Bucky Barnes x Mutant reader

chapter 6 (part 2): playing catch-up with a super soldier while hiding another

(y/n) POV

Steve entered the apartment and I guided him to the couch.

"I'm sorry James, you'll have to stay in there longer than I anticipated. I have some things to pass the time in the box next to the nightstand if you'd like," I shot bucky a mental message.

Steve talked about what had been going down as we waited for the pizza to arrive.

Finally the pizza arrived and I excused myself to retrieve and pay the man bringing the food. I teleported a pizza box to my room with a note apologizing and letting bucky know that I had a mini fridge full of drinks he could help himself to.

Steve and I continued talking as we each ate a box of pizza.

"So that pretty much covers my end. How was your visit with your family?"

"My family visit?"

"Yeah, after your date with Rumlow, you went to visit your family. Rumlow said shield had approved for you to visit them for a few days."

"He lied to you Steve. Yeah we went on a date to the museum and when we were walking out he injected my neck with a tranquilizer. I got transported to one of Hydra's bases here in the city. They held me captive this whole time. That's why I wasn't here when fury was 'assassinated'. I was chained by my ankle and locked in a cell. Every so often I was sedated with a power suppressant. I was only set free today. That man you described, he came back and broke the ankle cuff."

"You met Bucky...I mean the one I know?"

"I'm not sure who your bucky was but this man saved me. All the Hydra agents had started packing up the night before. No one was in there when he freed me. I saw what they did to him Steve...it was so painful. I could feel it, I can feel others pain Steve especially when I'm weak. It's harder to filter everyone else's experience from my own sometimes, especially something that intense."

"I'm sorry (y/n), I didn't know."

"Its fine. I would have called but Rumlow had taken all of my stuff. I found my wallet though....it's getting late steve, we've both had a long week. The guest room is down this hall on your left and the bathroom is right across from it. Feel free to help yourself to anything in the kitchen or use the TV here in the living room," I said picking up my half finished box of pizza.

"Good night (y/n). Thanks for letting me stay here.

"Goodnight cap," I said walking down the hallway before teleporting myself inside once I was out of Steve's sight.

Bucky sat on my bed eating a slice of pizza with a book in his hand.

"I'm sorry I took so long, James" I whispered.

He tensed.

"Bucky," I asked whispering.

He relaxed. Okay so Bucky is what he's comfortable with.

"Yes," he asked.

"I...um... Steve's staying in the guest room. Something about you...i mean the other one...shooting through his apartment...you can sleep in here. If you don't mind sharing the bed that is. I can always sleep on the couch."

"Stay."

"Okay," I smiled, "I'm going to go put that laundry to wash. I'll be right back."

I teleported to the entrance hallway of my apartment and got the laundry basket before teleporting to the laundry room. I quickly threw the clothes in and teleported back to my room.

"It'll take a bit for the clothes to be ready. Can you wait for me just a little longer? I'd really like to get out of these clothes and shower."

He smiled a little, "go ahead. I can wait a bit longer."

"Thank you, " I whispered quickly sifting through my drawers for my pajamas and underwear.

I quickly stepped into the shower and let my mind wander. He didn't seem to act like that soldier that I met a few nights ago. He seemed gentler, almost comfortable. I tried to shower as fast as I could. Once I had gotten all of the built up grime from my days I had been taken hostage, I slipped into  my pajamas; a black tank top that read "I need my space" and a matching pair of shorts with aliens and space ships. I decided to teleport to the laundry room and put the clothes to dry before going back to bucky.

"Hi," I whispered sitting next to bucky on the bed.

"Hi," he said lowly, his face was back to that serious one he had earlier when we were at the museum.

"So I...I'm here if you need to talk. I know what they did must still be affecting you but I'll listen. Or of you wanna sleep we can turn the lights off. It's up to you ja-.... bucky," I whispered as I looked at him.

"I don't remember much about my past. The one before I became this," he said shakily.

"It's okay. It'll take some time."

"I can't make decisions on my own. Not really."

"It's temporary, Bucky. You're free now. You'll be able to make your own choices soon. Have a little faith in yourself, " I reassured him.

He had lain down in the bed looking up at the ceiling. One of my brother's tees straining against his body, his boxers hung low on his waist but hugged his thighs.

"I'll be right back the clothes should be done drying."

He made no response. I was gone less than a minute and back with a basket full of fresh laundry. I set it down and crawled into bed.

"Goodnight bucky," I whispered, almost unsure  I had said anything to begin with.

--- later that night ---

The two super soldiers staying in the apartment were both having nightmares at the same time. Steve dreamt about when he lost bucky and how much he blames himself. Bucky's dreams were more intense with flashbacks of various missions he had been ordered to carry out. The torture he'd endured while they replaced his left arm with the metal one he now had.

You whimpered in your sleep at how much sadness and pain filled the two and you absorbed it all. Next to you you felt Bucky thrashing about causing the vivid dreams to halt as you awoke and regained your control on your telepathy.

You tried to wake bucky up gently. His soldier instincts automatically kicked in as soon as you shook him a bit. His left hand grabbed you by your throat and pinned your back to the matress. His blue eyes were cold and distant, glossed over as he glared down at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly. You stayed calm and placed a hand on his wrist.

"It's okay Bucky. You're okay. It was just a dream. You're in a safe place," your voice soothed as you waited patiently.

His eyes began to focus on your face and where his hand was. He slowly let go of your neck and looked down at his metal hand.

You reassured him that you were fine and that you understood why he did it instinctively. Soon the two of you drifted back to sleep.