cassiemaebarnes

Your room doesn’t look like your room. Everything is…white. And not just white, but sleek. Smooth walls. No clutter. No furniture that looks normal. It looks like you woke up inside a futuristic movie set. Even the bed feels different. Too perfect. Too clean.

The lights are dim, not off – just low, like the room is waiting. “This is weird.”

As if on cue, the lights slowly brighten. You look up. “Okay, I don’t like that.”

Then – a voice. Calm, neutral, and smooth. “You woke suddenly with an elevated heart rate.”

You jump. “What?!” You spin around, looking for someone.

“There is no immediate cause for alarm,” the voice continues. “Are you experiencing distress?”

You stare at the walls. “Hello?”

“Apologies. I did not intend to startle you.”

You blink. “Okay.” You take a slow breath. “Okay so…you’re like…JARVIS?”

“Correct. I am an integrated adaptive system designed to monitor and assist.”

You nod slowly. “Right…cool.”

You look around again. Everything is too advanced. Too smooth. “Yeah this universe is weird.”

You swing your legs over the side of the bed, stand up, and immediately pause. “Why do I feel so tall?” You look down at yourself. Your clothes. Your hands. You hold them up.

“Wait…” You walk quickly over to the mirror by the door. And freeze. Then you lose it.

“Oh my God, no way,” you burst out laughing. You lean forward, bracing your hands on your knees.

“I’m a guy?!” You laugh harder. “This is insane.”

You run a hand through your short hair and it feels weird. Then it hits you. You look back up at your reflection. “Oh my God, Bucky. I need to see this.”

You immediately turn and head for the door. When you step towards it, it slides open automatically. You stop. “…Okay, that’s cool.”

You step out into the hallway and immediately spot him walking toward you. You freeze. Then point. And absolutely lose it again. “Oh my God, BUCKY!” You double over laughing again.

He glares at you. “Oh shut up.”

You can barely breathe. “You look–” You point at him again, laughing so hard you can’t even finish the sentence.

“You look ridiculous too,” he snaps.

That just makes it worse. “You’re so…short!”

“I am not–”

You’re bent over laughing. “You have boobs!”

He walks up and shoves you back into your room. “Get inside.”

You stumble backward, still laughing. The door slides shut behind him.

“Please keep your volume down,” the AI says calmly. “Other residents are currently sleeping.”

You try to catch your breath. “Oh…sorry.”

Bucky looks around the room. “You have that thing too?”

“Yeah,” you say, wiping tears from your eyes. “It’s like JARVIS but…creepy.”

“Your heart rate is slowly returning baseline,” the AI continues.

You snort. “Good to know.”

“Elevated levels now are most likely due to the presence of Mrs. Barnes.”

You freeze. Then immediately burst out laughing again. “Mrs. Barnes?!”

Bucky glares. “Don’t start.”

“You’re Mrs. Barnes!”

“I will leave.”

“No, don’t!” you laugh, clutching your stomach.

“Analysis indicates increased dopamine levels,” the AI continues. “Likely associated with attraction.”

You stop. “…What.”

Bucky blinks. Then lets out a short laugh. “Wow.”

You stare at the ceiling. “Turn that off.”

“I cannot disable observational outputs without authorization.”

“Then…stop talking.”

“Understood.”

Silence. You look at Bucky again. Then immediately start laughing again, quieter this time. “This is insane.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Yeah.”

“You look weird.”

“You look weird!”

You grin. “I look great.”

“You look wrong.”

You laugh. “Okay fair.” You gesture between you. “So…everyone’s swapped?”

“Looks like it.”

“My AI called you Mrs. Barnes.”

He makes a face.

“Mine called me James.”

You nod. “Okay so same names. Just…different everything else.”

You look around the room again. “And super high-tech.”

“No kidding.”

You gesture vaguely. “My door opened automatically.”

“Mine too.”

You both look around slightly unsettled.

Then you say, “I think this place is watching us.”

“Yeah I got that feeling.”

You sit down on the edge of the bed. The nausea creeps back in. Not as bad, but enough. “Ugh.”

Bucky notices immediately. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” You press a hand to your stomach. “Just…a little nauseous again.”

“You seem to be experiencing mild nausea,” the AI says immediately.

You look up. “Oh my god.”

“Recommended solution: hydration and electrolyte stabilization.”

Bucky snorts. “It’s diagnosing you.”

“I hate it.”

“Would you like me to prepare a drink?” the AI asks.

You hesitate. “…Sure?”

A panel in the wall slides open. You jump slightly. “Okay that’s new.”

A glass slides out, filled with something. You stare at it. “I don’t trust it.”

Bucky crosses his arms. “Drink it.”

“What if it kills me.”

“Then we know not to drink it.”

You glare at him. “Helpful.”

He shrugs. You sigh and take the glass. “If I die, it’s your fault.”

You take a cautious sip, then you pause.

“Okay wait.” You take another sip. “That’s actually really good.”

Bucky rolls his eyes. “Of course it is.”

You lean back slightly. “This universe is weird.”

“Yeah.”

You glance at him again. Then smirk. “Mrs. Barnes.”

He points at you. “Say that again and I’m leaving you here.”

You grin. “Relax.” You take another sip. “At least this one’s entertaining.”

He huffs a quiet laugh. “Yeah…for now.”

Bucky leans back against the wall with his arms crossed, watching you like this is the most entertaining thing he’s seen all day.

You glance at him again. And immediately start smiling. “This is still so weird.”

“Yeah,” he says. “You’re still a guy.”

You point at him. “You’re still–” you pause, trying not to laugh again, “–you.”

He narrows his eyes. “Finish that sentence.”

You grin. “I was gonna say shorter, but I figured you’d get mad.”

“I’m not shorter.”

“You are.”

“I am not.”

“You are literally–” you stand up and walk over to him, holding your hand above his head, “ –this much shorter.”

He swats your hand away. “Back up.”

You laugh and step back. “Unbelievable.”

“Your perception is inaccurate,” the AI chimes in.

You both pause. “What?” you say.

“Mrs. Barnes is approximately 4.3 inches shorter than your current height.”

You point at Bucky, delighted.

“HA–”

“Stop talking,” he says to the ceiling.

“I am providing factual clarification,” the AI replies.

“I didn’t ask for it.”

“You did not. However, your disagreement triggered corrective response protocols.”

You’re trying so hard not to laugh again. Bucky just pinches the bridge of his nose. “I hate this place.”

“I love this place,” you say immediately.

“Of course you do.”

You take another sip of your drink. “Okay but seriously,” you say, looking around again, “this universe is insane.”

“Yeah,” he says. “Everything’s watching us.”

“Monitoring,” the AI corrects.

You point upward. “See…that.”

“Your heart rate is slightly elevated again.”

“Oh my God.”

“Cause: continued proximity to Mrs. Barnes.”

You choke on your drink. Bucky immediately loses it.

“Oh my god,” you cough, wiping your mouth. “STOP calling him that.”

“Mrs. Barnes is the correct designation.”

“It is not–”

“Based on current identity records, Sergeant James Barnes is legally registered as–”

“STOP.”

Silence. You take a breath. “Thank you.”

“Would you like me to disable romantic identification labels?”

You blink. “No – just…don’t say it out loud.”

“Understood.”

You glance at Bucky. He’s trying not to laugh. You narrow your eyes. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re thinking it.”

“Probably.”

You roll your eyes and sit back down. There’s a brief moment of quiet.

Then–

“Updated observation,” the AI says.

You close your eyes. “No.”

“Increased dopamine and oxytocin levels detected.”

“NO.”

“Correlation indicates attraction toward–”

“STOP TALKING.”

“–Mrs. Barnes.”

You bury your face in your hands. “Oh my God.”

Bucky is laughingnow. “This is incredible.”

“Shut up.”

“Your body is betraying you.”

“I hate you.”

“Further analysis suggests–”

“NO!”

“–prolonged exposure may increase emotional attachment.”

You look up at the ceiling. “I’m going to rip you out of the wall.”

“That is not possible. I am integrated into all core systems.”

Bucky is practically wheezing. “This is the best universe.”

You stand up and swat his arm. “Stop laughing!”

“OW, hey!” He grabs his arm. “You can’t hit me!”

“Yes I can!”

“I’m a girl in this universe!”

You stare at him. “I will hit you if I want to hit you.”

He raises his hands slightly.

“Okay, okay – violent.”

“You deserved it.”

He’s still grinning.

You cross your arms. “And also – it doesn’t even make sense.”

“What doesn’t?”

You gesture vaguely between the two of you. “This.”

“What about it?”

“You heard what it said!”

“Yeah.”

“It said I’m attracted to you.”

“And?”

You stare at him. “You’re a girl.”

He raises an eyebrow. Then smirks. “You know that’s legal now, right?”

You freeze. “What?”

“I may be from the 40s,” he continues, clearly enjoying this, “but even I know women can like women now.”

You stare at him, then shove his shoulder. “Shut up.”

He laughs. “You walked right into that one.”

“You know what I meant!”

“Do I?”

“Yes!”

You gesture again, frustrated. “I mean – I’m not–” You stop. “…you know what I mean.”

Bucky is fully laughing now. “You’re really struggling here.”

“Oh my God.”

“I mean,” he shrugs, “seems pretty straightforward to me.”

“It’s not!”

“You like me.”

“I do not!”

“You’re literally being monitored saying otherwise.”

You point at the ceiling again. “That thing is WRONG.”

“I am not wrong,” the AI says.

“STOP.”

Silence again. You take a deep breath. “Okay.” You point between you again. “This is just…this universe.”

“Sure.”

“It’s not…normal.”

“Right.”

“It’s just – whatever’s going on here.”

“Mmhm.”

You narrow your eyes. “Why do you sound like you don’t believe me.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

He smirks.

You groan and drop your head back. “This is ridiculous.”

“Yeah.”

You sit there for a second. Then glance at him again. “You still look weird.”

“You look weird.”

“I look better than you.”

“That’s not true,” he says.

“It is.”

“It’s not.”

“It is.”

“Whatever,” he says.

You sigh, leaning back slightly. “Okay.” You take another sip of your drink. “This universe is gonna be a problem.”

“Yeah,” he says. “But it’s kinda funny.”

You glance at him again. “A little.”

He smiles slightly. “Yeah.”

“User’s nausea has decreased,” the AI adds.

You blink. “Okay that part I like.”

“Would you like another drink?”

You consider it. “Yeah, actually.”

The wall opens again. You shake your head. “I’m never getting used to that.”

Bucky watches you take the new glass. “You’re really settling in here.”

You shrug. “I mean…if we’re stuck here for a bit–” You take a sip. “–might as well enjoy the chaos.”

He nods. “Yeah.”

You look at him again. Then smirk. “Mrs. Barnes.”

He immediately points at you. “Don’t start again.”

Bucky eventually points toward the door. “I’m going back to my room before you call me Mrs. Barnes again.”

You grin. “No promises.”

He points at you. “You’re annoying in every universe.”

“You like me anyway.”

He rolls his eyes but there’s the tiniest smile there before he turns and heads for the door. The automatic door slides open for him, then closes behind him.

You flop back onto the bed with a sigh. The lights dim slightly. “Okay that’s creepy.”

“Sleep mode activated,” the AI says calmly.

You groan, then eventually curl up under the blanket and fall asleep.

--

The next morning, a strange sound wakes you up. Not a normal alarm, more like soft chiming mixed with music.

Your eyes crack open. “What the hell is that.”

The sound keeps going. You sit up and look around the room. “Where is it even coming from?”

Finally you groan. “Hey AI lady, can you turn that off?”

“Of course.”

The sound immediately stops. You sigh in relief.

“Good morning,” the AI says pleasantly.

You rub your eyes. “Morning.”

“The weather today is seventy-two degrees with low humidity and light cloud cover.” You blink slowly. “You have training at 0800, tactical review at 1100, lunch with Mr. Romanoff at 1230, and combat simulations at 1500.”

You stare blankly ahead. “What.”

“Your sleep quality was below average, likely due to mild multiversal instability symptoms.”

You freeze slightly. “You know about that?”

“I am aware that your current biological patterns do not match this universe’s baseline records.”

You stare at the ceiling. “Cool.” There’s a pause. Then you ask, “What’s your name?”

“I am FRIDAY.”

You smile slightly. “Okay.”

“Your nausea levels remain mild this morning. Would you like another electrolyte drink?”

You glance toward the wall panel suspiciously. “Maybe later.”

You drag yourself out of bed and start getting dressed. You’re digging through drawers trying to find a bra before you suddenly freeze.

“Right…” you stare down at yourself, “…don’t need one.” You burst out laughing quietly again. “This universe is so weird.”

Eventually you finish getting ready and head downstairs. The kitchen somehow looks even more futuristic than your room. Everything is white and sleek and curved. There are holograms above the counters. Some appliances don’t even look like appliances.

You step into the room and immediately spot Bucky standing off to the side. You walk over toward him, then accidentally glance around the room and nearly lose it.

Female Thor is sitting at the island eating fruit. Male Natasha is leaning against the counter talking to female Steve. Female Tony is standing at the far counter holding coffee.

You immediately cover your mouth. Bucky gives you a warning look, like Stop it.

“Stop laughing,” he whispers.

“I can’t help it,” you whisper back.

You glance at female Thor again and nearly choke trying not to laugh. Bucky elbows you lightly. “Focus.”

You clear your throat. “Where’s the coffee?”

Bucky gestures vaguely. “I have no idea how anything in this kitchen works.”

You snort. “You didn’t even try?”

“No.”

You shake your head, amused. “I’m at least getting water.”

You walk over to one of the cabinets after seeing Sam grab a glass. The cabinet opens automatically. “Okay…”

You grab a glass, then hold it under the faucet. Water immediately pours out automatically. You stare at it, then walk back over to Bucky holding the water.

“I’m scared.”

Bucky snorts. “Just drink it.”

Then suddenly, Tony looks up. “Oh good, you’re here.” You freeze. Tony points at you and Bucky. “I need to talk to you two.”

You slowly turn. “Why.”

“Because FRIDAY told me you’re from another universe.”

You immediately inhale water directly into your lungs. You start choking and coughing violently.

Bucky grabs your shoulder. “You good?” he asks, trying not to laugh.

“WHAT?” you yell. “No we’re not…”

Everyone else starts laughing. Tony raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, very convincing denial.”

You cough again. “No, we’re not–”

“Sure,” Sam says.

You glare upward. “Seriously, FRIDAY?”

“I am programmed to alert Mrs. Stark regarding any disruptions or inconsistencies.”

You immediately smile again. You cover your mouth to stop yourself from laughing.

Bucky elbows you, harder this time.

“Ow!”

Sam points at you. “Why are you laughing?”

“It’s nothing.” You glance around the room again. Then immediately cover your mouth again.

Bucky elbows you even harder. “Stop.”

“I’m trying!”

Tony crosses his arms. “Okay seriously. What is wrong with you two?”

You finally sigh. “Okay. In our universe…” you point around the room. “…you’re all the opposite gender.”

Silence. Then Sam nods. “Oh, yeah this is one of the few universes where we’re this gender.”

You blink. “Wait, you’ve been to other universes?”

Tony looks confused. “Yes?”

You stare. “WHAT?”

Tony shrugs casually. “This universe developed multiversal travel decades ago.”

You and Bucky both stare. “WHAT?!”

Sam laughs. “You guys are really behind.”

Tony walks over excitedly now. “Most universes can’t sustain multiversal return travel though, so we don’t visit other universes often.”

“What universe are you from?” Steve asks.

You and Bucky glance at each other. “I have no idea.”

Tony lights up immediately. “Oh this is fascinating. I can probably run tests.”

You step forward hopefully. “Wait – if you can figure it out, can you send us back?”

Tony hesitates. “How did you get here?”

Bucky sighs, then quickly explains the mission and the machine in the warehouse. “Every jump has put us into our versions of ourselves in that universe. We don’t control where it sends us.”

Tony nods slowly while listening. “Hmm.”

Your stomach drops. “What.”

Tony points between you. “If I sent you back to your original universe…you wouldn’t go back into your original bodies.”

You blink. “What?”

“You’d arrive physically,” he says. “In these bodies.”

You stare at him. “What.”

Bucky groans loudly. “Oh great.”

Tony gestures apologetically. “The machine you’ve been using must be consciousness-based, so it transfers your consciousness, not your physical bodies. My system would physically transport you.”

You drag your hands down your face. “This keeps getting worse.”

Bucky crosses his arms. “So we still have to use the warehouse machine.”

“Probably,” Tony says.

You groan dramatically.

Tony brightens slightly. “But, I might be able to help.”

You narrow your eyes.

“This is exciting,” Tony says smiling.

“You’re terrifying,” you say.

“Thank you,” he says proudly.

A few minutes later, Tony drags you and Bucky out of the kitchen before either of you can ask more questions. “Come on.”

“Wait,” you say, nearly stumbling after him. “I haven’t even had coffee yet.”

“You’ll survive.”

“I’m literally multiverse sick.”

“Perfect test subject then.”

“That’s not comforting!”

Bucky walks beside you with his hands in his pockets. “I don’t trust you.”

“You shouldn’t,” Sam calls after you.

Tony points behind him while continuing down the hallway. “Quiet, Wilson.”

The elevator opens automatically. Tony steps inside, and you and Bucky follow. The doors close, then moments later opens into Tony’s lab. And you stop dead.

“Holy shit.”

The lab is massive. Holograms everywhere. Floating screens. Transparent displays. Robotic arms moving on their own. It looks less like a lab and more like a spaceship.

Tony grins proudly. “Pretty great, right?”

“This is insane.”

Bucky slowly looks around. “I hate how much I like this universe.”

Tony points at him. “That’s the correct reaction.”

You both follow him farther inside. FRIDAY’s voice fills the room.

“Good morning, Mrs. Stark.”

“Morning, FRIDAY.”

You smile again. Bucky immediately elbows you.

“Ow!”

“Stop laughing every time someone says that.”

“I can’t help it.”

Tony glances between you both. “Okay now I definitely want details later.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Tony waves you toward a platform. “Stand there.”

You narrow your eyes. “What’s this?”

“Scanner.”

“For what?”

“Everything.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

Bucky snorts.

Tony gestures impatiently. “Get on the platform.”

You step onto it reluctantly. A blue light scans over you from head to toe.

You flinch slightly. “Uhh.”

Tony watches a hologram pop up beside him. “Hm.” He gestures. “Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” Bucky asks.

Tony zooms in on something. “You both have unusual neurological signatures.”

You blink. “Bad unusual?”

“Not necessarily.” He gestures to the hologram. “It looks like your consciousnesses are…displaced.”

You stare blankly. “What does that mean.”

“It means your bodies biologically belong here, but your neural patterns don’t.”

You point at yourself. “So my brain is illegal here.”

“Basically.”

“Cool.”

Tony keeps working. Another hologram appears showing branching lines.

“What’s that?” you ask.

“Theoretical multiversal overlap paths.”

You stare. “Those are words?”

Tony grins. “Yep.”

Bucky folds his arms. “Can you actually help us or not.”

Tony points at him. “Impatient.”

Then he flicks his fingers and a giant holographic map appears in the center of the room. Romania. The warehouse location lights up.

Your eyes widen. “That’s it.”

Tony zooms in. Then suddenly, the roof disappears. Now you can see inside.

You blink. “Okay that’s terrifying.”

The interior layout appears as a glowing hologram. You immediately point. “That room.”

Tony highlights it. Even from above you can clearly see the circular platform. Still there.

Bucky exhales slowly. “There it is.”

Tony walks around the hologram studying it. “You know,” he says thoughtfully, “most universes haven’t even touched multiversal theory.”

You glance at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean most universes don’t even know alternate universes exist.” He gestures toward the machine. “So if this thing is connecting universes…it probably isn’t connected to that many.”

You relax slightly. “Okay. That makes me feel a little better.”

Tony nods. “If I had to guess…” He zooms out slightly. “I’d estimate somewhere between ten and one hundred connected universes.”

You stare at him. “…ONE HUNDRED?!”

Tony immediately holds up his hands. “That is absolutely worst-case scenario.”

“That’s still insane!”

“I’m intentionally not lowballing.”

You groan loudly and sit down on the edge of one of the lab tables. “Oh my God.”

Bucky rubs his face. “We’re never getting home.”

“You probably will,” Tony says casually.

“Probably is not comforting,” you say.

Tony points at the hologram. “Think about it. You’ve already passed through several, and if this machine only connects to universes with compatible multiversal signatures, that narrows it down significantly.”

You stare at him. “I sure hope so.”

Bucky gestures toward the machine hologram. “So what now?”

Tony enlarges the room again. “Well, you can’t safely jump during daylight. Too much activity.”

You nod. “Yeah.”

Tony points at the hologram. “So tonight we go here.” He circles the room. “I want direct access to the machine. And I want to monitor the jump.”

You frown. “Monitor it how?”

Tony grins. “Oh I’m putting trackers on both of you.”

You immediately point at him. “Absolutely not.”

“You won’t even notice them.”

“That’s somehow worse.”

Tony ignores you and keeps talking. “Okay, no trackers. But if I can gather enough data, I might be able to map the universe chain.”

You blink. “Wait really?”

“Possibly.”

Bucky narrows his eyes slightly. “Possibly again.”

Tony points at him. “You’re very negative for someone currently trapped in the multiverse.”

“I think that’s a reasonable situation to be negative in.”

“That’s fair.”

You slide off the table. “So tonight we jump again.”

Tony nods. “Yep.”

You sigh deeply. “Great.”

Then FRIDAY speaks again. “Your nausea levels are increasing slightly.”

You glare upward. “Stop announcing that.”

Tony immediately looks interested. “You’re nauseous?”

“Yes.”

“Every jump?”

“Pretty much.”

“Hm.” He types something quickly into a hologram. “That’s useful.”

You stare at him. “You’re acting like this is fun.”

“It is fun.”

“This is ruining my life.”

“And improving mine dramatically.”

Bucky snorts quietly.

You glare at both of them. “This is the worst universe.”

Tony points around the lab proudly. “That is false.”

After a while, Tony finally gets distracted by something else in the lab. Which apparently means talking to himself while six holograms float around his head at once. You and Bucky quietly escape before he can strap tracking devices onto you.

The kitchen is quieter now. You both end up sitting at the island with glasses of water. For a while, neither of you really says much.

You glance over at Bucky. He’s leaning back in the chair with his arms crossed, staring out one of the giant windows. Then you grin slightly.

“You still look weird.”

He doesn’t even look at you. “You’ve said that twelve times.”

“And I’ll say it thirteen.”

He rolls his eyes. “You’re annoying in every universe.”

“Yeah but now I’m annoying and taller.”

“That’s temporary.”

You grin. “It’s enough.”

More people slowly filter into the kitchen. All still wrong enough to make your brain short-circuit a little every time you look at them.

You keep having to hide smiles behind your water glass. Bucky notices every single one. “Stop looking at people like that.”

“I can’t help it.”

“You’re gonna offend somebody.”

“I’m trying not to!”

Then Natasha walks in and walks over to you. “So, are we still on for lunch?”

You blink. “Uhh, sure.”

“Do you wanna go to our usual place?”

You pause. “I don’t know where that is, but sure!”

Nat snorts softly. “Fair enough. Give me ten minutes to change.”

The second she’s gone, you look at Bucky.

“You think this universe Nat is gonna interrogate me too?”

“Yes.”

“Great.”

Bucky smirks slightly. “You’re easy to interrogate.”

You narrow your eyes. “That’s rude.”

“It’s true.”

About ten minutes later, Nat comes back dressed casually.

“Ready?”

You stand up. “Yep.”

You glance at Bucky. “Try not to die while I’m gone.”

Bucky just rolls his eyes and Nat looks between you both.

“You two are weird.”

You and Bucky immediately answer at the same time. “You have no idea.”

You follow Natasha out to the garage. The cars are somehow even more futuristic than everything else. Smooth white exteriors. No handles. The car unlocks automatically when Nat walks up.

You stop beside it. “This looks illegal.”

Nat smirks. “Wait til you ride in it.”

You pause. “I’m scared.”

The car drives almost silently. The city itself is different too. Cleaner. More advanced. Holographic advertisements everywhere. You stare out the window the entire drive.

“This universe is insane.”

Nat glances at you. “You like it though.”

“Maybe a little.”

Nat grins slightly. “I knew it.”

The brunch place is nice and modern, but somehow still futuristic. The menu appears as a hologram when you sit down. You immediately poke at it suspiciously.

Nat laughs. “You look eighty years old.”

“I hate technology.”

“No you don’t.”

“Okay maybe not this technology.”

Once you order, Natasha leans back slightly. “So, how are you liking this universe so far?”

You think for a second. “It’s weird. But also really nice. And honestly kinda funny,” you say smiling.

Nat laughs softly. “It is weird seeing myself as a girl in other universes.”

You point at him. “It’s weird seeing you as a guy.”

Then you pause. “You look pretty good though.”

Nat laughs. “Well thank you.”

You grin. “You’re welcome.”

Then Nat narrows her eyes slightly. “So. Are you and Barnes a thing in your universe?”

Your jaw drops instantly. “Oh my God.”

You point at her dramatically. “Why does every Natasha in every universe ask that?!”

