đđđđđđđ đđđ đđđđđđđ đđđ đđđ đđđđđđ ~ đ±đđđđą đ±đđđđđ đĄ (đ”đđđđđ) đđđđđđ
đ
đ«đšđŠ đđĄđ đŠđšđŠđđ§đ đČđšđź đŠđđ đšđ§đ đđđŠđđŹ đđźđđĄđđ§đđ§ đđđ«đ§đđŹ đšđ§ đ đđšđ§đđđČ đąđ§ đđđđ, đČđšđź đ€đ§đđ° đČđšđź đ°đđ«đ đ đ đšđ§đđ«. đđŹ đŹđšđšđ§ đđŹ đĄđ đ„đšđšđ€đđ đđ đČđšđź đ°đąđđĄ đđĄđšđŹđ đŠđđŹđŠđđ«đąđłđąđ§đ đđ„đźđ đđČđđŹ, đđ§đ đđ„đđŹđĄđđ đČđšđź đđĄđđ đđđ©đđąđŻđđđąđ§đ đŹđŠđąđ„đ, đČđšđź đ°đđ«đ đĄđšđšđ€đđ. đđ§đ đđĄđ đđđŹđ đ©đđ«đ đ°đđŹ đđĄđđ đĄđ đđđ„đ đđĄđ đđ±đđđ đŹđđŠđ đ°đđČ. đđšđź đđšđđĄ đŹđšđŠđđĄđšđ° đŁđźđŹđ đ€đ§đđ° đČđšđź đ°đđ«đ đŠđđđ§đ đđš đđ đđšđ đđđĄđđ«.
đđźđ đźđ§đđšđ«đđźđ§đđđđ„đČ đđŹ đđĄđ đŹđđČđąđ§đ đ đšđđŹ, đ§đšđđĄđąđ§đ đ đšđšđ đ„đđŹđđŹ đđšđ«đđŻđđ«.
đđ đđšđđŹđ§âđ đŠđđđđđ« đĄđšđ° đŠđźđđĄ đđąđŠđ đĄđđŹ đ©đđŹđŹđđ, đąđ đŹđđđŠđŹ đđĄđđ đđŻđđ«đČđ°đĄđđ«đ đČđšđź đ„đšđšđ€, đČđšđź đŹđđ đŹđšđŠđđđĄđąđ§đ đđĄđđ đ«đđŠđąđ§đđŹ đČđšđź đšđ đĄđąđŠ đđ§đ đđĄđđ§ đČđšđźâđ«đ đđ±đ©đđ«đąđđ§đđąđ§đ đđĄđ đ„đšđŹđŹ đđ„đ„ đšđŻđđ« đđ đđąđ§. đđšđź đđđ§âđ đđŻđđ§ đđ«đąđ§đ đČđšđźđ«đŹđđ„đ đđš đ đš đđš đĄđąđŹ đ đ«đđŻđ. đđĄđđ«đâđŹ đ§đš đ©đšđąđ§đ đđ§đČđ°đđČ, đŹđąđ§đđ đĄđąđŹ đđšđđČ đ°đđŹ đ§đđŻđđ« đ«đđđšđŻđđ«đđ.
đđšđź đ°đđ«đ đŠđđđ§đ đđš đ đđ đŠđđ«ïżœïżœïżœđąđđ, đđ«đđŻđđ„ đđĄđ đ°đšđ«đ„đ, đ đ«đšđ° đšđ„đ đđšđ đđđĄđđ«. đđšđ° đ°đĄđđ?
word count: 10k (oops????)
a/n: AVOID LOOKING AT THE TAGS FOR SPOILERS! iâm changing it from my preview when i said you met bucky in 1936. now itâs 1933 and on a monday instead of the summer so that you met when you were all still in high school. (youâre the same age as steve which means one year younger than bucky). as i mentioned in my preview, this is based off of the song in the stars by benson boone. i fell in love with the lyrics, and wanted to include them so u can also fall in love too. đđĄđąđŹ đđšđ§đ will be lyrics. italicized will be flashbacks. this goes back and forth in time, before and after bucky fell off the train. small font = you or the mentioned character thinking (so itâs not out loud, just in your head). full piece below the cut! also steve is in this story (obviously, i love my other baby), and your relationship with him is purely platonic! i didnât want to not mention that and then have it be like aw poor stevie. you love each other like siblings.
[ đŹđźđ§đđđČ đŠđšđ«đ§đąđ§đ đŹ đ°đđ«đ đČđšđźđ« đđđŻđšđ«đąđđ
đą đźđŹđđ đđš đŠđđđ đČđšđź đđšđ°đ§ đšđ§ đ°đšđšđđŹ đđ«đđđ€ đ«đšđđ
đČđšđź đđąđ đČđšđźđ« đĄđđąđ« đźđ© đ„đąđ€đ đČđšđź đ°đđ«đ đđđŠđšđźđŹ
đđŻđđ§ đđĄđšđźđ đĄ đąđâđŹ đšđ§đ„đČ đđĄđźđ«đđĄ đ°đĄđđ«đ đ°đ đ°đđ«đ đ đšđąđ§đ ]
Glancing at the clock, you realized that you were running a little behind. Not that there was any rush, but normally by this time you had already finished getting ready.
âYou almost ready doll?â
You were pulled from your thoughts as a pair of arms wrapped around you from behind. Glancing up in the mirror, your heart swells at the sight of the man you immediately make eye contact with.
âYou look beautiful,â he whispers, leaving soft kisses from your cheek and slowly down your neck.
âYou say that every time you see me,â you laugh, turning around and giving Bucky the actual kiss you know he was silently asking for.
He shrugs, âand I mean it more and more every time. I swear, you get more beautiful every time I see you. I gotta say sweetheart, I think I may just be the luckiest person on the planet.â
You shook your head. âImpossible. Iâm afraid I claimed that title a long time ago.â
âOh yeah, since when?â
âSince the day we met,â you smiled at how even after all this time, Bucky still marveled at the fact that you loved him, you chose him, you wanted to be with him.
âI might have to fight you for that title. But we can finish this conversation over a stack of pancakes drowning in syrup. The diner is calling our name.â
As you made the short 10 minute walk to the diner located not far from your apartment, a random thought occurred to you. âBucky?â
âYeah sweetheart?â
âDoes it ever bother you that I take so long to get ready?â
He paused to look at you, wondering what brought this question on. âNo, why would it?â
âI donât know. If it does, you can tell me and I promise I wonât be offended. I just donât want you to get bored waiting around for me, sâall.â
It was a long standing tradition for you and Bucky to go to the local diner every Sunday, and share a stack of pancakes, occasionally with a side of extra crispy bacon. Lately, heâd started coming over first thing in the morning and either laying on your bed or standing at the bathroom door, talking and watching as you got ready.
âI love you no matter if you dress up or not. You know that, and Iâll remind you of that every day. But to answer your question, no, it doesnât bother me one bit. I love our talks as you get ready. Sunday mornings are my favorite,â he smiled, taking your hand in his as you continued on your walk.
