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It had been decades since Bucky had truly felt the sun. Its warmth tingling his skin, as he took in the scene sprawled before him.
There were no screams, just the sound of Sam’s hysterics as he pushed Clint off the pier and into the welcoming waters below. There were no soldiers, just heroes with suntanned skin and bright smiles.
It felt like stepping into a different world, one where cold metal floors were replaced with green grass, and the sky transformed from inky black to cerulean blue. This world was filled with color, laughter, and light; where the warm lake reflected sunlight in its gentle ripples. A great contrast to the harsh and icy-cold spray of the hose his handlers used to wash the blood off of his skin.
Yes, it was a different world.
A place Bucky Wasn't sure he belonged.
They were a family. The Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes enjoying their day off, basking under a sun which only seemed to brighten the light that already ran through their veins. The same sun which seemed to emphasize the shadow that shrouded Bucky, his arms coated in a long-sleeved shirt and gloves, despite the blaring heat.
Steve had you on his shoulders, your face enlightened with slight panic and joy as he dunked you under the water, your hair soaking wet, your smile gleaming.
“Bucky!” You yelled, your eyes widening with excitement as you noticed his arrival. You began to race towards the shore, water splashing in your wake, the sun’s rays reflecting in the light of your eyes.
“You came!” You exclaimed as you approached his shadowy form, pure joy written on your expression.
“Yeah, I guess I did, Doll.” Bucky laughed, as you took his hand and led him down the hill and closer to your friends. His eyes remained entranced on your face, your perfectly sculpted lips going on and on about what a perfect day you had planned.
“Are you gonna swim in jeans?” You questioned, your head cocked in confusion as you took in his choice of attire.
“Oh um, I-I guess not.”
Bucky’s mind began to swim with panic as his metal hand fumbled with the hem of his henley. The clothes he wore hid shadows underneath them; A body littered with mangled scars, and adorned with a metallic arm powerful enough to choke the life out of even the most innocent.
You noticed his hesitancy; your hand giving his a loving squeeze in response.
“We don’t have to swim ya know? Tony and Peter are grilling hot dogs and I’m sure we could-”
Suddenly a pit began to grow in Bucky's stomach, the feeling of being a burden. He didn't want to prevent you from enjoying your day off, especially not due to his own insecurities. He saw how much fun you were having with Steve, the way joy seemed to ripple off of you in waves. He didn’t want to make that go away, to somehow allow his shadow to suffocate the light you exuded.
“No Doll. I-I wanna swim with you.” Bucky stated, as he gently let go of your hand to strip off his disguise, and down to his swim trunks. He felt exposed, his arm gleaming under the sunlight, his scars exposed for this new world to see.
You reached for his hand again with a smile, before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Race ya to the water.” You challenged with a tenacious wink, as you barreled towards the shoreline.
Bucky started running behind you, his shroud of shadows chasing light and laughter as you sprinted in front of him.
Just as your feet touched the water, he came up behind you and lifted you in his arms, your joyful giggles permeating his ears, as you willingly let him take you into his arms.
“You let me win!” You exclaimed, a pout on your expression as Bucky threw you gently over his shoulder.
“Nope. Doll, you must have some sort of serum in ya, because I swear to God I was struggling to keep up."
You both laughed at his joke, as he put you down to stand on your own, the water now up to your waists. Your height caused you to have to look up when you spoke to him; your smile wide as you gazed into the silvery-blue of his eyes.
Bucky swore that you were golden, the sun’s rays forming a sort of halo which encompassed your form, as you gazed up at him with an emotion Bucky could only hope was adoration.
You were nothing, but a precious metal to be fawned over; to be cherished and beheld in awe. The way the sun reflected off of the warmth of your skin, how your hair glistened in its light; it was as if you were born from it.
His Doll.
His golden girl.
This must’ve been a different world. Because there is no way in hell that the same reality that made you, could ever make something as mangled as Bucky. If you were golden, then he was something else entirely. Something cold, dark, and alien.
It was then that he noticed, a scar gracing your side, a line of reddened skin that cascaded across your soft and glistening skin. His hand mindlessly reached out to touch it, the metal of his fingers gently tracing your wound with the utmost of concern.
“It’s part of the job.” You explained with a shrug, your hand never once leaving his own.
“Hey lovebirds! Could you two stop swooning and get your asses over here!” Clint yelled, causing both you and Bucky to shake your heads in amusement.
Soon enough, Bucky began to get used to your world. His eyes grew used to the color, and laughter began to feel more natural as it left his chest. He couldn’t help but notice the bruises that graced Natasha’s chest, and the scars that littered Wanda’s arm; their wounds making him feel less alien in comparison.
It also helped how your hands always seemed to stay attached to his body, your arms wrapped around his waist, your palms running over the scars on his chest and shoulder’s without second thought. It was physical, it was close, welcoming, and warm.
He liked this world and those that managed to sparkle within it. His heroic friends, and his golden girl. He liked the way you felt on his shoulders, how you allowed his bloodstained hands to grip your scantily clad form. He liked the way his smile stretched his cheeks, how the sun kissed his skin.
He had you lifted up, his arms holding you tightly to his chest. The rest of the team had begun to make their way towards the shore, the sun beginning to set, painting the sky with hues of pink, orange and yellow. Meanwhile, you two remained, your painted nails gently raking through his hair, your eyes locked with his.
He felt how your other hand began to run up and down the metal of his arm, its plates shifting under your gentle touch. “Sorry for staring, I just don’t think I’ve ever seen it out in the open like this.” You whispered, your voice laced with awe.
“It looks so shiny out here, so bright. It’s beautiful.”
Bucky took a moment to let your words settle in, the weight of your statement causing the shadows to flee from his presence, even if just for this moment. He shifted your weight onto flesh arm, so he could cup your face with his metal hand. The silver of his fingers, meeting your golden visage, as he leaned forward to press your lips against his own.
Maybe this was, in fact, the same world that created him. He had just found the better part.
A space where his silver could shine just as bright as your gold.
A place where he had you.