She bursts out laughing. “That’s a yes.”

“It is not!”

“Mmhm.”

“We’re not together!”

Nat just keeps smiling knowingly. “Well. You will be.”

You groan loudly. “Oh my God. You’re all the same.”

Nat shrugs. “Obviously I’m smart in every universe.”

You laugh despite yourself. “Yeah right.”

“Come on. You’re traveling through the multiverse together. You’re already finishing each other’s sentences.”

You narrow your eyes. “We do not.”

“You absolutely do.”

“No we don’t.”

“You literally answered me in sync this morning.”

You pause. “’That happened once.”

Nat gives you a look. “You’re doomed.”

You laugh and shake your head. “You sound exactly like the Nat in my universe.”

“Because I’m right.”

“You’re not.”

“Okay.” Nat takes a sip of her drink. “Then let me ask this.”

You already know you’re going to regret this. “What.”

“If Barnes kissed you right now…”

You nearly choke on your water. “Oh my God.”

Nat is fully laughing now. “You thought about it too long!”

“I did not!”

“You absolutely did.”

You point at Nat accusingly. “You are evil.”

“Probably.”

You groan and lean back in your chair. “This is harassment.”

“It’s observational analysis.”

“Now you sound like the AI.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

You laugh again. Then eventually the conversation shifts into other things. What your universe is like. How different the tech is. What universes you’ve already visited.

Nat listens carefully while eating. “So the machine just randomly throws you places?”

“Basically.”

“That sounds horrifying.”

“It is.” You poke at your food slightly. “I’m getting kinda tired of jumping honestly.”

Nat’s expression softens a little.

“I bet.”

You shrug. “I just want to get home.”

“You will.”

You smile faintly. “Hopefully.”

Lunch eventually finishes and you both head back out to the car. As you get in, Nat glances over at you.

“For what it’s worth…” You look over. “I really do think you and Barnes end up together.”

You groan dramatically and drop your head back against the seat. “Please stop saying that.”

Nat laughs while the car pulls away from the curb.

--

When you get back to the compound, the elevator opens into the common room and everyone’s already there. Tony is sitting on the couch with a hologram floating over his tablet. Sam and Clint are arguing over something. Bucky is stretched out in one of the chairs.

The second he sees you walk in, he immediately says, “Thank God.”

You laugh. “What?”

“I’m tired of being interrogated.”

Sam points at him. “You started it by being mysterious.”

“I didn’t do anything!”

“You’re literally from another universe,” Clint says. “That’s automatically suspicious.”

You flop down onto the couch beside Bucky with a sigh.

Nat walks farther into the room. “You’re proving me right, by the way.”

You immediately sit up. “No I’m not!”

Bucky narrows his eyes. “About what.”

Nat smirks. “You’ll figure it out.”

You point at him accusingly. “You’re evil in every universe.”

“Probably.”

Thor looks between you both. “This realm appears entertaining.”

“You have no idea,” you mutter.

Tony suddenly looks up from his tablet. “So.” He points at you. “What’s your universe like?”

You shrug slightly. “Normal compared to this one.”

Sam grins. “So less cool.”

“Way less cool.”

“Obviously,” Tony says.

Clint leans forward. “Do we all still know each other there?”

“Yeah.”

Then Sam asks, “So what’s the weirdest universe you’ve been to?”

You glance at Bucky. Then both of you start laughing immediately.

Tony points between you. “That reaction means something.”

You shake your head. “You don’t wanna know.”

“Yes we do.”

“No.”

“Absolutely yes.”

Bucky rubs his face. “They’re never gonna stop asking questions.”

“Nope,” Nat says cheerfully.

You groan and lean back against the couch. “I miss not having to explain the multiverse every twelve seconds.”

--

Later that night, everyone boards the quinjet. The flight to the warehouse is quieter this time. You sit beside Bucky while Tony scrolls through holographic displays across from you.

You glance over at him. “What are you doing?”

“Thinking.”

“That’s dangerous.”

Tony grins. “It usually is.”

Bucky leans his head back against the wall. “I’m tired.”

You nod immediately. “Me too.”

Tony points at you both without looking up. “Multiversal fatigue.”

“That’s a thing?”

“Probably.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“Nothing about this situation is reassuring.”

The jet lands, and the walk to the warehouse feels weirdly familiar now. Which is probably not a good sign. Once inside, Tony immediately starts poking around the machine room again. Except this time, he bursts out laughing.

You blink. “What?”

He gestures around dramatically. “This is ancient.”

You stare at him. “What?!”

Bucky crosses his arms. “It looked advanced to us.”

Tony points at one of the monitors. “This thing has physical buttons.”

You glance at Bucky and roll your eyes.

Tony keeps looking around with delighted horror. “This is adorable.”

“You just called multiverse tech adorable?” Bucky says, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes.” He crouches beside one of the computers. “This is like someone built a Ferrari out of cardboard and hope.”

You snort. “That feels rude.”

“It’s accurate.”

He taps through several systems again while the others spread out through the room. After a while he sighs and straightens up. “Okay. So.”

You immediately tense. “So?”

Tony gestures toward the machine. “There’s no way to direct the jumps from here.”

Your shoulders slump slightly. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

Bucky rubs his face. “Great.”

“My best guess? You’ll either keep jumping until you pass through every connected universe…” Tony gestures in a circle. “…and eventually loop back to your own. Or, you randomly hit your home universe before completing the chain.”

“Hopefully that one,” you say.

“Yeah,” Bucky says immediately.

Tony chuckles slightly. “I figured.”

You look at the machine again. “So basically…we still just blindly jump and hope for the best.”

“Pretty much.”

You groan quietly.

Tony’s expression softens a little. “But.”

You look back at him.

“I’m gonna keep studying your scans. And this machine. If there’s a way to help you, I’ll try to find it.”

You laugh weakly. “Thanks.”

Bucky nods too. “Seriously.”

Tony shrugs. “You’re interesting.”

“That somehow feels insulting.”

“It’s not.”

You take a breath and step toward the platform. The machine hums softly already. Energy flickers through the cables. Bucky steps up beside you. You glance back one last time at everyone.

“Bye.”

Sam waves. “Try not to get stranded.”

Thor raises a hand proudly. “Safe travels.”

Tony points at you both. “And if you find another universe with cool tech, take pictures.”

You shake your head, smiling despite yourself. Then you turn back toward the machine. Your stomach already twists slightly in anticipation.

Bucky glances at you. “Ready?”

You exhale slowly. “No. But let’s do it.”

The machine powers up fully. The room tilts. Your vision blurs.

Everything goes black.

----

Author's Note: Hey guys!!! Sorry for the wait! Thanks to everyone who has checked in, I've just been busy! I know this one was a little shorter, but hope you still enjoyed it!

Series Taglist: @thearchressstuff @moss-g0blin @imdoingathingmom @alyssinwunderland-blog-blog @ireadfanficwheninaslump @luckynibbiz @isabellebearvolume2 @intothesoul @hereforfun-31 @star-yawnznn @bad-remake @stesha02

Steve has stopped talking mid-sentence. Everyone is staring at you. Sam snorts. Clint chuckles.

Tony leans back in his chair. “Well that was dramatic.”

You blink again, trying to get your bearings. “I’m fine,” you say quickly. Your stomach still feels a little off. “I just–” You pause. “I just need a second.”

Your eyes move immediately to Bucky. He’s sitting across the table from you. But something’s wrong.

He’s just staring at you with his eyebrows drawn together like he’s confused. Really confused. Your stomach tightens. You slowly push your chair back and stand up. You keep looking at him, but he doesn’t move.

You tilt your head slightly toward the door. A silent motion to say ‘follow me.’ He doesn’t react, he just keeps staring. You start walking toward the door anyway. When you open the door and look back, he’s still sitting there looking confused.

You frown. “…Bucky.”

Now he looks even more confused. Your stomach twists again.

“Will you come with me?” you ask.

He glances around the table. Everyone else looks mildly entertained. He shrugs slightly.

“Uhh…yeah I guess.”

He slowly gets up and walks after you. You step into the hallway and he follows. The door closes behind you as you start walking down the hall.

Your heart is beating faster now. Behind you, you hear his footsteps. Finally he says, “What’s going on?”

You stop walking. You turn around. “What do you mean what’s going on?”

He looks genuinely confused. “Why did you need me?”

You stare at him. “What?”

“You pulled me out of the meeting.”

Your brain stutters. “Stop joking around.”

“I’m not joking.” He looks at you like he has absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. “I’m confused. What’s going on?”

Your chest tightens. You shake your head. “Bucky, knock it off.”

He looks even more confused. “I’m not doing anything.”

You stare at him. Your heart starts racing. “No.” Your voice comes out quieter now. “You’re not doing this right now.”

He frowns. “Doing what?”

You shake your head. Your brain is starting to panic. “So you’re from this universe?”

His eyebrows pull together again. “…What?”

“You’re from this universe?” you repeat.

He stares at you.

“Like you’ve always been here?” you ask.

He looks genuinely concerned now. “What are you talking about?”

Your chest tightens. Your heart starts pounding harder. “No no no–” You shake your head again. “You didn’t come with me.”

He stares at you like you’re losing it. “Come with you where?”

You take a step back. “You’re from this universe.”

Now he looks worried. “What–”

Then suddenly–

He gasps.

His whole body jerks slightly, which makes you jump too.

He blinks. “Oh hey.”

You stare at him.

He glances down the hallway, looking around, then looks back at you. “Good thing we were already talking to each other in this universe, huh?”

Relief slams into your chest so hard you almost feel dizzy. Before you can stop yourself, you punch him square in the chest. Hard.

He stumbles back. “OW! What the hell was that for?!”

“What took you so long?!”

He rubs his chest. “What are you talking about?!”

“I’ve been here for like five minutes!”

“You have?”

“Yes!” You throw your hands up. “We were in a meeting and I woke up and you were just sitting there staring at me like you didn’t know who I was!”

He blinks. “…Oh.”

“And I had to ask you to come with me!”

He winces slightly as you keep going.

“And you kept acting like I was crazy and I thought you were joking and then I realized you might actually be from this universe and I was freaking out!” You gesture wildly. “And I was trying not to panic because everyone was in the room and I didn’t want them to think I was insane!”

He raises his hands slightly. “Hey, hey.”

“I thought I lost you!”

“I’m here!”

“You took forever!”

“I didn’t do that on purpose!”

You glare at him. He tries not to smile, which only makes you glare harder.

“I was worried!”

“I know.” He rubs the back of his neck. “For me it just happened.”

You blink. “What?”

“I just gasped and woke up. Just now.”

You stare at him. “…Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“So you didn’t have to wait?”

“No.”

You cross your arms. “That’s not fair.”

He chuckles quietly. “Sorry.”

You sigh and run a hand through your hair. “This universe thing is ridiculous.”

“No argument there.”

You both stand there for a second. Then he says, “Why do you think we didn’t arrive at the same time?”

You shrug. “Maybe the machine isn’t precise.”

“Or maybe it sends us separately.”

“That would be annoying.”

He nods. “Very.”

You glance back down the hallway toward the conference room. “We should go back.”

“Yeah.”

You sigh. “Before they think something weird happened.”

He smirks slightly. “You punching me in the hallway might already qualify.”

You glare at him again. “Let’s go.”

You and Bucky walk back down the hallway toward the conference room. Your stomach still feels slightly unsettled.

Right before you reach the door, Bucky leans a little closer. “Do you think we’re dating in this universe too?” he whispers.

You stop walking for half a second. Then slowly turn your head and glare at him. He just looks back at you innocently.

You keep walking. “I highly doubt it,” you mutter.

He leans closer again. “Well if we are,” he whispers, “they definitely think we just left for a quickie.”

You immediately reach over and whack him in the chest with the back of your hand.

“OW!” he whisper-yells, grabbing his chest. “Stop doing that!”

“Well then shut up.”

You push the conference room door open. Bucky is halfway through opening his mouth to say something else to you, but the door is already open. The entire room looks up. Sam bursts out laughing instantly. Clint leans back in his chair and starts wiggling his eyebrows aggressively. Natasha raises one eyebrow. Wanda just smiles at both of you.

You pretend none of this is happening and walk around the right side of the table. You drop back into your chair like everything is completely normal. Behind you, Bucky hesitates. He clearly doesn’t know where he was sitting before. He glances around. The only empty chair is on the opposite side of the table, so he walks over and sits down.

The second you start pulling your chair in, Tony leans forward with a grin. “Well that was quick.”

Bucky glances at you. Just a tiny look. But the message is very clear. See? I told you.

You narrow your eyes just enough to glare at him. Then you immediately look back at Steve.

Sam leans forward across the table. “So?”

You stare straight ahead. “So what?”

Clint points between the two of you. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

Tony snorts. “Nothing?”

“Yes.”

Sam laughs again. “You dragged him out of the meeting.”

“It was just a minute,” you say.

Clint wiggles his eyebrows again. “A very productive minute.”

You close your eyes briefly. “Oh my God.”

Natasha tilts her head. “Did you at least learn anything?”

You open your eyes again. “Yes.”

Sam leans closer. “What?”

You stare at him. “That you’re all annoying.”

Wanda laughs softly.

Tony taps the table. “Barnes?”

Bucky raises his hands slightly. “Nothing happened.”

Clint grins. “You expect us to believe that?”

“Yes.”

Sam leans back in his chair. “I absolutely do not.”

You take a slow breath. Your stomach flips again slightly. You feel tired. Very tired. You rub your forehead.

Steve finally raises his hand slightly. “Alright.” Everyone quiets down. “Let’s focus.”

Sam sits back in his chair. But he’s still smiling. Clint is definitely still smirking. Natasha is watching both of you like she knows something.

Steve gestures toward the screen at the front of the room. “Now.” He clears his throat. “As I was saying before–”

You try to focus. Really, you do. But your brain feels like it’s still spinning from the universe jump. The words Steve is saying barely register. Something about intel. Coordinates. Recon reports.

You blink slowly. Your stomach flips again. You shift slightly in your chair. Across the table, Bucky glances at you. You give him a small I’m fine look. He raises an eyebrow.

Tony notices. “Oh my god.”

Steve stops talking again. “Tony.”

Tony points between the two of you. “You two keep doing that.”

“Doing what?” you ask.

“Secret looks.”

“We are not doing secret looks.”

Clint leans forward. “You absolutely are.”

Sam grins. “You guys are terrible at hiding things.”

Bucky rubs his face. “We’re not hiding anything.”

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “Sure.”

Steve sighs. “Can we please continue the meeting?”

Everyone quiets down again. Mostly. But you can still feel people sneaking glances at you. Sam whispers something to Clint. Clint snorts.

You close your eyes for a second. You’re so tired. And still a little nauseous. And very aware that everyone in this room thinks something happened in the hallway.

You try to listen, but your brain keeps drifting. Eventually you realize Wanda is watching you. You blink. She smiles slightly, then looks back at the screen like she didn’t just catch you zoning out.

You sigh quietly and lean back in your chair. This is going to be a very long meeting.

--

The meeting finally ends what feels like five hours later, even though it was probably only one.

Steve closes the folder in front of him. “Alright,” he says. “That’s everything.”

Chairs scrape. Everyone immediately starts standing up.

Sam stretches dramatically. “Oh thank god.”

Clint grabs his tablet. “I thought that was never gonna end.”

Tony stands up and points at you and Bucky. “I still have questions.”

Bucky groans. “No.”

You stand up slowly, still feeling slightly off. Your stomach flips again just a little. You grab the back of your chair to steady yourself. You’re about to follow everyone else out when–

“Hey.”

You look up. Steve is still standing at the end of the table. “Can you stay a second?”

Your stomach sinks slightly. “…Sure.”

You glance toward the door, and Bucky is almost out the door.

“Buck,” Steve says.

Bucky pauses and turns around. “Yeah?”

“Come back for a minute.”

Bucky walks back slowly. You can tell he’s a little wary. You are too.

Steve leans against the table. “You okay?” he asks you.

You nod quickly. “Yeah.” You rub the back of your neck. “I just…don’t feel very good today.”

Steve studies you. “Sick?”

“Maybe.” You shrug. “Just kind of nauseous.”

Steve nods slowly. “Alright.”

Then he gestures between you and Bucky. “Why did you pull him out of the meeting earlier?”

You pause. Your brain scrambles for something that makes sense. “Oh.” You nod slightly. “I was talking to him earlier about not feeling great.”

Bucky glances at you. You keep going.

“And it started getting worse so I just…asked him if he had anything for nausea.”

Steve watches you. Still a little skeptical. You realize quickly that in this universe you and Bucky probably don’t talk much, which is why this looks weird.

But after a second Steve nods. “Alright.” Then he gestures toward the door. “Get some rest.”

You nod immediately. “Okay.”

Bucky nods too. You both head out into the hallway. The second the door closes behind you, you let out a long breath. “That was stressful.”

Bucky snorts. “You handled it fine.”

You walk down the hallway together toward his room. He opens the door and steps aside. You walk inside and immediately head for the bed. You flop face-first onto it. “Ugh.”

Bucky shuts the door behind you. “What now?”

You roll onto your back. “I feel nauseous.”

Bucky makes a face. “You better not throw up on my bed.”

But he’s already grabbing the trash can from beside his desk. He walks over and sets it next to the bed. “Just in case.”

You squint at him. “I’m not going to throw up.”

“Good.”

He walks over to the mini fridge in the corner. He grabs a water bottle and brings it over and sets it on the nightstand beside you.

You sigh. “Thanks.”

He leans against the dresser. “So.”

You stare at the ceiling. “Do you think I’m actually sick in this universe?”

He shakes his head. “I doubt it.”

“You think it’s the universe jumping?”

“Probably.”

You groan quietly. “Fantastic.”

Bucky crosses his arms. “What I don’t get is why we showed up at different times.”

You sit up slightly. “Yeah.”

“That was weird.”

You think for a moment. “Maybe it has something to do with whatever those people were doing with the machine.”

He tilts his head. “What do you mean?”

“You remember how there were people at the computers when we got there?”

“Yeah.”

“They were running something.” You gesture vaguely. “Maybe they changed something with the machine before we got there.”

Bucky nods slowly. “That’s possible.”

You sigh. “Maybe next time we should actually look at the machine.”

He laughs. “Look at it how?”

“I don’t know.”

“Neither of us knows how that thing works.”

“Exactly.”

He points toward the door. “That’s Tony or Bruce territory.”

You nod. “Yeah.”

“We’d definitely need one of them.”

You slowly sit up and grab the water bottle. You take a sip, and it helps a little, but not much.

Bucky watches you. “How you feeling?”

“A little better,” you say, shrugging. “Still tired though.”

You pull your phone out of your pocket. “I’m gonna check my calendar.”

“Okay,” he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I will too.”

You open the calendar app. Then blink. “…What.”

You scroll. There’s nothing. It’s absolutely empty. You scroll back farther. Still empty.

Your entire calendar is blank. You sigh dramatically. “Of course.”

Bucky looks over. “What?”

“I don’t use my calendar in this universe.”

He chuckles. “That tracks.”

He grabs his tablet off the desk. “JARVIS,” he says.

“Yes, Mr. Barnes?”

“What’s on my schedule today?”

“You have nothing else planned for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.”

Bucky grins. “Huh. That’s nice.”

You yawn. “That means I can take a nap.”

Bucky glances at you. “JARVIS.”

“Yes, Mr. Barnes?”

“What’s y/n’s schedule for the rest of the day?”

“She has a meeting scheduled for 3:00.”

You freeze, then sit straight up. “What?! That’s not fair.”

Bucky laughs. “Looks like I can take a nap though.”

He walks over and flops down onto the bed beside you. He stretches out and lets out a very content sigh.

You roll your eyes, then swat his chest.

He glares at you. “Rude.”

“You’re annoying.” You stand up and grab the water bottle. “I’m going to my room.”

“Why?”

“To see if I can find anything useful before whatever stupid meeting I have.”

Bucky crosses his arms behind his head. “Have fun.”

You flip him off. “Thanks.”

“Don’t throw up!” he calls after you.

You open the door. “I’m not going to throw up!”

You step out into the hallway and shut the door behind you. You’re almost at your door when another one opens. Natasha steps out of her room and immediately notices you. Her eyes flick down the hallway you just came from, then back to you.

“Where are you coming from?” she asks, lifting an eyebrow.

Before your brain even processes the question or thinks about lying, you answer. “Bucky’s room.”

You stop walking, realizing what you just said.

Natasha’s eyebrow raises even higher. Then she smirks. “Oh.”

You groan immediately. “Don’t.”

She folds her arms. “You needed another round after the meeting?”

You drag a hand down your face. “Oh my God. Nothing is going on.”

Natasha tilts her head. “Uh huh. Sure.”

You sigh. “I’m not feeling well.”

She doesn’t look convinced. “What kind of not well?”

“Nauseous. I was talking to Bucky earlier about it, and I just asked if he had anything for it.”

Natasha narrows her eyes slightly. “Why would he have anything?”

You blink. “What?”

“He’s a super soldier. He doesn’t get sick.”

You pause. “I realize that now, but I wasn’t exactly thinking about that earlier.”

Natasha watches you closely. “So you just went to his room.”

“Yes.”

“Because you felt nauseous.”

“Yes.”

She takes a slow step toward you. “And you stayed there.”

“We talked for a minute.”

She tilts her head again. “Did he give you the water?”

You lift the bottle slightly. “…Yes.”

Natasha slowly nods. “Interesting.”

You roll your eyes. “Oh my God.”

You turn and keep walking toward your door.

Behind you, Nat calls down the hallway, “I’ll be watching you.”

You open your door. “Whatever,” you call back.

You step inside and shut it behind you. Your room looks mostly the same as it does in your universe. You set your phone and the water bottle on the nightstand, then walk over to the desk. There’s a stack of files sitting there, so you flip through them. There’s some reports and mission notes, but nothing useful. You sigh and drop them back onto the desk.

You glance around the room. Some of your stuff is exactly the same, but other things are different. A few different books. Different notes pinned to the wall. Different folders.

You sit on the edge of the bed. Then slowly lay back and stare at the ceiling. You’re just going to chill for a bit until your meeting.

You definitely won’t fall asleep. You’re just resting your eyes.

--

You wake up to someone nudging your shoulder. You groan.

When you crack your eyes open, Bucky is standing over you.

“What,” you mumble.

“Forget about something?”

You blink slowly. “What?”

“Your meeting.”

You stare at him. “What?”

“It’s soon.”

You immediately pull the blanket over your head. “Ughhhhh. Tell them I threw up.”

There’s a pause. “You did?” Bucky’s voice suddenly sounds concerned. “Are you okay?”

Your muffled voice comes from under the blanket. “I didn’t. Just tell them I did.”

He chuckles, then grabs the blanket.

You cling to it immediately. “Hey–”

You both struggle with it for a second, but he finally pulls it off.

You groan loudly. “That’s not fair. You have super soldier strength.”

He offers his hand. “Come on. You can’t miss your meeting.”

You glare at him, then finally grab his hand so he can pull you up. You sit there for a second looking miserable.

He studies your face. “Well, you look happy.”

You roll your eyes. “I’m thrilled.”

He leans against the dresser. “How are you feeling?”

“Not nauseous anymore.” You yawn. “Just tired.”

You stand up and grab your hairbrush. You start running it through your hair while walking toward the mirror.

“So,” you say. “Do you know what the meeting’s about?”

“No idea.”

You pause. “Great.”

You grab your tablet off the desk. “JARVIS.”

“Yes?”

“What meeting do I have at three?”

“There is a briefing scheduled in Conference Room C regarding possible intel on multiverse experiments in Romania.”

You freeze. Then slowly look up.

Bucky is already staring at you. Both of your eyes go wide.

“…Romania?” you say.

“That’s where the warehouse was,” Bucky says.

You both stare at each other. A huge wave of relief hits you.

“They know about it in this universe.”

Bucky nods. “Yeah.” He frowns slightly. “Why am I not going to the meeting?”

You shrug. “If it’s just possible intel, that means it’s early. They’re probably only putting certain people on it until they know more.”

Bucky nods slowly. “That makes sense.”

You grin slightly.

“Aka…I’m better than you.”

He rolls his eyes. “Sure.”

You grab your phone. The time makes your stomach drop. “Oh crap. It’s almost three.”

Bucky opens the door.

“I’ll be in my room. Let me know what they say.”

You nod. “Okay.”

You step into the hallway and head to the elevator as Bucky heads back towards his room.

When you get to the conference room, Fury is already standing at the front of the room. Steve is sitting near the center of the table, Tony is leaning back in his chair with a tablet, and Nat is sitting across from him.

All of them look up when you walk in.

“Wow, you look rough,” Tony says.

“Gee, thanks.”

“You okay?” Steve asks.

“Yeah, I just woke up from a nap.”

Before anyone can say anything else, Fury taps the remote in his hand and a powerpoint appears on the screen. “Alright. Let’s get started.”

You sit back in your chair and try very hard to pretend you don’t already know everything about this place. Fury clicks to the first slide. A satellite image fills the screen of the top of the warehouse. Your stomach flips slightly.

Fury gestures to the image. “A few days ago we detected unusual energy signatures coming from this location in Romania.”

