Even Darkness Must Pass

Someone requested a story where Tony has a shy/withdrawn child that had trouble warming up to the other Avengers, but likes Bucky right away. Their friendship helps Bucky heal post Winter Soldier. Combined with a prompt asking for nerd love, where Bucky had read the Hobbit back in the day, and Tony introduces him to Lord of the Rings.



“Fake it till you make it,” Bucky whispered to himself, swallowing around his panic. Sam had drilled the idea into him, and it had become a mantra of sorts, something to hold onto when all he wanted to do was blend into the shadows and disappear.

“You’ll be fine.”

Steve placed a warm, strong hand on Bucky’s shoulder and squeezed, his super soldier ears having picked up Bucky uttering the now familiar saying.

Bucky nodded, tried to believe his own words, and followed Steve onto the common floor, a wall of sound hitting them as they entered.