Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 38 - Theories

The cabin is smaller than you expected. Well hidden off the road - deeply set far back within the coppice. Even in the winter when all the leaves have fallen, you're certain it'd still be well away from view. 

No wonder the Company didn't have this particular location in its database. SHIELD hid it well.

"Heads up Buck," Steve says as the three of you approach quietly, staying low between the trees. "Light's on. Someone's home."

James grunts in acknowledgment, splitting off to the side and heading left. Your footsteps stutter for a moment, unsure whether to follow Steve straight for the front door or James around to the left side. Habit has you turning towards Steve, when a quiet whistle catches your attention. Subtle enough to be mistaken for a bird, but distinct enough for you to realize it's a call.

Glancing over towards the noise you catch a pair of blue eyes. James has stopped in his advance and beckons for you to follow him instead. Your cheek twitches as you bite back a smile and you change direction, following quietly behind him as the two of you continue your approach. Crouching near the side of the log cabin you hear Steve knock on the front door - an antiquated pattern. But the door opens.

"Rogers," a familiar, sharp voice answers. 

"Maria," Steve answers. 

"Glad you could make it. But I'm sure not the only one."

"What are you talking about?" Steve asks.

"Well, to be frank, I was getting pretty damn tired of being your messenger owl, Rogers."

"Baby?"

Another woman's voice. One you recognize. From the hospital.

You glance at James, whose eyes have gone wide. He stands, taking a quick step towards a nearby window to peer in. You follow, finding a perfect view into what looks like a kitchen. Just to the side stands a woman - her back to you. Frozen in the archway near the front door stands Steve - a look of utter shock on his face. His jaw is dropped as he lets out an exhale, his chest heaving only slightly as the young woman takes an eager step. But she barely has time to take a second step before Steve's trance breaks. He barrels across the room, meeting her in the middle of the kitchen. He wraps his arms tightly around her waist, lifting her off the ground and clinging to her tightly, burying his face in her neck as she wraps her legs around him. Although her back remains to you, you can tell by the movement of her cheek that she's speaking. Whispering in his ear. With each word he seems less steady as his shoulders begin to heave, and he takes a shaky step forward. 

"James," you whisper, "Is that -?"

You turn to finish your question but like a shot James takes off, sprinting around the corner of the cabin and out of sight. Frozen, you watch through the window as he runs into the room and freezes in place the moment he reaches the archway. The woman hears him enter and looks up before whispering something else in Steve's ear. Steve gently sets her down, taking her face in both of his hands and leaning his forehead to hers. He closes his eyes and kisses her passionately before letting her go. When he does, for a brief moment you can see the tears on his face before he turns his back and gestures to James, who still stands frozen and wide-eyed in the room's entrance. 

You shift slightly, trying to get a better view. She lets out a breath and wipes away tears. You can't hear her, but you can see her lips clearly as she greets him. 

"Hi, Buck."

Your heart lurches as she takes a few familiar steps towards him. Carefully she reaches for his shoulder. She rests it there for a moment, almost questioningly, before James unfreezes. He grabs her and pulls her into a tight hug, whispering things into her ear as she smiles wide in surprise. After a moment he pulls away and takes her hand, taking her fingers and guiding them to a specific spot on his left arm. She prods at it for a second as he says something, and suddenly she looks up at him, jaw dropped. A tear slips from her eyes as she once more throws her arms around his neck, pulling him into another tight hug.