you stop running. You began to freak out and tried to get away from him by pushing him away, but he didn’t budge. Bucky got a good look at you and quickly realized that you’re not a HYDRA agent. You’re just a teenager.
“You’re just a teenager.” Bucky says.
It sounded like his voice was muffled, but you didn’t hear what he said. You just kept trying to get away from him. Bucky put his gun in the holster that’s on his hip to make him look less intimidating. He holds you with a firm grip to try to get you to stop trying to get away from him.
“I just want to help you.” He says softly.
You were looking at him when he said that. Even though his voice sounds muffled, you read his lips and you began to calm down.
“Help.” You say a little loud.
“Yes, help. That’s all I want to do for you.” He says.
You read his lips again and then nodded hesitantly. Bucky slowly lets go of you and guides you to the quinjet. You were quiet on the quinjet, which confused the Avengers when they said something to you.
“Why isn’t she responding to what we’re saying?” Sam asks.
“She probably scared from what she endured from HYDRA.” Steve says.
“Anyone would be.” Bucky says.
When you and the Avengers got back to the compound, you were hesitant to get off of the quinjet.
“It’s ok.” Bucky softly assures.
You slowly and hesitantly got off of the quinjet. Bucky took you to the med bay to make sure you’re ok. You freaked out the second you entered the med bay, especially when you saw the needles. Bucky held onto you before you could run out of the med bay.
“No needles!” You say loudly.
“They’re not going to do anything with needles. I promise. They want to help you too. Just trust me.” Bucky says.
You read his lips again. It was hard for you to trust him or anyone else due to your hearing loss, which makes it even harder for you.
“Help.” You say loudly.
“Yes, help. That’s all they want to do and so do I.” He says.
You looked from Bucky to the med bay doctor before whimpering.
“It’s going to be ok. I’ll stay in here if you want me to.” He says softly.
You looked at him again before nodding. You hesitantly let the med bay doctor check you for any injuries. You didn’t have any. The doctor discovered your hearing loss when she checked your ears.
“She appears to have no injuries, but she does have hearing loss.” The doctor tells Bucky.
“Hearing loss?” Bucky asks.
“Yes. It can possibly be due to what HYDRA did to her.” She says.
“How are her and I supposed to communicate?” He asks.
“She might be able to read lips or you can write stuff down.” She says.
Bucky cautiously approaches you, getting at eye level with you.
“Can you read lips?” Bucky asks.
You nodded your head yes.
“I’m Bucky.” He introduces himself to you. “Can you tell me your name?” He asks.
“Y/N.” You introduced yourself to him.
“How old are you?” He asks.
“19.” You tell him.
“I know everything must be nerve wracking for you and you don’t trust anyone right now, which is completely understandable. All I want to do is help you. Can you allow me to do that?” He says.
“Yes.” You answered.
You spend weeks trying to trust Bucky. He didn’t expect you to trust him right away, which he understands. All he wants is to help you and for you to trust him. You’re trying to trust him. You really are, but it’s kind of difficult to trust someone when you have hearing loss. Speaking of hearing loss, Bucky did research on everything he needs to know about it so he can help you. He already knows that you can read lips. He doesn’t talk fast when he’s talking to you. He wants you to be able to read his lips and understand what he’s saying when he’s talking to you.
Another way of him helping you is that he came up with an idea that he went to Tony and Bruce with. He asked them if they could make you some kind of hearing device so you can hear what everyone is saying, which they agreed to do. Since you’ll be able to hear with the hearing device Tony and Bruce are making for you, he thinks you might be able to trust him more. Maybe. He’s not sure yet. All he has to do is find out, which is what he’s about to do. Bucky found you in the lounge room watching TV. He sat down next to you and tapped on your shoulder to get your attention. You jumped a bit and then looked at him.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to accidentally startle you.” Bucky apologizes.
“It’s ok.” You say.
“Are you busy?” He asks.
You read his lips and shook your head no.
“Come with me.” He says.
“Where are we going?” You asked.
“The lab.” He says.
Your eyes went wide and you felt your heart start to pound.
“The- The lab?” You asked.
Bucky could hear the fear in your voice.
“Don’t worry. No experiments. I promise.” He softly assures.
You nodded and took a deep breath. You stood up with Bucky and followed him to the lab. Bucky could tell that you’re nervous to be in there.
“Take a seat. You’re going to be ok. I promise.” Bucky says.
You hesitantly walked over to the chair and sat down. You nervously fidgeted with your fingers. You looked up when you saw Bruce walking towards you with a small box. He put the small box on the table next to you and opened it.
“What is that?” You curiously asked.
“It’s a device that’ll help you hear.” Bruce tells you.
Bruce got the hearing devices out of the box and put them in your ears. You waited silently for a moment before saying anything.
“Well? What do you think?” Bucky asks.
Your eyes went wide in surprise. You heard what he just said clearly.
“I can hear you!” You say.
You got surprised again.
“I can hear myself too! Oh my god! I can hear now!” You exclaimed.
You stood up from the chair and hugged Bruce and Tony.
“Thank you!” You say.
“We may have made the hearing device, but it was all Barnes’s idea.” Tony says.
You looked over at Bucky and then walked over to him, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you so much!” You say.
“You’re welcome, kid. I just wanted to do something to help so you can trust me.” Bucky says.
“I do trust you.” You say, looking up at him.
“You do?” He asks.
“Yes. It was hard to trust anyone before getting a hearing device. Now, it’s a lot easier for me to trust you and everyone else.” You say.
“I hope that trust keeps building.” He smiles.
“Me too.” You smiled.
“You’re a good kid and I would like to get to know you if that’s ok with you.” He says.
“It’s more than ok.” You say.
In that moment, you began to trust Bucky more and more. Bucky is happy that you finally trust him now. He’s never going to take it for granted.
What if reader is like bucks adopted daughter or sum she got powers lowkey I feel like she could be really into bob (what if Bucky and reader and drifting apart and it seriously makes reader sad cause she really loves her dad)
pairing: father!Bucky x daughter!Reader
summary: Bucky took you under his wing pre-blip, but after he got dusted and you didn’t, he just couldn’t accept the fact that you’ve grown. His refusal to adapt eventually pushed you away.
a/n: I’ve never written for bucky before so please dont scorch me :’) I am very pleased w this tho. Also!! I didn’t include reader being into bob, i hope thats okay anon!! (ps. I jumped for joy seeing a request) ty sosososo much for the love on my bob post
warnings: probably ooc bucky, mention of a gun, very possible disappointment ahead
word count: 2k
--
James Buchanan Barnes, better known as Bucky, had many, many regrets. Most people would say it wasn’t his fault. He wasn’t in control of himself, so he should logically be able to move on. He didn’t agree though. He took so many lives, most times with a weapon, but sometimes with his own hands.
Still, those very same hands were the ones to cradle you as Bucky took you back to Wakanda on one of his missions as the White Wolf. The Wakandan’s sent Bucky to assess if someone had somehow taken Wakandan technology without permission. See your powers happened to be the organic version of King T’challa’s new suit, allowing you to absorb and redisperse any damage dealt to you.
After you awakened, you explained in as little detail as allowed, about how you were being experimented on after a kid hit you and he flew back into a wall. You swore over and over again that you didn’t mean it, and had no idea what was happening to you, fearful that they would start to experiment on you too.
