Readers Assemble!

Raised by Bucky (Bucky Barnes x fem!teen reader)

(Slight AU)

Bucky froze in place as your picture appeared on the screen. Memories flashed through his mind. Painful and guilty memories. "Buck?" Steve's voice brought Bucky out of his reverie. Bucky's blue orbs were laced with shame when he glanced at his best friend. "You know her?" Bucky nodded and swallowed thickly. "I-I trained her. Practically raised her to be a weapon. For HYDRA." Steve nodded in understanding.

Since Bucky had pulled Steve from the river, things had changed. Somehow, Steve had convinced Bucky to join him in the Tower, to try and bring back his good memories. It had worked and now Bucky was part of the Avengers team. Unfortunately, he still struggled with his past. He wasn't sure how to atone for the wrongs he'd committed. He looked back up at your picture and thought that maybe saving you would be the next step toward redemption.

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Bucky was the first person out of the jet when the team reached their destination. He'd explained his plan to Steve but not to anyone else so he wanted to get to you before the rest of the team. He just had to.

It only took him a moment to find you. You were the youngest on the field, after all. Bucky forced his legs to propel him forward to you. In mere seconds, he was in front of you, poised to defended himself but not to attack. He just needed to keep you distracted long enough. "Y/N," he greeted. Your eyes narrowed. "Traitor," you whispered, your voice full of venom. Without another word, you lunged forward.

Bucky blocked your attack. He really didn't want to hurt you. "Y/N, listen to me. You don't have to do this." He knew his words would be ignored. You'd been raised in HYDRA. It was all you knew. And it was thanks to Bucky. You didn't reply. You only attacked again and again. Bucky spared a quick glance over to where Steve was. Steve gave Bucky a little nod. Bucky quickly hit the ground as Steve's shield came flying by. It distracted you just enough for Bucky to get to you and wrap his arms around your neck. He squeezed until you lost consciousness. He scooped you up and carried you to the jet.

Once inside, he removed your mask and Bruce gasped. "She's just a kid." Bucky nodded. "Yeah. She's only 15, if memory serves." Bruce shook his head sadly and Bucky felt the guilt once more. "Hey, Barnes. This isn't your fault. You didn't force HYDRA to take her away from her parents." Bucky looked up at him. "No, but I trained her. I made her into what she is today. But I'm going to make it right." Bruce smiled. "Good."

The rest of the team came into the jet just as you were waking up. Your (e/c) eyes widened in confusion and fear. Bucky knew what that meant and was prepared for you. You jumped up and immediately went on the offensive. You attacked the person nearest to you which just happened to be Natasha. "Y/N!" Bucky snapped, his Winter Soldier voice coming through. You let go of the redhead and whipped around to face Bucky. You lunged at him again, but he caught you around the waist and lifted you over his shoulder. Before you could protest, Bucky plopped you down into a seat and strapped you in as tightly as possible. "Stay put."

The first several minutes, you fought against the restraints and shouted obscenities at Bucky. He ignored you. "Language!" Steve scolded even though it fell on deaf ears. After a while, you settled down. The rest of the flight was spent glaring at the group of people in the jet with you. "Let. Me. Out," you growled. Your demand received no answer. "Do you think you can help her, Buck?" Bucky nodded. "You helped me. Now it's my turn to help her."

*time skip*

Bucky groaned loudly. "Long night?" Natasha asked as she took a sip of her coffee. Bucky nodded. "Another nightmare." Since you'd come to the Tower, things had been difficult for Bucky. You'd been extremely hostile at first and Bucky, with the help of the others, had to break you of that. Eventually, you'd gotten used to the idea that you were safe. You wouldn't have to fight anymore. You trusted Bucky and the others.

The only real problem now were the nightmares. You had them at least four nights a week and it was almost always Bucky who came to your aid. Other than that, you were adjusting well. You were tutored by Bruce and cared for by everyone. They all helped you to acclimate to life outside of HYDRA. They protected you and, in truth, they'd come to love you. You were family.

"Bucky?" your voice came from the doorway. Natasha and Bucky both looked at you with soft smiles. Natasha had forgiven you for attacking her. You were just a kid who didn't know anything else. "You okay?" You nodded. "Thanks. For helping me." You spoke more softly than you ever had before. You really looked and sounded like the teenager you were.

"No problem, Y/N. Bruce wants you in the lab early today. Something about a test?" Natasha elbowed Bucky. "Are you going to tell her?" she asked, making you cock your head to the side in confusion. "Tell me what?" Natasha smirked at Bucky and crossed the room. "I'll let Bucky tell you," she whispered and kissed your forehead. "Good luck on your test."

"Tell me what, Bucky?" you asked again. Bucky smiled and opened a drawer. He pulled out a thick manila envelope and slid it onto the counter. You made your way over and picked up the packet. You opened it and pulled the papers out. Your eyes scanned the documents and your mouth dropped open in surprise. "You-You want to adopt me?" Bucky nodded. "Not just me. All of us. I would be your legal guardian, but the whole team would be your family. If you want."

Your eyes welled up with tears. When you'd been at the Tower a few weeks, Tony found out that your birth parents had been killed by HYDRA. You were an orphan in the eyes of the law. The courts allowed the Avengers to take you in because you were a special case given your upbringing. You didn't think they'd actually want to become your family.

You practically ran around the counter and hugged Bucky. He kissed the top of your head. "I take it you told her," Steve said in greeting as he entered the room, a bright smile on his face. Bucky nodded and you let him go before running to Steve and hugging him too. "Thank you," you whispered with a trembling voice.

Bucky looked on with a smile on his face. He had so many emotions floating around in his head. He was proud of you and your progress. He was overjoyed at the thought that you were okay with him adopting you. You wanted him to be your"father" and for the others to be your family. Finally, he felt relieved. He'd finally done it. He made things right with you. He'd fixed the mistakes he'd made while he was raising you. Right then, Bucky felt very much like a proud father.