Winter's Dark Queen || A Bucky Barnes Love Story

♥♥♥ Chapter 2 - Frost and Steel ♥♥♥

Several years earlier...

The Hydra base was dark, corridors lined with remnants of past horrors as the Avengers moved in silence, rigging explosives and sweeping the area for any remaining Hydra agents. Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, Sam Wilson, and Bucky Barnes were focused on their mission, yet Bucky felt a strange unease clawing at him. This was one of the last Hydra strongholds—and it felt all too familiar.

As they moved through the cold, echoing halls, Bucky suddenly stopped in front of a cell. His breath hitched as he recognized it. He'd been locked in this very room once, his mind broken, his will subjugated. The memories flooded back, blurring the present moment.

Inside, lying motionless on the floor, was a young woman with dark hair and a familiar face. His heart dropped—Diana.

"Diana?" Bucky whispered, his voice hoarse, filled with disbelief. The shock in his gaze hardened into determination as he kicked the cell door open. He moved to her side, dropping to his knees, his hands reaching out to cradle her face. He brushed the hair from her forehead, his touch gentle but urgent. "Diana, come on... wake up," he murmured, gently patting her cheek.

Slowly, Diana's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting his in a dazed, tear-filled recognition. She gasped, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch his face. "James... my soldier..." she whispered, her voice weak but filled with relief. Tears glistened in her eyes, tracing paths down her cheeks.

Without hesitation, Bucky lifted her into his arms, carrying her as though she were the most precious thing in the world. She nestled her head against his neck, holding on to him tightly. The years of separation, the pain, and the uncertainty dissolved in that moment.

A shout echoed through the corridor as Natasha rounded the corner. She froze at the sight, her eyes widening in shock. "Diana?" she breathed, recognizing her friend instantly. Memories of their time together in the Red Room came rushing back—their shared laughter, whispered secrets, and moments of solace in an otherwise brutal world. Diana had been her closest friend until Hydra tore her away.

Steve, Tony, and Sam appeared behind Natasha, drawn by her shout. They, too, froze, taking in the sight of Bucky holding Diana with a tenderness none of them had ever seen before.

Bucky looked up, his voice quiet but unyielding. "Her name is Diana Frost. Hydra... Hydra used to keep us together. They tortured us, experimented on us." His gaze hardened as he remembered those years of suffering, but then softened as he looked down at her again. "We survived together. She's... she's my friend."

Natasha's face softened, her own eyes misting. She took a step forward. "I remember her from the Red Room. They... they came for her one day, saying the Winter Soldier had chosen her."

Sam stepped up, his expression shifting from shock to intrigue, his gaze landing on Diana. "Well, I can see why he did," he said, smiling as he tried to lighten the tension. "Must've had good taste even back then. You're one of a kind, Diana."

Diana, still leaning into Bucky's embrace, bit back a laugh at Sam's flirtation. But before she could respond, Bucky's expression darkened as he glared at Sam. "Watch it, Wilson," he growled, his voice low and possessive.

Sam held up his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. "Alright, alright. Protective much, Barnes?" he teased.

Before Bucky could retort, Diana lifted her head and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Bucky stilled, a flush creeping up his neck, while Steve tried—and failed—to stifle a laugh as he noticed the obvious spark of jealousy in Sam's eyes.

The team made their way back to the jet, Bucky carrying Diana the entire way, refusing to let anyone else so much as touch her. Once aboard, he gently laid her down on one of the seats, kneeling beside her, still holding her hands as if she might disappear if he let go.

Diana's fingers brushed over his stubbled cheek, her gaze trailing from his short hair to the glint of his vibranium arm. Despite the years and the trials they'd faced, he was still her James—her soldier. She smiled softly, the weariness momentarily lifting from her eyes.

"You're still my partner," she murmured, her voice a fragile thread of affection and trust.

Bucky's eyes shone, his expression awash with emotion. He tightened his grip on her hands and pressed a reverent kiss to her knuckles. "And you're still my princess," he whispered, his voice thick with unspoken promises. His eyes welled with tears, and he could hardly believe she was real, here in front of him, after all these years.

Watching the tenderness between them, Natasha felt a pang of envy. Diana had always been gentle and kind, yet now all her affection seemed solely for Bucky. Natasha shifted awkwardly, her chest heavy with a strange sense of loss.

Steve knelt beside Bucky, giving him a curious look. "How close were you two?" he asked, though he had a pretty good idea just from looking at them.

Bucky barely looked up, still captivated by Diana. "She was my best friend," he said softly, a small smile touching his lips. Steve's eyes widened in mock surprise, a teasing gasp escaping him.

Bucky rolled his eyes, but exhaustion started to weigh on him. He leaned back, sliding down until he was seated by Diana's waist, his head resting just above her shoulder. Diana noticed the tired lines on his face, and a flicker of worry crossed her gaze. She reached out, her fingers threading through his hair, the gentle strokes easing some of the tension in his brow.

"Rest, James," she murmured, her free hand softly brushing along his back.

He gave a contented sigh, allowing himself to half-lay on her, his arms instinctively wrapping around her waist. As he hugged her close, he pressed his forehead to her temple, rubbing his nose lightly against hers, breathing in her familiar scent. In the safety of her embrace, he finally felt the weight of years lift from his shoulders. As he closed his eyes, he allowed himself to drift into a peaceful sleep.

Steve sat nearby, watching them with awe and curiosity. After a moment, he broke the silence. "How... how did you survive all this time, Diana?"

Diana's voice was quiet, yet steady. She glanced down at Bucky, her fingers still threading gently through his hair. "He made me a promise," she replied, her eyes misting. "He said that if we ever got separated, he'd come back for me. I knew that, no matter what, he'd never break his word."

The jet hummed softly as they flew back to base, the rest of the Avengers exchanging silent glances. They each knew that, no matter what lay ahead, Bucky had found something irreplaceable in Diana—a bond forged in pain, resilience, and unwavering loyalty.

And for the first time in a long time, Bucky's heart was no longer cold; it was warm, held safely in the arms of the one who had never given up on him.