buckyjamesbarnes1917

[buckyjamesbarnes1917]

Perfect Stranger (Part One)

The dream of a long-term relationship that she thought would last is shattered beyond repairs. So when the reader is lounging around the house for the 3rd night in a row, her friends are very determined to convince her to go out for a night into the city no matter what it took. What will happen if she decides to go & comes across a perfect stranger? Warning: This does get a little steamy so don't say I didn't warn you!

~Reader's POV~

This isn't normally my routine, but desperate times call for good measures. I'm currently on the 2nd tub of my favorite ice cream, Rocky Road, and on the 3rd bottle of Pinot Grigio. The reasoning behind this change is a relationship, well, an ex-relationship that I was in for 5 years of my life with a man named Alex. What I thought was going to be a relationship, with an engagement and marriage involved, ended with just two words. 4 nights ago, Alex took me out to dinner, which he rarely does so I assumed it was for a special occasion, but I soon learned I was very wrong.

~Dinner~

"We're done," Alex said as he chugged his dry martini down and flagged our waiter to bring another one.

Hearing him utter those words took me aback because I wasn't aware of anything wrong with our relationship, it was how every normal relationship entails.

"What do you mean we're done? I wasn't aware of anything out of the ordinary," I respond as I swirl the Cabernet Sauvignon around in the glass and took a sip.

Alex shrugged and said, "Things change sweetheart, it happens." as I cringed at his voice calling me sweetheart, it just sounds so strange when it's him saying it.

"You've been meaning to tell me for the past 5 years, you've been putting up a facade and lying to me? For what reason?" I asked as Alex softly laughs with a smirk on his face.

"Having a woman by my side at important events and acting sweet to her boosts my credibility as a lawyer & lands me a lot of clients," Alex responds as he takes a sip out of his second cocktail.

I skid my chair back and stood up out of my seat with the full wine glass in hand to then say, "You insufferable, egotistical bastard. Did you ever stop and think how insensitive this is to the person on the other end of the line? Probably not because you are a stuck-up, arrogant son of a bitch," and then tossed the wine into his face, making everyone in that restaurant gasp out loud. Alex wipes the wine off his face and shouted, "This is my courtroom suit!" referring to his now wine-stained suit.

"Good, maybe your secretary will help you clean it up or better yet, wear that to your next case so they can see what you look like with your appearance tarnished," I said as I slammed the glass back down on the table and walked out, leaving him to pay for the whole thing.

As I walked out to the parking lot and get into my car, I let the tears of heartbreak flow down my face before I pulled out and headed home.

~Recent Day~

Now I'm on night 3 of this routine, sitting on my couch and rewatching the first season of "9-1-1". While I was watching the 4th episode, I hear a familiar voice shout, "Y/N, where are you?", coming from the hallway of my front door.

I sighed and said "In here Jules," to the only person who had a key to my house, my best friend. I turned my head to see her walking in alongside Matthias & Ari.

"Oh no no no, this won't do," Ari said as he took upon on what was in front of her, me in comfy clothes with the tub in one hand and the bottle in the other.

I took one look at their clothes and realized why they were here, they were going to go out into the city and want me to tag along with them.

"Guys, you have nothing to worry about, I'm fine. Go out and have fun without me," I responded as the three of them looked at each other. Suddenly I felt the cold bottle & tub of ice cream get yanked out of my hand and someone pulling me off the couch. Before I could protest, Matthias interrupts me by saying, "You're completely miserable, you deserve a night out to forget that piece of shit, let loose & have fun, maybe you'll even meet a distraction if you know what I mean," adding a wink at the end.

"I do not need a distraction, I'll be fine being single forever," I said as I grab the remote to pause the TV.

"Y/N come on, he played you for 5 years, you need to get a better man than him, better yet an amazing lay," Jules responds as I rolled my eyes.

"Just because you're the spicy one of our group doesn't mean I need to be, but I'll go with you guys to just get a change of scenery," I said as all three of them hugged me, making me smile and laugh at the remembrance I have great friends.

