Never Safe

Chapter Eighteen

Peter was worried after Bucky called him, asking for you. He hadn't heard from you since school the day before. He called you himself but you didn't answer.

He decided to go out, and he spent about an hour looking for you in your favourite spots. But it was getting dark so he had to head home.

He walked into the apartment.

"And where have you been?"

"I'm sorry May. I was looking for y/n."

"Y/n? Bucky called, asking for her earlier. Do you know what's going on?"

"No, and I'm worried. She's not answering my calls. I couldn't find her at any of the places we usually hang out."

"Okay, I'll call Bucky to see if he's with her yet."

She called. You weren't with him. Peter tried to stay up late until he heard more. May went to bed. Peter was close to drifting off on the couch when he heard a noise outside.

He sat up to listen closely. It was someone walking up the stairs. Sounded more like stumbling. They got to right outside and they stopped. Peter stood up and slowly approached it. Just as he reached it, whoever was there started knocking. Peter opened it.

You started falling forwards through the doorway so Peter had to catch you.

"Hey y/n/n-"

"Peter" you grinned.

He helped you stand on your own, then held both your hands.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Mm, little bit" you giggled.

"Why? Are you okay?"

You scoffed. "... no."

Your smile faded when Peter didn't say anything. He was watching you pitifully.

"My brothers a jerk" your eyes teared up.

"Okay. Come here."

Peter closed the front door. He put his arm around you.

"Y/n?" May walked out her room. "Oh, sweetie your brother was so worried! Let me call him and-"

"No" you mumbled. You shook your head at her. "I don't wanna see him. He's a dick."

"Uh, Peter do you wanna take her to your room? I'll be there in a minute."

"Mhm. Come on y/n/n" he walked you back to his room.

As soon as she heard the door shut, May called Bucky.

***

May answered the door for Bucky. He quickly walked into the apartment. "Where is she?"

"Peter's room" she quickly continued before he walked off. "What's going on?"

"Um, there was a problem at the compound and I got stressed about it and I got distracted and it upset her but I was an idiot. I didn't notice until she left. Have you talked to her?"

"No, she's been with Peter since she got here."

"Okay" Bucky headed to Peter's room. The door was slightly ajar and he heard voices coming from inside. He decided to eavesdrop a little.

"So how was your basketball thing today?"

"Oh I don't wanna talk about that" you moaned.

"Why? Did it not go well?" Peter enquired.

"No, of course it went well. I'm me. We won every game."

"So what's the problem?"

"The problem... is no one even cares about basketball."

"That's not true y/n/n. Why would you think that?"

"Because Bucky said so."

"What?"

"He doesn't care."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"Then why did he break my trophies?"

"He what?"

Bucky spun around when someone touched his arm. May instantly recoiled. "I'm sorry..." she noted his expression. "Bucky, are you okay?"

"I-" he glanced back at the door. "I need to go" he said to May. "Do you mind if she stays here?"

"No, I don't mind. How long do you want her to stay?"

"It- it's up to her... I don't think she wants to see me."

"Okay Bucky come with me" May grabbed his hand and dragged him into the living room. He pulled him to sit down on the couch next to her.

"You know, I should get going. I don't want her to-"

"Bucky. Shush. Serious talk time."

"You wanna have a serious talk in the middle of the night?"

"Yeah. Now zip it."

"Okay-"

"Bup bup bup. I said zip it. Now, you and y/n are fighting, you want to give her space, I get that. I argue with Peter a lot. It's normal. But I do not let him get drunk, go round a friends house and stay there as long as he wants. I sit him down and we talk through it. We fix the issue. That's your job now, Bucky. You've gotta be the responsible adult and deal with the problem rather than just waiting for it to pass."

"But-"

"No buts. You need to handle it."

"What if I don't know how to handle it?"

"You've got to find a way. You know I will help you out whenever you need it, just ask. But you've gotta take the lead on this."

"Yeah, okay. Thanks May."

"It's no problem, Bucky" May smiled. She leaned forward and hugged him. He returned the favour.

"Thank you for everything" he muttered.

"Any time." They parted from the embrace. "Now, do you wanna stay here? It's really late. I could get you a blanket and you could sleep on the couch?"

"No, I'm gonna head home."

They stood and walked over to the door. May opened it but Bucky hesitated to walk through. His lips parted as if he were about to say something, but nothing came out. He took a deep breath and sighed.

"I know you never signed up for this... but you're doing a really great job" May assured him.

"I don't think I could've done it without your help."

May smiled. "Goodnight Bucky."

Bucky took a step out the door, but he paused. He turned to face May with a look of confusion. "Did you say y/n's drunk?"

"Uh... no. No, I- um... she's- okay, maybe just... a little..."

Bucky chuckled a little. "Don't worry. It's not your fault. I'm not blaming you or anything. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll text you in the morning about when I'm bringing her home."

"Bye May."

"Bye Buck" May said and closed the door. She listened to the footsteps walk away, then she sighed. She went to check on you before going to bed. She headed to Peter's room and peered through the door.

He had his arm around you as you cuddled up to him.

"Peter" you called quietly.

He pulled you closer to him. "Sh, we're going to sleep now."

"Sorry."

"It's okay" he whispered, and placed a kiss on the top of your head.

May smiled at the two of you. She didn't say anything before going to her own room to get some rest.