Lifeline | A Bucky Barnes fanfiction

chapter 2

Anabela started packing up her things, he texted Sam to let him know she had made the choice to make an appearance at the memorial and that she will need a place to crash once she lands. She was going back to NY, the place she thought she would not see again, at least not in a long time after how things ended with Bucky. She should be good at goodbyes by now but it didn't matter how many times she said goodbye to him, it'd never be easy because she fell in love with him, and she wasn't sure but he fell in love with her too.

The first time she had to say goodbye to him was a month after she had met him and it was already hard.

*FLASHBACK*

"Bucky." Anabela half yelled, coming out of the corner of the abandoned building. "What are you doing here? Anabela, you should've told us." Steve said concerned. "Don't tell Sam, he's going to kill me..." she sighed. "I just wanted to say goodbye." She confessed and immediately wrapped her arms around Bucky's neck, he was taken aback for a second but he slowly gave into the touch and pressed her against his chest with his arm. Steve smiled at the sight of them but tensed again when he Heard a loud noise from outside. "We have to go." He said. "I'll miss you." Anabela whispered and raised on her toes to Kiss his cheek. "Me too, doll." He admitted and took off with Steve... but he looked back one last time at her before finally leaving.

*FLASHBACK*

Then Bucky left AGAIN for Wakanda, she was happy for him, she had Heard from Steve that his time there would help him a lot, he told her he would find the calm he needed and that he was going to start therapy there. Steve used to let her know how he was doing from time to time. Steve knew Anabela cared for Bucky, maybe as much as he did, and he knew Bucky cared for her in his own way, even if he consistently said he was uncapable of love, he knew that Bucky had grown to love her because she showed him love when everyone was against him. Sam knew his friend fell in love with the Winter Soldier and it broke his heart to see her miss him everyday.

Two years passed until they got Bucky back from Wakanda to fight alongside the Avengers when Thanos came into the picture, Anabela didn't understand quite a lot but she knew the two men she loved the most in the world were in danger and that there was a slight chance they wouldn't make it back, she was scared but she also knew they had to try.

*FLASHBACK*

"I know I don't usually say this but I love you." Anabela told Sam and he just snorted. "You make it sound like you're saying goodbye... you ain't getting rid of me that easily, woman." Sam joked as he took her in his arms and kissed her head. "You better come back, Wilson. You gotta stop with this superhero shit, you always leave me alone." She punched his arm and he just laughed. "You might wanna say goodbye to him too." He pushed her to where Bucky was standing talking to Steve.

"Hey." Anabela said making him turn around. "I'll leave you to it." Steve sweetly smiled. "It's good to see you again, doll." He smiled at you. "Why does it feel like everytime I see you, we only get 10 minutes and then we have to say goodbye again." she said and took both of his hands. "I missed you when I was away... I promise I'll try to stay... after this." He brought one of her hands to his chest and kissed it, making her blush. "Just promise you'll get back to me." She sighed hugging him. "I will." He lifted her head to face him. "Can I kiss you?." She whispered looking him in the eyes... he was taken aback for a second but then he slowly pressed his lips against hers, it was sweet and short.

"Now I gotta give Anabela the talk." They both heard Sam barked. "Would you leave already." Anabela turned around to Sam and made everyone laugh. "Just so we're clear... I'm going to be waiting for you...." Anabela told him and he just held her one more time.

*FLASHBACK*

And after they had been reunited again the blip happened... Steve and Anabela learned to rely on each other after losing both of their best Friends.

*FLASHBACK*

"Steve... you're home." Anabela ran to him and hugged him. "Where's Bucky?" She asked... and he remained silent. "... Sam?" She stuttered asking again. "Anabela... I... swear I tried."He whispered against her hair. "I know you did, Cap." She sniffled against his chest. "It's okay." She said. "We'll get through this."

*FLASHBACK*

Anabela and Steve stayed together through the whole 5 years of the blip, they both started conversation groups, they tried to let go of the past but they really couldn't, they would always go back to overthinking what life would be if both Sam and Bucky were here, if everyone else were here.

*FLASHBACK*

"There's a chance." Steve told her. "Please don't give me hope, Steve... I can't say goodbye to him again." She sobbed. "I will bring them back, Anabela... to you." He promised her and he did.

*FLASHBACK*

Everyone missed Steve, you'd think Sam and Bucky were the ones that resented his absence the most but no, Anabela couldn't stop thinking about him, even after the time that had passed. She had spent the most horrible years of her life with him, they were together, navigated the new reality they were given, as brother and sister, they became very protective over each other because it got to the point where they felt they were the only thing left in each others's lives... of course Steve had Natasha and the rest of the Avengers that made it... but he didn't have Bucky or Sam, who were his ride or die for so long... and he knew the only one that understood that was Anabela. Steve felt like he had taken them away from Anabela, even though she kept trying to tell him none of the outcome was his fault, it was hard for both of them but in the end they knew that they at least had each other. When Steve found out there might have been a way to bring both the love of Anabela's life and her brother plus everyone else vanished by the blip, he knew he had to do it no matter the price.