You've Got Me... Always || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 19

Sitting at a distance, I watch as Bucky sits near the water, Ayo walks around talking, and the flames of the torches lights them up.

Bucky, who has been looking a lot like Jesus in the clothes provided by the Wakandans, sits still with his eyes closed, focused on Ayo's voice.

Before I knew it, Ayo starts to slowly speak those words. Longing. Rusted. Furnace. Daybreak. Seventeen. Benign. Each one causes a bit of panic in me.

"This isn't going to work." Bucky whispers, but still loud enough for me to hear. Ayo completes the ritual. Nine. Homecoming. One. Freight Car. I look at Bucky's face, able to see tears that are being held in by his eyelids lids a dam. There is no sudden movements, no sign of the Winter Soldier.

"You are free." Ayo says. Bucky looks up at her, tears breaking way. "You are free." She whispers.

I sit back watching, my own tears running down my face.

I give him some time to process Ayo's words but soon I move it sit beside him.

"Hey there... Sergeant Barnes." I smile. He wraps his arm around me waist and pulls me closer. He buries his face into the crook of my neck, tears still falling, my skin getting damp. "You've got me, babe. I'm not going anywhere."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One Year Later...

Bucky has been doing well. He continues to help on the land. He plays with the kids that like to come up to him. He has even received a a new name. White Wolf.

I smile while watching Bucky listen to the kids tell him stories. A small smile adorns his face.

"Okay, okay. White Wolf needs to rest. Story time can resume later." I say, laughing as the kids groan and walk away. I walk up to Bucky and wrap my arms around his neck.

"Doll, I don't need to rest." He laughs, wrapping his arm around me waist.

"I know. I just wanted you to myself." I smirk.

"I usually know what that grin means," he pulls me closer. "But I feel there is a different meaning now." He laughs, softly.

"Maybe there is..." I say before leaning up to kiss him. His arm tightens around me, his grip on my side tightens as well. Bucky pulls his face away ever so slightly, our lips just barely touching.

"Are you sure?" I nod.

"Only if this is what you want." I whisper. The ringing on my phone pulls us out of our lustful thoughts. I pull it out of my back pocket to see 'Pepper' on the screen.

"Does she call you often?" Bucky asks. I shake my head.

"First time." My eyes remained locked on the screen until it goes black. I look at Bucky just as my phone starts ringing again.

"Answer it." I nod.

"Hello?"

"Riley! Oh, I am glad you answered."

"Pepper, is everything okay?"

"Of course! I was hoping you would fly back as soon as you could."

"For what?"

"I am getting married and I want you here. I was hoping you would come in now to go with me to pick out my dress."

"You're getting married?" I ask. "To who?"

"Tony."

"Pepper, he doesn't want me there." I think back to our last conversation.