Tony leans forward slightly. “What kind of energy?”

“Unknown.” Fury taps the screen again. “We believe whoever is operating out of this warehouse has access to multiverse-related intel, and possibly multiverse-related technology.”

Nat tilts her head slightly. “The energy signatures?”

Fury nods. “That’s our current theory.”

He changes the slide. Now there’s a zoomed image of the warehouse with circles drawn on it.

“Initial satellite recon shows five possible entry points.”

Five doors are circled. You stare at it. And before you even realize you’re talking–

“There’s one on the east end too.”

The room goes quiet. All of their heads slowly turn toward you. Your brain catches up with your mouth. Oh no. You immediately sit up straighter.

“Well – I’m assuming.” You gesture to the edge of the building. “There’s probably another door there. Based on the structure.” You try to sound casual. “Just a possibility.”

Fury studies the screen. Then nods slowly. “Good catch.”

Tony leans forward. “Yeah. That actually makes sense.”

Nat glances at you. A little too knowingly.

Fury moves to the next slide. “Thermal scans suggest minimal personnel.” The slide shows heat signatures inside the building. “Approximately ten to fifteen individuals.”

Steve leans forward. “Security?”

“Unknown.”

You squint at the image. Before you can stop yourself–

“There’s more than that.”

The words leave your mouth automatically. Everyone looks at you again.

You immediately correct yourself. “I mean–” You point to the screen. “If this section is equipment like it looks like…” You gesture vaguely. “They could have more people in the interior rooms.” You shrug slightly. “Just a possibility.”

Fury nods slowly. “That’s a fair assumption.”

Tony taps his chin. “Yeah, tech rooms usually have more people.”

Natasha’s eyes narrow slightly at you again.

You press your lips together and tell yourself to stop talking.

Fury changes slides again. Now it shows a rough interior layout based on scans. “This is our best estimate of the interior structure.” He points to the center. “We believe the energy signature is coming from somewhere in this central area.”’

Fury continues and talks about the plan to sweep the building.

You stare at the table. You know exactly what’s in that building. You know exactly what that machine looks like. You know exactly where the people were. You know exactly what they were doing. And you’re just sitting here pretending.

Your brain starts racing. This is stupid.

You glance at Steve. Then Tony. Then Natasha. They’re making plans for a place you’ve already been.

Finally you sigh. “Okay.”

Everyone looks at you again.

Fury stops mid-sentence. “Yes?”

You sit up straight. “I need to say something.”

Steve leans forward slightly. “What is it?”

You take a breath. “This is going to sound weird.”

Tony raises an eyebrow. “That’s never stopped anyone here before.”

You nod slightly. “I’m not from this universe.”

The room goes silent. Steve blinks. Tony tilts his head. Nat watches you carefully. Fury doesn’t move.

You continue. “In my universe we already had this mission.”

Steve frowns. “What do you mean?”

You gesture toward the screen. “The warehouse. We already went there.”

Natasha’s eyes narrow. “You’re serious.”

You nod. “When we went to sweep it…” You glance down briefly. “Bucky and I accidentally triggered a machine inside.”

Tony leans forward. “A machine?”

You nod. “Multiverse tech. That’s what causing the energy signatures.”

Fury folds his arms. “And it sent you here.”

You nod again. “Yes.”

You swallow. “This is actually the third universe we’ve been to.”

Steve looks stunned.

Tony just whispers, “…Holy shit.”

You continue explaining. “Every time we get sent somewhere new, we have to go back to the warehouse and trigger the machine again.”

Natasha leans forward slightly. “That’s why you two have been acting weird.”

You nod. “Yeah.”

Fury glances at the screen again. “That explains why you knew so much about the building.”

You nod. “I’ve already been inside.”

Steve runs a hand through his hair. “Where’s Buck?”

You sigh slightly. “He’s in his room.”

Fury gestures toward the door. “Get him in here.”

You nod and grab your phone. You call him, but it just rings. No answer. You lower the phone slowly.

“…He might’ve fallen asleep.”

Tony snorts. “Of course he did.”

You stand up. “I’ll go get him.”

Fury nods. “Make it quick.”

You get on the elevator, then head down the hallway toward Bucky’s room. When you reach his door, you don’t even bother knocking, you just open it.

Sure enough, he’s asleep.

Bucky is sprawled across the bed on top of the blankets like he definitely didn’t mean to fall asleep.

You walk over and lightly shake his shoulder. “Bucky.”

He doesn’t move. You shake him again.

“Bucky.”

He groans quietly and cracks one eye open. “…Hmm?”

“Get up.”

His eyes blink slowly. “…Why?”

“You need to come to the meeting.”

He squints at you. “…What meeting?”

“The one I just came from.”

He frowns. “…Why?”

“Because I told them everything.”

That wakes him up a little more. “You did?”

“Yes. And now they want you there too.”

He sighs. “Okay.”

But he still doesn’t get up. Instead he stretches slowly, reaching his arms up and yawning.

Then he sighs again. “You just had to ruin my nap didn’t you.”

You grab his arm and start pulling. “Let’s go, grumpy. They’re waiting on you.”

He groans. “I’m coming, I’m coming.”

He finally gets up and follows you to the door. You both go back to the conference room, and the second you step inside, everyone looks up.

Tony grins. “Someone was having a very good nap.”

Bucky rolls his eyes. “Shut up.”

You walk over toward the table, but when you turn around to sit down, you notice his hair. It’s sticking up everywhere.

You immediately laugh. “Oh my God.”

“What?”

You reach up and start smoothing it down. “Your hair.”

He doesn’t even argue. He just tilts his head slightly closer so you can reach better. You fix the worst of it, then drop your hands.

“There.”

You and Bucky both sit down, then Natasha raises an eyebrow from across the table.

She leans back in her chair. “So.” She gestures between the two of you. “Are you guys dating in your universe or what?”

Both of you answer immediately. “No.”

Natasha smirks slightly. “Well. I’m sure you will be after this.”

Bucky opens his mouth. You open yours too.

But before either of you can respond, Fury cuts in. “Alright. Let’s focus.”

Everyone quiets down again. Fury looks directly at Bucky.

“Barnes.”

“Yes sir.”

“Confirm what she told us.”

Bucky nods. “Everything she said is true.”

He explains the warehouse mission again, then the machines and the universe jumps.

Fury listens without interrupting, then starts asking questions. “How many universes have you visited?”

“Three so far.”

“Did the machine appear identical in each location?”

“Pretty much.”

“Any changes in energy output?”

Tony leans forward. “That’s a good question.”

Bucky shrugs. “Hard to tell. We didn’t exactly have time to run diagnostics.”

Tony nods slowly. “Fair.”

Steve folds his arms. “Why do you think you’re not going back to your original universe?”

You and Bucky glance at each other. “We’ve been trying to figure that out.”

Tony taps the table. “Maybe you’re just moving sequentially. Like…universe to universe.”

You nod slightly. “That was one of our theories.”

Bucky gestures with his hand. “Like maybe the machine is connected to specific universes and we have to pass through each one that has this machine before we can get back to ours.”

Steve nods slowly. “That’s possible.”

Natasha leans forward. “Or maybe the machine is unstable.”

Tony points at her. “That was my next thought. Maybe whoever built it didn’t finish calibrating it. So it just throws you somewhere random.”

You shrug. “That could be it.”

Fury speaks again. “Or someone intentionally set it that way.”

The room goes quiet.

Tony tilts his head. “That would be…inconvenient.”

Steve looks at Bucky. “Did the people inside the warehouse seem like they knew what they were doing?”

Bucky nods his head. “They looked like scientists.”

Tony snaps his fingers and leans forward. “If we go to the warehouse I can access their systems.”

You nod. “That’s what we were thinking too. Between you and Bruce you could probably figure something out.”

Tony blinks. “…Bruce?”

You blink too. “Yeah…Bruce Banner.”

Tony frowns. “The Hulk?”

“…Yeah.”

Natasha glances at Fury.

Fury answers flatly. “In this universe Banner left the Avengers years ago.”

Your eyebrows shoot up. “What?”

Steve nods. “He went back to India. We don’t know where he is now.”

You blink slowly. “…Oh.”

“In our universe he’s still with the Avengers.”

Tony leans back in his chair. “Well that would’ve been helpful.”

Natasha glances at the screen again.

“When should we go to the warehouse?”

You think for a second. “When we jumped here it was earlier today. There were people inside.”

Bucky nods. “But when we were there late at night before…”

“And early in the morning,” you add.

“It was empty.”

Tony nods. “So night mission.”

Steve looks at Fury. “That would give us the best chance.”

Fury considers it. Then nods once. “Tonight. Be ready to meet again before we leave.”

Chairs scrape back as everyone stands. You and Bucky are just about to head for the door when Tony suddenly says “wait.”

You pause. He points at you.

“So what was the other universe like?”

You blink. “What?”

Steve steps in beside him. “The first one you landed in.”

Natasha crosses her arms. “Yeah. How different was it?”

You and Bucky glance at each other. Then Bucky shrugs.

“Pretty similar.”

Tony squints. “That’s disappointing.”

“You want it to be weirder?” you ask.

“Yes.”

Steve gestures toward the hallway. “Walk and talk.”

You all start heading out of the conference room together. Tony immediately fires off another question.

“So did people look different?”

“No.”

“Did we look different?”

“No.”

Natasha tilts her head. “Were we Avengers there?”

You nod. “Yeah.”

Tony snaps his fingers. “Okay but were we cooler?”

You laugh. “You were about the same amount of annoying.”

“Rude.”

Steve looks thoughtful. “What about the world? Any major differences?”

You shrug. “Nothing obvious.”

Bucky adds, “We weren’t there long enough to explore.”

Tony looks disappointed again. “You’re terrible at multiverse tourism.”

Natasha asks another question. “How long were you in the second universe?”

“About a day.”

“And the first?”

“Also about a day.”

Tony gestures dramatically. “So this machine basically just kidnaps you for 24 hours at a time.”

“Pretty much.”

You all reach the common room. Sam, Clint, Wanda, and Thor are lounging around.

Sam looks up. “Oh hey.”

Clint leans back in his chair. “Meeting over?”

Tony walks in and announces loudly, “Barnes and y/n are from another universe.”

Sam blinks. “…What?”

Clint laughs immediately. “Sure.”

Wanda smiles slightly.

Thor looks intrigued. “A different realm?”

Tony points at him. “Exactly!”

Sam shakes his head. “Y’all messing with us.”

Steve walks in behind you. “They’re not.”

Now everyone sits up. Clint squints.

“Wait…You’re serious?”

You sigh. “Yes.”

Sam leans forward. “Hold up. Start from the beginning.”

Bucky groans. “Oh no.”

Tony claps his hands. “Yes. Story time.”

You rub your forehead. “Okay.”

You explain the warehouse again. The machine. The mission. The accidental jump.

Sam’s eyes get wider as you talk. Clint just keeps blinking. Thor looks fascinated.

Wanda asks softly, “So every time you jump…you wake up in your other selves?”

You nod. “Basically.”

Sam points. “Wait. So in those universes…you’re still you?”

“Yeah.”

Clint grins. “So you could walk in and just live your life?”

“In theory.”

Tony leans forward again. “Okay but important question.” He points at Bucky. “Am I richer in the other universes?”

You snort. “Yes.”

“Excellent.”

Sam shakes his head. “This is crazy.”

Clint suddenly asks, “So what were the other universes like?”

“Pretty normal.”

“Were we all there?”

“Yeah.”

“Did we look the same?”

“Yes.”

Clint looks disappointed. “Man. I wanted to have a beard.”

Thor raises a hand. “In these other realms, was I still the God of Thunder?”

“Yes.”

He nods proudly. “Good.”

Natasha, who has been watching quietly, suddenly asks, “So.”

Everyone looks at her. She points between you and Bucky.

“Were you two dating in any of the other universes?”

You and Bucky freeze. Then both slowly look at each other.

Everyone notices.

Clint immediately bursts out laughing. “Oh my god.”

Sam points. “That’s a yes.”

Tony grins. “Which universe?”

You sigh. “…The first one.”

Clint slaps the arm of the couch. “I knew it.”

Sam laughs. “Barnes!”

Bucky groans. “Relax.”

Natasha smirks. “How long?”

“Apparently a while.”

The room erupts.

Sam stands up. “NO WAY.”

Clint is laughing so hard he nearly falls over.

Thor looks delighted. “A warrior pairing!”

Tony claps. “This is the best day ever.”

Bucky rubs his face. “Oh my God.”

Sam grins. “So you two were just casually dating in another universe?”

You cross your arms. “Not casually.”

Clint raises his eyebrows. “Serious?”

You shrug. “Look we didn’t exactly have time to analyze the relationship.”

Tony grins at Bucky. “So how was it?”

Bucky stares at him. “I’m not answering that.”

Wanda laughs softly.

Natasha leans back in her chair. “Well. Now I’m curious.”

You shake your head. “This conversation is over.”

Sam grins. “Too late.”

Clint points between you both. “Multiverse proof.”

Tony adds, “You guys are inevitable.”

Bucky sighs loudly. “Please stop.”

You glance at him. Then both of you look around the room at everyone still firing questions.

Clint asks, “Did you kiss?”

Sam says, “Did we know about it?”

Tony asks, “Did other me approve?”

You and Bucky look at each other again.

“Hopefully we don’t go to too many more universes,” you say. “Because explaining this is getting old.”

Bucky nods in agreement.

Sam laughs. “Too bad.”

Clint grins. “You’re gonna have to keep telling it.”

--

Later that evening the team gathers again in the main briefing room. This time it’s everyone.

Sam is leaning against the wall. Clint is spinning a pen between his fingers. Thor looks excited like this is the greatest adventure of his life. Tony has already pulled up the warehouse satellite images again.

You and Bucky stand near the back of the room. You feel…weird. Still tired. Still a little off. But mostly anxious.

Fury stands at the front. “We move tonight.”

Steve nods. “Same approach as before.”

Tony lifts his hand. “And then I get to poke around in the alien multiverse machine.”

Clint grins. “You’ve been waiting all day to say that.”

Tony points at him. “Correct.”

Steve gestures to the map. “We clear the building first. Tony and a few of us go in the machine room. Everyone else secures the perimeter.”

Natasha nods. “Simple.”

You glance at Bucky. He looks back at you. Neither of you say anything. But you’re both thinking the same thing. Please let this work.

Fury nods once. “Suit up.”

A little while later you’re in your room pulling on the last piece of your gear when there’s a knock. You already know who it is.

“Come in.”

Bucky pushes the door open. He’s already suited up. He leans against the doorframe.

“You ready?”

You shrug. “As ready as I can be.”

He walks inside. “You okay?”

You hesitate. “…I think so.”

You sit down on the edge of your bed to tighten your boots. “Tony sounded pretty confident earlier.”

Bucky snorts. “Tony always sounds confident.”

“That’s fair.” You sigh. “I just really hope he can figure something out. “Like…a way to send us straight home.” You look up at him. “Skip all the other universes.”

Bucky nods slowly. “Yeah.”

You stand up. “Because honestly…” You run a hand through your hair. “I don’t know how many more of these jumps I can take.”

Bucky watches you carefully. “We’ll figure it out.”

You nod. “Yeah.”

But you don’t sound convinced. He notices. He always notices.

He pushes off the wall. “Come on. The jet’s waiting.”

--

The quinjet lands in the clearing about a mile from the warehouse. You’ve done this walk enough now that it feels routine. The warehouse comes into view through the trees. It’s quiet. No lights. No movement.

Sam scans the building. “Looks empty.”

Steve nods. “Let’s go.”

You all move inside. The building is silent. No scientists. No guards. Just humming equipment.

The team spreads out. Clint and Thor take the far hallway. Wanda stays near the entrance.

Natasha gestures toward the machine room. “Let’s go.”

You and Bucky lead the way. When you push the door open, the machine sits exactly where you remember it. Circular platform. Cables. Computers lining the walls.

Tony immediately lights up. “Oh. Oh this is beautiful.” He walks straight toward the computers like a kid in a candy store. “Look at this tech.”

Sam crosses his arms. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

Tony starts typing. “Oh absolutely.”

Steve, Nat, Sam, you, and Bucky all stay inside the room while the rest of the team watches the perimeter.

Tony starts pulling up data. “Hmmm.” He opens another screen. “Oh wow.”

You glance at Bucky. “He’s having the time of his life.”

Bucky nods.

Tony keeps talking while he works. “Okay so this is definitely multiverse energy.”

“No surprise there.”

He opens another program. “But whoever built this…” He whistles softly. “They were very, very smart.”

Sam leans against the wall. “Can you figure out where it sends them?”

Tony keeps typing. “I’m trying.”

He pulls up more screens.

You watch anxiously. Minutes pass.

Tony frowns slightly. “…Huh.”

Steve looks at him. “What?”

Tony taps the screen. “I can’t find any destination mapping.”

“What does that mean?” you ask.

“It means…” He pulls up another system. “…I have no idea how many universes this thing connects to.”

Your stomach drops.

Tony keeps talking. “It might not even be a fixed network.”

Bucky frowns. “What?”

Tony sighs. “It might just randomly drop you somewhere.”

The words hit you like a punch. “Randomly?”

Tony keeps digging. “Maybe.” He pulls up another screen. “Or maybe there’s some kind of sequence. Or–” He stops. “…Yeah I don’t know.”

Your chest tightens.

Tony rubs his neck. “A lot of this tech is…really advanced.” He gestures to the machines. “I’d need more time to understand it.”

“How much time?” Steve asks.

Tony hesitates. “…A lot.”

Your heart starts racing. “So you can’t fix it?”

Tony sighs. “Not tonight.”

Your breathing speeds up. “So we’re just…” You look at Bucky. “…stuck?”

Tony shakes his head. “I didn’t say that.”

“But you don’t know how to get us home.”

He doesn’t answer. Your chest tightens more. Your thoughts spiral.

What if we never get back.

What if we keep jumping forever.

What if something happens to everyone in our universe and we’re not there.

Your voice cracks slightly. “Bucky…”

He immediately turns toward you. “What?”

“What if we never get back.” The words tumble out. “What if we just keep jumping forever. What if something’s happening in our universe right now and we’re not there. What if–”

“Hey.” Bucky grabs your arm gently. “Hey.”

You’re breathing too fast. “I don’t know what’s happening there. I don’t know if everyone’s okay.”

“Hey.” He pulls you a little closer. “Look at me.”

You do.

His voice softens. “We’re going to get back.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes I do.”

“How?”

“Because we’re not giving up.”

Your voice shakes. “What if we can’t figure it out.”

“Then we keep trying.”

“What if it takes years.”

“Then it takes years.”

You shake your head. “You don’t understand–”

“I do.”

He squeezes your arm slightly. “You’re scared.”

You swallow. “Yeah.”

“I am too.”

That surprises you.

But he keeps talking. “But we’re going to figure it out. We always do.”

You take a shaky breath. Slowly your breathing steadies.

Tony watches quietly. Then sighs. “I’m sorry. I really thought I could crack it.”

You shake your head. “It’s okay.”

He gestures to the machine. “I’d need time. Lab equipment. Probably Bruce.”

You laugh weakly. “Yeah.”

Then Tony brightens slightly. “Well. If you’re jumping again…” He points at the machine. You better bring me with you every time you come back here.”

You stare at him. “What?”

“I want to play with this thing in every universe.”

You roll your eyes. “Of course you do.”

You walk over to the control panel. Your hands hover over the switches. You glance at Bucky.

He nods once. “Ready?”

You take a deep breath. “Ready.”

You turn back to the team. “Bye everyone.”

Clint waves. “Try not to land in space.”

You flip the switches. The machine hums to life. Energy ripples through the platform. You step onto it. Bucky steps beside you.

You glance at him one last time. Then the room tilts. Your vision spins.

Everything goes black.

----

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You’re sitting down. You look down and your laptop is open in front of you on the table, your hands resting on the keyboard. You blink again, trying to focus. Papers are spread out across the table. Files. Printed reports.

Your kitchen table. Your apartment. Your old apartment.

The realization slams into you so fast it makes your stomach drop. Your chest tightens.

No. No no no. This isn’t right.

You push the laptop closed so fast it almost falls off the table. Your chair scrapes loudly across the floor as you stand up.

Your breathing speeds up. Your eyes scan the room. Everything is exactly how it used to be. The small kitchen. The narrow hallway. The living room couch. The same scuff mark on the wall from when you moved in years ago.

Your brain starts racing. They didn’t send you home. The machine worked. But it didn’t send you back to your universe. It sent you somewhere else. Again.

A sharp wave of anxiety crawls up your spine. How many universes is this going to take? How long is it going to take to get back? Your thoughts slam into a much worse one.

Bucky.

Your head snaps toward the table. Your phone. You need your phone. You start patting the table frantically. Papers. Files. Folders. No phone.

Your heart rate spikes again. Your eyes land on the hallway. It must be in your bedroom. You rush down the hall and push the door open. The room looks exactly the same.

Your spot your phone plugged in on the nightstand. You grab it immediately and unplug the charger. Your hands are shaking slightly as you unlock it.

You open your contacts quickly and scroll down to the B’s. Your finger slows, but his name isn’t there. You scroll farther, but still find nothing.

Your stomach twists.

Maybe it’s saved under something else. You scroll again. And again. Your eyes dart across the screen. Name after name. But not his.

Your breathing grows uneven. You scroll faster. Maybe you saved it under something stupid.

Your finger stops. A horrible realization crashes into your brain. Your apartment. Your old apartment. His number isn’t in your phone.

You haven’t met him yet.

You must still be a SHIELD agent. You haven’t been called up to the Avengers. Your chest tightens painfully.

“No.”

The word slips out of your mouth before you can stop it.

You shake your head quickly, scrolling again even though you know it won’t change anything.

“No.”

Your voice comes out louder this time. You keep shaking your head.

“No no no.”

Your heart is racing. You have no way to reach him. No phone number. No contact. Nothing.

Panic begins creeping in. You press your hands against the edge of the nightstand and force yourself to breathe.

Think. There has to be a way to find him.

Then it hits you. The compound. He lives at the compound. At least he should.

Your brain grabs onto the idea immediately. He’ll be looking for you too. He has to be. 

You shove your phone into your pocket and run back into the kitchen, grabbing your bag and keys off the hook by the door. You slip your shoes on quickly and your hand is already on the door handle.

You rush down the stairs and out into the parking lot. Your car is exactly where you always parked it when you lived here before. At least that hasn’t changed.

You climb in and start the engine. Your hands grip the steering wheel tightly. You have no idea if they’ll even let you through the gates. No idea if the Avengers will even be there.

But if Bucky is in this universe, he’ll be looking for you.

--

Bucky gasps.

His body jerks upright like he’s been shocked.

For a split second everything feels wrong – his lungs burning, his heart racing, his head spinning from the sudden shift.

Then he freezes. He’s sitting on the couch. A movie is playing. Light from the TV flickers across the room. Slowly, he looks around.

The common room. Everyone is sitting around the room. Every single one of them is staring at him, looking confused and concerned.

Steve leans forward slightly in his chair. “You okay?”

Bucky blinks. He forces his breathing to slow. Right. Another universe. His eyes move quickly around the room. You aren’t there. His stomach tightens.

“…Uhh,” he says. Everyone is still staring. “Yeah,” he adds quickly. “I just…forgot to do something.”

Sam raises an eyebrow. “Okay…”

But Bucky is already standing. The room stays quiet as he walks toward the hallway. He can feel their confused stares on his back as he leaves. The second he’s out of sight he moves faster, straight down the hall to your room.

The door is closed so he knocks.

He waits. Nothing.

He knocks again. Still nothing.

A knot forms in his stomach. Slowly, he opens the door. The room is dark. For a moment he just stands there, letting his eyes adjust.

“Y/n?” he says quietly. No answer.

He reaches for the light switch and flips it on. It’s empty. His brow furrows. The bed isn’t made, it’s just the mattress, and there’s nothing on the desk or anywhere else in the room.

His brain immediately searches for another explanation. Maybe you’re dating in this universe too? Maybe you moved into his room?

He turns and heads down the hallway again. He opens his door, and the room inside looks exactly like it always does. He checks the closet, but it’s just his clothes. Then the bathroom, but it’s just his stuff.

He stands there for a second. Then the realization hits – you’re not an Avenger in this universe.

His stomach drops. Panic starts creeping in. He runs a hand through his hair and begins pacing.

Think. There has to be a way to find you. Then he remembers. Before the Avengers, you were a SHIELD agent. And if that’s still true here, Steve would have access to your file.

Bucky heads straight for Steve’s office. He closes the door behind him and sits at the desk. The computer hums quietly as he turns it on.

His fingers hover over the keyboard for a second. Steve uses one password for everything in his universe. He types it in. The screen unlocks.

Relief hits him immediately.

It takes a few minutes to find the SHIELD database. Then another password prompt appears. He tries the same one. It works again.

He scrolls through the list of agents. Hundreds of names flash past. Then finally, he sees your name.

He clicks it, and your file opens. Your photo fills the corner of the screen. Bucky stares at it for a second longer than he should.

Your smile. The same one he’s seen a thousand times. It’s warm and bright and makes his chest tighten in a way he can’t explain.

