Chapter Text
Being the newest member of the Avengers was never easy, especially when that title came with also being the youngest to be living in the tower. Everyone always seemed to have something to say, whether it was about your age, the way you were dressed that day, or even your appearance. Normally the jokes only came every once in a while, but now they seemed like a regular occurrence. They could laugh off their words, and simply pat you on the back as everyone laughed, but for you, it wasn’t so easy.
Sighing, you dragged yourself from your room to the shared kitchen. To your amazement it was empty, you smiled to yourself as you made a cup of coffee in peace. You hummed to yourself as you mixed in your cream and sugar before turning around to be greeted with a very unhappy Natasha.
“Nat! Jeez, you could at least give a girl a warning before giving her a heart attack,” you joked trying to lighten the air, “Something wrong? Wait, no let me guess, Clint broke the espresso machine again? Tony’s going to kick his ass.” laughing you looked up at her again to see if her anger had wavered, but it remained.
“Did you forget that Rogers scheduled training for you this morning with me? You were supposed to start an hour ago.” Your eyes went wide as you sat your cup down, “Shoot, I’m so sorry let me go get changed and I’ll be right up okay?”
She huffed and grabbed your coffee from the counter, “You've already wasted an hour of my time, let's go.” She grabbed your wrist tightly and pulled you upstairs to the training room. When you entered you felt your cheeks begin to heat up in embarrassment as everyone turned to look at you, you shifted uncomfortably under everyone’s stares until Natasha summoned you into the boxing ring.
“First let's start with your punishment for being late for the third time to training this month, you’re going to spar with me for a half hour. No powers either.” She smirked as she pulled her hair back, you groaned quietly as you did the same, knowing this training session wasn’t going to be an easy one.
You were barely fifteen minutes in before you started panting, you had both landed a couple of good punches and kicks, but you both knew that Natasha was winning. Everyone had stopped their own training five minutes in, to come to watch the fight unfold, now they were openly placing bets on how long you’d made it. Tony had lost five minutes ago, along with Clint, while Steve, Sam, and Bruce were hoping you’d lasted another five minutes so they could collect their winnings. But, you noticed Bucky had simply shaken his head when asked if he wanted into the game and returned to the punching bag. Before another thought could cross your mind you felt a swift kick to the face, your body dropped instantly and your head met the floor with a loud thud. Within a few seconds, the shock wore off your body, and you were met with pain radiating from both sides of your head.
“Always keep your head in the game Y/N, or else you’ll always be just a B-List Avenger,” Nat smiled as she headed out of the ring, gaining the praises of the others. Closing your eyes, you remained where you had fallen for a few minutes until you felt someone carefully lift you. Opening your eyes you could see that it was Bucky.
“You almost had her you know?” His deep voice filled your ears as he continued to carry you into the elevator, “you just have to stay focused next time.” After a few moments of silence, you were at your room door. Bucky placed you on your feet as you muttered a small thank you.
“I’m not exactly sure there will be a next time Buck, might have to leave considering I may always just be a B-List Avenger.” You smiled sadly at him before shutting your door behind you. At the flip of the lock, you felt your tears begin to escape as you sink to the floor. Burying your head in your hands you sobbed, and this was the first time you felt utterly alone.
A few days after your training session the team’s jokes only got worse, now targeting your poor fighting skills and the lovely black and blue eye Nat had gifted you with a swift kick to the face. You managed to keep your head down and stay quiet as to not add fuel to the growing fire. You spent most of your time in your room painting, thinking about what Natasha had said to you a few days ago. Where you really just a B-List avenger to them?
“Y/N?” You jumped spilling black paint all over your canvas. You quickly grabbed the canvas trying to save your previously green landscape with an old shirt but, it was too late. You threw your shirt to the side and stood up, finally acknowledging the voice who’d caused this in the first place.
“What do you want Bucky?” You snapped as you started to clean yourself off.
“Steve wants you up in the conference room, something about needing you on a mission.” He mumbled, “sorry about your painting doll..” You waved away his apology and sighed.
“It's alright really, I should have been more careful. I’ll be right up okay?” You gave him a reassuring smile as he left. Once your door finally clicked shut it felt like your heart drop. Steve wanted you for a mission, but what if you messed up? What if you hurt someone? What if someone on the team got hurt because of your mistake? What if-
“Miss Y/N? Mr. Rogers has requested your presence in the conference room.”
“Thank you F.R.I.D.A.Y, please tell Mr. Rogers I am on my way now.” You changed swiftly, before closing your eyes and teleporting yourself outside the room. You squealed to yourself as you flung open the door, “did you guys see that! I got myself up here, Wanda’s training is working!” You flopped yourself down on a chair and glanced at Steve, who shot you a disapproving look before tossing a file your way.
