Chapter 3
Bucky wasn't doing great but he wasn't regressing either; he was doing relatively better. He kept handing you that damned gun all the time and now it was a generally accepted thing. You wished that he'd stop thinking of you as his handler but pictures back then weren't so common, and the only picture you could show him of the two of you was with Steve with the two of you. You weren't sure if you should show it to him just yet but after two months had passed, you decided that it was time.
"Bucky," You knocked on his door and entered, he was always by the window, just looking into the distance, "Would you please come here? I have to show you something,"
He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, "I need you to be closer," You almost whispered and you saw him swallow before he came nearer, "I'm going to show you a picture from... before," You explained and he nodded again
You handed him the picture. You stood in the stunning cocktail dress with a string of pearls around your neck as you leaned towards Bucky; his arm wrapped around your waist and his other arm draped over Steve's shoulders. He was smaller then, before the procedure, before you all went to war. Maybe that's why all your faces were so full of life and smiling like it was the best night ever.
"Steve," Bucky mumbled as he ran his hand over the picture, "You?" His brows furrowed and you nodded, "Frozen?" He asked and you shook your head
"Friends," He whispered and you nodded again, "Alive. How?"
"I wasn't frozen," You explained, "I'm a mutant. Do you know what a mutant is?" Bucky shook his head, "Do you know what enhanced is?" He nodded, "Mutants that are naturally enhanced. That's how they're born, not like enhanced ones," You looked at Bucky and he nodded, suggesting that he understood, "So, I'm a mutant. I was born very long ago. I don't remember exactly when," You smiled and Bucky's lips curled slightly as well, "I can manipulate energy. Make myself younger, protect myself, and other stuff too but it's all energy,"
"Friends before war," Bucky's whispered as his eyes fell back down to the photo
"Good friends," You tried to remind him, "Do you want to know more?" He nodded and that's how it started
The weekly visits to the museum where Bucky got to know about Steve and you. You hadn't been part of the Howling Commandos so information about your wasn't as widespread. The other pictures that you had with Bucky showed how much in love the two of you had been. Steve had a way of capturing those moments. He would take pictures of the silent kisses that Bucky gave you, the way he stared at you when you weren't looking and there was one when the two of you had fallen asleep on Steve's couch and Bucky was holding you as if you might slip away if he let go.
It wasn't until ten months had passed that Steve called you.
"Hey, I haven't seen you in a while," Steve asked with concern
"Yeah, just stuff kept piling up and now I'm swamped," You told a half-truth
"Well, why don't you take some time off and we'll go for lunch. It's been criminally long," He laughed and you smiled as well
"How about you come over on Sunday morning? We'll have breakfast," You offered instead, "We need to talk anyway,"
"We're going to have a visitor today," You told Bucky and his eyes went wide with terror, "It's a friend,"
"Who?" His voice was low
"Steve," You smiled but his face still held a frown, "Don't worry," You sat in front of him at the window, "He cares for you. He'll be happy to see you,"
"Happy?" Bucky repeated and you nodded
"Just like I'm happy that you're here," You told him
"Why?" His question caught you off guard, you knew it was too early to tell him that you and him were something more than just friends, the ring that you wore around your neck, always tucked inside your shirt was a testament to it
"Because I missed you for a very long time," You explained, "And I'm happy that I found you again,"
Before he could say anything, the bell rung, "That's Steve. Come down in five minutes, alright?" You asked and he nodded
You hated that he followed orders but the issue was the fact that he wouldn't listen if it wasn't an order. You walked down the stairs and opened the door for Steve who stood with a wide grin, holding a bouquet of flowers
"Ma always said never go empty-handed," Steve smiled and you hugged him
"How are you doing now?" You asked as you led him into the lounge and put the flowers in a vase
"I'm better," Steve sat at the kitchen counter, "We're still looking for him. No leads but I know he's out there,"
He's closer than you would think, You thought to yourself
"What's kept you so busy that you can't visit such an old friend?" Steve grinned
"About that," You whispered and Bucky walked down the stairs, "Another old friend," You flicked your eyes and Steve turned to look at his childhood friend
"Buck," A whisper escaped his lips and silence fell as the two just looked at each other
"You know me?" Steve asked unsurely
"You're Steve," Bucky spoke slowly, "I read about you at the museum,"
"You're lying," Steve stood up, "You pulled me out of the river, you know me,"
Bucky's eyes met yours and then looked at Steve at again. There was tension in the room, a thick air of things unsaid.
"How about we eat first and then talk?" You tried to calm down the atmosphere but it didn't help as Bucky strode past Steve and sat next to you, almost protectively
You served breakfast and Bucky's eyes never wavered from Steve. He didn't hold his gaze but he kept staring; looking for threats and stayed on edge.
"Bucky," You spoke softly and he looked at you, "You know Steve, right?"
His eyes moved to Steve from you, who was hoping that Bucky would say something positive, "Yeah," His voice was raspy
"Tell me something you can't read in a museum," Steve asked and you shifted uncomfortably
"Your mom's name was Sarah," Bucky said after a long silence, "You used to wear newspapers in your shoes,"
"You know who she is?" Steve pointed to you and you tried to stop Steve with your eyes but it was too late
"Y/N," Bucky stated, "I was gonna marry her,"
Your heart stopped beating and the world went silent. Bucky knew you. He knew you. He remembered that he loved you.