Dust and Destiny pt.6
Pairing : Bucky Barnes x Stark!reader
Summary : Bucky Barnes and you used to be lovers , madly in love. But you lost him in the blip and lost him again after the blip because he need to “find himself”.
Warning : cursing
Words : 2.1k words
I am so sorry for the late post :( im not feeling well and just getting better now :)
Previous Part (pt.5) | Part 6 | Next Part ( pt.7 )
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The unspoken tension
Joaquin is still standing there, wide-eyed, arms crossed as if he just walked straight into a live grenade.He turns to Sam, muttering under his breath, “Okay. So. Just to be clear. That was not a normal team meeting, right?”
Sam sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Not even close.”Joaquin exhales. “Good. Because I genuinely thought I was about to die in there.”
Sam huffs out a laugh, but it’s tired. Joaquin hesitates, glancing toward the door. “So… what the hell was that?”
Sam looks at him. Really looks at him.
And then, with a heavy breath, he says, “That? That was seven years of grief, heartbreak, and trauma finally catching up to all of us.”
Joaquin frowns. “I mean, yeah, I got that part. But what’s the deal with her and Barnes?”. Sam sighs. “That, my friend, is a whole other can of worms.”
Joaquin raises a brow. “Give me the short version.”
Sam rubs a hand down his face. “The short version? They were in love. She lost him to the Blip for five years. She risked her life to bring him back. And when she did?”
Joaquin waits. Sam exhales sharply.
“He left her.”
Joaquin blinks. “Damn.”. “Yeah,” Sam mutters. “Damn.”
Joaquin shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, uh- remind me to never walk into something like this again.”. Sam snorts. “Oh, trust me, you don’t need reminding.”
Joaquin crosses his arms, still processing everything. Then, after a beat, he turns to Sam and asks,
“So… how did they even meet?”
Sam lets out a breath, shaking his head like he’s been waiting for that question. “Man. That is a long-ass story.”
Joaquin smirks. “Good thing I’m not going anywhere.”
Sam huffs a laugh, leaning back against the table. “Alright. Buckle up, Torres, because this one’s a rollercoaster.”
Joaquin raises an eyebrow. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
Sam exhales, glancing toward the door where you and Tony had both walked out. His expression softens just a bit.
“It was back where Sokovia Accords kinda shit, tony versus Steve beef,” Sam starts, voice lower now, like he’s telling some old legend. “Bucky was still on the run, brainwashing still messing with his head. And her?” He huffs. “She was still just Stark’s daughter back then. Smart as hell, but young.. hell, we were all young.”
Joaquin leans in slightly. “So what happened?” Sam smirks. “She met him. And from the second she did? It was game over.”
Joaquin tilts his head. “Love at first sight?”
Sam chuckles. “More like enemies to whatever-the-hell-this-is.” Joaquin grins. “Sounds messy.”
“Oh, it was,” Sam confirms. “She was supposed to hate him. Did hate him, at first. But that girl’s got a heart bigger than her damn ego, and Bucky?” He shakes his head. “Man, I don’t know what it was, but something in him just… gravitated toward her.”
Joaquin listens, intrigued. “And then what?” Sam gives him a look. “And then they spent years dancing around each other. Fighting, saving each other’s asses, getting way too close but never close enough. Until finally?” He exhales. “They stopped running.”
Joaquin nods slowly, piecing it all together. “And then the Blip happened.” Sam nods. “Yeah.”
“And she lost him.”
“For five years,” Sam emphasizes, voice tinged with something sad. “And when she finally got him back?”
Joaquin already knows the answer. “He left.”
Sam sighs. “Yeah. He left.”
Joaquin leans back, rubbing a hand over his face. “Okay, yeah, I definitely shouldn’t have come here today.”
Sam snorts. “Told you.” Joaquin shakes his head, still wrapping his head around it. “So what now?”
Sam glances toward the door again, his expression unreadable. “Now?” he says. “Now we wait for the fallout.”
Joaquin smirks, tilting his head as an idea sparks in his mind.
“Or…” he drawls, crossing his arms with a grin. “Let me be the knight in shining armor.”
Sam immediately groans. “Oh, hell no.”
