Memories || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 13

2016
I remember putting a movie on last night, and Bucky pulling me in to sit closer to him. I put a pillow on his lap and laid down there. He was caressing my head and brushing his fingers through my hair while we were both watching the TV.

But now the TV is off and sunlight is poking through the curtain. That's when I slowly realize I must've fallen asleep in the middle of the movie.

My head is still on Bucky's lap. I sit up and I start rubbing my eyes. I hear Bucky's sharp inhale and he starts rubbing his face too.

"Why didn't you wake me?" I wonder

"Because you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to risk bothering you" he answers

"So you slept too? Sitting up?"

"I've had worse, doll" he pulls me closer and kisses my cheek. "Love you" he kisses my lips this time

"I love you too".

He has been reminding me that he loves me randomly here and there, which makes me so happy. It's adorable. We've just started feeling like a couple again. Maybe not the same couple we were 70 years ago, but we are certainly enjoying ourselves.

Bucky's adjustment amazes me. His nightmares have stopped, he has been remembering plenty of things, and he has started figuring out technology. He even has his own phone now -I got it for him so he'd stop stealing mine to play games. But we're going to have a problem if he figures out online dating.

"Do you want to go out for breakfast today?" Bucky suggests out of nowhere

"Do you want to go out in daylight with me?" I ask, surprised by his suggestion.

We've never gone out in public during the day. He always feels like hiding when we're being seen.

"I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't. I really want us to slowly get to a somewhat normal routine" he explains

"And you're totally comfortable with it?" I ask to confirm

"I feel like challenging myself today" he gives me a reassuring smile

"Ok then" I smile back.

I get up and I go to the bedroom. Bucky changes quickly into some new clothes and goes back to the living room. I hear the TV turn on but I don't pay much attention as I get ready.

"We should go to Ser..." my sentence dies as I notice the concerned look on Bucky's face who watches the news.

I turn to the TV too.

"...more than 70 have been injured and at least 12 are dead, including Wakanda's King T'Chaka. Officials have released a video of the suspect responsible for the explosion, who they have identified as James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier. The infamous HYDRA agent linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinat--".

I turn off the TV and I throw the remote away. I try to swallow the lumb in my throat as I come closer to Bucky. I place my hand on his shoulder. He lets out a long breath as soon as I touch him.

"It's going to be ok. We know you didn't do this. We can leave--" I suggest

"It's too late for that. They're already here" he says.

He turns to me and holds my face. "Stay out of this. I will handle this. Please, go hide and be safe. I'll come find you"

"No, I'm not leaving you"

"You aren't. But I need to know you're safe"

"I know how to stay safe. I've played the survival game long enough. So no, I'm staying with you".

He opens his mouth to respond but we hear someone trying to open the door. Bucky flexes his arm and I form a very pointy icicle in my hand.

"Steve?"

"Emily. Buck..." he replies shutting the door behind him.

"Sure, come in. Would you like something to drink?" I ask ironically.
"What the hell are you doing here?!".

He ignores me and looks at Bucky. After 70 years, it still feels like I'm third-wheeling.

"Buck, you need to come with me"

"I'm not going anywhere" he replies

"I know you're nervous, but the people who are coming don't plan on taking you alive"

"That's probably smart...".

We hear agents walking outside the door. Bucky steps forward and turns to me, keeping his back at Steve.

"Please, go" he tries one more time

"I'm not letting you go alone in the battlefield again" I insist.

Because the last time my Bucky went to battle, he didn't come back. I'm not risking that happening again. If he dies, I go with him. I won't live without him again.

He looks in my eyes, as I fight the tears. I'm sure he knows that he won't be able to change my mind on this one.

More noises come from outside.

"This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck" Steve says

"It always ends in a fight. And I have to protect what's mine".

A bomb comes in from the window and Bucky immediately covers me. He kicks it to Steve, who puts his shield over it and contains the explosion.

I proceed to freeze the door in order to stall them from coming in. Bucky breaks the window but Steve grabs his arm. Bucky punches him to the ground and leaves him there.

I follow Bucky out the window and he holds my waist tightly as we go down by the side of the building. Then we start running. Quickly, I am reminded of how fast he is.

With the corner of my eye, I see a motorcycle by the side of the street. I let Bucky run further as I take it, and I meet him a few seconds later. He sees me and almost smiles relieved. He actually stops an ongoing motorcycle and takes it for himself.

This was hotter than I expected. "We are going to have a lot of angry sex after this" I say.

He chuckles and we both go faster. We are speeding side by side, avoiding anything that comes in our way, while police, Steve and someone in a black suit are chasing us.

I lean to the side, and with one hand I lay ice on the road, causing any running vehicle behind us to slide away.

"Nice" Bucky says

"Thanks".

As the word leaves my mouth, something metallic hits my wheel and explodes. I get thrown several feet away and despite my attempts to ease the fall, I crash on the rough ground.