Pairing: Bucky Barnes X Reader

Setting: Following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron | AU where Bucky is part of the Avengers

Type: Fluff

Warning: None

Word Count: 2099

Notes: It's way more simple to just throw Bucky in the Avengers team XD Also, Pietro is alive in this oneshot, even if he says like one line overall.

☆☆☆☆☆

"Well, I'm glad everyone is awake for once." called out Steve with a smile. "Well, expect for Tony of course."

Today was training day. Once a week, Steve would organize them, to make sure everyone at Avenger's base would be fit and ready for an upcoming mission, usually into the stealth department: not everyone was a good spy, to put it bluntly. But as serious he wanted it to be, half of the crew never bothered to join, and the other half ended up ditching the game for something else halfway through.

You were actually the only one taking it seriously. You were always up and ready each Sunday morning, ready to kick some ass. Steve was real proud someone actually put effort in what he organized, altough the game with only two players left wasn't actually that fun.

"Today, I'm counting on every one of you to play 'til the end." the blonde man stated to the crew.
"And how are you going to do that?" Pietro asked with a scoff.
"I can't believe I'm going to say that but... We'll be playing Hide and Seek."

Everyone in the crowd cheered, you as well. If Hide and Seek was no doubt a childish game, you didn't mind being childish yourself sometimes. You smiled and looked at your partners around you.

Pietro and Wanda were laughing and smiling happily. Sam was sitting on the ground, his fist brought up in the air. Clint and Natasha were whispering to each other, probably making a plan on how they would kick everyone's ass. Vision was standing in the middle with a troubled expression, as Rhodes explained him the basic rules of the game. The only one missing was Tony (who had never even attended a training day).

You were about to call Bucky missing too when you perceived him, far away from the rest of the group. He was watching everyone else cheering and having fun, with literally no emotions on his face.

You had to admit you felt bad for him: he was never at the practices so much either, and during the rare times he was, he spended his time either alone or with Steve. You two hadn't talked a lot, as you weren't much of a talker yourself, but you often tried to help him become normal with others. Your work hadn't made any progress so far, but you kept trying. And, maybe... Just maybe... You slowly started to develop a crush on him. But the thought was always brushed out of your mind: you hadn't the time for crushes.

From afar, you waved at him with a smile, but his look seemed to be focused on another way. Your attention was quickly drawn back to the front of the room, where Steve loudly cleared his throat to bring back everyone's attention.

"Since we're trying to spice things up a bit, you'll have to hide in team of two." he explained. "And no, Natasha and Clint cannot be together."
"Oh come on!" shouted Barton from the other side of the room, making you repress a laugh.
"And of course, using your abilities is forbidden too. We're just practicing on your ability to hide here."
"Fine by me." declared Wanda, giving her brother a punch on the shoulder as he was about to replicate.

☆☆☆☆☆

As you geared up for the upcoming game, you caught a glimpse of someone approaching in the corner or your eye, and recognized Steve.

"Steve." you acknowledged with a smile.
"(Y/n)." he replied. "I have something to ask you."
"Go ahead."

You tilted your head in curiosity, a hand roaming through your hair.

"Would you mind being paired with Buck?" he asked nervously. "I know he's having a hard time being comfortable around others, and he needs to improve his teamwork skills. I thought that, since you two are friends..."
"Yeah, it's alright." you answered, nodding your head in approval. "I'll do it."
"Thanks a lot. I'll tell him."

He turned around an walked away, leaving you to your preparations. Turning your head around, you met Bucky's gaze from across the room. Steve was talking to him, and you swore you saw a glimpse of a smile on his face.

☆☆☆☆☆

"Alright team!" shouted Steve as everyone stood ready. "Everyone will have exactly three minutes to find a spot to hide. And remember, you have to stay in teams. When you're found, help the others to find who's left." His gaze turned to Clint. "Barton, you're searching with me."
"Aw, really?" he pouted.

As teams slowly started to form between the group, you approached Bucky with a smile.

"I'm planning to win this." you whispered over Steve's voice still yelling out the rules.
"Mh."

The sharp noise of an buzzer resonated, making you jump in the process. You looked around in panicked state, only to see everyone running outside.

"Let's go." Bucky glanced over at you, taking your hand and pulling you outside the hangar.

You felt your cheeks blushing slightly: just the fact to know he held your hand, even if it had nothing romantic, was enough to make you shiver. His palm was warm, and you couldn't help feeling comfortable holding his hand.

Surprisingly enough, all the other teams managed to disappear within the time Bucky and you left the hangar. You followed your partner as he roamed throughout the field, getting closer to the near forest. His footsteps were fast and subtile, and he searched around for the perfect hiding spot, and you had to jog to keep up with his pace. Both of you hadn't said a single word since the beginning, and soon came the time where you knew you were completely lost.

Suddenly, he let go of your hand and approached the nearest tree. He looked up for a while, and as you were about to ask him the matter, his hands grabbed a branch, and he hoisted himself up. He climbed a couple of meters below the ground, as you stood still, your eyes wide open in shock.