Joaquin raises an eyebrow. “What? She’s single, I’m single, and let’s be real, have you seen me?” He gestures to himself. “I’m a damn catch.”
Sam looks like he’s fighting for his life not to smack him upside the head. “Torres. Listen to me very carefully.” He leans in, lowering his voice. “That woman? She’s been through hell. And if you so much as think about playing games-”
Joaquin holds up his hands, mock offense on his face. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said anything about playing games? I’m just saying, maybe she needs a distraction.” He smirks. “And who better than me?”
Sam deadpans. “You really got a death wish, huh?”
Joaquin just shrugs, still grinning. “Hey, if Barnes doesn’t want her, someone’s gotta step up.”
Sam stares at him for a long moment. Then, he exhales, shaking his head. “You know what? Fine. Go ahead.”
Joaquin blinks. “Wait, really?”
Sam nods. “Yeah. Go be her knight in shining armor.” Then, his lips twitch into a knowing smirk. “Just don’t cry to me when Barnes rips your head off.”
Joaquin falters slightly. “…He wouldn’t actually-”
Sam claps a hand on his shoulder, grin widening. “Good luck, lover boy.”
Joaquin swallows, his smirk faltering slightly as he glances at Sam again.
“He’s really gonna rip my head off?”
Sam doesn’t even hesitate. “Oh, absolutely”. Joaquin blinks. “Like… actually?”
Sam crosses his arms, giving him a pointed look. “You see the metal arm, right? The one that could punch through a truck like it’s cardboard?”
Joaquin shifts uncomfortably. “Okay, but-hypothetically-what if he, I don’t know, doesn’t kill me?”
Sam huffs out a laugh. “Then you’d be the first.”Joaquin scoffs. “Come on, he’s not that bad.”Sam just stares.Joaquin hesitates. “…Right?”
Sam exhales, shaking his head. “Listen, Torres. I like you. You’re a good guy. But if you go anywhere near her?” He whistles low. “Let’s just say, I don’t think they make caskets pretty enough for what Barnes is gonna do to you.”
Joaquin rubs a hand over his face. “Shit.”
Sam grins, clapping him on the back. “Hey, at least you’ll die pretty.”
Joaquin groans. “You’re so supportive, man.”
“Hey, I’m just being honest,” Sam says, shrugging. “And I’d rather you hear it from me than from Barnes- because trust me, his warning would involve a lot more broken bones.”
Joaquin throws his hands up. “Okay, but let’s think about this for a second. Maybe just maybe he doesn’t care anymore. Maybe he’s moved on, and he won’t even—”
Sam cuts him off with a laugh so sharp and disbelieving that Joaquin physically flinches.
“Oh, Torres,” Sam says, shaking his head. “You sweet, naive little idiot.”
Joaquin frowns. “Why do I feel insulted right now?”
“Because you should,” Sam tells him. “Barnes still cares. Deeply. And if you think he’s just gonna sit back and let you swoop in like some knight in shining armor?” Sam chuckles darkly. “You got another thing coming.”
Joaquin clicks his tongue, thinking it over. “Okay. Alright. But what if she actually wants me to swoop in?”. Sam raises a brow. “You sure you wanna test that theory?”
Joaquin hesitates. “…Not anymore.”
Sam laughs, shaking his head. “Smart man.” Then, after a beat, he smirks. “But, hey—if you do wanna test it, just let me know first. I’d love a front-row seat to the ass-whooping Barnes is gonna give you.”
Joaquin glares. “You are the worst wingman ever.”
Sam grins, completely unbothered. “Nah, I’m just trying to keep you alive.”
But Sam knows better. Joaquin will try even after the warning.
…..
The compound is quiet. Too quiet.
You’re sitting in the kitchen, nursing a drink, staring blankly at the countertop. The day had been… exhausting. Between the mission, the confrontation with Bucky, and Joaquin’s sudden presence stirring things up, your brain feels like it’s been through a blender.
And then, because the universe clearly isn’t done fucking with you, he walks in. Bucky stops when he sees you, his jaw tightening. For a second, he looks like he’s debating whether to turn around and leave.
You roll your eyes. “Oh, don’t flatter yourself, Barnes. I’m not gonna run just because you’re here.”