âMine too Buck, mine too.â
[ đ§đšđ° đŹđźđ§đđđČ đŠđšđ«đ§đąđ§đ đŹ đą đŁđźđŹđ đŹđ„đđđ© đąđ§
đąđâđŹ đ„đąđ€đ đąâđŻđ đđźđ«đąđđ đŠđČ đđđąđđĄ đ°đąđđĄ đČđšđź
đąâđŠ đŹđđ«đđđŠđąđ§đ đđ đ đ đšđ, đą đđšđ§âđ đ€đ§đšđ° đąđ đą đđđ„đąđđŻđ đąđ§
âđđđźđŹđ đą đđšđ§âđ đ€đ§đšđ° đ°đĄđđ đđ„đŹđ đą đđđ§ đđš ]
âBreakfast?â
You were pulled from your thoughts as you looked up from your journal, and looked at Steve standing in the doorway. One hand was holding a plate of food, the other was stuffed in his pocket.
Oh yeah, you thought to yourself. Today is Sunday.
You supposed it was your bodyâs way of being cruel after Bucky was gone. That very first Sunday, your first meal wasnât until dinner and before that, all youâd had all day was a glass of orange juice and half of a peanut butter sandwich. Now you ate, but there was no big stack of pancakes, nothing was drenched in syrup, and there was no more diner. But Steve knew how you were feeling more than anyone, and he knew that while every day was a battle, Sunday was usually the worst day of the week.
As much as you wanted to say you were okay, and promise to eat eventually, you saw the worry on Steveâs face. Bucky being gone was taking a toll on him too, and you knew it wouldnât do either of you any good to continue skipping meals, even if it was only ever once in a while.
âHave you eaten yet?â
The next few seconds being filled with silence, gave you the answer you needed. âIf youâre taking care of me, you have to take care of yourself too. We can eat at the kitchen counter today.â
Hearing that, Steve immediately perked up. You usually spent Sundayâs cooped up in your room, leaving to briefly use the bathroom or get food, but you usually ate in your room too. So you offering to have breakfast with him in the living room, it was definitely progress.
Although breakfast was almost completely silent, and neither of you spoke up, you and Steve were both incredibly grateful for each otherâs company. When Bucky was initially deployed in June of 1943, you missed your boyfriend more than anything in the world. But Steve seemed to take it worse than you. You knew it was because he not only missed his best friend, but it killed him inside when he thought about the fact that he couldnât join.
You were there for him through that tough time, right up until the 2 of you agreed to / volunteered for Dr. Erskineâs experiment with his newly perfected Super Soldier serum.
After Bucky fell off the train, you fell into a sort of darkness that you admitted you didnât know if youâd ever find your way out of. Steve picked himself up as best he could, and became determined to take care of you, just as youâd taken care of him. Although you were both living in separate apartments, once your lease was up he convinced you to move in with him. He said it was because you guys spent so much of your free time together anyway. And while that was true, it was also because he wanted to keep a closer eye on you.
For a while, Howard checked on you too. The first time he came by, you knew you were getting bad because whenever you were around other people (besides Steve), you tried your best to mask your emotions and appear just fine.
âWhat did you get up to yesterday?â Steve broke the silence. Heâd been gone handling âCaptain businessâ as he jokingly called it, mostly to try and get you to smile. You were meant to accompany him, but once he saw the look on your face as you exited your room in your uniform, he assured you he would be just fine handling the day on his own.
âI went for a walk.â
Steve smiled at the fact that you went out on your own because this was the first time youâd done so in⊠he didnât even know how long. But the smile quickly disappeared when he saw the expression on your face.
âEnded up kind of far away and walked by a church. There was a priest sitting outside and he asked if I was alright, said I looked troubled. I shouldnât have stopped to talk to him, but for some reason I did. And you know what he asked me? Have I prayed to God about my troubles lately?â
âWhat did you say back?â
âHow am I supposed to pray to a God that I donât even know if I believe in anymore? Seems cruel that Bucky dying was all part of some bigger plan, donât you think?â
[ đąâđŠ đŹđđąđ„đ„ đĄđšđ„đđąđ§đ đšđ§ đđš đđŻđđ«đČđđĄđąđ§đ đđĄđđâđŹ đđđđ đđ§đ đ đšđ§đ
đą đđšđ§âđ đ°đđ§đ§đ đŹđđČ đ đšđšđđđČđ âđđđźđŹđ đđĄđąđŹ đšđ§đ đŠđđđ§đŹ đđšđ«đđŻđđ« ]
âRemember when I made you both ride the Cyclone at Coney Island?â
Steve turned to Bucky, who stood with his arm protectively around you. Though it didnât do any good, he knew you were cold and wished there was more he could do. He attempted to take off the outer layer of his uniform, but you said that if he did that, then youâd give him yours which wouldnât make any sense because you were smaller, so did he really want to make you freeze like that?
âWho are you kidding Buck, she,â he laughed, pointing at you, âwouldâve gone on even if you hadnât made us. You both dragged me on that thing, and I ended up throwing up.â
âAlright punk. My point is, this isnât payback for that⊠is it?â
Jones broke you out of that brief trip down memory lane. âDr. Zolaâs on the train. HYDRA dispatcher gave him permission to open up the throttle. Wherever heâs going, they must need him bad.â
âLetâs get going because theyâre moving like the devil,â Falsworth handed you his binoculars so that you could get a look.
Less than a minute later, you were hanging on for your life, sliding (speeding) down towards the train. You insisted on going first, ignoring Bucky and Steveâs protests.
You being there absolutely terrified Bucky. Never mind that you received the serum at the same time that Steve did, and that he knew you could hold your own. He was terrified because he knew that if something went wrong and you fell off the train as you were walking along the top, he wouldnât hesitate to jump after you.
Once inside, you and Steve walked along the left side, with Bucky taking the right. In a moment that youâd never forget, the doors quickly slid shut, separating you from Bucky.
Steve was ready to try and break down the door, but you tried to think quickly, and you reminded Steve that the best thing you could both do for Bucky, was to maybe try and stop the guy with the massive guns who was currently aiming to kill you. At this very moment, Captain America and American Dream were this trains biggest threats.
(((just using the name American Dream. you have different powers.)))
At one point, between shots, Bucky yelled out âIâm alright!â and you knew that statement was directed at you and Steve.
Steve used his shield to protect the 3 of you, but that caused him to be thrown to the side, and for part of the outside of the train to go flying off. Without a second thought, Bucky stood up, grabbed the shield, and began advancing towards the enemy.
You walked directly behind him, stepping out from his shadow every few seconds to raise your hands and blast some energy. But it was no use. One final blast sent you and Bucky flying out of the train. Steve quickly took out the intended target, then rushed over to where you both fell, praying that he wouldnât look down and see nothing.
