Various x reader oneshots

(Bucky Barnes) Soulmate

Published: July 23, 2020

Word count: 1225

Soulmate AU, written for @marvelouslytrekking's writing challenge on tumblr!

Bucky Barnes had never despised his soulmate mark as much as he did now. He examined his right hand, turning it round and round. The palm, his whole palm was pitch black. Before the war, before the fall, it didn't bother him.

Now the sight terrified him. For all he knew the reason his palm was black was because he would strike her, either by accident, or after a nightmare, or perhaps sometime when he was not entirely himself.

For that very reason, Bucky avoided meeting new people if he could help it. After all the heinous crimes he committed under Hydra's command, he couldn't bear the thought of harming the one person he was supposed to love- and who was supposed to love him unconditionally- with his own hand. If he had to live through that, he was sure it would kill him.

"Buck? We've got a new recruit, you coming?" Steve's head poked around the corner and Bucky felt a sudden urge to throw a pillow at his stupid, cheerful face.

"No."

The blond heaved a sigh, disappearing from his view and for a moment, Bucky actually thought he might've given up. Of course not. He should have known, Steve never gave up that easily.

"Buck, it's not good for you too stay holed up in this tower, barely seeing other people. Bruce was watching this documentary the other day discussing humans' social needs, and I caught some of it. It was quite interesting. Apparently we are social creatures, and we need contact with others in order to be health.... Buck?"

The man in question had tuned out Steve's speech, instead engrossed in a book. Or at the very least, pretending to be.

"I know you're not actually reading that book."

"And how do you know that, Steve?" Bucky's expression could easily be compared to that of a parent peppered with incessant questions from a toddler.

"If you were, you would know it's titled How to Meet Your Soulmate."

Steve burst into laughter as the brunet instantly dropped the book like he would a hot coal. He then found himself on the receiving end of the infamous Winter Soldier glare, but it didn't stop him.

"Fine, I'll go to your stupid meeting. Punk."

                                                                               ♾

He could hear the laughter in the common room before he even stepped out of the elevator. Steve, oblivious to his friend's inner turmoil, led the way into the group of Avengers circled around someone like pack animals do to protect their young.

The new recruit was a woman. Of course.

His eyes met hers and she smiled, extending her hand for him to shake.

"Hi! I'm (Y/N)!"

"Bucky."

When he made no move to take her hand, she put it back down, seemingly unbothered by his brusqueness.

"Hey, Tin Man, be nice to (Y/N), alright? She's gonna be your buddy on missions, what with you both being snipers and all." Tony slung an arm around her shoulders and she playfully shoved him off.

Great. Partners.

♾

Despite Bucky's curt replies whenever she asked him questions or attempted to have a conversation with him, she didn't get bored and give up. On the contrary, she doubled her efforts to befriend him. On top of that, it seemed to be working. Bucky found himself warming up to her, and that terrified him.

♾

You couldn't sleep. You had just returned from a mission, with Bucky as your partner of course, and as usual he hadn't uttered a single word more than he needed to. Funny, if it had been anyone else, you'd have stopped trying to approach them, but you felt a certain pull to him. Like... like you were meant to get closer to him.

Sighing, you slipped on a pair of socks and padded out of your room. Maybe a nice cup of herbal tea would help you drift off. You yawned, stepping into the elevator, thoughts swarming your mind.

Why was Bucky shutting you out? You knew what kind of terrible things he'd been through, and you knew he felt most comfortable with Steve. But why did he seem closer to the rest of the team than to you? Were you making him uncomfortable? Maybe...

Upon entering the kitchen, you quickly shielded your eyes from the bright light. Apparently you weren't the only one who couldn't sleep.

Blinking rapidly, you allowed your eyes to adjust to the brightness, scanning your surroundings for whichever one of your teammates was still up.

Oh.

You spotted a tall figure, his muscular back facing you. What was it with guys and walking around shirtless? You saw a flash of metal, the familiar whirring of the plates in his arm following soon after.

He turned around to face you and you gulped. You never denied how hot he actually was, but ever since you were young you vowed to save yourself for your soulmate.

"Hey, Bucky. Couldn't sleep?"

He shook his head no. You stepped closer to him in order to turn the kettle on and you didn't miss the way he shied away from you. Just slightly. But you noticed.

"Me neither. Somehow I'm never able to sleep after missions, so I always come make myself tea." You stood on the tips of your toes, reaching for your favorite mug. "It helps."

When he didn't reply, you turned to face him in concern. Bucky was leaning against the counter, staring blankly out the window.

"Bucky? Are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah, fine," he muttered, shaking himself out of his daze.

"Do I... do I make you uncomfortable?"

"What? No! Is that what you thought?"

You nodded, and he facepalmed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I just tend to avoid people out of habit."

"It's alright. I just wanted to know." You smiled at him, picking up your mug of tea. "It's late. I should leave you alone. We can talk in the morning."

You took a couple of steps in the direction of the elevator only to be stopped by a warm hand wrapping around your arm. It sent tingles through your entire body, like tiny electric shocks, though the sensations were rather pleasant.

Sucking in a breath, you turned back towards him. It was the first time he'd reached out to you, either to touch you or talk to you. Your eyes met his electrifying blue ones, eyes that portrayed the same shock you felt. His flesh hand remained wrapped around your arm and he didn't seem inclined to let go anytime soon. If anything, his grip on you tightened.

"Oh my god." You were the first to react, setting your tea aside on the counter and reaching up tentatively to brush a stray lock of hair behind his ear. He didn't flinch at your touch like you thought he might and you mentally did a little happy dance.

"You're my soulmate," you both breathed in unison, the realization finally sinking in.

Bucky released his hold on you, examining his palm in disbelief. The black had given way to an array of colors, shining like the Aurora Borealis. He reached for you, as if asking for a hug and you gladly let him embrace you, your arms wrapping around his waist.

"I'm so, so glad I met you this way," he murmured into your hair.

"Soulmate."