Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

*Chapter 84 - Moonbugs*

"Moonbug."

"What?"

"They're called moonbugs, princess."

"No," you laugh, sitting up slightly from against James' chest. "They are most definitely not called moonbugs. I don't think I've ever heard anyone call them moonbugs."

James grins and gives you a shrug as that little half-smile tries to melt your heart right into your stomach. With an eyeroll, you lean back into his chest. Your head falls back onto his shoulder as you drag your fingertips across the dewy grass, and the sweet evening winds rolls across the lake top.

Last night, your first night in Wakanda, James had lasted all of an hour after dinner in the palatial suites before getting antsy. You could tell he was going to disappear for a while if you didn't act quick. So slipping a note beneath Steve's door, you took James by the arm and led him out into the courtyard of the palace. It didn't take long until you both had managed to leave the city behind, slipping away to find a small lake hidden in a valley only a couple miles away from the gleaming spirals of the capital building.

It had been beautiful.

But it had already gotten dark by the time you got there, with only starlight to brighten the wilds.

Tonight James has dragged you back to watch the sunset. And the view is immaculate. Nestled into a grassy hollow, the edge of the lake is just past your toes. The only sound is the lazy wind slipping between the tall holler grasses and the gentle rush of the lake's waves as they ebb and flow over the rocks at your feet. You let out a content sigh as you turn your gaze upward, where the sky is bathed in deep orange and light pink as the beginning of night's midnight hue creeps up from the silhouette of the mountains, chasing the golden glow away.

And ahead of you, flitting peacefully over the still lake waters, are the occasional yellow-green flashes of hundreds of little fireflies.

"Where does it come from?" you ask quietly, plucking a few blades of grass as you let your head rest back against his chest, his legs bracketed around your own braced legs, keeping you close.

"Hmm?" James hums, glancing down at you.

"Moonbugs," you say with a small smile. "I mean, I've only heard them called fireflies. Or lightning bugs."

James glances back up at the lake and takes a deep breath, tightening his arms around you as he pulls you closer to his chest.

"Indiana," he breathes out.

"Indiana?" you question.

"Yep," James answers simply. You arch a brow, looking to him in question. He arches a single brow back - expectantly. "You got question, sugar?" he hums.

You scoff. "You're really not going to tell me where the word 'moonbug' comes from, James?"

"I just did, princess," he says nonchalantly, kissing your cheek. "Indiana."

"I have no idea what that means," you state.

"Well, it's a state," James snarks with a playful grin.

"You don't say," you purr. "That's very helpful. Thank you."

James' brow twitches as his gaze narrows, and he watches you expectantly. But when you don't say anything more, genuine intrigue crosses his features. Your interrogator's hackles raise and you push yourself upright, leaning back to take in James' odd expression.

He knows something you don't know.

"What?" you question.

"I should be askin' you 'what'," he grins. "You mean after all that time you spent getting ready to interrogate me, you don't know about Indiana?"