There you both were, hanging on to the same metal pole on the outside of the train. It was a relief, but not much considering how high up you all were, and how fast the train was moving.
âHang on!â Steve tried to make his way over to you both as fast as he could, but the pole began to bend.
âBucky, go!â
He looked over at you. âYou go first! Iâm right behind you!â
The mission wasnât supposed to go like this. For just a second, you closed your eyes. When you opened them, you looked at the man youâd fallen in love with and whispered âI love youâ.
Eyes wide with panic, Bucky understood what you were about to do. âSteve grab her now!â
Knowing there wasnât much time, Steve grabbed your right hand just as your left one had let go of the pole. In that moment, you were fully prepared to give up your life so that Bucky could live.
Using all the strength he could gather, Steve helped you up back on to the train. You looked out, feeling your body fill with dread as you watched the pole come off a little more.
And just as Steveâs hand was about to grab BuckysâŠ
[ đ§đšđ° đČđšđźâđ«đ đąđ§ đđĄđ đŹđđđ«đŹ đđ§đ đŹđąđ±-đđđđâđŹ đ§đđŻđđ« đđđ„đ đŹđš đđđ«
đĄđđ«đ đą đđŠ đđ„đšđ§đ đđđđ°đđđ§ đđĄđ đĄđđđŻđđ§đŹ đđ§đ đđĄđ đđŠđđđ«đŹ ]
Looking at the calendar, you hadnât even realized what day it was. Today marked another year since the worst day of your life. Despite all that youâd gone through, the day you lost Bucky was without a doubt the worst day of your life. Wanting to wallow in self pity for a little while longer, you laid down.Â
How is this now your life? As you closed your eyes, you remembered the immediate aftermath of what everyone referred to as âthe train incidentâ.
Peggy walked in to an absolutely destroyed bar, to find you and Steve attempting to drown your sorrows. You were both still in military uniform.
âYou know I think I just figured out the worst part of this serum,â you said sadly, as Peggy slowly made her way over to the table.
âWhatâs that?â She asked softly.
Steve chuckled, although there was no humor in his voice. âDr. Erskine said that the serum wouldnât just affect our muscles, or give us different abilities. It affects our cells too. Create a protective system of regeneration and healing.â
She tilted her head just slightly, confused.
You raised a glass, downing another shot. At this point, you had already lost count on what number that was. âItâs a really fancy smart way of saying that we canât get drunk. I still donât understand how thatâs even possible. Yeah we get hurt, we get back up faster than the average person, but why the hell canât we get drunk?â
âYour metabolism burns four times faster than the average person. He thought it could be one of the side effects.â
You downed another shot, then chucked the glass, feeling a little satisfied at the sound it made as it shattered against the wall. âIt shouldâve been me,â you whispered. âHe knew I loved him. I didnât need to say it one more time. I shouldâve just⊠done it. Then heâd be here.â
âBut then you wouldnât be,â Peggy moved closer to you, putting a hand on your shoulder. âIt wasnât your fault. I know the looks on both of your faces. It wasnât either of your fault.â
âAccording to the report, thatâs not exactly true.â
âYou both did everything you could.â
Your eyes filled with tears, and you sadly shook your head. âNo. I couldâve let go faster.â
Before Peggy or Steve could say another word, you stood up and left, opting to aimlessly wander around outside. Bucky was the only one who knew exactly what to say to you when you were upset. And now youâd never know what it meant to have him comfort you ever again. All because you didnât let go fast enough.
Despite being surrounded by so many people, that you knew genuinely loved you and cared about you, you couldnât remember the last time you felt so hopeless. So alone.
[ đšđĄ đąđ đĄđźđ«đđŹ đŹđš đĄđđ«đ đđšđ« đ đŠđąđ„đ„đąđšđ§ đđąđđđđ«đđ§đ đ«đđđŹđšđ§đŹ
đČđšđź đđšđšđ€ đđĄđ đđđŹđ đšđ đŠđČ đĄđđđ«đ đđ§đ đ„đđđ đđĄđ đ«đđŹđ đąđ§ đ©đąđđđđŹ ]
You knew that you couldnât keep on living like this. It wasnât fair to Steve, who was picking up your slack. The worst part was that he hadnât once complained. He never asked you to help even when he really needed it. Didnât push you to get back to being âCaptain America and American Dream: The Unites States of Americaâs Favorite Super-Duo!â as the public had dubbed you both. And despite all of the work he was doing, he still checked up on you. Still made sure you were getting enough to eat and drink.
Part of you thought that the best thing you could do for him, was to leave. Distance yourself, so that he might have a better chance at living a life that wasnât spent taking care of his sad best friend.
But you were too selfish to do that. He was now your only connection to Bucky. It helped both of you, to sometimes sit and share your favorite memories. You felt too selfish to give that up.
Not only was it not fair to Steve, but you werenât being fair to yourself either.
If only it were as simple as looking in the mirror, and telling yourself to suck it up. You knew it wasnât that simple, because you tried exactly that. That only ended up making you burst into tears yet again. Because whenever you were trying to push yourself to do something, whether that be study back when you were in school, or do some new training exercise, or if it was something during that brief period between you and Steve rescuing Bucky, and him falling off the train, Bucky was always the one to calm you down.
Heâd gently take your hands in his, lead you to an area where there was at least a little bit of privacy, and heâd sit down with you. At first he usually just held you. Then heâd reassure you that everyone was really proud of you, that you didnât have to push yourself before you were ready, and that he loved you. But he wasnât here to do those things anymore.
You loved him with all of your heart, and it felt like when he died, the best parts of you died too.
[ đđąđ đ đąđ§đ đđĄđ«đšđźđ đĄ đČđšđźđ« đšđ„đ đđąđ«đđĄđđđČ đ„đđđđđ«đŹ
đ đđ«đźđŠđ©đ„đđ đđ°đđ§đđČ đŹđđąđ„đ„ đąđ§ đđĄđ đđšđ±
đą đđšđ§âđ đđĄđąđ§đ€ đđĄđđ đą đđšđźđ„đ đđŻđđ« đđąđ§đ đ đ°đđČ đđš đŹđ©đđ§đ đąđ
đđŻđđ§ đąđ đąđâđŹ đđĄđ đ„đđŹđ đđ°đđ§đđČ đđĄđđ đąâđŻđ đ đšđ ]
You were gently reminded that your birthday was coming up soon. It used to be your favorite day of the year, thanks to Bucky and how overboard he always went.Â
Now it was just another day. In fact, it was probably one of the days you dreaded most. It was one of the few days where all you wanted to do was be alone with your thoughts.Â
On your second birthday since being with Bucky, just like he did the previous year, Bucky had gone above and beyond. He surprised you by coming to your apartment before you were even up, and he was really grateful that youâd given him a spare key so that he didnât have to wake you to let him in. You were woken up to the smell of your favorite breakfast foods. It was Sunday, but since it was your birthday Bucky wanted to surprise you and try to make pancakes and bacon at home.
