Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 47 - Home, Hope, Hurt

The early dusk air sits on your shoulders as you kneel in the dirt. A neon blue sign across the road paints the threshold of the tiny shop in eerie hues of haunting blue as it flashes "OPEN", and a single red pickup truck with rust around the rims idles in front of the convenience store door. There's no one at the pumps. You knew there wouldn't be. This gas station isn't on any map and the single-lane dirt road is restricted. Your feet still ache from the 8 mile hike.

"Remember," James whispers from beside you, causing you to jump slightly as his voice breaks the silence. "We don't have comms. So you need to stay close."

"Yeah, I know," you whisper back, agitated. It's only the fourteenth time he's reminded you to 'stick to me like glue' since you ditched the bike.

"And if we get separated-"

"Get out and go straight to the safehouse location," you interrupt. "By air, by bike, by train - whatever it takes just get there. Yeah, I got it, James."

Your stomach twists as the sky gets darker overhead. Light purples fade to deep blues as the golden-orange layers on the horizon start to fade. The crickets in the wild grasses grow louder, echoing through the trees, swelling and fading in the chilly, late autumn air. And every second that passes is one more that you're worried you may have missed the daily supply transport.

"Maybe we should go over the plan one more time," James whispers. "When the truck pulls in-"

"I swear to God," you hiss, cutting him off as you keep your eyes glued to where the road meets the sky in the distance . "If you make me walk through the plan one more time I'll punch you in the mouth."

James chuckles quietly from beside you but he quiets, turning on the side of the embankment and laying on his back, closing his eyes. You glance over and do a double take, frowning.

"That doesn't mean you should stop paying attention," you reprimand.

But James doesn't move a muscle. He keeps his eyes closed as he raises a single hand, pointing over his head and behind him towards the convenience store.

"There are two people inside, and a cat in the truck," he says lazily before pointing towards the trees across the road. "There's a frog over there that's driving me nuts, and over there," he says, pointing in the direction you expect to see the Hold's resupply truck appear any minute. "Is nothing. I'll hear it before you see it, princess."

Irritated, you scowl at James before looking back towards the horizon. He may be relaxed, but you don't have the luxury of super soldier senses. You have one shot to infiltrate the supply truck as they're fueling up. If you screw it up, you can kiss your access to the Hold goodbye. Security will be increased and routines will change.

Suddenly, James huffs and rolls to his side. He crouches, taking several steps away. You watch him curiously, but when it becomes clear he's actually going somewhere, you panic for a moment.

"Where the hell are you going?" you hiss.

But James simply looks back and holds a silencing finger to his lips before he rises slightly, glancing both ways before making a dash across the empty dirt road. Your heart lurches and your gaze flits to the front door of the shop. But by the time you look back to find James, he's already back on your side of the road, crouched in the grasses. As he nears your side and lays on his back once more you watch him, brow arched in confusion and frustration.

"What the fuck was that?" you ask. "You could have given us away, James."

"I didn't," he snarks. "And I told you, that frog was driving me crazy."