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| Last updated: [5/26/25]

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❄️Bucky Barnes

“Just date me, then”

Bucky Barnes Headcanons

The Memory Between Us (series)

🐍Loki Laufeyson

🕶️Matt Murdock

===================================

The elevator hummed quietly as you stared at your reflection in the mirrored walls. You were nervous—understandably so. You were going to meet the Avengers, hoping to find a new purpose in your life. At least they didn’t know who you really were: the Black Diamond, HYDRA’s former most advanced assassin. Few people knew the full extent of the things you’d done—and you intended to keep it that way.

You needed a distraction from your past, from the memories that clung to you like shadows. That’s why you came to the Avengers. Missions, danger, structure—anything to give yourself a purpose again. You wanted to help rather than harm, even if that wasn’t the full truth.

The soft ding of the elevator pulled you from your spiraling thoughts. The doors slid open to reveal a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek black chair turned toward the city view. In it sat Nick Fury.

He stood as you entered, his one eye locked onto you. “Agent Y/L/N, I’m glad you could make it,” he said, extending a hand. “We’ve been needing a strong new addition to the team.”

You walked forward and shook his hand firmly. “I’m glad you think I’m worth it. I want to help people… make a difference,” you said—though that wasn’t the entire truth either.

He sat back down, flipping open a folder with your photo and files inside. You caught a glimpse of the word HYDRA stamped across one of the pages. Of course it would come up.

“Considering your past with HYDRA… are you sure you’ll be able to keep the job? Stay in control?” he asked, his tone even, unreadable.

You sighed. You’d expected this. No one really knew the full story—what HYDRA made you into, what you did for them, how you became the Black Diamond. You’d only written “ex-HYDRA assassin” in the files you submitted. The rest was locked away.

“Yes, sir. I’m sure I’m ready.” You met his gaze. You couldn’t afford to turn back now.

Fury gave a short nod. “Then I’d like to officially welcome you to the team.”

“Thank you, Agent Fury. It’s an honor,” you replied, shaking his hand once more.

“Now let’s get you introduced to the others. They should be in the commons area. Follow me.”

You entered the elevator together and headed to the 6th floor. When the doors opened, you stepped into a modern, sunlit room with a panoramic view of the skyline. To the right, a massive flat-screen TV covered the wall above a cozy sitting area filled with couches, coffee tables, and a few stray blankets. Behind that, more lounging space, and to the left—a sleek kitchen, complete with an island and scattered snacks.

As you followed Fury into the center of the room, the team began to take notice. One by one, they turned to face you, casual conversation falling away.

“Good morning, everyone,” Fury said, loud enough to catch the last few stragglers’ attention. “I’d like to proudly introduce the newest addition to the team, Agent Y/L/N. Make her feel welcome and help her get settled in.”

You looked around at the crowd. Familiar faces: Steve, Natasha, Clint, Tony, Thor, Sam. Heroes you’d studied. Legends.

They offered polite hellos, some curious glances, others more skeptical. You couldn’t blame them—you had a presence that could come off… intense. You walked up, shook hands one by one, and offered a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes.

“Hello. As you’ve heard, I’m Y/N. I look forward to working with you all—no problems, just teamwork and friendship,” you said with a grin that made Sam visibly shift.

Steve spoke up next. “It’s good to have you with us. We actually have a somewhat new member, too. He joined about six months ago, but you might know him.”

You raised a brow. “Oh?”

Steve looked over your shoulder. “There he is now.”

You turned—and your heart almost stopped.

Tall. Muscular. Slightly messy short hair. A glint of metal where a left arm should be. That arm.

Metal arm??

You looked up. Piercing blue eyes locked with yours. Recognition struck like lightning.

“It’s Bucky!” Steve said, oblivious to the weight of the moment.

Your voice came out before you could stop it. “Who the hell is Bucky? That’s the Winter Soldier.”

The room went dead silent.

Bucky’s eyes widened. “Black Diamond?”

You tensed, heart pounding. It had been over ten years since you’d seen him—the man you trained with, went on missions with, the one who knew your skills almost better than anyone. You were both captured by HYDRA. Trained together. And even though Bucky was strong… you were stronger. That’s why they kept you secret—reserved for missions that had no room for error.

You remembered that last mission vividly. The two of you infiltrated a base to retrieve stolen intel. At the end, when chaos erupted, Bucky escaped. Took the chance. And he left you behind—alone.

When HYDRA fell and you were finally free, that moment haunted you. The betrayal, the abandonment. It ate at you. You tried to let it go.

But now, standing face-to-face with him again?

It came flooding back.

You were pulled from the storm in your head by a tap on your shoulder.

“Agent Y/L/N? Are you okay?”

You hadn’t realized your eyes had started to water. Shit.

“I’m fine,” you said quickly, brushing away the tears and stepping back from the group, gaze still locked on Bucky.

“Can I be shown to my room, please?”

Fury nodded silently and walked you toward the elevator.

Behind you, you heard Steve’s confused voice. “Wait—what was that? You two know each other? And who’s Black Diamond?”

The elevator doors closed before you could hear Bucky’s response.