He shakes his head quickly and focuses. Phone number. Address. He grabs a pen and paper from Steve’s desk and writes both down quickly. Then he logs out of everything and shuts the computer down.

A few minutes later he’s back in his room. He pulls his phone out. For a moment he considers driving to your apartment. But then he pauses.

You’ll probably be looking for him. Which means you’ll probably come to the compound.

So instead, he types your number into his phone and presses call.

--

You’re halfway to the compound when your phone rings through your car speakers. “Unknown number” lights up on the screen.

Your heart jumps. You grab the wheel tighter. Please be Bucky. You hit the answer button. “Hello?”

A familiar voice comes through the speakers. “Hey.”

Relief crashes over you so hard you almost laugh. “Bucky.”

“Yeah.”

You shake your head slightly, smiling in disbelief. “Oh my God, I’m so glad that’s you.”

“Me too.”

“I was trying to figure out how to find you,” you say.

“Same here.”

“I’m driving to the compound right now.”

“Good,” he says immediately. “I’ll get the gate opened for you.”

You nod instinctively even though he can’t see you. “Okay.”

For a moment neither of you say anything. Just hearing his voice calms the panic that had been building in your chest.

“So,” he says finally, “where’d you wake up?”

“My apartment.”

“Your old one?”

“Yeah. I was sitting at the kitchen table with a report open like I’d been working.”

“That makes sense.”

“I tried to call you but your number wasn’t in my phone.”

“Yeah,” he says. “I didn’t find you in my contacts either.”

“So how’d you get my number?” you ask.

“Well, I may or may not have logged onto Steve’s computer and found your SHIELD file.”

You bust out laughing. “You stole SHIELD intel?”

“Borrowed. For a good cause.”

You just laugh again. “So what were you doing when you got here?”

“I woke up in the common room. With everyone there. We were watching a movie.”

You laugh slightly. “That must’ve been awkward.”

“You have no idea.”

You slow slightly as you approach the road that leads toward the compound. “So why do you think we ended up in another universe instead of our own?”

You hear him exhale quietly. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe the machine isn’t precise.”

“Maybe.”

“Or maybe,” you say slowly, “our universe wasn’t the closest one.”

“That’s…not comforting.”

You glance at the compound gates coming into view. “Well.” You take a breath. “At least we found each other.”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice softening slightly.

You pull up to the gate. “I’m pulling up now.”

“Alright,” he says. “I’ll let you in.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

--

Bucky hangs up the phone and exhales slowly. At least you’re here. That part worked. He grabs his tablet off the desk and taps the screen awake.

“JARVIS,” he says.

“Yes, Mr. Barnes?”

“Open the front gate.”

There’s a short pause. “I’m afraid I cannot do that.”

Bucky blinks. “…What?”

“You do not have clearance to open the front gate.”

He stares at the tablet. “You’re kidding.”

“I do not joke, Mr. Barnes.”

Bucky groans and drags a hand down his face. “Okay. Does Steve have clearance?”

“Yes.”

“Great. Let him open it.”

“Mr. Rogers only has clearance to open the gate for guests he is expecting.”

Bucky pauses. “…Right.”

Another pause. Then JARVIS asks politely, “Is Mr. Rogers expecting this guest?”

Bucky sighs heavily. “No.”

“Then the only person authorized to open the gate for an unexpected guest is Mr. Stark.”

Bucky drops his head. “Of course it is.”

He tosses the tablet onto the desk. Fantastic. Just fantastic. He really does not want to walk into the common room and ask Tony to open the gate. Because that will lead to questions.

A lot of questions. And assumptions. Very loud assumptions.

But then another thought hits him. You’re probably already at the gate.

And if Tony already knows someone’s there, he might do something stupid. Aka, he’ll definitely do something stupid.

Bucky groans again and pushes himself out of the chair. “Great.”

When he walks into the common room, everyone is still there. Tony is sitting on the couch with a tablet in his hands.

Perfect.

Bucky stops near the entrance. “Uhh, Stark?”

Tony doesn’t even look up. “What.” Bucky hesitates for a second, then sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “Can you open the gate?”

The entire room goes silent.

Tony’s head snaps up. Sam gasps loudly. Clint immediately bursts out laughing. Thor looks confused. Nat’s eyebrows shoot up.

Tony slowly lowers the tablet. “They’re here for you?”

Sam sits forward. “WHO IS IT?”

Clint points at Bucky. “Barnes has visitors!”

Steve raises an eyebrow.

Tony grins slowly. “Oh this is good.”

Bucky groans. “Can you just open it?”

Tony leans back. “Who is it?”

“No one.”

Sam immediately laughs. “Oh that’s suspicious.”

Clint nods. “Super suspicious.”

Tony tilts his head. “Barnes.”

“What.”

“People usually have names.”

Bucky crosses his arms. “Just open the gate.”

Tony smirks. “No.”

Bucky stares at him. “…What.”

“I’ll open it,” Tony says, “if you tell us who it is.”

Bucky sighs. “No.”

Sam grins. “It’s a secret girlfriend.”

“It is not.”

Clint raises a hand. “Secret wife.”

Thor gasps dramatically. “Secret queen!”

Bucky drags a hand down his face. “Oh my God.”

Tony points at him. “I’m only opening the gate if you promise not to be loud.”

Bucky blinks. “…What?”

“You heard me.”

“We’re not–”

Tony waggles his eyebrows. “Compound rules.”

Sam starts laughing so hard he nearly falls off the couch.

Clint claps his hands. “Oh this is incredible.”

Bucky gestures wildly. “No! That’s not–”

Tony interrupts. “Barnes.”

“What.”

“Promise.”

Bucky groans. “We’re not doing anything!”

Sam yells from the couch, “THEN WHO IS IT?”

Bucky pinches the bridge of his nose. Everyone is staring at him. Waiting. He exhales slowly. “I promise she’s not–”

The room explodes.

Sam slaps the couch. “SHE?”

Clint stands up. “Barnes has a girl!”

Thor beams. “This is wonderful!”

Wanda laughs quietly.

Tony points dramatically. “You said SHE.”

Bucky groans. “Oh my God.”

Sam leans forward. “Who is she?”

Clint adds, “Is she cute?”

Tony taps the tablet. “Opening the gate now.”

“Thank you,” Bucky mutters.

Sam jumps up. “We’re coming with you.”

“No you’re not.”

Clint follows. “I want to meet her.”

“No.”

Tony grins. “Oh we’re definitely meeting her.”

Bucky rolls his eyes so hard it physically hurts. “You’re all unbelievable.”

He turns and heads for the elevator. Behind him the teasing immediately starts again.

Sam calls out, “Barnes is bringing home a GIRL!”

Clint shouts, “THIS IS HISTORIC!”

Thor yells, “We must celebrate!”

Bucky presses the elevator button. “Kill me.”

The elevator doors open and he steps inside. As the doors close he can still hear Sam yelling down the hallway–

“ASK HER IF SHE HAS FRIENDS!”

--

You pull up to the compound gate and stop the car. The headlights illuminate the tall metal bars and the security camera mounted on one of the posts.

You put the car in park and wait. And wait. Your fingers tap lightly against the steering wheel. The gate doesn’t move. You glance up at the camera. Maybe they’re verifying something.

Another minute passes. You lean back in the seat. You briefly consider pressing the call button next to the keypad. But the thought immediately makes you cringe. Because if you press that button, everyone will know you’re here. And the last thing you want is to be announced to the entire Avengers compound like some random visitor.

You sigh and keep waiting. Another minute passes. Then finally, the gate starts to slide open. You let out a quiet breath of relief and slowly pull forward. As the car rolls through the gate, a voice suddenly crackles through the speaker mounted nearby.

“Welcome, Barnes’ mystery girl. Come on in.”

You roll your eyes immediately. Of course. Tony. You don’t say anything back, but a small smile creeps onto your face anyway. Because you know exactly what probably happened.

Bucky had to ask Tony to open the gate. Which means everyone was probably there. Which means he was almost definitely interrogated. And teased. Relentlessly.

You pull into one of the parking spots outside and turn the engine off. Just as you open the door and step out, the side door to the garage swings open. Bucky steps out and spots you immediately.

You lift a hand and wave. He waves back.

You grab your bag from the passenger seat and walk toward him. By the time you reach him, he’s already shaking his head slightly.

You grin. “So,” you say, “how’d everyone react to you having a girl over?”

He groans immediately. “Did Tony say something?”

“Yeah.” You try to keep a straight face. “He said, ‘Welcome Barnes’ mystery girl, come on in.’”

Bucky rolls his eyes. “Of course he did.”

You laugh quietly. “You had to ask him to open the gate, didn’t you?”

“JARVIS wouldn’t let me.”

“Because you don’t have clearance?”

“Exactly.”

You smile. “Which means everyone was there.”

He rubs a hand down his face. “You have no idea.”

“I can imagine.”

He gestures toward the building. “Let’s go.”

You follow him toward the side door. “It’s so weird,” you say as you walk. “They don’t know me in this universe.”

He nods slightly. “Yeah.”

“I know them,” you continue. “But they don’t know me.”

“That’s…strange.”

You glance at him. “It’s weird that you wouldn’t know me either.”

He glances back at you briefly. “…Yeah.” There’s a small pause. “That is weird.”

You both step into the hallway and immediately head for the back elevator – the one that doesn’t open directly into the common room. Because neither of you are in the mood to explain anything tonight.

The elevator doors close and you lean back against the wall. “…Today has been insane.”

“Agreed.”

The elevator dings softly when it reaches the floor. You step out and follow him down the hallway to his room. He opens the door and lets you step inside first.

The second the door closes behind you, you drop your bag onto the floor and walk straight to the bed. Then flop onto it face-first.

“Okay,” you mumble into the pillow.

Bucky snorts quietly.

You roll onto your back. “I don’t know if it’s the jumping universes,” you say, “or if I just don’t get enough sleep in this universe.” You stare at the ceiling. “But I am exhausted.”

Bucky leans against the dresser. “I think it’s the universe jumping.”

“You do?”

“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m tired too.”

You glance at him. “You don’t usually get tired.”

“Exactly.”

You sigh. “Maybe we just deal with this tomorrow.”

He nods. “Yeah. It’s already late.”

You’re honestly so tired you feel like you might fall asleep right there. But another thought hits you. You force yourself to sit up.

“Wait.”

“What?”

You rub your eyes. “Is there even a bed in my room in this universe?”

“Yeah,” he says, “but it’s just the mattress. There’s no sheets on it.”

You groan. “Great.”

He shrugs. “You can stay here.”

You blink. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” He gestures toward the floor. “I’ll take the floor.”

You immediately shake your head. “No. You take the bed.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not sleeping on the floor in your own room.”

He waves a hand dismissively. “I’m used to sleeping on the floor.”

You narrow your eyes at him. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

You sigh. “…Okay.”

Then you point at him. “But if you change your mind, you can kick me out.”

He chuckles quietly. “Deal.”

He grabs some clothes from the dresser. “I’m gonna shower real quick.”

You nod. “Okay.”

You stand up long enough to kick your shoes off. Then you crawl under the covers. Bucky switches off the lights before heading into the bathroom.

The room goes dark. The sound of the shower starts a minute later. You close your eyes. Your body sinks into the mattress. You’re almost asleep by the time the shower shuts off. A few minutes later the bathroom door opens.

You hear quiet footsteps, then fabric rustling, then the soft sound of a pillow being set on the floor.

Your eyes open slightly. “Are you sure you want to sleep on the floor?” you mumble.

Bucky glances over from where he’s setting up a blanket. “Yeah.”

You nod sleepily. “Okay.”

You shift slightly under the covers. “If you change your mind,” you mumble, “the bed’s big enough.”

He smiles faintly. “Okay.”

You’re already drifting off again.

“Good night,” he says quietly.

“Night,” you mumble.

You hear him settle onto the floor. The room goes quiet. And not long after that, you fall asleep.

--

Bucky wakes slowly. At first, he doesn’t move. His eyes stay closed as his brain tries to figure out where he is. The floor is cold under his shoulder. Something stiff pulls across his back when he shifts. He frowns slightly.

Then everything from yesterday hits him all at once.

The warehouse. The machine. The jump. Another universe. You.

His eyes open and he stares up at the ceiling for a moment. Then he pushes himself up slowly, wincing a little as his back protests. Sleeping on the floor might be something he’s used to, but it’s been a while, and it’s definitely not comfortable.

He rolls his shoulders, stretching. The room is still dim. He glances up at the bed, and you’re still asleep. Half under the covers, hair slightly messy, breathing slow and even.

He watches for a second. Then quietly stands up. No point in waking you. He slips out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

He doesn’t bother changing clothes, just heads downstairs. The compound is quiet. The kitchen lights are already on, and Steve is sitting at the table with a mug of coffee.

Of course he is.

Steve looks up when Bucky walks in. One eyebrow lifts slightly.

Bucky grabs a mug. “Morning.”

Steve smirks faintly. “Morning.”

Bucky pours coffee and leans against the counter. Steve watches him over the rim of his mug.

“Sleep well?”

There’s a very obvious tone in Steve’s voice. Bucky rolls his eyes immediately. “Here we go.”

Steve chuckles quietly. “What?”

“You know what.”

“I’m just asking how your night was.”

“Sure you are.”

Steve sets his mug down. “So.”

Bucky takes a sip of coffee. “So.”

Steve tilts his head. “Who was your visitor?”

Bucky sighs. “It’s not what you think.”

Steve smiles. “That’s exactly what someone says when it is.”

Bucky points at him. “No.”

Steve leans back slightly. “Buck.”

“What.”

“You brought a girl to the compound.”

“I did not bring a girl to the compound.”

Steve gestures vaguely. “Someone came through the gate.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

Steve raises an eyebrow. “You asked Tony to open the gate.”

Bucky groans. “That was a mistake.”

Steve grins. “Oh, I’m sure.”

Bucky shakes his head and takes another sip of coffee. Steve watches him for a second.

“So who is she?”

“No one.”

Steve laughs quietly. “Buck.”

“What.”

“You’re terrible at lying.”

“I’m not lying.”

Steve studies him. “Then tell me.”

Bucky rubs the back of his neck. “I can’t.”

Steve leans forward slightly. “Why not?”

Bucky hesitates. “Because I should probably wait until she’s up before explaining everything.”

Steve blinks. “…Wait.”

Bucky freezes. Steve slowly raises his eyebrows.

“She’s still here?”

Bucky immediately regrets that sentence. “That’s not what I meant.”

Steve grins. “Oh my God.”

Bucky groans. “Steve.”

“You let her stay the night?”

“It’s not like that.”

Steve laughs. “It is absolutely like that.”

“No.”

“Buck.”

“What.”

“You snuck a girl into the compound and she stayed the night.”

Bucky pinches the bridge of his nose. “I did not sneak her in.”

“You literally had Stark open the gate.”

“That’s not sneaking!”

Steve is trying very hard not to laugh now. “So where is she?”

“Sleeping.”

Steve’s grin widens. “In your room?”

“Yes – but not like that.”

Steve raises both hands. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

Steve chuckles. “Well.”

Bucky sighs. “Nothing happened.”

“Sure.”

“I slept on the floor.”

Steve pauses. “…You slept on the floor?”

“Yes.”

Steve stares at him. “Why?”

“Because she took the bed.”

Steve leans back slowly. “You gave up your bed.”

Bucky shrugs. “Yeah.”

Steve shakes his head. “Wow.”

“What.”

“You really like her.”

Bucky groans. “That’s not–”

Steve interrupts. “You don’t give up your bed for just anyone.”

“It was the polite thing to do.”

Steve smirks. “Uh huh.”

Bucky takes another sip of coffee. Steve studies him again.

“So,” Steve says casually. “Does she know she’s meeting the Avengers this morning?”

Bucky almost chokes on his coffee. “She is not meeting the Avengers.”

“Oh she absolutely is.”

“No.”

Steve takes another sip of coffee.

“I’m just saying.”

“Don’t.”

“It’s been a long time since you brought someone home.”

“I did not bring someone home.”

Steve shrugs. “You kind of did.”

Bucky sighs heavily. “This is going to be a long day.”

--

You wake up slowly.

At first you just lie there with your eyes closed, your brain still heavy with sleep. Then little pieces of yesterday start drifting back.

Your apartment. Driving to the compound. The phone call. Tony announcing you over the gate speaker. Bucky sneaking you in.

Your eyes open. You stare at the ceiling for a second. You shift slightly under the covers. You actually slept pretty well. Better than you expected. But you still feel tired. Your body feels heavy, like it hasn’t quite caught up after the universe jumping.

You turn your head toward the floor where Bucky was sleeping, but he’s gone. The pillow and blanket are still there, though, slightly rumpled.

You stare at the empty spot for a second, then roll onto your back again. You stay like that for another couple minutes because the bed is warm, you’re tired, and you really don’t feel like starting another day of figuring out how to get back to your universe.

Eventually you sigh and push yourself upright. You swing your legs off the bed and stand up. The bathroom mirror greets you with a slightly disheveled version of yourself. Your hair is a mess. You run your fingers through it, trying to smooth it out. Then, you splash cold water on your face. It helps a little. You stare at yourself in the mirror for a moment.

You definitely need coffee.

You step back into the room. You’re still wearing the t-shirt you slept in. You glance toward your bag on the floor, realising you didn’t bring anything else because you didn’t exactly plan for staying here. You hug your arms around yourself slightly. The compound is always cold.

You look toward Bucky’s closet.

You hesitate. Then you walk over and pull the closet open slightly.

Sweatshirts. A lot of them. You grab one that looks older and hopefully not one he wears often and you pull it over your head. It’s way too big, but warm.

Without really thinking about it, you grab your phone and head for the door.

You need coffee. You walk down the hallway, still half-asleep and still running on instinct.

You step into the kitchen – and everything stops.

Dead silent.

You blink.

For a split second you’re confused. Then it hits you.

Oh.

Oh no.

Everyone is here. All staring at you. Your brain catches up with what you just did. You came down here on instinct like you always do.

Except–

In this universe, they don’t know you. You’re just the girl Bucky brought over.

You slowly look toward Bucky. He’s standing at the counter with a coffee mug. At first he doesn’t react because it’s normal for him to see you in the kitchen.

But now everyone is silent. And he’s realized it too. His eyes widen slightly. You stand there awkwardly near the doorway. No one says anything.

Then Tony leans forward slightly. “Ohhhh.”

You close your eyes briefly.

Tony grins. “So this is Barnes’ mystery girl.”

Sam bursts out laughing. “I KNEW IT.”

Clint slaps the table. “She came down for breakfast!”

Thor beams. “Welcome!”

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “Well this is interesting.”

You feel your face getting warm.

Tony gestures dramatically. “What’s your name?”

Clint jumps in immediately. “How long have you two been dating?”

Sam adds, “Where did you meet?”

Tony points between you and Bucky. “How long has this been going on?”

You open your mouth. Then close it again. Bucky finally moves. He walks over toward you. “Do you want coffee?” he asks quietly.

You nod immediately. “Yes.”

He nods. “Okay.”

He turns back to the counter. The room immediately fills with voices again.

Sam leans forward. “So what’s her name?”

Bucky sighs. “We’re not doing this.”

Clint laughs. “Oh we’re absolutely doing this.”

Tony grins. “You had a girl stay the night and thought we wouldn’t ask questions?”

Bucky grabs a mug. “Nothing happened.”

Sam snorts. “Sure.”

Clint points at you. “She’s wearing your sweatshirt.”

You freeze and look down. Right.

Bucky groans.

“It’s cold in here,” you say.

Tony smirks. “Barnes, you gave her your clothes.”

“I did not give her my clothes.”

“You’re making her coffee.”

“I make everyone coffee!”

Sam points at the mug. “Did she even ask for it?”

Bucky pauses. “…No.”

Clint claps his hands. “Domestic.”

You can’t help it – you laugh a little.

Bucky shoots you a look. “You’re not helping.”

You shrug. “Sorry.”

Tony leans on the counter. “So what’s your name?”

You glance at Bucky. Then back at them.

“…Uh–”

Bucky slides the coffee mug toward you. You take it and take a sip. It’s exactly how you like it. Again.

Sam notices immediately. “Oh my God.”

Bucky groans. “What.”

“You knew how she takes her coffee.”

Bucky rubs his face. “I guessed.”

Clint grins. “You didn’t guess. You’re dating”

Thor laughs loudly. “This is wonderful.”

Bucky throws his hands up. “We are not dating.”

Sam points at you. “She spent the night.”

Bucky gestures toward the floor. “I slept on the floor!”

Tony grins. “That’s even worse.”

Natasha tilts her head slightly. “So how long?”

Bucky sighs. “There is nothing going on.”

You and Bucky both lean against the counter now. You try very hard to ignore everyone, but it’s impossible. The questions keep coming.

“Where’d you meet?”

“Is she moving in?”

“Does she have friends?”

At one point Sam says, “You know what, Barnes? I’m proud of you.”

Bucky glares at him. “Stop.”

You sip your coffee trying not to laugh. Bucky glances at you. You glance back. Neither of you says anything.

The kitchen is still buzzing with questions and everyone talking at once. Sam is halfway standing over the table. Clint is pointing at Bucky like he just discovered something historic. Tony is leaning on the counter with that stupid grin he gets when he thinks something is hilarious.

Bucky finally exhales slowly. “Alright.”

The word comes out a little louder than the rest of the noise. The room quiets slightly. He rubs a hand down his face.

“I’ll explain.”

Tony grins. “Oh good.”

“But,” Bucky continues, pointing at everyone around the room, “you’re going to think it’s weird.”

Sam snorts. “That ship sailed yesterday.”

“And,” Bucky adds, “you have to trust me.”

Steve, who’s been quietly watching the whole thing unfold, nods once. “Okay.”

Natasha folds her arms. “I’m listening.”

Clint leans back in his chair. “This should be good.”

Bucky takes a breath. “This is gonna sound crazy,” he says.

You glance at him briefly. Then he says it.

“We’re not from this universe.”

There’s a beat of silence.

Then Tony bursts out laughing. Sam immediately joins him. Clint slaps the table.

“Oh my god,” Tony points at Bucky. “You get caught red-handed with a girl in your room and your first instinct is to lie and jump straight to another universe?”

More laughter spreads around the room.

Sam wipes a tear from his eye. “That’s a bold strategy, Barnes.”

Clint grins. “Honestly I respect it.”

You and Bucky glance at each other. He looks mildly annoyed. You look mildly worried.

Bucky crosses his arms. “I’m serious.”

Tony waves a hand dismissively. “Yeah yeah.”

“No,” Bucky says flatly. “I’m serious.”

They’re still laughing. Sam shakes his head. “Come on man.”

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “Multiverse?”

Clint points between the two of you. “So in your universe you’re what, secretly married?”

Bucky groans. “Oh my God.”

You glance at him again. Neither of you look amused. The laughter slowly dies down as they realize you’re not joining in.

Tony studies both of you. “…Wait.”

Bucky gestures toward the living room. “You know last night during the movie?”

Steve nods. “When you gasped.”

“That wasn’t because I forgot something,” Bucky says. “That’s when I got to this universe.”

The room goes quiet. Not laughing now. Just confused.

Sam tilts his head. “…What?”

You set your coffee down on the counter. “In our universe,” you say slowly, “we’re both Avengers.”

Clint frowns. “You’re not an Avenger here.”

“Exactly,” you say. “In this universe I’m still a SHIELD agent.”

Steve’s expression sharpens slightly. “Okay…”

Bucky continues. “We were on a mission in our universe.”

“Warehouse sweep.”

“Abandoned building.”

Natasha nods slightly. “What kind of intel?”

“Multiverse related,” you say.

“And there was tech there too,” Bucky adds. “Some kind of machine.”

“We think they were experimenting with it,” you add. “And we accidentally triggered it.”

Tony’s grin is gone now. “…Triggered what?”

“The machine,” Bucky says. “And it sent us to another universe.”

Sam blinks. “…Another one?”

You nod. “We already went through one before this.”

Clint sits forward slowly. “Wait. You’re saying you’ve been…universe hopping?”

“Basically,” Bucky says.

Natasha looks thoughtful now. “And the warehouse?”

“It existed in the last universe,” you say. “So I’m assuming it exists in this one too. That’s how we triggered the machine again.”

Tony rubs his chin. “And that dropped you here.”

“Yeah,” Bucky says.

Sam points at him. “Then why did you leave the common room last night?”

Bucky exhales.

“Because she wasn’t there. I went looking for her”

Clint looks confused. “Then how’d you find her?”

Bucky gestures toward Steve. “I used Steve’s computer.”

Steve raises an eyebrow. “…You did?”

“You have access to SHIELD files in our universe,” Bucky says. “So I figured you would here too.”

Tony looks mildly impressed. “Resourceful.”

“I found her file,” Bucky continues. “Got her number.”

“That’s why I showed up.”

Sam leans back slowly. “…Hold on. You’re saying she just drove here from her apartment like this was normal?”

“Because we know each other in our universe,” you say.

The room is quiet again. They’re all looking between the two of you. Processing.

Steve nods slowly. “You were acting weird.”

Natasha tilts her head slightly. “And she knew her way to the kitchen this morning.”