“Wanda said no powers until you’re finished training Y/N, forget it. Listen we need you for this mission because your small and can go into places unnoticed. You won’t be needing to use your powers though, so don’t even think about it. Your mission is to grab three USBs stored in the facility” He said shooting a pointed look at you, “Bucky and I will there to accompany you in order to be a distraction against any hostiles, if we are engaged you are not to fight alongside us.”
“Then what exactly should I do? Sit and wait until you two boys are done playing war?” You said glancing over the papers.
“Exactly. You get what we need, and get out. We take off in half an hour, be ready and meet us at the hanger.” Steve smiled, “Welcome to your first mission kiddo. I’ll see you soon.” He winked at you before heading out with Bucky in tow.
You took a deep breath and stood. The half-hour you had to prepare felt like it went by within thirty seconds. You’d been standing in the Quinjet hanger for fifteen minutes, making sure your uniform was perfect. Every zipper was checked three times, shoelaces tied and retied again and again. Your mind was racing but your thoughts were all blank. The ride to the location was silent, when Bucky and Steve arrived at the hanger the both gave you a reassuring smile but neither of them spoke, sensing your nerves. You knew your mind should be on the mission but it felt like it was miles away. You’d barely even noticed when the jet touched down, Bucky patted your shoulder quietly as you snapped out of your own little world.
“Showtime Doll, let’s get moving.” Standing, you followed the pair of super soldiers out into the cold. Get in, get out, get in, and get out, the words echoed in your head as Steve nodded you forward. Infiltrating the HYDRA bases was the easy part, you were agile and could easily make yourself fit into smaller spaces, therefore going unnoticed. Within five minutes you made it to your destination, but the room was full of agents.
“That distraction would be good right about now boys, I need this room clear.”
“Coming right up!” Bucky responded first with the sound of bullets following within seconds. You could hear the shouts of the other agents from down the corridor, and you kneeled to hide as the men in the office began to pour out. Once the footsteps of the men no longer echoed through the hallway you slipped into the small office. You made your way around the desk, searching for the USBs. You found two of them shoved in the back of the last drawer and smiled to yourself. You ripped your way through the others again and frowned as the third one was nowhere to be found. You shuffled your hands through the files on the desktop before your eyes caught sight of it plugged into the small laptop. After swiping your finger across the touchpad to awaken the screen you noticed more files being downloaded. Refusing to risk the date you grabbed the entire computer and ran out of the room. By the time you had reached the exit you could see more HYDRA agents pouring in, you could tell that Steve and Bucky were still busy through the grunts on the com. Quietly you concealed yourself and closed your eyes as you began to focus on your breathing. You began imagining standing in the quinjet, and when you opened your eyes again you smiled as you realized it had worked.
“Steve! Bucky! Let's go, I’ve got what we came for a more. I’m already in the quinjet.” You smirked, god you couldn’t wait to see the looks on there faces after this.
“Not so fast their princess, we are in a bit of a dilemma. Steve’s been hit, he’s fine just a bit stunned but we are cornered.”
“Hold on Bucky, I’ll be right there don’t move.” You sprinted towards there last location, ignoring Steve’s previous orders to leave them behind. When the pair came into sight you could see they were surrounded, without a thought you raised your hands using your powers to create a shield around them. You watched as the bullet ricocheted off, bouncing back and killing some of the men.
“Bucky move, I can keep my shield around you as you help Steve back to the jet. Hurry... I’m not sure how long I can hold it.” He obeyed, running quickly, helping Steve along the way.
“Alright, we are safe, now get your ass back here.” Dropping your arms you ran as fast as you could to the jet, but you were weak. Your powers had drained your energy quickly and you could feel your legs begging to give out beneath you. You were so close to the door when you felt a burning pain radiate from your shoulder, you’d been shot, but there was no time to cry about it now. All of you needed to leave before things got worse.
“I’m here! Go!” You yelled to Bucky as you made your way to the passenger seat. Your eyes scanned a passed out Steve, who was strapped into one of the seats, not seeing any visible injuries you sighed in relief.
“What happened to him?” You asked, slipping into the seat beside Bucky, still applying pressure to your wound.
“I’m pretty sure they just stunned him but it was pretty powerful. Knocked him right off his feet, we never would’ve made it out. You saved our asses back there Y/N, thank you. I owe you one.” He smiled and you could feel your heart skip a beat, but your mind was thrust back into the moment as you became lightheaded. Looking down at your shoulder you could see your hand was covered in blood, and you felt yourself fading fast.
“Can I c-cash that favor in now, b-because I think I-i’m gonna pass out, Buck..” A coppery taste filled your mouth as your eyes met his, and you let your arm drop to your lap. Bucky’s movements then became a blur, you tried fighting your suddenly heavy eyelids as you felt a cool metal brush against your face.
“Y/N! Hey, sweetheart, stay awake for me, please. Come on look at me, you can’t fall asleep okay? We will be at the tower soon, can you just hang on for a little bit more?” You could hear the panic in his voice, and you were fighting to stay for him. But soon enough, his words faded, and you succumbed to the darkness.