Winter Soldier x Reader

-12-

Bucky's POV:

Even I'm facing the back towards the exit, I feel how someone just came into the room. Familiar sweet scent comes to my nose. When I turn around to see, immediately my eyes widens and heart drops for a moment. There is that woman! Even she got her back on me, I recognize her. If there is anything positive about having super-soldier powers, it's that I can smell people better than regular one. What is she doing in here? Has she saw me already? No... I would have known if she had. She seems too deep in her own thoughts right now.

Standing five meters away from her while staring at her under the cap. She has watched at those pictures quite some time now. Wonder what's her deal? Part of me wants to go up to her, pull her aside and ask about everything. About Steve, about his friends, about this whole time we are living in. Everything. But part of me doesn't want to. All of this is too much for me. Besides, she must be scared of me after... After everything.

It's better to keep my distance.

(Y/N)'s POV:

My phone starts buzzing in my purse. Lola. "Hi, missed me?" keeping my voice down so I won't disturb others around."Hi (Y/N)! I just wanted to call you and make sure you're alright?" she sounds so worried. She knows what happened to me. I start wondering slowly around the place. "Yeah, no. I'm fine. Got great painkillers, so I'm having a blast here." I joke. As I'm talking with her, I notice corner of my eye there is someone standing further away, staring right at me. Trying to ignore them and continue the conversation."Oh, and - Mr. Stark would like to speak with you soon as possible..-" she starts. Try to collect my thoughts back together:"Oh, right...". But the staring bothers me more and more. So I finally turn around to face them, but they are gone. Huh?

A group of students and teachers walks in, talking all loud. My eyes caught up on a man, who has a black cap on. They are walking towards the exit, having their back on me. "(-N)? Are you there?" Lola's voice brings me back. "Ah, yes. Sorry. Can I call you back?" I start to go after them. "But..-" I hang up. Maybe after everything that has happen, I might have become paranoid about all of the people around me. But something tells me I need to go after this person. They are walking quite far away from me. If I could go any faster to catch them, I would. Stupid ribs. Who needs them?! All of sudden a lot of people comes inside the museum, making it hard for me to keep eyes on the man. Finally, I get outside. It's raining. People are taking out their umbrellas and running to take a shelter. Can't see the man anymore anywhere. I lost him. Letting out frustrating sigh. Damn it!

Weeks goes by. It's the day of the Christmas party at the Tower. Outside there is little bit of snow and it's quite dark. The doors of elevator opens to the floor where the party is. The whole place is decorated nicely, music is playing, people are chatting, drinking and laughing. "(Y/N)!" Sam smiles wide when he sees me. "Hi!" I smile back at him while holding a small present. I'm wearing cute black dress that has golden, sparkly details. Nothing too revealing, more like 'nice girl from the next door' kind look. Sam and Steve starts to make their way up me thru all the guests, ready to give me a hug, but quickly their faces falls. "...and David." Steve's voice goes small. "Hi guys! Nice to see you all." David smiles all happy to them. The Avengers raises their eyebrows a little. "Um, Dave, honey. Could you maybe put this on the present table for me?" handing the gift. "Sure thing! I'll get us some drinks while at it." he pecks a kiss on my cheek and leaves.

The heroes turn back to me. "Well he seems cheerful." Steve says. "Yeah, well... He had a couple drinks back home." I flash a smile at the duo. Sam shook his head and puts arms over his chest. I feel bad the Avengers doesn't like David, but then again, I can't blame them. He hasn't give the best impression of himself so far. That is why I brought him with me, maybe he can show the others he isn't that bad after all..? Sure, we have our fights, but I try to main positive. After all, my apartment got sold couple days ago and I'm moving all of my stuff to his place. So the Avengers needs to get used to see him time to time. Then I change the subject and point out their outfits:"Well you two look cute!". Sam got on a white shirt that has a lot of small christmas themed characters everywhere and black pants. Steve got more casual looking beige sweater with a green tie and grey pants. Sam laughs:"Thanks! You don't look bad at yourself either.".

We chat for a minute, then Sam jokes something about going under the mistletoe and left. Steve and I chuckle, shaking our heads amused while watching him walking to the crowd. Then I turn to face Steve:"How are you holding up?". "Fine." he answer. I raise eyebrow, not convinced by his act. He sighs and looks down to his drink:"Guess it's hard to enjoy all of this when...", "Yeah..." I nod. Both of them, Steve and Bucky, must be so confused by all of this. It breaks my heart when I simply can't do anything about it. There are 24/7 security, watching all over him, but we can't find him. He's too good at hiding. Stroking side of Steve's arm:"We'll find him. Don't worry.". He gives a tiny smile at me. Hope we'll find him soon.

"Where is Nat?" I start looking around. "She's by the bar with Bruce." Steve informs. "Hmm, those two clearly got something going on...~" I smirk while looking their direction. "Really?" Steve sounds so surprised. Rolling my eyes:"Men...". "Miss (Y/L)." a male voice calls me over the noise. I turn around to see who it is. "Oh! Mr. Stark!" quickly I put my hands neatly together and smile. He walks up to us while holding a drink in his hand. "Enjoying the party?" he takes a sip. He's wearing full light grey suit with golden tie. "We just arrived. The present is on the table." I inform. Knowing he doesn't like to be handed anything. Maybe that's why he keeps moving from group to another a drink in hand, so no one can offer anything directly at him. "'We?'" he raise his eyebrow. "Oh, I brought David with me." I reply. He frowns, like he hasn't heard that name ever before, even I have told him about him. Rolling my eyes:"My boyfriend?". "Thought you were single." he bluntly says. Frowning at him:"Wh-?", but then thinking there is no point of me saying anything. Steve is quick to leave the spot.

"Where's Pepper?" I ask. Stark starts looking around:"She... Um, is here somewhere.". I have a feeling they are not in the best terms right at this moment. Mr. Stark has start to loose his promise to Pepper for not using the Ironman suit. That got them into a fights here and there. Pretty much I always act like I don't hear them, even sometimes they fight in very room I'm in. "Anyhow, I need to talk to you." the brown eyes turns back to me. I nod:"Oh, right. Of course.". We haven't got the time to chat until this day. Me coming back to work, him focusing on the Avengers etc. kept us busy. "Shall we?" he points the direction to his office. "Yes." I smile and leave the room with him. Without us knowing, David stands at the bar, watching us leaving.

We arrive to his office. "Have a seat." Stark gestures. Sitting on the chair beside the desk. "Hope I'm not in trouble." I joke. He sits on his big chair and leans back casually:"You tell me.". Huh? Giving him questioning smile:"Sorry?". "Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Miss (Y/L)?" he asks. "...That I'm very confused?" raising him an eyebrow. He leans against the desk with elbows:"What about your working history? Other than working as a waitress in a donut place...". My heart sinks for a second. Don't tell me..! Throat feels dry. I start to smile all awkwardly:"I-", then Stark presses a button and all the images and evidence of me being a bounty hunter pops up. Oh shit!