"Okay, we need to get you looking like a goddess before we begin, you still have that dress and the heels?" Ari asked as I nodded my head, prompting her to take my hand and drag me upstairs to my bedroom. After an hour or so, I walked back downstairs with Ari, wearing a navy blue dress & silver heels with my hair curled and makeup done. I have to admit, it felt good to dress up for a change. We left my house shortly after that and entered Matthias' black Toyota Corolla & drove off into the city lights. I looked up into the starry night sky and sighed, this view definitely beats looking at the TV screen.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Jules asks from the passenger seat as she turns her head towards me.

"Thinking about how I'm going to have fun tonight," I said as I smiled at my friends.

Matthias then pulls into the parking lot of our favorite nighttime hangout and parked the car. The rest of us followed suit when he got out and started walking towards the entrance of the building.

"Hey guys, looking great. You can go on in and I believe your seats are open," said Ren, who is the bouncer and another one of our friends.

I was the last one of the group to enter and give thanks when Ren whispered, "You okay?"

I silently nodded my head and walked in to see Jules & Ari already getting a head start on drinks, thank God Matthias is the Designated Driver. I looked around to see the dance floor flooded with a bunch of other contenders, both sober and drunk, the DJ going hard with their music, and someone I never expected to be here. Alex leaning in a dark corner getting his face sucked off by a red-head I recognize as his secretary. I silently cursed at the fact he's here at the same time as me while I walk over to the bar.

"Rum and Coke, make it strong," I said as I took a seat in the barstool next to a guy who seems to not be in the mood to make conversation.

As I watched the bartender make the drink, I then heard a low voice ask, "Rough night?" I looked toward where the voice came from and realized the guy was now looking at me, which wow, his eyes are so blue and he's very attractive.

"Somewhat, I came out here expecting to be able to forget about my ex, and yet, he's here getting his face sucked off in a dark corner," I responded as the guy continues to look at me in an unreadable expression.

Afraid I said too much, I said, "Sorry, it's obvious I haven't gotten much over him yet."

He lightly chuckled and responds, "It happens more than you think." as he takes a chug out of his beer.

"What's your name?" I asked, curious to know more about this total stranger, who literally looks like he was sculpted to perfection.

He holds out his gloved hand, which happens to be his left one, and responds, "Bucky Barnes. Yours?" as the bartender served me my drink.

"Y/N L/N. Nice to meet you Bucky," I said as I took his hand and shook it.

"So, wanna tell me what your ex did to you? Just so you can get it out of your head," Bucky responds as I shook my head at the fact he asked.

"He thought taking me out to dinner was a good choice to tell me we were finished, that he no longer needed me to be a pawn in his game after 5 years," I said as Bucky chokes a bit on his drink.

"Wait, you & this guy have been dating for 5 years and the whole time he was toying with you because of his career?" Bucky asked as I nodded my head and took a sip of my drink.

"He's supposedly a highly sought out lawyer because of me is what he said," I responded and Bucky scoffed.

"He's a loser who didn't realize what good thing he could've had with you if he had been such a dick," Bucky said as I laugh.

"Well, I got my revenge, I tossed a glass of red wine at his courtroom suit but guess it's not that good of a result if he's enjoying his secretary giving him favors," I responded as Bucky puts down the beer bottle and looks around the room.

"Is he the one with the redhead?" Bucky asked as I looked over to where he was staring at and said, "That's the one."

"Let's go," Bucky responds as he holds out his hand for me to take.

"Why?" I asked as I finish my drink and followed Bucky to the dance floor.

I continued standing by the dance floor as I watched Bucky talk to the DJ about something. Then I heard, "Dancing With A Stranger" by Sam Smith ft. Normani starts coming out of the speakers and Bucky starts walking back towards me & took my hand to lead me on the floor.

"Why this song?" I ask as I wrapped my arms around his neck and he places his hands on my sides.

"Because this relates to your current situation and also," Bucky responds and then leans in to whisper, "Because I don't mind helping you out sweetheart." which made me blush.

The longer we slow danced together, the more I felt my heart slowly ease out the feelings I had when I was with Alex. I even felt happier dancing with Bucky than the whole 5 years of the relationship.

Bucky then leans in again and asks, "Is it okay if I do this?" I looked at him confused as if to silently say, "Do what?"

"This," Bucky whispered as he then kisses me.

