The Missing Date (Bucky Barnes x fem!reader) Soulmate AU

                                    

                                          


                          
Bucky glared down at his left arm. Even after all these years, he could still picture it. During his few moments of clarity when he was still under HYDRA's control, he could remember. He could remember the times when he would look down at his arm when it was still flesh. He could remember seeing the date that made no sense. The date he was supposed to meet his soulmate. 
                          
You sighed and pulled your hoodie sleeves down over your wrists again. Your friend's wedding had just cemented the fact that you were strange. You were the only person you knew that didn't have a date on your arm. Did that mean you didn't have a soulmate? You weren't sure, but everyone at the wedding kept asking you if you'd met your soulmate yet, only to grow silent and embarrassed when they noticed you didn't have a date printed on your wrist. You threw the hoodie on over your dress to put a stop to the questions.
                          
By the time you got home that night, you were done with soulmates and true love. You didn't want to hear any more about it. Luckily, you would be hopefully be able to get away from it for a bit. You were starting a new job the next day and you couldn't wait. You were going to be working with the Avengers!
                          
When the next day rolled around, you were in a much better mood. You got dressed, forgetting to cover your wrist in your excitement. You were pretty certain the Avengers wouldn't care anyway. They were far too busy saving the world. 
                          
Pulling up to the Tower, you were immediately greeted by your new boss, Bruce. "Dr. Banner!" you cried before mentally face palming. So much for keeping your excitement in check. Bruce chuckled. "Good to see you again, Y/N. Let's go ahead and get you set up and then you can go see the rest of the team. We even have a new member." You nodded and followed him inside. You were taken in by the enormous building and knew that you'd never remember where you were going. You were definitely going to get lost at least once. You were so engrossed, you weren't watching where you were going and you ran smack into someone. 
                          
"Oh, I'm sorry!" you exclaimed and the man in front of you shrugged. His blue eyes seemed a bit unfocused as he ran his hand through his hair. "Y/N, this is Bucky. Y/N is my new assistant." Bucky nodded. He seemed to be completely lost in thought. "Nice to meet you," he muttered before turning to walk away. You frowned, but Bruce assured you that he was always like that with new people. 
                          
In truth, Bucky was in shock. Today was the day. The one that had once graced his arm. Were you the one he was supposed to meet? He'd have to keep an eye out for the rest of the day to see if he met any other new person that day. If not, then you were definitely his soulmate. But, if that was the case, why weren't you acting like you just possibly met your soulmate? It puzzled the former assassin. 
                          
That night, Bucky laid in bed, his mind going a mile a minute. You were the only new person he'd met that day. That could only mean that you really were his soulmate. Yet, throughout the day, you never once asked about it or even commented about it. In fact, every time anyone brought up soulmates, you grew quiet and tried to change the subject. The others happily changed the subject, but it bothered Bucky. So much so that Steve noticed. 
                          
A knock on the door made Bucky sit up. The door opened and Steve walked in. "Everything okay, Buck?" Bucky nodded, then after a moment, shook his head. "She's my soulmate, Steve." Steve's gaze softened. "Y/N? Are you sure?" Bucky nodded again. "I remember the date. She's the only new person I met today. But she acted strange." Steve frowned a little. "She doesn't have a date, Buck. You didn't notice?" He hadn't. 
                          
"What if she doesn't have one because I lost mine. What if she believes that she doesn't have a soulmate?" Steve shrugged. "You won't know unless you talk to her. But I'd get some sleep first. You look like hell." Bucky glared at his best friend. "Shut it, punk." Steve grinned and replied, "No way, jerk." With that, Steve left the room, hoping Bucky would get some sleep. 
                          
A few days later, you were leaning over a microscope when Bucky appeared in the lab. "Hey, Y/N?" You hummed to indicate you heard him. You'd gotten used to his presence. Since you'd met, he'd been hanging around you whenever possible. "Where's Banner?" 
                          
You stood straight up and glanced around. "Huh...he was here a few minutes ago," you told him with a little laugh, "Anything I can help with?" Bucky nodded. "Uh, yeah. My arm could use a little tune up." Your brows furrowed and Bucky took off his jacket, revealing the metal arm. "Oh. Sure thing. Have a seat and I'll take a look." 
                          
Bucky did as you asked and you took a closer look at his arm. Your nose crinkled in concentration. Bucky thought you looked adorable. Bucky cleared his throat. "I uh, couldn't help but notice that you don't have a date." You groaned slightly. "Is there really something wrong with your arm or did you just want to grill me about my lack of soul date?" 
                          
"No! Y/N, that's not-I'm sorry. It's just...I don't have one either." You looked down at his arms. He turned them so you could see he was telling the truth. "I'm sorry I snapped," you muttered and he nodded. "I used to have one. I lost it when I lost my arm. But I remember my date." You hummed again, going back to what you were doing. "When is it?" you asked quietly. Once more, Bucky cleared his throat and answered, "A week ago."
                          
Your hands ceased their movements and you looked back up to meet his gaze. You knew what that meant. "A-A week ago?" Bucky nodded. "Is that why you've been hanging around me all the time? You think I'm your soulmate?" Bucky arched a brow. "I don't think. I know. You were the only new person I met that day." 
                          
It all made sense now. The reason you never had a soul date. If your soulmate had lost his arm with the date on it, then is made sense that you would be born without one. And to Bucky, the date now made sense when it hadn't before. He always thought he'd be dead by that date, but he wasn't. "Y/N?" You blinked and refocused on Bucky's face. 
                          
"As beautiful as you look when you zone out, Doll, I would really appreciate it if you focused when you've got a screwdriver in my arm." You giggled and nodded. "Sorry." For the rest of the day, you couldn't wipe the smile from your face. You had found your soulmate. "Actually, while you're over there, I had an idea." You glanced back up at him in question. He smirked, "How do you feel about matching tattoos?"