i forgive you (y/ns pov)

Chapter 25: Home (Part 2)

  „Are you sure you wanna do this?"

My voice was full of concerns.

It had been two weeks since I left the hospital. When I told Bucky I wanted to go back to the compound to clear his name, he was thankful but also worried.

„Do you really want to go back there? You don't have to do that. Not for me", he said.

But I knew I had to. The compound had been his home just as much as it had been mine and the Avengers had been his family as much as they had been mine, too. We didn't want to rush anything, so we waited two weeks to think everything through. But my mind never changed. We had the car parked at a safe distance to the compound. This was the last chance to turn back around and to disappear forever.

We knew the others would not react pleased to see Bucky. They had been trying to find him, to hold him accountable for my death. We both knew how impulsive they could be at times. But that wasn't the only reason that had us nervous.

Bucky still had his eyes on the road when he slowly nodded his head.

„What if this doesn't work out?", he asked, finally looking at me.

„I guess we go back to cable factory town and start our own spy business", I joked.

He chuckled.

„Yeah, I guess that's what we're gonna do."

I smiled.

„You're ready?", he asked carefully.

I nodded and he started the engine again.

Only a couple of minutes later we were on compound ground. It didn't take much longer for the team to storm out, ready to battle who ever dared to enter their area. They surrounded the car. Finally, Bucky stopped the car. He took one last deep breath before he opened the door and stepped out of the car. He had his hands up in the air.

„You got nerves coming back here just like that", Sam yelled.

By the tone of his voice, I could tell he was fuming.

„I'm just here to talk", Bucky said softly.

„Give me one good reason why I shouldn't shoot you right here and now!", Natasha screamed.

She was full of pain, grief and rage.

I opened my door and slowly stepped out. It was a beautiful spring day. It was warm, the sun was shining this afternoon. The air was beautiful and fresh.

„Is this good enough?", I replied to Natashas request.

I looked around at all the familiar faces, slowly dropping their weapons, overwhelmed and emotional. Natasha couldn't believe her eyes. It took a moment before she started to make her way towards me. Slowly, careful steps at first but then finally giving in and running towards me, her arms wide open. She pulled me in for a tight hug. She pressed her whole body against mine.

„You're alive...", she whispered and I knew tears were welling up in her eyes.

„I'm alive", I said softly.

„I think you two owe us an explanation", Sam said when Natasha finally let go off me.

„As I said: I'm here to talk", Bucky repeated his first words.

„I'm gonna call Fury", Maria spoke teary.

„Let's get inside", Steve suggested.

„JARVIS, call everyone. They will all wanna hear this", Tony ordered.