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For Bucky Barnes it was the year 1940. He hadn't enlisted into the war yet, he had planned to in the next year. Which meant, until then, he was completely free to do whatever he wished. And usually that meant spending most of his time with his best friend; Steve Rogers. Or drinking and dancing in bars with beautiful women. Though he was yet to meet the one.
He had convinced Steve to join him this evening, despite it being a Thursday, in their local bar. He was sitting with his best friend at the bar, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Having yet to meet a beautiful woman to dance with yet. Though Bucky didn't mind, since he was enjoying time spent with Steve.
✦
For you, it was the year 2025. You were a member of the Thunderbolts - The New Avengers. You were a magic wielder, though you hadn't mastered it yet. You had known a few members of the team a lot longer than the time you had been a part of the team.
Bucky being the one you had known for nearly the longest. The two of you were deeply in love, he had even proposed a few weeks ago, you wore a beautiful amethyst ring on your finger from him.
The team included: Alexei, Ava, Walker, Yelena, Bob and Bucky. And the team had been together for a little while now, a few months. You liked them a lot, despite someone being missing. Steve Rogers. Along with Bucky, the three of you were best friends, and there had been something missing deep in your chest since he had died. And you knew Bucky agreed.
One problem with this new team, you didn't have a super smart scientist. So naturally, whenever you found new technologies, the entire group would try and work them out. Thus far, Walker had been transported to Australia. Ava's clothes all turned purple. And Yelena's guinea pig multiplied by ten; though she didn't mind that.
"I don't think we should press the button" Bob says carefully, you were the closest to the small box. The team yet to discover what the box did. It didn't look like much, it was smaller than your arm, and covered in strange markings.
"Press it" Alexei says, his voice gruff and a little mischievous.
"I'm gonna press it" You say, your eyes flickering to each set in the room, lingering slightly on Bucky's eyes. A small smile coming onto your lips, like you couldn't help yourself. And then you pressed the button.
The next few seconds, or minutes were moving to fast to realise what had happened until it happened. A large portal opened, the energy pulsed into a square shape, and before you knew it, you heard the team screaming your name as you were sucked into the portal.
Your body smacked hard into a brick wall, dust fell covering your body, and your clothes. A pair of jeans and a baggy shirt, usually one of your favourite outfits, now covered in dirt, as your body crashes down onto the cold, hard floor.
✦
Bucky and Steve were talking and drinking, and were oblivious to the bright light that suddenly ripped through the alley behind the bar. Bucky was in the middle of ordering around round for the two of them. Whereas Steve heard a feminine cry, muffled only from the patrons in the bar.
"What was that?" Steve asked, he had to move his entire body to look behind Bucky, trying to see through the only window the bar had by the entrance.
"Nothin', I'm getting another drink for us" Bucky answers, not fully listening to Steve's words. But Steve on the other hand wanted to check what the sound was, he hopped down from the stool at the bar. Bucky sighed and did the same, though Bucky didn't need to hop down the way Steve had to. And the two men left the bar, ready to walk behind to find the source of the noise.
✦
You groaned loudly as you tried to stand up, your eyes were blurry and you were aching all over. Your hair was now a mess, and as you thought, your clothes were filthy.
"Fuck" You mutter, as you try to look around, without triumph. Your legs wobbled and your side crashed into the wall, your hands touched the rough the bricks, hissing slightly as you use the wall to hide yourself up.
✦
Steve turns the corner first, walking into the alley. He was confused, expecting to see two guys fighting, or maybe a guy forcing himself on a girl. But it was just you. Who was she? Was she okay?
He walks up to you slowly, Bucky trailed far behind, he hadn't even stepped into the alley-way yet.
"Hey" He says softly, though Steve knew he didn't look like someone a girl should be scared of. He was sure she would be taller than him, probably stronger than him too. "Are you alright?"
You look up, your vision still blurry. You didn't answer him, having passed out, and crashing to the floor. Steve quickly darts forward and catches you before you hit the ground, holding you up carefully. Though he crashed down onto the floor too, grazing his arms, but he didn't mind because you weren't more hurt than before.
"Bucky! Help me out here!" He calls, struggling to hold you in his arms.
Bucky walks over, not rushing until he finally sees what Steve is doing. His eyes widen a fraction as he takes in your strange clothes, and your ashy face covered in dust. Something about your face makes his chest tighten for no reason he can explain.
"Whoa. Who's this?" Bucky asks as he steps closer, he leans down and takes your wrist in his hand, checking your pulse point, his eyes catching the ring on your finger. "That's real pretty"
"We need to take her to the hospital" Steve says as he tries to lift you. Bucky sighs and helps him, picking you up in his arms in a bridal style.
"The hospitals are packed up, she doesn't look hurt" Bucky muses softly. "We'll take her home, look after her ourselves"
Something in him just felt... drawn to you. He didn't want you disappearing, though the feeling felt strange in his chest.
Once at their shared apartment, a small building with two bedrooms, a tiny kitchen and living room and one bathroom, Bucky laid you on their couch. You look so out of place, with your strange clothes and unfamiliar features. Bucky can feel his curiosity growing by the second, wondering who you are, how you got here...
✦
You groaned loudly when you started to come to, you didn't know how long you had been out, but your brain felt foggy. Maybe it had been a few hours? You opened your eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the new setting and the two people who sat in front of you.
There was a lamp on in the corner, the only light in the room. You were thankful for it, since it dimly lit the room and made for a softly lit room, better for your eyes.
Bucky leans forward immediately when he sees you stir, resting his elbows on his knees. Both men were sitting on the couch on the opposite side of the small table that sat between their couch and the one you sat on.
"Hey there. Gave us quite the scare" He says, he nudges Steve with his elbow. "My pal here thought we shoulda taken ya to a hospital, but I figured you just needed some rest. Guess I was right."
Steve rolls his eyes but stays quiet as Bucky keeps talking—he knows better than to interrupt when Bucky gets like this.
"So… wanna tell us how ya ended up passed out in an alley?" Bucky’s tone is light, teasing almost, "...Or why you’re dressed like some kinda spy from the future?"
"Bucky" You groan, your hands moving up to your temples, rubbing softly with your fingers. "It's not time for joking around, please" You say in a mutter, you weren't feeling completely with it.
That takes Bucky by surprise, and his eyes narrow. How did you know his name? He glances at an equally confused-looking Steve who just shrugs. Bucky turns back toward you.
"And how do you know my name?" He questions, tilting his head to the side. He’s trying to hide it, but he’s more intrigued than ever.
"How long was I out?" You ask, your voice feeling scratchy as you spoke. "Could I get some water, please?"
Bucky hesitates, still trying to figure you out, before he stands up. He walks over to the kitchen counter and grabs a glass, filling it with water from the tap.
"Been maybe six or seven hours." He walks back over and hands you the water, plopping down on the coffee table across from the couch. "We still haven't gotten an answer though," he points it out again with a smirk, "how you know my name, doll."
You drink the entire glass, and almost immediately your brain started feeling less foggy. You look around the room, your eyes less blurry than before, and it then snaps into place what had happened to you. You looked at the two men and your eyes went wide.
"Shit"
Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers, you were looking at them. But not the two you knew, this was the Steve and Bucky before the trauma, before their lives got messy.
"Whoa, hey. Calm down." bucky holds his hands up as if in surrender, and he glances at Steve who looks equally confused. "Nothing to be afraid of here, doll. We ain't gonna hurt ya."
You were still staring at them. Steve was so small, and you couldn't quite look into his eyes. This was before he went through the experiment, and got the serum that made him larger than two men. And Bucky... he looked so youthful, so without trauma. You feel tears well in your eyes, your mind struggling to find words to say.