That was the moment that Bucky decided to take you in. You’ve got so much trauma built up already and you’re barely able to drive. He knows the feeling, and even though the Wakandan’s helped him fix a lot of his problems, he still has enough to deal with on his own that he’s sure he can aid you in your recovery.
He trained you, teaching you hand to hand combat, how to dodge properly, and even how to block a hit so that it has no impact on you at all. How to use a gun was a brief lesson, Bucky didn’t want you using one but he more so hated the thought of you being at a disadvantage if you didn’t know what to do with it.
When Bucky wasn’t with you, it was Shuri and or T’Challa if they were available, helping you to hone in on your powers and the best way to manipulate them to benefit yourself. Shuri made you a suit that would protect you from injury since your powers didn’t stop bullets or shrapnel from piercing your skin.
Your world collapsed when the closest thing you’ve had to a father figure was snapped away. You weren’t there to see it happen, Bucky forbid you from going on the actual battlefield so you guarded Shuri as she worked on removing the Mind Stone from Vision. Even after it seemed like everything went to shit, you still held faith. The Avengers hadn’t seen anyone they couldn’t handle yet, and today would not be the day.
But then people started turning to dust. And maybe today was the day because when you got down to the scene of the final fight Bucky was nowhere to be found. You find Steve Rogers, after all the stories you’ve heard about him you know he’ll know where Bucky is.
Steve grabs you into a hug before breaking the news, “He’s gone kid.” And the tears start welling in your eyes. But you don’t believe him.
“What do you mean he's ‘gone’?” You’re pushing at him, trying to get out of his grip, but he’s a super soldier and you’re just a girl.
“Thanos. He - he got him. With the snap.” He’s cradling your head, trying to be as comforting as he can even though he too, needs comfort.
Time passes slowly after that.
–
When you notice people starting to form from nothing all around you, you know where you have to go. Your dad, that you’ve spent 1 thousand, 8 hundred, and 26 days mourning, has finally come back to you.
The first thing he notices is how you’ve grown. Five years is a long time for the average person, you’re a little taller, grew more muscle, and even hold yourself differently. After the initial shock wears off though, he still sees you as the teenager that he pulled out of the rubble.
Funnily enough, that’s why you don’t talk to your dad anymore.
He couldn’t get past the fact that you willingly are putting yourself in danger. Sure he allowed it when he, Sam, and Joaquin were taking down the flag smashers. But there were three sets of eyes to make sure nothing happened to you! Now you wanted to go off on your own? Where did you even get your intel from? How could he be sure it wasn’t just somebody setting you up?
You distanced yourself when you realized Bucky would never trust you.You get it, really you do. He taught you so many things and helped shape the person that you wanted to be. But it’s not your fault that he disappeared and you didn’t. Maybe it would have been better that way. If you both got blipped then maybe, just maybe, he could really understand that you aren’t a useless child anymore.
You’ve kept contact with Sam and Joaquin funny enough. When they need someone to snoop where Captain America can’t be seen, they ask you. In turn, when you need intel on something just beyond your reach, you ask them. It's a mutual relationship, a solid, stable one that you’re appreciative of.
They used to try to get you to speak with your dad. He nagged them, which is uncharacteristic for him, the man barely responds to his texts. He made it a point to ask about you in every message, it didn’t matter if he was reaching out just to touch base, asking about a mission, or telling Sam that he was going over to Sarahs for dinner. And while Sam and Joaquin didn’t want to get involved, it was hard not to feel for the guy.
You, however, shut down at any mention of Bucky. At first you’d only go off the map for a couple of days. Then it was a week. Then it was two whole months. After that they decided that it was better not to bring it up. Being able to secretively update Bucky about your whereabouts was a much better option than finding you in an abandoned building someday because of some shitty intel.
You loved Bucky, in the way that only a child could love a parent. If you hadn’t been prepared from the rejection of your biological parents, you probably would have folded by now. But dealing with them helped you to focus on putting yourself first. If he can’t accept, and love, you for who you are now, then so be it.
–
It’s a shock when you see your father on the news with the headline reading How will New York welcome the New Avengers? The last you heard was that Sam was putting together a team, and he would be the one taking over the Avengers title.
Naturally, you call Joaquin. He could give you all the details, without any anger that Sam may or may not have.
He told you that Sam was unbelievably disappointed in Bucky specifically. How could he, of all people, join a government mandated team? Him, Bucky and Steve, among many others, did not fight the Sokovia Accords, just for Bucky to flip sides.
Supposedly your dad had called Sam to talk it over, but Sam just retaliated by informing him that he would be copyrighting the Avengers name. Who would have guessed Sam could be that petty. But more importantly, why would your dad rather join a team of ragtag, mismatched, hooligans, instead of Sam’s Avengers?
Maybe it's time to face the music and get some answers yourself. After booking a flight, and hotel, you pack a small bag and head out.
After getting to the hotel and freshening up a little bit, you shoot off a text to your dad.
y/n: stopping by
You don’t even make it to the elevator before your phone dings.
Dad: where?
Dad: the tower?
Still a bit salty, you don’t grace him with a response. Maybe you should have though. In your haste, you forgot about the hooligans who also resided in the tower.
“Uh - Is Bucky here?”
“And who are you supposed to be?” Ghost, or Ava you guess since she's not on a mission, is eying you warily.
Instead of backing down you walk more into the common space. Taking it upon yourself to lightly scour the area by moving your head from the right side of the room to the left, almost akin to a lifeguard. “He should be waiting for me.”
Then you spot him, hands around a mug, immersed in his phone. So you start walking in that direction, shouts from behind you about how you ‘can’t be in here,’ and you ‘don’t know how much trouble you’re gonna be in,’. It doesn’t deter you from resting a hand on your fathers non-vibranium arm, and giving it a light squeeze.
His head whips around, the look of shock adorning his face is new to you. His voice almost seems different when he speaks too, “You - you’re actually here.”
Nodding, you respond, “I am.”
“Can I give you a hug? Would that be alright?”
Bucky sounds nervous. Fearful that you’d reject him. Even if you’re confused by his actions, he’s still your dad. It’s almost non-negotiable that you’d fall into him. He’s cradling your head while embracing you as tight as possible without cutting your airflow or breaking bone, much like Steve did when he originally broke the news that Bucky was gone. The motion makes you tear up again.
“I’m sorry kid. I know you’re grown now, and there's nothing I can do to change that. It was just hard, y’know?” Bucky’s making you cry for real now, it's a slow stream and instead of stopping and giving you time to collect yourself he keeps going, “We spent everyday together in Wakanda, and I got to see you grow into a different person in real time. After Thanos, it felt like I got put into the wrong universe. There you were, grown, a whole different person. And sure, your fundamentals were the same, but you didn’t need me to protect you anymore and I didn’t know what to do with that.”
“It wasn’t like that. I still needed, still need, you. I just need you to understand that I won’t sit on the sidelines anymore.” It's unsteady, but you want to make your point, you quiet as you near the end, “If I hadn’t maybe I wouldn’t have lost you.”
Bucky pulls you away then, both to look into your eyes and wipe your tears. “It wasn’t your fault. Don’t ever, even for a second, think that it was.” You’ve got a pout and you nod, trying to accept his statement. Really brand it into your brain, so that you’ll never forget it.
