Worlds Apart (Bucky x Reader)

Chapter 7

You woke up a few hours later to a knocking on your door. You got up and opened it to find no other than Bucky. "Hey, Bucky. What's up?" you said groggily. That's when you noticed his face, he looked haunted, his eyes sunken, and dried tears stained his cheeks. His mouth was parted slightly but he wasn't saying anything. "Hey, what's wrong?" You asked looking him in the eyes. He stared down at you, still without saying anything. Suddenly, his head dropped onto your shoulder. You were going to say something but you decided against it. You put a hand around his back and on his head to stroke his hair. He leaned into you and you felt your shoulder wettening from his tears. 

You stood like that for a long time before he stood up again. "Come sit down," you told him and led the way to your bed. You sat him down and knelt in front of him. "What's going on?" You asked him, genuinely concerned. "I- I had a nightmare," he stammered. His voice sounded hoarse, likely from crying. You didn't know what to do so you just hugged him. "It's okay, Bucky. You're okay," you whispered. He hugged you back tightly as if you would disappear if he let go. 

He pulled you onto your bed with him to get a better grip on you and you hugged him a little tighter. "You're okay," you repeated in a whisper. His head rested on your shoulder and you could feel your shirt getting wet from his tears again. You didn't mind though. You just hoped you were helping him. 

You kept your arms wrapped around him for who knows how long when he lifted his head. His long brown hair had fallen in his face, covering his swollen red eyes. You tucked his hair behind his ear and looked him in the eyes. "Are you okay?" You asked him now that he had calmed down. He nodded in response and looked away. "I'm sorry, y/n," he said quietly. "What? No, don't be, you have nothing to apologize for," you responded. He shook his head. "I didn't want to get you involved in this. It's just... I thought you would be able to help. I don't know why, I'm sorry," he explained. It took you a minute to process what he said. Why would he think that I specifically would be able to help?  You questioned. It didn't matter, what matters is that Bucky is okay now. 

"Well I hope I was able to help then, Bucky," you finally answered. He nodded and stood up. "I'm going to go and take a shower, y/n," he told you. You smiled at him. "You do that, I'm going to head downstairs and get something to eat,"

You were downstairs with a bowl of cereal when you heard the quinjet flying in. You quickly finished eating and cleaned your dishes and made your way to the landing site to greet the rest of the Avengers. There, Nat, Clint, Sam, Tony, Vision, Wanda, and Steve made their way off of the ship. "Hey, y/n, were you waiting for us?" Clint teased. "Not for you," you retorted, smiling. "Ouch," he said as he went to put his weapons away. "Sorry for leaving without telling you, y/n. It was last minute," Steve said as he walked up to you. You blushed a little. "It's okay, Steve," you responded. "I'm glad you guys are back safe," you added with a smile.

Bucky appeared behind you and put his hand on your shoulder. You jumped a little in surprise. "Hey, Bucky. How was your shower?" You ask him. "Fine. Thank you... for earlier." He replies. You turn to look him in the eyes. "Don't worry about it. I'm here for you, okay?" He nodded in response, his eyes filled with gratitude. 

You and Bucky followed the rest of the Avengers through the compound where everyone sat down and started laughing and talking together. Your eyes found Bucky's and you gave him a small smile. He smiled back and looked away. 

Steve started to talk about the mission they were on. Hydra agents were on the move with new weapons, and the team intercepted them and took the weapons. "What are you going to do with their weapons?" you asked Steve. He paused and looked at Tony. Tony responded to your question, "well, uh, they're ours now." You nodded and said okay. "Actually, y/n, I had something I wanted to talk to you about," Tony suddenly said. "Yeah...?" You nervously asked him. What if it's something bad... I've already been here over a month and I haven't done much more than train. "I want you to go on the next mission," Tony said flat out. Your jaw dropped. Am I ready for something like that? You asked yourself. "You're ready enough, feathers." Tony seemed to read your mind. "Plus, it's not like you'll be alone. Steve, Nat, and Sam will go with you," he added. 

This was a big moment. You're going on your first mission! You were so excited you could barely contain it. "So, when is the mission?" you asked Tony. "Friday we're sending you all out, you'll be back by Tuesday next week. Maybe Wednesday if someone does something stupid..." he responded. That gives you three more days to prepare for this. 

The next three days you filled with as much training as you could. You wanted to be ready for this and prove to everyone that you belong here. Plus, I want to impress Steve. 

The night before the mission, you were walking with Bucky like always. Suddenly, he stopped. "You okay, Bucky?" you asked, turning to face him. He looked at the ground. "I'm going to miss our walks," he replied after a moment. "Awe, Buck, I'm only going to be gone a couple of days. We can go for walks again when I get back." He nodded slowly, "alright, y/n. Just be careful, please." He's worried about me, that's so cute. You thought. "I promise I'll be careful," you said to ease his mind. 

Back in your room, you thought about what Bucky told you. He's going to miss me and he's worried about me. I'm a little worried about him too, Steve and I will both be gone and he won't have anyone here to help him if he has a nightmare. That thought scared you more than the fear of disappointing the others. I don't want him to be alone. 

You found yourself in front of his room. You knocked gently on his door. No sound came from inside, but after a minute, it opened. Bucky stood there dressed in a loose white shirt and sweatpants. He looked like he was either sleeping or about to be. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," you told him. What am I even doing here? "Don't worry about it. Are you okay?" He asked you, looking genuinely concerned. "I- uh..." you started. What am I trying to say, did I think anything through before I came over here?? "I'm okay," you answered his question. "I just, I was thinking and I'm worried," he looked surprised to hear this. "You won't disappoint the others, y/n, they love you," he told you in a comforting voice. "Yeah, thank you, but that's not it. I'm worried about you. I don't want to leave you here without Steve or me to be here if you need one of us," you stumbled over your words as you poured out the thoughts that had been overwhelming you since they first crossed your mind. 

Bucky's face softened. "I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine," he told you. "I just want you to know that I wish I could be here all the time for you. I'm sorry," you avoided his eyes. "Don't worry about that, y/n. I'm just happy you care. As long as you come back in one piece, I'll be alright," his words brought you comfort. "Alright, I trust you. I'm sorry for waking you, Bucky. Goodnight," you said quietly as you turned around to head back to your room. It was a moment before you heard him close his door, and you almost wish that he hadn't.

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Hey guys. It's been like 2 years... hot dog. That's my bad. I kind of got some writer's block and then forgot to come back (,:

I'm so sorry to my 17 readers. And I apologize to @venus___writes___ for not updating sooner! I appreciate you reading and liking my story. I'll try to stay on it through to the end now!

Love you all! 

-One of Winter's many Children