𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 (𝒃𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒚'𝒔 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏) • 𝒃.𝒃

𝔀𝓮'𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓪 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮

{Previously: You smiled back and a realization hit you. You would never be able to live without that boy.}

Steve sat at the bar with Bucky, "Are you ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?"

Bucky looked down into his glass thinking about you.

It broke his heart to think of putting you through that again, of leaving you, but Steve needed him. This war needed him.

He gave Steve a small melancholy smile, "No. Not him. That kid from Brooklyn, who ran around begging to get his ass kicked. That's who I'm following."

Steve smiled and gave Bucky a pat on the back before leaning back to look over at a nearby table.

"Do you think they'll take the offer too?" Steve asked as he watched the rest of the Howling Commandos get drunk off their asses.

Bucky smirked, "I think they're just dumb enough to."

Steve chuckled and went over to ask them, but Bucky stayed where he was and ran his fingers along the grooves in the wooden bar thinking of a way to break the news to you.

Things had been going good, really good. Bucky hated to ruin this with you, but he hoped that you'd wait for him.

Howls of laughter came from the table across the room and Bucky walked over to see what all the excitement was about.

The Howling Commandos agreed.

Of course they would.

...

You slept comfortably in Bucky's arms and he relished in the heat of your body against his, but he felt a pang of guilt in his chest.

Steve and him were set to leave in two days and he still hasn't been able to tell you. "Tell her or I will," Steve warned him earlier that day.

He couldn't even sleep, so he just held you close as you slept.

"I'll tell her tonight." Bucky promised, but he didn't get the chance.

He hadn't fallen asleep but a couple hours before you got up for the day. You kissed him on the cheek and smiled. Mine, you thought. My love.

You went into the kitchen and found Steve cooking, he'd been up for hours.

"Hey Steve," you greeted softly. You took in the sight of all of the food, "You know you don't have to do all of this, right?"

He nodded and smiled, "I know, but it's the least I could do. Especially since, ya' know, I won't be doing it for a while again."

You tilted your head and frowned, "What do you mean?"

Steve froze.

He then realized that Bucky hadn't told you, and with perfect timing Bucky came out of the room rubbing his eyes.

You were looking back and forth between the two of them, "Steve?" you questioned him and your tone became worried.

He looked down, "You wanna tell her, Buck?"

Bucky's eyes widened. This was definitely not a breakfast conversation, "Uh..."

Your hands rested on your hips, "Tell me what?"

Bucky closed his eyes as his jaw clenched,
"We have to go back."

You stood perfectly still.

Steve intervened, "Schmidt is still out there. We have to take him down for good."

You felt numb. This was like a bad trip. Talk about deja vu.

For a moment it was just silent. Nobody moved or said anything as they waited for your reaction.

You nodded, "I understand." You refused to look at Bucky, you just grabbed your purse and left the apartment quietly because you had to get away.

That broke Bucky's heart more than anything else you could've done. You just...left. He hated to think he could hurt you like this.

He started walking towards the door, but Steve stepped in his way and placed a hand on his chest.

Bucky glared at him with shiny eyes.

"Just give her some time," Steve said sternly.

Bucky wanted to run off after you, but maybe Steve was right.

Maybe you just needed space.