Bucky shifts uncomfortably at the sudden tears in your eyes—he didn’t mean to make you upset. Something about your expression, the way you're looking at them like they're ghosts, makes his teasing tone drop completely.
"Hey, c'mon" Bucky says softly. "Talk to us. Whatever it is, we can help"
Why does it feel like he knows you? Like he should know you? That look in your eyes… it aches somewhere deep.
"I'm from the future" You say quietly, not having any other way to say it. It was best to be blunt, what else could you of said.
Bucky freezes, his eyes wide. Steve seems equally caught off guard, looking at you like you've just grown a second head. They sit in silence for a moment, trying to process what they just heard.
"What do you mean, from the future?" Bucky says finally, and the disbelief in his voice is plain as day.
"How else could I mean it?" You say to to the man who would be your everything one day. "I'm from the year 2025"
There's a long stretch of silence. Bucky's mouth is opening and closing like a fish, trying to find words to say that aren't complete nonsense. But how can you be from the FUTURE? That's… insane. Completely and utterly insane.
Steve hadn't spoken yet, something you were relieved of, you didn't know if you could look at him yet. He was staring at you with an expression ranging from disbelief to horror.
"You're… you're not serious… right?" Bucky finally gets out, his eyes never leaving your face.
"I'm serious, Bucks" You say, the nickname slipped from your lips without your thinking.
Bucky feels like someone just punched him in the gut. He can feel his heart beating loudly, his eyes searching your face for any sign that this is some kind of cruel joke. But your expression is solemn, serious… and you used that name—the one only his closest friends used. A name that sounded so familiar on your tongue yet also new… "Prove it. Prove you're from the future."
You reached into your pocket and found your smartphone, it was broken, the screen cracked, but you waved it in front of them. "This is a mobile phone, boys"
Bucky and Steve both lean forward, looking at the strange, flat device you hold in your hand. It's like something straight out of a science fiction movie.
Bucky slowly takes it from you, turning it over in his hands, running his finger over the smooth glassy surface. It looked so futuristic, nothing like anything he had ever seen before. It was both completely incredible, and completely mind-blowing.
"That's... That's crazy" He breathes, looking at you in awe.
"My team and I, we were trying out new technologies and something went wrong... and here I am, wait what year is it?" You ask, your mind going to your team.
"It's 1940" Steve answers, he had been quiet most of the this time, but he decided to speak up. "So you're from eighty-five years in the future? That's... impossible"
You still avoided Steve's gaze, you feared that if you looked into the eyes of your best friend from the future, you would break down and never come back up.
"Of course it's true" You say softly as you take your broken phone back.
Bucky watches you carefully, noting how deliberately you avoid looking at Steve. It makes something in his chest tighten—like he’s missing a piece of this puzzle that hurts. He’s quiet for a beat too long before speaking again, voice quieter now.
"You know him, don't ya?" Bucky asks, nodding towards Steve. "From the future, that's why you won't look at him"
And if Bucky were smarter—if he read between the lines just a little more—he'd realise what that probably means about what happens to his best friend...
"I know you both" You admit.
Bucky goes still, the weight of that statement heavy between them. He looks at you for a moment, then over at Steve—who still looks like he's been given an impossible task to handle.
"How… how well do you know us? In the future." That little flicker of hope and curiosity returns to Bucky's eyes, and he watches you closely, almost like he's afraid of your answer.
"I don't know how much I can say" You whisper, your fingers move to idly play with your ring. A habit you had picked up in the last few months.
Well…" He leans back slightly, rubbing at his jaw, "how ‘bout this? You can tell us little things. Things that won’t mess up time too bad."
"Okay, I can do that" You say softly, sending a small smile towards Bucky, almost losing yourself in those eyes of his.
Bucky smiles a little sheepishly, feeling oddly proud that he made you smile. He glances over at Steve again, a little smirk crossing his face.
"Hear that Stevie? We're important in the future, apparently."
Steve rolls his eyes and shakes his head, but the hint of a smile is there on his lips as well. He leans toward you, eyes curious.
You heart aches. This world didn't know of superheroes yet. You wanted to tell them how important they were. But you were incredibly unsure about the rules of time travel.
"If I know my team, they're working on a way to get me home" You muse. "It might take a while.
Bucky leans forward slightly, studying you with an expression that's half-amused, half-curious.
"So what? You're just… stuck here for now?" He pauses, then smirks—that playful glint returning to his eyes. "Guess that means I’ll have to show ya around properly. 1940 ain’t so bad once you get used to it."
"Oh, I couldn't" You say softly. "I don't expect you to take me in like a stray puppy"
Bucky waves a hand dismissively, that cocky grin never leaving his face. "What kinda guy would I be if I left ya to fend for yourself in the middle of 1940? Nah, you're staying right here. We'll figure it out."
He doesn’t even want you to leave—not yet. Not when he still has so many questions.
You send Bucky another soft smile, and then finally you look to Steve, sending him a weak but trying smile. Steve seems taken aback that you're finally looking at him, like he'd accepted he'd be avoided this whole time. There's an expression on his face that Bucky can't quite place... some sort of realisation. It makes his stomach turn, but he quickly forces his attention back to you.
"So… how much about the future can you actually tell us? Or is it some kinda like… ‘butterfly’ effect bullshit?"
"I don't know" You say with a shrug, your shoulders still ached hard. "Small things, I suppose"
You weren't sure, time travel wasn't new, but it wasn't something you were used to, or even knew that much. It wasn't lost on you that the blonde man in front of you happened to be one of the people who had time traveled before, but Steve had yet to do that.
Bucky nods and smirks again, leaning back against his chair and crossing his arms. "Alright then, hit me. Give me a fun fact about the future." Steve rolls his eyes at Bucky's antics again and shakes his head, but the corner of his mouth is pulling up into a soft smile. Something about this girl had him intrigued.
"Magic is a thing now" You say bluntly, sure you could of told them something random. But you hadn't used your magic in a few hours and that always had your fingertips tingling. And you thought with the topic of magic in the air, neither man would ask about themselves in the future.
Now it's Bucky's turn to raise an eyebrow in disbelief, and he glances at Steve with an expression that says "can you believe this?" His tone is just as skeptical when he speaks to you again.
"Magic, eh? You pullin’ my leg, doll?"
"I mean it" You say with a soft smile. "Magic is real!"
Bucky's eyes go comically wide at your words—he genuinely thought you were messing with him. But as he studies your face… he realises you're telling the truth. He sits in stunned silence for a moment, and even Steve looks taken aback at the idea.
"No way." Bucky says finally, shaking his head. "You're telling me… like, actual magic, just… exists now in the future?"
"Would you like to see?" You ask with a small grin, your eyes flickering between them. Seeing the two of them before they become super soldiers was beyond strange. Steve was so small, and even Bucky was small. And it was only then you realised he had two flesh hands, you were so used to the metal hand that you didn't notice it, didn't pay attention to his hands.
Bucky's curiosity is piqued, to say the least. He loves trying new things, and seeing magic for himself is something he'd never thought possible. He nods enthusiastically, a gleam of excitement in his eyes
"Hell yeah, yes. Magic. Come on, doll, prove it to us."
You hold your hand out flat, your palm upwards as you start to concentrate. Your magic could be chaotic and a little scary, but doing small tricks like this should be fine. Small pink sparks started to fly from your hand, dancing along the lines of your palm.
Both Bucky and Steve watch your hand with wide eyes, completely fixated. Bucky's mouth hangs open slightly, his earlier skepticism completely gone as he watches those sparks fly from your hand. It's the most incredible thing he's ever seen, and a million questions fly through his head.
