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There was a time where you weren't as happy, where you convinced that the world was against you, that you were just out on the earth to live and to die. So once you were free, you were relieved to be able to leave it in the past, but like the saying goes, your past will always come back to bite you in the ass.
It took you a long time to be able to trust Bucky the way you did now, with the way the solider took care of you, made sure that you were comfortable, made sure that you knew that you were loved. You had somehow hit the jackpot, and you couldn't have been happier, just like you couldn't have been happier now that you were finally able to go on a date with Bucky. With your boyfriend being in the Avengers, he was away a lot for missions, so it was rare that you and him were able to be put like this, doing something as simple as walking around a fair.
Your day had been filled with laughs, kisses, sweets, and adrenaline, something that was quickly becoming your favorite combination. It was as the day was untouchable, until it wasn't.
You thought you were hallucinating it at first, but you were sure that it was him walking towards you, a menacing smile on his face.
"Hey, _______. Long time no see." Your stomach twisted, your throat feeling as though it was closing up. In that moment, you had wished you hadn't sent Bucky away to get cotton candy, god knows how long the line was. "Hey, babe, who's this?" Bucky? He wasn't supposed to be back yet. A wave of relief and comfort settled over you, you instantly taking his hand as you gritted out, "A friend." He just scoffed, "C'mon," He said in faux playfulness, "You didn't tell him about me?" He knew you didn't, the bastard finding entertainment in the trauma that he had caused you.
"I'm one of her better ex's'!" He announced, as if he was proud of it, reaching out to shake Bucky's. Your boyfriend just stared at him, a glare so lethal that you wish it had taken him out. "I'm her boyfriend, and by the looks of it, my girlfriend doesn't seem to want to talk to you. So how about you get out here before there's a problem." Your ex raised his brow, a smirk playing on his lips as his eyes slid from you to him. "I didn't know you'd be able to find someone that could love you." Bucky stepped closer to him, taking his collar in his hands roughly as he stared at him face-to-face.
"The fuck did you just say?" Bucky growled. "I'm just saying man," He raised his arms up in defeat. "I'm just saying man, with a woman like her, I think she'd die alone."
"Buck—" But it was too late, he had already threw a punch, a crowd gathering around all of you, piercing eyes watching as the Winter Soldier lived up to their expectations. "Bucky, please! They're children here, he's not worth it! Let's just go!" You placed a hand on his shoulder, prying him off of the piece of shit that now floundered on the ground. He looked at you, his jaw clenched and eyebrows furrowed, a sign that you needed to spill your guts to him as soon as you guys left.
"C'mon, Buck, let's go before the news station gets here. No doubt someone's already recorded you." You finished with a sigh, taking him by his hand as you tugged him towards the exit, but not before he turned around and spat on his already bloody face.
As you got to his car, the inside was silent, Bucky's hands gripping the steering wheel as though he was going to rip it off, and he could if genuinely wanted too.
"At least you used your flesh hand." You attempted to joke, but quickly look down at your own hands when he hadn't said anything.
"Who was he, actually?" He asked darkly from the drivers seat. "Well, he was right about the ex part, but he wasn't the best of them. He.. he wasn't very nice to me when we were dating and.. it's kind of fucked me up ever since." You laughed sadly at the end. You could hear him sigh deeply, his beat up hand taking your softer one in his. "Why didn't you tell me about this?" He asked quietly. "Because I just wanted to forget about it. You're my boyfriend now, you're the one that makes me happy, so why should I dwell on somebody that made my life a living hell?" He understood, bringing your knuckles to his lips as he pressed sweet kisses on them.
"Then I'm glad I beat his ass then." You looked at him, a smile on your face. "Yeah, I am too."