A/N: This next part may be a little upsetting, but I promise it will all work out and you will be back to yourself in time! So please just sit back and enjoy.
I heard footsteps but remained seated, only taking a quick glance in the direction of the sound. The Winter Solider was approaching. His shoes clicked across the dirty concrete, his pace quick and purposeful.
"I knew you would come, Sergeant Barnes." Dr. Herman remarked. He touched the gun on his belt and gestured for me to stand. I quickly followed his command and rose to my feet, observing the soldier walking towards me. "Y/N, I am sure you remember your old partner the Winter Soldier," Herman drawled in his harsh German accent. I gave the soldier a once over before nodding. His hair was shorter than I remembered, and his garb was overly formal. Perhaps that had to do with his latest mission.
"He has betrayed HYDRA, I need you to kill him," Herman's voice was cold, calculating. He was testing me, I could tell. After years of training, I knew not to hesitate. I grabbed the gun from his waist and turned to cock it towards my old partner. I fired three times in quick succession, aiming for his chest. He put his metal hand up and the bullets bounced off without any damage. Infuriated, I lunged towards him, kicking him in the side. I drew back to swing at him with a punch, but he managed to grab my wrist. I yanked myself free and lunged upwards with an uppercut. Catching him in the jaw, he staggered back. Using this to my advantage, jumped and landed a firm kick to his lower leg. I heard a loud snap and the solider yelled out in pain. He was now bent over on his knees, and staring up at me.
I cocked the gun again and held it against his forehead, staring into his eyes. "I will not fight you y/n. You know me, I know you do," his voice had a hint of a plea in it. My finger gently tickled the trigger; I never usually hesitated, but this was my partner.
With one swift movement, Barnes knocked the gun from my hand and the last thing I remembered was his metal hand contacting my temple and then, nothingness.
"Y/n, y/n, wake up," I male voice whispered, shaking me softly. I groaned as I woke up to my head pounding. Blinking my eyes a few times, I saw I was in some hospital looking room, on a white crisp bed. There was the gentle beep of some machines in the background, and Natasha, Bruce, and Steve were at the edge of my bed.
"Oh my god, y/n. We were worried sick. Are you ok?" Natasha implored with her kind eyes wide and red. It looked like she had been crying.
"I'm fine. I don't really remember what happened though..." I trailed off, raking my brain. All I could remember was a blue light, sitting in a chair, and Bucky...
I felt a thumb rubbing over the back of my palm and looked to the concerned and saddened face of Bucky. "Y/n I am so sorry, I didn't know what else I could do. You had a gun to my head and my leg was fucked up. I didn't mean to hit you so hard I'm sorry," He gushed out, his voice cracking a bit. He licked his lips anxiously, and swallowed hard. His eyes were downcast again and my eyes were drawn to the cast on his leg.
"Bucky what happened? Are you ok?" My anxiety rushed back at seeing him injured, and I grabbed his hand. Gazing up at him, he had on a sad smile as he gave my hand a small squeeze.
"I'm fine. You're back safe and that's all that matters," he plopped down in the chair beside my bed, still holding my hand tightly.
"Thor hasn't been able to find Loki yet, but- y/n you're awake!" Tony rushed over and sat at the edge of the bed closest to Steve. "Are you feeling ok?"
I nodded slowly, closing my left eye as my head throbbed some more. "I mean, I've been better," I said dryly. "Guys what happened?"
Steve exhaled slowly before turning a tv towards me. He hit play and a video of me fighting against Bucky started streaming. My eyes grew wide and I clenched Bucky's hand as I saw myself shatter his leg.
"Oh God. Bucky I am so sorry. I don't-"
"Hey, it's ok. You weren't yourself y/n," Bucky said softly. He rubbed my hand some more as he gazed deeply into my eyes. I felt my stomach lurch and felt like I was going to be sick. Bucky saw the change in my facial expression and scooped up a bucket at his feet. It barely touched the space beside me as I began violently throwing up into it. Gagging and my eyes streaming, I felt a hand gently rub my back. I wiped my mouth and turned to see Tony behind me with a towel in his other hand.