Steve is just as stunned, watching those sparks with a mix of awe and disbelief. Even he can't deny that what you're doing is… well, magical.
"Pretty neat, huh?"
Bucky whistles, eyes still fixed on your sparks. "Damn, that's somethin' else." He shakes his head in amazement, a wide grin spreading across his face. He looks over at Steve, "Stevie, you seein' this?"
Steve nods silently, still staring at your hand. He seems completely transfixed by this display of magic.
You pull pack, stopping the magic, you frowned as you noticed the dirt covering your arm, you were disgusting and covered in dust.
Bucky's gaze follows as you draw your hand back, the sparks slowly disappearing. It takes him a moment to find his voice again. "That was… wow," he breathes, still trying to wrap his mind around what he just witnessed. He looks at you again, an astonished smile on his face. "You can really just… do that? Anytime you want?"
"Yeah, I'm still learning my magic" You say sheepishly.
Bucky whistles again, shaking his head in wonder. "And here I thought you'd be some kinda master or somethin'." He smirks playfully, then leans forward, "So… if you're still learnin', what else can ya do?"
Steve just watches with quiet fascination—this is already more excitement than he ever expected from their night at the bar.
"I can move objects" You say with a grin as a memory comes to mind."Actually that's your favourite thing about my magic in the future Bucks, always making me use my magic to bring you coffee in bed" A small laugh leaves your lips, though you realise after you finished speaking that you hoped neither would think too deeply on your words.
A slow grin spreads across Bucky's face as you mention his future self asking you to use magic to bring him coffee in bed. It's something so… domestic, and it makes something warm settle in his chest. He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Damn, I must be a real charmer in the future," he teases, eyeing you almost flirtatiously, and not really noticing that your words could imply something else.
"I wouldn't want to spoil the future" You say softly, your cheeks blushing as a few memories of Bucky float around your mind.
Bucky's smirk softens at the edges as he looks down for a second, then back up at you—something quieter in his expression now.
"Yeah… yeah, guess I get that." He glances toward Steve, who still looks vaguely overwhelmed by all of this, "Still though… gotta say, future sounds pretty wild. And kinda nice."
His eyes flick to your ring again—just for a second.
"Yeah" You agree, your fingers going back to touching your ring, twisting it around your finger. "I can't wait to get back"
Bucky doesn't miss the way your fingers brush over your ring again. Something in his chest tightens at the thought of you leaving. He doesn't know why he cares so much—he just met you—but there's this stupid part of him that doesn't want you to go.
Steve notices the expression on Bucky's face, and his eyes flick between the two of you, curious about this exchange.
"There could be perks to being in the past for a short while though" You say softly, your eyes flickered to Steve's face for a split second, your heart ached in a strange, painful way. "It'll be like a history lesson" You add, hoping neither noticed the look in your eyes.
Bucky catches that split-second glance toward Steve, and his eyes narrow slightly. That protective instinct flares up again—why do you keep looking at Steve like he's some kind of ghost? Like something painful is tied to him in the future? It makes Bucky tense without even knowing why.
"Yeah, well," he says slowly, "we'll make sure you don't get too bored while you're here."
He doesn't ask about the look. Not yet.
You smile softly, it warms your heart knowing Bucky was as sweet as he was in the future. Knowing the things he has yet to go through hurts your soul deeply. But Bucky was always sweet and kind, and that alone always made you smile.
Bucky's stoic expression softens at the smile you give him. There's something so sweet and sincere about it that it completely melts through his cold exterior. He finds himself returning the smile—a real, genuine smile, not that usual smirk he has.
"Don't thank me yet, doll," he teases gently, "Still got plenty of time for me to drive you crazy while you're stuck here with us."
"Do you think I could shower?" You ask hopeful, you had been sitting in your filith since coming to, and it had finally become enough.
"Yeah, sure. Bathroom's down the hall, first door on the left." He smiles, "I'll find you a change of clothes."
You thank them, and leave, heading to the bathroom. Bucky watches you disappear into the room, his smile lingering for a moment before he turns to Steve - who looks like he's finally ready to say something about all this.
"So… future girl," Steve says, voice low, "you think she's telling the truth?"
Bucky doesn't even hesitate. "Yeah, I do"
"She seems nice" Steve mumbles.
Bucky nods in agreement. "Real nice," he murmurs, eyes flicking toward the open bathroom door. "I dunno what it is… there's just somethin' about her." Steve has to fight a grin. He can practically see the wheels turning in Bucky's head. That protective instinct, the way he's already looking at you, the fact that you're from the future… the pieces are falling into place for him. Bucky's going to fall hard.
"I wouldn't flirt with her Bucks, she can't stay here" Steve tells his friend. "She can't stay here, she has to go home"
Bucky rolls his eyes, giving Steve a playful grin. "Relax, I wasn't gonna. I'm just saying… girl ain't hard on the eyes, that's all." Steve's eyes narrow—he knows Bucky too well, and he can tell there's a lot more to it than just attraction. That's what concerns him, because now is not the time to go falling in love with a girl from the future.
"She barely looked at me" Steve murmurs, his voice sounding strange, like he wasn't his own. "Like it hurt her to look at me, Bucks"
Bucky falls quiet at that. It hadn't escaped his notice that you avoided looking at Steve, that there was some kind of… pain in your eyes when you spared him a glance. He didn't dare ask why, though. Because a part of him doesn't want the answer to it. "Yeah…" he murmurs, his expression growing distant. "I noticed that too."
✦
Once you were showed and dressed, you felt a brand new human. Finally clean from all the dust and dirt. You walked back into the living room, it was dark outside the small window, though you thought maybe the sun would be coming up soon. You sit back down on the couch you had been on previously.
"Thanks a lot, boys"
Bucky's eyes flicker over your clean appearance and the new change of clothes. The sweatpants and T-shirt are a bit oversize on you, but they look far more comfortable than your previous outfit. His eyes linger on you, taking in every detail... as if to commit them to memory.
"Feeling better, doll?" He asks, the corners of his mouth twitching with another teasing smirk.
"So much better" You say with a grin.
Bucky's smirk softens into a smile at that, and he gets a good, long look at you now that you're freshened up and in the better lighting of the apartment. He notices the way your clothes hang off your frame, the way the sleeves of the T-shirt hang past your elbows and the sweatpants are rolled at your ankles. Bucky can't help thinking how cute you look—but also that you look very, very fragile. He has to fight the growing urge to protect you.
"So what's the time?" You ask. "Haven't you both got lives to get on with?"
Bucky glances at the clock on the wall—6am. He and Steve have to be at work soon. "Yeah, we do," he says with an internal sigh. He doesn't want to leave you here to your own devices… not yet. "We have to go to work. You sure you'll be alright by your lonesome here?"
"I'll be fine" You say smiling softly. "I'll read to keep myself busy" You add, knowing Bucky's love of books, he loved reading in the future, and your shared bedroom was basically a library. Not that you minded.
Bucky’s smile widens when you mention reading—because of course he has books. A whole shelf of them in the corner by his bed. "Help yourself to anything you want, doll," he says, nodding toward them before grabbing his jacket off the chair. "We'll be back in a few hours."
Steve just shakes his head at Bucky’s obvious fondness for you already.
✦
It was dark by the time they walked into the house, you had cleaned up, making the small apartment tidy for the men. It was the least you could do, plus it kept you busy between chapters. You now sat in the armchair, your legs under you as the book was in your hands. You recognised the book, the exact copy you would read many years in the future.