After breakfast, heâd given you your first present. You gasped once you unwrapped the beautiful wrapping. You knew he didnât have a ton of money. But inside the box contained the most beautiful ring youâd ever seen.
(((i found this on pinterest and if itâs not your taste, just picture something else hsdfalsdgj)))
âBucky, itâs beautifulâŠâ you were silent afterwards as you carefully took the ring out of the box.
âNow I donât want you to freak out. This isnât a proposal. Yet. You know I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you, and I know we talked about waiting because youâre nineteen and Iâm twenty. This is just to let you know that I love you, and Iâm in love with you. And I swear to you that once weâre a little older, Iâm gonna get down on one knee and ask you to marry me.â
After that, you burst into tears and went on and on about how lucky you were and how he was the best person that you knew.
He had planned the entire day out. Youâd gone to the park, and Bucky had packed an entire picnic. The afternoon was spent lounging on a quilt that heâd had since he was born, and you laid with your head on his lap as he told you stories about his childhood, and you told him about everything you hoped for the future.
From the park, youâd gone back to your apartment where you quickly dropped off the basket, and Bucky quickly whisked you away to the movies where you watched the new film youâd been talking about for the past couple of weeks.
Bucky then cooked you dinner while you sat at the table, admiring the man you still found yourself wondering how you were lucky enough to have in your life. He was actually perfect. He caught you sneaking a few glances, and once the stove was turned off he whisked you into the living room. Before you ate, he put the record player on and you twirled around the living room, dancing to a few songs.
After the dinner that you swore was the best meal youâd ever have, Bucky said he had one last present for you.
âBut youâve already done so much for me!â You were in love with every single thing that he had done for you, and had given you. But you were worried about how much this all cost him.
âNot to worry doll, this last one didnât cost me much, I promise.â He handed you a rectangular object wrapped in a few pieces of tissue paper. âOkay doll now before you say anything, no, that is not in fact just a one dollar bill in a nice frame,â he started to explain once youâd taken off all the paper. âYou remember our first date?â
âOf course,â you smiled, remembering your stroll through the park, and then the ice cream afterwards.
He gently tapped the frame. âWhen the cashier handed me my change, you got so excited because the dollar bill had a heart drawn on it. And then you wondered about the story behind it, who drew it and who theyâd given it to. I said maybe it was fate that we ended up with it, so we should keep it. I know you were worried about money and you said I should use it when I needed it, but I saved it. Now itâs in a frame and someday when weâre old and rich and living in a big house, weâll stop in the hallway and look at this, and remember our first date.â
Now, you sat on the floor in your closet, clutching the very same frame. How were you supposed to go on without him?
âYou know I was with him when he picked out that frame,â Steve joined you on the floor, leaning against a dresser.
âReally? He never told me that.â
Steve laughed, looking back on that day. âDragged me to three different shops, said it had to be the perfect one because that dollar was really special. Then he bought two because he couldnât decide which one, and he dragged me with him again to go return the one he didnât end up using. I think he got more and more excited about your birthday every year.â
âHe got more excited than I did,â you move to sit beside Steve, resting your head on his shoulder. Or rather his arm, because he was so much taller.
âHe loved you more than anyone in the entire world. You know that, right?â
All you could do was nod, knowing that if you answered him out loud, the tears would really start to flow.
âThen you know he wouldnât want you to keep blaming yourself. You know as well as I do that if we could go back, and it was his choice, heâd still tell me to save you over and over again.â
âBut if it werenât for meââ
âIf it werenât for you, Buck wouldnât have been nearly as happy as he was. You were the best thing that ever happened to him, I know because he only mentioned it to me about a thousand times. He wouldnât want you to spend the rest of your life wishing you could go back and take his place, because even if he had a choice, heâd still save you.â
You looked down, âI just keep picturing the look on his face as he fell. I see that moment almost every time I close my eyes.â
âMe too,â Steve admitted, although a bit reluctantly since he didnât want to make you feel worse. âBut we gotta find a way to move on.â
âI know, and Iâm sorry that youâve been having to do so much by yourselfââ
âYou donât ever have to apologize to me for that. If you told me right now that you wanted to hang up the suit and never be American Dream again, I wouldnât blame you one bit. Youâve been through more than anyone should ever have to go through.â
âBut so have you.â
âIt sort of feels like weâve lived two lives, huh? Before and after the serum.â
âI wonder when the pain goes awayâŠâ
âMaybe it never does,â Steve said sadly, âmaybe we just learn to live with it.â
[ đšđĄ đąâđŠ đĄđšđ„đđąđ§đ đšđ§ đđš đđŻđđ«đČđđĄđąđ§đ đđĄđđâđŹ đđđđ đđ§đ đ đšđ§đ
đą đđšđ§âđ đ°đđ§đ§đ đŹđđČ đ đšđšđđđČđ âđđđźđŹđ đđĄđąđŹ đšđ§đ đŠđđđ§đŹ đđšđ«đđŻđđ« ]
You realized that to someone who didnât know your situation, you might seem a bit pathetic. How tightly you still clung to the memories of you and Bucky. Some days, you felt like they were all you had left of him. Sure you still had actual items you could hold, but those seemed almost too painful to deal with.Â
The few pieces of clothing that you had no longer smelled like him. That framed dollar bill was now gently tucked away in the back of your closet, you only took it out to look at it every once in a while.
Today, for some reason, you have this strong urge to feel closer to him. So you head to your closet and open the large chest that contained everything of his that you still kept. When the first item you pull out is a plain black jacket, you sit back and smile. Itâs part of what he was wearing when you met, on the first day of school in 1933.
âWho. Is. That.â Bucky nudged Steve, pointing to someone.
âWho is who?â There was a rather large crowd of people in the hallway, and Steve couldnât tell who his best friend was talking about.
Then you walked by, head down as you studied your class schedule like your life depended on it. Once Steve saw the look on Buckyâs face, he knew he was a goner.
âIâm gonna marry her.â The confidence that radiated off of him, surprised Steve. Yeah Bucky flirted with girls, and had even gone on a few âdatesâ if you could even call it that. But he was only 16, and Steve himself was only 15, so the fact that this girl that Bucky hadnât even spoke to yet, had him talking about marriage, Steve knew you were somehow different.
âHow could you possibly know that? You donât even know if you two areââ
âWe are, just wait and see.â Bucky slung an arm around Steveâs shoulders as he began leading him in the direction that youâd walked off.
Unfortunately, since he was a year older that meant you didnât have most classes together. But since you were only a grade apart, he saw you on days where you had gym. And since you were in the same year as Steve, you had 3 out of 6 classes with him.
While he was usually pretty confident, that all faltered with you. It wasnât until the 4th day of school that he actually spoke to you. In fact, it was you that had spoken to him first. And, he only ended up saying a single word.