You sigh. “Yeah.”

Tony studies both of you carefully. “…Okay.” Another pause. “I might actually believe this.”

Sam blinks. “…Seriously?”

Tony gestures toward you. “She walked into the kitchen like she lived here.”

He points at Bucky. “And he didn’t react at all.”

Clint nods slowly. “…That’s true.”

Steve looks thoughtful now. “So the warehouse is the key.”

“Yes,” Bucky says. “It has to be.”

Natasha leans against the counter. “And you’re trying to get back to your universe.”

“Exactly,” you say.

Sam shakes his head slowly. “This is the weirdest explanation I’ve ever heard.”

Tony points at him. “Have you met us?”

Clint raises a hand. “Fair.”

Steve looks between you and Bucky. “…Alright.”

Everyone turns toward him. He nods once.

“Then we help you get home.”

For a few seconds after everyone starts to believe you, the kitchen is quiet. Not awkward quiet, thinking quiet.

Then Steve straightens slightly. “We should go.”

Sam blinks. “Go where?”

“To the warehouse.”

Steve looks between you and Bucky. “If that machine is what’s sending you between universes, we need to get you there as soon as possible.”

Bucky nods immediately. “Yeah.”

You glance at him and nod too. “The sooner the better.”

Steve sets his mug down. “Training’s canceled.”

Sam throws both hands up. “Best news I’ve heard all week.”

Steve turns toward the hallway. “Everyone suit up.”

Clint stands up immediately. “Field trip.”

Tony grins. “Multiverse field trip.”

Natasha pushes off the counter. “Let’s move.”

Twenty minutes later everyone is in the hangar. Steve is standing near the jet with his phone to his ear.

“…Yes, sir,” he says.

You glance at Bucky. “Fury?”

“Yeah,” he murmurs.

Steve continues talking. “We found something related to multiverse tech.” A pause. “I’ll explain how we got the information when we get back.” Another pause. “Yes, sir.”

He hangs up and pockets the phone. “Alright,” he says. “Let’s go.”

You all get on the jet and you sit across from Bucky while the others spread out around the cabin.

Tony swivels slightly in his seat. “So,” he says, pointing at the two of you, “walk me through this universe hopping thing.”

You glance at Bucky. He shrugs slightly.

“It’s weird.”

“That’s not descriptive enough,” Tony says.

You lean back in your seat. “When it starts, everything kind of…tilts.”

Sam frowns. “Tilts?”

“Yeah,” you say. “Like your vision goes sideways for a second.”

Bucky nods. “Everything gets distorted.”

You gesture vaguely. “Then everything just goes black.”

“And when you wake up,” Bucky adds, “it’s like waking up from sleep.”

Tony leans forward slightly. “You physically wake up?”

“Yeah,” you say. “You jump a little and gasp.”

Clint nods. “That actually tracks.”

Tony taps his chin. “Any physical effects?”

“Not really,” Bucky says.

You shrug. “We’ve just been pretty tired.”

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

“Yeah.”

Thor folds his arms. “This is fascinating.”

Sam shakes his head. “Y’all are just casually jumping universes.”

You shrug slightly. “Not exactly by choice.”

The jet hums steadily as it flies. An hour passes quickly.

Finally Steve speaks from the cockpit. “We’re close.”

The jet lands quietly in a clearing about a mile from the warehouse. Everyone steps out. You immediately recognize the treeline.

“That way,” you say.

The team moves quickly through the trees. As the warehouse comes into view, you slow slightly. Then you hear it.

Machines. A low hum. Clanking.

Tony tilts his head. “…That’s not abandoned.”

Bucky shakes his head. “Nope.”

Steve signals quietly. “Stay sharp.”

You move toward the entrance. Inside, the warehouse is full of equipment. Lights. Servers. Workstations. And people. Not a lot, but enough.

One of them notices movement.

“Hey–”

Sam takes him down before he finishes the sentence. Everything explodes into motion. Two more guards come running from another room. Clint drops one. Natasha sweeps the other’s legs out from under him. Thor moves like a truck through the middle of the room. Tony’s repulsors flare.

Within seconds the room is clear. You keep moving.

“Machine room is this way,” you say.

Bucky follows right beside you. The team spreads out behind you as you move through the warehouse. More people appear in some of the rooms, but the team handles them easily.

By the time you reach the hallway leading to the machine room, the building is quiet again. You push the door open. Inside, a few technicians are standing at the consoles.

They barely have time to react. Bucky takes one down. Natasha handles another. Sam grabs the last one and pulls him away from the controls.

The room goes quiet. The machine platform sits in the center of the floor. Inactive.

You and Bucky step toward the console.

“Same setup,” he mutters.

“Yeah.”

He reconnects one of the cables. The console flickers to life. Lights begin glowing along the circular platform.

Tony whistles. “Okay that’s cool.”

Steve gestures everyone back. “Give them space.”

Bucky looks at you. “Ready?”

You nod. “Ready.”

He flips a switch. The machine hums to life. Energy ripples through the platform. You both step onto it. The others back away.

Sam folds his arms. “Good luck.”

You glance at Bucky. He nods once.

Then–

Your vision tilts. The room bends sideways. Everything distorts.

And the world goes black.

--

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The warehouse smells like dust, oil, and something faintly metallic. You step carefully over a coil of cables on the concrete floor, your flashlight cutting a narrow beam through the dim room. Most of the building had looked exactly like this – abandoned offices, empty storage areas, rusting equipment that hadn’t been touched in years. Except for the few rooms that clearly weren’t abandoned. Those had been…different. Too clean. Too organized. Too full of tech that absolutely did not belong in a run-down warehouse in the middle of nowhere. The entire team had been assigned to this mission, and Fury thought they were storing intel and possibly some tech related to the multiverse.

You lower the beam of your light as Bucky pushes open the next door.

“Clear,” he mutters automatically, stepping inside first.

You follow him, sweeping the corners out of habit. “Also empty,” you say after a second.

“Shocking.”

You snort softly. You and Bucky have been paired together most of the mission. It’s not unusual – Steve likes putting you two together because you’re both thorough. Also because, according to Sam, you’re both “stubborn enough to out-stubborn the other.” Which is not true…okay, maybe a little. But the two of you work well together. Even when you butt heads.

You step farther into the next room, your eyes adjusting. This one isn’t like the others.

“Uh…Bucky?” you say slowly.

He’s already noticed. The entire far wall is lined with equipment. Sleek metal consoles. Monitors. A circular platform built into the floor with glowing lines etched into it. You whistle quietly.

“Okay,” you say. “That definitely does not scream abandoned.”

Bucky moves closer, eyes scanning everything. “Looks recent,” he mutters.

You crouch beside a console, brushing dust off a panel. The screens are dark, but the machinery around them hums faintly. “Multiverse tech maybe?” you say.

Bucky huffs. “Great.”

You glance up at him. “What?”

“Because that always goes well.”

You grin. “Hey, last time we dealt with multiverse stuff you only almost got thrown into a different dimension once.”

“Still counts.”

You reach for a stack of folders beside the console. Most of the papers inside are diagrams – dense scientific schematics that make your brain hurt just looking at them. “Yeah, okay,” you mutter. “Definitely experiments.”

Bucky walks slowly around the circular platform. “There’s power running to it,” he says.

“Probably some kind of portal system.”

You flip through another folder. Nothing useful, just equations. “Great,” you sigh. “So we found the science nerd room but not the intel room.”

“Let’s keep looking.”

You nod, tossing the folder aside as you stand. But when you step backward, your boot catches one of the loose cables trailing from the console.

There’s a sharp click. Both of you freeze.

“Did you just–” Bucky starts.

The console lights up.

“–trigger something?” you finish weakly.

Every screen flickers to life. The circular platform glows brighter. “Oh no.”

The hum of the machines deepens into a low vibrating thrum. You spin toward the door.

“Steve–” you start, reaching for your comm.

But the words never finish. The air in the room suddenly warps. Your vision bends. The floor tilts sideways.

“What the–”

Your stomach lurches violently.

Then–

Everything goes black.

--

You wake up with a gasp. Your chest heaves as you bolt upright. Or try to. Something tight around your waist stops you. You freeze. Your brain struggles to catch up with reality. You’re in a bed. A warm bed. Soft blankets. Your heart is still racing when you realize something else. There’s an arm around you. A very familiar arm. Metal fingers curl loosely against your stomach.

Your head snaps sideways. Bucky is lying right next to you. His face is inches away. His hair is messy, his expression slack with sleep. He’s shirtless. Your eyes widen. Your brain short-circuits. You both stare at each other. Two seconds pass. Then three. Then both of you explode into motion. You scramble backward, nearly falling off the bed as he jerks upright at the same time.

“What the hell–”

“What is happening–”

“Why am I–”

“Why are we in bed–”

You both stop. You blink. “Wait,” you say.

He frowns. “What?”

You look around the room. Your stomach drops. “Oh my god.”

Bucky follows your gaze. His eyes widen too. “…This is my room.”

You stare at him. “I know.”

You both go quiet. Your heart is still racing as you drag a hand through your hair. You glance down at yourself. Sleep shorts. An oversized t-shirt. You freeze. You know this shirt. Your stomach flips. You’re about 99.9% sure it belongs to Bucky. You immediately decide not to acknowledge that. You get up and start pacing the room instead.

“Okay,” you say quickly. “Okay okay okay.”

Bucky swings his legs off the bed and stands. He’s only wearing boxers. You accidentally glance down. Your brain short circuits again. Nope. Eyes up. Focus.

“Why were we–” he starts. Then he stops. “Cuddling?”

Your face goes hot. “We were not cuddling,” you say.

“We definitely were.”

“We were unconscious!”

“Still counts.”

You point at him. “That does not count!”

Bucky runs a hand over his face. “Okay, forget the cuddling – why are we in my room?”

Your pacing speeds up. “Because,” you say slowly, thinking it through, “we triggered that machine.”

“The one in the warehouse?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“And–”

Your brain finally catches up. Your steps stop. “…Oh shit.”

Bucky looks at you. “What.”

You point between the two of you. “I think we’re in another universe.”

Silence. He stares at you. “…No.”

“Yes.”

“There is absolutely no way.”

“Think about it!” You start pacing again. “That room had multiverse tech. We triggered it. Then we blacked out and woke up here.”

“Okay,” Bucky says slowly. “But why would we be in my room?”

You gesture around wildly. “Because we’re in the bodies of our other universe selves!”

He blinks. “…That sounds insane.”

You throw your hands up. “You have a metal arm and are from the 1940s and you’re telling me that sounds insane?”

He opens his mouth. Then closes it. “…Fair.”

You keep pacing. Your brain is running a mile a minute. “Okay,” you say. “Okay. If we’re in another universe…” You glance toward the bed. Your stomach drops again. “…Then that means.”

Bucky follows your gaze. Then he slowly looks back at you. “…Yeah.”

You both say it at the same time. “We’re dating.”

You stare at each other. “Oh god.”

“Oh no.”

You rub your face. “This is so weird.”

Bucky exhales hard. “We need to figure out how to get back,” you say.

“Yes.”

“Immediately.”

“Yes.”

You nod rapidly. Then, your eyes drift downward again. Bare chest. Muscle. Boxers. You snap your gaze back up.

“…Also you need to put pants on.”

Bucky stares at you. “Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“That’s your concern right now?”

“It’s distracting!”

He squints at you. “You’re an Avenger.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve fought aliens.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve jumped out of planes.”

“Yes.”

“And my legs are where you draw the line?”

Your face burns. “PUT. PANTS. ON.”

Bucky rolls his eyes but walks over to the dresser. You very deliberately stare at the wall while he pulls on sweatpants.

“…Happy?” he mutters.

“Yes.”

You glance over again. Your brain betrays you. Still distracting. You turn away immediately. “This is a nightmare.”

Bucky sighs. “Yeah.”

You lean against the wall, trying to think. “So we triggered the machine,” you say slowly. “Which means if we want to get back…”

“We probably need to find the machine in this universe.”

You nod. “Exactly.”

Bucky looks around the room. “Which means we might have to pretend to be…us.”

Your stomach flips again. “Oh my god.”

He raises an eyebrow. “What.”

“You realize everyone in this universe thinks we’re dating.”

“…Yeah.”

“And we just woke up screaming in your bedroom.”

“…Yeah.”

You both pause. Footsteps echo faintly in the hallway outside. You slowly turn toward the door.

Bucky groans. “…We’re screwed.”

Your eyes widen. “Bucky–”

There’s a knock on the door. Then Sam’s voice comes through. “Hey lovebirds,” he calls. “You two alive in there?”

You and Bucky stare at each other like deer caught in headlights.

“Say something!” you whisper.

“You say something!”

“It’s your room!”

Bucky groans quietly, then raises his voice. “Yeah, we’re fine!”

There’s a pause. You both freeze. Then Sam snorts on the other side of the door.

“Alright, just checking. Sounded like somebody got murdered in there.”

Bucky rubs his face. “Dropped something,” he calls back.

“Uh huh,” Sam says, clearly not believing that for a second. “Well try not to kill each other before breakfast.”

Footsteps start walking away down the hallway. You both wait. Then you collapse onto the edge of the bed. “Oh my god.”

Bucky exhales and drags a hand through his hair. “This is already a disaster.”

“We haven’t even left the room yet.”

“Exactly.”

You push yourself up again, pacing. “Okay, okay. Focus.”

Bucky leans back against the dresser, arms crossed. “You said the warehouse.”

You nod immediately. “Yes! We know where it is.”

“The one from the mission.”

“Exactly.”

“Which means the machine should be there in this universe too.”

“Hopefully.”

Bucky tilts his head slightly. “So we just go back there.”

You stop pacing. “…Right.”

He waits. You stare at him. “…How are we getting there?”

Bucky pauses. “…Quinjet.”

“Correct. Which we don’t currently have access to.”

He exhales slowly. “So we either explain this to the team–” he starts.

“Or steal a jet.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You went straight to stealing.”

“Weird multiverse emergency!”

“That’s not a real excuse.”

“It should be!”

Bucky pushes off the dresser, pacing now too. “If we try to explain it…”

“They might believe us.”

“Weirder things have happened,” he says.

“Exactly!”

“But,” he continues, “we also might sound insane.”

You rub your face. “Yeah.”

“And if they don’t believe us,” he adds, “they definitely won’t let us take a jet.”

You groan. “This is impossible.”

You’re both pacing now, circling the room like stressed animals.

“We could try to slip away after breakfast,” Bucky says.

“And just casually take a jet?”

“Yes.”

“From the Avengers compound.”

“Yes.”

You stare at him. “That sounds like the worst plan I’ve ever heard.”

“You suggested stealing it first.”

“That was hypothetical!”

Another knock interrupts you. You both freeze. “…We didn’t answer fast enough,” you whisper.

Bucky sighs and opens the door. Steve stands in the hallway. He smiles slightly. “Morning.”

“Morning,” Bucky says.

Steve glances past him briefly, then back. “You two coming down for breakfast?”

You step closer to the door. “Yeah, we will.”

“Training starts soon,” Steve adds. “Figured I’d check.”

Bucky nods. “We’ll be right there.”

Steve studies both of you for a second. Your heart rate skyrockets. Then he nods. “Alright. See you downstairs.”

He walks away. Bucky closes the door. You both immediately spin toward each other.

“Training?!” you whisper-yell.

“We cannot go to training!”

“We have to get to the warehouse!”

“I know!”

You start pacing again. “Okay okay okay, we need an excuse.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know!”

“We can’t just skip it.”

“Steve will hunt us down!”

“Exactly!”

Your brain spins. You run through every possible idea. Sick? Injured? Definitely not convincing. Then suddenly, a thought hits you. You stop pacing. Your face twists.

Bucky narrows his eyes. “What.”

“Nothing.”

“You thought of something.”

“No I didn’t.”

“Yes you did.”

You wave your hands. “It’s stupid.”

He crosses his arms. “What is it.”

You groan. “Bucky.”

“What.”

“It’s weird.”

“Just say it.”

You rub your face dramatically. “We could say I might be pregnant.”

Bucky blinks. He stares at you. Then his expression slowly shifts. “…That might actually work.”

Your eyes widen. “WAIT.” You immediately start backtracking. “Wait wait wait – how long have we even been dating in this universe?”

“I don’t know.”

“What if it’s like two weeks?!”

“Then that’s concerning.”

“Exactly!”

You start pacing again. “And also – maybe we haven’t even–” You gesture vaguely between the two of you. “–you know.”

Bucky tilts his head slightly. Then very casually says, “That hickey on your neck says otherwise.”

You freeze. “…What.”

Bucky nods toward your neck. “Right there.”

Your hand flies up instantly. “WHAT?!”

“Shh!”

“Are you serious?!”

“Yes!”

You spin toward the mirror across the room and nearly trip rushing over. You yank your shirt collar down slightly. Your eyes widen. “Oh my god.” There is absolutely a hickey on your neck. You whip back around. “BUCKY.”

He’s trying very hard not to laugh.

“This is not funny!”

“I didn’t do it!”

“You kind of did!”

He shrugs. “Technically.”

You stare at him. Your brain short circuits briefly. Then you close you eyes and shake your head. “Focus.”

“Right.”

You point at him. “We need to figure something out.”

“Agreed.”

“Soon.”

“Also agreed.”

You both pause. Then glance at the door. You look back at Bucky. “…This is a disaster.”

Bucky exhales. “Yep.”

You both stand there for a second. “…We really need a plan,” you say.

You and Bucky stare at each other for another long second.

“…We should just act normal,” you finally say.

Bucky exhales. “Normal?”

“Yes.”

“You mean pretend we know how our alternate universe selves act?”

You point at him. “Exactly.”

He rubs his face. “This is going to go badly.”

“Probably. But it’s still the best plan. Gather information. Don’t look suspicious. Then figure out how to get a jet.”

Bucky sighs. “Alright.”

You hesitate near the door. “…I should probably go get ready.”

He nods. “Yeah.”

You open the door slowly, peeking down the hallway like you’re committing a crime. No one’s there. You slip out quickly and head toward your room. The second the door shuts behind you, you lean back against it and exhale. Your heart is still racing. You cross the room, running a hand through your hair as your brain replays the last twenty minutes.

The warehouse. The machine. Waking up in Bucky’s bed. The hickey.

You groan and drag your hands over your face. “This is insane.”

You move to the mirror while pulling a clean shirt from your drawer. Your eyes immediately land on the mark on your neck again. You turn your head slightly, examining it. Your brain betrays you by imagining the very obvious person who could have put it there. You shake your head violently. “Nope.”

You change quickly, then go to the bathroom and wash your face, run a brush through your hair and put it into a ponytail. But while you’re tying your shoes, your mind drifts again. Because the thing that’s bothering you the most isn’t the multiverse. It’s the other part. You and Bucky. Dating.

You sit on the edge of your bed for a second. It feels weird. Really weird. But…you can also kind of see it. Which you absolutely do not want to admit. You and Bucky already spend a lot of time together. You already know each other’s habits. You already bicker like an old married couple half the time. And apparently in this universe…you just skipped the whole “figuring it out” part.

You shake your head again. “Nope,” you mutter. You stand up quickly. Mission first. Existential romantic crisis later.

You head back into the hallway and knock on Bucky’s door. He opens it a second later. He’s still in the sweatpants from earlier and now a dark t-shirt. You both pause awkwardly for half a second. Then he nods toward the hallway.

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

You start walking toward the elevator together. Your shoulders almost bump. Both of you subtly adjust your steps at the same time. It’s awkward. But also weirdly easy. You both know each other’s pace without thinking. Neither of you mentions it. When you walk into the kitchen, everyone is already there. Every single one of them turns to look at you. Sam immediately grins.

“Well look who finally decided to join us.”

Your stomach drops. You force a casual smile. “Morning.”

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “Rough morning?”

You sit down at the table quickly. “Why does everyone think that?”

Sam gestures between you and Bucky. “You two were yelling.”

Clint smirks. “Very loudly.”

You freeze. Bucky grabs a mug and starts making coffee. “Dropped something,” he says.

Sam leans back in his chair. “You drop things every morning?”

You narrow your eyes at him. “You’re very interested in our morning routine.”

“Oh, I’m extremely invested,” Sam says.

Natasha smirks into her coffee. Bucky sets a mug in front of you.

You blink. You didn’t even ask. He already made it exactly how you like it.

Sam notices immediately. “See?” he says loudly. “Domestic.”

Your face heats. “It’s coffee.”

“You didn’t even ask for it.”

“He knows how I like it.”

Sam leans toward Steve. “Domestic.”

Steve hides a smile behind his cup. You take a sip of the coffee. Yep. Exactly right. You refuse to acknowledge that.

Natasha watches you both carefully. “You two are acting weird today.”

You almost choke. “We are not.”

“You’re quieter.”

Clint nods. “Way quieter.”

Thor looks confused. “Are they usually louder?”

“Much,” Sam says.

You glare at him. Bucky sits down beside you. Not touching. Just…close. You feel hyper aware of it.

Tony sets down his fork. “So,” he says casually, “did you two sleep well?”

You and Bucky both choke. Sam immediately bursts out laughing.

“OH my god,” he says. “You definitely slept in.”

“We did not!” you say quickly.

Natasha smirks. “You look like you did.”

You shove a piece of toast in your mouth to stop talking. Wanda tilts her head.

“Didn’t you stay in Bucky’s room last night?”

You freeze. “…What?”

She looks confused. “You usually do.”

Sam nods. “Yeah, you basically live there.”

You look at Bucky. Bucky looks at you.

Clint grins. “You might as well just move in together already. You already spend like every night together.”

Your brain short circuits. Every night. Together. You stare very hard at your toast.

Sam grins at you both. “You two are red.”

“We are not.”

“You absolutely are.”

Natasha watches you. “You two fight or something?”

“No,” you say quickly.

“Yes,” Bucky says at the exact same time.

You both look at each other.

“…What?”

“…What?”

Sam slaps the table laughing. “Oh this is gold.”

Steve stands. “Training in five.”

You and Bucky both look horrified.

--

Training is worse. Because now everyone is watching you. And training starts with sparring rounds of course.

You stand across from Bucky on the mat. Sam leans against the wall.

“This is gonna be good.”

Natasha folds her arms. “Fight like you usually do.”

You and Bucky glance at each other. “…How do we usually do it?” you whisper.

“No idea.”

“Great.”

You lunge first. Bucky blocks easily. Your movements fall into rhythm almost instantly. Years of fighting together kick in automatically. You dodge. He counters. You spin. He catches your wrist. You freeze for half a second. He lets go quickly.

Sam whistles. “You two are weird today.”

You shove Bucky lightly. “Focus.”

He smirks. “You’re the one distracted.”

You narrow your eyes. “Oh really?”

You sweep his leg. He stumbles and grabs your arm to steady himself. For a split second you’re very close. You both freeze again.

Sam groans dramatically. “Just kiss already.”

“SAM!” you yell.

“WHAT.”

Natasha is watching with a small smile. “You two are adorable.”

You groan. “This is a nightmare.”

“Agreed,” Bucky mutters beside you.

Steve claps his hands. “Alright,” he says. “A few more sparring rounds.”

You wipe sweat from your forehead and groan quietly. Of course.

Natasha smirks from across the mat. “You two again.”

Sam grins. “Yeah, let’s see if they’re still mad at each other.”

“We are not mad at each other,” you say immediately.

Bucky glances at you. “You literally swept my leg five minutes ago.”

“That was training!”

Sam points at you both. “See? Tension.”

Steve sighs, but he’s smiling a little. “Alright, let’s go.”

You step onto the mat again, rolling your shoulders. Bucky stands across from you. For a second you both just look at each other.

“…We’re doing this again?” you mutter.

“Apparently.”

Sam leans on the wall again. “Don’t hold back just because you’re dating.”

Your face burns. “We are not holding back!”

“Sure,” Clint says from the corner. “Last week you pinned him in thirty seconds.”

You freeze. “…I did?”

Clint nods. “You bragged about it for like an hour.”

Your eyes slowly shift to Bucky. You blink. Then shake your head.

“Okay.” You square up again. “Let’s go.”

You move first again. This time the rhythm is smoother. You’ve trained together so many times your bodies just…know. He blocks. You twist. He counters. You duck under his arm and shove him backward.

Sam whistles. “There it is.”

You try not to think about the fact that Bucky’s hands keep catching you before you stumble. Or that every time you step wrong he steadies you automatically. You swing again. He dodges.

At one point, your ponytail comes loose slightly, strands sticking to the side of your sweaty face.

You try to blow them away. But before you can fix it, Bucky reaches out. His fingers brush lightly against your temple as he tucks the loose strands back into your ponytail.

The movement is automatic. Effortless. Like he’s done it a thousand times. You freeze for half a second. Your heart does something weird in your chest.

“…Thanks,” you mutter.

He just nods.

Sam immediately groans from across the room. “Oh my god.”

You glare at him. “What?”

“That was disgustingly domestic.”

“It was practical!”

Natasha smirks. “Sure.”

You spin back toward Bucky quickly. “Focus.”

“Right.”

You attack again just to distract yourself. But now you’re hyper aware of everything. Every time his hand brushes your arm. Every time he steadies you. Every time he adjusts his stance slightly so you don’t collide with someone behind you.