Bucky and Steve walk in, both looking tired after a long day of work. Bucky tosses his coat over the chair, loosening his tie and rolling his shoulders, trying to work out the tension in his body. His eyes flicker across the room, searching for any signs of your presence… and he finds you. In the armchair with a book in your hands, looking like you belonged there. The sight makes his heart do a weird jump in his chest.
"Good day?" You ask, feeling every so slightly domestic. It was almost like being back in your own time, except... You shook the sad thoughts away, and threw both men a smile. You almost wanted to laugh, not to be mean. But currently Bucky stood a few feet over Steve in height. You were so used to Steve being the taller one, you had seen old pictures of Steve when he was small. But seeing it in person, was definitely something else.
Bucky grins as he kicks his shoes off, letting out a long sigh. He rolls his shoulders again before answering. "Ugh, rough. Some jackass dropped an entire crate on my foot." He plops down onto the couch near you with a groan, "How about you? Enjoy our book collection?"
Steve just shakes his head with an amused smile—it’s obvious Bucky's more interested in hearing about your day than complaining about work.
"It was lovely" You answer Bucky, your eyes wandered over his facial features. He looked tired, but you knew those delicate features of his had the capacity to look so much more tired. You had to fight the urge to reach over and trace your fingers over his jaw, or weave them into his very short hair. "Wait till you see the collection you have one day"
Bucky grins as he sprawls out across the couch, hands behind his head. He relaxes against the cushions and watches you with those bright, almost-mischievous eyes that show that playful side of him.
"Oh really? So future me got good taste, huh?" He lets out a thoughtful hum, "What's my favourite book then, doll?"
"I don't think my Bucks could choose" You say fondly. "I have recently gotten him to read fantasy romances though"
Bucky's smirk immediately shifts into something downright scandalized, his jaw dropping in exaggerated offense. "Fantasy romances? You got future me reading that kinda sappy crap?"
He can't even pretend to be mad though—not when you called him "my Bucks." The way you say it makes his stomach flip in a way he doesn't entirely hate.
You were beyond happy that they were only asking about future Bucky thus far, it made your heart feel a little calmer about the entire situation. "Oh yeah, you're gonna love it"
Bucky groans dramatically, throwing his head back against the couch as he grins. "I highly doubt that," he teases, "but I'll take your word for it."
Meanwhile, Steve just watches Bucky with quiet amusement—he knows full well his best friend is going to eat up whatever romance nonsense you give him in the future.
Your smile turns sad as your thoughts trail back to your team in the future. Probably working so hard to bring you back, your fingers twist your ring. Your heart ached. You missed them so badly, not just Bucky. Your silly, dysfunctional team.
Bucky's eyes flicker to your hand as you start messing with that ring. He can't help but think that it's a habit of yours. He can't stay away from it this time.
"Hey…" he says gently, tone quiet, "You thinkin' about the future, doll?"
"Your future, my present" You whisper, you weren't sure why you had to word it that way, but it wasn't like you were wrong.
Bucky falls quiet at your soft confession. Something about the way you say "my present"… it hurts. But he doesn't know why. He shifts on the couch, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes search your face, looking for something.
"…Must be tough," he whispers, "being stuck here… being stuck away from your time."
"I'll be fine, my team will work out what to do" You say, your heart and mind completely in trust to the team. Sure they were goofballs, but you knew they would work it out.
"Yeah… I'm sure they are, doll." He tries to sound reassuring, but his tone falls a little short.
"This isn't the first time travel" You say with a shrug. "So I'm not worried or anything"
Bucky's eyes go slightly wide in surprise when you say that. He cocks his head at you in curiosity, his brows furrowing slightly. His eyes search your face as he leans forward again.
"What do you mean, not the first time?" He asks incredulously. "How many times have you time travelled?"
"Me personally? This is my first time, but the team before my team time travelled" You whispered, your eyes flickered away from Bucky's eyes and to Steve's for a second.
Bucky doesn't miss the way your eyes flit to Steve—always Steve. There's a tiny, irrational pang in his chest at that. He shifts slightly, leaning back into the couch cushions and draping one arm over them casually. His smirk returns with an edge of curiosity now.
"Huh." His tone is playful, "Guess time travel ain't so special for ya then, doll."
"Sorry" You mumble. "The world's a crazy place"
Bucky just laughs quietly at that. He shakes his head and leans back more fully in the couch, watching you with amused eyes. "Sounds like a crazy future," he comments. His gaze flickers over your form, taking in the way the oversized clothes cover your frame, how you seem so small sitting in the armchair, how your fingers keep playing with that ring on your hand. You look so breakable and Bucky can't seem to look away.
"It is" You whisper, your fingers still on the ring. Your mind trailed over to the day Bucky gave the ring to you, he had been so nervous. You had all but guessed he was going to. The ring itself impressing you, since he picked it by himself, and it was so perfect. It screamed you, and your Bucky knew that.
Bucky's eyes flicker down to your fingers again, tracing the movement as they toy with that ring. His voice comes out softer than he means it to—almost hesitant, "That from someone in the future?"
The way you touch it… like it's precious. Like it means something.
"Huh?" You say, breaking from your thoughts.
Bucky nods towards your hand, smirking slightly—but there's something softer in his expression now too. "The ring. Looks real nice… must mean somethin', yeah?"
And maybe he already knows the answer, judging by the way you keep touching it.
"My fiance... he gave it to me" You say carefully, you weren't sure if telling Bucky the truth was a good idea.
Bucky's eyes widen slightly at that. Fiancé. You have a fiancé in the future.
"Oh."
Bucky's quiet at that, expression going stoic as his heart clenches in his chest. That protective instinct flares up again, and there's this unfamiliar sting of… jealousy? Which is ridiculous. You're from the future—of course you'd already have someone…
"... Fiance, huh?... What's he like, then?" His tone is as casual as he can make it. His expression is schooled into indifference, though there's a tightness around his eyes that betrays how affected he really is by the mention of your fiance. Bucky tries not to let it show in his expression when he looks at you.
"He's a sweetheart" You start explaining, talking about him like you couldn't stop yourself. "A little stoic, and I always have to remind him to smile, but honestly, he is my best friend"
Bucky listens to your words with a quiet intensity, his smirk fading just slightly as you describe him—your best friend. The word makes something in his chest hurt, though he doesn’t quite understand why. He glances down at your hand again, at the ring there.
"Sounds like a lucky guy," he mutters, before clearing his throat and forcing that familiar smirk back onto his face. "Glad someone out there knows how to treat ya right."
"We bonded over losing someone" You say quietly, the pain shooting through your chest as you do, your eyes flicker between them. "And it was kind of end game between us"
Bucky's head snaps up at that, eyes widening in surprise. He's quiet for a moment, trying to piece together what you said. Losing someone… his gut twists at the implication of it. He stares at you, the expression unidentifiable as Bucky looks for whatever hint of sadness in the words you’re speaking.
"End game, huh..." His tone is soft, almost hesitant.
"Yeah" You say quietly, your voice breaking slightly.
Bucky's heart clenches as he notices the break in your voice. He shifts on the couch, feeling this strange pull to soothe your pain without even knowing what it is. His eyes are still fixed on your face, searching for the source of whatever hurt is lingering there.
"…What do you mean by 'endgame'?" he asks quietly, voice hushed and gentle as he speaks.
"Yelen always says it" You say with a shrug. "it means it was always going to happen, me and him. Despite how easily we could of missed one another... Alexei thinks in every multi verse we end up together"
And it was true, you at least thought. Bucky was born in a completely different era to you, it was a complete miracle that the two of you met and fell in love.