At first, I was shocked that he did this so suddenly, especially since the only thing I know about him is his name, but then I kissed him back and melted into it. We kissed for what seems like hours and he pulls away to kiss me along my jaw to my neck. I took a quick glance over to where Alex and his current girlfriend were to see him standing with such disdain & anger on his face that if he was exposed to radiation like Bruce Banner, he would've hulked out and destroyed the place with everyone in it.

"He's staring," I muttered to Bucky as he continues kissing my neck.

"Let him, all I care about at this moment is your feelings and you knowing you're worth more than that guy ever told you" Bucky responds as my heart warmed at the thought that even though I was still a stranger, he still cared about how I was feeling about Alex and wanted to distract me from all the bullshit.

Bucky detaches his lips from my neck to then look down at me and laughs softly.

"You're beautiful and I hope you know that. Alex didn't deserve every piece of your attention you gave him, all the gifts you might've given him, he had no right to treat you so badly and leave such negativity onto you," Bucky says as I smiled up at him.

"You're a perfect stranger," I meant to say in my head, but I just now accidentally said it out loud.

"Perfect stranger? I really thought we got to know each other just then," Bucky responds with a smirk on his face.

I laugh and said, "We definitely did, but my friends convinced me that I need to get out and meet someone else to distract me from my ex. You checked out most of the boxes while also being attractive is a bonus."

"What boxes didn't I check out?" Bucky asked as he crosses his arms with curiosity spread over his facial expression.

"Ummm...I rather not say, don't want to scare you off," I respond, nervously laughing.

"I promise not to run off, now tell me," Bucky says as he smiles.

"My friends think I need an amazing lay, but I wouldn't ask you of that yet," I respond as Bucky chuckles and leans next to my ear.

"I don't know sweetheart, many have told me I've been known to be an amazing lay as well as a great observer," Bucky whispers in his low voice, making me blush and softly moan out.

"You really do know what you're doing huh?" I asked as Bucky laughs.

We stand there quiet for a few extra minutes until I see my friends are ready to leave. I turned toward them to say, "Wait up" and back to Bucky to ask, "So can I have your number?" as I hold my phone out for him to take it.

"Only if I get yours too," Bucky smirks as we swapped phones and typed in our numbers.

"Hope to see you around again Bucky," I said as I slowly started to walk away, leaving him on the edge of the dance floor still staring at me with a smile on his face.

I was close to the car when I felt my phone vibrate and pulled it out of my purse to see it was Bucky & smiled down at the message.

James- Hope it's okay that I added my first name in the contact, it feels more formal haha. I meant what I said, you are a beautiful person inside and out & that guy didn't deserve you. I hope we do see each other again because I would like that very much. - Bucky

P.S: Don't think I didn't notice you putting Sweetheart as your name in my contact, darling ;)

Yep, he's literally the definition of a perfect stranger, and I can't wait to get to know him more.

(Part 2 will be released soon!)

[buckyjamesbarnes1917]

Quickflash

A/N: Reader is a forensic photographer by day and a secret speedster by night. She took every precaution in the books to not get caught under someone's radar or expose herself as a metahuman, but what would happen when she decided to show herself without a thought to help Central City's hero?

~Barry's POV~

"Allen, where's L/N?" Singh asked as he searches the scene and the crew for my partner

"I sent her back to the lab, I forgot to restock my case again," I responded as Singh sighed and mumbled, "Okay," to walk towards Joe.

The thing about that excuse is, it's nonexistent and a lie. Y/N texted me earlier saying she had trouble sleeping so I told her that it was okay to sleep in longer and not to worry about it. She's one of the most hardworking people I know and I'm not going to deny that she's one of my best friends besides Iris, Cisco, & Caitlin. I pulled out my phone to text, "Gotten any more sleep?"

"Slightly doing better than I was previously, Singh still trying to find where I am?" Y/N texts back

I silently laughed and then felt a finger tap me onto my shoulder.

"Wow, you're fast," I said as I got up from crouching close to the ground from the thorough investigation of the evidence

"The precedent doesn't call me Quickflash for nothing. Am I in big trouble or not?" Y/N asked as I hear her rumbling through her bag to grab her camera

"Don't worry, I lied and told him that I sent you back to the lab, and he just walked off," I said as Y/N slightly laugh

"Barry, that's not a lie, I was actually there. I was going through the Rothstein case," Y/N responded, "Just making sure the details match the photos before it either gets sent to the archives/database or to Singh's office to get buried in the unpenetrable piles of paperwork."