It’s not over-the-top couple stuff. It’s small things. Subtle. Things most people wouldn’t notice. But you notice.

Because in your universe…he doesn’t do them. At least not like this.

You step back to catch your breath. Bucky immediately reaches down and grabs your water bottle from the bench. He holds it out without looking. You stare at it.

“…How did you know I was about to grab that?”

“You always do after the second round.”

Your brain stalls. “Oh.” You take it slowly. “…Right.”

Sam is watching you both again. “You two are ridiculous.”

“Why?” you ask defensively.

“You move like a married couple.”

“We are not married!”

“Yet,” Clint says.

You choke on your water. “CLINT.”

Natasha laughs quietly. Steve walks past, shaking his head. “Alright, next drill.”

You hand the bottle back to Bucky automatically. He takes it without looking. Your brains are apparently on the same weird autopilot.

The drills continue. You and Bucky end up paired together again for partner work. Of course. While Steve explains the exercise, Sam leans toward you.

“So,” he says quietly, “you two good now?”

You blink. “…What?”

“You were arguing yesterday.”

You glance at Bucky. He shrugs slightly. You quickly nod.

“Yeah, we’re good.”

Sam grins. “Good. Because the silent treatment thing you two do is exhausting.”

Your brain trips. “…We do that?”

“Oh yeah,” Clint calls from the other side of the room. “You two get petty.”

Bucky mutters beside you, “That sounds accurate.”

You elbow him lightly.

“Hey.” Steve claps his hands. “Focus.”

The drill starts. This one is closer. Grappling practice. You try very hard not to think about the fact that Bucky’s hands are on your arms. Or your waist. Or that he’s standing way closer than usual.

He shifts your stance slightly. “Foot back,” he murmurs.

You adjust automatically. Your shoulder brushes his chest. Your heart flutters again. You try very hard to ignore that.

“Better,” he says.

You glance up at him. “…You’re very good at this boyfriend thing.”

The words slip out before you can stop them. His eyebrow lifts slightly.

“I’m just doing what I normally do.”

You blink. “…Right.”

Sam watches the two of you again. “You guys seem less weird now.”

You straighten quickly. “We were never weird.”

“Uh huh.”

You and Bucky exchange a quick glance. Apparently you’re faking it well enough now. But the teasing doesn’t stop. It just becomes…normal.

Sam bumps Bucky’s shoulder as everyone takes a break. “You still taking her to that place tonight?”

You freeze. “…What place?”

Sam looks confused. “The diner.”

Bucky nods slowly. “Yeah.”

You stare at him. Diner. Okay. New information.

Clint grins. “Your weekly date.”

Your brain short circuits. Weekly. Date.

Natasha smirks at your expression. “You two are very routine.”

You rub your face. “Good to know.”

Sam looks at you suspiciously. “You forget?”

“No!” You clear your throat. “I was just…thinking about something else.”

Sam shrugs. “Alright.”

Training resumes. But now your brain is spinning with all the little pieces of information you’ve gathered. You and Bucky spend most nights together. You have a weekly diner date. You fight and give each other the silent treatment.

And apparently…you’re very good at acting like a couple. Which is somehow the weirdest part of all. Because the more the morning goes on…the more natural it starts to feel.

--

Training finally ends. Everyone starts breaking off and grabbing water, stretching, or talking.

You and Bucky end up staying on the mat for a minute, stretching out sore muscles. Your shoulders ache. Your legs definitely ache.

Bucky sits on the mat beside you, stretching one arm across his chest. “…Well,” he says quietly.

You stretch forward, touching your toes. “That was horrible.”

“You handled it fine.”

“I did not,” you respond.

“You did.”

You glance sideways at him. “You kept doing boyfriend things.”

He shrugs. “They came naturally.”

“That’s concerning.”

He smirks slightly. “Maybe you just make it easy.”

You immediately look away. “Nope.”

You stand up quickly. “We should go before someone asks us more questions.”

Bucky nods. “Good idea.”

You both grab your things. A few people are still around, but no one really says anything as you leave the training room together. You exhale the second you step into the hallway.

“Okay.”

Bucky runs a hand through his hair. “So.”

“So.” You start walking toward the elevators. “New plan,” you say. “We act normal for a little longer.”

“Meaning?”

“Shower. Lunch. Normal routine.”

“And then?”

“Then we meet back up and figure out how to get to the warehouse.”

He nods slowly. “That works.”

You stop outside your door. “Alright.”

You point at him. “Go.”

“What?”

“Your room.”

He looks down the hall. “You’re kicking me out now?”

“Yes.”

He huffs a quiet laugh. “Fine.”

--

The shower feels amazing. The second the hot water hits your shoulders, you let out a long breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. It loosens the tension in your shoulders. Your brain is still spinning though.

Multiverse.

Machine.

Other universes.

You and Bucky dating.

Your brain trips over that thought again. You sigh loudly. You grab shampoo and run a hand through your hair. You try to focus on the actual problem.

Step one: figure out what your other-universe selves have been doing.

Step two: figure out how to get to the warehouse.

Step three: activate the machine again.

Simple.

Except your brain keeps drifting back to the same thought. You and Bucky. Dating. You scrub your face. It’s so weird. But…

You sigh again.

You can kind of see it. Which is the annoying part. You rinse the shampoo out of your hair. You force your brain back to the plan.

Then a thought hits you. You straighten slightly under the water.

Your phone. You put everything in your calendar. Appointments. Training. Meetings. You’ll be able to see what you’ve done in this universe the past couple weeks and what you have coming up.

You rinse off quickly. You’re almost done when there’s a knock at the door. You blink. “…Yeah?”

The bathroom door opens. “Hey.”

You jump slightly. “Bucky!”

“What?”

“I’m showering!”

“And?”

Your eyes widen. “What do you mean and?”

“I can’t see you.”

“That’s not the point!”

“Plus we’re dating so–”

“No we aren’t.”

“Technically we are in this universe.”

You close your eyes and sigh. “…Whatever. Can you at least leave so I can dry off?”

“Yeah, alright.”

The door shuts. You turn the water off and step out of the shower. Then immediately freeze.

You realize you didn’t bring clothes into the bathroom. You look toward the door. You are about 95% percent sure Bucky did not actually leave your room. You sigh.

You dry off a little bit then wrap the towel around yourself and slowly open the bathroom door. Bucky is sitting on your bed. Of course he is.

You stop in the doorway. “…Seriously?”

He looks up. “What?”

You walk to your dresser. “Can you leave so I can get dressed?”

He tilts his head. “Uhh…that’s not really gonna convince anyone we’re a couple.”

You groan loudly. “Fine. But turn around.”

“Alright.”

He rotates on the bed so his back is facing you. “Better?”

“Yes.”

You change as fast as humanly possible. You try very hard not to think about the fact that Bucky Barnes is sitting a few feet away while you’re changing clothes. You pull your shirt down quickly.

“…Okay.”

He turns back around. “So,” he says.

“So.” You sit on the bed. “I was about to check my phone.”

“For what?”

“My calendar.”

He nods. “That’s smart.”

“I put everything in there.”

“Good.”

You point at him. “You should check yours too.”

He stands up. “Alright. It’s in my room.”

You stare at him. “You came here without your phone?”

“I wasn’t thinking about that.”

You sigh. “Go get it.”

“Okay.” He heads for the door. “I’ll be back.”

The door shuts. Silence fills the room. You take a deep breath.

“Okay.”

You grab your phone off the nightstand and tap the screen – then freeze. Your background is a picture of you and Bucky.

It’s clearly a selfie. Both of you are smiling so wide your cheeks look like they hurt. The photo is slightly blurry, like it was taken mid-laugh. Bucky’s face is close to yours. Really close. His nose is almost brushing your cheek. It looks like he either just kissed your cheek or was about to.

Your stomach flips. Your heart does something stupid in your chest.

“Ugh.”

You unlock the phone quickly. Your layout is almost identical to your phone in your universe. Same apps. Same folders.

But your eyes keep drifting back to that picture.

You sigh. Then you open the photos app.

The first few pictures are random things.

Screenshots. Food. A picture of the team during training. Then—

You and Bucky again. This one is clearly taken by someone else. You’re both sitting on the compound couch. You’re leaning against his shoulder while he’s looking down at something on his phone. Your expression is soft and relaxed. He’s smiling slightly.

You stare at it. “…Okay that’s cute.”

You scroll. Another one. This time it’s a group photo. Everyone is outside the compound. But Bucky has one arm around your shoulders and you’re both laughing at something. Your head is tilted toward him.

You zoom in slightly. “…Wow.”

You scroll again. There’s a mirror selfie. You’re both in your room. You’re holding a mug and Bucky’s standing behind you with his chin resting lightly on your shoulder.

You squint at the picture. “…Did we take this at like six in the morning?” Your hair looks messy. His looks worse. But you’re both smiling.

You scroll again. A picture from what looks like the diner Clint mentioned. You’re sitting across from each other in a booth. Someone clearly took it from the next booth over. You’re mid-laugh, leaning forward. Bucky is looking at you like you just said the funniest thing he’s ever heard. Your heart flutters again.

“…Why do we look so happy?”

You scroll again. A candid one. You’re walking across the compound lawn. Bucky is slightly behind you, grabbing your hand to pull you back toward him. You’re laughing over your shoulder.

You stare at the screen. “…Oh my god.”

You zoom in. His hand is wrapped around yours. Comfortable. Easy. Like it happens all the time.

You scroll again. This one is from a mission. You’re both in tactical gear. Your helmet is off and you’re both sweaty and dirty. But you’re leaning against him while he holds the camera. Both of you look exhausted and completely happy.

You groan quietly. “This is stupid.”

You keep scrolling anyway. There are so many. Selfies. Candids. Pictures someone else took. Pictures from dinners. Training. Random moments around the compound.

In almost every one, you’re touching, or leaning against him, or standing close. Smiling. And it looks so natural and so real.

You stare at the screen. “…This is ridiculous.”

But you can’t help it. You smile a little at one of them anyway.

The door opens a few minutes later. You react instantly, closing the photos and opening your calendar. You sit up straighter just as Bucky walks back in.

He shuts the door behind him and walks over, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Find anything?” he asks.

“Not yet.”

He drops onto the bed next to you and unlocks his phone.

“…Huh.”

You look up. “What?”

He tilts the phone slightly. “Cute.”

You lean over to see. It’s a picture you hadn’t seen on your phone. Someone else clearly took it. You’re outside somewhere on the compound lawn, sunlight bright behind you. Bucky is giving you a piggyback ride. Your arms are wrapped around his neck, your faces are pressed together, and you’re both laughing. Your cheek is smushed against his and you both have huge stupid grins.

Your stomach flips. You immediately lean back. “Can you focus?”

He looks at you. “What?”

“We’re supposed to be looking for useful information.”

“I just said it’s cute.”

You roll your eyes dramatically and go back to your calendar. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Relax,” he mutters.

You scroll through your calendar. He glances over at your phone.

“What was your background?”

You stop. “…Why does it matter?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m curious.”

You keep scrolling. “Focus.”

A second passes. Then–

“Was it the same picture?”

“No.”

“Was it even me?”

You sigh loudly. “Yes.”

“I wanna see it.”

You close your eyes for a second. “…Bucky.”

“What?”

You sigh again and lock your phone. Then you tap the screen so the lock screen lights up.

The selfie appears again. Bucky studies it.

“…That’s cute too.”

You immediately unlock the phone again. “Focus.”

You look more closely at your schedule for today.

“Okay,” you say.

“What?”

“I have a meeting at two.”

“With who?”

“The whole team I’m assuming.”

He nods. “That sounds right.”

You scroll farther down. “…And apparently we have a diner date tonight.”

He snorts quietly. “Weekly.”

“Clint mentioned that.”

You scroll through the past few days. Training. Meetings. Some random things. You frown slightly. “No mission.”

“What?”

“In our universe we had that warehouse mission.”

“Right.”

You tilt the phone toward him. “Nothing like that here.”

He nods slowly. “Huh.”

You keep scrolling. The last few weeks are mostly the same routine. You sigh and toss the phone onto the bed. “Nothing helpful.”

Bucky shrugs. “Same.”

He scrolls through something else. You lean over slightly. “What are you looking at?”

“Texts.”

“Oh.”

You grab your phone again and open your messages. You scroll through conversations.

Then, you open your conversation with Bucky. It’s surprisingly short. “…Huh.”

“What?”

“We barely text.”

He glances over. “Probably because we’re always together.”

You roll your eyes. “Very funny.”

You scroll through the messages anyway.

Most of them are random messages or reminders. You keep scrolling. Then you stop.

“…Oh my god.”

“What?”

You tilt the phone away slightly. “Nothing.”

He leans closer. “What?”

You sigh. “You sent me a shirtless gym picture.”

He grins immediately. “I bet I look good.”

“No.”

Bucky laughs. “Well I’m sure you liked it in this universe.”

You roll your eyes and scroll again. Then you half laugh half groan.

“You sent me a meme that just says ‘date night?’ with a picture of a grilled cheese.”

“We were probably making grilled cheeses.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you say, closing the messages. “Nothing helpful.”

Bucky shrugs. “Maybe pictures?”

You try very hard to act normal. “Yeah.”

You open the photos app again. Bucky immediately starts scrolling through his. A second later he turns the phone toward you.

“Look at this one.”

It’s another picture of the two of you. This one you saw earlier. The couch one.

“Nice,” you say quickly.

He scrolls again. “Oh, look at this one.”

He shows you another. You both look half-asleep in the compound kitchen. His chin is resting on your shoulder, similar to the mirror picture you saw.

You sigh. “Okay.”

He scrolls again. “Oh wow.”

“What now?”

He turns the phone. It’s a picture of you sitting cross-legged on the training mat. Your hair is a mess and you’re glaring at the camera.

You groan. “Oh my god.”

Bucky laughs. “You look so mad.”

“Because I probably was.”

He scrolls again. “Oh this is embarrassing.”

“What?”

He shows you another one. It’s a selfie you apparently took of him while he was asleep on the couch. His mouth is slightly open and you’re doing a thumbs up.

You burst out laughing.

“I’m not proud of that,” he says, shaking his head.

He scrolls again.

“Wait.”

“What?”

He shows you another one. You’re both at the diner again. But this time you’re sitting on the same side of the booth. Your head is leaning on his shoulder while you’re looking at the menu.

Your heart does that stupid flutter thing again. You try to ignore it.

“I’m assuming this is at the diner,” he says.

“Yeah.”

You scroll for a few more minutes.

“Anything useful?” you ask.

He shakes his head. “Not really.”

You open a few other apps. Notes, maps, but don’t find anything helpful. You sigh and fall back onto the bed. “Well.”

Bucky sets his phone down. “That was productive.”

“Not really.”

You stare at the ceiling. “…At least we know we’re cute.”

He snorts. You immediately sit up.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Sure.”

You point at him. “Focus.”

He’s still half-smirking at you. You narrow your eyes.

“What.”

“Nothing.”

“You’re doing that face.”

“What face?”

“The I know something you don’t face.”

He leans back against the headboard. “I’m just saying.”

“Oh no.”

“You’re the one who said we’re cute.”

You groan and drop back against the mattress. “That is not what I meant.”

“Sure.”

You point at him again. “We need to decide what we’re doing.”

“Right.”

You sit up again. “I think we should just tell Steve.”

Bucky tilts his head. “Already?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because this is ridiculous!” You gesture between the two of you. “We’re pretending to be ourselves in a universe where we’re apparently dating and living the same life except not exactly and we don’t know anything about what’s happened here!”

He nods slowly. “Fair.”

“So we tell Steve.”

Bucky thinks about it. Then shakes his head slightly. “I think we should wait.”

You blink. “Why?”

“Because we still don’t know how different this universe is.”

You cross your arms. “So?”

“So maybe we gather a little more information first.”

You sigh. “Like what?”

“The meeting.”

You pause. “…Right.”

You forgot about that. You glance at your phone.

“Two o’clock.”

“Exactly.”

You groan. “That’s hours away.”

He shrugs. “We go to lunch.”

“And?”

“Hang around.”

You stare at him. “This is the worst plan.”

“It’s a patient plan.”

“It’s a slow plan.”

He smirks. “You’re impatient.”

You shake your head. “I’m practical.”

“Sure.”

You sigh dramatically and stand up. “Fine. Lunch.”

“Lunch,” he agrees.

--

The kitchen is busy again when you walk in. Everyone is already there.

Sam looks up the second you and Bucky walk in.

“Look who it is.”

You sigh. “Don’t start.”

“Start what?”

“The commentary.”

He grins. “Relax. You two seem normal again.”

You glance at Bucky. “…Normal?”

Clint nods. “Less weird.”

Bucky moves past you toward the fridge while you grab a plate. Conversation flows around the table, mostly the same kind of random chatter you’re used to.

At one point Wanda asks Thor about something from a mission. Clint argues with Sam about football. It all feels…normal. Almost exactly like your universe. You relax slightly. Maybe this universe isn’t that different after all.

There’s food laid out to make sandwiches, so you and Bucky do what you always do whenever there’s sandwiches for lunch. You each make your own sandwich, easily moving around each other and handing each other stuff because you know exactly what the other needs next. Then, once the sandwiches are made, you each cut yours in half and trade one half for the other, so you each have a half of each sandwich.

When you start walking towards the table, you realize everyone is staring.

“…Wow,” Tony says.

You look at him. “What?”

“You guys were…weirdly synced up while making those.”

“And did you guys just trade halves?” Sam says, laughing.

“Uhh, yeah,” you say. “And?”

Clint grins. “I’ve never seen something more…coupley.”

“Yeah, that was kinda gross,” Nat agrees.

“I think it’s cute,” Wanda says.

Steve just tries to hide a proud grin.

You glance over at Bucky, realizing that in this universe, you must not do the famous “sandwich swap” as everyone else calls it. In your universe, they think it’s funny. In this universe, they think it’s a couple thing. Which makes you realize it really does look like a couple thing.

You make your way to the table and sit down, with Bucky sitting right next to you.

Natasha smirks. “You two are ridiculous.”

You feel your face heating up.

Sam grins. “You two are so obvious.”

You shove your sandwich into your mouth just to avoid talking.

--

After lunch everyone ends up lingering in the common room. Sam and Clint are arguing over something on TV. Thor is explaining something loudly to Bruce. Natasha is reading on the couch.

You sit in one of the chairs with Bucky beside you. “Anything different?” you murmur.

“Not really.”

You nod slightly. “So far everything seems the same.”

“Mostly.”

Steve walks through at one point. “Meeting in ten.”

You sigh. “Great.”

The meeting takes forever. And it’s about the most boring thing possible. A follow-up discussion about a mission from a few months ago. You sit at the table beside Bucky trying very hard to look interested, but your brain is already fried.

Halfway through you feel your phone buzz in your pocket. You glance down under the table.

Bucky: Did we do this mission in our universe?

You type back quickly.

You: Yeah but we wrapped it up faster

Bucky: This meeting is brutal

You glance sideways at him. He’s staring forward like he’s paying attention. You bite back a smile and type.

You: Focus

Bucky: No

You kick his foot lightly under the table. He doesn’t react. Steve finally finishes the meeting nearly an hour later. “Alright,” he says. “That’s it for today.”

You exhale. Finally. You get up to leave and head to Bucky’s room.

You drop onto the bed. “…Okay.”

Bucky shuts the door. “So.”

“So.” You sit up again. “Do we go tell Steve now?”

He leans against the dresser. “Well…”

You stare at him. “What.”

“Our diner date.”

Your brain stalls. “…Oh.” You forgot about that. You stare at him. “Do you want to go?”

He shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about those burgers all day.”

You laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

He grins. “So?”

You sigh. “Fine. We can go. Then we figure out the warehouse tonight.”

He nods. “Deal.”

He sits down on the bed next to you.

“Okay,” you say. “Let’s find diner pictures to see what time we usually go.”

You both open your phones. You scroll through photos again.

“Here,” Bucky says.

He turns the phone toward you. It’s another diner picture. You’re sitting across from him holding a milkshake. He’s halfway through a burger.

“This was around 8:15,” he says.

“So we go around eight.”

You scroll farther. “Oh my god.”

“What?”

You turn your phone. It’s a picture of Bucky trying to fit an entire stack of fries into his mouth.

He squints at it. “…Delete that.”

“No.”

He scrolls again. “Oh wow.”

“What now?”

He turns the phone. It’s a picture of you at the diner with food all over your face. Your hand is blurry with a napkin in it like you were trying to wipe it off, but Bucky took the picture before you had the chance.

You groan. “You’re lucky you have super soldier reflexes.”

He just laughs.

You scroll more, then find a picture where you’re both in the kitchen wearing matching hoodies. You freeze.

“…Are those the same hoodie?”

Bucky squints. “…I think so.”

You both stare at the picture. Then quickly scroll past it.

You scroll through more photos.

Some from missions. Some from training. Some random ones around the compound. One where Sam clearly shoved both of you into a photo together. One where Bucky is making a stupid face behind you while you’re brushing your teeth.

You burst out laughing. “You look ridiculous.”

“You’re the one taking a picture while you brush your teeth.”

You scroll again. You find another candid. You’re both sitting outside on the compound steps watching the sunset. You’re leaning against his shoulder. You stare at the picture a little longer than you mean to.

Bucky nudges you.

“What?” you ask.

“Nothing.”

You keep scrolling. Eventually both of you lean back against the headboard. Your shoulders press together naturally. Neither of you moves. You keep showing each other pictures and laughing, and groaning at embarrassing ones.

You shake your head. “This is humiliating.”

“Some of these are great.”

You glance at him. “…They are.”

You scroll to another picture. This one is a blurry selfie where you’re both laughing so hard the photo shook. You smile despite yourself. You hate how warm your chest feels. You glance sideways at him. He’s smiling at the picture too. Your heart flutters again.

You quickly look back at your phone. But a quiet thought slips through your brain anyway. Despite everything. Despite the stress. Despite not knowing how you’ll get home. You realize something.

As long as Bucky’s here, you’ll be okay.

And you really, really try not to think about what that might mean.

--

By the time you leave the compound, the sun is starting to dip lower in the sky.

You and Bucky walk side by side down the sidewalk toward the little diner a few blocks away. The air is cooler now, and the quiet of the evening makes everything feel strangely normal. Which is weird, because nothing about today has been normal.

You shove your hands into your jacket pockets. “What if this doesn’t work?” you ask.

“What?”

“If Steve doesn’t believe us.”

Bucky shrugs slightly. “Then we steal a jet.”

You snort. “That’s your backup plan?”

“Worked earlier.”

“We didn’t steal anything earlier.”

“We talked about it.”

“That’s not the same.”

He glances at you with a small smirk. “You’re still considering it.”

“…Maybe.”

The diner comes into view at the corner. You both slow slightly. “Alright,” you say. “Game faces.”

Bucky raises an eyebrow. “For burgers?”

“For pretending we know what we’re doing.”

He pushes the door open. The bell above it jingles. Immediately the smell of fries and grilled burgers fills the air. Your stomach growls.

“Okay,” you admit. “Maybe this part isn’t so bad.”

You slide into a booth near the window. Bucky sits across from you. You barely have time to look at the menu before a waitress walks over. She smiles brightly when she sees you.

“Well hey there.”

You blink. “Hi.”

Without asking anything, she sets two drinks down. Then a milkshake. With two straws. You and Bucky both stare at it.

“Your usual?” she asks casually.

You and Bucky glance at each other. Then back at her.

“Yeah,” you say carefully.

She nods. “Alright, that’ll be right out.”

She disappears toward the kitchen. You both stare at the milkshake. Then you both start laughing quietly.

“She knows us,” you say.

“Apparently.”

You tap the side of the glass. “Shared milkshake. Very romantic.”

He smirks. You both take a sip. It’s really good.

You lean back in the booth. “Okay,” you say. “Plan.”

“Right.”

You lower your voice slightly. “We tell Steve everything.”

Bucky nods.

You sigh. “I just hope he believes us.”

“He probably will.”

“You sound very confident.”

“He’s dealt with stranger things.”

“That’s fair.”

The waitress returns a few minutes later and drops two plates in front of you. Both have a cheeseburger with fries piled high on the sides.

“Enjoy,” she says with a smile.

“Thank you,” you say.

She walks away as you pick up your burger and take a bite. Your eyes widen. “Oh wow.”

Bucky laughs. “Told you.”

You both eat for a few minutes. The tension of the day slowly fades a little. But eventually you set your burger down.

“We should go after this.”

He nods. “We need to figure this out.”

“And we have no idea what’s happening in our universe.”

“Exactly.”

You both finish eating. Bucky grabs the check before you can even look at it.

“You don’t have to–”

He shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

He pays quickly. A few minutes later you’re walking back toward the compound. The common room is busy when you walk back in.

They all look up. Sam immediately grins. “Well?”

You blink. “Well what?”

“The date.”

You sigh. “It was good.”

Clint smirks. “Burgers?”

“Yes.”

Bucky looks over at Steve, who’s standing near the table. “Hey Steve?”

Steve looks up. “Yeah?”

“Can we talk?”

Steve nods immediately. “Sure.”