Bucky just stares at you for a long moment—there’s something sad and soft in his expression that wasn't there before. He doesn't fully understand the words "multiverse" or whatever "Yelena" and "Alexei" are talking about, but he understands you. The way your voice wavers when you say it.
"... Sounds like fate," he murmurs. His throat feels tight for some reason, and he looks away from you to stare down at his own hands instead. "... He's real lucky."
You smile sadly as you look at Bucky, those blue eyes shattering you.
Bucky can't help it. He looks up again, drawn to your gaze, and his heart clenches again. You look sad, and he hates it. His chest tightens and his mind goes on the defensive. Bucky's eyes search your face, seeing the pain there that he can't fix. It's all over your face, and it hurts.
"Hey… doll," he murmurs, his voice quiet but firm. "Don't look so sad."
"I miss him" You whisper.
Bucky's throat tightens up even further at the way you whisper the words. His eyes search your face desperately, looking for a way to take that sadness away.
"… You'll see him again," he promises softly, hoping you'll believe him. His gaze drifts to that ring on your finger. "You two are endgame, right? Ain't no one that could keep that from happenin'."
"Exactly" You whisper. "I think I'll go to sleep, if that's alright?"
Bucky nods slightly, but there's this strange reluctance in his expression. He doesn't want you to go, and he doesn't know why. Bucky pushes that reluctance down, though, and masks it with another smirk. "Yeah, sure doll. Go get some rest, take my room"
You smile and stand up and walk to the couch they were on, you lean down and kiss Steve's cheek first, your chest aching hard as you do. "Night Stevie" And then you reach over to Bucky, kissing his cheek. "Night bab-Bucks" You say, correcting yourself before you can call him baby. And then you leave the room, closing yourself away to Bucky's room.
Bucky's eyes go wide as you kiss his cheek—and he freezes entirely at the slip-up. The way you almost called him something else. Baby. It makes something in his chest clench painfully, and for a second, he just stares at the spot where you had been standing before you disappeared into the other room.
Steve glances over at Bucky with an unreadable expression—concerned, curious.
"She's real sweet" Steve mumbles.
Bucky's head snaps back to Steve, the expression guarded. His face is stoic as he forces a smirk, voice carefully neutral.
"Yeah… she is," he murmurs. His eyes linger on the door you slipped through. "Real sweet"
✦
The next morning you wake up early, before either man. You started cooking breakfast for the men, deciding to cook Steve's favourite breakfast from the future. Eggs on toast. Simple, but you didn't mind.
Steve wakes up first, he rubs his eyes as he walks into the kitchen, stopping dead in his tracks when he sees you cooking. His expression is one of pure disbelief—and then soft appreciation. He clears his throat awkwardly.
"Uh… mornin'. Didn’t expect this."
Bucky, still asleep in the other room, has no idea what he’s missing.
"Good morning, Stevie" You say cheerfully.
Steve just shakes his head, his lips twitching up in amusement as he walks further into the kitchen.
"Smells good in here." He sits at the table, watching you curiously as you cook.
"Thanks darling" You say with a wide smile as you put a plate in front of him. "Jut how ya like it"
Steve's smile widens, his heart warmed by the gesture. He looks down at his plate of food with a soft sense of fondness. "You didn't hafta do all this," he says, but he's already digging into the food anyways.
"I know I didn't, I wanted to... It's been a while since I've cooked for you" You say without thinking.
Steve hesitates slightly, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth. He glances up at you with a curious expression, noting those words…
"Been a while, huh?" His brow furrows, as if trying to piece together a puzzle. He doesn't push it, though, and takes another bite of his food.
"Yeah" You add, your voice trailing off. You brain racing, all the questions they could ask looming over you. You were sure they didn't ask because they didn't want to overwhelm you. "Eat up" You add, as you try to stay calm.
Steve notices the subtle change in your demeanor, the slight tenseness in your muscles. Something's off, but he's too busy eating to think too far into it right now. He smiles slightly at you.
"Alright, alright, I am." Steve mumbles as he eats. "Something happens, doesn't it?"
You stop your movements and look at him with wide eyes. His expression is unreadable as he studies your reaction—your wide-eyed silence. His voice is quiet when he speaks again. "To me and Bucks, thats why we're alive in 2025, what happens do we get frozen? Or was magic involved?"
Your heart clenches, and you can already feel the tears burning in your eyes. "Steve... I can't tell you, you know that"
Steve's expression softens slightly at the sight of your emotional reaction. "I know you can't. But it looks like… whatever it is—it really affected you. Doesn't it?" Steve's gaze drifts over your face, the concern in his eyes evident as he glances toward the closed bedroom door of his best friend. Bucky is still asleep… completely oblivious to this whole conversation.
"I can't tell you" You whisper, you heart breaking. My Stevie, you think to yourself, your best friend, not even alive in your year. How could you tell him that? You couldn't, and you wouldn't. "I should wake Bucky"
Steve's expression softens even further, his heart aching for you as he sees the pain in your eyes. "I know you can't tell me. But I just… I wanna make sure you're okay. Please."
You take a deep breath, finally losing a battle in your mind and soul. "In the future, if I tell you to make a choice would you listen to me?" You ask. "I know you don't know me, but would you think about the choice?"
Steve hesitates for a moment, confusion flickering across his face at your strange question. But then he sees the pleading look in your eyes, and he knows how important this is. He nods, without even needing to think about it.
"Yes," he says quietly. His voice is steady as he speaks again. "Yes. I'd listen to you."
"When the time comes" You say quietly, you didn't want Bucky hearing if he had woken up. "Choose Bucky, not Peggy" You whisper, feeling deeply guilty for asking, tears were rolling down your cheeks. "I know it doesn't make sense, but it will, okay?"
Steve's expression softens further as you start to cry—he can't help but feel this sudden need to comfort you. He takes another step toward you, wanting to reach out and wipe those tears from your eyes.
"Alright," he murmurs. "I'll choose Bucky, not Peggy… I'll listen to you. I promise."
"I feel awful for asking you, either choice will hurt you Stevie, prepare for that, okay?" You say, your voice breaking as you speak. "But just know, if you choose Bucky, you'll have me and Bucky in the future to help with the pain" You explain, knowing it made no sense to him. He hadn't even met Peggy yet.
Steve just listens, his eyes gentle as he takes in your words. He doesn’t fully understand—he can't possibly understand yet—but he knows whatever this is, it matters to you.
"Okay," he whispers back, "I'll remember."
Bucky chooses that exact moment to stumble into the kitchen, hair a mess and eyes bleary with sleep. He freezes at the sight of your tears.
Steve moves his hand away from your wet cheeks, and you turn to face Bucky. He looked disheveled, and adorable, it was enough to make your chest feel calmer than it had before.
"Bucks! I made breakfast"
Bucky's lips twitch upward into a sleepy half-smile as he takes in the scene in front of him. Even though he's half-asleep and disheveled, he can tell there's a strange tension in the air between you and Steve.
"Breakfast?" his voice is still rough from sleep as he rubs his eyes. His gaze flicks to you, noticing the tear stains on your cheeks.
"Yeah" You answer, hoping he would ignore the tears. But if you knew Bucky, he wouldn't. Bucky's jaw clenches slightly when he sees those tear stains, his gaze flickering over your face as he takes a few steps closer.
"You alright, doll?" His eyes are surprisingly soft-looking in that half-awake state, and concern seeps into his voice as he steps closer.
"I'm okay" You respond.
Bucky doesn't believe you—it's obvious. He stops right in front of you, still gazing down at your face with those soft eyes. He gently runs his thumb across your cheek, catching a tear that he wipes away.
