I finally feel like I can open my eyes. God my head hurts. "Where am I?" I say slowly opening my eyes, seeing a strange man in a lab coat in the corner.
"You are in the hospital my dear… you seem to have gotten in an altercation with a big brut. How very brave of you." He said cleaning his glasses on his lab coat, walking closer to me.
"I was just looking out for my friend. Wait, where's Steve? Is he ok?" You say jumping up from your laid down position, immediately regretting it when you feel a jolt of pain in your head and abdomen.
"Mr. Rogers is just fine. Mr. Barnes too. They are waiting for you in the waiting room. I have yet to tell them you have woken up." The strange Doctor says as he finally arrives next to my bed.
"Who are you Sir?" I ask, a little confused. "My name is Dr. Erskine, Abraham Erskine. And your story miss has really interested me."
"Interested you? In what way?" I say finally able to slowly lift myself into a sitting position without feeling too much pain.
"You. A woman. Got in the middle of a fight to protect your fellow friend. And from what I hear was able to defend herself pretty well for a while. You're brave. You have a good heart. You have what it takes to be a good soldier." He states matter of factly. As if that were even a possibility.
"A soldier Sir? Are you sure you didn't hit your head? I may stand up for my friends, but I'm a woman. Woman aren't strong. They aren't soldiers." You say looking at your hands. You could only wish to be strong enough to protect the ones you love.
"I see beyond labels Miss. (Y/L/N). I see into a person's soul, and you Miss… you are just one of the people I am looking for. I want to offer you a chance. A chance to be something more. Think about it Miss. (Y/L/N). I'll come find you in a couple of days. See if you've changed your outlook." And with that Erskine walks out of your room, leaving you completely confused.
A little while later a nurse comes in, has you sign your discharge papers with instructions for care at home and points you in the direction of the waiting room. Where you were told your friends were waiting for you.
"Hey you two mutts, why the long faces?" You joke as you reach Steve and Bucky who were sitting in a gloomy corner with their heads in their hands.
"(Y/N)!" Steve says with a huge grin on his face, which is covered in bruises. "Who are you calling a mutt kid?" said Bucky as he gets off his chair looking tired and disheveled.
"I see we caused a big stir huh? What a way to ruin a perfectly good movie." I say, trying to lighten the mood.
"You okay?" Bucky says as he places his hand on my elbow. "Fit as a fiddle! Doc said I can go home and rest."
"Let's take you home (Y/N), make sure you get settled in." Steve said grabbing my arm on the other side, leading me towards the exit.
We start walking to my apartment, Steve on one side, Bucky in my other. I feel like I'm a prisoner being escorted back to her room. "Guys…" I say breaking the silence. "You know you don't need to be overprotective. I'm fine."
Neither of them say anything back. I sigh, knowing this was going to be a long walk.
-.-.-.-
As soon as we get to my apartment, I open the door and look back the boys. "Guys. I get it. You're giving me the silent treatment. But I am ok…. I'm home now. I'm fine. Now you guys can either be nice and come inside for a cup of tea like nothing is wrong. Or you can just say goodnight and leave. What's it going to be?" I say placing my hand on the door frame for emphasis.
"Goodnight" they say in unison. Dammit these two were always so in sync. This backfired on me.
"Ok. Goodnight gentleman." And with that I close the door and head to my bed for some much needed rest.
Bucky's POV
I could barely say anything to her since she came into the waiting room. She's been playing this whole thing off like nothing happened. And I'm furious. I'm upset and angry with her. I don't know what to say or how to say it.
I can barely understand all these emotions. I'm relieved she's ok. Thank goodness, I wouldn't know how to react if that weren't the case. But the way she tries to play it off… I can't let it go. It boils my blood. Makes me want to shake her and tell her that I can't afford to lose her.
That's it. I can't afford to lose her. I'm in love. These feelings I've been trying to hide for so long, I can't hide them anymore. I'm in love with her. And now I'm afraid that anything can happen to her, and that I'll lose her.
Once we get to her apartment door and she opens the door she spins around and points daggers with her eyes to me and Steve. She's been trying to reason with us since we left the hospital. "Guys. I get it. You're giving me the silent treatment. But I am ok…. I'm home now. I'm fine. Now you guys can either be nice and come inside for a cup of tea like nothing is wrong. Or you can just say goodnight and leave. What's it going to be?" She states matter of factly, putting her hands on the door frame.
"Goodnight" I hear myself say, Steve said it too. We're both pretty upset. Not really ready to let this go. With that she says goodnight and closes the door on us.
As Steve and I start walking away from her door, Steve is the first to break the silence. "We can't stay mad at her forever. Especially since you're leaving soon."
I do a double take and stare at Steve like he just caught me in bed with a girl. "How'd you know?" I say pretty taken aback.
"I noticed the uniform, I know in all the mess you probably forgot about it, and (Y/N) didn't even seem to notice." He stated ever so simply.
"Oh. Yeah. Right" I said feeling pretty stupid. "I was planning on telling you Steve, surprising you and (Y/N) after you guys got out of the movie. But then everything kind of changed when I saw you two in the ally. Sorry bud."
