Hot Chocolate on the Balcony: A Bucky x Reader

Three

(Y/N) led Steve to her room where she sat him down on her bed, positioning herself in front of him. She gripped his hands and looked directly into his eyes.

"You haven't been practicing with your shields. Your thoughts were scattered," (Y/N) told him. "You aren't a bad friend Steve. You're great. I have two significant advantages when it comes to Bucky. I can feel everything he feels Steve, just like I can with you or the rest of the team. And I know what he went through, I know because I went through it too."

"But I didn't even notice when he was starting to panic. I didn't and I should have."

"Maybe not, but you know what you did notice? You noticed that the Winter Soldier was really Bucky. You noticed that he could be saved. You noticed that he not only needed your help, but wanted it too. You're a great friend Steve. It's okay that you messed up just this one time. Despite the super serum, you're still human. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Steve sighed.

"I'm Captain America, I'm supposed to notice everything."

With that, Steve stood and left the room, leaving (Y/N) staring after him.

Stubborn idiot.

    

(Y/N) sat in the kitchen, tapping her toe nervously. The team had landed back at the tower almost exactly when Bruce had predicted. They were currently in one the conference rooms being debriefed on the mission by Steve.

"Are you alright?" a rough voice asked, startling (Y/N). "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. Can I get you anything?" (Y/N) responded, tactfully ignoring the question Bucky had asked her.

"Just some water if you don't mind."

"Ice or no ice?"

"No ice. Please."

(Y/N) nodded and stood from her seat, happy for the distraction as small as it was. As she moved, she took the small moment to assess the man. He was still doing his best to pretend as if he could feel nothing. (Y/N) would be lying if she said she wasn't impressed at the effort.

His face wielded nothing and he made a conscious effort to blur his emotions.

I wonder if he was trained against the others like me, (Y/N) thought. It would make sense. We were a part of the same organization and they wouldn't want their precious soldier to be taken out by a rogue Empath.

"Here you are," (Y/N) said, placing the glass of water on the table.

Bucky only glanced up and nodded in thanks.

(Y/N) sat back down in her seat, her thoughts drifting off once again, creating an atmosphere of quiet in the room.

"Agent (L/N), Captain Rogers has asked me to tell you that the team has finished being debriefed and will be arriving for dinner in the next five minutes," F.R.I.D.A.Y's voice came through the speakers, disrupting the silence.

(Y/N) sighed and stood up to begin setting the table. She could feel the spike of anxiety in Bucky's system.

"If you take the stairs instead of the elevator, you can get back to your room without anyone noticing," (Y/N) murmured. "You don't have to stay for dinner if you feel uncomfortable. I can bring a plate up for you later or send you off with one now if you'd like."

"I'll stay," Bucky replied quietly.

"In that case, come help me with the silverware."

Bucky froze. He knew she was just trying to joke around. He knew she wouldn't hurt him, but it felt like an order.