find me

12. Sunday

A/N: Yes, this chapter took a really long time (again lol) it's the holidays you know... they're GREAT but... no time to write, like EVER.

Anyways, hope you like this one.

After the party there was A LOT to unpack so I decided to let Natalie speak with everyone else, separately, before talking to Bucky again.
Loved writing a cute lil moment between Bruce and Nat and FINALLY some explanation of Bucky's past and his traumas.

Enjoy babes, let me know what you think!!

Lots of love, Mary <3<3

~

Some days are just meant to be spent in a park, enjoying the warm light of the sun kissing both humans and nature.

Natalie felt it on her skin, radiating from the sky deep into her bones. A light breeze moved her curls, mimicking the motion of the trees and their branches, creating beautiful dances of light on the grass.

The perfect Sunday.

A kid was running after a squirrel, his thick blonde hair bouncing around in the wind. His mom sat on a blanket on the grass not far from him, a wide smile brightening up her face. She looked at him like the most precious thing in the world, and in that moment Natalie hoped for him that he truly was.

"Nat? You okay?"

Natalie promptly turned around to face Bruce, the corners of her mouth stretching slightly upwards in a soft smile.

"Yeah, I'm okay." She looked down at the cup in her hands, filled with ice coffee and the ice cubes melting in the summer heat. "I just zoned out for a second."

He let out a chuckle and looked ahead at the beautiful view in front of them. "Yeah, I get it."

"You were saying?" She faced him, encouraging him to keep speaking.

"I was saying... I think you're right." He nodded slowly, assessing the gravity of his words as he was speaking them. "It— it was a mistake." He coughed slightly embarrassed. "Us, I mean."

"Really?" She locked her gaze on his, looking for any sign of sadness or resentment in his eyes.

He drew in a long breath and smiled. "Yes. Really." He sounded sure.

She took a sip of her coffee and started fidgeting with her ring, the guilt and shame coming back to her head, stronger than the sense of relief she felt hearing him say those words.
"I— I'm sorry." she let out in a labored breath.

Bruce shook his head, raking his hand through his dark hair.
"Nat, you don't have to apologize. It's okay. I mean, I like you..." he smirked slightly "But I don't think I can be with anyone right now." He sighed and took a sip of his coffee.

She smiled and turned to face the man sat next to her. She took a moment to properly take him in, to actually look at him. What she saw was a kind, handsome, smart man. Maria was right, he was one of the good ones.
Only he wasn't her man. Her man was away somewhere, counting the hours before he could see his doll again.

Natalie gently placed one hand on his arm.
"Thank you, Bruce."

"For what?" He raised his brows, confused.