07/21/2025
Safe Haven Chapter 9: Finding the Edges is now up.
Story summary:
Set against the backdrop of New York City, months after the events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. This story follows Bucky Barnes as he joins the lucrative career of private security for the city's elite. Bucky's path leads him to Arlo Winslow, a former District Attorney who experienced a violent attack. Tasked with ensuring Arlo's safety, Bucky soon uncovers a more delicate mission: Arlo has hired him to watch over his adult daughter, Lucille, who is a Kindergarten teacher. As Bucky delves deeper into his assignment, he quickly learns that not everything is as it seems. The former sleeper agent soon becomes entangled in intrigue, responsibility, and unexpected romance.
* M (Violence, language, political themes, eventual s**t)
* Bucky Ă— Female OC
* Chapters 9/? Updated 7/20/2025
* Kudos 24
* Subs 16
*Bookmarks 20
* Views 810
**Chapter 9 preview**
Wrapping a towel around his waist, Bucky wiped the steam from the bathroom mirror and met the reflection of a man he hardly recognized. Dog tags in hand, he slipped them back around his neck, feeling a mix of pride and sorrow. His fingers grazed the rough stubble on his chin, and he took a deep, steadying breath. Sometimes, he could still catch a glimpse of the bright-eyed 28-year-old who yearned to explore the world and make a difference. But then he would look in the mirror and see the truth—the wrinkles etched around his smile, scars mapping his journey, and the shocking discovery of gray hair nestled in his beard. Each mark was a vivid reminder of the time that had slipped through his fingers, the battles fought, and the years that had changed him in ways he was still trying to comprehend.
That may be the reason he was starting to grow fond of Lucy. She had a unique way of grounding him, making him feel connected to the world in a way he hadn’t experienced before. Strangely enough, he liked being a piece of furniture in her life. He meant it when he said he would do this job for free; he truly meant it. Most would have seized the opportunity to wring out a bigger paycheck; Bucky was no different, but not this time.
Bucky struggled to pinpoint what he was feeling; he could sense that something had shifted within his narrative. Being around Lucy brought him joy, and he cherished their growing but fragile friendship. There was a genuine concern for her well-being that lingered in the back of his mind. Yet, he was acutely aware of the risks of developing romantic feelings for a client. But he never did have good sense.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/63882388/chapters/175532371