Avengers x Reader One Shots

Therapy - Bucky Barnes (Platonic)

Inspired by @llunaetic 's story: Therapy session

Bucky POV

I sat in a room. The walls were a pale blue and there were two white couches. This was my third counsellor. Steve said that Shield wanted to keep me with a counsellor to make sure I was 'mentally stable'. Sure, some things triggered certain reactions from me, but ultimately, I was fine.

The door to the room opened and a woman walked in. She had h/l h/c hair and striking e/c eyes.

"Hello, James," she said. "I'm y/n."

"I know," I said.

She smiled at me. She sat down on the couch across from me. I waited for her to ask about my time at the Winter Soldier, or how I was adjusting to everyday life, but she surprised me.

"What kind of music do you like?" she asked.

She hadn't even pulled out her clipboard.

"Uh... 40s music," I said. "Also, the 80s and 90s are pretty cool."

She nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, 80s music is the best," she agreed.

She continued the rest of the session by asking me questions like that. Asking me about my favourite colours, animals... little things. She hadn't even touched the subject of the Winter Soldier.

The session ended, and I felt motivated to come back.

The second session was similar.

"What do you like to do in your spare time?" she asked.

"I – I like to work out," I said. "And... and I like to cook."

Y/n smiled at that.

"Cooking is a lot of fun," she said.

We spoke about that for some of the session. Soon enough, the session came to a close.

"I'll see you next time, James," y/n said.

"Bucky," I blurted. "Call me Bucky."

She smiled at me again.

"Okay, Bucky. I'll see you soon," she said.

The next session came. We spoke again about little things, once again. I learnt that she had a cat called Katniss, which I found funny.

The fourth session was weird. Seeing as we had our therapy sessions in the tower, she took me to the kitchen.

"I found this awesome recipe for apple pie," she said. "Wanna make it?"

I nodded, and we got to work. We made the apple pie and I had to admit, it was really delicious. I wanted to ask her why she hadn't asked me about my time at Hydra, but I also didn't want to ruin the relationship we had here.

The next time I saw her, it was a coincidence. I was with my friend, Yori, trying to convince him to not sue some kid who was using his trash. I turned him around, persuading him to go with me to the restaurant we both like, when I saw y/n.

"Y/n?" I asked.

She turned around to face me. She was wearing a dark blue coat and leggings. She had a beanie on her head.

"Bucky?" she asked.

I smiled at her, and she smiled at me.

"Go and hang out with your girlfriend," Yori said. "We can reschedule."

"I – we're not – she's not my... girlfriend," I said, embarrassed.

"Then make her your girlfriend," he said, before walking off.

"I'm... sorry, about that," I said to y/n.

She just chuckled.

"No problem, Bucky," she said. "Want to walk with me?"

I nodded, stuffing my hands into my pockets, and walked alongside her.

"You know, I've never asked, but what do you do at the tower?" Bucky asked. "I know you're not an Avenger, and I don't think you go on missions."

She chuckled.

"I'm surprised you don't know," she said. "I'm Tony's cousin. I – um... I'm also a healer."

She said the last part quietly.

"As in... magical healing?" I asked.

She chuckled and nodded.

"Are you healing me?" I asked. "Is that why you're not talking to me about my past?" I asked, suddenly angry.

She stopped walking and grabbed my arm.

"Bucky," she said. "I would never do that. If I want a patient to heal from trauma, I let them do it themselves. Besides, my magic can't heal those types of things. Mentality is a lot more complex than you may think."

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't be," she said.

We stood on the sidewalk for a moment longer.

"Why – why aren't you talking to me about it?" he asked.

She blew out a breath.

"All of your other therapists have... just gone straight ahead and asked you about it. I know that you don't tell them much, so... I decided to take a warmer approach. I decided to become your friend first, in hopes that you would be more comfortable talking about it later," y/n explained.

I stood there for a moment, contemplating it. Was I mad at her? No, not really. To be honest, I was glad that she'd waited. She was my friend now, and the thought of talking about it didn't make me want to dig a hole and bury myself in it.

"Well, I'm glad that's the approach you took," I said. "Because now I have another friend."

Y/n smiled at me.

"Good," she said.