"(Y/N) Stark, this is Bucky Barnes. Bucky, (Y/N)." Steve had been taking Bucky to make the rounds and meet each Avenger individually after he had settled in to his new home. It had taken the Captain a long time to convince Bucky that joining the team would be good for him; that it would help him to move forward, and how the Avengers gave him a sense of family when he had none. Steve was ecstatic when Bucky finally agreed, and you could see it in his face as he introduced you to his longtime friend.

As you reached out to shake his hand, Bucky took it in his and held it to his lips, "Ma'am, my pleasure." He continued to hold your hand, his eyes meeting your gaze, and your breath caught in your chest at the sight of him. "So, your name is Stark too."

"Um, yes." Your thoughts finally came back to you, embarrassed that you had been staring at him so intently. "My father is-"

"Tony. Hi." Your father walked up to the three of you, eyeing your hand as it continued to be held by the soldier. "Otherwise known as Iron Man, highly weaponized suit, capable of quickly incapacitating any threat." He looked from you to Bucky, who had lost his attention and was again watching you. "Yeah, and I own this tower, so I have eyes and ears on everything." Grabbing your hand, he pulled you away from Bucky and took you towards the robotics lab. "Everything."

Steve sighed heavily, his hands on his hips. "Buck. No."

"What?"

"I've seen that look before," Steve pointed at Bucky, his expression suspicious, "you don't want to go there, believe me. (Y/N) is not only his daughter, but is a close friend of mine. Don't do anything stupid."

When you were finally out of sight, Bucky straightened and turned to his friend, placing a firm grip on his arm. "Rogers, this just may be the smartest thing I've ever done."

~~~

"Dad, you're overreacting. He's cute, sure, but that's it. I'm not interested."

"Right. Because that totally looked like you were just shaking hands." Tony sighed as he began to disassemble a troublesome boot from his newest suit. "I don't like it. We don't even know this guy yet and he's making lovesick puppy eyes at you."

You were listening to him, but your mind was caught in the memory of meeting Bucky, and the way he looked at you. It wasn't often that you lied to your father, but you were definitely interested. It would be tricky with FRIDAY watching your every move under his direction, but he had taught you enough about schematics to get the A. I. off your back.

"Are you listening to me, young lady?"

"Mmm? Yeah, yeah I am." You handed him the tool you think he had asked for and turned to leave. "Hey, I want to get a workout before dinner. Do you need me here or can I go?" Moving quickly, you were out the door before he had the chance to protest.

"FRIDAY, you know the drill. Watch that one."

"Yes, boss."

~~~

The punching bag was your favorite way to release tension, and since meeting Bucky just earlier that day, you were feeling it acutely. Not only was your father completely against you getting close to Bucky, but Steve was your best friend and very protective of you. Maybe they were right; you had heard the stories from Steve about Bucky and the hell he had been thru. Getting him back here was a miracle, and he was likely to have a lot of baggage to work thru. He looked like he was doing well though. He looked really good. He looked really, really good.

Focus, (Y/N).

Your strikes against the bag grew stronger and more accurate as your thoughts wandered. Pausing, you pulled your t-shirt off, now covered in sweat. You were left with your sports bra, but knew that no one else had planned to use the gym all evening, so it didn't bother you. The music was so loud in your ears that you had no idea that you were being watched until you turned to grab your water.

"Oh, Jesus!" You startled when you saw Bucky, sitting silently on the bench next to you. "Bucky, I didn't know you were there, sorry." Grabbing a towel, you wiped the sweat away that was beading and running down your face and chest. "Did you want to use the bag? I'm pretty much finished."

His eyes were studying you, and he made no effort to hide it. "No, ma'am. I'm just...observing." Bucky stood, handing you your water. As you took the bottle, his hand lingered, running his fingers over yours. You shuddered at the attraction between you, and the forbiddance of your father never mattered less.

"Wow," you whispered under your breath. "Um, do you wanna get out of here? I don't have any plans tonight. I mean...this evening." You squeezed your eyes shut at your slip, and he laughed out loud at your embarrassment.

