AUGUST || Bucky Barnes x OC

51

The sun was slowly setting, and most of the guests had gathered over by the lake to watch the beautiful dance of colors. All the small lights that decorated the entire reception area were starting to turn on, filling the ambiance with even more of a storybook feel.

The dancing and drinking continued long after the sun had set. Rooms were being offered by Winnie to those who were not comfortable driving, and anyone who felt like going straight to bed after a long day of partying. Bruce and Sophie had made their exit a little earlier in the night, and the crowd had grown smaller and smaller after that.

Valerie sat with her feet kicked up on the table, aching from an entire day of running around in heels. Her head was hanging over the back of the chair as she sighed loudly.

"What a fucking day" She exhaled as she rubbed her face.

"Can you believe Bruce is married?" Peter whispered.

"Can you believe you're next?" Valerie peeked over at him, smiling widely.

"I can barely wait" He beamed.

"I know. Me neither" She laughed.

They sat in silence for a few seconds, taking in the songs of the singing cicadas and the light breeze that rustled the trees.

"I got a job offer in London," Valerie finally confessed. It sounded less dramatic this time around.

"What? like...England, London?" Peter straightened in his seat.

Valerie nodded softly.

"What are you gonna do?" He asked softly

"What do you think I should do?" She whispered. Crossing her arms and trying to bury her nerves.

"Did you tell Bucky?" Peter's gaze softened.

There was no response from Valerie. They remained quiet for a few more seconds.

"Yes. I don't think he took it very well." She whispered, tilting her head back again to look up at the stars.

"It's been so nice having you here, Val. Really. Not just for me, but for MJ. She really misses you. More than she lets on." Peter rested his head in his hand.

"I miss you guys too" She smiled sadly at him.

"It's strange isn't it? How everything is so different now. Remember how we used to laugh at people who had to mark their calendars to see each other, or only saw each other at reunions or....weddings?" Peter gestured around. "When did we become those people..." He sighed.

"I don't know. I couldn't tell you if it changed overnight, and we woke up one day and everything was different. Or if it happened slowly overtime, without anyone noticing." She whispered, her eyes locked on the lake behind them. "I couldn't tell you which one of those are worse"

"Whatever you decide, Val...Don't let it be so long until we get to see each other again." Peter got to his feet and gave her a loving pat on the head.

"Night, Parker" She winked at him.

"Night, Banner" He waved behind his head as he walked off to the main house.