The problem with Sam can wait. It’s important, and pressing, but for the first time in years you’ve got your dad. You think you’ll extend your hotel stay, really take some time to get to re-know your dad. You’ve both missed a lot, hell he became a congressman since the last time you’ve talked.
On the other side of the embrace, Bucky couldn’t care less about the team being privy to this situation. He’s a private man, but he’s been waiting years for this moment and he would be damned to the depths of hell before he gave it up. He would explain everything to you, how he was working against Valentina, trying to get her impeached, then he rounded these guys up to testify, but they kept talking about some ‘Bob’ guy, and the ‘Bob’ guy was sweet but he housed a huge problem, and then Valentina made sure to save face by placing them as the New Avengers.
He would wait though. Anything that happened in your life would be leagues more important than his. Even if it’s just a new coffee order, or that you found out you actually don’t hate string cheese. Suddenly the world was a whole lot brighter, all his stresses were lighter too, just because he finally had his baby back.
Likes/Comments/Reblogs make me giggle and kick my feet fr
a/n: i've been sitting on this idea for ages, and i finally figured out how i wanted to write it. i wanted to make it gn, but i think it works better for a fem!reader. tell me if i missed any warnings! ♥︎
You're so young.
Bucky hates it. More than anything, he hates how Hydra never even blinked at their own lack of morals.
You, just a few months ago, had been in Hydra’s clutches for God knows how long, looking malnourished and exhausted.
The skin and bones wasn't the alarming part to Bucky— no, it was definitely concerning— but his biggest worry was your eyes.
You're a child. You're supposed to be starry-eyed and think the world is a good place to be.
Your eyes were lifeless.
Exhausted.
Resigned.
He really can't blame you.
Being poked at, prodded at; it's everything Bucky went through, except you had to grow up with it. Bucky was already an adult when they started hurting him.
If he had gone through the same treatment at your age...
Bucky can't even begin to imagine that. He just wouldn't have been able to handle it.
He would have broken.
You should have broken. But you didn't.
That's something the century-old super soldier can appreciate. He admires the resilience, truly, but he's still a little stunned everytime he really thinks about what you survived.
You won't talk about it, and he understands— the others respect it, too— but it doesn't take much effort to notice and connect the glaringly obvious dots.
You flinch when someone reaches for things near you.
You jump at sudden noises.
If anyone even mentions water—and god forbid a bath— your muscles coil up like a spring, and your breathing evens into silence.
Your furtive glances towards your exits don't go unnoticed by Bucky, either.
He wishes you were comfortable here.
He wishes he could do something to make you comfortable in the compound.
...So, he does.
He exhausts every resource to make you feel safe and protected.
Consent? That's a big, obvious yes. He asks for permission to sit near you on the couches(one time, he asked if it was okay for him to pass the bacon during breakfast... safe to say he never did that again after the absolute hazing he got from Clint and Sam).
Games? He throws the game every time so that you always have more money than Natasha and Tony. It's driving them crazy, but none of them can prove what's happening.
And lastly, the most important part... nightmares.
Bucky still gets his own nightmares, but it's gotten better lately. Or at least, Bucky’s gotten better at pretending he isn't affected by them.
Every night, like clockwork, Bucky wakes up to a small hand on his biological shoulder, shaking him hesitantly with a whispered, "Barnes? I had another bad dream."
And promptly, he wakes himself up on his way to the kitchen where he pours two cups of tea, one for you and one for him, and holds your hand. He doesn't say a single word until you're done telling him what happened in the nightmares, and he makes sure you're completely finished before offering quiet advice or comfort— whether that comfort is a hug and absolute silence, sharing his own stories and PTSD from the war and Hydra, or just his own, honest and completely brutal truths that he learned the hard way.
Tonight, it's nothing he was prepared for.
You wake him gently with your hand on his shoulder, but your face is all wrong. It's blank, devoid of any warmth he was starting to get used to, and your expression is just painful.
You look... robotic.
Then, you move closer.
Bucky blinks and suddenly you're straddling his hips, both hands on his shoulders and moving against him stiffly, your jaw clenched tight.
He tenses immediately, a shocked gasp slipping past his lips. He grabs your hips firmly, not to guide you but to still you as he tries to understand what could have possibly triggered that horrifying response. He scans your face desperately, his mouth slightly agape in pure discomfort and disbelief.
Neither of you says a word, but your breathing is heavy and fast.
"What's goin' on, doll?" He breaks the silence, his voice still thick with sleep, but soft as ever. He squeezes your hip gently, with not a single trace of dirty intent. "I'm gonna pick you up for a sec, alright?" He waits for any sign of comprehension or acknowledgment before carefully lifting and setting you down, off of his lap. Now you're a good foot away from him and sitting on the mattress. He withdraws his hands, and props himself up on his elbows, watching you with paternal concern.
You finally speak, your voice quiet and trembling. "I... I wanted to thank you." You swallow hard, your voice wavering again with uncertainty. "You've been... kind. To me. Patient. You're... You're safe." You stammer out, looking away and clarifying. "A safe person."
Bucky's heart swells, but he's still wearing an expression of profound confusion. "Sweetheart, you don't have to thank me for not bein' a monster," He murmurs, one hand reaching out slowly— keeping his moves predictable and telegraphed— and threading his fingers together with yours. He squeezes your hand reassuringly. "I should be the one thankin' you, for letting me in and trustin' me. I really can't express how much I value your respect.
You blink at him, looking utterly baffled.
"My... My respect? For you?"
He nods. "Yes. I value it."
You nod slowly, as if trying to understand the concept of someone saying something nice without expecting anything in return.
You give him a sideways glance. "I won't get you off just for flattering me."
He nearly chokes on air, flushing scarlett in other mortification. "Christ, why would you say something like that?" He sputters, letting go of your hand as he sits up fully, keeping a bit of a distance between you two. He shakes his head, looking at you completely serious, "I'm a grown man, angel. If I ever ask you for something like that, I want you to shoot me in the balls."
A small smile pulls at the corners of your mouth, even if you're not quite sure why he's saying that. "You... You really don't want anything? Don't want me?" You ask quietly, crawling closer to him on the mattress.
His entire expression softens at your approach, and he wraps his metal arm around you automatically, squeezing gently you in a hug. "'Course I don't, doll. I'm more than three times your age." He presses a soft kiss on the top of your head. "What put that idea into your head, sweetheart?"
You squirm a little at the hug before wrapping your arms around his neck and returning it. "Nothing, I guess," You admit quietly as you rest your chin on his shoulder. "I'm just used to people... expecting something for me. Affection is supposed to be transactional."
What? Love is supposed to be transactional.
God, how did they convince you of that?
Bucky buries his face in your shoulder, holding you tight and just wishing he could erase all those awful ideations they indoctrinated in you.
"Doll..." He murmurs, his metal hand moving up and down your spine in a slow, soothing motion. "Affection is not transactional. And I'm goin' to need you to understand that real fast." He lifts his head slightly to look at you with those striking blue eyes that look incredibly soft for you, and without a warning, he kisses your cheek.
It's the gentlest touch you've ever known.
Your hand goes to his shoulder to steady yourself, your mind already racing with what he could possibly demand from you in return or—
Wait.
Love is not transactional.
Isn't it, though?
You tentatively run a hand through his hair, mentally keeping track of both his and your favors to each other.
+1 He kisses your temple.
