Life in the Multiverse

How Y/N Forgave Bucky

Again, this chapter was not a request and will not contain a trivia question. Once the last request, which I'm still planning for to make the continuity work well, is published I'll resume taking requests.

Y/N Stark P.O.V
Earth 005
December, 2017
New York, New York
11:14 am

I sighed and pulled my coat tighter around my body, as the brisk winter air covered me. I looked up at the tall museum in front of me, thoughts shooting across my mind.
I walked up the stairs and entered the museum, paying admission and making my way into the many exhibits. I made my way to the specific exhibit I was looking for. It covered many of the events that had happened when Zemo was working to tear apart the Avengers. It painted Steve as a villain, which I hated, but it also was a friendly reminder that we were stronger than Zemo. Somehow we managed to stay partly together even after he worked so hard to pull us apart.
I often found myself standing here in this showcase, reading over the articles and images for hours. Usually there were a few passerby's or people who stopped to read as well, but other than that, people didn't pay much attention. However, this time, there was another man who stood off to the side, staring at the exhibit.
I zoomed in on my glasses, looking at the man's familiar face. I could just make the person out around his hair, which covered the sides of his face. I gasped quietly as I realized who it was.
Bucky.
A swell of anger shot through my chest, every synapse in my body telling me to attack, but I kept myself under control long enough to catch something. On an article in front of me, an explanation was written as to how HYDRA corrupted officials were mind-controlling Bucky. He hadn't been acting on his own free will.
I huffed and looked over to him sympathetically.
I shook my head a little, then walked over to him. He looked at me as I walked closer, causing his eyes to open widely. His muscles tensed as he prepared to either run or fight, but I didn't make a move on him.
"It's been a while," I said. "Last I heard, you were being treated in Wakanda. Were they able to fix your head?"
He nodded and relaxed ever so slightly.
"Yeah," he said. "It was hard. But they managed to get HYDRA out of my head. I'm free."
I smiled a little and nodded.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I like to come here sometimes," he said. "When I'm not in Wakanda. It's a reminder of what happened...and what could've happened."
"Me too," I said. "I like the reminder as well."
    There was a long moment of awkward silence as we both ran out of things to say. I looked down to my feet, then looked back to the exhibit.
"How long have you been here?" I asked.
"Twenty minutes or so," he said calmly.
"Hungry?"
He furrowed his eyebrows a little and gave me a curious look.
"I could eat," he said slowly.
I nodded and smiled slightly, then nodded my head towards the door. I began to walk towards the door and he followed hesitantly after me.
"How'd you get here?" I asked.
"A bus," he said.
"Well, then congratulations, sir. Your travel package has just been upgraded from lowly bus-rider to premium McLaren passenger."
He chuckled a little behind me as we exited the museum and made our way to the curb. My car was parked in a small parking lot off to the side, as passerby's looked at it. It's bright orange color stood out against the rest of the cars parked there.
"How do you feel about pizza?" I said as I fished out my keys and unlocked the doors.
"I like pizza," he said.
"Good," I said as we got into the car. I started it, then began to situate myself. "Smoak, set a route to Luigi's."
    "Right away, sir," he said.

