HAPPY || b. barnes ✔️

035

• • •

"Though his mind is not for rent
Don't put him down as arrogant
His reserve a quiet defense
Riding out the day's events"

Rush,
Tom Sawyer

• • •

W H E N   Bucky returned to the Avenger's facility later that night, the immediate feeling of loneliness set in. The cold and unforgiving metal building that was supposedly his home was not a welcoming sight, and when he climbed the steps towards his bedroom, he wished that he could return to the house across town where it was warm and happy, where he could be himself.

He had just seen his bedroom door when the door opposite of it opened and Wanda walked out. She was wearing a dark sweater and leggings, clothes that reminded him of Charlie.

"I thought I heard you." Wanda said.

Bucky nodded and adjusted the strap on his metal shoulder. "Hi."

"How was your night with your friends?"

"It was fine." He wasn't sure else to say.

Wanda tucked a curl of hair behind her ear. "You know that she has feelings for you."

"Wha - what?"

"They are complicated." She told him, exposing Charlie in every way. "But I felt them and they are there. You confuse her."

"Does she trust me?"

"With her life, yes. Perhaps you should talk to her."

"What do you mean?"

Wanda frowned ever so softly. She hated seeing Bucky waste weeks of time when he could have spoken to her ages ago. Time was something Wanda knew far too much about; and the way it slipped uncontrollably through her fingers.

"I mean," Her voice was thick with her heavy accent. "You need to talk to her about the Winter Solider. About everything that has happened. She's hesitant because she doesn't understand it. She wants to know more, more about you."

"I can't..." He started to say.

"Sam and I are visiting Steve next week. Will you join us?" Bucky immediately shook his head, all the air leaving his lungs. "He's been asking about you." She tried one last time.

"Goodnight, Wanda." Then he was gone, disappearing into room.

The dark of the room was comforting. He could just make out the furniture in it before he walked to the lamp and clicked it on.

His mind played with the idea of visiting Steve in Brooklyn, but the very idea of it shook him to the core. He wasn't ready to face the older man that he didn't know. An entire life Steve lived without him, they were strangers now.

Steve's only memories of Bucky were from a past life, one that he knew Steve was trying to forget. He was convinced he didn't have a place in his life anymore.

The only place he felt her belonged was with Charlie and Oliver. And that was only because of the copious amount of time he'd spent with them.

After changing into different clothes, and trying his best not to let his thoughts haunt him, Bucky approached his bed with a tug at his heart.

How could it only have been last night that Charlie fell asleep on his arm? It seemed like years ago.

The bed was cold and unforgiving. There was no mix match of blankets decorating the bed. Instead it was only the comforter he had been gifted when the facility reopened.

There were no stuffed animals lining the edges of it, no Lava for him to look upon and envision the adorable little boy who had quickly filled an old hole in Bucky Barnes heart.

And there was no Charlie, sleeping on the over side of the pull out couch.

He was left utterly alone, like he'd felt for years, decades.

Tears burned harshly in his eyes as he let out a breath of air he didn't realize he was holding in. And then wiping his eyes, he fell onto the bed. Destined to fall into a slumber that was dangerously on the edge between peaceful and hellish.

As promiseddddddd and also I wish I was Wanda's best friend and/or girlfriend I'll take either position 🤷🏼‍♀️

Look how soft ugh