+1 You hold his hand.
+2. You kiss his cheek.
"Baby, what did I tell you?" He whispers, running a hand through your long hair with a sigh. "You're thinking too much, sweetheart."
He pulls back slightly to cup your face with both hands, studying your expression intently. "Stop keeping score." His thumb smooths over your eyebrow, and he presses a gentle kiss to the tip of your nose.
A small, genuine smile forms on your lips.
He's so... careful.
He really doesn't have any ulterior motives?
"Should I spend the night?" You whisper, leaning close and testing him.
He raises an eyebrow, asking flatly in return, "Why?"
You blink at him, not expecting to be challenged, let alone to explain.
"I..."
He shakes his head and lays down again, holding out a hand for you. "I will sleep on the floor if you want to stay, but otherwise, you should sleep in your own bed."
Your bed. Right, you have things now.
You nod slightly. "I'll go "
A soft smile plays at Bucky’s lips. "Can I get a hug goodbye?"
You nod again, an identically soft smile forming on your lips as you hug him again. "Thank yo—" His hand covers your mouth. "Shh, don't. We were making so much progress."
You smile sheepishly when he lowers his hand. "Sor—" He cuts you off with a laugh, squeezing you playfully to stop. "No apologies either, doll. Just hug me and scram."
You find yourself grinning at his slip of tongue. "Scram?" You echo slowly, your grin widening when you see him realize in real time that you are never going to let that one go.
He gives you a light push with his eyes screwed shut. "I don't know what you're talking about, kid. Get out." You smile and leave, not because he told you to, but because the tips of his ears turned pink.
Lovely!!!! Would you write something about Bucky x reader/ friend who moved to another state for work? They used to be really close and talk a lot but as things go with life and distance they drifted a part a bit? But maybe from time to time she’ll think she’ll see him from behind or a side profile walking home at night and think of him and send him a “thinking of you / we should catch up! text not realizing that from time to time that who she saw was Bucky. He will check in on her and see how she’s doing in her new life
Hello!! I'm so sorry, this is so late 😭 between school and internship I hardly got any time to write. In fact, I wrote this at work lol, hopefully you like it! Let me know what you think!
Summary: You moved away from the compound because of school. It's been a lonely few months now. That's definitely the reason you think you're seeing Bucky from the corner of your eye every time you look around, right?
An autumn breeze catches you off guard, right when you are leaving your school building for the day. It was warmer during the day, you think as you walk to your bus stop. It's a lonely time of day, an orange glow of sunlight illuminates the empty bus stop.
As you make it a point to crash every red or yellow leaf you see on your way without being too obvious, out of the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of a familiar metallic glow. That same feeling you always get around him, the butterflies and the hippos come back to your stomach, making your heart beat a million times a moment. Your eyes snap towards it, but it disappears all too fast for you to spot, leaving you with disappointment and longing.
You miss him. You try not to, but it's not easy not talking to him everyday like you did before, not being able to hang out on 3 am when both of you are too stubborn to go to sleep, or not being able to just exist at the same place at the same time with various animals in your stomach (figuratively).
You grab your phone from your pocket and click on his name on your messaging app. You hand hovers over the text box for a while, until you decide to just write to him. It's not like you haven't been talking since you left, it's more like you didn't want to talk all too much because of how much you'd want to just drop everything and go to him. Still, you think, enough is enough.
"Hey, you busy?"
You wait for a moment, anxiously nibbling on your lower lip. It doesn't take him more than 60 seconds to write back.
"Nope. You?"
You write back, biting down a smile.
"Nope. Just got out of school, going home."
You can almost hear his grumble-ish answers through your phone. A message pops up.
"Isn't it late? I thought you got off at 4."
You must've told him your schedule, but your mind doesn't come up with a memory to support it. You shrug it off and type.
"Yeah, I had to make a presentation and I was the last one of the class so the professor just agreed to do it now rather than next week."
"Does that mean you're free next week?"
You can't help but smile brightly. Looks like you're not the only one missing the other.
"Does that mean you miss me?"
You can almost see his scoff. You giggle to yourself.
"Does that mean we can meet?" He answers. You jump at the opportunity almost too fast.
"Yeah, sure. When are you free?"
"Whenever you're free."
"You don't have a mission or anything?"
"I'll bail." His answer makes you laugh out loud, maybe the first sincere laugh since you've been here.
"If it's not going to be a trouble for you."
"It won't. When should I pick you up?"
You check your schedule on your mind. You would be free tomorrow afternoon.
"Tomorrow afternoon? 2-ish maybe?"
"Sounds good."
You contemplate on whether to write it or not, but then think why not and type.
"I missed you, you know." And you put the phone on your pocket, face starting to burn up.
Your phone buzz, and you get the phone out faster than light.
"I missed you too." Your eyes glance over the letters more than once, each time smiling even more, until you find yourself giggling to yourself at 6 pm on an empty bus stop.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Another text appears on your screen, leaving you happier that you've ever been since the last few months.
Next day goes too slow for your taste. You keep finding yourself shaking your knee up and down with anticipation.
You are out of the door when the clock hits 2 pm. As you arrive at the school gates you realize you haven't told him where to come. You pull out your phone to type, but stop at your tracks when you hear it.
"Hey."
Sitting on a black motorcycle, blue eyes and black jacket catches you off guard. A smile creeps on to your lips.
"Hey." You return the sentence as you find your feet and move towards him. He has a gentle smile as well, uncharacteristically for him as people would say, but not for you. You've seen him like this before. When you were up all night and baked not one, not two, but three batches of cookies together, you've seen that same smile everytime your eyes have met. Or that one time when it was raining too hard and you were too sick to go to mission, and he stayed to look after you, cuddling you since he can't get sick because of serum.
He takes your helmet from the back and after looking at you with that sweet smile of his for a moment, he puts it on for you, clipping it with delicate movements.
"Hop on." He instructs and you obey, hugging him from behind with a pair of red cheeks which thankfully can't be seen thanks to your helmet.
As he takes off, you don't bother to ask where to. After a brief 10-15 minutes, he stops in front of a small cafe near a park.
"Were you around here yesterday?" You ask, recalling the silver glimmer you saw yesterday evening.
"I was on a mission." He shrugs.
"Huh." You mumble. Seeing his puzzled look, you add. "I thought I saw you yesterday, after school. Right before I texted you, in fact."
"You must've missed me a lot." He smirks, opening the door to the cafe for you. Always a gentleman.
"Must've." You return the smile as you walk in.
As you both get your coffees and pastries, you decide to ignore the fact that he probably was here yesterday. In fact, he probably was around since you moved here. Watching out for you, worrying about you, missing you.
"What are you smiling about?" You come back to real life when he gently nudges your shoulder with his.
"Oh, nothing." You shake your head. "I was just thinking, we should meet more often. It's been too long."
"Yeah, agreed." He replies with a smile of his own. You don't realize the look in his eyes, confirming your theory.
Summary: When Bucky fled to Romania, he didn’t expect to find someone just like him in the alley behind his apartment
Pairing: platonic!bucky x teen!reader
Notes: tw: ptsd, unhealthy coping mechanisms, homelessness, etc. | this has alternating povs, mostly bucky | readers backstory: you were an experiment for HYDRA, but they threw you out when they deemed you useless, so you’ve been wandering former soviet territory, constantly between life and death
Part 2
bucky
The first time he sees her, he only catches a glimpse of a slim, grimy face that slinks past while he buys plums at his favorite stall. She pretends to stumble into him, but he notices that she picks spare change out of his pocket. He doesn’t say anything.
