Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 34 - A Gloved Hand

With a frustrated huff, you give your wig one last tug, trying to get the hairline in just the right place before shoving in the final pin and securing the lace with tape on the sides. At least Maria had come up with a human hair piece.

Tucking a strand behind your ear, you admire your handiwork in the hotel's bathroom mirror. Long, elegant locks lightly curled hang loosely past your shoulders - full and sleek in a dark amber. They contrast nicely with your floor-length azure gown. A beautiful A-line masterpiece of silk and lace, off the shoulder with three-quarter length sleeves. 

Although neither the dress, nor the hair, nor the smoky eye and simple lip make you feel as immaculate as your first warm shower in months had. Finally smelling like something other than apples and sewage, you had nearly cried the moment you stepped into the hotel's bathroom. It had been quite silly, but without frequent dosages of your medication you've found yourself prone to more frequent displays of emotion. And there was something about the way the shower had steamed up the mirror that reminded you of home, your actual home at the Hold, that had inspired a few tears to slide down your cheeks as you hummed that somber melody you sometimes sang as you shampooed. 

"Y/n?"

You glance back to the bathroom door, Steve's soft knocking on the other side letting you know the guys must be ready. 

"Come in," you call.

Steve hesitantly opens the door, but the moment his eyes find yours in the mirror a smile grows on his face.

"Wow," he says. "You look great."

You cast him a grateful smile in the mirror, noticing he's dressed in his black tactical gear from head to toe - clearly ready for his outside perimeter watch. As he nears, you pull your hair over one side of your shoulder. 

"Can you zip me up?" you ask.

Steve walks over and gently pulls up the zipper, then hands you a small black pouch. Velvet, with a single drawstring.

"More gifts?" you ask.

"Maria's good at what she does," he says with a smile.

You pull open the pouch and reach in, pulling out several glitzy pieces. But there's something strange about how the stones are arranged.

"This isn't just jewelry, is it ?" you ask, arching a brow.

Steve grins, plucking one of the diamond studs from your palm. Interestingly enough, it's connected to a diamond chain, with a diamond cuff at the other end. 

"Communication link," Steve says.

You take it and secure the cuff to the upper shell of your ear, letting the chain shine as it connects to the diamond stud, which fastens to your lobe.

"Give it a try Sam," Steve says, shouting out the bathroom door.

"Test, test, test," a voice says in your ear. "Y/n? Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear," you say back.

Steve smiles, and hands you a matching diamond bracelet and necklace, before bending down to pick up your azure heels from the floor.

"Last piece," he says. "Are you sure you'll be okay in these?" he asks nervously.

You furrow your brow, casting a nervous glance at the heels. Although you had started walking again with relative ease for short and even medium length distances, you had only lasted an hour or two in the hells while practicing before your back started to ache. Steve seems to sense your hesitance and digs into his pocket, pulling out your pill bottle and pouring two in his hand, holding them out to you.