As Y/N and I walked around the crime scene, with me brooming over to make sure I didn't miss anything and her taking photographs for the trial upcoming days ahead of now, I asked her, "Once we're done with our shifts, do you want to go grab something at Jitter's with me?"

"Sorry Bar, I can't. I have other cases to look over afterward," Y/N responded as I feel a stinge of disappointment and said, "Okay, that's fine."

The thing is, I've been getting this feeling she's hiding something from me and want to ask, but I don't want her to push me away on the fault of my gut feelings. Throughout the rest of the shift, I put up the same mask I've always showcased so that she doesn't suspect anything from me, the fact that I know something's up and the fact I'm in love with her.

"Talk to you later?" I asked as I packed up my belongings to head home and looked back at her.

"What else would happen if I didn't talk to my best friend before I go to sleep? Definitely, " Y/N responds jokingly, making me smile.

~Y/N's POV~

"You can't tell him, not now, not ever," I keep reminding myself as I watch Barry walk out of the doorway and down the stairs with a smile on his face

Barry Henry Allen may just be my partner in our division of the CCPD, but he's also my best friend to whom I feel I can tell my secrets and for him to be tight-lipped about. This secret, I can't burden him with it and entrust him to keep it to himself, especially since I have feelings for him. I am a speedster, just like The Flash himself, except I don't protect Central City like him, not even close. It's best to stay in hiding, no one would know there's another speedster in the city, another one to compare to The Flash, and no new name to add to the everlasting list of metahumans. Once I determined the coast was clear on the streets, I changed into an outfit that won't burn from the continuous friction from running and ran out of the precedent to burn off the energy. But I didn't know it would be my last night in secrecy because I never expected to see King Shark fighting The Flash with Patty as the audience.

"Don't even think about it, you've gone this long being a secret, this urge to help won't do you any good now," one side of my subconscious is telling me while the other side is saying, "Patty's your friend and The Flash needs help, now go!"

"Screw this," I muttered to myself as I zoomed towards Patty to grab her and take her to a safe place away from the fight

Luckily, my lightning was the same color as The Flash so she won't suspect anything out of the ordinary right? God, I hope my calculations were correct. I sped back towards where the fight was to witness King Shark currently kicking The Flash's ass.

"Come on Y/N, think!" I whispered to myself as I look around for something to use or help equip The Flash to win this fight.

When the opportunity came, I rushed towards one of the columns and bounced off to hit King Shark as a diversion. King Shark was finally distracted afterward and it was apparently enough for The Flash to get back onto his feet and defeat him to then call either A.R.G.U.S or his team. I was preparing myself to speed off back home when I heard him shout, "Hey!"

"No need to thank me, it was all you, I just gave you a boost," I replied with a hand outreached in front of me to tell him to stay where he is, while mentally high-fiving myself for knowing how to vibrate my face and vocal cords to keep myself from being identified.

"Who are you?" He asked as he does the same motions while inching closer to me and reaching his hand out to me, inflicting a sense of familiarity & comfort between our hands.

"Can't tell you that, sorry," I responded as I sped off before he could ask me another question, silently hoping he wasn't following me

When I got home, I thought back to why I got that sense and then it suddenly dawned on me, the only time I felt that way was when I was around Barry. No matter where we were or who was around us, Barry always made me feel comfortable around him. I can't hold this secret from him any longer, he has to know, now that I know his secret.

~Barry's POV~

"So wait, she just happened to appear out of thin air?" Cisco asked as he nurses a Twizzler (or Red Vine) in his mouth trying to think of what to call the mysterious speedster

"Yea, she created a diversion that gave me enough time to defeat King Shark and then ran off before I could even ask her any more questions, she was quick," I said as I explained what happened to everyone

"Quickflash, oh yeah that's gonna stick," Cisco responds as Joe and I shook our heads no, "Aw come on, why?"

"Because that name is already claimed, by someone Barry is in love with," Iris says smirking as I gave her the "Really?" look.

