1941 {Bucky Barnes x OC}

32.

"I mean she will be my wife obviously. We already act like a married couple." Bucky lies to Steve.

Steve watches Bucky's expression for a moment. "Liar." He scolds. "I've know you since we were kids. Whenever you lie you have a tell. Are you two already married?"

"Yes. Right before I left, before the expo, we went to city hall." Bucky sighs.

"Did you tell anyone?" Peggy asks.

We shake our heads. "It was just ours. We didn't have to share it with anyone. We didn't want anyone to be upset that they weren't invited to something." I explain.

Steve's thought fill with emotions that threaten to spill.

"I couldn't leave her without her being my wife. I wouldn't forgive myself. I'm only sorry I didn't do it sooner." Bucky says.

"Does Howard know?" Steve asks me and I shake my head. "Okay... I'm going to go have a rest. I'll see you all later." He excuses himself.

Bucky sighs before following his friend out.

"I'm very happy for you Elizabeth." Peggy smiles.

"Thanks Peg, I appreciate it. We didn't plan it. But knowing he was leaving in mere hours... we just went for it." I tell her.

"I'm glad you did. Sometimes it's easier to to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Are you happy?"

"Very. I'd be happier if we were home but still, he makes me happier than I could've ever imagined." I explain.

"Then that's all the matters. Howard will be happy for you too." She offers her hand. I take it and she squeezes gently. "You deserve wonderful things Elizabeth. I'm glad you go for what you want."

"Thanks, I appreciate your support. I think I'd go crazy with the three men if you weren't around to ground me." I laugh. "Now what're your thoughts on these?" I slide her the sketches.

"They look great. But can you put some sort of communication device into Steve's gear? Last time his comm line was shot." She scoffs and I nod with a chuckle. "He'll be safe right?"

"Peg, Steve is one of the most stubborn men I know. But I think between Bucky and I, we've taught him something about self preservation. I'm not sure how much he absorbed but we've done our best."

She eventually excuses herself when Bucky returns and he plops down beside me. "He's upset." He huffs. "He's being all quiet with me."

"It's okay honey..." I run my fingers through his dark locks once he rests his head on my shoulder. "He just needs to process it. He hasn't been here right? Relationship wise."

"No, not in the time I've known him..."

"Exactly. So he just doesn't know, and that's okay. He will, one day. He's your best friend, I think he just feels a bit left behind or disappointed that you didn't tell him sooner. He needs to have a moment to cool off."

He nods and then after a few minutes of silence he speaks. "I'm scared Liz.... This Op that he's running could be really dangerous."

"What're you gonna do honey?"

"I don't know if it's worth the risk."  He sighs. "I understand how important it is. It's just that I'm risking you, leaving you and losing you and our future. The other commandos enlisted. I was the only one of us drafted."