𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓷𝓲𝓪𝓬 ❖ 𝓫. 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼

C H A P T E R (13) - D R A F T E D

"Tell me you're lying."

Bucky shook his head reluctantly, wanting to tell her it was all just a big lie. That he wasn't drafted into war, it was just a joke. But he couldn't, because it wasn't the truth.

"I'm sorry Cassie..." he mumbled, refusing to let the tears fall from his eyes that were already falling from hers.

It had only been a few days since Cassie had stayed in his house, since she had admitted her feelings. And now tomorrow he was leaving for 14 weeks of training.

She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, more tears would fall. She knew the odds of returning home from war, and she was just glad that he was only going for training at that moment. At least it wasn't the real fight.

"Cassie, come on, say something to me."

She looked up from where she sat at her dining table with her fingers on her temples, watching Bucky who had crouched next to her. Steve had been told the news at the same time, but had gone to his room without another word whereas Cassie was unable to move.

"Listen, if I could change it, I would, but I don't have a choice-"

"I know, Buck. I know." Cassie comforted, seeing that it was paining him to say it all.

The pair stared at each other for a few seconds before Bucky decided to break the silence, "I'll be back before you know it."

Cassie threw her arms around his neck and he stood from his crouched position, causing her to have to stand on the tips of her toes. She pressed her lips into a thin line and chewed on the inside of her cheek, trying to stop tears from falling.

"Don't lie to me, Buck." She whispered in his ear.

Bucky was thinking about how much he was going to miss her, and he knew the only thing motivating him to train hard was so he could come back. For her and Steve.

Cassie listened to Bucky's heartbeat as she rested her head against his chest, the repetitive rhythm soothing her. He ran his fingers through her hair as she just hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.

"Stay with me tonight." She mumbled quietly.

Bucky nodded hesitantly, he wanted to stay with her for forever, but he knew that the more time he spent with her, the harder it would be to say goodbye. So for the first time, he lied to her.

"I will."

***

That night, when the sky had turned black and the stars were shining, Bucky entered the Rogers' house.

When he made his way up the stairs, he found Cassie's door closed and he could hear two voices from inside, one he recognised to be Cassie's and the other he hadn't heard before. But it didn't sound like a pleasant conversation.

Inside her bedroom, Cassie was dealing with a situation she didn't want to deal with. Not now. Ryan had shown up at her door moments earlier and had demanded to speak to her, and said he wouldn't leave until he did. She didn't see the harm in just talking at the time, but it had gotten sour quickly.

"What are you doing here, what do you want from me?" Cassie questioned with a slightly raised voice.

"I want it back!"

"You can't have it, it was never yours to begin with, Terrence!"

Bucky listened from outside the door, and the name rang a bell. Terrence...

It hit him like a brick wall, Ryan Terrence. The man who had not so subtly threatened both Cassie and Steve. The same Ryan that Bucky had to prevent himself from killing. As soon as he recognised the name, he pushed the door open when it was silent for a few seconds.

With his hand still on the door handle, he couldn't help the way his mouth opened at the sight.

He was kissing her. He had his hands in her hair, whereas her hands were held on his shoulders, obviously trying to push him away. Neither of them had noticed Bucky's entrance.

"Get your hands off of me!" Cassie yelled, backing away a few steps, although it didn't help as he replaced his hands on her hips.

"Why should-"

Ryan's sentence was interrupted as Bucky grabbed his shoulders and slammed him against the wall, a slight groan emerging from his mouth.

"Did you not hear her tell you to stop?" Bucky yelled.

Ryan didn't answer as Cassie placed a hand on Bucky's arm, trying to calm him down.

"Bucky, listen to me-"

"Yeah Bucky, listen to your girlfriend." Ryan taunted.

In that moment, Bucky would have punched him until it hurt him to do so. He wouldn't have stopped until he was bleeding with red marks on his knuckles. But something about Cassie's warmth and faint smile held him back, and maybe that was for the best.

Cassie kept her grip on Bucky's arm as she pulled him away from Ryan, making sure he sat down on the bed before turning back to the unwelcome man in her room. She crossed her arms over her chest before nodding her head in the direction of the door.

Ryan held his hands up in a surrendering position before speaking, "Fine. But I'll be back, Cass."

Cassie grimaced at the use of her nickname, one only her closest friends were permitted to use. She watched on as he left the room, not moving until she heard the satisfying sound of the front door opening and closing. After that, she let out a sigh of relief as she turned back around to Bucky who sat on her bed, avoiding her eyes. She made her way over to him and fiddled with her fingers nervously.

"Just so you know, I uh..He kissed me I didn't-"

She was cut off by Bucky placing his hands on her cheeks, making her look into his eyes.

"I trust you Cassie."

Those words made her heart beat so fast, she was sure he could hear it. A grin was imprinted on her face as she placed her hands around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

"Are you still staying?" She asked, looking down at him.

She noticed the slight hesitation in his answer, but he proceeded to nod as he let himself fall backwards, bring Cassie down with him. She let out a slight squeal as his arm snaked around her waist, holding her tightly to him.

He didn't mention the fact that he wouldn't stay, that he would actually leave once she had fallen asleep. He knew that if he stayed, he would never be able to leave her.

And so, once she had finally closed her eyes and drifted off, Bucky slid out from underneath her. Making sure the blanket was covering her body, he planted a kiss on her cheek and admired her peaceful state. He took in her natural beauty and sighed, knowing he wouldn't see her face for 14 weeks.

'14 weeks.' He thought to himself, 'I'll count down the days...'