"Oooo okay, spill, we're your team so we should know these things, well we shouldn't, but can't help to be curious," Cisco responds as Caitlin smacks him on his arm

I sighed and said, "Her name is Y/N and she's my partner in our division, she's the Forensic Photographer."

"Why do you guys call her Quickflash then?" Caitlin asks, being observant

"Just something people in the departments call her, whenever she's late, she's quick to learn & get caught up with everything she missed and the flash part is because of the camera," I respond as I shrugged my shoulders

"Anything else you can tell us? It's obvious she has an effect on you," Cisco said, making me blush from embarrassment

I softly laughed and then responded, "I can't explain how I feel whenever she's close or around me. It's a sense of comfort & warmth she brings to me, when I confided in her about everything that has gone on in my life with mom and dad, she listened to every word, and not one thought of judgment came across her face. She's such a light in everyone's life and I don't ever want to witness that light in her dim down. Just makes it harder for me to tell her about all this because I'm afraid she's going to push me away."

We then heard a knock on the doorway and all of us looked to see Y/N standing there. Cisco silently cursed that the security didn't detect someone coming in and looked at me to say "Sorry."

I sighed and asked, "Can we have the Cortex to ourselves? And no snooping on us please."

Everyone mutters of courses and then headed out of S.T.A.R Labs entirely to give us full privacy.

~Y/N's POV~

After everyone left, Barry then turns towards me to start the conversation, but I beat him to it.

"If you're about to apologize, don't. Because you have nothing to be sorry about," I said as Barry scratches the back of his neck in uneasiness

"But I do, I've been keeping something from you that I shouldn't have outright said because I knew it would affect your feelings on our friendship," Barry responded

"Which one? The fact you're The Flash or you love me more than a best friend?" I asked as Barry took a step back in shock

"Wha- how?" Barry says as I laugh a little at him being in the state he's currently in and trying to wrap his mind around what he heard

I sighed and finally showed him the secret I've been hiding for so long. After I finished showcasing my powers, I then said, "When you got close to me, I felt the feelings I always get whenever I was around you, which was comfort & familiarity. Barry, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, it was still new to me and I didn't want it to be a burden for you to carry on. Clearly, you had a lot of things to keep quiet about."

"Y/N, whatever you tell me is never going to become a burden. You're not a leech sucking the life out of me, you're the opposite. I can't imagine what my life would be without you being my best friend and partner brightening up the room wherever she enters," Barry says as he wraps his arms around my middle, "I love you too much to let you dim that light you shine and slip away."

"Y-you really think of me that way?" I asked as Barry smiled down on me and then leaned down to kiss me

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed back, clarifying that his feelings contemplate mine and confirming to Barry that it was mutual. We pulled away and rested our foreheads together when Barry reaches for one of my hands to entwine them together upon my cheek.

"So my alias is Quickflash huh?" I said, making Barry laugh

"You tend to get used to Cisco's methods of naming villains and heroes," Barry responded as I quirked an eyebrow up, "I'll catch up with everything, even why it looks like the man who killed my mom is still alive. Also, I'm forcing Cisco to give you a better name if you're gonna be on our team."

"I hope so," I said as I smiled up at him, "Wait, are there any rules about dating coworkers? Don't want you to get in trouble you know."

Barry kissed me again and respond, "Nope, none. Want to go get some pizza and watch Singing In The Rain as our first night as a couple?"

I smirked and said, "Race ya"

"Oh you're on," Barry responded laughing as he and I started racing back to the West house

Something in my heart and mind says that our relationship has just upgraded to one of the love stories that will be told for centuries to come.

(There may be a sequel coming soon!)

[buckyjamesbarnes1917]

Endlessly

A/N: Reader is a survivor of the Super Soldier Serum Experiment and continues to be haunted by the nightmares & terrors she had to endure during her time as one of HYDRA's pets. One day when she's thinking her existence simply doesn't matter in the world, someone from her past showed up unexpectedly. This does contain a little bit of TFATWS spoilers!

