Worth The Risk (bucky barnes x reader fanfiction)

Part One

A/N: I originally uploaded this on my marvel writing blog but! I've been thinking of adding it here for a few years now so ta-da! Starts off with a little Steve x Reader friendship but things will pick up and we'll see Bucky next chapter, I promise xx
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You slipped into your pajama pants and an old cardigan as you stumbled out of bed. F.R.I.D.A.Y. had woken you up just past 3am and, still asleep, you hadn't been able to grasp what she'd first been trying to telling you.

"It's the Captain's room tonight." F.R.I.D.A.Y repeated. "He seems to be in distress."

You yawned and thanked her, bare feet padding down the hallway towards the elevator.

As you waited to move up, F.R.I.D.A.Y. continued to speak.

"May I suggest you take the day off, Y/N?"

"I'm fine, F.R.I.D.A.Y. "

"If I may, your immune system and cognitive functions have both been impaired due to lack of sleep. It would be unwise for you to continue working in this state; Should your condition worsen I would be required to inform Mr. Stark."

"I'll be done going through the files by tomorrow afternoon. I'll be fine until then. Thank you, F.R.I.D.A.Y."

You arrived at your best friend's room to find Steve curled up in his bed, sheets thrown about him and a sheen of sweat covering his body as he grimaced in pain.

F.R.I.D.A.Y. would alert you whenever his nightmares became too intense. You were one of the only people who knew about them and Steve preferred it that way.

You tried to wake him, calling out his name, but his eyes remained screwed shut.

Your body tensed as you prepared to shake him lightly. You were always prepared to defend yourself in these situations; he, as well as Wanda, had already involuntarily hurt you when coming down from their nightmares.

Thankfully though, Steve woke up easily this time. As soon as you'd grasped his shoulder, his eyes had begun to open, looking around his dark room in confusion before settling on you.

"You okay?" you asked softly, giving him room to sit up.

He nodded mutely and moved his legs so that you could take a seat on his bed beside him.

"It was the train, again." He let out softly.

Your face fell as you took in his broken appearance and you opened your arms, welcoming the soldier in to a hug.

"I miss him."

You held him as his broad shoulders began to tremble; the strong front Steve often put up, crumbling to the ground.

"You'll see him again soon, Steve. He'll get better. They'll figure it out." You offered.

You could feel him take a deep, shaky breath.

The two of you sat in silence as Steve continued to bring himself down. Once he'd calmed down enough he gave you one last squeeze before getting out of bed.

"I'm going to get a glass of water. You should get some rest, Y/N."

You followed him to the door.

"I'm up so I might as come with, Cap."

Steve smiled softly down at you as you grabbed ahold of his hand and began to lead him downstairs to the kitchen.

Once Steve had grabbed you each a glass of water, the two of you took a seat together on the couch.

"How have you been sleeping?" he asked suddenly.

You took a sip from your own glass. "Fine."

"Really, Y/N..." he pushed and you shrugged again.

"I'll manage, Steve. Only one more day of work and I can catch up on all the sleep I need. You don't have to worry about me."

"Yes, I do. That isn't healthy."

"But it works."

You remained silent and Steve sighed, knowing that the conversation had ended.

"It wasn't just the train, you know." He offered up, changing the subject. "I was dreaming about before the serum, before the war."

"About Bucky?" you asked softly.

He nodded. "And my family. You would have loved my mother, you know. You're more alike then I care to admit"

You grinned at that. "Are you telling me, Captain Rogers, that I'm your best friend because I remind you of your mother?"

Steve laughed, eyes crinkling softly.

"I didn't say that!" he argued.

"Yes, you did!"

"I didn't mean it that way?" There was a pause as the two of you sat grinning at each other. "Well, maybe I did."

"Oh my god, Steve!"

Steve continued to laugh as you slapped at him playfully.

Your laughter soon reduced to giggling, and the two of you talked the rest of the early morning away.

Although you'd already heard it all before, you listened intently as Steve told you about his life before he became Captain America and about his best friend Bucky.

"I wish you could meet him." He'd told you. "He'd be lucky to have someone like you in his life."

You could only smile at him sadly.

By the time the others in the tower had woken up and made their way downstairs, Steve had put up his front once again. You could tell he was still dwelling over last nights' nightmare and all that it had resurfaced, but he would never let it show.

As Sam joined the two of you on the sofa and him and Steve began to ramble off about something from the last mission, you excused yourself.

"Where are you headed this early?" Tony asked, stepping in front of you and effectively cutting you off from entering the elevator.

"Morning to you too, Tony."

"No, seriously. Where are you headed? I was planning on introducing dear old Capsicle to The Godfather today. You're not going to join us?"

You shook your head smiling. "Unlike you, I still have work to do."

Tony rolled his eyes. "You can do it later."

"Sorry, Tony. Hill wants it done by tonight, I'll have to join you guys some other time."

Tony groaned and rolled his eyes, but let you pass.