YALL I DIDNT CHANGE MUCH EXCEPT THE BEGINNING AND I ADDED A FLASHBACK OF ELLIE'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 🙁

THE NEXT DAY BUCKY GOT A CALL, it was a no caller ID. When he answered it was a military guy, what the hell did he want?

"Hello." Bucky said, leaning against the counter.

The man cleared his throat before speaking. "I need to talk to you about something important." He said.

Bucky paused. "Okay..."

"We enrolled your daughter into school, she starts next week." He said.

Bucky was at a loss for words. She wasn't ready. Why the hell would he just do that? "Why the hell would you do that without my permission?" Bucky asked, his voice laced with venom as he spoke.

"We need to see how she reacts with others-"

Bucky hopped in before he could finish. "Okay? But she's my kid, you have no right." Bucky said.

"But we do, she's government property as of now, she came from HDYRA." Fury said.

Bucky's grip on the phone tightened. "Government property? She's a child, not a weapon or some piece of tech you can just enroll in school without asking me."

"Sir-"

"And she didn't come from HYDRA, she's my kid, she's mine."

The man sighed sighed, clearly prepared for this confrontation. "Bucky, I understand you're upset, but we have protocols. Ellie has unique abilities that need to be monitored in a controlled environment. School is part of that environment."

Bucky's jaw clenched. "You mean you want to see if she's a threat."

"That's not what I said," he replied evenly. "We need to understand her how social she is, yes, but it's also important that she feels like she can have a normal a life if that's possible. School is a step towards that."

"Normal?" Bucky scoffed. "How can anything be normal when you're treating her like a lab rat?"

"Look, I get it," He said, his tone softening just a fraction. "You care about her, and you want to protect her. But we're trying to help her too. She needs to be around other kids, learn how to socialize and control her emotions in a safe environment."

Bucky was silent for a moment, his mind racing. He knew the military guy had a point, even if he hated to admit it. Ellie had been isolated for so long, and keeping her hidden away wasn't a solution. But the thought of SHIELD controlling every aspect of her life made his blood boil.

"I can take her out." Bucky finally said, his voice hard. "If anything happens to her, anything at all, I'm taking her out."

He didn't hesitate. "That's fair. But this is the best way forward for Ellie, the next step."

Bucky nodded, though Fury couldn't see it. "Fine. But this doesn't mean I trust you. Not by a long shot."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," He replied. "We'll send over the details. She starts next week."

Bucky hung up the phone, a mix of anger and helplessness washing over him. He knew he had to let Ellie go to school, but that didn't mean he had to like it. All he could do now was be there for her and make sure she was safe.

BUCKY HAD TO BREAK THE NEWS TO HER
Bucky sat on the edge of the couch, watching Ellie as she nervously played with the hem of her shirt. He took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to break the news gently. "Ellie, we need to talk about something."

Ellie's eyes flickered with fear, and she immediately tensed up. "Am I in trouble?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Bucky shook his head, giving her a reassuring smile. "No, El, you're not in trouble. It's about something new. Something... different."

Ellie bit her lip, her fingers fidgeting more intensely. "What is it?"

Bucky reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "You're going to start school next week."

Ellie's eyes widened with panic. "School? But... but I don't want to go. I want to stay home...I can't go."

Bucky's heart broke at the sight of her fear. "I know you're scared-"

"I'm not scared." That was a lie and Bucky knew it.

"I get it. But this is something we have to do. It's not just about learning, it's about helping you adjust to a normal life, meeting other kids, and making friends."

Ellie shook her head vigorously, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, I can't. What if they hurt me? What if... what if they take me back to HYDRA?"

Bucky stopped in his tracks. "No-Oh Ellie"

With his hand he lightly grabbed her chin. "Look at me, no one is ever taking you back there. I promise you that. I will be there every day, pick you up. And if anyone tries anything, they'll have to go through me first."

"Okay..." Bucky moved his hand to the back of her head, pulling it in so he could give her a kiss on the forehead.

Then he spoke again. "You won't be alone, Ellie. You'll have teachers, and soon you'll have friends who will care about you too. It's going to be scary at first, but I'll be right there with you. We'll take it one step at a time, okay?"

Ellie nodded."You promise you'll be there to pick me up?"

Bucky nodded firmly. "Swear on my life, every single day. And if it gets too much, you can call me, and I'll bring you home."

Ellie sniffled, wiping her eyes. "Okay..."

"That's my brave girl."

9 years ago

Bucky Barnes stood outside the elementary school, holding tightly onto the small hand of his five-year-old daughter, Ellie. Her wavy hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her blue eyes were wide with nerves. She clutched her backpack straps, looking up at the large building with trepidation.

"Daddy, I'm really scared," Ellie whispered, her voice trembling.

Bucky knelt down to her level, looking into her eyes with a soft, reassuring smile. "It's okay to be scared, Ellie. Everyone gets nervous on their first day of school. But you're going to do great, I promise."