"I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later Buck. Glad to see you got what you wanted. Are you going to tell (Y/N) soon?" Steve says looking at my seriously. "You know she's going to take it hard buddy. She won't be happy about it."
"I'll tell her at the Expo. I know we're all still going. Angry or not. It'll be the day right before I head out. I'll tell her then." I say rubbing my hand on my neck.
"Oh that's going to be interesting" said Steve with a snarky look on his face. "Shut up stupid!" I joke, jabbing him with my elbow.
"See you at the Expo Buck." Steve says with a chuckle and walks towards his home, as I turn and do the same.
-.-.-.-
"Women are only good for one thing…" I bolt upright, covered in sweat. It was just a bad dream. You're safe in bed. It felt so real.
You get out of bed and go make yourself a cup of tea, taking a glance at the clock in the kitchen to see it was 4:30 AM. No use in going back to bed now. Might as well do some housework. Get your mind off things.
After spending much of the day tidying things up, I realize today's the Expo. I was going with Steve and Bucky. But after the cold shoulder they gave you last night you weren't too sure if that was still on.
As if reading your mind there's a knock on the door. "Steve…" you say, seeing him all dressed up for a night on the town.
"Don't tell me you forgot? Did that bump in your head give you amnesia?" he joked making his way to my couch.
"I didn't forget. I just thought you guys didn't want to see me for a while after last night."
"You know I could never stay mad at you (Y/N), you're practically my sister. And Buck's just a hot head. He'll be fine. We're meeting up with him at the Expo later." He says while he motions for me to take a seat next to him on the couch.
"Now can we please talk about you? Are you really okay? I saw what happened (Y/N), I still beat myself up thinking I caused it." Steve said taking your hand in his.
"I'm o…" you start to say, but see the honesty in Steve's eyes, and you know you can't lie to him. "I'm not okay Steve. I can barely wrap my head around how that almost ended up, how I almost ended up. I had a nightmare last night. I felt so powerless. I tried to protect you, and I failed. I could barely even protect myself." I said as I buried my head in my hands, trying hard not to break down.
"(Y/N)… " Steve said putting his arms in my shoulder. I look up to see him with such a sad look in his eyes.
"I'll be ok though Stevie. You know I always bounce back from things. This isn't any different. Just know that I'm always going to be there for you and Buck. I'll always stand up for you guys however I can." I pull Steve into a bear hug, hoping this would reassure him that everything would be ok.
"And I'll always be there for you too (Y/N), till the end of the line…" Steve said into my shoulder.
"Till the end of the line." I repeat back.
I pull away and get up from the couch. "Give me a little bit to get ready. Make yourself at home." With that I go to my room and get ready for the Expo.
-.-.-.-
I'm pulling Steve by the arm, practically dragging him from pure excitement to finally reach the Expo. The future and technology have always fascinated you, so this Expo was a huge treat.
"Where are we meeting up with Bucky?" I look back towards Steve and ask.
"He said to meet him by the Stark Pavilion, so we could watch Howard Stark's presentation." He says back practically laughing at your childish reaction to the Expo.
We make our way to the Stark Pavilion just in time to watch Howard Stark present a hover car… My eyes wide in amazement. I barely even notice that Bucky joined us, standing next to Steve. As soon as Howard's presentation is done I turn to my friends to geek out and talk about the car, but stop short when I see Bucky's attire.
I'm frozen. I can't react. God he looks good in that suit. Is the first thing that pops into your head. But then you soon get hit with the reality of what that suit means.
"No… when?" you find yourself saying the words, but they come out broken, more than you wanted to let show.
"Tomorrow morning. Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes of the 107th." Bucky says with pride, winking at you in the end.
"I'm sorry… I have to go." I say, as I start making my way towards the street in search of a cab.
-.-.-.-
Bucky's POV
Dressed in your full suit, ready to tell (Y/N), you wait at the Stark Pavilion where you told Steve to meet up with you. You look around and see Steve waving at you, so you head his way. That's when you see her. God she looks amazing tonight. She's gorgeous.
You stand next to Steve and realize she's so engulfed in the presentation she hasn't even noticed your arrival. She looks so adorable, bright eyed and wonderstruck. You can't help but stare at her throughout the whole presentation.
Steve caught your eye for a second and smirked at you raising his eyebrows then moving his eyes from you to (Y/N). Damn it Steve. How the hell are you so smart? You always figure shit out.
As soon as the presentation is over (Y/N) turns towards us with such wonder in her eyes. And then just like that its gone. She freezes and tenses up. Fuck.
"No… when?" She whimpers and it breaks your goddamn heart.
"Tomorrow morning. Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes of the 107th." I say like a proud soldier, trying to show her how brave I can be.
"I'm sorry… I have to go." She says all of a sudden and starts running away from the expo. Fuck fuck fuck.
"(Y/N)!" I scream but she doesn't stop.
"Go after her Buck. Tell her how you really feel." Steve says pushing you along. The guy always knew too much, he knew you too damn good.
"See you around bud, take care of her while I'm gone." You say as you start walking towards the direction (Y/N) went.
"You know it." Said Steve as he starts walking to the recruitment pavilion in the Expo. You shake your head at him, he won't ever stop trying. Then you full sprint towards the direction (Y/N) headed, hoping you could find her.