Appellations (Reader X Bucky)

Between the Planet and the Stars (end)

Today was the day.

Preparations had been made for yours and Odin's funeral.

Bucky stood looking out at the sunset from the palace.

Nat cautiously entered the room and walked up beside him looking out at the horizon with him, "everything's ready," she says softly.

He swallowed hard and bowed his head.

"I miss her so much," he reveals to Nat.

She takes her hand and gently rubs his back, "we all do."

They look at at each other for a moment before Nat pulls him into a hug, "let's go say goodbye."

They both walk down to the beach, the crowd created a path for the two of them to be at the front with the rest of the Avengers.
Bucky looked at you laying peacefully in the Knarr that had been built to hold you. You had been clothed and wrapped in traditional Asgardian cloth with flowers surrounding you. One by one the Avengers payed their respects to you and Odin.

Loki knelt down and kissed the top of your head, "please forgive me," he whispers into your hair.

Bucky was the last to say goodbye.

He knelt down by your side and removed his dog tags from around his neck, gently he holds one of his hands up to his face, he kisses the back of your hand as he wraps his dog tags in your grip.
"I'll never forget you and I'll always love you."
Bucky takes a moment before standing at the head of your Knarr, his hand placed on the ornate dragons head, Thor took the same position at Odin's.

As the sunset and the sky lit up with stars Bucky and Thor pushed the Knarrs onto the water. As you and Odin float gently on the water, two of the guards ready their arrows, both lighting the ends before one of them shouts, "TO KING AND PRINCESS! MAY THEIR BOATS GUIDE THEM SAFELY TO THEIR NEXT LIFE."
They release their arrows, one of each hitting each of your boats. Then a flurry of arrows light up the night sky as they land on and around your boats.
Steve places his hand on Bucky's shoulder as they all watch you become engulfed in flames.

You were nearing the middle of the lake as Odin was at the edge, instantaneously Odin's Knarr floated off the edge of the world, turning into stardust and scattering across the sky whilst yours slowly began to sink, diminishing the flames that swept around you.

Once the light from both the boats had been extinguished the crowds began leaving the shore to return to their homes. The Avengers were the last to leave, Tony turned to see Bucky hadn't moved. Before he could say anything Bucky answered Tony's unspoken question, "I just need a couple more minutes."

A couple more minutes turned into hours as Bucky sat on the shoreline, unaware of what was happening at the bottom of the lake.

------

Your body gently sinks as the water enters your lungs, your lifeless body gracefully lays on the sand at the bottom of the lake. A couple of moments pass before a small spark from the sand connects with your body. Then another, and another until a blinding light engulfs your body and your heart finds its rhythm. The water healed your wounds and it wasn't until a little while after that you regained your consciousness. You slowly open your eyes confused at your surroundings, you feel something in your hand.
You open it and see the dog tags, Bucky's dog tags. You look around then up, barely able to see the sunlight piercing the water, you swam as best you could to get to the surface.

-----------

Bucky awoke to the sunlight and birds chirping near him, he had fallen asleep on the sand. He sits up and rubs his red eyes, coming to the grim reality that yesterday wasn't just an awful dream. He runs his hands through his hair, inhaling and exhaling deeply before standing and walking away.