You and Bucky start walking toward the hallway. Steve follows you. You lead the way back to Bucky’s room. Once the door shuts behind you, Steve looks between the two of you.

“What’s going on?”

Bucky rubs the back of his neck. “…Okay.”

Steve’s expression grows slightly concerned.

“This is gonna sound really weird,” Bucky says.

Steve nods slowly.

“But you have to trust me.”

Steve folds his arms. “…Okay.”

Bucky takes a breath. “We’re not from this universe.”

Steve blinks. Silence fills the room.

You add quickly, “We were on a mission.”

Steve looks between you again. “What kind of mission?”

“Warehouse sweep,” Bucky says. “Abandoned building.”

“We were looking for intel,” you explain. “We thought it was related to multiverse experiments.”

Steve’s brow furrows. Bucky continues.

“We found some tech there too.”

“And we accidentally triggered a machine,” you say.

Steve’s expression grows more confused.

“And it sent us here,” Bucky finishes.

Another pause. Steve looks…very lost. And a little concerned.

Bucky gestures vaguely. “That’s why we were yelling this morning.”

Steve blinks. “…What?”

“When we woke up,” you say quickly. “We had no idea where we were.”

“And also we were cuddling,” Bucky adds.

You bury your face in your hands. “Bucky.”

“What?”

Steve raises his eyebrows. “Cuddling?”

“We’re not dating in our universe,” Bucky explains.

Steve slowly nods. “…Okay.”

He thinks for a second. “You were acting really weird this morning.”

You nod. “Yeah.”

Steve rubs his chin. “Wait.” He looks up. “Where is this warehouse?”

“Romania,” Bucky answers.

Steve’s eyes widen slightly. “Romania?”

You nod. “You have that intel too?”

Steve exhales. “We just got word about this a few days ago.”

You blink. “Really?”

He nods. “We don’t have much information yet.”

He closes the folder. “So actually…” He looks between you both. “This helps.”

You feel a small spark of relief. “So you believe us?” you ask.

Steve nods slowly. “…Yeah.”

You and Bucky exchange a quick look. Steve straightens slightly.

“Then we should go. If that machine sent you here, maybe it can send you back.”

“That’s what we were thinking,” you say.

“Okay,” Steve says. “Do you guys know how to get there?”

“Yes,” Bucky answers.

“Alright. Get suited up, meet at the jet in 10.”

As soon as Steve leaves, you glance over at Bucky. “That went better than expected.”

“Yeah,” he agrees.

You leave to get ready, then you walk into the hangar the same time Bucky does. When Steve comes in a few minutes later, he says that he told the team they’d be leaving and that he’d explain when he got back.

You get on the jet and it’s not long before you’re in the air.

“This could work,” you say quietly.

Bucky nods. “I think so.”

“Unless it sends us somewhere else.”

He smirks slightly. “…Let’s not think about that.”

The flight is quiet. The warehouse sits in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and empty fields. You land about a mile out. Steve powers the jet down.

“You two lead the way,” he says.

You nod. You and Bucky head toward the treeline. The walk is quick. Adrenaline pushes you forward. Soon the warehouse comes into view. It’s dark and silent, exactly like the first time.

“Clear,” Bucky mutters as you enter.

The building echoes softly with your footsteps as you make your way to the room. You stop in the doorway.

“It’s the same,” you say.

The equipment is exactly where it was. The circular platform in the floor. The consoles along the walls. Steve steps inside slowly.

“This is it?”

“Yeah,” Bucky says.

You walk over to the console. “Now we just have to remember what we did.”

You stare at the controls. Bucky starts checking cables. Steve watches from a few steps back.

“Try that,” Bucky says.

You press a button. Nothing happens. “Great.”

You flip a switch. Still nothing. Bucky suddenly reaches over and reconnects one of the loose cables. The console hums to life. Lights flicker across the platform. You jump slightly. The platform begins to glow.

Steve steps back immediately. “Alright,” he says. “Looks like it’s working.”

You glance at Bucky. He nods. “Ready?”

“As we’ll ever be.”

You both step toward the platform. The air begins to vibrate. That same low hum fills the room. Steve watches carefully from the corner of the room.

“Good luck,” he says.

You take one more breath. Then you both step onto the platform. The light intensifies. Your vision bends. Your stomach flips violently.

Then–

Everything goes black.

----

When you get back to the compound, it’s well after midnight. You fumble with the door code, giggling at your own clumsiness. Finally you get it open and stumble inside.

Bucky is the only one in the kitchen. He's leaning on the counter in sweatpants and a t-shirt, looking broody and tired. Typical Bucky. Probably another night he couldn’t sleep. He glances up at you, expecting you to nod at him shyly and disappear to your room like you always do.

Instead you beam at him.

“Buckyyyyyy!” you squeal, far too loud for the hour.

His eyebrows jump. “Uh…hey.”

“Oh my God,” you say, immediately plopping onto one of the stools at the island. “You’re awake! Good. Hi. How’s your night going? I went out with Abby and Bailey and their friends – I mean I didn’t know the other people but it was fine – actually some of them were weird, but it was fun, y’know? I think I had like five drinks? Wait, maybe six. A margarita. And something with elderflower? Do you know what elderflower is?”

He’s blinking at you. You. The person who never says more than five words at once. Now you’re talking a mile a minute, eyes bright, hair mussed from the wind outside, cheeks flushed. You don’t even wait for an answer. You keep going:

“And my feet are killing me, oh my God, these shoes are awful. I can’t wait to get out of this outfit, everything is digging in the wrong places and the zipper is evil and–”

Bucky clears his throat, pushing off the counter. “Okay. Yeah. Uh…why don’t you…drink some water, huh?” He fills a glass for you and sets it down carefully in front of you like you’re a small animal he’s afraid will bolt.

You beam at him. “You’re so nice,” you say, picking it up with exaggerated care. “I was so thirsty. Wow. You’re like…thoughtful. Super thoughtful. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Drink,” he says gently, nodding. You take a big gulp, then set it down, your attention immediately going to your shoes.

“Ugh these heels are the worst idea I’ve ever had,” you groan, trying to unbuckle one. You almost slide right off the stool with the effort.

“Hey – whoa.” He steps forward and braces your arm. “Don’t fall, doll.”

You giggle at the nickname. “You called me doll.”

He sighs softly, but there’s amusement behind it. “Just…hold still, okay?” He kneels down in front of you, big hands surprisingly gentle as he undoes the straps on your shoes.

You watch him with a goofy grin. “You’re like a prince. Like Cinderella but in reverse. Prince Barnes. Has a nice ring to it.”

He huffs a laugh under his breath. “Sure. Let’s go with that.” He slides the shoes off one at a time and sets them aside. Your toes wiggle in relief.

“Thank you,” you say, sing-songy. “You’re so good at this. Have you done this before? You seem like you have. I bet you’re great at tying shoes too.”

He raises an eyebrow at you as he stands. “You’re real talkative tonight.”

You blink at him, offended in the mildest way. “Am I not usually? Wait – don’t answer that. I know I’m not. But you’re quiet too! That’s why I like you. You’re…you’re easy to be quiet with. But also you’re so good to talk to, Bucky. Like, you’re listening, I can tell.”

He rubs his jaw. “Yeah. Listening. Definitely listening.”

You lean your elbows on the counter, still babbling. “We should do this more often. Me talking, you listening. Actually you should talk too. We could both talk. Or both not talk. I’m very flexible. Also why are you making that face?”

He has turned to rummage in the kitchen and comes back with a slice of bread. He sets it on a napkin in front of you. “Eat,” he says simply.

You squint at the bread, then at him. “Why?”

“Because you’re drunk, and you need something in your stomach.”

You pick up the bread obediently. “You’re so bossy. I like that. Thank you.” You take a dramatic bite. Crumbs go everywhere. “Mmm. Sober bread.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, shaking his head with a tiny, disbelieving smile. “Sober bread. Got it.”

You point at him with the bread. “You’re the best, Bucky. Really. The best.”

He grabs a towel to wipe the crumbs from the counter, side-eyeing you but clearly trying not to laugh. “Okay, okay. Finish that, drink your water. Then let’s get you out of here before you wake up Steve.”

You gasp. “I would never wake Steve. He’s so serious when he’s mad.”

“Exactly.” He pats your shoulder carefully. “Drink up.”

You grin at him, impossibly happy despite your discomfort. Despite your usual shyness. Because Bucky’s there. Taking care of you.

You chew another bite of bread and raise your water glass in a toast. “To Bucky Barnes. My very bestest quiet friend.”

He snorts. “Yeah, yeah. Cheers, doll.”

You finish the bread (half of it, really – crumbs go everywhere), gulp down the rest of the water, and plant your palms on the island like you’re about to make a big announcement.

“Okay,” you declare. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Bucky just stares at you for a second, arms folded. “Go…where?”

“My room, obviously,” you say with all the dignity of someone who just nearly fell off the chair earlier. “I can’t sleep here, Bucky.”

He rolls his eyes, exhaling in that slow, resigned way he does when he’s about to do something he never asked for but will absolutely see through. He holds out a hand. “Come on.”

You slap your palm into his with unnecessary enthusiasm. “Yay! Thank you.”

He helps you slide off the chair carefully, keeping a steady hand at your waist when you wobble. You don’t even notice – you’re too busy talking.

“So I told Bailey she’s too good for that asshole, right? Because she is. And she was like noooo, he’s nice and I’m like girl no, and then Abby wanted shots but I was like nope, and then – wait, do you have my shoes?”

He holds up the heels in his free hand. “Got ’em.”

“Good,” you say solemnly. “They’re evil. Don’t let them trick you.”

“Right,” he mutters, guiding you slowly down the hall.

You keep chattering. “Anyway, they said I should go out more but I don’t know, bars are so loud, you know? But it’s nice seeing them. But I like it here. It’s quieter. And you’re here. And you’re nice. Did you know you’re nice?”

“Mm-hm.”

“You’re rolling your eyes at me,” you accuse.

“Not yet,” he lies flatly.

You snort. “You’re so serious, Bucky. I bet you were fun once. Before the whole…murder stuff.”

He actually coughs a laugh at that, then tries to hide it behind a scowl. “Jesus, you’re a menace tonight.”

“Thank you,” you say brightly.

He herds you to your door, but when he opens it and gently tries to nudge you inside, you immediately start fumbling with the zipper at your side.

“Ugh, this stupid thing – help me get it off,” you mumble, twisting around clumsily.

He freezes. “Nope.”

“Pleeeease,” you whine. “I can’t reach – just – zip – down–”

“Bathroom,” he orders, steering you bodily toward it.

“But why?”

“Because you’re drunk and I’m not undressing you in the damn hallway.”

You laugh so hard you hiccup. “You’re so proper. Such a gentleman. It’s fine, you can see my bra, it’s not even a good one–”

He groans, scrubbing a hand over his face, then takes you by the shoulders and turns you firmly. “Bathroom. Go.”

You shuffle in, still talking. “Seriously it’s okay, I trust you, I don’t care if you see – Bucky? Bucky come help me.”

He leans in the doorframe, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m not looking. Turn around.”

You do as you’re told, pouting at the mirror. He sighs, steps in, and very carefully, very briskly, zips it down just enough. “There. Finish it yourself.”

You grin at him in the mirror. “You’re so blushy. That’s cute.”

“Finish. It. Yourself.” He flees to stand outside the door.

You giggle the whole time you’re wriggling out of the outfit and pulling on your oversized sleep shirt, narrating through the door.

“Almost done…okay – wait – stuck…okay now I’m done…are you still there? Bucky? Buckyyyy.”

“Still here,” he calls, voice flat but amused.

“Good. Don’t leave.”

When you open the door again you’re in your giant t-shirt, hair a mess, eyes sleepy and happy. He eyes you critically. “Better?” he asks.

“Much,” you say, stepping forward and wrapping your arms around him before he can dodge. You rest your head on his chest. “You’re so nice. Have I said that?”

He sighs but his hand lands on your back automatically. “Once or twice.”

You pull back enough to look up at him with droopy, happy eyes. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

He snorts. “Yeah. Anytime.”

“Really?”

He hesitates, then nods. “Really.”

You grin so wide it hurts your face. “You’re my favorite.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters, gently steering you toward your bed. “Get in.”

You flop in without grace, giggling again. He sets your evil shoes by the door. “Stay until I fall asleep?” you ask, voice small now.

He gives you a look that’s half fond, half resigned. “Yeah. Okay.”

You snuggle under your blanket, finally quiet except for one last mumble: “Best quiet friend ever.”

He chuckles softly and sits in the chair across from your bed, arms folded. Watching over you. “Go to sleep, doll.”

You lie there in bed in your room for a while, watching the shadows on the ceiling. You’re quiet now, but your brain is buzzing. The alcohol’s made you warm, restless, too aware of everything.

You hear the chair creak quietly as Bucky stands up. He hesitates by your door, then softly closes it behind him. You don’t say anything. You could. But you don’t. Instead you lie there listening to the silence, willing yourself to sleep. It doesn’t work.

After a few minutes you shove your blanket aside and get up, padding barefoot across the hall. You pause at his door, debating for all of half a second before knocking. It takes a moment. The door opens partway, revealing Bucky in that same t-shirt and sweatpants, hair a little mussed.

He squints at you. “What.”

You blink at him owlishly. “Hi.”

He rubs a hand down his face. “Hi. What’s wrong?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” you say immediately, stepping closer like you’re about to just invite yourself in.

He leans on the doorframe, looking so tired you almost feel bad. Almost. “Did you even try?” he asks flatly.

You scowl. “Yeah. I tried so hard. It’s not my fault it didn’t work.”

He just sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. But you’re already slipping past him into his room.

“You have so much space in here,” you say, immediately looking around like you’re on a tour. “It’s so tidy. It’s very you. Oh my god, you have books on your nightstand. What are you reading? Wait, are those socks on the chair? Bucky, did you actually leave something out? That’s so unlike you.”

“Can we not do this right now?” he mutters.

You spin to face him, all innocent. “Do what?”

He crosses his arms. “You. Talking. In my room. When you should be in your room.”

You blink. “But I want to stay here.”

“No.”

You pout. Then you lower yourself onto the floor with dramatic flair.

He stares. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Staying here,” you say primly, folding your hands in your lap. “I’ll sleep on the ground.”

He closes his eyes like he’s praying for patience. “Jesus, doll. Come on.”

You don’t move. You just keep talking.

“Your floor is really hard, you know. You should get a rug. Maybe a nice patterned one. What’s your aesthetic? Vintage murder shack? Ex-assassin chic?”

He tries not to laugh but you see it twitch at the corner of his mouth. “You’re ridiculous,” he mutters.

“Thank you,” you say brightly.

He pinches the bridge of his nose again. “Get up. Come on. At least sleep on the bed.”

“No,” you say immediately. “I’m fine here.”

“No, you’re not,” he says, voice low but exasperated. “You’re gonna wake up with your back wrecked. And then Steve will yell at me. Get. Up.”

You look up at him and give your best pleading eyes. “Please?”

He groans. “You can have the bed.”

You grin and scramble to your feet. “We can share.”

He holds up a hand. “No–”

But you’re already crawling onto the mattress and flopping onto your side. “It’s fine, there’s space. Come on. Don’t be weird.”

He just stares at you for a long moment. Then sighs. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”

He crosses the room and closes his door, then finally, finally gets into the bed, clearly against his better judgment. He crawls in slow, facing you, looking at you like you’re an unpredictable animal. You just beam at him, eyes heavy-lidded but too happy to stop.

“Your bed is comfier than mine,” you say immediately.

He sighs. “Uh-huh.”

“And it smells like you.”

He flushes. “Stop.”

“I’m serious!” you insist. “It’s nice. Like aftershave and laundry. Very Bucky. Very safe. I like it.”

He covers his face with one big hand. “Doll. Please.”

You giggle and poke his arm. “Your hair is messy. I like it like this.”

He peeks at you through his fingers. “You’re drunk.”

“Am not. I mean, maybe a little. But I know what I’m saying.”

He drops his hand and glares at you halfheartedly. “Can you shut up now?”

You snort. “Nope. Sorry. No can do.”

He huffs. You’re quiet for two seconds. Then:

“Do you think Steve would let me paint my room? I want a different color. Yours is all dark and broody but in a good way. I bet you picked it on purpose. It suits you. Like your shirts. You wear a lot of black. Is that a Winter Soldier thing or just personal preference? Also your metal arm is cool. Is it cold right now? Can I touch it? Wait, can I braid your hair someday? I bet you’d let me if I begged. Or maybe not. You’re stubborn. But I am too–”

“Jesus Christ,” he groans, cutting you off.

You just laugh, cheeks warm, eyes bright. And finally, finally, he shuffles closer under the covers, face to face with you, voice dropping. “Doll. Please. Sleep.”

You grin and nod, but your eyes are still wide open. He watches you for a moment. Then sighs. And he reaches out, brushing your hair back gently.

Your voice goes softer. “Okay. I’ll try. But don’t go anywhere.”

He huffs. “Not going anywhere.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah.”

You finally relax a little. But your voice still comes out in a sleep-slurred mumble. “You’re the best, Bucky. Don’t tell anyone I said that.”

He just shakes his head, amused. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

You’re quiet for maybe thirty seconds. Bucky actually dares to hope you’re out. Then your eyes blink open again in the dark. “Bucky?” you whisper.

He exhales. “Yeah?”

“I can’t fall asleep.”

He huffs, barely a laugh. “Shocking.”

You pout at him, your bottom lip catching the light from the crack under the door. “Don’t be mean. I’m trying.”

He shifts closer on the pillow, close enough that your noses almost touch. His voice is low, careful. “Just…close your eyes, doll.”

You obey for a second. Then they flutter open again. “Your room is warmer than mine,” you whisper conspiratorially.

“Blanket’s the same.”

“But your room is warmer,” you insists softly. “You like it warm, don’t you? That’s so weird.”

“It’s not weird.”

“It’s a little weird.”

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t move away. He can feel your breath fan against his cheek every time you talk. Your voice goes even quieter. “Your arm isn’t cold though. Is it warm because of you? Do you think it feels your body heat?”

He closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose again. “Doll…”

“Sorry,” you murmur immediately, contrite. “Sorry. I’ll stop talking. I promise.”

He lets out a long breath. “Okay. Thank you.”

Silence. For about five seconds.

“Do you think Sam would let me use his wings if I asked nicely?” you whisper.

His eyes fly open. “No.”

“Even if I said please?”

He’s biting his lip to keep from laughing. “Absolutely not.”

You snicker softly, then wiggle a little closer under the blanket, forehead bumping his.

“I like your room,” you mumble.

“Yeah, you said that.”

“It’s nice. Safe.”

He swallows hard at that, voice going gentle despite himself. “Good. It’s supposed to be safe.”

You blink slowly at him. “Your eyes are pretty.”

He sighs, trying to scowl, but it doesn’t work. “You’re gonna kill me, doll.”

You smile, all sleepy and proud. “Good.”

You go quiet again, breathing slowing. Then, barely above a whisper: “Bucky?”

He opens one eye. “Hm.”

“I still can’t sleep.”

He breathes out slowly, resisting the urge to laugh. He shifts just enough to rest a heavy arm around you, metal fingers splaying across your back. “Try anyway,” he says softly.

You squirm in closer until your forehead rests against his collarbone. “Tell me to sleep,” you mumble.

“Sleep,” he orders, deadpan.

You giggle again but it’s muffled against him. “Say it nice.”

He rolls his eyes to the ceiling, then lowers his voice until it’s almost tender. “Go to sleep, doll.”

Your eyes droop. “’Kay.”

Silence. Your breathing evens out a little. He’s almost convinced you’re out. Then, even softer:

“Bucky?”

He nearly groans. “What, doll.”

“…you’re nice.”

He closes his eyes. “Yeah. I know.”

“Don’t leave,” you mumble, finally sounding truly exhausted.

He tightens his arm around you. “Not leaving.”

Your breath hitches once, like you might keep going – but this time you don’t. Your body goes limp, settling completely against his. Your breathing steadies. Finally asleep.

Bucky sighs. Lets his head rest against yours. “Goodnight,” he whispers so quietly you can’t hear it.

And for the first time in days, he thinks maybe he can sleep too.

--

You wake up slow.

Everything feels…heavy. Your head is pounding. Your mouth is dry. Your eyes don’t want to open. It’s too warm, too close. You shift a little and feel an arm tighten around you.

Wait.

You blink blearily, eyelashes dragging against someone’s shirt. Your brain is slow, cottony. You register warmth, the scent of soap and clean clothes. Solid muscle under your cheek.

You go still. You’re in someone’s bed. There’s an arm around your waist. You can feel the hard line of a metal arm over your back. Your heart jumps. Your breath hitches.

Your head is killing you but now you’re wide awake, eyes darting around even though your vision is blurry and you’re half buried under the covers. You manage to turn your head, squinting up.

Bucky Barnes is there. Asleep. Kind of.

One blue eye cracks open when you move, fixing on you. His stubble scratches against the pillow. “…hey,” he rasps, voice wrecked from sleep.

Your brain stops. You open your mouth. Nothing comes out. You try again.

“…Bucky?”

He just grunts. Tightens his arm slightly around you, like it’s automatic. You freeze.

“Why am I–” You wince at how hoarse your voice is. Clear your throat. “–why am I in your bed?”

He closes his eyes again. “You don’t remember?”

You’re about to say no. Absolutely not. Because it’s so absurd. But then–

Bucky I can’t sleep. Your room is so warm. I want to stay here. Your bed smells like you. Do you think Sam would let me use his wings?

Your eyes widen in horror. “Oh my God,” you whisper.

He cracks an eye open again at your tone. You’re staring at him, horrified. “I – did I – oh my God I wouldn’t shut up, would I?”

He huffs. It might be a laugh. He looks exhausted. “Nope,” he says simply.

Your stomach sinks. You bury your face in his shirt for a second in pure mortification, but you’re also so hungover you can’t move too fast or you’ll puke.

He sighs. His metal arm strokes your back absently.

You squeak. “Bucky – your arm – you’re holding me.”

“Yeah,” he mumbles. “You kept trying to get up last night. This was the only way to make you stop.”

Your mouth drops open. “You restrained me?”

He actually laughs this time, low and rough. “You wanted to sleep on my floor, doll. What was I supposed to do?”

You groan and cover your face with your hands. “I want to die. Please let me die.”

He huffs another laugh. “Stop.”

You peek at him between your fingers. His hair is messed up from sleep. He has pillow lines on his face. He’s still holding you. Your head is killing you.

You squeeze your eyes shut again. “I’m gonna be sick.”

He groans. “You better warn me first.”

“I feel gross.”

“I know.” He shifts carefully, loosening his hold just enough so you can move if you want. “I was gonna get you water when you woke up. Didn’t think you’d panic immediately.”

You let out a strangled sound that’s half laugh, half whine. “I’m so sorry.”

He sighs, but his thumb rubs your side gently. “It’s fine.”

You swallow. Your voice is small. “Did I really…talk that much?”

He gives you a look. You groan again and bury your face in his shirt.

You mumble against him, voice muffled. “I remember some of it. Not all. Oh God. I asked to braid your hair, didn’t I?”

“Yep.”

You let out another pained sound.

“You called me ‘bestest quiet friend,’” he adds helpfully.

You whimper. “Bucky please.”

He’s trying not to laugh at you, but it’s not working. You peek up at him, squinting.

“You’re way too amused for someone who didn’t sleep.”

He just shrugs, eyes heavy-lidded. “You’re cute when you’re drunk.”

Your jaw drops. He uses the moment to shift, propping himself up on one elbow and looking down at you.

“Want that water now?”

You nod miserably. Your head is pounding. You stare up at the ceiling, replaying every stupid thing you remember saying. By the time he’s back with the water, you’re so red you can feel it. You sip it miserably.

Finally you mutter, voice hoarse: “...I can’t believe you let me stay.”

He snorts. “Couldn’t get you to leave.”

You peek at him over the rim of the cup. “...Thank you,” you say softly.

His expression softens. He reaches over to brush a strand of hair off your face. “Anytime, doll.”

You feel your heart do something dumb in your chest. You turn your face away to hide it, still sipping the water. Your voice is smaller, shy now. “...I’ll shut up now.”

He just chuckles, warm and rough. “Don’t,” he says quietly. “I like hearing you.”

And you think you might actually die after all. But for now, you sip your water and try to keep breathing, grateful he’s still here.

You’re still cringing into your cup of water when Bucky finally sighs and shifts beside you.

“Come on,” he says, voice gentler now that you’re clearly miserable. “Let’s get you up.”

You groan. “No.”

“Bathroom first,” he orders.

You try to burrow under the covers. “I’ll live here now. In your bed.”

“Not negotiable,” he says, pulling the blanket back.

You let out a pathetic whine but let him help you sit up. The world wobbles dangerously and you press a hand to your head with a hiss.

“Jesus, doll,” he mutters, steadying you with a hand on your back. “Easy. C’mon. Bathroom’s right there.”

He keeps one arm around you as you shuffle toward the bathroom. You stand in the doorway, glaring at the tile floor like it personally offended you.

“You gonna go in?” he asks dryly.

You make a face. “Don’t watch me.”