âYou gonna ask my name, or just stare at me while we play volleyball?â Youâd surprised him by waiting outside of the boys gym locker room on Thursday. It was the last class of the day, so you werenât in a hurry to go anywhere.
âIââ
âIâm kidding. Youâre cute when youâre nervous though.â You smiled at him before turning and walking away. He stood there, in awe as he watched you head to your locker and grab a couple of textbooks before shutting it and heading out of the school doors.
The truth was that youâd noticed him the first day of school too. But you were shy and felt awkward around boys at that age, so you figured youâd wait and see how long it would take him to come up and talk to you. When you werenât sure if he was going to, you mustered up all the courage you had and decided to talk to him first.
From that moment, he was really smitten. But now, he had a bit of courage. You thought he was cute.
The next day, he decided to do what he couldnât do all week, and talk to you. He and Steve waited outside the main doors for you, and you were so focused on something in your notebook that you almost walked right by then. You nearly jumped out of your own skin when an arm settled around your shoulders, but then you smiled and felt yourself blushing when you realized who it was.
âSo, Iâm cute, huh?â
Oh, this boy was gonna be trouble.
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âIâm sorry it took me so long to come,â you placed the flowers at his grave. âI donât even know if you can hear me. Youâre not even really buried here. But I had mentioned to Dugan once just as sort of an offhand comment, that I wished there was a place where I felt like I could visit you. So the guys all saved up and chipped in, and bought this plot. If you can hear me, youâre under a nice tree and I think you wouldâve liked it.â
You couldnât even remember the last time youâd been here. Although the bigger part of you felt like this was pointless, you could just as well talk to Bucky by thinking in your head, or saying the words out loud wherever you were, there was a small part of you that took comfort in coming to his grave. After all, if the afterlife was real, maybe his spirit knew when you were there, so heâd go too.
âI think they even put an empty casket six-feet under, though Iâm not sure if that makes me feel better or worse. I know youâre not in there, your body is somewhere in the mountains, and Iâm sorry that it was you. I shouldâve fallen. Iâm so sorry James,â you wiped away a few tears, then spent the next couple of minutes dusting off his headstone.
You smiled as you pictured what Bucky would say if he were right next to you. Heâd have you smiling and laughing in no time at all.
âI was thinking about our third date the other day,â you leaned against his headstone, âwhen you officially asked me to be your girlfriend. But with how nervous you were, it never occurred to me that thatâs what you were going to ask. I thought you were going to say something like you loved spending time with me, but you thought we should be better off as friends. Weâd only kissed a few times, and I was so sure that you just werenât interested in me anymore. There you were, this charming, handsome, kind boy, and I was⊠I donât know, just me. But that was one of the best days of my life.â
Emotion took over again, and you spent the next few minutes just silently wiping away the tears as they fell.
âI hate it here, I miss you so much and I feel like Iâm⊠I donât know, stuck. Somewhere between Heaven and Hell. Although with how Iâve been feeling I think this may be Hell after all.â
[ đšđĄ đąđ đĄđźđ«đđŹ đŹđš đĄđđ«đ, đđšđ« đ đŠđąđ„đ„đąđšđ§ đđąđđđđ«đđ§đ đ«đđđŹđšđ§đŹ
đČđšđź đđšđšđ€ đđĄđ đđđŹđ đšđ đŠđČ đĄđđđ«đ đđ§đ đ„đđđ đđĄđ đ«đđŹđ đąđ§ đ©đąđđđđŹ ]
Although you were still sad now, right after Bucky died was the worst time. You werenât sure which was actually the worst part though, needing to mourn the love of your life, the man youâd never get to marry, or the fact that you werenât given an opportunity to grieve. Bucky dying didnât mean the war ended, there were still a lot of important things that needed to be done.
On the night before your first assignment since Buckyâs passing, you received a visitor to your tent.
âYou alright to talk?â
You quickly dried your tears, looked at yourself in the mirror, then stepped outside of your tent. âHoward,â you give him a small smile.
âCome on,â he held his arm out, âletâs take a walk.â
You wanted to say no, that you were alright and were just a little tired. You were sure if you said you just wanted to make sure you were well rested since you and Steve would be leaving soon, that heâd understand and say you could just talk when you got back. But other than Steve and occasionally Peggy, you barely spoke to people these days. So you nodded, linking your arm through his as he began leading you away from your tent.
âIf youâre not ready to go tomorrow, I can put in a word andââ
âIâm okay, Howard, I promise. If I donât go tomorrow, Iâll just mope around all day and that definitely wonât do anybody any good. But I appreciate you checking up on me.â
After walking around for a moment, he noticed you chuckle. âWhat?â
âNothing, itâs just⊠I had no idea that agreeing with Dr. Erskine and volunteering with Steve would lead to all of this. And I⊠what if Iâm not cut out for this? Iâm just sorry Dr. Erskine wasted his serum on me.â
âHe wasnât sorry. Right up until you and Steve were given the serums, he knew you were the perfect candidates. And I know itâs hard with him being gone, but Iâm willing to bet that Sergeant Barnes was proud of you too.â
âWhen did you get so good at calming people down and giving out advice?â
He laughed, shrugging, but you could tell he appreciated the compliment. âIâm not just a pretty face, you know. Genius, future billionaire, ladies man, philanthropist, I do it all.â
Now, you wished that you could talk to someone, get advice, or just hear someone elseâs voice. But it was nearly 3am, and even though you knew Steve wouldnât mind you waking him up if you needed to talk, you still hated to be a bother.
Tonight was just another reminder about the biggest person missing from your life. You put on a confident facade around everyone else, but in reality your heart still felt like it was in a million pieces.
[ đąâđŠ đŹđđąđ„đ„ đĄđšđ„đđąđ§đ , đĄđšđ„đđąđ§đ , đĄđšđ„đđąđ§đ đšđ§ ]
Sometimes, you hated that your memory was so good. And you both loved and hated the fact that you could look at, touch, or smell pretty much anything, and somehow connect it to Bucky.
Any one else looks at a rose and just thinks itâs a nice flower. Youâre instantly taken back to You and Buckyâs first anniversary. Roses were a little pricy if you wanted the ones that came in a nice vase or were tied with fancy ribbons, but when you walked into your apartment after dinner with Bucky, there on your little dining table, sat 2 dozen red roses. Youâd find out later that he gave Steve the money and your spare key, and he rushed to put the flowers there before you both got home.
Someone sees a library or book shop, they might go in and browse, but once they leave they donât think of it again. You see those things, and remember one of the first conversations you had with Bucky about someday being married and owning a home together.
âYouâd want a room for your books right doll?â
âYes!â You were giddy just at the thought. âBut it doesnât have to be big, honestly if weâre anywhere near a library Iâll be just as happy to walk over every so often and get lost in their books.â
Bucky was already imagining what your home might look like. âWeâll find a home with the biggest room with shelves on all the walls. And we can put a couch on one end, and a desk on the other. Then we can read and just enjoy each otherâs company,â he placed a soft kiss on your forehead. âItâll be everything you could ever imagine, I promise.â
You used to love coffee, now it just reminded you of Bucky too. He used to only drink it black, no cream, no sugar. Then you convinced him to try your drink and he now swore heâd never have it any other way.
