Lovers in Arms | Bucky Barnes

Part 2

A few days later they get the news that their unit is being send out to Europe. They are being stationed somewhere in Italy. The night before deployment they gather around a big bonfire. Many soldiers come, including Bucky and most of his fellow bunkmates.

After an hour of fun and a few drinks, he sees Karol. She's leaning against one of the parked trucks, all by herself with a drink in her hand. Why is she standing there all alone? Bucky decides to check up on her.

"Boys, I'll be right back."

They will be stationed together so why shouldn't he get to know her. Trusting your fellow soldiers is also a big part of the training, you need to have each others back if needed.

Bucky walks over to her and grabs another drink from a barrel. Karol sees him coming and sighs. Why does he insist talking to her? She just want to be left alone with her thoughts and drink. "Do you want a rematch Barnes?" she says.

"I thought maybe she's thirsty." he hands her another drink.

"Thanks, but I still have some." she holds up her drink, takes a sip and walks away. Bucky follows her and soon they are some distance away from the bonfire.

She walks off, why is she so hard to talk to? "Come on Smitt. Wait a minute."

"Why? Do you have something to say to me?" she scuffs. Looking up at him. Damn he's tall.

"No, I thought we could just chat. Since we'll be send out tomorrow."

Karol sighs. He's right, maybe a talk should be fine... "That's true... Go on then..." She stops against a wall and makes a small jump to sit on it, making her almost as tall as he is. Bucky stands next to her.

"You're an amazing fighter, where did you learn that?" Bucky is genuinely interested. It was amazing what she did. The speed, agility and strength. Amazing. A small smirk appears on his face.

Is he trying to compliment her? She lets out a soft chuckle, almost unheard by Bucky. Almost. "Are you nervous?" she asks.

"To be honest... I'm terrified. But of course I can't show that to the guys." he lowers his head slightly and is thinking about home. About what he left behind. Getting drafted wasn't his idea to help in the war. Although he was scared to fight, he thought it was a necessary thing to do for his country.

Karol could see the smirk from his face disappear. "I'm convinced that most people here feel the same way." She replies, trying to comfort him. There are some brains in this one after all...

Bucky looks up at her. She looks at him and suddenly he feels butterflies in his stomach. Her dark brown eyes and her braided ginger hair make her beautiful. She is such a different girl then the girls he usually goes for. He chuckles. "If it wasn't for the war I'd be asking you out for a date." He said it before he realised it.

Oh, he's still that ladies man she thought he would be... "A date huh?"

Bucky is surprised, he's not used to be this clumsy. He's turning into Steve. He laughs at the thought, scratching his head.

"That's a funny thing?" She asks annoyingly. Thinking about leaving him here and go drink somewhere quiet.

"Oh no! I was laughing at something that came to mind."

"And that was?" Her patience is running low. Very low.

"I was just thinking about my best friend Steve. He couldn't fight in the war even though he really wanted to help."

"Then why didn't he enlist?"

Bucky chuckles. "Because he's a 90 pound, 5'4" asthmatic kid. They won't accept him. I told him he can do so much more than fight but he's stubborn and doesn't listen to me."