One of Bucky’s first possessions to be uncovered was a silver, heart-shaped locket. Inside were two pictures. One of Bucky himself in his solider uniform, and one of a woman. When Steve showed him the picture Bucky could only say one word: beautiful. That night, for the first time in years, Bucky had a good dream.
Bucky was sat across from the woman. Her hand squeezes his as she raves about some musical artist he’d never heard of. Bucky doesn’t care. Listening to the woman talk always makes him smile. The waitress brings their food, placing the salad in front of her and the burger in front of him. Bucky looks the waitress dead in the eye as he switches the plates. He laughs along with her after spilling dressing on his shirt. She cleans it with a napkin and some water. She calls him cute. His face turns red. She kisses her finger then pokes his nose. He wakes up.
He makes T’challa look for information on her. They find paintings and photographs from all throughout time with the same face. None of the names sound familiar. They all held one thing in common. Seraphina Wilforth, a Duchess from England in the regency era who was first heard of a mere decade before her death in a fire. No body was found. Queen Wysteria, who apparently died in childbirth. She was never laid to rest. Susanna Evangeline, a writer in the 1920s who disappeared after a speakeasy was raided. Silvana Love, lead singer of the band Acid Angel. She died in a bus crash, no body was ever found. They all look exactly alike. Bucky compares the pictures to the picture in the locket. They were the same woman. No relation could be found between the women. They all were only around for a decade or two before disappearing. Bucky dreams about her again.
The woman smiles widely as the pulls another book of the library shelf. She reads the back of it to Bucky. He takes it from her and adds it to the stack he carries. He adjusts his hold on the heavy stack of books. She offers to carry some, but he refuses. His pretty lady should never have to carry anything when he’s around. He pays for her books too. When she protests he adds a few bookmarks to the pile.
Bucky takes her on a picnic after. He spreads a blanket on the ground and sets out all the classic foods. He lays with her head on her lap as they eat. Her hands run through his air every once in a while. She places a few strawberries in his mouth. He tries to the same but misses. She laughs and smears honey on Bucky’s face. He grabs a random book off the pile and makes her read to him. She plays with his hair as he reads. Bucky doesn’t really listen to her read. He watches her face, appreciating her beauty. He traces along her cheek. Bucky wakes up.
Bucky leaves Wakanda the next day. He sneaks into the room of the one other person he knows who would be able to find the woman. Tony Stark. He chooses to ignore that Pepper calls him a creep. Bucky gives Tony an ultimatum. Either find the woman, or Bucky would wreck his lab and suits, and sell his nanobots to Justin Hammer.Tony asks who the woman is, and Bucky tells the truth. Pepper looks at him like he’s crazy. Tony comes out and says it. Bucky reminds them that he retains his Winter Soldier instincts. Pepper makes Tony promise to find the woman in the morning. Bucky sleeps in the Starks’ guest room. He dreams about her again.
The two sit side by side at the movies. Bucky yawns, the movie was boring, another one of the romances she loves so much. Perhaps next month when it’s his turn to choose the movie he’ll choose a movie she finds boring. Probably not though. The movie isn’t what matters to him about their monthly movie dates. He enjoys them for the cuddles. He rests an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. She nestles against him. Bucky kisses her head. The couple on screen kisses and he jokes that they should do the same. She obliges. He wakes up.
Bucky cries. He doesn’t even remember her name and yet he longs for her. He hugs himself, wishing it was her arms around him. He opens the locket and runs his finger along the silver heart. Would he ever see his beauty again?
“Bucky?” A hand wipes his eyes “Don’t cry, what’s wrong?” Bucky looks up. He meets her eyes.
“It’s you,” he mutters. “You’re here” he buries himself into her neck and sobs. She holds him and plays with his hair.
“It’s longer now,” she kisses his head “Makes you look hot” He laughs before sighing.
“I don’t remember your name”
“Y/N L/N, now give me my locket”
He places the locket around Y/N’s neck and caresses her shoulders. He stares into her eyes. It takes everything in him not to cry. Y/N kisses Bucky. He feels okay for the first time in a while.