That night, I don't sleep well. I toss and turn in bed, barely managing to catch a wink. When I finally do fall asleep, the dreams return, and this time, I know who I'm seeing, making everything even more confusing. The unfamiliar face that feels so familiar in my dreams now finally has a name: James Buchanan Barnes. Bucky Barnes.
"World Exposition of Tomorrow 1943," the newspaper reads in big letters. A festival hosted by Stark Industries. I'm standing at the entrance of the festival with Christa. I'm wearing a white blouse, a brown plaid blazer over it, a matching plaid skirt that reaches my shins, and shoes with a slight heel. I keep scanning the crowd for Bucky, who should be arriving with Steve any moment now. The sky is lit up with colorful lights. Fireworks burst into the air, and a massive replica of the globe is bathed in all kinds of colors. A roller coaster stretches overhead, and it takes my breath away. Everything looks so breathtaking: the multitude of people, the attractions, the cheerful laughter. Everything seems so happy, even in wartime. At that moment, my eyes find Bucky in the crowd, approaching us with Steve. He's wearing his brown uniform, looking as good as ever, which takes my breath away. Steve walks beside him. He's, in contrast to Bucky, rather small and skinny. We've known each other since I can remember. Since we were kids, Steve has been my best friend. Our parents are best friends, so we spent a lot of time together early on. He was also the reason I met Bucky, as they've known each other since school and have always been inseparable. Steve has had a tough time lately. Like Bucky, he wants to join the military and serve our country at the front, but he's always rejected due to his physical condition, which has been hard on him.
"Hey Bucky!" I call out, and seeing his radiant smile warms me. This is the man I love more than anything, and he's mine. Bucky waves at us, and when he reaches Christa and me, he takes my face in his hands. "Hey, Witch," he says and kisses me on the forehead. I close my eyes for a moment, enjoying his closeness. Then we head toward the Stark Industries demonstration, which is about to begin. "Welcome to the Pavilion of Wonders. In the World of Tomorrow. A more significant world. A better world," I hear a speaker say. Bucky leads me by the hand through the building. Christa and Steve follow closely behind. It's all so incredible. What Stark Industries has achieved in recent years and how they've elevated our society to a new level is almost impossible to put into words. Music begins to play. "Oh my God, it's starting!" I exclaim excitedly, pulling Bucky with me. We join the others eagerly watching the presentation. Five women in black uniforms stand in front of a red vintage car on the stage. One of the women speaks into the microphone she's holding. "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark." A man in a black suit and a top hat steps onto the stage, and the woman hands him the microphone. He takes it from her and kisses her on the lips. That's him. The founder of Stark Industries. The man who makes the impossible possible and supplies us with weapons in this war. "Ladies and gentlemen, what if I told you that in a few years, your automobiles won't even touch the ground?" he says to the audience. He can't be serious. How is that even possible? Four of the women remove the tires from the car. Howard flips a switch, and the car begins to float. My mouth falls open. "Holy smokes," I hear Bucky say beside me. Yes, I agree. A moment later, however, sparks fly, and the car crashes back to the ground. I flinch slightly, but Bucky gently grabs my arms to steady me. I look over my shoulder into his blue eyes, and he gives me that smile I adore. "As I said, in a few years, not tonight." There is loud applause and cheering. "Hey Steve, how about we invite the girls to..." Bucky starts to say, but when he turns around, Steve is gone. "He was just here," Christa responds, puzzled. Where could he have gone? "I think I know where he is," Bucky says, and I hook my arm through his. After a few minutes, we arrive at another building. It reads: "United States Armed Services, RECRUITMENT." I think I know what Steve is up to. Not again... We find him in front of a picture of soldiers, and Bucky turns him around by the shoulder. "You don't quite understand what a double date is. Come on, let's take the girls dancing." I have to smile. Dancing with this man is something indescribable. Nowhere else do I feel as weightless as with him. "Go ahead, I'll catch up with you," Steve says. "Come on, Steve. What are you going to do here?" I ask, already knowing the answer, and so does Bucky. "You really want to try again?" Bucky asks him, slightly disbelieving. Steve looks as uncertain as ever when it comes to this topic. The repeated rejections have made his self-confidence even smaller than it already was. "We're at a fair. I'm trying my luck," he says, more to himself. "This isn't a fight in an alley; we're at war," Bucky says a bit louder. Steve is very important to him, and Bucky always worries about him. They are like brothers, even without being of the same bloodline. Bucky had told me that earlier in the day, Steve had been attacked by some fool in an alley. "I know you don't think I'm capable," Steve says to Bucky. That's not true. Bucky would be happy if Steve could finally realize his dreams, but Steve's condition makes his death more a question of when than if. "You don't necessarily have to go to the front. There are other important jobs," Bucky replies. "What should I do then? Collect scrap metal?" Steve asks him, irritated. Bucky's protective instinct annoys him, and I can understand both sides. "Yes, why not," I reply with a shrug. Steve is getting really angry. "I'm not going to work in some factory, Bucky. The men out there risk their lives, you risk your life out there, and I have no right to do anything less. That's what all of you don't understand. It's not about me." I'd reconsider that last statement. "Of course, you want to prove something to everyone," Bucky says to him, because that's exactly what Steve wants. He wants to show those who never believed in him and make those who do proud. His silence confirms it. "Don't do anything stupid until I get back," Bucky says to him. Tomorrow, he'll be leaving again, to England, with the 107th. That's always the hardest part. Saying goodbye without the guarantee of a reunion. I press my fingernails into my palms. "It's not possible, the dumbest one is leaving," Steve responds. Bucky goes to him and hugs him. "You're an idiot." What a farewell. "And you're a fool." Perfect. I shake my head with a smile, but it crumbles a bit as I think again that Bucky is leaving tomorrow. "Take care of yourself," Steve says as we walk away. We head home. "I'll take care of him until you come back," I say with a smile to Bucky, a helpless attempt to ease his worries. He looks at me with a smile and steps in my way, leans down, and kisses me tenderly. Then he takes my hand and runs his finger over my gold wedding ring before pressing another kiss to the back of my hand. "I'm going to miss you," I whisper, and tears well up in my eyes. He takes my face in both hands. "I will always come back to you," he says and gives me a kiss on the forehead.
I will always come back to you.
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This is the first chapter focusing on one of Elora's dreams. Did you recognize it? This scene is from the film *The First Avenger*, and I thought it was quite fitting for the first detailed dream.
"I will always come back to you"
Until next time <3
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Who the hell am I (english version)
FanfictionUPDATES EVERY DAY AT 5 PM! She remembers nothing. Where did she come from? What happened? How did she get here? Where is her family? In short: she doesn't know. For two years, Elora has wandered, never staying in one place for long. Always searching...