"Oh, doll, one thing at a time. I'm a gentleman."

~~~

Several weeks had gone by, and Tony and Steve were none the wiser. You and Bucky had become inseparable; appearing to be just close friends when anyone else was around, but when you were alone it was as if you were the only two in the world. You had successfully managed to disengage FRIDAY from monitoring your room without alerting your father, and it was the only place that you could have any privacy together.

"She walks in beauty, like the night


Of cloudless climes and starry skies;


And all that's best of dark and bright


Meet in her aspect and her eyes:


Thus mellow'd to that tender light


Which heaven to gaudy day denies."

Bucky's hands were slowly winding strands of your hair around his fingers as he read the poems of Lord Byron, your head resting against his chest. The soft glow of moonlight reflected into your room, illuminating against the soldier's metal arm. You marveled that someone who had been thru so much, so many terrible things, could be so soft and loving now.

As he finished the final poem, he closed the book and set it on your bedside table. "Thank you, baby."

Confused, you looked up to him, "for what?"

"For being you. For loving me even after everything I've done. For moments like this." He bent his head down to kiss the top of your head. "I've never felt this way-"

His phone buzzed on the table, interrupting his thoughts. He ignored it at first, but after several notifications, he finally relented and picked it up. "Sorry, doll. Just a sec."

Get your ass out here.

I know you're in there, Buck.

I will break down this goddamn door.

"What the hell?" Gently but quickly lifting you off from his chest, he ran to the door. As it opened, you saw an arm reach in and grab his throat, pulling him out into the hallway.

"I told you, Barnes. Not her." Steve held your boyfriend up against the wall as you ran up to the pair, trying to pull him away.

"Steve, stop!"

"No, (Y/N), you don't get it." He was talking to you, but still looking angrily at Bucky, his hand maintaining a firm grip. "I've known this guy for a lotta years. He's quite the ladies man. I thought maybe that would change after everything, but no, he's still up to his old tricks. I'm not gonna let him take advantage of you."

Bucky's metal arm reached out and grabbed you, pushing you back just far enough to keep you out of harm's way. As he released you, he swung forward, connecting with Steve's jaw, throwing him back into the opposite wall. Steve reciprocated, lunging forward and pushing Bucky with his shoulder, knocking the wind out of him as he slammed into the wall again, leaving a large hole where he connected.

"Hey! What the hell is this?!" Your father was running up the hall, his expression frantic as he saw you on the other side of the two soldiers, throwing each other from wall to wall as they destroyed the building around them. "FRIDAY! Get me a suit!"

Running into your room, you rummaged thru your drawer until you found your gun. Pausing, you stared at the weapon in your hand, wondering if you could actually use it against any or all of the three men you loved, who were destroying each other only a few feet away. As a repulsor charged, you ran back towards the action.

"You will all stop right now!" You stood in your doorway, your gun aimed and your feet firmly planted, but your hands were shaking as tears threatened to spill from your eyes. The men had finally stopped and looked at you, shocked at your decision. "I just might do something stupid if you don't."

Tony stepped between you and the other two, his hand reaching towards you. "Sweetheart, give me that." He stopped in his tracks when he heard you arm the weapon. "(Y/N), that's enough. Go back to your room and let us handle this."

"Go back to my room?!" You scoffed, taken aback by his audacity. "I am not a child, dad. I haven't been for a long time, and it's about time you recognize that."

"You are my child, and you will do as I say. I don't care how old you are."

"Hey, don't talk to her like that." Bucky pushed his way past Steve to now face your father, his shoulders square. "I don't care who you are."

Raising your hand over your head, you shot into the air. All three men startled, covering themselves, not seeing which way you had aimed. Steve took a step towards you, but stopped when you aimed at him again. "Steve, you're my best friend, and I love you. Dad, I respect you so much, and I love you. Bucky," your voice began to crack with your emotions, "I'm so lucky to have found you, and I love you." You lowered the gun and backed into your room.

"But I'm done."

~~~

It had been a week since you had seen any of the three men, using FRIDAY's help to avoid them. Today, your retreat was the gym. Your hands were beaten to a pulp, bloody and stinging with each hit to the bag. Tears ran freely down your cheeks, your breath catching as you sobbed, continuing to punch as hard as you could. Memories of your moments with Bucky flooded your mind no matter how hard you tried to stop them. You felt lost without him, without your best friend, without your own father.

Unexpectedly, Bucky's arms wrapped around you, and your sobs grew as you fell to your knees. You weren't sure if the embrace was real or just your imagination, but you didn't care. To feel him around you again was like finding water in the desert, feeding your soul with the one thing that could save you from the torture your mind was putting you thru without him.

"Baby, calm down." He sat on the floor, pulling you back against his chest. "Come on, doll, slow down. Just breathe. I'm here, baby. I'm right here."

He was really there. You turned to wrap your arms around him, pushing your face into his neck, continuing to sob but trying to slow yourself. "What...are you doing...here...Buck?" He pulled you back to look into your eyes, desperately wanting to kiss you but cautious to not move too quickly.

"I love you. Where else would I be?"

Glancing over Bucky's shoulder, you saw Steve and Tony, standing in the doorway. Wiping the tears from your eyes and slowing your breathing, you stood to face them, unsure of what they were going to say to you. "What's going on?"

Your father was the first to move towards you, grabbing your shoulders gently. "I'm so sorry, (Y/N). I only want what's best for you, but sometimes I get that confused with what I think is best for you. Those aren't always the same thing." He took a deep breath, looking at Bucky with a cautious stare. "I talked to Barnes...Bucky, and we've come to an understanding. He really does seem to care about you, and I'm going to trust him." He looked back to you, his expression softened, "I'm going to trust you."

Steve had stepped down to talk to Bucky; you looked as they shook hands and pulled in for a quick hug. Whatever had happened between them, it was done. These were two men who've fought many times before, but understood how to move on, their friendship stronger than any argument.

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this when I woke up this morning." Releasing your father, you stepped back to Bucky, quickly taking your place in his arms, "I love you, too." He bent his head down to kiss you, pulling you in tightly, enveloping you in his embrace.

"Ok, I might be okay with this now, but that doesn't mean I want to see it." Tony slapped Bucky on the back, moving to leave the gym. "I've still got my eye on you, Frosty. Ain't that right, FRIDAY?"

"Yes, boss."