Ellie bit her lip, glancing back at the bustling entrance where other kids were walking in, some of them crying, others excitedly chatting. "What if nobody likes me?"

Bucky's heart ached at the sight of her fear. "Hey, come on now, you know that's not going to happen," he said, tucking a loose wave behind her ear. "You're smart, and funny, and kind. Everyone's going to love you."

Ellie looked down at her shoes, her grip on her backpack tightening. "But what if I don't know what to say?"

Bucky chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, you can always start with 'Hi, I'm Ellie, and my dad is a superhero.' That'll get their attention."

Ellie giggled, the sound like music to Bucky's ears. "Daddy, you're not a superhero."

"Hey, I've got a metal arm and I fight bad guys. I'm pretty close," he said, flexing his metal arm and winking at her. "But seriously, just be yourself. You'll make friends in no time."

Ellie's smile faded slightly as she glanced back at the school. "What if I miss you?"

Bucky's heart squeezed. "You know what? Whenever you start to miss me, just remember that I'm thinking about you too. And before you know it, I'll be right here to pick you up."

Ellie nodded, her nerves easing just a little. "Okay, Daddy."

Bucky gave her a big hug, holding her close. "I love you, Ellie. You're going to have a great day. Just be brave, okay?"

"I love you too, Daddy," Ellie whispered, hugging him back tightly.

As the school bell rang, Bucky walked her to the entrance. She took a deep breath and, with one last look back at her dad, stepped inside. Bucky stood outside, watching through the glass doors, making sure she found her classroom.

When Ellie turned back and saw him still standing there, she waved, and he waved back, giving her a thumbs-up. Bucky mouthed, "You got this," and she nodded, her confidence bolstered by his support.

Bucky stayed there for a while, watching until he was sure she was settled. As he finally turned to leave, he couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and a pang of sadness. His little girl was growing up, and while it was hard to let go, he knew she was ready for this new adventure.

THE MORNING STREAMED through the windows, casting a warm glow on the kitchen as Bucky prepared breakfast. Ellie sat at the table, her eyes fixed on her cereal but not eating. Today was the day, and the tension in the air was palpable.

Bucky sat across from her, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "You ready for your first day, kiddo?"

Ellie shook her head slowly, her eyes filled with
nothing. "Kinda worried, I guess." She said

Bucky reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I know you are, Ellie. But remember what we talked about? This is a new start. A chance to meet new people and learn new things. And I'll be there to pick you up right after school, okay?"

Ellie nodded reluctantly, her grip tightening on his hand. "What if... what if they don't like me? Or what if something bad happens?"

Bucky squeezed her hand gently. "You're going to be just fine. You're strong, and you're brave. Just be yourself. If anything happens, you tell a teacher, and you can always come to me afterward. We'll handle it together."

Ellie took a deep breath, trying to muster some courage. "Okay, I'll try."

They finished breakfast in silence, the minutes ticking by too quickly. Before long, it was time to go. Bucky grabbed his keys and Ellie's backpack, slinging it over his shoulder as they headed out the door.

The walk to the school was quiet, Ellie staring out the window, her anxiety evident in her tense posture. Bucky parked the car and turned to her, giving her a warm smile. "You ready?"

Ellie nodded her head again. "Sure."

Bucky walked her to the entrance, the bustling crowd of students and parents making Ellie shrink back against him. He crouched down to her level, holding her shoulders gently. "Remember, I'll be right here at the end of the day. You're going to be okay. Just take it one class at a time."

Ellie nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yeah..."

"Hey..." Bucky pulled her into a tight hug, whispering in her ear. "Don't cry, everything's gonna be okay. You're going to be amazing. Just be yourself, and everything will be fine."

Ellie clung to him for a moment longer before slowly pulling away. She wiped her eyes and looked up at him. He spoke. "Make good choices, okay?"

Ellie chuckled. "Yeah."

Bucky smiled and wiped the excess tears from her cheeks. "That's my girl. Now go on."

Ellie took a deep breath and turned toward the school, her steps hesitant but steady. Bucky watched as she walked through the doors, his heart aching with a mixture of pride and worry.

SCHOOL WASN'T BAD. Her homeroom teacher was okay, the kids didn't pay much attention to her, thank god. She understood everything about school very quickly. Cliques, schoolwork, technology. Now she had to understand lunch.

Ellie navigated the bustling cafeteria, her nerves buzzing as she searched for a place to sit. She found a quiet corner and unwrapped her sandwich, but her appetite was nowhere to be found. Instead, she scanned the room, observing the lively chatter and laughter of her new classmates.

As she was about to take a reluctant bite, two students approached her table. One was a tall, lanky boy with a friendly grin and a confident stride, his hair blonde, his eyes a bright blue. The other was a girl with a bright smile and an infectious energy, she was pretty, seemed happy, her hair dark and thick, she was wearing a captain marvel shirt.