He snorts. “Please. Just don’t fall in. I’ll be right here.”

You manage a halfhearted scowl before closing the door. When you come back out, you’re pale but slightly more functional. He’s waiting, arms folded, leaning on the wall.

He eyes you. “Better?”

You nod miserably.

“Kitchen?”

“Coffee?” you plead.

“Yeah.”

He puts an arm around your waist like you’re injured, which you basically are, and half-guides, half-drags you down the hall. You’re grateful but mortified the whole way. When you get to the kitchen, it’s worse.

Everyone is there. All of them mid-conversation, laughing over mugs of coffee. They all stop talking when they see you two appear in the doorway, Bucky’s arm around you, you clinging to him with glassy, hungover eyes.

“Ohhhhhh,” Sam says immediately, eyes going wide with delight.

Clint whistles low. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

Tony raises an eyebrow, sipping his coffee, gaze sharp but amused. “Rough night?”

You immediately hide your face against Bucky’s shoulder with a muffled whimper. Bucky just sighs, giving your waist a reassuring squeeze. “She’s fine,” he announces. “Just hungover.”

Steve, ever the Boy Scout, looks you over with worried blue eyes. “You okay?”

You groan into Bucky’s shirt. “No.”

Bucky rolls his eyes. “She’s fine,” he repeats, guiding you to a chair.

Wanda is grinning. “You look adorable.”

You squint at her. “Stop.”

Sam leans back in his chair, arms behind his head. “So…how was it?”

You squint at him in confusion. “How was what?”

He smirks. “Last night.”

You let out a sound between a gasp and a groan and drop your head to the table.

Bucky is annoyingly calm as he moves to pour you coffee. “She was very talkative,” he says dryly.

Clint nearly chokes on his drink. “Talkative? Her?”

Nat’s eyebrow goes higher. “Do tell.”

Bucky sets the mug down in front of you, looking completely unbothered. “Didn’t shut up for hours.”

“BUCKY!” you squeak, horrified.

He pats your shoulder, pretending sympathy but absolutely smirking.

“I was in the kitchen when she got back, and she wouldn’t stop talking. Then she came into my room in the middle of the night. Knocked on my door and started rambling. Refused to go back to bed. Tried to sleep on my floor.”

Steve’s jaw drops. Sam’s cackling. Wanda’s covering her mouth to hide her laugh.

Tony is nearly falling off his chair. “Oh please tell me you let her.”

Bucky deadpans. “I tried to get her back to her room. She wouldn’t go. So yeah. She stayed.”

You let out a strangled whine and cover your face with both hands.

Nat’s voice is all mock-sweet. “Aww, you two had a sleepover?”

Bucky shrugs, completely throwing you under the bus. “She wouldn’t stop talking. All night. About my room. My arm. My hair. She wanted to braid it.”

Sam’s actually wheezing now. “Oh my god.”

Wanda leans over to squeeze your arm. “That’s so cute!”

You let out another mortified groan, peeking at Bucky with betrayal in your eyes. “You’re evil.”

He just slides the coffee mug closer to you. “Drink.”

You take it with shaking hands and hiss at the heat, glaring at him over the rim.

He just leans against the counter, arms folded, watching you with smug amusement.

Steve clears his throat, trying to look stern but his lips are twitching. “You okay now?”

Bucky glances at you, softening just a little. “Yeah. She’s okay.”

Your heart gives a little flip at that despite how embarrassed you are.

You scowl at your coffee. “You’re all mean.”

Sam claps the table, still laughing. “We love you!”

Tony grins. “Next time invite us to the sleepover.”

You shriek. “NO!”

Everyone laughs.

Bucky just reaches over to ruffle your hair like you’re a misbehaving kitten.

“Drink your coffee,” he says, softer now.

You huff. But you do.

--

A couple of weeks pass, enough for you to almost live down the embarrassment of that night. Almost.

They don’t let you forget it. Clint teases you every time you open your mouth. Sam does dramatic impressions. Nat just smirks knowingly. Bucky is the worst because he doesn’t tease at all. He just looks at you, eyebrow raised, like he’s waiting for you to start talking his ear off again.

But eventually the heat fades.

So when the team declares a night out – no missions on the schedule, no training in the morning – you’re determined it’ll be different.

Spoiler: it isn’t.

The bar is crowded, pulsing with music, low lights, and the tang of spilled beer and perfume. The team claims a big table. Everyone’s relaxed for once.

You promise yourself you’ll pace your drinks. But Tony orders a round of shots “for morale.” Sam insists you can’t waste a good margarita. Nat slides you something neon and evil with a sly grin.

By the time you realize you’re tipsy, it’s too late.

Bucky’s nursing a beer at the edge of the group, eyes scanning the bar out of old habit. He’s relaxed, though. Talking in low tones to Steve.

You spot him and beeline.

“Buckyyyyy,” you sing-song.

He looks over. Eyes narrow immediately.

“Oh no.”

You crash into his side, arms going around his waist, face burrowing against him like a clingy cat.

“Hi,” you slur, beaming up at him.

“Hi,” he says slowly. “How many have you had?”

“Dunno,” you say cheerfully. “But I feel great. Do you feel great? You should feel great. You look great.”

Steve chokes on his beer. Bucky side-eyes him murderously, then huffs down at you.

“Christ. Again?”

You just giggle and tug on his shirt. “Come onnn. Dance with me.”

“No.”

“Please?”

He plants himself more firmly. “Doll, I don’t dance.”

You make a dramatic wounded sound. “You have to. It’s team night. I’m the team. Come on.”

He doesn’t move. You start tugging harder.

Sam strolls by and claps Bucky on the back. “Dance with her, man. Don’t be cruel.”

“Fuck off, Wilson.”

You gasp. “Language!”

Bucky closes his eyes like he’s praying for patience. “You’re literally drunk.”

“And you’re boring.”

Steve almost snorts his beer out his nose.

Bucky growls. “Fine.”

You squeal in triumph. He lets you drag him to the dance floor, which is sticky and packed. The music is too loud to talk. You don’t care at all. You spin in front of him, giggling, arms up around his neck. He plants his hands firmly at your waist, holding you still.

“Stop squirming,” he yells over the music.

“Dance with me!”

“This is dancing,” he deadpans.

You pout. He tightens his grip. You lean in, voice muffled against his ear. “You smell good.”

He makes a strangled sound. “Jesus.”

You pull back enough to beam at him. He gives you a look of pure exasperation but his hands are gentle. He’s watching you carefully for signs you’re going to fall over.

You sway dramatically. “Buckyyyyy, don’t let me fall.”

“Not gonna.”

“Promise?”

He sighs. “Promise.”

You grin. You dance a few songs that way – mostly you clinging to him, occasionally trying to get him to spin you, nearly falling over, him catching you every time.

Finally he mutters something about getting water in you and starts to tug you back toward the bar. You immediately latch onto his arm.

“Bathroom first.”

He stops. “No.”

“Please,” you whine.

He rubs his temples. “Can you even go by yourself?”

“Nope!” you say cheerfully.

“Jesus Christ.”

He actually escorts you to the bathroom hallway. He’s standing outside the door waiting, arms folded, glaring at anyone who even glances at you too long.

When you come back out, you immediately grab his hand.

“Thank you,” you sing. “Best bodyguard ever.”

He sighs but doesn’t let go. You lean your head against his arm as he drags you back to the bar. Sam immediately cackles when he sees you clinging to Bucky like a koala.

“Look at you two! Married already?”

“Shut up, Sam,” Bucky growls.

You just wave at Sam happily. “Hi Sam!”

He cheers you with his glass.

Bucky maneuvers you onto a stool and shoves water at you. “Drink,” he orders. You obey, but keep one hand fisted in his sleeve.

“You’re not leaving,” you declare.

“Didn’t say I was.”

“You’re the only one I want to hang out with.”

He goes still. “…yeah?”

You nod seriously. He tries to fight it but his mouth twitches.

“Fine,” he says gruffly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

You sigh happily, still holding his sleeve while you sip water. And the team watches you both, absolutely delighted, as Bucky resigns himself to being your chosen human for the rest of the night.

Bucky tries to reclaim his arm once, experimentally tugging. Your eyes immediately go wide and wounded.

“Don’t go.”

He huffs. “I’m not going anywhere. I just want my arm back.”

You tighten your grip. “No.”

He mutters something under his breath – probably a swear – but lets you have it. You beam and scoot closer on the barstool until your knees knock into his.

“See? You’re so nice.”

He sighs and rests one hand on the bar, but the other hovers protectively near your waist in case you lean too far. You lean even closer.

“You know, you’re really warm,” you whisper like it’s classified information.

“Yeah,” he says blandly.

“Like a furnace.”

“Uh-huh.”

You squint at him suspiciously. “Are you listening to me?”

He glances down at you, deadpan. “Am I ever?”

You gasp in outrage and swat his chest, nearly falling off the stool when you overbalance. He catches you immediately, his hands firm around your waist.

“Easy,” he warns.

You giggle breathlessly. “You’re so strong.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters.

Sam wanders past and laughs, “She’s gonna regret all of this tomorrow.”

You immediately scowl at Sam. “Don’t be mean to Bucky!”

Bucky raises an eyebrow at you. “I think he was talking about you, doll.”

You blink.

“Oh.”

Then you shrug and turn back to Bucky, patting his chest like you’re reassuring him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”

He snorts. “Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about.”

You frown at him. “Stop being mean. You’re nice. You take care of me.”

You emphasize this by petting his arm, fingers tracing the seam of his shirt. He glances at your hand, then at you.

“Can you not do that here?” he mutters, voice rough.

“Why?”

“Because you’re drunk.”

You squint at him like that’s a stupid excuse. “So?”

He sighs, rubbing his forehead. “God.”

You smile and lean into him even more, both hands on his arm now. “I like your arm,” you say, running your fingers over the metal plates. “It’s cool.”

“Stop,” he mumbles, but he doesn’t actually move you.

You look up at him, wide-eyed. “Bucky.”

“What.”

“Do you think I’m annoying?”

He groans.

“Buckyyyyy.”

“No,” he admits reluctantly.

You immediately brighten. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he mutters, avoiding your eyes.

You grin and hug his arm tighter. “Told you you’re nice.”

He lets out a long suffering sigh but you catch the corner of his mouth twitching.

You don’t stop there. When you finish the water (which he makes you drink entirely), you demand another. He gets it for you without complaining. You thank him by resting your head on his shoulder while you drink it. He’s stiff for a second, then relaxes, shifting so you don’t slip off the stool.

You keep talking. About everything.

“You have really blue eyes. Did you know?”

“Mm.”

“I think you’d be good at painting.”

“Nope.”

“Yes you would.”

“Doll–”

“You should try it. I’d help you. We could paint together.”

He breathes out slowly. “Maybe,” he allows, just to shut you up.

You gasp. “Promise?”

“No.”

“Bucky!”

He side-eyes you, but there’s a softness there that he can’t hide.

Later you try to get off the stool to go back to the dance floor. He immediately snags your waist. “Where are you going.”

“Dancing,” you declare.

“No.”

“Come with me.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Please?”

He gives you a look.

You throw your arms around his neck right there at the bar. “Pleasepleaseplease?”

“Doll…”

You bat your eyelashes exaggeratedly. He closes his eyes and sighs. Tony, watching from the other side of the bar, is dying laughing.

Finally Bucky sighs in defeat. “Fine.”

You squeal with delight and press your face against his chest. “You’re the best,” you slur.

“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters.

He lets you hang onto him all the way back to the dance floor. You’re worse this time. You keep your arms around his neck, fingers in his hair.

“Bucky.”

“What.”

“Don’t let go.”

“I’m not.”

“Ever.”

He sighs. “We’ll negotiate that later.”

You bury your face in his chest again. “Promise.”

He rubs your back, voice low. “Promise.”

You’re so content you don’t even notice the rest of the team watching you both, exchanging knowing looks. Because all you know is Bucky’s arms are warm, and safe, and he’s not letting you fall. And he’s still listening. Even if he rolls his eyes every time you open your mouth.

But eventually, Wanda and Sam approach, grinning like devils.

“Mind if we steal her?” Sam asks, voice innocent in the way it never actually is.

Bucky gives them a flat stare.

You blink up at Sam. “Steal me?”

“Yeah, c’mon, sweetheart,” Wanda says, gently prying your hands off Bucky’s shoulders. “Let’s dance.”

Bucky huffs, but you giggle and let them lead you away. He just shakes his head and retreats toward the bar like a man finally released from captivity.

Wanda and Sam keep you busy on the dance floor for a good while. Wanda spins you in easy, graceful circles. Sam hams it up, showing off ridiculous moves that make you laugh until your ribs ache. You’re warm and dizzy and happy. You shout-scream the lyrics to whatever pop song is blasting. Wanda twirls with you dramatically, both of you howling with laughter when you almost fall. Sam’s whooping and clapping like you’re in a club contest.

You forget about Bucky for a minute. But not for long.

Eventually another song ends and you’re panting, hair sticking to your forehead.

“Wanda,” you slur a little, clutching her arm. “Water.”

She laughs. “Yeah, let’s get you hydrated.”

You stumble toward the bar, Sam at your other elbow. Your eyes immediately find Bucky. Seated on a stool, long legs sprawled out, watching you with arms folded and that resting murder face that you know by now doesn’t actually mean he’s mad.

Your whole face lights up. “BUCKYYYY.”

Sam snorts. “Here we go.”

You break into a messy run-walk and practically dive at him. He startles, but reacts fast, catching you under the arms and hauling you the rest of the way onto his lap before you can faceplant. “Jesus.”

You settle right down, straddling one of his thighs without shame, arms wrapping around his neck. He’s frozen for one second. Then sighs.

“Really?” he grumbles in your ear.

You ignore him completely, beaming like you’re sun-drunk. “Hi.”

He flicks a glance at Sam and Wanda behind you. “Thanks for the break.”

Sam salutes him. “Anytime.”

Wanda just giggles and waves.

Bucky rolls his eyes and wraps an arm around your waist to keep you steady. You immediately start talking.

“Bucky, they’re so much fun. Sam’s the worst dancer ever, did you know? And Wanda’s like a ballerina. She’s so pretty. She smells really good too. Like fancy witch perfume. I want perfume like that. Do you think I could pull it off?”

He gives you a look. “Breathe.”

You suck in air dramatically and keep going.

“I’m serious. I need new perfume. Or maybe lotion. My skin’s so dry. Feel it.”

You grab his flesh hand and press it to your bare shoulder. He scowls but doesn’t move it.

“Soft,” he allows grudgingly.

You beam. “See? You’re nice.”

He snorts. “Stop saying that.”

“But you are. You let me sit here.”

“Pretty sure I didn’t have a choice.”

You huff. “You always have a choice. You chose to catch me.”

He grumbles but his arm tightens around your waist. “Only so you didn’t break your damn neck.”

You grin, nose brushing his cheek. “Bestest bodyguard.”

He closes his eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

You lean back just enough to waggle your eyebrows at him. “Dance with me again.”

He actually glares. “No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Pleasepleaseplease?”

He tilts his head back with an audible ugh, but you see the corner of his mouth twitch. Sam’s watching the whole thing, laughing so hard he’s crying. Wanda’s just smiling at you both, all soft and knowing. You ignore them all and rest your forehead against Bucky’s, whispering like you’re sharing a secret: “Bucky. You’re my favorite.”

He huffs a laugh. Just one. But you hear it.

“Yeah,” he says, voice lower now, quieter. His arm flexes around you, steady and warm. “I know, doll.”

And you sigh like you’re the happiest person in the world, snuggling in closer. “You know, I think Steve could beat Sam in an arm-wrestling match but Sam would cheat. Don’t tell him I said that.”

Bucky raises an eyebrow. “You literally just said it in front of him.”

Sam, two stools over, is laughing so hard he almost spills his drink.

“Hey, that’s slander!” he yells.

You gasp dramatically and clap a hand over Bucky’s mouth. “Shhh! He’ll hear us!”

Bucky stares at you over your fingers. “Doll,” he says flatly against your palm. “I’m begging you.”

You ignore him.

“Your stubble is scratchy,” you note, pulling your hand back to rub his jaw.

He flinches just a little, eyes narrowing. “Stop.”

“Never,” you say proudly.

Clint cackles. “She’s relentless, man.”

Bucky gives him the most murderous glare he can muster while you’re actively petting his face. “Barton, go away.”

“Love you too, Barnes.”

Eventually the bartender calls last call. Steve’s already rounding everyone up like a camp counselor. “Alright, everyone. Let’s go. C’mon, up.”

You immediately wrap your arms tighter around Bucky’s neck. “No.”

Bucky groans. “Get up, doll.”

“Carry me.”

“For fuck’s sake.”

He sighs, braces a hand under your thigh, and practically lifts you off the stool. You squeal and cling tighter.

“I was kidding!”

“Too late,” he mutters, half-carrying, half-dragging you toward the door while the team hoots and hollers.

You nuzzle into his shoulder. “You’re so strong. Do you work out?”

Steve snorts so loud he chokes. Bucky closes his eyes and keeps walking. Outside the bar, the night air is crisp and cold. You shiver immediately, pressing even closer to Bucky. He sighs and drapes his leather jacket over your shoulders without even thinking about it. You make a pleased little sound. “See? Nice.”

He ignores that and starts steering you toward the cars as Steve’s calling out assignments. “Bucky, you got y/n.”

Bucky gives him a look that could kill a lesser man.

Steve just grins and slaps his shoulder. “You’re the best, Buck.”

Bucky finally manages to get you to the car. You refuse to let go of him even when he tries to buckle you in. “Sit with me.”

“I’m driving.”

“Sit with me.”

“Jesus. Let go.”

You whine but finally slump into the seat. The whole drive back you talk. And talk. And talk.

“Your car smells like you. Is that weird? I don’t think it’s weird. It’s nice.”

“Bucky, you drive really good. Like, safe. Steve drives like an old man. Sam drives like he wants to kill me.”

“Your hair is so shiny. Can I braid it now? Please?”

He just grunts noncommittally, eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel. But the other is resting on the console. You keep your hand over his the entire time.

When you get back to the compound, you refuse to get out on your own. “Carry me.”

“Walk.”

“Carry.”

He glares at you for three seconds. You give him the biggest puppy eyes you can. He caves. You squeal in triumph as he lifts you bridal style.

“Bucky. Bucky. You’re the best. I love you.”

He nearly trips. “Jesus Christ.”

You make a show of glaring. Then immediately ruin it by grinning. “Your eyes are really blue,” you whisper conspiratorially.

“Yeah, you’ve mentioned.”

“Did you know? They’re really blue.”

He’s trying not to laugh at this point. He gets you to the hallway outside your room and tries to set you down. You hold onto him tighter “No.”

He groans. “Doll. It’s your room. Go in.”

“Come with me.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Please?”

He closes his eyes. “You’ll just talk the entire time.”

“Promise.”

“...promise what? That you’ll talk?”

You nod solemnly. “Promise I’ll talk. To you. Forever.”

He snorts despite himself, shifting you in his arms. “God help me.”

“Please. Sit with me.”

He sighs. “Just for a minute,” he grumbles.

You squeal in triumph. He finally manages to deposit you on your bed, but you refuse to let go of his hand. So he sits on the edge, looming over you. You immediately tug him closer. “Lie down.”

“No.”

“Please.”

“Doll–”

“Pleasepleaseplease?”

He drops his head with a groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. Finally he caves, shifting so he’s lying next to you on top of the blankets, boots still on. You immediately roll into his side, arms going around him, your face pressed to his chest.

And you don’t stop talking. Not for one second.

“You smell so good. I’m so comfy. Don’t leave. You’re my favorite. Nat’s scary. Wanda’s so pretty. Clint’s funny but so mean. Steve’s so big. Sam’s loud. You’re perfect.”

He’s silent, just staring at the ceiling, one arm around you, thumb brushing your shoulder gently.

“Bucky?”

“Hm.”

“You’re my favorite,” you whisper again.

He sighs. “Yeah, doll. I know.”

And even though you keep talking for another ten minutes, slurring and mumbling and giggling, he doesn’t move once. He just listens. Because it’s you.

Eventually you’re too warm, too squirmy, too everything. You roll halfway off Bucky’s chest with an exaggerated groan. “Hot.”

He huffs, adjusting his arm so you don’t actually fall off the bed.

“Yeah. That’s what blankets do, doll.”

You squint at him. “Take my shoes off.”

He sighs like you’re the biggest burden in the world but he sits up. “Give me your foot.”

You grin and stick your leg out like a demanding princess. He wrestles the shoe off and drops it on the floor with a thunk. “Other one.”

You giggle and present the other. When they’re both off, you flop back dramatically.

“Thanks,” you slur, batting your lashes.

“Yeah, yeah.”

You tug at your shirt. “Sticky,” you whine. “Need pajamas.”

His eyes narrow immediately. “No.”

“Buckyyyyy,” you drawl.

“Bathroom. Go.”

“Carry me.”

“For fuck’s–”

He cuts himself off and just sighs, standing. “Come on, up.”

You let him pull you up off the bed, wobbling as you try to find your balance. He steadies you with both hands.

“Bathroom,” he orders again.

You point in the wrong direction. He physically turns you the right way.

“Bathroom.”

You shuffle toward it, turning at the doorway to blink at him. “Wait there.”

He crosses his arms. “Not going anywhere.”

“Promise?”

He rolls his eyes. “Promise.”

You come back out in your soft pajama shorts and one of your ancient shirts, hair all mussed from changing.

You’re blinking sleepily but still talking. “Bucky.”

“Yeah.”

“My bed is cold.”

He snorts. “That’s what blankets are for.”

You scowl. “No. You’re warmer.”

He groans. “Doll–”

“Please?” you whine, stepping closer, your voice dropping to a pitiful slur. “Please stay? Please don’t leave. Pleasepleaseplease.”

He scrubs a hand down his face. “Jesus.”

You sniff dramatically. “You hate me.”

He actually looks pained. “Don’t start.”

“You hate me!”

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

“I don’t.”

You immediately brighten. “Prove it.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose again, breathing in slowly. “How.”

“Stay,” you say simply, eyes wide and pleading.

He closes his eyes in defeat. You see the exact moment he caves.

“Fine,” he mutters. “But you’re sleeping this time.”

You let out a delighted squeal and launch at him, wrapping your arms around his middle and burying your face in his chest. He grunts at the impact but his arms come around you automatically, steady and solid and safe.

“Thank you,” you mumble into his shirt.

“Yeah.”

You tilt your head back, blinking up at him, eyes glassy from booze and exhaustion. “Bucky.”

“What.”

“I love you.”

He freezes. Your mouth keeps going before he can even react.

“Like, love love you. You’re so nice. And warm. And you listen to me. And you’re strong. And you smell good. And you have pretty eyes.”

He’s silent. You blink at him expectantly. “Bucky?”

He clears his throat roughly. “Doll–”

“I love you,” you say again, like he didn’t hear.

“Stop.”

“No.”

“Please.”

“I love you.”

He squeezes his eyes shut, jaw working. You touch his cheek with both hands. “Hey. Bucky. Look at me.”

He opens his eyes, reluctantly. You beam, sloppy and sleepy.

“Love you,” you whisper again, like it’s the biggest secret in the world.

He sighs, voice husky and low. “Yeah. I know.”

You grin and immediately lean up to kiss his cheek, missing slightly and getting the edge of his jaw instead. “Thank you,” you mumble.

“For what.”

“For staying.”

He huffs out a breath, exasperated but so gentle. “Come on.”

He guides you back to bed, steadying you so you don’t trip over your own feet. You crawl under the blankets with absolutely no grace. When he tries to stand, you immediately grab his sleeve. “No.”

He sighs.

“I’m not leaving,” he promises.

You tug harder. “Then get in.”

He hesitates. You blink at him, face scrunching, voice going quiet and wobbly. “Please?”

He mutters something like a curse under his breath. And then he does. He kicks off his boots and lowers himself next to you, carefully pulling the blanket over you both. You immediately roll into him, burying your face in his chest, arms around his ribs. You sigh so loud and happy it makes him want to laugh.

“You’re so warm,” you mumble.

“Go to sleep.”

“‘Kay.”

Silence. But only for two seconds.

“Bucky?”

He groans. “What.”

“Love you.”

He breathes in deep. Lets it out slow. His arm tightens around you.

“Yeah,” he rumbles quietly against your hair. “Love you too, doll.”

You finally go quiet after that, a smile still on your face. And he doesn’t move at all, holding you steady and safe the entire night.

--

You wake up to the soft grey light of early morning pushing in through your curtains. Your head is pounding in that unmistakable oh god I drank too much way. You squint, groaning, and immediately pull the blanket over your head to block the light. Except…

You can’t.

Because something big and heavy is in the way. You freeze. Blink. Shift your head just enough to see.

Bucky.

He’s on his side facing you, arm thrown over your waist, metal fingers splayed against your back. His other arm is bent under his head like a pillow.

He’s asleep. Actually asleep. And you’re in his arms. Very in his arms. Like – your face is smushed into his chest, one leg tangled over his.

You go perfectly still, trying to process. Then memory starts trickling back in pieces.

The bar. The dancing. Clinging to him like an octopus. Begging him to stay.