Warnings: Suicidal Thoughts, Nightmares/terrors, and torture & death. (All three & flashbacks are in italics)

“P-p-please no, you don’t have to do this, I have a family,”  said a man trembling and begging for mercy on his life with tears rolling down at his face at the end of the barrel of the gun

I just stood there with the same cold, blank stare that stayed upon my face on every mission, mind unfazed, no emotions, the way HYDRA created me. I still felt part of my mind screaming “Don’t! He’s done nothing wrong!” but my mind couldn’t fight against the forces & the control HYDRA has on me. I pulled the trigger and muttered, “The mission is finalized.” After I determined the man to have no sign of life, I stepped over the body to then feel his hands grasped my ankles and then I saw his bloodied face frozen with an agonizing expression.

I awoke suddenly to then start panicking, thinking I was still within HYDRA’s facility where they still had control over me & tortured me to do their biddings. After I finally calmed my breathing down, I reminded myself, “You’re okay, you’re safe in your own apartment, HYDRA fell with S.H.I.E.L.D when the Avengers took them down, just continue the breathing exercises, and everything will be alright.” Except, it’s not going to be alright, though doing the breathing exercises keeps my breathing under control, I’m still being tormented by my nightmares. I sighed and got out of bed, maybe a shower will help me clear my thoughts.

~Meanwhile, on a plane to America~

“What’s the story about the name Zemo was talking about when we were on our way to Madripoor?” Sam asked as Bucky thinks back to the conversation.

“To beat Karli, we need a lot more allies, I suggest we start by enlisting the help of Y/N L/N,” Zemo said as Sam looked confused & Bucky’s facial expression tweaked 

“Who-” Sam started to say until Bucky interrupts him, “Don’t you ever mention that name again.”

“I’m sorry, so let’s talk about the plan,” Zemo responds as Bucky went back in his seat.

Bucky sighed and said, “Her name is one of the people I have to make amends with, she was one of HYDRA’s experiments.”

“Hold up, I thought Zemo got rid of all the super soldiers, why did he spare her?” Sam responded as he and Bucky finally exit the plane

“He spared her life because he had a feeling that she could be free from the controls of HYDRA and so that she could try to live a normal life, like me,” Bucky said as Sam looked at him confused and asked, “How do you know that?”

“Before The Dora Milaje took him to The Raft, he knew she was on my list when he went to cross his name off. Zemo didn’t give me a definite answer why he told me, he just felt like it,” Bucky responded as Sam nodded an okay

“You think she can help us?” Sam asked as Bucky nodded his head and then said, “But it’s not going to be easy to convince her to join the cause.”

“Why? Did you do something to her that caused her to be on your list?” Sam asked 

Bucky sighed and said, “You don’t even want to know.” as Sam stayed silent, a sign that he understands and doesn’t want to push it

“I’m going to visit Isaiah before heading home to Sarah and the boys, want to tag along?” Sam asked as Bucky shook his head

“No, I’m going make amends with someone I should’ve made them with a long time ago,” Bucky responded as he only has one mission on his mind.

~Back in New York, a day later~

“You’re okay, you’re okay,” I kept whispering to myself, repeating the mantra

The shower did help me clear my thoughts, but throughout the day, I couldn’t shake the dread & despair the nightmares and terrors brought me. I know it wasn’t my fault for all those deaths, I was a weapon that HYDRA created and used, but HYDRA doesn’t exist anymore so I’m not a weapon. I don’t know why Helmut Zemo spared my life that day he confronted me, I have no place in this world nor would be of any use to make a difference.

“Why am I still alive? I’m nothing and nobody even cares about me nor care I still exist.” I whispered to myself as I rest my head on my knees

Then I heard a knock on my apartment door and stayed silent to see if I can recognize if one of my neighbors is behind the door. I got up from the floor and composed myself together before I go up to the door to check through the peephole and I suddenly froze when I saw who was on the other side, James Barnes aka The Winter Soldier, HYDRA’s former powerful weapon. A lot has changed and its been a long time since I came face to face with him.

