Chapter 13
Bucky met his family downstairs for breakfast and was pointedly indifferent when they told him about Yelena and what she had told them about Nat.
"Yeah, basically everything about her and our relationship was a lie. I was an idiot, so busy feeling sorry for myself and hating this arm that I didn't see that none of it was real." He sighed and looked at his father "I'm sorry. I've been a fool for the last few years, shoving everything aside for a woman who was only manipulating me. I called Raynor and have an appointment this afternoon but first I need to go to the hospital and see Y/N."
George nodded, glad that his son was finally seeing some sense "Just be back by 3. Everyone is meeting up here before we go confront Dreykov."
Bucky shook his head "Why are we still planning this when Yelena told us it was a set up?"
George sighed "It has to be done whether it's today or next week or next month. Dreykov won't stop until we put him down. I want this over with."
Bucky looked at Steve who nodded. "Alright, I'll be back by 3." he stopped in the hospital gift shop and bought the biggest bouquet of flowers they had, then headed upstairs with a small smile on his face. He was going to clean up his mess and make things right.
When the elevator opened he heard her laugh and felt butterflies in his stomach. Then he heard a deeper laugh, Thor, and his stomach dropped. He saw him gently holding her hand and pushed down the urge to kill him.
Bucky shook it off, forced a smile on his face and strutted to her room.
Y/N looked up in surprise when she heard him enter the room. She had hoped their last meeting had gotten through but apparently not. She wanted to be angry, to hate him but felt a little tingle of desire and satisfaction that he was still pursuing her. She pushed it down, he couldn't know. A frown covered her face.
"What are you doing here Barnes?" Thor stood up, at least 3 inches taller and even wider. "Don't you have some messes to clean up?"
Bucky nodded "I do. That's why I'm here. I'm trying to fix things."
Y/N scoffed and waved her right hand where her left arm should be "This is beyond your ability to fix." Then over her heart "and I'm pretty sure this is beyond repair." She said sadly.
Thor squeezed her hand and looked in her eyes, silently asking what she wanted him to do. She sighed and nodded. Thor kissed her hand and left the room but not before glaring at Bucky, a threat the dark haired man understood without words. Thor closed the door and sat outside of the room, chatting with Syf.
Bucky set the flowers down and sat in the chair Thor had been using. He looked at her earnestly. "How are you feeling doll? Is the pain still bad? Mine made me crazy, hurting when there's nothing there. And trying to get comfortable seems impossible but you'll get there." He gave her what was meant to be an encouraging smile and reached for her hand.
She pulled away "I don't need your sympathy Barnes. I'm not interested in assuaging your guilt. You made this fucking bed and now we both have to lie in it."
Bucky nodded and looked down "I know, I know. I've made a real mess of everything. I was hoping we could talk a bit. I have an appointment at 1 but I needed to see you today."
She scoffed "An appointment? Don't let me get in the way of whatever bullshit you have going on. I don't know what we could possibly have to talk about."
Bucky looked at her "Please, doll. I've really been thinking about everything that's happened the last few years and if I could just explain. I know it won't fix anything or give you back your dad or your arm but please give me a chance."
She rolled her eyes "Jesus Barnes are you always such a whiny little bitch?"
Bucky chuckled "I didn't used to be but the last few years has really fucked me up, even if some of it was my own doing."
Bucky told her the story of losing his arm and when Nat came into his life, hoping she might understand the dark place he was in and how Nat worked to pull him deeper into the darkness.
Y/N softened a little. She could understand being betrayed by the one person you thought loved you. And considering she was feeling pretty dark right now she could empathize with that too.
When he told her that Nat and by extension Dreykov was responsible for him losing his arm in the first place her shell almost cracked but she caught herself. She couldn't let him back in, he had already hurt her once and even though Nat was gone she still seemed to haunt him.
Bucky saw her eyes soften for a second and felt hope bubble up in his chest but then it was gone and her eyes cold again. He held on to that sliver of hope and refused to let go.
Y/N looked him up and down "I'm sorry you had to go thru that Bucky" his heart fell a little when she didn't call him Jamie, he knew he would have to earn that back but he still smiled sadly at her "But I don't see how it changes anything. I understand you went through a trauma and she took advantage of your vulnerable state. You bonded to her and you trusted her, I get that. But when your own brother tells you she's bad and then I bring you actual evidence but you still refuse to see it, then you have to take some responsibility for the fallout of your actions. Unfortunately you're not the only one hurt by it."
Bucky sighed "I know doll. That's why I'm here. I wanted to offer my help with your rehab. I've dealt with a prosthetic arm and I can help you. However you want."
Y/N looked at him skeptically "I know you're just trying to find your way into my pants."
He shook his head "No that's not it, I-"
She laughed and looked at him pointedly.
He chuckled "Ok, cards on the table, yes of course I want in your pants. I want another taste. A real taste, to shove my face in your pussy until I'm drowning. And I want to feel you around my cock"
She fidgeted at the image that crossed her mind uninvited.
He smirked at her "I could spend all day telling you what I want to do to that sexy body but that's just the tip of the iceberg. I want to help you heal. I want to know you and hear that beautiful laugh. I want to see you on your horses again. I want to watch Dreykov suffer and I want to rule our families with you by my side." He kissed her hand and an orderly knocked on the door with her lunch.
