Hearts of Steel || A Bucky Barnes Love Story

♥♥♥ Chapter 1 - The Soldier and His Angel ♥♥♥

Bucky Barnes settled into his new quarters at the Avengers Tower, still adjusting to being part of a team again. It had taken Steve some time to convince him to join, and meeting the other members was daunting. There were plenty of moments when he'd catch himself drifting back into solitude, old habits hard to break. But as he settled in, he noticed he wasn't the only one who kept to himself.

Diana was the newest team member aside from him. An 18-year-old college student, she wasn't much for socializing when the group gathered. Bucky hadn't missed how she would slip away quietly after meetings or excuse herself from conversations. It was hard not to be curious about the young woman, so different from the seasoned heroes surrounding her.

One afternoon, while wandering the hallways, Bucky happened to pass by her open door. He glanced inside and saw Diana busy rearranging her room, her hair falling around her shoulders as she checked through art supplies and writing paper. She had a soft presence that caught his attention—a lightness that reminded him of everything he'd thought lost.

He knocked on the doorframe, the sound pulling her gaze toward him. When Diana saw him, a bright smile lit her face. Without hesitation, she ran to him, her laughter spilling out like a melody as he instinctively scooped her up in his arms.

"Hey, sweetheart," he greeted, his voice warm as he held her close. "Got a little time? I was hoping we could talk."

"For you, handsome? Always," she replied with a playful grin, wrapping her arms around his neck before he set her back down. Bucky's heart swelled at the sight of her, a strange but pleasant sensation filling him.

She led him inside, and he closed the door behind them with his foot. Following her further in, they sat together on her bed, the atmosphere easy and familiar as though they'd known each other for longer than a few weeks.

"Why do you keep avoiding everyone?" Bucky asked softly, leaning in a little, his gaze sincere. "You're barely around, except when it's mission time."

Diana's expression shifted to something more serious, but she didn't look away. "I guess... it's just hard fitting in," she admitted, her voice carrying a trace of frustration. "I'm new and young, and Tony and Steve... they treat me differently. Like I'm some kid who needs constant mentoring. They think I'm innocent because I'm still in college, so I'm not included in much unless it's a mission or dinner. Most of the time, I'd rather just hang out with my friends outside of the Tower."

She glanced down, fiddling with the edge of her sweater. "They don't really understand me. My dad's a Colonel in the army—he's trained me since I was little. This isn't new to me, you know? But no one really sees that. They just see a girl who's out of her depth."

Bucky listened, his blue eyes softening as she spoke. He'd noticed the way she clung to his hand during briefings or how she'd always be the one patching him up after a mission, gentle but firm, knowing what needed to be done. He understood what it was like to feel underestimated, or like you were somehow out of place. She was eighteen, but she wasn't fragile, and she deserved to be treated with respect.

"They just don't get it, do they, angel?" he murmured, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're not some kid they have to watch over. You're capable."

She looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Bucky said firmly. "I've seen it." He paused, then added, "Why do you think I wanted to come in here and talk? You're the only one I feel like I can really talk to, sweetheart. You're... important to me."

Diana's breath hitched at his confession, her eyes widening. "Oh, Bucky... I'm so sorry," she whispered, reaching forward to pull him into a hug. "I didn't know you felt that way." Her arms wrapped tightly around him, and he hugged her back, letting himself sink into her warmth.

"You don't have to apologize," he said gently. "Just... stay close, alright? I don't want to keep missing you."

"I'm not going anywhere," she assured him, her voice soft as she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. Her fingers brushed his cheek, and they settled into a quiet rhythm of conversation, words flowing more freely with each passing minute. Diana's laugh became more frequent, and Bucky found himself opening up in ways he hadn't with anyone else—not even his therapist. By the end of the afternoon, they were both laughing uncontrollably, the tension of their earlier conversation completely dissolved.

Bucky lay back on her bed, his head resting comfortably on her shoulder while Diana's fingers combed through his short hair. He'd let her trim it just a few hours earlier, something he'd been hesitant about but ultimately couldn't say no to. His back pressed against her chest, and she kissed his cheek affectionately, her lips lingering for a moment.

"You're getting spoiled," she teased, her voice full of warmth. "I think you just like all the attention."

"Maybe I do," he admitted, a rare smile curling his lips. "But only if it's from you, angel."

She giggled and hugged him tighter, her fingers never ceasing their gentle strokes through his hair. "You're my hero, Bucky," she whispered, her voice filled with affection. "My soldier."

His heart swelled again at her words, and he turned his head to look at her. "And you're my girl," he murmured, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. "My angel."

Later, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Diana mentioned her plans to meet up with some friends. She turned to him, a hopeful glint in her eyes. "Do you want to come with me? It could be fun, you know... just getting out of here for a bit."

Bucky's face lit up at the thought. "Yeah," he said quickly, "I'd like that." He was eager for the chance to escape the confines of the Tower, especially with her by his side.

They made their way down to the main elevator, but just as the doors opened, Steve rounded a corner and called out, "Hey, Buck! We're gathering for dinner. You two coming?"

Diana hesitated, glancing between the two men. "You guys should go together," she said, taking a step back. "I know you're best friends. I don't want to get in the way."

Bucky, however, reached out and caught her hand with his vibranium arm, intertwining their fingers. "What are you doing?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "We made plans, sweetheart. I want to go with you. You don't need to change your mind just because someone else showed up."

The surprise in Steve's expression was unmistakable, his gaze flicking to Bucky's newly trimmed hair. "Did you cut it yourself?" he asked, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

"No," Bucky replied, glancing at Diana with a fond look. "She helped me."

The elevator doors began to close, and Bucky pulled Diana into his chest, his arms wrapping around her protectively. She noticed the glistening in his eyes, the way his breath seemed to hitch as he looked at her.

"What's wrong?" she whispered, her arms slipping around his waist as she looked up at him with concern. "You look... worried."

Bucky swallowed, his voice unsteady as he spoke. "I just... I'm getting attached to you, sweetheart. I don't want you out on your own, not at night, not when we could be together. I like being with you... I need it."

Diana's heart fluttered at his confession. A soft giggle escaped her, and she rose onto her toes, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek. "I want the same thing," she said quietly. "It's starting to hurt when you're not around. I don't like that feeling."

She hugged his neck, her fingers threading through his short hair as she tried to soothe his anxiousness. Bucky's arms tightened around her, his lips brushing against her neck. He picked her up effortlessly, his lips finding her cheek once more as he held her close.

"You're mine," he murmured, a sense of calm settling over him as she nestled in his embrace. They were becoming inseparable, their bond growing deeper with each passing day. As the elevator descended, Bucky knew one thing for sure—he wouldn't let anything come between him and his angel.