“Y/N, I know you’re behind the door. Can you let me in so we can talk?” James whispered so I can only hear him

“You know he’s changed too, he isn’t The Winter Solider anymore, let him in,” I could hear my conscience telling me

I then started to unlock the door and opened it to him standing there, with a concerned face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as James walked into my apartment

“Your name’s on my list,” James responded as I looked at him in confusion

“What list? Your list of people to kill or torture?” I asked as James hands me a notebook with his writing that shows my name under the title, “Amends”

“I’m no longer the Winter Soldier. I’m James “Bucky” Barnes and you’re part of my efforts to make amends,” James said

I was about to ask something, but then James interrupts me by responding, “I heard you.”

I started to develop a confused look on my face and then realized, with his enhanced hearing, he heard what I said minutes before he knocked on the door. I looked away from him and mutter, “Of course you did.”

“How long have they been happening?” James asked as I said in response, “Since before & returning from the Blip. Glad to see you’re looking well, therapy going good?” adding a little irritation at the end since therapy hasn’t been working for me

James sighed and then responds, “I’ve been having them too so, you’re not alone.” 

“I thought therapy was suppose to help with that,” I said with a tone of shock in my voice that maybe he hasn’t changed much

“It’s helping, but not as much as it needs to.” James replied 

 James sighed and then said, “I’m sorry for what happened in the past, all the pain & torture I caused you as the Winter Soldier. I know I can’t take it back, but if you’ll allow me, I want to make it up to you. I need your help.”

I contemplated accepting his apology to then say, “Okay. What do you need help with?”

“Are you aware of the Flag Smashers?” James asked as I nodded my head in response “Well, their leader, Karli decided to lay low after what Walker did to one of her followers. We need to be prepared for her next move when it happens, but Sam & I can’t do all this by ourselves, so will you help us when the time comes?”

“Why me? You heard what I said, I’m nothing, Zemo should’ve ended me when he had the chance,” I responded as James looked away

“You are not nothing, you are a survivor and a fighter. Zemo spared your life because he believed you would make a difference in this world and protect it when the time comes. I know that you are strong enough to stand your ground and I believe in you,” James said as I stood there, stunned not knowing that his words would make that much of an impact on me.

“Okay,” I responded as James looked back at me, “I’ll help you and Sam take down the Flag Smashers, whatever it takes.”

I could see James thinking about something so I asked, “James, what are you thinking about?”

“How would you feel about taking a trip down to Delacroix, Louisiana? You get a break from the city and you get to meet Sam so you can start to build your trust in him,” James responded 

“Think that would do me good since I haven’t gotten much sleep, also sorry for getting irritated with you,” I said as James laughs and smiles at me

“It’s fine, doll, also call me Bucky,” Bucky responded as he starts to back up and turn around to leave my apartment with me walking behind him

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile or laugh like that before,” I thought to myself as I start to smile at the ground, “It’s definitely having an effect on me.”

As we’re on our way to Louisiana, he caught me up on what happened overseas, including the incident with John Walker.

“So wait, Walker wouldn’t give up the shield and felt no remorse for what he did to Steve’s legacy? What an asshole,” I said as Bucky chuckles in agreement.

“Yeah, Sam and I took the shield back, which left Walker with a broken arm,” Bucky responds as he looks at his vibranium arm that’s resting against mine.

“Hey, remember, you’re free from HYDRA, you don’t have the arm they provided you, and you learned to resist the trigger words,” I reminded him as he nods his head

“I’m sorry if this brings up the nightmares, but are they about your victims or is it just your subconscious making you feel what you do?” Bucky asked as I sighed

“They’re  just about me remembering what I’d done and how much control HYDRA had over me, it’s just hard to shake off the feeling of dread & despair after experiencing them,” I responded as I felt Bucky move his hand into mine and squeezing it in reassurance

“It’ll be okay, maybe the change of scenery will help the both of us,” Bucky whispered 

After we arrived two days before, we went to the docks where we saw everyone helping out Sam and his family with the boat. Bucky and I walked over to the boat when we see Sam talking to two locals when Bucky decided to help them get an equipment out of the trunk.

“Thanks Buck, this her?” Sam asked as Bucky nodded, “So will you help us?”

“Yes, I will help you with the Flag Smasher, need help with the boat?” I responded as Sam said, “Hope you don’t mind”

“No, we don’t mind. Where do you want us?” Bucky asked as Sam pointed us to where he wanted us

As we were working, I notice out of the corner of my eye, a woman who looks to be Sam’s sister, walking along the dock with a clipboard.

