The Soldier and His Mission
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader
Summary: When a trigger sends Bucky back into the grip of the Winter Soldier, he shadows you with an unyielding protectiveness that leaves the team on edge, though he doesn't harm anyone. After days of tension and careful steps, Bucky finally breaks through the icy barrier, returning to himself in a quiet, tender moment, finding solace in your presence.
You shouldβve known something was wrong the moment Bucky went still.
One second, the mission was wrapping upβjust another Hydra facility wiped off the map, just another set of goons taken down. The next, something triggered him. A phrase muttered in Russian over a radio, the faintest crackle of a long-dead handlerβs voice. You saw the shift in his posture before he even turned around, the telltale tightening of his jaw, the blankness overtaking those usually warm blue eyes.
The Winter Soldier stood in his place.
And yetβhe didnβt hurt you.