Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 32 - Promise of a Party

You tear off another little piece of bread and drop it in the creek, careful not to wiggle your toes lest you scare off the shiny, silver fish that bobs about your ankle, waiting for its next crumb. You smile as it nudges the piece of sunbutter and banana sandwich before biting, sucking it underwater and swimming away quickly before hesitantly swimming back a few seconds later.

You repeat the process, over and over, as a chilly autumn breeze tickles your neck. You're grateful for the few hours a day you get to be away from the dank and smelly trolley tunnels. Even if you do have to spend them in the woods.

"Y/n?"

A soft shout from the distance weaves its way through the trees and you let out a sigh. Looking up at the setting sun, it's clear you stayed out too late again. Tearing off another bit of sandwich, you throw the last few crumbs in the water, and watch your friend suck them down, hovering nearby just in case you have anymore. As you watch him swim in circles, the voice calling your name gets louder - as do the footsteps trudging through leaves and over sticks.

"There you are," Steve says from somewhere behind you. "Y/n, how many times have we agreed to be back at the tunnels by the start of sundown?"

"Four," you respond evenly.

Steve sighs deeply. "And how many times have I told you the river is too far away?"

"Seven," you answer.

Steve is quiet. You can feel him behind you, but you make no effort to turn around. Instead you watch your little fish dance in the rippling river current, getting farther and farther away as it becomes clear you have nothing left to offer.

"At least you ate," says Steve, taking a few steps and sitting cross-legged at your side, picking up your plastic sandwich wrapper. But he looks at you, and follows your gaze to the silvery scales in the water. "Except, you didn't eat, did you?"

"Pudge was hungry," you shrug.

"I cannot believe I understand that reference," he chuckles, shaking his head. You look to him skeptically. But he nods in affirmation. "It was on my list," he says, shrugging.

You try to fight the smile tugging at your lips but you can't, and you let out a laugh beneath your breath as you look back to your little silver fish, who is nowhere to be seen.

"So," you say, glancing over at Steve. "Any luck today?"

You expect the usual head shake and "we'll try again tomorrow" speech Steve has given you every day for the last week. After discovering that Congressman Wenham owned the bank account in question, it had only taken a few hours for you and Steve to discover that he had all but gone underground. Every day since Steve has been making calls, but he hasn't heard anything. You have no reason to believe today will be any different.  But instead of his usual stoic frown, he gives you a side-eyed grin and picks up a rock, skipping it a few times across the water before answering.

"Depends," he says.

You perk up, turning your body to face him fully. "Wait, really?" you ask. "You have something?"

"Well," Steve says, skipping another rock. "Rumor has it the good Congressman is at his estate in North Carolina."

"You found him?" you ask, eyes growing wide.

"Mhmm," Steve says.

"Well then why are we still here?" you ask, using his shoulder to push yourself up, wincing as you do. "Let's go!"

"Woah there," Steve laughs. "Unfortunately it's not gonna be that easy."

"Why not?" you ask.

"He's hired security," Steve says. "A lot of it. And I don't recognize the men. Neither does Maria. We think...well, it's not good," he says, letting out a deep sigh.