The Blue Siren and the Winter Soldier | Bucky Barnes x OC

Part 16

 "Alright Sarah, love you too. See you soon." Sam hung up the phone and sighed, looking out the window at the passing clouds. Elliana slept peacefully curled up with her head in Bucky's lap. He rubbed her shoulder tenderly, happy to see her safe. She needed rest. He thought back to earlier that day, seeing her exert all that raw power in order to save the city. He couldn't imagine what she had been feeling in those moments. Did she mourn for him? After all, she thought he was dead. She didn't see Sam pull him back from the bomb. She was too concerned with the blast, containing it, making sure it didn't harm the millions of unknowing citizens below. "You're doing that staring thing again," Sam commented. Bucky looked up at him but said nothing. Sam laughed under his breath.

"What?" Bucky asked.

"I can't believe I was stupid enough to not notice that you two were together," Sam said, tongue-in-cheek.

"It's my fault," Bucky sighed, "I should have told you."

Sam smirked, "I see the way you look at her, Buck. That's something special." Bucky rolled his eyes. He couldn't tell if Sam was joking or not. He wasn't in the mood for his smart-ass comments. "I'm being serious, man!" Sam smiled, "I'm happy to see you...content."

Bucky looked down at Elliana. Her breathing was steady and her face calm. Her long coiled hair cascaded down her back and shoulder. He had placed his leather jacket on top of her so she wouldn't be cold. Even while sleeping, he found her incredibly beautiful. "This fight isn't over," Bucky finally said, "We foiled one of Auster's plans, but who knows what else he has up his sleeve."

Sam sighed, "Well, we just gotta get through this one step at a time," He looked down at his phone, "It's been too long since I've seen Sarah and the boys anyway. It'll be nice to be home."

Bucky didn't respond. He looked out at the clouds below them, lost in the sea of light and mist. He was grateful for Sam's kindness, and he too enjoyed being in Louisiana. Delecroix was the first place Bucky had felt at home since living in Brooklyn back in the 1940s. He didn't visit often, but when he did, he was always welcomed with open arms. Though he didn't feel like he quite belonged anywhere, he had slight peace of mind knowing that there was a place for his mind and body to rest. He knew that they'd welcome Elliana just the same. She, like Bucky, was also a lost soul. He didn't want her going back to Riga, as he was almost certain Auster knew where she lived and was planning another kidnapping. From what she described of her past, she didn't want to go back to Virginia either. Delecroix was safest for her, he decided.

Bucky was exhausted but couldn't bring himself to sleep. It was a short flight to Louisiana anyway, but Sam insisted that he get some rest. Bucky had a tumultuous relationship with sleep, to say the least. While it's been better in recent years, mostly due to the fact that he just hasn't been sleeping much at all, he still found himself devoured by nightmares whenever he closed his eyes. Unbeknownst to Elliana, Bucky rarely slept when they were together. He'd often lay awake, staring at the ceiling, with nothing but her soft breathing beside him. And when he did manage to doze off, he was quickly shaken awake by images of Hydra. He was too worn out to even be upset about it anymore.

A soft voice filled the cabin air, "We will be touching down at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in approximately 30 minutes. Please fasten all seatbelts as we prepare for descent."

Bucky rubbed Elliana's shoulder, careful not to startle her, "Hey, Elle. Wake up."

~*~

I opened my eyes, seeing Sam sitting across from me. I had Bucky's leather jacket wrapped around me and my head was resting in his lap. I blinked and looked up at him. Even in my disoriented state I could see him grinning down at me. He was lightly shaking my shoulder. I slowly sat up and yawned.