Marvel One-Shots

Shucky (Sharon + Bucky)

Title: Second Chances

Bucky Barnes had always been wary of second chances. He never thought he deserved one. Too much had happened—too many mistakes, too much pain. But Sharon Carter had a way of making things seem a little brighter, even for someone like him.

It was late at night in the Avengers compound, and Bucky couldn’t sleep. He wandered through the empty halls until he found himself at the training room. Sharon was there, jabbing at a punching bag, her golden hair tied in a loose ponytail.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Bucky asked, leaning against the doorway.

She glanced over her shoulder, offering him a small smile. “Something like that.”

Bucky’s lips quirked up, the closest thing to a smile he could manage these days. “Mind if I join?”

“Suit yourself,” Sharon replied, throwing a final punch before stepping back to catch her breath. “You’re up.”

“You’re pretty good,” Bucky commented. “Better than most.”

“Thanks,” Sharon replied, sitting on the nearby bench. “It’s about survival. I learned that a long time ago.”

“Yeah,” Bucky muttered, his eyes flicking toward her. He understood the sentiment more than most.

There was a comfortable silence as Bucky continued his training. Sharon watched him for a while before she broke it.

“You don’t have to keep punishing yourself, you know,” she said softly, her tone gentle but firm.

Bucky’s fists froze mid-punch. He glanced at her, his expression guarded. “What are you talking about?”

Sharon stood and walked over to him, her eyes locking onto his. “You. All of this.” She gestured to the punching bag. “You keep holding onto your past like it’s all you’ll ever be. But you’re more than that.”

Bucky let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t know what I’ve done.”

“I know enough,” Sharon countered, stepping closer. “I know you’re trying. I know you want to be better, even if you don’t think you deserve it.”

He looked down at her, and for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel like pulling away. There was something about Sharon that made him feel... steady. Like he wasn’t completely lost.

“Why do you care so much?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sharon shrugged, her eyes softening. “Because I’ve seen what second chances can do. And because I care about you.”

Bucky stared at her, the words sinking in slowly. No one had ever told him that they cared about him—not like this. Not since Steve. Before he knew what he was doing, Bucky reached out, his hand brushing her arm.

“I don’t know if I can give you what you deserve.”

Sharon smiled softly, placing her hand over his. “You don’t have to give me anything. Just... let me in.”

For a moment, Bucky hesitated. Letting someone in was dangerous. But Sharon was patient, and something told him she wouldn’t run even if he did.

Taking a deep breath, Bucky nodded. “Okay.”

The weight of the world didn’t magically lift from his shoulders, but for the first time in years, it felt a little lighter. Sharon’s hand slid up to his cheek, her touch gentle, grounding him in the present.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.