"Unfortunately I have to get started on that while you stay here and heal. Steve told me Sam will be here with you plus Thor and some people from his family are here so you are protected.
I have an appointment and then back home to meet with dad and his men. We're going after Dreykov tonite."
She looked at him confused "Didn't Yelena say it's a set up? Why would you go when he's expecting you?"
Bucky smiled softly at her concern but chose not to comment on it right now "Yeah but we have a plan. Don't worry about me doll, I'll be fine"
She scoffed "You? I'm worried about Steve, we've become pretty good friends. And your mom would be devastated if your father was hurt" she smirked
Bucky grinned "You don't have to pretend you don't care about me, it's alright. I care about you too."
"Aren't you going to be late for your appointment? Auditioning new girls?" She spat.
"Why doll, jealous? Don't worry, I only have eyes for you."
Y/N felt her face heat up and stammered "What? No, I....pffft, no. That's not-"
He shushed her "You have nothing to worry about." His voice softened "I'm seeing a shrink to figure out.....you know everything." He stood and kissed her on the top of her head. "I'll come see you tomorrow sweetheart"
"Sure, if you survive." She replied tonelessly.
Bucky smirked to himself as he walked out.
Thor stopped him "I'm sure Rogers told you but remember she is very dear to me and I will destroy anyone who hurts her. Take care of her heart, she's strong but needs you to be....tender."
Bucky tried to reassure him "I know. I know I've fucked up. Repeatedly. I'm working to fix things. Off to take out Dreykov and Zemo. Keep a close eye on her." He offered his hand for Thor to shake and was surprised when the blonde man took it. Not surprised when Thor squeezed a bit too hard and clenched his jaw.
When Thor released his hand Bucky turned around and walked away, waiting to shake his hand out until after the elevator doors closed.
The meeting with Dr Raynor was productive if uncomfortable, she pulled no punches and didn't buy his excuses, making sure he knew beyond a shadow of doubt that almost all of his problems were his own damn fault. She spent 10 minutes nagging at him about not coming after he first lost his arm, which she insisted would have prevented the bulk of his drama. Bucky knew she was right so simply sat and bore it while she reprimanded him. He hoped that acknowledging his role would help them move past blame and onto fixing the damage he had done.
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Back at the hospital Y/N was resting, Syf at the door of her room and Thor had gone to get coffee. A nurse that she didn't know tried to get past Syf with a full syringe. When Syf insisted on checking her credentials the 'nurse' shoved her and attempted to get to Y/N but Syf knocked her over and sat on her. Before Syf could get control of her arms the nurse emptied the syringe into Syf's arm. Syf slumped over and the nurse shoved her aside then bolted out of the room and right into Thor.
"Where are you rushing off to? I don't recognize you...." He trailed off as he looked around seeing Y/N still asleep but he tightened his grip on the nurse when he saw Syf on the floor, unmoving. He glared at the nurse "What have you done?"
The nurse smirked until Thor released one of her arms and squeezed her wrist which made her yelp in pain waking Y/N up.
She sat up and groggily called "Thor?". When he didn't respond she looked down and saw him frantically shaking Syf with one hand, holding onto a nurse with the other. Her blood ran cold and she grabbed the call button and smashed down on it repeatedly, tears filling her eyes.
A nurse came running in with Val right behind her. Val saw Thor and Syf on the ground and cried out. When she saw the nurse Thor was still holding onto, her expression turned cold. Val grabbed the 'nurse' and jerked on her arm "You!" She growled and quickly tied her wrists tightly together.
Y/N choked out "Thor?" And he looked at her with tears streaming down his face then shook his head.
After a moment he stood up and looked at the fake nurse that Val was still holding. One look at the rage on his face and the assassin knew she was done so bit down and laughed as the foam filled her mouth
"Hail Hydra" then fell limp to the ground.
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At the Barnes townhouse there were too many people to sit as they crowded into the basement. George was getting ready to get started when Steve came down the stairs with a grim look on his face. He pulled George aside and told him about the call he had just received. As George was discussing the new developments with Steve and Sam, Bucky showed up.
When he saw the looks on their faces his stomach dropped. He approached them before Steve moved away from his father and grabbed Steve's arm.
"What happened?"
Steve looked to George, who cleared his throat. "We're going to start in a moment son."
Bucky frowned "No. Tell me what happened."
George sighed "They tried to hit Y/N at the hospital. One of the Asgardians was killed."
Steve added "Syf. They killed Syf with a fake nurse who had a syringe full of fentanyl."
Bucky growled "I want to talk to this nurse"
Steve shook his head "Can't. She had a cyanide capsule in a fake molar. Laughed 'Hail Hydra' and died."
Bucky hit the wall which quieted the entire room. Everyone stared at him, waiting.
George coughed "Might as well get started." He updated everyone on the recent events at the hospital and heard Loki swear at the news of Syf's death, even though Thor had already called him.
After 2 hours arguing over strategy the group finally agreed on a plan. Once they had coordinated all of their people, they set it into motion.