“Hey, I’m Bucky,” I hear Bucky say as the woman stops in front of him

“Sarah, nice to meet you, and who are you?” Sarah responds to then turn her attention to me

“Y/N, nice to meet you too, also don’t mind Bucky, he’s a bit of a flirt,” I said teasingly as Sarah laughs and Bucky makes a face at me that says “Really?”

“What? You know I’m right because if I recall, in the 1940s before you went to war, you were one of Brooklyn’s biggest flirts, I read about it at the exhibit,” I responded towards Bucky’s way 

Bucky shook his head and smiled to the ground, thinking no one would notice, but Sam did.

After I finished up with what I was tasked to do, Sarah asked me to help her out with something so I got off the boat and followed her to where we needed to go, leaving Bucky and Sam sitting there. Sam walks over to the cooler and grabbed two Heineken to then hand one to Bucky.

“Alright, so what’s going on between you two?” Sam asked as Bucky sighed

“We’re just focusing on me making it up to her and completing my efforts to make amends with her,” Bucky responded as he took a sip

“Bucky, I’ve seen that look in your eyes, you’re in love with her, how long has that feeling been there?” Sam asked, unknowingly oblivious to the fact I returned from helping Sarah and was standing nearby.

“I remember seeing her at the facility after Steve broke the trance, the first thought that came to my mind was, “Who was this girl with the blank cold stare?” then they commanded her to do her task and I could see for a split second that her eyes showed emotions. A split second, I knew she still had the parts to her that made her human,” Bucky responded as he then said, “That’s when it happened.”

“So after HYDRA fell, you forgot about her or did that memory only existed in the Winter Soldier persona?” Sam said as Bucky got up to stand

“After Hydra fell and I started to gain my mind back, I always thought back to her, wondering where she was and what she was up to. One day, I decided I was going to see for myself, so I found her. When I saw her that first time since that day at the facility, Sam, I wanted to make my presence known to her, she looked so lost and knowing what me as the Winter Soldier did to her, not knowing if she even remembers it, I didn’t want to force myself to stand face to face with her because I didn’t know if she was ready then to talk to me or if it was going to jeopardize her healing from the torture and the horrors of HYDRA. So I left, though it pained me that she never would’ve known someone still cared about her, and I wish I could’ve helped her with her nightmares before now,” Bucky said as he runs his hands over his face

“Y-you really feel that way?” I finally spoke, making my presence known as Sam and Bucky looked towards my direction

“Okay, that’s my cue. I’ll let you guys talk and have your privacy,” Sam said as he got off the boat and left, leaving me and Bucky alone on the docks

“Yes, I do feel that way and I am so sorry that you’ve been feeling that way for a long time,” Bucky responded with tears welling up in his eyes as I go on the boat to stand in front of him

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” I said putting my hands on his face, feeling one of his hands wrap around my wrist, “I’m glad that you did what you felt was right for me no matter how bad you felt about doing it. You were willing to be patient until the day you felt I would be ready to face you again.”

“So you’re not mad at me?” Bucky asked as I leaned in closer to the point where our lips are close to touching

“James Bucky Barnes, despite all the torture and pain you put me through as the Winter Soldier, I still forgave you at my own pace which you allowed me to have. That makes you one of the amazing guys I have the pleasure of knowing,” I said as I finally kissed him, making the first move

Bucky kissed back and moved one of his hands to my hair and the other to settle on my waist as we kissed in the sunset. We pulled away and I looked up to see Bucky smiling down at me, then he reached to one of his back pockets to pull out his notebook and handed it to me.

“So shall we cross off your name off the list?” Bucky asked with a smirk plastered on his face

I smiled back and said, “Definitely” as I took the notebook & pen from him and crossed out my name.

“Feels good huh?” I asked him as he laughed

“It does, so should we start finding a hotel to crash at before our flight back home?” Bucky asked

Before I could even answer or make a suggestion, we hear Sam from behind us, “You guys can stay at our place if you want to.”

I was silently glad that Bucky took up on Sam’s offer because that night was the first night in years where I had a peaceful sleep and it was in the arms of someone I loved & trusted in the house of people we felt comfortable around.