Cool.

"So, you the new girl?" the boy asked, plopping down across from her without hesitation.

Ellie looked up, caught off guard by his directness. "Uh, sure. I guess I am."

The girl sat down next to him, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "I'm Kamala, and this is Bruno. Mind if we join you?"

Ellie shook her head, a small smile forming. "No, not at all. I'm Ellie."

Bruno leaned back in his chair, eyeing her sandwich. "So, Ellie, what's your verdict on the cafeteria food? Because I've got to say, it's a solid two out of ten in my book."

Kamala laughed, nudging him with her elbow. "Bruno, stop scaring her with your horror stories. The pizza's not that bad. It's only slightly cardboard-like."

Ellie giggled, her tension easing a bit. "Good to know. I might stick to homemade lunches for now."

Kamala leaned forward, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "So, where are you from, Ellie? I don't think we've seen you around before."

Ellie hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.
"Uh...it's kind of a long story."

Bruno nodded, his expression understanding. "Hey, no worries. New starts can be weird. Just know you've got friends here now."

Ellie's smile widened, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Uh thanks..."

Kamala waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. We've all been the new kid at some point. Besides, Bruno and I have a reputation for being the welcoming committee. Well, an unofficial one."

Bruno grinned. "Yeah, we take our job very seriously. We're basically the ambassadors of Coles Academic High School."

Ellie laughed, the knot in her stomach loosening. "Well, I'm honored to be welcomed by such esteemed ambassadors."

Kamala chuckled. "Glad to have you. So, any classes with Mr. Shrock yet? He's... quite the character."

Ellie nodded. "Yeah, I had him for English this morning. He seems... intense."

Bruno snorted. "Intense is one way to put it. He's a good teacher, though. Just wait until he starts on his poetry unit. The man is passionate about haikus."

Kamala rolled her eyes playfully. "And if he starts quoting Shakespeare out of nowhere, don't be alarmed. It's just Mr. Shrock being Mr. Shrock."

Ellie felt a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll keep that in mind."

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Ellie stood up, feeling more at ease than she had all day. "I'll she you guys around, thanks for sitting with me."

Kamala smiled warmly. "Anytime, Ellie. We'll see you around."

Bruno gave her a thumbs-up. "Welcome to Coles Academic High School, Ellie. You've got this."

As Ellie headed to her next class, she felt a newfound sense of confidence. Meeting Kamala and Bruno had turned her day around, and she was grateful for their kindness.

Maybe school wasn't the worst.

SHE WAS SO GLAD TO SEE BUCKY when she left her school. Bucky waited outside the school, he students streamed out of the building. He scanned the crowd, searching for Ellie's familiar face. Finally, he spotted her, walking with a spring in her step that hadn't been there that morning.

"Hey, kid." Bucky said walking a little towards her.

Ellie's face lit up when she saw him, and she quickened her pace. "Hey."

They began to walk. "How was it?" he asked, pulling back to look at her.

Ellie grinned. "It was... actually pretty good. I made some friends. They're really nice."

Bucky's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Friends, huh?" Bucky felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Thank you, whoever is helping her, thank you.

Ellie laughed. "Yeah, Bruno said they're the unofficial welcoming committee."

"Bruno? Is Bruno a he?"

She scoffed. "Dad, come on?"

Bucky chuckled as they started walking toward their apartment. "Sorry, sorry, that's good to hear. So, what did you think of your classes?"

Ellie shrugged. "Not too bad. My English teacher is a bit... intense, but I was warned about his haiku obsession."

Bucky smirked. "Haikus, huh? Maybe he'll inspire you to write some poetry."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Can you imagine me writing haikus? 'Five-seven-five, it's a poetry jam, thanks, Mr. Shrock, man.'"

Bucky laughed. "That's actually not bad for your first try. Maybe you've got a hidden talent."

Ellie shook her head, grinning. "Don't get your hopes up, I'm not turning into a poet anytime soon."

They walked in companionable silence for a few moments, enjoying the warm afternoon. Bucky glanced down at Ellie, noting the newfound confidence in her stride. "I'm proud of you, Ellie. You handled today really well."

Ellie blushed. "Thanks. I was so scared this morning, but Kamala and Bruno made it easier. Plus, I kept thinking about what you said. That helped a lot."

Bucky ruffled her hair affectionately. "See? You're stronger than you think. And now you've got friends to back you up, too."

As they reached their apartment building, Ellie's mood was light, and the stress of the day had melted away. Bucky unlocked the door, and they stepped inside, the familiar comfort of home surrounding them.

"So," Bucky said, kicking off his shoes, "what's the plan for the rest of the day? While you were at school, I bought ice cream, we can watch a movie?"

Ellie's eyes sparkled with excitement, she can't really remember the last time she's eaten ice cream or watched a movie. "Yeah, sounds good."

A/N: HAPPY ELLIE IS HAPPENING YES YES YES YES