Perhaps the worst trigger for sending you down the rabbit hole that is your memories with Bucky, is the one you canât escape. American Dreamâs suit / uniform now serves as a reminder of how you lost Bucky. Whenever you put it on or even just walk by your closet and see it hanging up, youâre suddenly back on that train, or back on the mountain preparing to go on the train.
Even when you try to think of happier times, like Bucky surprising you just after youâd put it on for the first time, he was in his dress uniform and he dragged you over to where someone was playing music from a radio. You might think of that, but then you also think of when you and Steve were sent to infiltrate a HYDRA camp in Krausberg. How terrified you were that you might not find Bucky alive, but that you might find his body.
âWe should be able to drop you right on the doorstep!â Howard yelled back at you, Steve, and Peggy. You were all currently huddled around a map, with you and Steve trying to study the location so that you wouldnât get lost.
You took the opportunity to sit up front with Howard, letting him know you appreciated him helping you guys. âYou two are going to be in a lot of trouble when you land. Iâm sorry you got dragged in to this.â
âIâm not,â he shook his head, trying to reassure you. âBesides, youâll be in even worse trouble.â
âIf we make it back,â you whispered.
âWhen you make it back. Youâre gonna come back alive and safe. And Iâll tell you what, someday Iâll even teach you how to fly.â Heâd noticed you being genuinely fascinated watching him and looking at all of the controls.
Before you can respond, bullets begin flying, some of them managing to hit the plane. You and Steve take one look at each other and get up, thinking the exact same thing.
âAre you both insane! Get back here! Weâre taking you all the way in!â
After assuring Peggy and Howard that this was what had to be done, you jumped first, and Steve was quick to follow.
Unfortunately, with the parachutes pulling you both in slightly different directions, you were forced to sneak on to the camp about 50 feet apart. But luck was a little on your side, and you managed to join each other again while running on top of the roof of one of the buildings.
While Steve walks forward with a gun, you have both hands open, the energy glowing around them. Itâs still frightening that youâre able to do this, but you know now isnât the time to think about that.
âWho the hell are you both supposed to be?â
âCaptain American and American Dream.â
â⊠I beg your pardon?â
You and Steve quickly work to open up all the cells as quick as you can, instructing the men not to leave the room until everyone is free. A man who introduces himself as Dugan, asks you both if everyone is just supposed to stick together.
âSergeant James Barnes, has anyone seen him?â You ask around a few times.
Someone mentions an isolation ward somewhere in the factory, but then someone else adds to not get too excited about it because as far as they know, no one ever comes back from it.
Without a second thought, you turn and run in the direction they mentioned, ignoring Steve calling after you.
âDamn it,â he was planning on telling you to escort the men to safety so that he could go find Bucky. He was just as protective and wanted to help you get out of there as fast as possible. But now knowing that wonât happen, he turns to some of the men. âThe tree line is northwest, eighty yards past the gate. Get out fast and give them hell. Weâll meet you guys in the clearing with anyone else we find.â
Itâs a miracle, but you guys are able to find Bucky. That happiness is very short lived.
âCaptain America, American Dream. How exciting! I am a great fan of your films. So Dr. Erskine managed it after all. Neither of you are exactly an improvement, but still, impressive.â
You take a few steps forward to follow Steve, but Bucky puts his arms around you and pulls you close. Partly because he doesnât know if he could fully stand up on his own, but partly because he still feels like heâs in a nightmare that youâve somehow worked your way into, and that if he lets you go, youâll disappear.
A big explosion causes you to lean forward to see where it came from, but Bucky is quick to pull you back.
âCome on!â He yells to you and Bucky, pointing up. âWe gotta get as high up as we can!â
Bucky insists on going last, again afraid that if he goes in front of you, heâll turn around and you wonât be there.
You point to a very skinny metal beam that runs along to the other side. âWe have to get across now! Buck, you gotta go first.â He starts to protest, but you give him a very quick kiss. âI promise weâre right behind you but you gotta go or we wonât make it.â
When the beam collapses, your heart sinks. But at least Bucky made it across safely, is the only thought that crosses your mind. Heâll be okay.
âThereâs gotta be a rope or something!â Despite everything he has endured, seeing you and Steve trapped and so far away from him, he knows this is the worst thing heâs ever seen.
âJust go!â You yell.
âGet out of here!â Steve tries to encourage him to leave. But itâs no use, he refuses to leave both of you behind.
âNo not without you!â
Steve begins to bend a metal bar, and you mimic him, bending the one on the other side. You both step back as far as you can, gripping each otherâs hands so tight that youâre surprised you donât hear bones cracking. âOn three, we run and jump together, alright?â Steve looks at you, waiting for your nod of confirmation. âOne⊠two⊠three!â
But thinking back on that time, while incredibly dark, makes you smile when you think of the celebration that ensued when you all returned. And specifically, the conversation that you, Steve, and Bucky had that night.
You and Bucky were standing in another part of the bar, away from the rest of the guys. Besides the times you both showered and got cleaned up, Bucky hadnât once left your side. The fact that you were there, in the war just as much as any other soldier, was his worst nightmare. He hated to think of you being in danger. But since you were there, he was going to make sure you didnât leave his sight. Although you were a âsuper soldierâ as he heard a few people refer to you, heâd still do everything he could to protect you.
Youâd both lost count of the number of kisses that occurred, but neither of you were complaining. As he held you with one arm and sipped beer with the other, he wanted nothing more than to freeze time.
âSee, theyâre all idiots,â Bucky motioned to the guys when Steve broke away from them to come join the 2 of you.
âHow about you Buck? You ready to follow American Dream and Captain America into the jaws of death?â
He shook his head, laughing. âHell no. Not even a little bit. But that little guy from Brooklyn that was too dumb not to run away from a fight? The guy I trust with my life? And the girl who has had my heart since I first laid eyes on her, who was just as dumb in following after Steve and would throw a punch at anyone that picked on him? Iâm following them,â a brief pause, âyouâre keeping the outfits right? Stars and stripes look good on you both,â he leaned in close and whispered in your ear so that Steve couldnât hear, âand the fit of your suit drives me wildâ.
