The Assassin & The Mercenary

Chapter 8

We sat back down on the picnic blanket and attempted to continue our sense of peace but it turned into more of an awkward conversation with lots of unspoken things hesitating behind every spoken parallel. The conversation eventually settled and left a slightly more comforting silence in its place.

"James" I spoke with hesitation evident throughout his name before looking at him and continuing. "I am really enjoying this day with you, minus the unfortunate interruption from my ex. Before we head back, I was wondering if you'd be willing to grab some dessert from the diner."

He looked to me, obvious to me that he was still partially lost in his thoughts, and nodded silently in agreement. Moxis, who was curled up under a nearby oak tree, perked up when she heard us starting to leave and jumped up to run over to us.

As we started walking towards my favorite diner to grab some malts, I felt his right hand slide into mine. His palm felt warm and I felt the tension radiating from him loosen as he adjusted his grip.

When we got to the diner, he opened the door for me before asking for my order and sending me to grab a table. Moxis followed me to our usual table that was tucked in the corner of the diner where I could be hidden but see everything else that went on around me.

After about 5 minutes James came back over with a small smile on his face as well as our malts and my usual mac n cheese order. He sat everything down while sliding into the booth next to where I sat. I noticed the cherry tint on his cheeks and wondered the cause.

"James?" he hummed with curiosity before looking over to me "I was wondering why you were smiling just now and then had a blush."

"I've uh... I've just been really happy about today. I really appreciate everything you have done for me today. It means a lot to me." He glanced away and I saw his facade break as he thought about leaving for Europe tomorrow. "And I've been thinking about how you kissed me back outside the Flatiron building. It's all I could think about for the past several months and I'm glad the feelings aren't one sided."

I looked at him with a sense of confusion and disbelief. "What do you mean 'several months'? I've only known you for the past month."

"Well, I saw you in a jazz club uptown, about 6 months ago and couldn't get you out of my head for the following months. I thought I would never see you again but imagine my surprise when I saw it was you who helped Steve in that alley that day." I felt him reach for my hand beneath the table as he talked, running his thumb over my knuckles.

As I continued to gaze at him, I saw him turn to look at me with a little bit of adoration in his eyes.

"I really enjoyed today, and I know I have to ship out tomorrow but maybe" he licked his lips as his nerves got to him "maybe we can continue this connection when I'm over there? See where this goes? I know you said you will be in Europe a lot too and in a lot of the same spots as me as well."

"You know what? Yeah" he started to perk up as I spoke "lets see where this goes. Maybe it wont be a normal relationship but I never cared much for normal anyways."

"So you'll be my girlfriend?" he spoke with muffled excitement.

"Yeah James. I'll be your girlfriend. But only if you'll be my boyfriend."

"Yeah! I'll be honored to be regarded as such."

We continued our dessert and my mac n cheese with a air of peace and pleasant conversations. We cleaned up right as the street lights lit up. As we exited, he slipped his hand into mine and we walked back towards my apartment. I could tell he still had something on his mind as we walked.

"Whats going on in your mind James?"

"I was just wondering why you call me James. Everyone calls me Bucky unless I'm in serious trouble with someone. You're the only person who calls me James."

"Well, I call you James because you mean something to me. You're different to me so I thought I would find a way to be different to you. Would you rather me use Bucky?"

"I actually like hearing James from you better."

"Well then James it is." We continued our walk home with a constant yet calm hum of conversation between us. Moxis walked below our intertwined hands. As we reached my apartment and walked towards my door, our pace slowed. Neither of us were too willing to go our separate ways.

We stopped in front of my second story apartment door, and I turned around to wish him a good night. We gazed at each other for a good minute before Moxis started whining to be let inside. Since Howard was out tonight, it was just me and her for the night.

"So, I guess this is goodnight." he said as he glanced around my face.

"I guess it is. At least for now." my gaze stuck in his eyes.

"I have a favor to ask, if it's not too much. You could always say n-'

"Jamie. I'm going to be on the same ship out in the morning. I'll meet you at the dock, okay?"

"Okay! I'll see you tomorrow." I could see his serotonin levels calm down as he inched closer to me.

"Tomorrow at the harbor. See you then. Night Jamie."

We were standing mere inches apart as tension rose. And while his gaze changed, his expression remained. I could feel his stuttered breath along my forehead due to our heights. I slowly looked up from staring at his rose lips, tracing his sharp features towards his eyes.

When our eyes met he brought his left hand up to cup my jaw, thumb in front of my ear while his fingers felt the desire to gently tangle through the hairs on the nape of my neck. He gazed deeply in my eyes, searching for permission before finding it in the slight nod of my head.

I could tell this was different than our first. The way our lips fit together like a puzzle finding its missing piece. Along with the way my breathing attempted to stop as I felt his lips start to move on mine. The way it felt that he was sampling a french wine and trying to determine its secrets while savoring his favorite snack.

Quicker than I would've wished, he drew back with a nip to my bottom lip. My eyes fluttered open to find his half hooded eyes looking down at me.

"Night Lizzy. See you at 9 am. Sleep tight." he slowly turned on his heel and walked a few feet away before turning back to me while leaning onto the guard rail.

I mumbled another set of incoherent departing words before ducking into my apartment. Crimson red face on full display. As soon as I closed the door behind me, I could see him turn around and walk away. I looked out the glass window in my door to see him run a hand through his hair as If he was nervous. Right before he pumped his arm in a victory motion.

I turned around to rest my back on the door while gently brushing my fingertips over my lips. I dont know how much time I spent on the door, bathing in the feeling he left behind with me, before Moxis came to get me for bed. 

I ended that day in unmoderated bliss. Basking in the warm glow that came from the lingering butterflies in my stomach. Knowing that James ended the day the same way, laying in his bed, thinking of nothing but us.