"Tears say otherwise, doll," he murmurs. "What's goin' on?"
"Future stuff" You answer truthfully, you step away and make his coffee. Bucky watches you as you make his coffee, his brow furrowing slightly at your vague response. He doesn't like how your voice seems tight with unsaid emotions.
" 'Future stuff,' huh?" He echoes quietly. "Is that why you were crying?"
"Yes" You answer, you hand him his coffee, made to his perfection, and then you put a plate of food in front of him. "I cooked Steve's favourite this morning, I'll make your favourite later"
Bucky takes a sip from his coffee, his eyes never leaving your face. That strange protectiveness is flared within him again, and it makes his chest ache painfully in a way he can't describe. He swallows a mouthful of coffee.
"My favourite, huh?" he says with a slight smirk. His tone is warm as he glances toward the plate of food. "And what exactly is my favourite, doll?"
"Pancakes, with fruit on the side" You say with a grin, knowing in the future that was his favourite meal. You hoped it was still the same. Bucky was a creature of habit, you'd be shocked if it was different.
Bucky's smirk broadens at that, almost as if he's impressed by your answer. He raises an eyebrow, still looking at you intently, and a hint of curiosity in his voice. There's this look in his eyes like he finds the whole thing kinda… interesting. And then he takes another sip of coffee. "You're a damn sweetheart, doll."
"Anything for you" You say without thinking as you start to make your own coffee. Bucky freezes mid-sip at your words, his gaze locking onto you with an intensity that wasn't there before. His heart thuds a little harder against his ribs—something about the way you said it made his stomach flip in the most unexpected way.
Steve suddenly coughs, hiding a smirk behind his coffee mug.
"So what do you get up to on a Saturday like this?" You ask as you sipped the hot drink.
Bucky shakes off that strange feeling in his chest, focusing back on his food and trying to act casual. He takes a bite, and then glances up at you, answering in his usual easy tone.
"Nothin' too exciting." He takes another drink of coffee. "I mostly work on a bike project, go to the bar, just… relax, I guess. And what about you, doll?"
"I usually spend my Saturdays with..." You voice trails off as your fingers idly touch your ring. "Well with my fiance, or the team"
Bucky's eyes flicker down to your ring again, that little pang in his chest returning. He takes another sip of coffee to hide it, forcing a smirk.
"Sounds nice," he murmurs, "bet they miss you right now."
"They better" You mutter, and you can't help yourself as you start speaking about your team. "I've been teaching Bobby how to play Uno, Ava joins in which is nice, till she loses and then throws the cards everywhere" Both men were listening as you spoke about these people they didn't know. "Walker likes to go running Saturday mornings, Alexei joined him once, they ran across town and back in minutes! Yelena is quiet Saturday mornings, she usually spends them with her guinea pig"
Bucky just listens as you describe them—the way you talk about them, you're obviously so fond of them. But again, that little pang in his chest when you describe each one in such a fond way… Bucky tries to ignore it. He's never felt this protective over anyone before.
"And… your fiancé?" he asks, casually taking a bite of his food. "What do you usually do with him on Saturdays?"
"We sleep in, whenever we can" You answer him, with a smile. "Since we don't get to often, and we spend the day watching movies or shows, since he has a lot to catch up on"
Bucky just smiles at that—the idea of sleeping in late with the one you care about, staying in watching movies… he'd be lying if he said he didn't wish for something like that one day. He finishes his food.
"Sounds like a great Saturday," he says with an air of nonchalance. But there's a strange, wistful quality to his voice, almost like he's envious. He's still watching you intently.
"Yeah, it is" You say, your lips curling up at the fond memories. "Bucky, you're on washing up duty"
Bucky's smirk returns at your words, and he looks at the sink of dirty dishes with a slight grimace. He groans dramatically as he stands up.
"Oh, c'mon, doll," He complains, "I hate dishes."
"I cooked for you, mister"
Bucky pouts dramatically, crossing his arms like a little kid. But he's already making his way toward the counter.
"You're a real mean one, you know that?" He grumbles teasingly as he starts to wash the dishes.
"You love me for it" You say playfully as you stand to make another coffee for yourself and Steve.
Bucky rolls his eyes, but there's that hint of a smile on his lips that betrays how he really feels—it seems he really does love your snarkiness, or at least, he pretends to be annoyed.
"Yeah, yeah, doll," he says grumbling, "sure I do."
Steve just smiles into his coffee, finding this all rather entertaining to witness.
✦
Over the next few days you spent time with both men. They showed you the city and you explored many of the places you'd know in the future. It was amazing to see the city during this time, it had changed beyond recognition.
Bucky starts to get addicted to it—the sound of your voice, the sight of your smile, the touch of your hand as he shows you something.
Steve notices—he sees how closely Bucky hovers around you, how soft his smile gets when he looks at you, how gentle he is with you.
It had been over a week since you landed in the past, and Bucky had asked if you would like to take a walk with him-Just him.
Bucky had been wanting to ask you to go for this walk with him for a few days. He finally gets up the nerve on this day, casually suggesting it as he pulls on his jacket.
"Wanna come walk with me, doll?" He tries to look casual, like it's no big deal, but his heart is pounding in his chest. He's secretly hoping you say yes…
"Of course" You say, jumping up. The boys had luckily found you some clothes that were era typical, and meant you could go outside without worry of strange looks.
Bucky grins, his heart fluttering in his chest at your response. The thought of you saying no hadn't even entered his mind, but the relief he feels at hearing your agreement is palpable. He opens the door for you, stepping aside and gesturing for you to go first.
"After you, doll," he says, his voice quiet and soft as he glances at you with a fond expression.
You smile softly, and the two of you start walking. The park wasn't too far from their apartment, it was early evening and beyond beautiful. The trees swayed, the wind sang through the leaves.
"It's beautiful here"
Bucky walks beside you, his hands in his pockets as he looks around at the quiet beauty of the park in the evening light. His heart feels full—full in a way that he didn't even know was possible before you came along.
"Yeah," he murmurs, glancing down at you with a soft smile. "Beautiful."
"Oh look" You say, as you notice a small pond area with a few ducks swimming. "A duck pond!"
Bucky glances in the direction of your gaze, and sure enough, there it is: a lovely little pond full of ducks. A smile tugs at his lips, and he gestures with his head.
"C'mon, let's go closer," he says playfully and starts making his way toward the pond. His eyes are bright as he glances back at you.
The two of you walk closer and take a seat on a bench. Bucky follows you to the bench, sitting beside you with a contented sigh. He leans back slightly, letting his arm drape across the back of it—not quite touching you, but close enough that if either of you leaned in just a little…
"Peaceful," he murmurs, watching the ducks glide across the water. Then he glances at your profile with a small smile. "You like this kinda thing?"
"I love it" You admit. "Not a lot of peaceful in the future"
Bucky's smile fades when you say that, his expression softening with concern. He tilts his head, studying your face in profile as he studies the way the light plays across your features.
"…No peaceful in the future?" He murmurs, his voice tender as ever. It's obvious he wants to know more, but he doesn't push… he doesn't want to upset you.
"Not really" You whisper, your mind in deep thought of the future. "A lot of things have happened, you'll understand when you're in 2025 Bucks"
Bucky hesitates at your response, a million different thoughts going through his head at once. When you tell him he'll understand in the future, well… that only makes him more curious. He watches his fingers clench and unclench in his lap, the urge to reach out and take yours overwhelming his better judgment.
"How bad?" He asks quietly, his gaze shifting back to your face. Something about it makes Bucky's chest ache.
"Bucky" You warn gently.