Still, he follows her. He wants to know what she’ll do with the money.
He isn’t the only one she steals from. Tourists, locals, and vendors, it doesn’t matter. One by one, she takes small amounts of cash. It’s just enough so that it’ll go unnoticed. The sun begins to set when she finally stops.
It isn’t easy following the girl, she’s suspicious just like him.
Finally, she comes to a halt at a small stall. Bucky hasn’t seen it before. It’s tiny and dirty but the prices are lower than anywhere else. She dumps the stolen money on the counter and the vendor stares at her with disgust. Still, he takes the money and gives her some food.
It’s leftovers. Bucky recognizes the look of disgust from the vendor just as well as the food.
She slinks away again, and he goes home. He’s sure he’ll see her somewhere soon.
***
He does see her again. She’s digging inside a dumpster near the market. As soon as she sees him, she runs away. Bucky doesn’t follow her. All he can think about is how sickly and tired she looked. Her eye sockets were hollow, cheekbones stuck out like that of an old person and her clothes were soiled with dirt.
She reminds him of someone. He isn’t sure who. Maybe it’s him.
you
He follows you at the market. You’re used to being a shadow, just like him. At first, you worry that he wants his money back or report you to the police, but he doesn’t attempt to talk to you.
He watches as you buy the scraps and then, you disappear into the alleys. He doesn’t follow you this time.
Your usual spot is occupied that night. A homeless man has curled up between trashcans and stolen bicycles and he’s so inebriated that he’s out for the night. With a sigh, you walk away.
There’s a dark alley behind an apartment that must be from Soviet time, but you see a small crawlspace and an intact liquor bottle, and that’s enough.
***
The next morning, you scale your new territory. There aren’t many others around here which is a relief.
It’s better than your old “home” actually. Closer to the marketplace, more dumpsters and even a few restaurants that throw their scraps out in a way that makes it possible for you to take them.
No homeless gangs, no violent men, or addicts. Only a woman that has no teeth and is too kind for her own good (that’s probably how she ended up on the streets) and a young man that has some kind of illness.
You all avoid each other. It’s better that way.
The second time he finds you, you’re arms deep in a dumpster.
The market wasn’t crowded enough today, so you took to your second option. He’s quiet and you only see him when you turn around.
You wonder if he’d drag you into his home and rape you. He looks strong enough for it. His face is a mask, but his eyes are a startling blue. They remind you of someone, but you aren’t sure who.
His hair reaches to his shoulders, and it looks unkempt, honestly. He’s wearing gloves and that almost makes you quirk an odd smile.
You both stare at each other for a while. Then, he turns around and leaves the alley and so do you.
bucky
He pulls his hood over his head as the rain patters on the window outside. The garbage is already in a bag and Bucky only pulls over his gloves before rushing down the stairs.
Outside, it’s a biting cold, much colder than it should be for fall. Bucky quickly throws the garbage into the dumpster and turns around when he suddenly hears a cough.
He turns around, but no one stands in the alley. Warily, his hand wanders to his knife.
Then, he hears the cough again. His enhanced senses tell him that there’s someone behind the dumpster. Carefully, he pulls it away, but still, there’s nobody there.
When he crouches down, Bucky catches a glimpse of the crawlspace out of the corner of his eye. There she is, the girl.
Her eyes flutter open and shut and she’s ghostly pale. Bucky reaches out a hand, but she doesn’t react. Gently, he grabs her wrist and pulls her outside. Taking off his glove, he puts his real hand against her forehead. It’s a gesture from before.
She’s burning up and yet, she’s so cold that it’s a wonder she hasn’t died yet. A rational voice in his head is screaming at Bucky that this could be a trap, but he doesn’t really care.
Bucky picks the shivering girl up and carries her upstairs, into his apartment.
Her jacket is sodden wet, so he peels it off. Under it, she’s only wearing a thin shirt. Bucky doesn’t dare to touch her any further. Instead, he searches for a towel and tries to dry her to the best of his abilities.
As her limp arm falls over the mattress, raised flesh that mirrors his own catches his eye. He turns her left arm towards him and immediately, he feels bile rise in his throat.
Burnt into a mangled and scarred arm was a symbol he knew only too well. HYDRA’s symbol.
In that moment, Bucky realizes what the girl must’ve lived through and why she prowls dark alleys.
Quickly, he covers her with as many blankets as he can and lays her down on the mattress. He’s unsure what to do after that, so he makes her soup. He thinks he can remember someone making soup for him when a flu made him sick.
He doesn’t get sick anymore, but he manages to make the soup regardless. The girl sleeps while he makes the soup. Sometimes, she thrashes and cries out, sometimes he sees tears run over her face, but he doesn’t dare to wake her up.
you
Nightmares plagued you, it wasn’t anything new. But these were so vibrant, you knew something was wrong with you.
Suddenly, you jerked awake. Immediately, you knew you were inside. It was a blank apartment, only dressed with the bare necessities. The smell of chicken soup wafted through the cramped room as you realized that someone had taken your jacket and tucket you under the covers.
Panicked, your eyes darted around. Then, you saw him.
Had you been wrong? Had he raped you?
He seemed to feel your gaze because he turned around. He stalked towards you, and you scrambled backwards, trying to get away from him.
His eyes were filled with guilt and pain as he sat down at the edge of the mattress as he handed you a bowl and a spoon.
Maybe he’d make you pay for it later. It was something you’d learned the hard way, and yet, your hunger was so overwhelming that you snatched the bowl from him with a snarl and began eating as fast as you could, ignoring the burning sensation in your mouth.
bucky
The girl scrambled backwards as he approached, like prey that finally got cornered. Bucky sat down at the edge of the mattress and held out the bowl to her.
She eyed it suspiciously, and Bucky could see the conflict in her eyes. Finally, the hunger won, and she snatched the bowl from him. Some of the soup slopped over, trickling onto his metal hand and her flesh hand alike, but she didn’t seem to notice.
She ate like an animal, but Bucky couldn’t blame her. He’d done the same. A silence filled the apartment as she ate, and Bucky began to stare at the wall next to her.
“If you want something in return, you’re not getting it.” She suddenly said. Her voice was hoarse and quiet. Bitter.
He knew what she was implying. He shook his head. “I don’t want anything in return.”
“Then why…?” she trailed off.
“Couldn’t leave you out there to die.” He replied.
“You would’ve done me a favor.” She scoffed.
Silence fell over them again. She finished the bowl and put it down. Bucky handed her a glass of water.
“You were with HYDRA.” He said. It wasn’t a question.
“Not by choice.” She replied.
“Me neither.” He confessed. She looked up, looked at him for real this time. Then, her jaw clenched, and she turned away.
As night fell again, Bucky perched down next to the kitchen island, a ragged blanket covering him. The girl lied on the mattress, but her uneven breaths told him that she was afraid and unwilling to fall asleep.
In the darkness, Bucky searched for a knife. He walked over and pushed the hilt into her hand. She closed her fingers around it, grasping it tightly.
“Thank you.” She whispered through the night, as if she was afraid to break the silence. He didn’t reply.