"Can I know what you're trying to do?" you asked in complete awe.
"Hiding, of course." he replied, his voice sounding like a faint whisper from far away. "What are you doing?"
"Accepting the fact that you climbed up that tree casually. Mind helping me?"

He looked down at you in discouragement, pushed away a strand of hair blocking his field of view and sighed, climbed down a couple of branches. He held his hand below the branches and you genuinly took it, your legs pushing on the trunk to help you climb. You finally managed to grab a branch below your head and pulled all your weight up, definitely not wanting to fall and humiliate yourself in front of Bucky.

"C'mon, let's get higher." he mumbled as he ascended the tree.

You managed to get a glimpse of his metal hand, the rest of his hidden under his jacket. He didn't liked showing it, as it reminded him of his past and who he really was. But as a counterpart, it made you curious. In fact, everything about this man made you curious. You couldn't help it.

"Hey, we have a game to win." interjected Bucky, making you drift out of your thoughts from a couple of meters above.
"Right."

You quickly rejoined him, taking place on the nearest branch. It wasn't the most comfortable place ever, but you could manage.

Your friend glared over at the area, watching for any potential threat to approach your hiding spot. "He's taking it way to seriously." you noticed to yourself. You approached him and looked down at your turn, trying to do your part in the team.

"There's not-"

You were stopped mid-sentence when Bucky turned to you, his metal hand cupped over your mouth.

"Look down." he whispered, a finger over his lips.

You did as he told you, and saw Steve walking right below, his gaze going from right to left. He didn't seem to have hear you, as he continued his path in complete silence and disappeared from your field of view not long after.

"Thanks." you mumbled with a sorry look, pushing a loose leaf off your face.

He didn't answer and turned his head around, going back into "sentinel" mode.

"Hey, why are you so silent?" you asked, pulling yourself closer to him.
"Because I'm trying to win." he replied.
"I did not mean in the game, Buck. You know what I'm talking about."

This time, he got distracted and reported his attention to you in confusion. You looked into his baby blue eyes with a smile.

"Everyone is trying to include you in." you explained, trying your best not to get distracted by his eyes.
"I don't know." he mumbled, tilting his head to the side. "I don't think they're trusting me yet."
"Let time operate, and soon everyone will. You just have to show them how good you are."

You smiled widely, pushing a strand of hair off his face, but he quickly caught your wrist.

"Do you trust me?" he demanded, worry covering his look.

His question caught you off guard. If you trusted him? Of course you did. You pertinently knew everything he had done in the past wasn't him. That he was so much more than just the Winter Solider: he was Bucky Barnes.

"Of course I do." you answered, feeling your cheeks burning up.

You mentally slapped yourself. Like this moment wasn't awkward enough, you HAD to blush right into his face. You wished with all your might he wouldn't notice.

"Hum, Bucky, could you release my wrist?" you said, lifting up your chin in direction of your hand.
"Oh my God, sorry." he immediate replied, freeing you from his grasp.

His race became redder, and you couldn't help but gasp internally. Was he really blushing too?

"I'm so sorry, but each time I'm around you I'm feeling weird." he admitted, his fingers nervously playing with his hair. "It's like, everything's different. My heart beats faster and- oh why am I telling you this..." He hid his face into his palms. "I'm not normal, that's all. Never mind all that."

You were dazed: no word came out of your mouth. It was like time had stopped. You felt your own heartbeat rising up and your cheeks blushing ten shades of red. After a while, you managed to get a hold of yourself, and laid a hand on Bucky's shoulder.

"You're completely normal." you said, trying to keep your calm. "Even better: you're unique, and that's what I like about you."

You suddenly felt proud about how poetic you could be, but managed to keep your smile on.

"Thanks (Y/n)..." Bucky whispered, stroking your cheek, a small smile in the corner of his lips.

Suddenly, you did something you would never have expected from yourself: you threw yourself into his arms, gently laying your lips onto his. As soon as you made contact, everything changed. You could feel the butterflies in your stomach, you could see the colors brighter. Your head felt dizzy, but in a good way.

If Bucky was tense at first, he soon softened and melted into the action, pulling you closer by the waist. Your hand over his shoulder, the other playing with his hair, you swore you felt him grin through the kiss.

"Hum, guys?" a voice echoed from below.

You immediately leaned back with a scream of surprise and lost balance on the branch, pulling Bucky into your fall.

You both made it down the tree and not without pain: you could feel your entire body aching from everywhere. Ignoring it, you flustered your eyes open.

"Oh my god, Bucky are you okay?" you shouted, quickly sitting up to his side.

A smile crept onto his face as you took his hand.

"That hurts." he muttered to your side, causing you to laugh.

The sound of someone clearing out their throat made you turn around, to notice what was the first reason of your fall: everyone playing the game was standing near the tree you were in, smirks and grins stamped in their faces. You blushed madly and hid your face into Bucky's side, who had managed to sit up.

"You two are the last to be found." commented Natasha.
"Clearly, that's not what I meant by teamwork guys..." sighed Steve, a hand on his forehead.
"I'm guessing it worked, since we're the last one found. " Bucky replied with a grin.

He dropped a quick kiss on your forehead, and you smiled widely. Yes, Bucky Barnes was unique, and you loved him exactly how he was.