Summary: In 2014, with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s classified information leaked and Hydra exposed to the public, nobody is safe. Least of all Bucky.
On the run from S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra and Steve, he decides to hide out in quiet Hagerstown where Y/N's family ev...
It took a couple weeks, but eventually the gossip all died down and everything went back to normal. Well as normal as possible for your neighborhood. Nobody brought him up anymore and Bucky was only talked about in your home, in passing. Always "I hope he's well."
It was one day, several weeks later, when a tall blonde man came knocking on your door. He asked you the same questions as everyone else. When did he first show up? How long did he stay? What was he like? But then his questions got more personal.
Was he injured? Did he look okay? Was he eating? You answered to the best of your ability. He was fine, if not a bit confused at times. He looked tired, but well. He ate so much we started going to the market twice a week.
He asked you if you knew where he was, and he was the only person to do so. So you felt the need to answer him honestly.
"No. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you. It seems to me he's looking for a fresh start, and we owe it to him to let him have it. Wherever he is, I hope he's well. And I hope he doesn't stay there for too long."
You walk the man, Steve to the door.
"Can I ask one last question?"
"Of course." you nod.
"Did he ever...did he ever mention the past?" he asks softly.
"I tried not to bring it up. Most times it would make him sad." you tell him honestly. "Other times..."
"Other times?"
"It seemed like those memories were the only things that got him through the day."
Steve gives you a sad smile before heading down the steps towards his car.
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"Who was that blonde man?" your mom asks that night as she puts all the dishes away.
"Just another agent asking about Bucky." you answer halfheartedly.
"And what did you say?"
"Same as always." you sing.
"And you haven't heard from him?"
"No." you respond with furrowed eyebrows, "why would I?"
"You know Y/N" your mother sighs, "your father is a good man, but I had to learn to love him."
"Oh...kay..." you say, not really knowing where she's going with this.
"But you didn't have to learn did you? You just...did..." she says, taking a seat opposite you at the dining table.
When you don't say anything, she speaks up again.
"I saw it, you know? I saw it all. I saw how you would sit for hours trying to piece together his memories, I saw when you helped him figure out how to work the keurig, I saw how you'd turn the attention onto you whenever he got uncomfortable."