***
She was there the next morning, knife in hand as she peered out of the window. Bucky cleared his throat, and she jumped a little.
“I need to go to work today. There’s a bathroom behind that door and I got you a change of clothes.” He told her, dropping a flannel and a pair of sweats next to the mattress. She nodded quietly, before resuming her watch.
***
When he came home, she was still sitting at the window, but her hair was slightly damp. She was wearing his red shirt and the sweatpants. They were huge on her and made her look even skinnier.
“You’re home.” She stated. Bucky nodded. He handed her a bag and as she looked inside, joy and misery lit up her face at the same time.
Carefully, she plucked the items out of the bag, lying them out in front of her.
“Thanks. I’ll go today if you want.” She said.
“You can stay if you want.” He replied. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe the loneliness was getting to him. “What’s your name?” he asked her.
“Y/N, I think.”
“I’m Bucky.” He said. He hadn’t told that anyone since he came to this city.
The name managed to make her quirk a smile. She raised an eyebrow in question. “Bucky?” she asked.
“Nickname.” Bucky replied.
you
You ate in comfortable silence. The man’s name was Bucky. It was a strange name, probably American.
Then again, he probably thought your name was strange. It was almost ironic, the both of you running into each other. Both of you were hollow remainders of HYDRA and yet, you had persevered, but they hadn’t.
The digital clock on the small shelf showed you it was 7:30pm when Bucky walked downstairs. When he returned, he was carrying another mattress up the stairs.
“You looked so comfortable on that one that I had to get one for myself.”
This time, your smile was genuine. When you settled down this time, you felt safer than you had for a long time. Still, Bucky tucked a knife next to your pillow.
What an ironic replacement for the stuffed toy a scared nurse had given you years ago at HYDRA.
bucky
He’d made her smile twice. If he could still do something like that, was he really that monstrous?
Still, he lied awake and stared at the ceiling as the girl slept soundly for the first time in weeks, or maybe even months.
The girl reminded him of two people now. His sister, who he began to remember and the girl she really was, the experiment HYDRA had made her. In his mind, they blurred together and became something new.
Not quite a daughter, but not much less either.
He was moving too fast, but as she turned around in her sleep, away from the knife, Bucky hoped that she saw him as a friend too. They could heal together, he knew that.
Time skip: a few months later (aka, where Steve busts in)
He’d left the plums at the stall, but he’d taken the newspaper with him, clutching it in his metal hand as hard as he could. As he opened the door, he saw Y/Ns pale face and the remote in her hand.
“It wasn’t you.” She said, “we played cards last night and made lasagna. I remember that you couldn’t have been in Austria.” Her voice was getting panicked as she dropped the remote and ran towards the block with knives. Not to hurt him, but to protect what they’d built.
Suddenly, a man climbed in through the window. He was tall, blond, and of his own stature.
Steve.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked. Bucky nodded.
“You’re Steve.”
“He didn’t do it. We ate dinner yesterday; he couldn’t have done it.” Y/n interjected. Steve looked at her.
“Who are you?” he wanted to know, slowly lowering his shield.
“She’s my kid.” Bucky blurted out. Y/N nodded.
When the grenade and policemen burst into the apartment, she ran and so did Bucky. They’d made an escape plan a long time ago and so, they made it to the motorcycle.
He revved up the engine and as she held on to him, he could feel her shaking. This was too familiar for both of them.
***
They didn’t make it far.
As they served past cars and motorcycles, the police and Steve as well as the man in the black suit began to catch up with them. It was over.
Bucky stopped the motorcycle, ready to surrender. He climbed off and helped his kid follow him. For the first time, he saw her cry while she was awake. The police began surrounding them and Bucky was about to raise his hands when she hugged him.
After all these months, she’d only ever held onto him during motorcycle rides. She had an aversion to touch. Bucky didn’t ask why, but he could guess.
He hugged her back.
The police mistook this for him taking a hostage, so Bucky reluctantly let Y/N go.
As they crossed his arms behind his back, they began to pull Y/N away. She fought back, scratching them, and screaming. She looked like a wild animal.
It was a reminder of what HYDRA had done to her, an instinct that told her the men in uniforms would to unspeakable things to her.
Bucky didn’t know how she managed to steal the gun, only that she aimed it at all of them and none of them at once.
“Let him go! I will shoot you all if you don’t! He’s innocent!” she repeated the words over and over. Then, one of the men tackled her to the ground.
They resumed to pull her away. Long after they put Bucky in his portable cell did her screams echo in his mind.
“Please, you don’t understand. No, no, no! Don’t take him away too.”
How her memories and the present had blurred together, and she’d begun screaming for her mother, begging them like they were HYDRA goons.
“Don’t cut off my legs! I won’t run again, I’m sorry. I won’t run again. I swear it. Please don’t kill him. Please!”
When the man in the chair in front of him began saying the words, Bucky wondered if he’d ever see her again.
Then, his mind cleared, and he was the Soldat again.
Notes: if you want a part 2 or a gn!reader version, please tell me :)
A/N:This is for @sunmoonandbucky’s 5K Challenge. I had no idea what to do with this song...but I love the way it turned out. Congrats on all the followers babes, you deserve every last one of them!
Pairing: Platonic!Bucky x Reader, mention of Sam x Reader
Warnings: Soft Angst, Jealousy, Broken Plates
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"I don't know you but I want you all the more for that." A soft voice fills the cafe, pulling Bucky from his thoughts behind the counter. He knew from the moment they hired you that you were special, he just never knew how special you'd become to him.
1 Year 4 Months Earlier- You came in with your head in a book, waiting to meet the owners after calling about the Help Wanted Sign. At the table you looked from sparkling soft blue eyes into sharp green ones, already cutting into you. But you were quiet and polite and when the two slipped away for a brief meeting, you took the opportunity to continue reading a chapter that had you on the edge of your seat. Less than twenty minutes later, the pair had hired you.
"Words fall through me and always fool me and I can't react." The out-of-tune piano sounds almost melodic, accompanying Y/N's voice. He remembers that she asked to take a lunch break but he hadn't expected her to stay in the cafe. Listening to her play the only song she really seemed to know, he took in the peaceful atmosphere. Most of the guests were sipping drinks quietly or swaying to the crooning barista.
12 Months Earlier- While you tried your hardest to befriend both owners, Bucky was much more approachable. When you couldn't get the cash register to work, he was the one to show you the trick to making the till open. Someone jammed the espresso machine? Bucky made sure to help you clear it out and he was patient, so patient while you got your bearings in the little cafe. Dot on the other hand was never around and when she was, she would make more messes than actually help out. In just about five months since you started full-time, you could happily say that you and Bucky were friends. Too many times to count, you'd bring him a new baked good to try and a day later, find a book waiting for you. Bucky was good with recommending his favorites and either offering you his copy on loan or buying you a copy outright. He even went so far as to introduce you to his best friend Sam, another book nerd.
"And games that never amount to more than they’re meant will play themselves out."
"That's $9.75 out of $10." Bucky smiles, handing over a quarter and a coffee to the guest.
He's only half focused on putting the change in the drawer and chastises himself, when he nearly burns his hand trying to heat up the sandwich his guest ordered. But he was busy. Busy listening to Y/N's soothing voice and wondering just when he started feeling butterflies while looking at her.
