the team doctor || bucky barnes (EDITING IN PROGRESS)

7.

Edited 8/26/25

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴏɴɢ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ɪ ᴀᴍ - ᴄʜᴀʀʟɪᴇ ᴘᴜᴛʜ

"𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬?"

~

THE MISSION, SHE GATHERED, WENT HORRIBLY.

The Quinjet touched down with a jolt, the hatch swinging open to reveal a team bristling with anger. Valerie set her book aside, her trained eyes scanning for bruises, cuts, anything that might need immediate attention.

"There is no reason Bruce should have gone down," Natasha's sharp voice cut through the noise as she stormed through the tunnel. "What the hell was that?"

"I'm fine, Nat," Bruce muttered, wincing slightly.

Tony's voice erupted from behind her. "Uh, hello? I was trapped in a cave for twenty minutes! All because Lucky Fin over here couldn't get his act together!"

Bucky's jaw tightened as he shot Tony a glare, the weight of frustration and exhaustion heavy in his stance.

Valerie's eyes flicked between them, noting the tension radiating from each member. The team was a storm, a chaotic symphony of voices and accusations—but she couldn't let it distract her from her duty.

"It wasn't all Buck's fault. We all missed our marks in some way," Steve sighed.

"That is a fucking joke, Rogers," Sam spoke. "If Barnes hadn't failed at taking out the target the trap wouldn't have been set and Tony wouldn't have gotten trapped. Hence why Bruce has a huge ass cut on his leg."

"Sorry I snapped out of it for one minute," Bucky retaliated. "I didn't get any fucking sleep."

"Then take a damn Nyquil," Nat muttered.

"Your guard can't be down for a minute, Barnes." Sam pointed his finger scoldingly in Bucky's face.

"Get your finger out of my face, Wilson."

"Or what?"

Bucky's gaze locked on Sam, sharp and assessing, while Sam mirrored it with a smirk. Tension snapped like a taut wire, and in an instant, Bucky lunged.

Steve was there in a heartbeat, arms locking around him to hold him back, his face a mask of controlled authority. Vision and Wanda moved just as quickly, anchoring Sam in place before he could retaliate.

Valerie shot to her feet, heart pounding, but there was nothing she could do. Her hands clenched instinctively at her sides, knuckles white, as she watched the storm unfold.

"Same old guy in there," Sam jeered, his voice sharp. "I knew it was a mistake having you on!"

"Walk away, Buck," Steve commanded, calm but firm.

"Yeah, listen to Daddy!" Sam taunted, the words dripping with malice.

Then the world shifted in a blur. A metal fist connected with Sam's jaw. He staggered backward, his hand flying to his face as blood poured freely from his nose. Bucky shook his wrist once, a controlled motion, the raw power in his movement impossible to ignore.

Valerie swallowed hard, her chest tightening. She had never seen the full force of Bucky's abilities up close—and now she understood, in a way that made her pulse race, just how much restraint he was capable of.

"Enough!" Tony roared. "Barnes, back to your unit. We'll be having a meeting about this. Sam, you go too."

Bucky scoffed, his stride reluctant but purposeful as he passed the common area door. Valerie struggled to meet his gaze, her stomach twisting at the intensity she had just witnessed. Every step he took sent a ripple of nerves through her chest, and for a moment, she felt entirely exposed in his presence.