Tiny Victories

A Day to Remember

Daria returned to the apartment she and Bucky were sharing and collapsed on the mattress, tears soon falling down her face.

Bucky entered the room and knelt in front of Daria. "Hey, what's the matter?"

Daria sniffled and wiped an eye. "Work."

"Do you, uh, want to talk about it?"

"A child I couldn't save. Her parents begged me to help her and I couldn't do a damn thing."

Bucky moved to sit next to Daria. "Daria, you're a wonderful nurse. Anyone in your care is incredibly lucky. Sometimes there are people you can't save, but that's life. It's not fair, and it hurts like hell, but you can't let that win you over. You've got to push on through. This is one tragedy, but tomorrow is another day. There'll be countless more lives you save to the one you don't."

Daria slowly looked at him. "That was oddly inspirational. Thank you."

He gave her a small smile. "Anything I can do to help."

The two stared at each other, saying nothing for a few moments.

Slowly, their faces moved closer and their lips soon interlocked.

Bucky immediately pulled away and shook his head. "You don't want this, Daria. I'm a mess. I don't deserve you. I don't deserve this."

Daria placed a hand on his cheek. "I'll take you battle scarred and all. We're both messes in our own ways, Bucky. If anyone doesn't deserve the other, it's me who doesn't deserve you. You're a good man, Bucky, and I'm incredibly lucky to have met you. After all the tragedy you've been through, you do deserve some good in your life. And I vow now that I'll spend every one of my days helping you see that, helping you believe it."

Bucky gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Daria."

"Always, Bucky."

The two shared a hug and Bucky rested his head on Daria's shoulder while she rested her head on his cheek, running a hand up and down his back in a comforting manner.