His lips press together, and then because he’s just as stubborn as you… he steps further inside, heading toward the fridge. “Didn’t say you would.” You snort. “Right. Because you’re the expert on not running.”
Bucky freezes for half a second, his fingers gripping the fridge handle a little too tightly. Then, he exhales through his nose, pulling out a water bottle. “You’re never gonna let that go, huh?”
You scoff. “You left, Bucky. Twice. What, do you expect me to just pretend like that didn’t destroy me?”
His blue eyes flicker to you, something dark and guilty lurking behind them. He doesn’t say anything.
You shake your head, taking another sip of your drink. “It’s funny, you know. We used to- .” Your cut your words, your voice falters slightly, but you push through it. “Now I don’t even know what we are.”
Bucky swallows, gripping the water bottle like it’s the only thing grounding him. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
“Yeah?” You let out a bitter laugh. “Well, congratulations, James. You did anyway.”
Silence. Thick. Heavy.
And then, because fate has the worst timing, Joaquin’s voice rings out from the hallway.
“There you are, Stark! I’ve been looking-” He stops in his tracks when he sees you and Bucky, the tension in the air practically suffocating. “…Oh. Shit. Should I, uh—?”
Bucky’s entire posture shifts. His jaw clenches, shoulders tensing, like he’s preparing for battle. Joaquin notices, and because he’s either bold or completely reckless, he smirks.
“Well,” Joaquin drawls, stepping further inside. “This is awkward.” You sigh, rubbing your temple. “What do you want, Torres?”
Joaquin leans against the counter next to you, eyes glancing between you and Bucky like he’s trying to piece something together. “Was just gonna ask if you wanted to take a walk.” He smirks again, looking directly at Bucky this time. “Unless you’re busy?”
Bucky’s grip tightens around the water bottle. You glance between them, realizing exactly what Joaquin is doing. And for some reason… you let him.
You set down your drink, standing up. “You know what? A walk sounds nice.” Joaquin grins, throwing a glance at Bucky. “Cool. Let’s go.”
As you walk past Bucky, you swear you hear the plastic of the water bottle crack in his grip.
You don’t look back.
….
The night air is cool against your skin as you and Joaquin walk side by side, the compound fading into the background. There’s a quiet ease to the moment, but the weight of everything still lingers in your chest.
Joaquin exhales, shaking his head. “Man… I really should’ve stayed home today.”
You snort. “Yeah? What gave it away?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he says, counting on his fingers. “The insane tension, the death glare from Barnes, the way you looked like you were gonna throw a punch at any second.” He smirks. “Seriously, Stark. That was some heavy shit back there.”
You sigh, rubbing your temple. “Yeah. Welcome to my life.”
Joaquin glances at you, eyes scanning your face like he’s trying to read between the lines. “So… you and him. That’s some real history, huh?”
You hesitate, then nod. “Yeah.” He hums in thought. “And you still love him.”
and you still love him. It’s not a question.
You swallow hard, keeping your gaze forward. “Doesn’t really matter.” Joaquin watches you for a second before shaking his head. “You say that, but I don’t think you believe it.”
You huff out a dry laugh. “You a mind reader now, Torres?”
“Nah.” He grins. “Just really observant.”
Something in his tone makes you pause, and when you turn to look at him, there’s something in his eyes… something unreadable, but warm.
He tilts his head slightly, studying you. “You know… I get the feeling you don’t let a lot of people in.”
You hesitate, caught off guard by the shift in his voice. “Not really.”
Joaquin nods, like he already knew that. “Well, if you ever wanna let someone else in…” He gives you a small, knowing smirk. “Just say the word.”
Your breath catches slightly. It’s subtle- not a declaration, not a grand confession. But it’s there. The interest. The possibility.
And for the first time in years… it makes you think. You shake your head, smiling just a little. “You really don’t have a survival instinct, do you?”
Joaquin chuckles. “Hey, what’s life without a little risk?” You roll your eyes, nudging him playfully. “You’re insane.”
He grins. “You have no idea.”
And as you both make your way back toward the compound, you realize something..
Bucky Barnes may still hold pieces of you… but Joaquin Torres?
He’s starting to see you.
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