Y/N was supposed to be the best. Sharp, deadly, unstoppable — until a mission went wrong, a serum changed everything, and her body became her greatest betrayal.
Bucky Barnes wasn’t supposed to care. He didn’t trust easily — especially not someone he once called an enemy. But something about Y/N, wounded and furious and so damn stubborn, won’t let him walk away.
Forced into hiding together after the mission falls apart, what begins as tense silence slowly shifts into something neither of them expected: trust. Comfort. Maybe even peace.
But healing comes at a price, and when the past comes clawing back with blood and fire, they’ll have to fight for more than survival — they’ll have to fight for each other.
Tags/TW:
Enemies to Lovers, Graphic Violence, Medical Trauma, Chronic Illness / Chronic Pain, Serum Experimentation, Temporary Blindness, Mental Health Themes, Panic Attack / Anxiety Attack, Discussion of Identity Loss,
Discussion of Self-Worth / Depressive Thoughts, Mild Language / Swearing, Canon-Typical Violence
Authors Note:
Hello everyone!
This is my FIRST multi chapter fanfic! I'm so excited and I hope you all like it. (AKA: My chronic pain was being SO bad to the point I needed to make myself happy)
A huge thank you to my best friend @zero00kiryu00 for supporting me throughout my writing journey. Without you I wouldn't be as brave to write. (Please go check our their work! <3)
Playlist for this work can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/148LgibEoFUeT6Hvs1JjUp?si=ad7abf4c31b045bb
As always; If I miss any tags or if there's any errors please let me know! (I'm truly just a little guy)
Chapter Two
Chapter One: War
The night hung heavy with tension as explosions punctuated the air, a somber symphony of war echoing through the battlefield. Bucky Barnes, the elusive Winter Soldier, moved with ghostly grace through the shadows, his eyes sharp and senses heightened. His steps were silent, each movement calculated as he navigated the chaos with an eerie calm.
On the other end of the spectrum was Y/N, a skilled agent with a fire that clashed with Bucky's stoic demeanor. Their interactions were a constant clash of wills, the animosity between them palpable in the charged atmosphere. As Bucky silently moved through the chaos, Y/N, determined to prove themselves, followed closely behind, their steps more erratic, filled with a raw determination that bordered on recklessness.
The mission was a high-stakes extraction in a war-torn city, a hotbed of conflict between rival factions. A high-profile target, a political figure with valuable intel, was trapped in the heart of the chaos. The team, consisting of Bucky, Y/N, and other skilled operatives, was tasked with infiltrating the heavily guarded compound, extracting the target, and making a swift exit.
The plan was intricate, relying on each member's unique skills. Bucky, with his enhanced strength and stealth, was designated for covert recon and eliminating potential threats. Y/N, known for their agility and sharpshooting, was tasked with providing cover and securing a safe escape route. The tension among the team was palpable as they moved through the war-torn streets, each step a potential trigger for violence. Bucky's voice cut through the tense air, sharp and authoritative. "Stay close, Y/N. We need to adapt to the situation."
Y/N gritted their teeth, pain evident in their strained voice. "I'm not slowing down, Barnes. I can still handle myself."
Bucky's metal arm shot out, blocking Y/N's path. "Handle yourself? You can barely walk through the woods without stepping on a branch. You'll get us killed.``
A bitter laugh escaped Y/N's lips. "Coming from the guy with a metal arm and a penchant for playing lone wolf. I'm not backing down now."
The team's leader, a grizzled veteran named Rodriguez, intervened. "Enough. We've got a job to do, and bickering won't get us out of here. Barnes, cover Y/N. Y/N, trust Barnes's lead."
Bucky's gaze lingered on Y/N for a moment, a flicker of concern beneath his stoic exterior. "Stay close, and follow my lead."
Y/N clenched their jaw but nodded, acknowledging the unspoken agreement. As they moved through the war-torn streets, the chaos intensified. Bucky scanned the area, his heightened senses on high alert.
A distant explosion echoed, and Y/N stumbled, disoriented. Bucky's firm grip steadied them. "Keep it together, Y/N. We're almost there."
Y/N's frustration boiled over. "I don't need your help, Barnes. I can—"
Bucky cut them off with a sharp whisper. "Save it. We're not alone."
A group of armed mercenaries emerged from the shadows, weapons trained on the team. Bucky's hand instinctively reached for his sidearm, and Y/N fumbled for their own, hands shaking.
Rodriguez's voice echoed through the chaos. "Hold your fire! We're here for the extraction. We can negotiate."
The tension hung thick as the two groups faced off. Bucky exchanged a glance with Y/N, a silent understanding passing between them. The dynamic had shifted – it was no longer just about the mission; it was about survival in a city consumed by conflict.
The skirmish erupted with gunfire and chaos as the opposing forces clashed in the dimly lit streets. Bucky's metal arm swung with lethal precision, dispatching enemies with calculated brutality. Y/N, fought with a tenacity that could only be proven by years of service. Bullets whizzed past, and explosions reverberated through the air.
Y/N fired their gun, dodging bullets at will. A sudden impact slammed into their side, and a searing pain radiated through their abdomen. They stumbled, disoriented, as they looked at their abdomen, a small syringe logged inside, Y/N swiftly took it out before the enemy closed in. Bucky, sensing the danger, swiftly dispatched the immediate threats.
"Y/N!" he called out, but his voice was drowned out by the chaos.
Desperation fueled Y/N's movements. They fought on, gritting their teeth against the pain. The world around them blurred, shadows dancing in an ominous ballet. Another explosion rocked the area, disorienting Y/N even further. Panic set in as darkness enveloped Y/N's vision. They staggered, hands reaching out blindly to find something, anything, for support. Bucky, sensing the shift, abandoned his relentless assault on the enemy and swiftly made his way to Y/N's side.
"Y/N, can you hear me?" Bucky's voice was urgent, a rare note of concern cutting through his usual stoicism.
"I can't see, Barnes," Y/N admitted, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Bucky's gaze tightened, his expression hidden beneath the shadows of his hair. "We need to get out of here. Can you walk?"
Y/N nodded, though uncertainty clouded their features. Bucky guided them through the chaotic battleground, his metal arm offering a steady anchor for Y/N to lean on. The sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed around them, a grim symphony of war.
As they navigated the war-torn streets, Y/N's other senses heightened, compensating for the loss of vision. The team's leader, Rodriguez, radioed in, "Extraction point is compromised. Head for the secondary rendezvous."
Bucky adjusted his grip on Y/N. "We're changing the plan. Stick close, and trust me."
Y/N swore under their breath, vulnerable and blinded, she had no choice but to rely on Bucky's guidance. In the shadows of the conflict, the Winter Soldier and the wounded agent moved as one, a testament to the unspoken trust forged in the crucible of battle.
As the dust settled and the team regrouped, the realization struck - their mission had just become exponentially more challenging, and the once turbulent dynamic between Bucky and Y/N took an unexpected turn into uncharted territory. Now, in the shadows of a city torn apart by conflict, the Winter Soldier and the blinded agent faced a mission that would not only test their abilities but also force them to confront the vulnerabilities that lingered beneath the surface.
