First Love || Bucky Barnes

Chapter Twenty-Five: Farewells

~June 15, 1945~

It was a beautiful and quiet morning at the Barnes household. Light tick-tock noise from the clock that hung in the master bedroom, fell on deaf ears to Bucky as he lovingly admired his wife. Elizabeth was sound asleep beside him as the soft ray of sunlight peeked through the windows. 

Her brunette hair was sprawled out onto her pillow while the covers hung loosely onto her back. Bucky places his right hand onto her bare back, his fingers absent-mindedly drawing varied patterns with gentle prolonged strokes. Memories of the two from the last night flashed through his mind as his fingers continue to make strokes up and down her back. His fingers then trailed up her neck and onto her cheek. He carefully moves a loose strand of hair out of her face, tucking it behind her left ear.

Bucky then slowly runs his fingers through his wife's hair. His actions stir Elizabeth lightly but her eyes stayed closed. "I know you're awake, doll," Bucky spoke in a soft tone. Elizabeth keeps her eyes closed. "No, I'm not. I'm sleeping," she tells him. Bucky chuckles, his fingers still playing with his wife's hair. "You don't talk in your sleep." Elizabeth shakes her head. "I do now." "Come on, doll, open your eyes." 

"I don't want to."

"Why not?"

Elizabeth sighs. "When I do, then that means you're leaving me today." Bucky's hand moves out of her hand and trails down her bare arm. "Doll, I don't want to leave either, but I have to. So please, open those gorgeous eyes so we can enjoy this moment together." 

Elizabeth opens her eyes, Bucky smiling as her hazel eyes met his blue ones. "There they are." Elizabeth scoots in closer to Bucky, her hand trailing up his arm and settling into his soft locks. She brushes the little strands off his face gently. Bucky smiles at her the entire time. He scoots closer, their nose brushing against one another. He closes his eyes and kisses her. 

Elizabeth responds back lovingly, hiking a leg over his bare waist as Bucky lifts himself up slightly, not breaking the kiss as he hovers over her. Elizabeth rakes her fingernails down his scalp as Bucky breaks the kiss and begins to trail kisses down her neck. Elizabeth shivers as she takes her hands out of Bucky's hair and trails them down his back.

Elizabeth gasp softly as she felt a nudge down there. "Please, Bucky," she breathes out as Bucky adjusts himself and slips in. Elizabeth pulls Bucky down to her lips, the two moaning into their kisses as they made love for what could potentially be their last time together. 

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The sign to Brooklyn Shipyard looms ahead as Elizabeth, Bucky and Steve towards it. Elizabeth squeezes Bucky's hand, feeling him rub the back of her hand with his thumb. As the three passes through the crowd, Elizabeth couldn't help but let her eyes wonder to the hundreds of women sharing a tearful goodbye to their loved ones. 

That would be her in a few minutes and she wasn't looking forward to it. Elizabeth lets a shaky sigh loose as she, Bucky and Steve move closer to the ship. They come to a stop at the edge of the ramp of the ship. Elizabeth lets go of Bucky's hand and steps back, allowing her husband and Steve to say goodbye first. The two engage in a small talk before sharing one last hug. 

"Please take care of Elizabeth," Bucky whispers into Steve's ear as the two hugs. Steve's eyes trail over to Elizabeth. "I will." The two step back, dropping their arms to the size. Bucky turns to Elizabeth, a sad smile tugging on his lips. Steve steps back, allowing the two to have their moment.

Tears instantly wells in Elizabeth's eyes and before she knew it, she throws herself into Bucky's outstretched arms. Tears roll down her cheeks as she buries her face into his chest. Bucky tightens his hold onto her. He didn't know if this would be the last time, he would hug his wife so he wanted to cherish every moment of it. 

A few minutes later, Elizabeth lifts her head up from her husband's chest. She stares up as Bucky places his hands onto her wet cheeks, his thumbs wiping the tears away. "Hi."

Bucky flashes a lopsided grin. "Hi, doll."

"You're gonna do just fine out there," she tells him, tightening her arms around his waist. "Just make sure you come back to me." Bucky nods. "I won't die on you, I promise." "You better keep that promise Bucky Barnes." 

"I will Elizabeth Barnes."  

The blast of the ship's horn echoes throughout the harbor, signaling to the soldiers to climb aboard. Bucky pulls Elizabeth in for one last kiss. Elizabeth sweetly kisses back. The two pull away shortly, resting their foreheads against the other.

"I love you."

Tears fall from Elizabeth's eyes once again. "I love you." 

Bucky lifts his head up, kissing the top of her head before stepping back. He leans down and grabs his bag. Steve walks back over and stands next to Elizabeth. Bucky waves goodbye at his wife and best friend before boarding the boat. 

Elizabeth walks closer to the dock along with the other women. Everyone around her began waving at their loved ones as the boat slowly pulled out of the harbor. Elizabeth's eyes scan the ship, until they finally land on Bucky. She lifts a hand up to her mouth and blows a kiss. Bucky lifts a hand up and catches the air kiss and pockets it into his uniform, sending her a wink all while doing so.

Elizabeth giggles as tears freely roll down her cheeks. The two sent one final wave to each other. As the boat slowly makes its way into the open waters, the women around Elizabeth began to leave, tears streaming down their cheeks. Elizabeth lowers herself down and sits down on the dock. 

Only a few seconds after Elizabeth sat down, she felt a presence beside her. She knew it was Steve as he gently took her hand into his. Keeping her eyes locked on the ship, Elizabeth rests her head onto Steve's shoulder.

"I miss him already."

Steve glances down at her best friend, her eyes still haven't wavered away from the ship. He glances back out at the sea. 

"I do too. But we'll see him again."

"Do you promise?" Elizabeth's voice wavered as she asked Steve.

"I promise."

[Published 10/16/2022]

Author's note: The next chapter is about Project Rebirth! Finally onto writing CA: The First Avenger <3.