10.5 Months Earlier- "It's been a long night." You smiled, finally flipping the sign over to CLOSED. Bucky was counting the register and offered a tired nod without looking up.
"Do you want me to make something? I know you didn't take your break." Bucky finally asked, when you finished wiping the tables down and stacking chairs.
"I should be making you something." You offered him a small smile, "You saved my ass during that rush."
"I needed to come in and do paperwork anyways." He had chuckled.
"How about we cook together?" You got him to agree and the two of you had sifted through leftover ingredients in the fridges making some sort of flatbread pizza.
"I thought that old lady in the pink was going to lose it when you said we ran out of snickerdoodles." You had laughed, remembering how the old lady had practically turned into a tomato and demanded compensation, which didn't make sense because she didn't buy anything.
"People love your cookies, Y/N. Which is why...I want you to keep making them so that we can keep selling them."
"I..."
"As your boss, I'm telling you that I love those cookies. How can you say no to this face?" He had asked pouting and your heart had fluttered and your widening grin had begun to hurt.
That was until Dot showed up and your smile had all but disappeared as she took hold of Bucky's face and practically shoved her tongue down his throat.
"Take this sinking boat and point it home, we've still got time." Bucky really had tried his best to just be friends and a good boss. After all, Dot was nothing but good to him. But there was just something about Y/N. He couldn't keep himself away, as much as he really wanted to. Helping a few more customers, he gestures another barista over to the register, with the intent to restock the baked goods in the display case. But again, like a siren, he's caught in the music.
7 Months Earlier- After that awkward ending to a reasonably nice dinner, you had tried to pretty much keep to yourself. But Bucky wouldn't let you.
"Hey! Book Nerd! Quit reading and come talk to me about it." He'd yell on your breaks.
You obliged every time, happy to keep him as a friend. Happy to be there, even though he had the perfect girlfriend and the perfect bakery and the perfect life. You figured you could find that eventually, even taking time to hang out with his friend Sam more. Bonding over shared literature tastes and matching affinities for coffee.
"Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice, you've made it now." It wasn't until Quinn said "Yo...Bucky? You gonna restock the cookies or stare a hole into Y/N for the rest of the day?" that Bucky snapped out of his thoughts.
"Shut up, you dick." He rolls his eyes, earning a laugh from the younger man.
"You think she's into the creepy staring types? Maybe I'll have to start staring too."
"Quinn, if you don't shut up, you're fired."
"Okay, okay...I'll restock then. You take the register." The barista stalks into the back, pushing along a cart.
5.5 Months Earlier- Then it stopped. Bucky stopped recommending books. He stopped asking you to come talk to him, leaving you to read your books in silence. He stopped asking you to bake for the cafe. And then he stopped working his usual shifts with you. More often than not, you had been working alone. Toughing out the nights that got overly busy because of college students, in need of a caffeine and sugar high. You toughed it out. This had been the best job and the easiest to maintain, while going to school yourself. You couldn't really be mad that your boss had stopped showing signs of friendship, he was your boss.
"Falling slowly, eyes that know me and I can't go back." With nothing better to do, Bucky finds himself walking around the tables, picking up people’s discarded cups and wiping tables. He's unintentionally humming along with Y/N and she sends him a wink, causing all the butterflies in his stomach to flutter. He smiles at her and she goes back to playing, no longer holding him in her bubble of warmth.
4 Months Earlier- You were just finishing up cleaning the kitchen for the night when you heard shouting from the front. A loud crash filled your ears before you could clear the doorway and step out into the storefront. You watched Dot storm to through the front door and she turned to shoot you a daggered glare. You were about to turn back to the kitchen, when you saw Bucky on his knees, picking up the remnants of the plate that had once held your snickerdoodle cookies.
"And moods that take me and erase me and I'm painted black. Well, you have suffered enough and warred with yourself...It's time that you won." Bucky's focus on the butterflies quickly vanish when he notices a line that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The lunch rush... He sighs and quickly takes his spot behind the register and when Y/N tilts her head in question of needing help, Bucky is quick to wave her off, only wanting her to continue the song.
Still 4 Months Earlier-"Hey, don't." You chided him, after grabbing the nearby broom.
"I can do it!" He had snapped but you had ignored him, playfully kicking until he moved.
After sweeping up every last splinter and cookie crumble, the two of you headed back into the kitchen. Noticing blood on his hands, you had taken him by his arm and pulled him to the sink.
"I could've gotten it." He mumbles.
"Yeah and cut your hands even more. Don't be an idiot." You had carefully run water over his hands, knowing full-well that he could've done it on his own. Satisfied that the small cuts would only require a bandaid and having gotten out the first aid kit, you let Bucky do the rest.
"Thank you." He had said in a much softer tone, the anger all but vanished. You had just smiled lightly and began pulling out more ingredients.
"What are you doing?"
"Baking."
"Why?" He had asked and you had laughed lightly.
"You need fresh snickerdoodles, nurses orders." It hadn't taken long to mix up a batch and while they baked, you had made quick work of the dishes while Bucky wiped the counters down again.
“This is none of my business, so feel free to tell me off or fire me or whatever. But I need to say it." You had stumbled over your words, having his full attention without realizing it.
"Tell me." He asked, taking the cookies out once the oven chimed.
"I just think that sometimes business partners don't make good love partners. You can have a good relationship or a good business but rarely both." You had shrugged and waited for him to yell. But he had taken a cookie, most likely burning himself in the process, and saluted you with it before digging in.
"Take this sinking boat and point it home, We've still got time." "Yo Bucky, my man. Can I clock out now?" Quinn asks, coming back out from the kitchen.
"Let me check your drawer." Bucky sighs, taken away from Y/N and her song yet again.
"You ever gonna make a move?" Quinn asks, having been at the cafe just over 3 months and understood the dynamic far better than he should've, in Bucky's opinion.
"When the time is right." Bucky mutters, double checking his math and giving Quinn the thumbs up to leave. He watches Quinn wave at Y/N and her nod in turn, still expertly tapping on the keys.
2 Months Ago- "Just take it before I change my mind." Dot was exasperated, you could hear it when you stepped into the cafe for the evening shift.
"Why are you throwing your half of this business back at me?" Bucky had asked, voice raising a couple decibels. "
I'm not going to stay here and be unhappy. I won't be unhappy." She had snarled, throwing something...a ring?
"Zemo is taking me to Paris! I don't need you or this rundown cafe."
You could see from the look on Bucky's face he had been partially relieved and partially shaken by her words. Doing what you did best, you went into the bakery display and took a brownie, warming it. Pouring two glasses of milk and scooping up two spoons, you had guided Bucky to a table in the back and sat across from him, splitting the dessert.
"I'm here if you need anything." You offered once he had taken a few bites and had some milk.
"I think I'm going to need a manager." He groaned and you watched the gears turn in his head.
"I'll do my best." Was all you had said before starting your shift.
"Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice. You've made it now. Falling slowly, sing your melody... I'll sing it loud." Bucky knows the song is coming to its end, having practically memorized it. Today's the day he decides, just after Quinn takes off. He checks the kitchen and wipes down the front counter, listening and humming again. When he looks up, he thinks he notices Y/N look away but Bucky can't be sure. As soon as the song ends he mentally notes; That's when he'll take my chance.