[ đąâđŠ đŹđđąđ„đ„ đĄđšđ„đđąđ§đ đšđ§ đđš đđŻđđ«đČđđĄđąđ§đ đđĄđđâđŹ đđđđ đđ§đ đ đšđ§đ
đą đđšđ§âđ đ°đđ§đ§đ đŹđđČ đ đšđšđđđČđ âđđđźđŹđ đđĄđąđŹ đšđ§đ đŠđđđ§đŹ đđšđ«đđŻđđ« ]
âHey,â Steve puts a hand on your shoulder, and youâre surprised that you donât have a heart attack right then and there. You were so caught up in thinking about Bucky, that you hadnât even heard him enter the room. âHave you eaten today?â
âI⊠umm, yeah, breakfast.â
He stands up, holding out a hand and pulling you up from your closet floor. âI was there, a glass of orange juice isnât breakfast. And itâs three in the afternoon so, come on.â
Once youâre seated at the table eating a peanut butter sandwich, you look over at Steve who went back to reading the paper. âIâm sorry you keep having to take care of me. I know Iâm a mess but I swear I am trying to do better.â
Standing up and folding the paper, Steve joins you at the kitchen counter. âHonestly, swear on my life, Iâm not mad one bit. I get what youâre going through. I wish youâd talk to me about it more, but I get why you donât want to. I miss him too,â he gives you a sad smile. âI still have nightmares about being on that train. I donât know if those will ever stop. But during the day, I try to focus on the good memories.â
âIt sounds so twisted, but I donât know why I keep thinking of all of the bad things. I guess itâs my brains sad way of remembering. Yes, theyâre bad memories, but at least theyâre memories. Iâm scared that if I stop thinking about him, one day Iâll forget. Iâm still holding on to everything, even the bad things, because theyâre all thatâs left of him.â
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đĄđđ«đ đą đđŠ đđ„đšđ§đ đđđđ°đđđ§ đđĄđ đĄđđđŻđđ§đŹ đđ§đ đđĄđ đđŠđđđ«đŹ ]
âI hate that my body is forgetting,â youâre sitting outside, looking up at the stars. You decide that instead of going to Buckyâs empty grave, youâll just talk to him outside at night from now on instead. âI can hear the songs we used to dance to and remember dancing with you, but I donât feel myself in your arms anymore. I had a dream about the first time you took me dancing, and it was like I was watching a movie. It was me, but it didnât feel like me. God, I miss you so much.â
âGod, Iâm gonna miss you so much,â you turned to Bucky and wrapped your arms around him, doing everything you could not to burst into tears again. In less than 24 hours, Sergeant James Barnes of the 107th would be shipping out for England.
Bucky gently stroked your hair with one hand, while his left one remained on your waist, holding you close to him. âI know doll, Iâm gonna miss you too. But we still have tonight,â he turned and motioned to everything around you at the Stark Expo. âGotta show my best girl a good time, take her dancing too.â
You smiled and leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek. âAnd maybe keep an eye on yourââ turning, you noticed that Steve was nowhere to be found. His date (who seemed like sheâd rather be just about anywhere else) stood looking around. Probably hadnât even noticed he left. âDamn it. Iâll go find him.â
Bucky ended up going with you, and the 2 of you found Steve trying to work up the courage to go talk to some recruiters again.
âKind of defeats the point of a double date if the guy runs off now, doesnât it?â You put an arm around Steve, attempting to guide him back towards the Stark Expo.
âYou guys go ahead, Iâll catch up with you.â
One look at Buckyâs face, and you sighed, knowing they were about to get into it.
âYou really gonna do this again?â
âWell itâs a fair. Iâm gonna try my luck.â
âAs who, Steve from Ohio? Theyâll catch you. Or worse, theyâll actually take you.â
Steve sighed, âlook I know you donât think I can do thisââ
âThis isnât a back alley, Steve. Itâs war.â
You put a hand on each of their shoulders, urging them to take a step back. You noticed a slightly older man nearby, and he seemed to be watching the 3 of you. Great, now you were attracting a crowd.
âGuys maybe weââ
Bucky gently placed a kiss on your forehead. âSorry doll,â he turned his attention back to Steve. âWhy are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs!â
âWhat do you want me to do? Collect scrap metal in my little red wagon?â
âYes! Why not?â
âIâm not gonna sit in a factory Bucky. Bucky, come on. There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. Thatâs what you donât understand. This isnât about me.â
Bucky scoffed, âright. âCause you got nothing to prove.â
Just then a group of people walked, by, yelling and encouraging everyone to find a partner and go dancing.
âWeâre gonna be late. I owe you a dance or two,â Bucky took your hand in his and began walking backwards, towards the direction a bunch of other couples were walking. âDonât do anything stupid until I get back.â
âHow can I? Youâre taking all the stupid with you.â
You nudged Bucky forward, knowing heâd regret it if this was his last conversation with Steve. Although you were joining Bucky to see him off at the train station in the morning, Steve opted to stay behind. Seeing his best friend leave, and knowing he couldnât go with him, itâd be too much. But he used the excuse of wanting you and Bucky to have a moment to yourselves to say goodbye, and you let it go.
âYouâre a punk.â
âJerk. Donât win the war âtill I get there!â
As you turned around while Bucky led you towards the dancing, you got a sinking feeling in your stomach. Of course you wanted to spend the night dancing with Bucky, but something was telling you to stay with Steve and make sure he was okay.
âShit,â you paused, turning around. You looked at Bucky, and he simply pulled you into his arms, knowing what you were wanting to say.
âMake sure he doesnât get himself arrested alright?â
âIâll try. Iâll come find you after, okay? Save me some dancesââ Bucky cut you off, placing his hands on either side of your face and pulling you in for a kiss.
Once he was out of sight, you turned to look for Steve, who somehow managed to disappear again.
âThere you are!â You finally spotted him looking at the enlistment posters.
âWhat are youââ
âNo,â you shook your head. âDonât tell me to go find Bucky. He already left to go dance with your date, might I add. Iâm staying with you to make sure you donât do anything stupid like lie about where youâre from again.â
You at on the chair while Steve was seated on the makeshift bed, and you thought it was odd how a nurse came in and whispered while glancing at the 2 of you, and then the doctor excused himself from the room, only telling you to wait there.
âMaybe we should goâŠâ You trailed off, pointing to the sign that let everyone know it was illegal to lie on your forms.
Steve was already ahead of you, putting on his shoes as fast as he could to try and make a quick getaway. As much as he wanted to join, he couldnât do that from a prison cell if he was caught.
âSo, you both want to go overseas. Kill some Nazis.â The man that you saw earlier walked into the room, holding a folder.
âOh no sir,â you stepped to the side, âIâm justââ
âIâm sorry, where are my manners? Dr. Abraham Erskine. I represent the Strategic Scientific Reserve.â
âSteve Rogers, sir,â he shook Dr. Erskineâs hand, then pointed to you, âsheâs actually justââ
âAh, yes,â Dr. Erskine turned to you and shook your hand. You were still trying to process what the hell was happening, that all you could barely tell him your name. âWe donât have a folder for you. Iâll be right back.â
Before you or Steve could say another word, he disappeared from the room. You knew women were fighting in the war, but it only just now dawned on you that they thought you were trying to enlist too.