Bucky sighs, and drops his gaze. He knows he shouldn't push. He knows that if you could tell him more, you would. But hearing that quiet warning in your voice… his heart clenches in his chest, and he knows he should drop it.
"Sorry, doll," he rasps quietly. "You just… sound sad."
"I am sad" You admit quietly, meeting his gaze, those beautiful blue eyes on yours. "I find myself wanting to go home, but also I want to stay here... I wish I could go the long way round instead"
Bucky swallows hard at your confession, his heart hammering in his chest as he finally gives in—he gently takes your hand, squeezing it lightly. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, just sits there beside you with this quiet ache in his chest.
"…I'd let you stay if I could," he murmurs eventually, "if that was an option."
"It's not an option" You whisper, your fingers tighten on his hand. "Too many things have to happen for my future to stay the same"
Bucky swallows, the feeling of your fingers—so small, yet so strong—clenching onto his hand making his heart jump against his ribs. He wants to hold onto you, his fingers twitching like he wants to squeeze your hand just as tightly, pull you against his chest… but he keeps himself at this respectful distance…
"But…" he starts, his mouth working but words failing him as he tries to find something to say to that. His voice cracks slightly when he finally manages: "I wish it was."
"If I could... go the long way rough with you... I would" You say gently.
Bucky's breath hitches in his chest at the thought. It's something that would never be possible, yet hearing you even say you would… For a second, he just sits there in silence, holding your hand and trying to imagine it. Imagine a world where you could be with him, forever, in his time… And then he shakes the thought away, the pain that comes with it far too much.
"Don't… don't tease like that, doll," he whispers, "You'll give me hope."
"You're in my future Bucky, you have to be patient"
Bucky closes his eyes, sighing in a mix of pain and resignation. You're right, he knows you are. And damn it, he hates that you are. The idea of you being with future him in a different time… Bucky swallows hard, the jealousy that flares up inside him more than he'd ever expected from himself. He doesn't respond. Instead, he squeezes your hand again, his eyes flickering open again to look at you.
"We met officially in 2018" You start explaining, deciding to tell him the basics on how you actually met, and got together. "I was new to the whole world of magic, and I needed to learn. I was dangerous and unable to control it, I was sent to Wakanda, it's the safest place on Earth. And we met there, we were two outsiders and became friends because of it" You explain softly, he listened so intently. "When I go back to the future, I know it seems like a really long time till you meet me again, but you will see me again"
Bucky listens to your words, his heart squeezing at every new detail.
"2018," he repeats quietly, still having a hard time wrapping his mind around how far, how many years that is. He's also trying to imagine it. You, in some place called Wakanda. It's probably much different from here, and you'll no doubt be different too… 80 odd years is a long time. A lot could happen. Bucky swallows, the thought making his heart ache.
"It won't be easy, your future isn't great Bucky... But just keep reminding yourself, 2018 okay?" You whisper as a tear rolls down your cheek.
Bucky's free hand is itching to reach up and wipe that tear away. The sight of your tears breaks his heart, it makes him want to gather you into his arms and never let you go. But he holds back—still keeping that polite distance between you and him.
"Okay…" he murmurs, his voice soft, "2018."
"That's my Bucks" You whisper, you hadn't wanted him to hear. You move slightly, and rest your head down on his shoulder. Bucky stiffens momentarily at your action, not expecting you to suddenly rest your head against him. His heart pounds wildly in his chest, the urge to wrap his arm around your shoulder and hold you close threatening to overwhelm him. He takes a deep breath in, and slowly relaxes, his tension fading away as he feels your weight against his shoulder. Then, finally, he allows himself to slowly wrap that one arm around you, pulling you slightly closer, holding you gingerly.
You smile softly, his hand still on yours, his thumb brushes over the ring.
Bucky glances down at your hand in his, his thumb brushing against your engagement ring. His heart aches just seeing it—knowing that you belong to another version of him. He shouldn't be jealous of himself, but God does he wish it was this version—the one here and now with you—that had put that ring on your finger.
"I'm glad," he murmurs suddenly, "that future me gets this… gets you."
He says it quietly, like he doesn't want you to hear.
"You worked it out then, huh?" You ask. You hadn't wanted to tell him explicitly, but him guessing meant that technically you hadn't broken any of the laws of time travel.
Bucky's lips twitch into a half-smile—he's a damn detective, of course he worked it out. "I'm not an idiot," he teases, "You're not as subtle as you think, doll."
"I didn't think I was" You whisper. "I can never hide anything from you" You say, talking about the future him.
Bucky grins, the way his chest warms at your words. He feels this strange sense of pride and possessiveness over the fact that you can't hide things from him. It makes him want to pull you closer, hold you against him and keep you safe. His fingers twitch again, wanting badly to keep touching you—your hand, your face…
"You're an open book, doll," He murmurs.
"Tony used to say that time is on an infinite loop, which means, this always happened" You say with a strangled laugh, like it was shocking to you. "I always come back in time, which means you knew in the future, who I was when we met"
Bucky just stares at you for a long moment, the realisation hitting him suddenly—that this exact conversation must have happened in some way or another before. That somewhere out there, future-him already knew about all of this. "So I get to remember," he whispers finally, "and just… wait."
"Yeah" You whisper. "You'll have to wait"
he thought is… bittersweet. Bucky's throat tightens slightly, as he absorbs this new information. The realisation that this was all pre-determined, that everything must happen exactly this way or the future will unravel in front of them… it's overwhelming. He glances down at you, a million different emotions flickering across his face.
"Feels… wrong somehow," he murmurs quietly, "knowing that I've gotta wait for 70 something years to see you again. Feels like some cruel game."
You heart aches when you think over his bleak future, from now till when the two of you meet. The horrors were real. You reach up and stroke his short hair, your fingers going behind his ear.
"You'll be okay"
Bucky lets out a shaky breath at your touch—he's never had anyone comfort him like this before. It feels foreign, yet somehow so right that his chest aches.
"Doll," he murmurs, voice rough, "you don't know that for sure."
"I know everything about you, I know what the next 80 years are like for you..." You explain. "I know you'll be okay"
Bucky swallows hard, his expression pained. Of course you know—he keeps forgetting that you somehow know all of it already. That you know all of the hell he goes through over the next years, but somehow that doesn't even phase your feelings for him. Bucky doesn't understand how any of this is possible.
"Then you... you know what happens," he whispers softly, "Every terrible thing that happens to me… you know it all, then?" His voice breaks, like he knew bad things were coming. He must of worked out that was how we knew one another in the future.
"I do" You whisper. "Try and remember, even when it feels like it won't be okay, you can get through it" You knew it probably didn't make sense to him, but it would.
Bucky's eyes are locked onto yours with an intensity that hadn't been there before. He wants so badly to believe you, to trust your words… but the thought of all those terrible things happening and him somehow surviving them seems impossible right now.
"I'll try," he murmurs eventually, voice cracking slightly, "For you."
You lean forward, your eyes flickering to his lips.
Bucky's breath catches in his chest as he sees the way you gaze at his mouth. Every instinct inside of him is telling him to close the short distance between you, to pull you against him and claim your mouth in a kiss he knows he doesn't deserve…
But just before your lips can touch. A loud crack shudders through the park a portal opens, you jump up almost instantly. Home.
"Bucky... it's... I've got to go" You say, your voice breaking.
Bucky's heart plummets—his entire body going rigid at the sight of the portal. He wants to grab you, to pull you back and tell you not to go yet—to just give him a few more seconds with you.
But he doesn't. Instead, he swallows hard and forces himself to nod.
"Go," he murmurs, "Don't keep 'em waiting."