3 Weeks Ago- The vacation you had put in for, was extremely needed. You had spent the last month and a half pretty much acting as the general manager of the cafe. The work was tiring but you had promised to try and you were doing pretty okay at it. But three weeks of sun and sand had been just what the doctor ordered. Not only that but it had been a chance to spend time with a friend and catch up on the list of books you hadn't gotten around to. You were sure Bucky and Quinn would be great on their own; your special guys.
"Take it all...I played the cards too late. Now it's gone." Just as Bucky is about to cross over to the piano, he spots his best friend Sam. But before he can even call to his friend, he's making a bee-line for Y/N. Bucky watches Y/N jump up and he freezes as Sam wraps his arm around he waist and pulls her into a hug, kissing her temple. Y/N pulls away, face brighter than Bucky had ever seen it and then she's looking at him. He pastes on a quick smile and he barely hears when she says
"I'm gonna go get food."
Bucky manages to wave and stares as the two giggle and make doe-eyes at each other, his shoulders fall only when they're out of sight.
Present- It's fairly new but Sam is wonderful and after a 3 week vacation together, you're determined that he could be everything for you. You know Bucky is single but you also know that he could have anyone; any supermodel that popped in from Soho. It isn't worth the heartbreak of letting him know your feelings. Plus, Sam is kind and he's smart and he likes you. There's nothing to worry about with him and you're sure your feelings for Bucky will disappear...it's only a matter of time.
Pairings: past!Steve Rogers x Reader, platonic!Bucky Barnes
Summary: You miss Steve, sometimes you forget that Bucky misses him too
Notes: significant swearing, brief mention of a dead body
masterlist
“I feel like I cant breathe Buck. I see him everywhere - our - my house is still full of his stuff. Memories too” You stood up suddenly, Bucky’s worried eyes still locked onto you as you made your way across the room, “Like we had our first kiss here, he asked me to be his girlfriend on that sofa. He - he left me there, storming out of that door-”
Your voice broke off, throat clenching around absent tears as you tried to keep your composure. Bucky moved to comfort you but you held up your hand, determined to keep going.
“It’s suffocating, B, I cant stay here anymore. I just cant. I mean - for fucks sake - the bed still smells like him. Every time I pause to breathe I feel like I’m going to - to break. I cant stop, I need to keep going, please just let me keep going-”
That was the point where Bucky finally stepped in, grabbing your hands as he tried to stop you from continuing your work, frowning at the desperation in your tone.
“You’re going to work yourself to death if I let you, doll. You know I cant let you do that - he wouldn't want to see you like that -”
Those words seemed to flip a switch inside you, all the sadness you felt suddenly turning into all-consuming rage.
“Fuck him and what he wants! He obviously didn't give a fuck when he left”
“You know he cares-”
“Five years! Five years gone just like that! Doesn't seem like he cares very much”
“You don't mean that” Bucky said, firm voice wavering slightly, “You know he would’ve come back and sorted this out if he could - like he always did”
The blunt words sobered you just enough to bring you back down to earth, your mind switching back to grief as the image of Steve’s dead body reappeared in your head.
Whimpering, your knees buckled, sending you down to the floor as Bucky wrapped his arms around you, empty promises of hope and the future being whispered into your ears.
“I need to know how” you eventually sobbed, hands tightening into fists, “I cant stop until I know how it happened”
“I know,” Bucky sighed, pulling you even closer, “I know”
Trope: Bed Sharing
Description: Just easing an uncomfortable Bucky into cuddling, you share a hotel room in the middle of nowhere after finishing a mission.
Pairing: platonic!Bucky x Reader
Warnings: SFW, angst if you squint
M A S T E R L I S T
The mission had been successful. Hours of spying had led to tons of arrests and new intel on the big conspiracy you were currently uncovering. Human trafficking was a nasty business to uncover but you were glad that you could help serve justice.
You came into the plain and ominous hotel room where you would stay a night until you could fly all the way back to the US. Bucky right behind you with a grumble when he made the observation that there was only one bed. Great.
You knew he didn’t hate you. He just didn’t like any type of body contact at all. PTSD still got the best of him when it came to men he didn’t trust and women. He once said something about being afraid to hurt them, even though you could definitely kick him across this room if that would ever be the case.
“It’s okay. We can sleep in shifts.” you said hanging up your gear.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You deserve just as much sleep as me after this nightmare of a mission.” he had a lopsided smile on his face.
A few minutes later, after showering and putting on comfortable clothes, you were falling onto the bed beside him.
“God, finally.” you mumbled and tried to turn around. Not without him flinching away a few inches.
“You know that you won’t hurt me. And if you did I’d kick your ass. Why are you...um...not trusting me? Wait, no, not what I meant. I get PTSD doesn’t work that way. But why are you...not trying?” you tried to ask sitting up.
He eyed you up and down before starting to talk, “Just didn’t feel right to work on it until now. Getting better with talking tho.”
A soft grin from you made him raise a brow, “I can appreciate that too, don’t worry. If you ever decide to work on the body contact, let me know.”
Now you finally laid down beside him with your back to him and gently hugging your pillow.
He was silently reading “The Goldfinch”, a book Wanda and you had suggested to him after he had asked about good and current books to read.
“You said I should report to you when I’m 100 pages in.” he interrupted your daydreaming.
“And? Good? Bad?” you looked at him.
“I like it but I totally see why some people dislike it.” he didn’t take his eyes off the book.
“Well, have fun with 600 more pages.” you mumbled before adjusting your head on the pillow.
The next hour consisted of you trying to fall asleep in all kinds of positions and at some point he just sighed and put the book away.
“What’s the matter?” he asked in a soft voice, turned towards you now.
“It’s not enough space to get comfortable.” you said whiny.
“I wish I wouldn’t mind this.” he said with a smile before his intrusive thoughts visibly hit him.
“You can try.” you whispered and his eyes shot up at you again.
“I don’t know.” he played with his hands.
“Hey, I’m not pressuring you. All I’m saying is that you look hella comfortable to cuddle with and that I’m not afraid to kick your ass if I have to.” you chuckled and a twitch of his lips gave you hope.
You held your hand out to him, specifically to his right hand. You knew accepting his prosthetic arm would take much longer, even though you liked both of them equally and weren’t afraid of him at all. That man had Froot Loops for breakfast and talked about Star Wars when he was bored. Not very scary.
“Trust me.” you whispered again, seeing his undecided face. A big request to make but you know this was all that it would take to change his mind.
His hand slowly slid into yours and his body tensed at the body contact.
“See? You can do it. I’m proud of you.” you usually didn’t show your soft side around him but he relaxed again while your thumb made circles on the back of his hand.
Your other hand went over his arm in a feather soft manner and he breathed out. You didn’t know if out of anxiety or relaxation.
“I know you’re afraid of hurting me, but I trust you. You won’t snap at me. You won’t betray me. You won’t make me hate you. Bucky, you could ram a knife into my leg out of self defense and I’d smile at you.” your calm voice made him relax more into the mattress.
“You’re talking in Star Wars references on your free days, eat candy like a child and laugh about any inappropriate joke out there. You couldn’t be more normal to me.” you went on and eased yourself into a hug.
His breathing hitched but your hands on his back let him breathe again.
“Thank you.” his voice was small, vulnerable and soft in your ear.
“Not for that. I’m always there if you need me.” you whispered sleepy.
And to the the calming rhythm of your heartbeat he slowly fell asleep with you.
xx
