Marvel Imagines

[Pt. 1] Strangers (Bucky Barnes X Reader)

Warnings: Mentions of an abusive relationship.

A/N: I really don't know what this is! Takes place in TFATWS episode 1, presumably after Bucky has his date with the sushi bar girl and visits Yori.

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"I won't ask again, Y/N. Get the hell out of here before I kick you to the curb myself!" The man looming before your crumpled form growls wickedly, lips turned up into almost a snarl.

The kitchen knife he holds in his right hand twitches, his figure inching towards where you're collapsed on the kitchen floor, clutching your side where he'd hit you moments ago.

"How about you stay the hell away from me!" You protest rather weakly, scrambling backwards along the cold tile floor, fear running through you.

The man that you were once proud to call your boyfriend, maybe even husband at some point, continues advancing towards you, eyes glazed over with rage, face flushed red.

Just the simple thought of once being proud to have had him at your side sickens you as you clamber painfully to your feet, snatching the tattered black backpack off the chair by the door.

"Leaving now?"

All you can do is stiffly nod, yanking the front door of the only home you'd known for the last year and a bit, wide open and stepping out into the chilly evening air of Brooklyn.

"I'll be in touch."

Grinning wildly, the crazed looking man with the knife slams the door on you, leaving you standing there, on the small front porch of the apartment, absolutely shocked.

He'll be in touch? I thought he wanted rid of me?!

Your body involuntarily shivers as a cold gust of wind brushes over your cheeks, your feet instinctively carrying you away down the street as fast as possible.

"Smells like rain," You grumble under your breath as ironically, a drop from the heavens lands on your nose, earning a sigh of annoyance from you.

Within mere seconds, the skies have opened up, the floodgates wide open.

And all you can do is tug the hood of your jacket up over your head and trudge along, mind wandering a mile a minute.

Unbeknownst to you, another person is out for an evening stroll, one who's mind was also a rather loud place to be.

His head is down, the collar of his jacket popped up around his neck, eyes fixated on the pavement.

Or they were fixated on the pavement.

But when an angry shout sounds from somewhere in front of his route along the empty evening sidewalk, he can't help but survey the area.

You feel a set of eyes resting heavily on you, practically boring into your back.

Though as of right now, you're not too concerned.

Rather, you're struggling to your feet, now soaked to the bone, shivering like mad, and that pain in your side hasn't ceased.

In fact, you'd argue that it's worse after you'd just been toppled over by a car who felt the need to send a tsunami your way.

"Damn it," You curse lowly, though it winds up sounding more like a choked sob, your legs aching in protest as you pull yourself off the ground.

The stare that had been scorching your back is now warmer than ever, though this time, you decide to meet the observer head on.

Turning on your heel, you prepare to toss your apparent stalker a firm glare, only to stop yourself upon seeing the figure rushing towards you.

"Hey," He calls out in a greeting as he nears, his movements stiff with concern, concern that also falls into his tone. "Are you alright?"

"Just peachy," You chuckle glumly as the newcomer comes to a halt in front of you, offering a small smile.

"I'm Bucky," He muses, a hint of pride dropping into his voice, a gloved hand extending out to you.

"Y/N," You nod, hesitantly taking his hand in yours, shaking it gently.

"Well, Y/N," Bucky begins as the pair of you continue to walk along the barren sidewalks, splashing through puddles as you go. "I've got to ask - what the hell are you doing out here at this time of night? And in the pouring rain, nonetheless?"

Surprise trickles through you.

Is this complete stranger actually worried about me?

"I, uhm, I was just kicked out by my boyfriend, well, I guess now ex-boyfriend," You explain half-heartedly, the realization of the gravity of the situation you're in finally beginning to set in. "I don't have anywhere to go..."

Eyes widening in realization, you blink back tears, a sudden overwhelming feeling of uncertainty swelling within you.

"He sounds like a real good guy," The man keeping in step with you attempts to joke, though you huff in reply.

"Not particularly. I've likely got a severely bruised side, maybe some broken bones."

"He hit you?"

Bucky's hand is gently, yet firmly, grasping your forearm now, halting you from continuing any farther, his surprisingly stunning steel blue eyes piercing through you.

"Yes, Bucky, he did," You sigh, exasperated and frankly, utterly exhausted.

You watch as the compassionate stranger's expression deepens into a rather murderous looking scowl, his grip around your arm tightening ever so slightly.

"Don't tell me he's gonna try and keep in contact with you."

You gulp, blinking a few times before you reply.

"Before he slammed the door on my face, he said he'd keep in touch, which doesn't make sense, considering he wanted rid-"

Bucky abruptly cuts you off, resuming walking once more, though this time, he doesn't let go of you.

"Hey, could you seriously just let go for one second!" You protest, annoyance thick in your tone as you shake yourself away from him, frowning.

"Sorry," He mumbles, raising both hands in mock surrender. "It's just instinct. But I've got a place where you could stay for awhile if you'd like. Till you get your feet back under you."

You purse your lips in consideration, mentally frowning.

I've only just met this guy and now he's offering me a place to stay?

"Why should I trust you, Bucky?"

At this, a cheeky smirk tugs at the edges of his lips, blue eyes shining softly into yours.

"You shouldn't, really. But I mean, what other options do you have?"

"Not a one. So I guess I'll take you up on that offer, then."

The man in front of you grins gently, once again extending a gloved hand out to you.

Smiling to yourself slightly, you place your smaller hand in his and before you know it, you're both walking through the rain again, maybe this time around better off than where you both had started from.