âIâm sorry,â Steve whispers. âSoon as he comes back in Iâll tell him you were only here to keep me out of trouble.â
âDonât.â
âWhat??â
You looked around the room. âI have no plan in life. My parents are long gone, Iâm an only child, you and Bucky are literally all Iâve got left. I havenât done anything good with my life, maybe I can finally do that. Besides, Iâm even smaller than you,â you mentally high-fived yourself when that got Steve to laugh, âI doubt theyâll take me anyway.â
As you both sat there, for another 15 minutes, you wondered what on earth was taking him so long.
âMy apologies once again,â Dr. Erskine re-entered the room holding 2 folders this time. âThey didnât have your folder so I had to make a call. Most women who volunteer for the war are doing so for nursing jobs, or putting together care packages and first-aid kits. This is very brave of you MissâŠâ He glances down at your folder again, repeating your last name.
âI see you are originally from Hellâs Kitchen,â Dr. Erskine skims through your folder, âbut you now live in Brooklyn. But what about you Mr. Rogers, hmm? Is it New Haven? Or Paramus? Five exams in five different cities.â
âThat might not be the right fileââ
Dr. Erskine shook his head. âNo, itâs not the exams Iâm interested in. Itâs the five tries. Now, donât think I forgot that you havenât answered my question. So, do you want to kill Nazis?â
You sat back down, mentally preparing yourself to be there a while. You only hoped that by the time you and Steve were done, the dancing was still going on.
âWell we already have so many big men fighting this war. Maybe what we need now are the little guys, hmm? I can offer you both a chance. But itâs only a chance.â
You both stood up and immediately followed after him as he left the room, not telling you where you were all going. When he handed you folders and congratulated you, you got that sinking feeling again.
Once you both exited the building and were outside again, you asked Steve if he wanted to come with you to find Bucky. He declined, saying he was just going to head home.
âCan you take this, then? Iâll come grab it from you tomorrow.â You handed him your folder.
âYou donât wanna tellââ
âNot yet. We donât even know what this âchanceâ means. Thatâs all Dr. Erskine said. Bucky leaves first thing tomorrow, it wouldnât do any good to let him worry when I donât even know what weâll be doing. Once we figure that out, Iâll write to him and tell him. Promise.â
20 minutes later you finally entered the dance hall. You were just scanning the crowd for Bucky, when you were suddenly (literally) swept off our feet.
âI was wondering if my girl had forgotten about me!â Bucky placed you back on your feet, smiling as he grabbed your hand and pulled you towards the dance floor. âCome on, you owe me as many dances as your feet can handle.â
You both danced until you were the last couple standing. There were still a few at the tables scattered around the room, but mostly everyone had gone home. You and Bucky were both reluctant to leave, knowing that once you both headed back to your apartment where youâd already mutually agreed heâd spend the night, you would probably fall right to sleep. Then there would only be a little bit of time left in the morning, and heâd be gone.
Once you finally left the dance hall, you took your time walking back to your apartment.
âDoll? Whatâs bothering you?â Luckily, Bucky didnât suspect anything had happened as far as you were concerned. He still didnât even know Steve had been accepted either, but you knew that wasnât your place to tell.
The reality of Bucky being gone tomorrow morning, seemed to finally hit you. He took one look at your face, and tears formed in his eyes too.
By some miracle, you managed to make it back to your apartment without breaking down out in public. But once you and Bucky had both showered and changed, you finally let the tears flow. He didnât question why you were so upset on the walk home, assuming it was because he was leaving tomorrow. And he was mostly right. Only a small part of you was scared about the journey you were going to embark on with Steve, the bigger part of you was just worried about Bucky.
âHey, doll, look at me please?â
When you finally looked up, he put his hands on either side of your face and leaned down so that your foreheads were touching. âWeâve got a lot to do still. Gonna get married, have a big house of our own, start our family, I promise that Iâm gonna fight like hell, and Iâm gonna do whatever it takes to come home to you.â
You hadnât thought about that last ânormalâ night together in a long time. Glancing at your watch, you realize that youâve been outside for over 2 hours. You stand up, dusting off the back of your pants. Right before you go inside again, you look up at the sky one more time. âI miss you,â you close your eyes, trying to remember what it felt like to be in his arms, but ultimately failing. âI hate that I canât feel you anymore.â
Later, when itâs nearly 11pm, but youâre heading over to see about an update to your uniform. Apparently, it was so important that nothing could wait until morning.
An explosion in the lab when youâre just 10 feet away, causes you to run inside. âStark! What the fuââ
He pulls himself to a sitting position on the floor, looking down at his arms. No doubt to make sure that nothing is broken.
âDâdid you just see that? Quick write that down!â
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âI just⊠I donât get it!â It was the next day, and you and Steve were currently sat in the main living room at the Avengers tower. The 2 of you were just informed youâd be leaving with Nat to go on a mission later that night, but for now you were just killing time. No one liked to train the day they left for missions, Steve usually insisting that everyone be as rested as possible.
âWe could ask Bruce, Tony, they might have some ideas?â
The thought had occurred to you briefly, but you shook your head, âTony is busy, I believe in an attempt to get himself killed in his lab. I walked in after an explosion last night and he wasnât the least bit concerned for his life. Plus Iâve already looked into it. There arenât any recorded cases of⊠something like this, happening. Iâm the only one this has happened to.â
He sighed, scratching the back of his head. âI hate to say this, but could you maybe have two?â
âI want to say thatâs not how it works, because everyone knows you only get one. Yet here I am still stuck with this so⊠what the hell do I know? But I donât think so. Even if that were a possibility, I just⊠I feel it in my heart. I only have⊠had, one. Even though itâs been so longâŠâ
Steve noticed the puzzled expression still on your face. âWhat is it?â
âI know Iâll probably never get an explanation, but itâs gonna kill me not knowing. Iâve never been able to figure it out, but⊠I donât know. This isnât how itâs supposed to happen.â
âMaybeââ
You cut Steve off. âYou get your soulmate mark the day you turn sixteen. Bucky was a year older than me, so he already had his. Then when you come into contact with your soulmate, however far down the line that may be, you can tell because during first contact, your marks glow, and in the beginning thereâs a tingle around it when youâre near each other. So the morning of my sixteenth birthday when you both came over, and my mark had just appeared, there was that glow and the tingle around our marks. But when your soulmate dies, your mark is supposed to disappear. Right?â
Steve nodded, knowing you paused to wait for confirmation. You rolled your sleeve up a couple of times, revealing the small outline of a wolf in white ink on your left wrist.
âBucky fell off the train over seventy years ago. So why the hell do I still have mine?â
a/n: hehehe another open ending, that way it can be left to your interpretation, or someday down the line i can do a part 2 if enough people are interested + inspiration strikes! :) i hope it wasnât too confusing, i know it went back and forth a lot but i tried to explain it was best i could. iâm also a whore for soulmate auâs so⊠surprise hasdfjasgk.
requested tag(s): @ginger-swag-rapunzelâ
(if youâd like to be added to my bucky tag list, send me an ask or message!)
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