Just the Way You Are - Dad's Best Friend Bucky x Reader

Epilogue

Three Years Later

"Maybe this is a bad idea."

Bucky paused on the street outside, staring up at the old brownstone that loomed above them. Y/N chuckled, reaching over to take her boyfriend's hand in her own, squeezing gently.

"Buck, it'll be ok," she said calmly. "It's his engagement party, do you really think that he's going to cause a scene?"

"But I haven't spoken to him in three years, Y/N. What if he kicks me out? Or tries to punch me?" Bucky mumbled. She leaned up, planting a chaste kiss against his lips.

"He invited you, remember?" She said comfortingly. "Besides, you have me here. Anytime you're worried about anything, just look at me. It'll all be fine, ok?"

Bucky nodded slowly, allowing Y/N to guide him up the stairs and through the front door. The house was abuzz with people, the party already in full swing. The two of them wandered through the rooms as if they were walking a path that they knew like the back of their hands until they found themselves on the patio. There, standing by the bannister, was Y/N's dad, his new fiance Natasha by his side, their hands clasped together tightly.

"Look, there he is," Y/N said, and Bucky let her pull him towards them, even if his heart was hammering at three times the normal pace.

"Dad, Natasha!" Y/N called, pulling the two of them into a hug. "Congratulations on your engagement!"

"Thank you, honey," her dad beamed. "And thank you for coming. It really means a lot to me and Nat."

"Well, we do have Y/N to thank," Natasha chuckled. "She was the one that set us up on that blind date after all."

That was when Y/N's dad turned to Bucky, and Bucky's entire body tensed, preparing himself for the onslaught of anger that he was sure was coming. He had been anticipating this moment for weeks, ever since the invitation had come in the mail. But to his surprise, his best friend didn't get angry, instead a grin spread across his face, and Bucky was soon pulled into a tight hug.

"Bucky," Y/N's dad said as he patted Bucky's shoulder. "It's good to see you. Thank you for coming."

"Erm, thank you for inviting me," Bucky replied, throwing a confused glance towards his girlfriend.

"Do you think I could talk to you in private for a moment?"

"Of course," Bucky agreed, and he followed his friend to the other side of the patio, a place where both Natasha and Y/N were still in sight, and for all Bucky could hope, within hearing distance.

"So, I just wanted to say that I hope we can put the past behind us and move forward," Y/N's dad said with an awkward smile. "I know that things have been...difficult between us for the past few years, and I perhaps haven't acted exactly mature in the past few months. But the truth is that I miss my best friend."

"I miss you too," Bucky smiled, patting his old friend on the shoulder.

"I have something to ask you, actually," he asked. "I was wondering if you would be at my side during the wedding? I can't imagine anyone else being up there as my best man except you."

"Wow, really?" Bucky asked in shock before pulling his friend into a hug. "I'd be honoured."

The pair quickly retreated back to their significant others, Bucky wrapping his arm around Y/N's waist.

"What did he say?" She asked, peering up at him.

"He just asked me to be his best man," Bucky chuckled, dumbfounded.

"See, I told you it would be ok!" She laughed. He spun her around so that she was pressed against his chest, leaning down to kiss you gently. "I love you Bucky."

"And I love you."