You turn back and look at him, throwing your arms around him. "You'll see me again, my sweet beloved Bucky" You whisper to him.
Bucky's arms wrap tightly around you, holding you as close as he can. There's desperation in the way his arms squeeze you, as if clinging to this moment and refusing to let you go. He buries his face into the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent and engraving every last detail into his mind—he has to memorize you, so he'll be able to hold onto this until the next time he sees you. Finally, after a long moment, he murmurs into your ear:
"I'll be waiting.
You lean back, and press your lips to the corner of his mouth before running head first into the portal. Bucky's breath hitched when you kiss the corner of his mouth, the brief contact sending a current of electricity through his entire body. Then you're gone, running through the portal and out of sight as quickly as you appeared. Bucky is left there standing in the park with a million different emotions coursing through his heart… and suddenly 70 years feels like an impossibly long time to wait.
✦
You land back in your year, 2025. Your time, your world. And around you were your team, the portal closed behind you. Ava, Alexei, Bob, Yelena, Walker and Bucky were standing around you, their eyes wide in shock. Your eyes land on Bucky. Your Bucky. You had tears in your eyes as you run to your fiance, throwing your arms around him.
Bucky—your Bucky—sees you materialise back into your own time, and his entire face softens with relief. He opens his arms as you rush toward him, engulfing you in a tight embrace the second you crash into him. His hands clutch onto the back of your shirt desperately, like he can't even believe it's real.
"There she is," he murmurs against your hair, "My girl."
"I missed you" You whisper. "I'm sorry you had to wait so long for me"
Bucky pulls back just enough to look at your face, his hands coming up to cup your cheeks. His thumbs brush away your tears gently as he studies you—his eyes drinking in every detail of the woman he loves after having waited for so long.
"Sweetheart," he murmurs, "you're worth every damn second."
You look around, your team watching you carefully, a sad smile falls over your lips when you realise Steve wasn't here. He didn't listen to you?
Bucky's hand finds the small of your back as he follows your gaze toward the team—his expression softening as he watches them all watching you with concern and relief. His voice is quiet when he speaks, just for you.
"You okay?" Bucky murmurs, "Need a minute?"
"Steve?" You whisper, your voice breaking. "Did he...?" You tried asking, did he listen, and die a different way?
Bucky pulls you against him, his arms wrapping around you protectively as he shakes his head softly. His lips press to the top of your hair as he murmurs:
"He listened, sweetheart," he reassures you, "He chose me—just like you told him to."
"Where he is?" You ask, tears welling in your eyes knowing that you, Bucky and Steve would have days together as life should be.
Bucky's hand rubs up and down your back comfortingly, his heart clenching at the sight of your tears. He swallows hard, his voice thick as he responds.
"He's in the other room, doll," he murmurs, "Wanted to give us a moment... Didn't want to overwhelm you"
You give each member of your team a tight hugged, and then you followed Bucky to where Steve would be. As you walked together, Bucky explained that Steve was retired from superhero duties, he liked to live his life in a quiet, happy way.
Steve's sitting by the window, looking out with a quiet expression. He turns when you burst in—and his eyes soften at the sight of you. Before he can even speak, you're across the room and throwing your arms around him.
"Hey," he murmurs into your hair, squeezing you tight, "You’re back."
"Hey stranger" You say, shocked that your best friend stood in front of you, towering over you. "You listened to me?"
Steve pulls back slightly to look at your face—his eyes are warm and his smile is so, so fond. He brushes a tear from your cheek with his thumb.
"Of course I listened," he murmurs, "You knew me better than anyone ever has."
"Stevie" You whisper, Bucky was stood close behind you, lingering behind you, watching the two of you with an expression filled with all sorts of different things. Steve looks at him over the top of your head and there's a moment of silent communication—a million things said without a word being spoken between them.
"Never thought I'd see the three of us together again" You say softly, still not believing it. You did feel a small pang of guilt, knowing Steve chose Bucky and you over Peggy, over love. But you and Steve could give him two people's worth of love.
Bucky's hand settles on the small of your back, his touch grounding you as he steps closer to both you and Steve. His other hand rests on Steve’s shoulder—an unspoken show of support between them.
"Neither did I," Steve murmurs softly, "but here we are."
"Are you happy, Steve?" You ask. "That you chose Bucky, and not Peggy?"
Steve's gaze flickers between you and Bucky—his expression is soft, unguarded. "I made the right choice," he says quietly but firmly. His hand reaches up to squeeze Bucky’s where it rests on his shoulder. "Wouldn't change it for anything."
You hugged him tightly, before moving to hug Bucky tightly. Bucky wraps his arms around you, holding you snugly against his chest. He breathes deeply, taking in your scent and etching every last thing about this moment with the two most important people in his life in his mind… just in case. He doesn't ever want to forget this. So he holds tighter than is strictly necessary. He doesn't care that he's holding onto you like he's afraid to lose you again… cause that's exactly how he feels.
"I never want to time travel again" You mumble into Bucky's shoulder.
Bucky huffs in agreement, his arms tightening around you even more at your words. "Yeah, don't think I could do that again," he murmurs into your hair. "My heart can't handle you disappearing again."
"But you were okay" You whisper, your lips dragged against his neck as you moved to nuzzle into his throat.
Bucky's grip tightens again, a scoff leaving his lips. His nose presses into your hair—he never wants to stop breathing in your scent. He shakes his head slightly at your words, his voice gruff and low.
"I was not okay," he mutters firmly, "70 years without you… damn near killed me, sweetheart."
"Did you remember what I told you?"
Bucky nuzzles his face into your hair, his lips brushing against the top of your head as he responds. His voice is hoarse and laced with all sorts of things he can't even express.
"Every damn word, doll… didn't forget a single thing."
"That's my Bucks" You whisper happily.
Bucky hums softly in agreement—his arms still wrapped around you, holding you close. He buries his face into the crook of your neck, pressing a gentle kiss there as he murmurs against your skin.
"Yours." he whispers, "Always."
"Yours" You whisper. "Always"
You then move forward to kiss him, not caring that Steve was watching and most likely blushing. Bucky's eyes flutter shut and he melts at the feeling of your mouth against his. His fingers dig into your shoulders as he kisses you back, pouring every ounce of the emotions coursing through him in that moment into you. It's gentle but desperate, wanting to convey everything—how grateful he is that you came back, how badly he missed you, how much he's in love with you. Everything.
Bucky lets out a soft breath as your lips brush against his lips. His hands cradle your face, his thumbs brushing over the apples of your cheeks—trying to commit every second of this moment to memory.
"I love you" he murmurs before pulling you in for another kiss, "So damn much."
"I love you too Bucks" You whisper, and then you turn to face yours and Bucky's best friend. "You too Stevie" You then motion for Steve to join the hug.
Steve chuckles softly—his eyes are warm as he steps forward and wraps his arms around the two of you. He tucks you both against him, pressing a kiss to the top of your head before resting his chin there.
"Love you too," he murmurs, "both of ya."
And so, you spent the evening with the two of them. Talking over the things that were different and reminiscing over your memories together.
Bucky sits beside you the entire time, his fingers intertwined with yours as you all talk and laugh. His heart feels so full—full of love for Steve, full of love for you…
And later that night when it's just the two of you curled up together—your head on Bucky's chest while he strokes your hair absentmindedly—he whispers:
"Sweetheart?"
You hum in question.
"Thanks for coming back to me."
"I'll always come back to you" You say in a whisper.
Bucky's arms tighten around you, pulling you even closer against his chest as he lets out a shaky breath. His lips press to the top of your head.
"I know" He murmurs softly. "But I'll never stop being grateful for it..."