"You've got a mild concussion from tin-man over there, but I will say it was a little justified," he chuckled, passing me the cloth. I wiped my mouth and slide the bucket away from me as the nausea dissipated.
"Ok everyone out, let's let y/n rest," Bruce began ushering Natasha and Steve out, with Tony following behind them. I glanced up at Bucky who hadn't moved an inch.
"S-stay?" I managed weakly, giving his hand a small squeeze. He nodded silently. Bruce glanced back at us and nodded his okay to Bucky before quietly closing the glass door behind himself.
My eyes felt heavy so I decided to rest them as I listened to the gently rhythm of Bucky breathing. His fingers traced light patterns over my forearm and hand and before I knew it, I was asleep.
The next day
I woke to the light shining through the large bay window, and immediately felt sick. I saw the bucket near my right hip and lurched towards it, barely making it to the container in time as I spewed out whatever was left in my stomach. Bucky jolted awake beside me and crinkled his nose at the vile smell. His face grew thoughtful as he picked up a cloth on the small table beside himself and dab at my mouth, wiping away any spit or disgusting fluid. He groaned as he stood up, shaking out his stiff limbs. He winced slightly as he walked towards he window, and I remembered he has a cast on. He slid the blinds closed and hobbled back to sit at the edge of my bed.
"How are you today, doll?" He whispered, rubbing my leg from on top of the blanket. I could just melt into his touch.
"I'm okay... it kind of feels like the worst hangover in the world," I chuckled, but winced as the vibrations sent waves of pain through my head. Bucky looked at me with his eyes darkened by sadness. He rubbed my leg a few more times before gently reaching for my hand. He leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on it, before his piercing grey eyes met my own.
"I am so so sorry y/n. I never wanted to hurt you. I-"
"Bucky, I watched the video. I could've knocked my lights out too if I were in your situation," I gave him a small smile. "Besides, I shattered your leg so we're beyond even now. And I am so sorry about that." I felt the guilt bubble up inside of me. I can't believe I had hurt him.
My mind was racing over the events from the night before, why did that man turn me into an assassin again? Why did he want me to kill Bucky? I looked sadly over at him and opened my mouth to apologize again.
I was stopped by him gently pressing his soft lips against mine. He cupped my face with his metal hand, and retracted before I could even react.
"There's no need to apologize, and please don't feel bad. I would never hold this against you y/n," he reassured me gently. "Also I'm sorry but I had to do that. You don't know how long I've wanted to, and after last night I was terrified I would never get the chance." He smiled sheepishly and resumed rubbing my leg. Despite the excruciating pain in my head and the tremendous guilt I felt, that kiss made me feel so warm and calm. I licked my lips unsure of how to reply.
"Well, I've wanted you to do that for a long time so thanks I guess," I chuckled nervously. Bucky cocked an eyebrow at me and smirked.
"How long would you say you've wanted to do that for?" He teased, his nosed scrunched as he let out a quiet laugh.
"You tell me first," I quipped, a mischievous grin dancing across my face.
"Remember when we were at Coney Island on the ferris wheel?" I nodded.
"Well when the fireworks were going off, you smiled the most radiant smile, and your eyes were as big as saucers looking at the twinkling lights. You looked so beautiful then, it was all I could do to not lean over and kiss you right then and there..." He trailed off, a light pink colouring his cheeks.
"Bucky, that was in 1935!" I laughed despite the pain, and smiled broadly at him.
"Well ya but you made me feel like no woman has ever felt before. I always wanted to be good enough for you, yet never felt like I was. When I joined the military, I was planning on confessing my feelings for you when we went to the Stark Expo. Since it was my last night with you. But then I chickened out. When HYDRA captured me a few years later, and turned me into this monster, I never thought you would feel the same way about me." He trailed off again and stared pensively at his metal hand clenched on his lap.
"Well all I wanted was for you to kiss me on top of that ferris wheel..." I said, my eyes raking over him, gauging his reaction. A smile twitched at the corners of his lips, and he subconsciously licked them. He always did that when he nervous.
"So what now?" He looked up at me before the door burst open.
"We found Loki."
A/N: A sweet and tender moment between you and Bucky. I hope you all enjoyed!
