Shadows of Trust || A Bucky Barnes Love Story

Chapter 9 - Pieces of the Past

As the days passed, Bucky's recovery was slow but steady. Each day, he pushed himself a little more, determined to regain his strength and clarity. The weight of his forgotten memories still lingered, but with Diana by his side, things felt bearable. She had made it a habit to join him during his workouts, offering quiet support and occasionally teasing him when he struggled to lift a little extra weight or complete another set.

It was during one of these sessions, the gym dimly lit by the soft morning light, that Diana approached Bucky with a gentle suggestion. "You should talk to Steve today," she said, her voice soft but encouraging as she handed him a towel. "You two were best friends... maybe it'll help you remember more."

Bucky frowned at first, wiping the sweat from his face as he considered her words. He wasn't sure. His relationship with Steve felt like an empty space in his mind, but he trusted Diana. She hadn't led him wrong since this whole ordeal started.

Seeing the hesitation in his eyes, Diana placed a hand on his chest, giving him a reassuring smile. "It's not about forcing anything to come back, Jamie. Just... talk. You might understand more about yourself through him."

Bucky gave a small nod, still unsure, but willing to try. Diana kissed his cheek sweetly before leaving the room to fix dinner, letting him know that Steve would be coming by soon.

Not long after, Steve walked in, his usual confident posture slightly more tentative as he approached. "Hey, Buck. How're you feeling?" Steve asked, his voice casual, but there was an undercurrent of concern.

Bucky sat on the bench, taking a deep breath before looking up at Steve. "Physically, I'm getting better," he answered, his tone guarded. "Mentally? I don't know."

Steve nodded, pulling up a seat beside him. He had been Bucky's best friend for so long, and seeing him struggle with something so personal was hard. "And... how are things with Diana?" Steve asked, steering the conversation toward safer territory, hoping it might ease Bucky into opening up.

Bucky hesitated for a moment, his hand gripping the towel tightly. "She's been amazing," he admitted, his voice softening slightly. "Even though I don't remember everything, I know I care about her. It feels natural, like I've always known her... but everything else is a blur."

Steve smiled gently, relieved to hear that at least one thing in Bucky's life was grounding him. "Diana's special like that," he agreed. "She's got a way of making people feel like they belong."

There was a brief silence, and Steve could sense that Bucky was holding back. "Buck, I know this is hard for you," Steve started, his voice more serious now. "But I'm here for whatever you need, whenever you're ready to talk. You don't have to go through this alone."

Bucky's jaw clenched slightly as he stared down at his hands, still unsure if he was ready to dive into a conversation that might reveal more than he could handle. But Steve's presence, his patience, started to break through the wall Bucky had built around himself. Slowly, he exhaled and looked over at his old friend.

"I don't know who I was before all this," Bucky began quietly, his voice low. "But I know I'm different now. The Winter Soldier... the things I've done... I don't know how to reconcile that with who I'm supposed to be."

Steve's eyes softened, hearing the pain in Bucky's voice. "You weren't yourself back then, Bucky. Hydra made you into someone you weren't, and you've spent the last few years trying to make up for things that were never your fault."

Bucky shook his head, still wrestling with the guilt. "But the memories... the flashes of things I've done. How can I just move past that?"

Steve sighed, leaning forward slightly. "It's not about forgetting, Buck. It's about understanding that you have a choice now. You're not a weapon anymore. You're not controlled by anyone. And you have people who care about you, who trust you—including Diana."

The mention of Diana's name brought a slight smile to Bucky's face, and for a moment, his expression softened. "She... she makes me feel like I'm still worth something. Like I can be more than the memories I've lost."

Steve smiled back. "That's because you are, Buck. You're more than your past. And Diana sees that. She wouldn't be here, fighting for you, if you weren't."

Bucky's grip on the towel loosened as he let Steve's words sink in. He wasn't fully convinced yet, but it was a start. "I guess... I still have to figure that out."

Steve clapped him on the back gently. "You don't have to figure it all out today. Just take it one step at a time. And remember, I'm here for you, man. Always."

Bucky gave a small nod, his trust in Steve slowly beginning to resurface. For the first time in days, he didn't feel as weighed down by the confusion in his head. Maybe talking to Steve had helped more than he realized.

As they stood to leave the gym, the smell of dinner wafted in from the kitchen. Diana's familiar voice called out, "Dinner's ready, boys!"

Steve and Bucky exchanged a look, and Bucky chuckled softly. "I guess I should go help her before she bosses me around some more."

Steve grinned. "Sounds like she's already got you wrapped around her finger."

Bucky smirked as they made their way toward the kitchen. "Maybe so... but I don't mind."