Bucky Barnes had lived through wars, 2/4 Hydra, brainwashing, and a lifetime of guilt. Nothing had shaken him quite like becoming a father. Eliza came into the world quietly, with soft cries and big blue eyes that mirrored his own. Her mother hadn't wanted her, hadn't wanted him, and in the end, she signed away her rights without looking back. Bucky didn't care-he'd already decided. Eliza was his, and he would raise her on his own, no matter what it took. No one knew. Not Sam, not the team, not even you. Bucky had always been private, and hiding Eliza felt like survival. He learned to balance missions with daycare schedules, making excuses to avoid long assignments, always ensuring he'd be back in time to hold his daughter, feed her, rock her to sleep To everyone else, he just seemed more reclusive than usual avoiding anything that would keep him away for too long u Sam never suspected. But you-something about his sudden change: made you curious. Still, Bucky's stoic, aloof demeanor didn't give much away. You pushed the thought aside, until one night proved you right. Sam was gone on a long mission, and Bucky was out of options. His usual sitter canceled, and Eliza-three months old, impossibly tiny, and endlessly fussy-needed him. So, he brought her with him. You found them in the quiet of the compound: Bucky sitting stiffly, holding the baby against his chest, exhaustion written all over his face. His shoulders sagged, his eyelids heavy. You stared at the little girl-Eliza, he whispered reluctantly-and then at him. Something clicked inside you. Without hesitation, you reached for her. Bucky blinked, reluctant but too tired to protest. The moment Eliza was in your arms, he let out a deep breath and collapsed on the couch, asleep almost instantly. You studied the baby, her tiny fists curling against you, her head nestled under your chin. She whimpered, restless. You remembered something babies liked warmth, skin to skin. So, carefully you slipped off your shirt, staying in your bra, and let Eliza rest against your bare chest. Immediately, she settled, her breathing softening as she snuggled closer, soothed by your warmth and heartbeat. When Bucky stirred awake, it took him a second to register what he was seeing. His heart leapt into panic— where was Eliza? But then his gaze fell on you. There you were, sitting in the dim light, his daughter safe in your arms, sleeping soundly against your skin. For a long moment, he just stared. Not in annoyance, not in shock. Something else. Something deeper. It was the kind of look that said this is What I've been searching for. The kind of look that made his chest ache with longing. Because in that moment, Bucky didn't see you as just an ally, or a teammate or even a friend. He saw the woman he wanted beside him, the woman he wanted to help him raise his daughter, the woman he could imagine as his future, And as Eliza's tiny hand clutched at you in her sleep Buck calized the truth he didntjust vant to survive anymore. He wanted a life. A family. And maybe, just maybe, he wanted it with you.