Only a half an hour later we were sitting at a secluded table with a large pizza in front of us. I grabbed another piece and brought it to my plate as the two of us laughed a little.
"They made you do what?" I said as I chuckled.
"They told me that in order to be 'initiated' into the culture, so I could be fully fixed, they told me I had to go to the rhino pits and cover myself entirely in the mud, then come back, uninjured."
"And you had to do all of this...naked?" I said with a snicker.
He chuckled uncomfortably as a soft red tinged his cheeks. He nodded slowly.
I started laughing outright, causing him to laugh as well.
"So, there I was," he continued. "Naked. Running away from rhinos as I'm trying to cover myself entirely in mud. I'm...sure you can imagine the embarrassment of running naked while there are crowds of Wakandans watching."
"No, I can't imagine, actually," I said with a chuckle.
"Well, anyway, they all thought I was insane," he said. "I never got looked at the same again."
We both laughed a little again and I met his blue eyes. He met my own E/C eyes as well and the contact lingered for a moment longer than usual. I looked away as a soft blush covered my cheeks.
He looked away as well and we both went back to eating our pizza. He cleared his throat slightly, then pulled his phone out. He seemed to be reading though his notifications.
I looked down at my hands as I thought about what had just happened. It couldn't have been what I thought it was. It was just eye contact, nothing romantic. Nothing more. Besides, there's no way I would ever think that about Bucky. Not after what he did to my father.
"I wanted to say thank you," he said, looking up to me again.
"For what?" I said.
"For...this. For taking me out here. For treating me normally. I...haven't had dinner with a friend in a long time. And while I wasn't expecting it to be you...I'm glad it was."
I blushed a little and nodded.
"I wasn't expecting my night to go quite this way either," I said. "But I'm glad it did. It wasn't good for me, carrying around the hate for you."
He chuckled uncomfortably.
"I think I could've gone without hearing you say you hate me," he said.
I chuckled as well, in response.
"Yeah, probably, sorry," I said.
"You ready to head out?" He said.
"Yeah, sure," I said, cleaning up my mess a bit.
"You still live at the Avengers base?"
"No, I have a place on Central Park West. Why?"
"Come on," he said, waving me after him. "I'll walk you home."
"Wha-?" I said as I followed him out of the pizza parlor. "That's really not necessary, Bucky."
"I want to," he said. "With you being famous, you never know about the creeps on the street who might try to pull something."
"Right, but we drove here...?" I said.
"Doesn't mean we have to drive home," he said with a grin.
"I...guess," I said skeptically. "I don't have to worry about you knocking me out and locking me in a basement, do I?"
He chuckled a little.
"I don't know. Maybe. Do you trust me?" He said.
I chuckled and shook my head, then let him lead the way. I walked next to him as we headed back into the city. We walked in silence for a few minutes, not knowing what to say to each other.
    "Can I admit something that might come off a little creepy?" He said, causing me to chuckle.
    "Yeah, shoot," I said.
    He chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.
"After Washington, when Steve broke through my programming and I went on the run. I...I kept tabs on everyone. Steve, Natasha, Sam...you."
    "Me?"
    "Yeah," he continued. "We hadn't really known each other then. Neither did Steve or...anyone for that matter, you were still hiding out in Sokovia. But I knew you existed, I...I knew Tony had a son. You're one of the people I watched because...because you were one of the people I hurt, even though you didn't know it yet."
    "So, if I didn't even know who you were, or anything about that life, or how you hurt my family, or how we would fight...why keep tabs on me?"
    "Because," he said hesitantly. "Because I hurt your grandparents, which hurt your father. If something had happened to you and your father later found out, then, well...I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself. So I kept tabs to make sure you were safe before the Avengers were there to protect you. Before you knew how to protect yourself."
    "I don't know if I should feel violated or comforted."
    "How about both?" He said with a smile.
    I nodded.
    "I can work with that," I said, returning the smile.
    I directed us across the street, getting closer to my apartment. I felt his hand brush up against mine as we walked, causing me to blush and adjust our distance.
    Stop, Y/N. This can't be happening to me. It cannot be happening. Use your head.
    I snuck a glance over to him, his blue eyes staring straight ahead. I continued to look at his beautiful eyes, wondering what it would be like to wake up across from them.
    No, stop. I just said it can't be happening. Why am I letting it happen?
    "Right or straight?" He said at the end of the sidewalk, shaking me out of my thoughts.
    "Oh, uh, straight."
    We continued walking until I slowed us down just in front of my building.
    "This is it," I said, turning to him.
    He nodded and looked up at the tall building.
    "Your dad live here?" He said.   
    I laughed a little, then shook my head.
    "No, don't worry. He's not here, has his own place with Pep. This was more of a place for me to crash when everything is just too much. I've been here...a lot lately."
    "I know we didn't get along before," he said. "I'm glad tonight happened, after everything. I needed to make some amends with you. I think we both needed it. I want you to know that I'll be here for you. Whenever and for whatever. I'll be there if you want me to be. I think we both need some support now and then."
    "I appreciate that, Bucky," I said. "I really do. You know, I've got a pretty comfy couch. If you don't wanna leave town yet, you could crash here."
    "I appreciate the offer," he said. "But I've gotta get back to Wakanda before someone recognizes me. That'll only cause more problems. But, again, I'm glad I decided to go to the museum today. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened."
    I smiled warmly and nodded.
    We looked at each other for a moment, not knowing what to say and not wanting the goodbye to come, I suppose.
    I sighed and stepped forward, wrapping my arms around his neck and shoulders. He hugged my torso tight, then after a lingering moment, let me go.
    He stepped back and pulled his jacket tighter, nodding at me with the smallest of smiles.
    "I'll see you around, Y/N," he said. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm not here to look out for you."
    "Me? Do something stupid? I would never."
    He chuckled and stood there a moment longer, before nodding again and turning to leave. I watched him go until he rounded the corner, then I sighed and walked inside my apartment building.