Nothing Personal - Bucky Barnes x reader

Chapter 8

Chapter contents: angst, fluff, language

A/N: We've reached the last chapter, but don't you worry! We've still got an epilogue coming up and I might also be writing a sequel for these two!

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Two years is a long time.

Two whole years had gone by, two Christmases, two birthdays, two Halloweens. The third year was creeping up, whizzing past New Year's Eve and Valentine's day.

Time seemed to slow down, though, on March 10, 2028. Truly, time basically screeched to a halt for the past two March 10′s, but for some reason, it was more noticeable this time around.

Maybe it was because you realized that it had been three whole years now since you'd met Bucky. Maybe it was because he was now 111, one of your lucky numbers. Maybe it was because you thought back to that party you threw him for his 108th, how he told you all that time ago that he never wanted you.

Nevertheless, your mind was flooded with ideas of what you would've gotten him for his birthday. A new pair of combat boots, a nice homemade dinner and dessert, a day off from all the craziness in his life.

Maybe just a hug would've been enough for him.

During that first year, when you weren't engulfed in your thoughts of Bucky, you were actively searching for work. It was hard getting a job when you moved back down to Louisiana. Being the ex-girlfriend of an American hero isn't really good publicity.

Luckily, the only people who didn't care about your relationship status were kids, so you got a job at the local elementary school as a teaching assistant.

It was nice. The kids were cute, the job just covered your rent, and you got free lunch. It was... peaceful.

Well, it was peaceful until you'd reach the World War II section in history and you'd have to stare down at photos of the Howling Commandos, of Bucky Barnes himself. Obviously, the kids weren't oblivious to news. They'd see Bucky's face and make the connection, and once they did, the questions about him were endless. Of course, they were harmless and pretty cute if you were being honest, but it still stung.

The most common question was about what he was like, and it was a hard question for you to answer. You didn't know what he was like. To others, he was kind and playful but still stoic. He was like that with you a few times. But mostly, all you saw of him was cold, distant, and reserved. But the kids didn't want to hear that.

"He was a brave man, and he cared a lot about the people he loved," you'd tell them with a smile, and after a while, it felt true.

Other than the few rare days that stood out for one reason or another, every other day blurred together until it had finally reached the Fourth of July.

Sam, Mr. Captain America himself, had it in his mind that he had some patriotic duty to take upon himself. thus he decided to hold a large event at the docks, complete with food and fireworks, and of course, photo ops with Captain America and the Winter Soldier.

You stared at the flyer that sat on the top of the pile you were holding. Winter Soldier.

"You've got a stink face goin' on," Sam teased, nudging your shoulder. He stared down at the flyers, sighing. "Listen, I don't want him anywhere near you, but it's for the family business. And besides, I'll keep an eye on him."

"White Wolf," you spoke, looking up at Sam.

"What?"

"I remember Bucky telling you once that he preferred White Wolf over the Winter Soldier. But these flyers say Winter Soldier."