Your room was sleek, clean, and quiet. You stepped inside, shut the door, and collapsed back on the bed. Your mind raced. He was alive. He was here.

And he left you behind.

==================================

It was getting harder and harder for you to pretend like you were happy being single. Failed date after failed date, your spark began to die. It was the same routine—

1. Swipe on Tinder

2. Match with a decently attractive guy who doesn’t look like a total lunatic

3. Put on your best front and go on the date

4. The guy is either a catfish or a straight-up creep who gives way too many “compliments”

You were tired of the repeats. Tired of the failures. You just wanted someone to love—and to love you back. Someone who actually cared.

Not only that, but someone who could understand your situation—having powers, which is a turn-off for most people. No matter how many chances you gave, you never seemed to find anyone who truly got you.

You sigh as you drive back to the tower. You’ve been a part of the Avengers team for about a year now, and honestly? It’s been great. They’re super supportive, and you’ve even managed to become best friends with Bucky Barnes.

You guys really get each other. He always listens to you when you need to vent. He’s like your other half—always catching your jokes, making you laugh. Even during missions, you and Bucky work like clockwork—quick, efficient, unstoppable.

When you pull into the tower’s comedically large parking garage, you hop out of the car, grabbing your purse and keys before heading to the elevator.

Pressing the button for the 5th floor, you just stare at the doors, letting the weight of the horrible date you just went on crash down on you like a wave.

The doors open to the common living space most of the Avengers hang out in during the day.

You sigh when you spot Bucky sitting on the large couch, watching some old documentary from his day on the TV.

You walk over and toss a wilted rose from your bag onto the coffee table in front of him.

“Another bad date, I presume?” he says, glancing at the flower and then at you.

“Considering the wilted rose he gave me, it was bad from the start,” you grumble, plopping down beside him. “He didn’t even try to hold a conversation. Just talked about himself the entire time.”

“Did he at least pay?”

“Thirty bucks down the drain,” you scoff, throwing your hands up.

As you go on, telling Bucky every cringe-filled detail of the date, he stares at you—at your eyes, your facial expressions, your every little movement as you vent.

He takes you all in, fully, like he’s memorizing every inch of you. He listens not just to respond, but to understand you. To love you.

But he holds back. Because he’s convinced you don’t—and won’t—see him that way.

Still, it was only a matter of time. Hearing about your dates, seeing how hurt and tired you are, how desperately you just want to be loved—it was eating him alive.

He wants to be that for you. He already is, in every way except in name. And it makes him angry—jealous even—of every guy who ever let you down.

To him, you deserve the world.

But he doesn’t know if he’s the one you want to hold it with.

You throw your head back in exhaustion, sinking deeper into the couch and closing your eyes, on the brink of accepting you’ll just never find love.

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” Bucky says softly, “but trust me—one day, you’ll find a guy who loves you for you. Who appreciates everything you are.”

“Thanks, Buck. You always know exactly what to say.” You smile a little. “Now let’s hope it comes true, because I’m on my last straw.”

You exhale sharply, more to yourself than him. “I need someone who sees me. Not as a superhero. Just… me. Someone who’s caring, respectful. Who gets me. I mean—where could you even find a guy like that?” You chuckle, not expecting an answer.

Heat rises in Bucky’s chest. Because the person you’re describing? That’s him.

And before he can stop himself, it slips out:

“Just date me, then!”

Your head shoots up from where it was resting. Your eyes lock onto his.

You’re too stunned to speak. You just stare at him, shocked.

You’ve never seen him like this before.

Sure, you two were close—always talking, always texting, constantly laughing together, cooking and cleaning like an old married couple. You did everything as a duo.

And now that you think about it… you always ran to Bucky when you were hurting.

He was always there. Always. With open arms and soft words.

He was… the perfect guy.

“What did you say?” you ask, voice quiet.

Still flustered but determined, Bucky holds your gaze. He sees the confusion, the flicker of hope, and he just… sighs. He’s done holding it all back.

“I mean it, Y/N. I know it might sound crazy or even weird to you, but… I like you. No—I love you. I’ve loved you for so long. Ever since you joined the team, you’ve been the only one I think about. Your laugh, your smile, the way you get excited before missions—everything about you.

I’ve been holding it all in, just letting you come to me, but I want more. I want to be the one who’s there for you. Not just as your friend. I want to love you—fully.”

You sit there, still in shock, watching the tension in his shoulders, the nerves in his eyes. He just poured out his whole heart. For you.

You don’t even try to speak—you just lean forward and hug him. Tightly.

“Thank you, Bucky,” you whisper. “I guess I never thought you saw me that way… but now that I think about it, you’ve been the best guy any girl could ever ask for.”

At first, Bucky’s body is tense. But slowly, he relaxes into your arms and hugs you even tighter, sighing in relief.

“I’m glad we got that out of the way,” he grins, “because now, I want to take you on a real date. And you won’t be upset this time, Y/N.”

You pull back, straddling his lap without even thinking, locking eyes with him as a soft smile grows across your lips.

The realization settles in, warm and golden:

The best boyfriend was right in front of me the whole time.