The Soldier's Love

Chapter 13

My POV

I watched the tv shaking my head as Sam relinquished the shield. I didn't understand, but I knew it was a heavy decision on Sam's part. I looked over, hearing my phone ring and saw Sam's name, picking it up and I mumbled a hello.

"Hey, is Artemis fully retired? Could use your help with something."

"As long as I still fit in that suit, Where am I meeting you?" I wrote the address and grabbed a duffle bag, packing all my things as I left the crappy apartment I was staying in. When I got to the air hanger, I saw Sam as I waved hello hugging him.

"What are we fighting?" I asked as he introduced me to a soldier, Torres, before getting into the whole story so far about this 'Flagsmashers' group. Nodding, agreeing to tag-a-long, Sam and I stood in the hangar while they prepped the airplane.

"You've said nothing yet." Sam spoke up first after a few minutes of silence.

"Nothing to say. You did what you thought you had to do." I looked at him before we both heard a door slamming. The shiver down my back told me everything I needed to know before I even heard his voice, not needing to turn around to see who was angry.

"You shouldn't have given up the shield, Sam." Bucky...No. James. I groaned internally, not even thinking about him showing up. I heard them talking as I kept staring forward, feeling a set of eyes on me. Sam cleared his throat as I took a deep breath and mustered my best 'I don't care' face before turning around to get a look at him. He was just as handsome as ever. He even got a haircut, which sucks... I liked the long hair. Wait. No. You don't. He's not yours anymore. But those beautiful eyes...

"So..." Sam starred trying to clear the air as we stood staring at each other. Bucky didn't even move his gaze. His eyes burned into mine.

"Hi..." His voice was less angry, being replaced by the sound of loss. Of want. Of Need. So soft that he was almost whispering.

"James." I cleared my throat, every second of me staring, making it harder to mask my heart hurting. You could tell when I said his name and not Bucky it hurt him, Good. I shuffled awkwardly as Sam and Bucky started bickering about 'The Big Three.' So dumb. Androids, fine. Aliens? Done that. Wizards? Did I count as a wizard? Doctor Strange was one, but I've only met him once. Torres shouted once the airplane was ready, and I boarded, seeing both boys after me. Oh, great... Bucky's joining? Ugh. Not Bucky. James. Use James. It's better off...

I grabbed onto a handle, opting to stand rather than sit as we took off. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath as I gripped harder, leaning forward, letting my mind wander. Those blue eyes are the only thing to come to mind. His voice whisper sweet things in different languages. Russian. Romanian. English. 'My Păpuşă.' 'My Doll.' I shot my eyes open and burned as I held back my tears, feeling those two sets of eyes on me again.

~

Bucky POV

"You shouldn't have given up the shield Sam." I was furious at Sam. Steve gave him the shield. Steve wanted him to be Captain America. If Steve was wrong about Sam... I stormed up to him, having tunnel vision until I realized he wasn't alone, stopping in my tracks as the air was sucked out from me. Her. There you were, turned around, but...you were here. I heard Sam clear his throat as you moved, turning around so I could see your face. Still beautiful as ever. Those eyes were haunting, dragging me down the rabbit hole as I kept staring, unable to break away.

"So..." Say something. Anything. I miss you. I love you. I'm sorry. Come back to me.

"Hi," I whispered, afraid that she was just a dream. That I was in one of my sick nightmares and I would wake up without her.