Bucky's Anchor

Chapter 67 - Fighting for Redemption

The night before the final confrontation, tension hangs heavy in the air. We're back at the safe house, and Bucky sits across from me at the table, staring at the map spread out before him. He's quiet, more withdrawn than usual, and I can see the conflict written on his face. It's in the way his fingers trace over the lines on the map, how his jaw tightens whenever he thinks too long. The battle that's coming isn't just physical for him; it's emotional, it's everything he's been fighting to avoid.

I lean forward, reaching across the table to touch his hand. "You don't have to carry this alone," I say, my voice soft but firm. He glances up at me, his blue eyes clouded with worry. For a moment, he doesn't say anything, just studies my face like he's searching for an answer that won't come easy.

"I know," he finally replies, his voice quiet. "But this... this is something I need to do. For us. For everyone."

I can feel the weight of his words, and it takes everything in me to hold back my own fear. I want to tell him about the baby. Every part of me screams to let him know, to give him something to hold on to before he steps into what could be the most dangerous fight of his life. But looking at him now, I know this isn't the right time.

Instead, I squeeze his hand gently. "I'm proud of you," I say, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to stay calm. "No matter what happens out there, know that I love you."

He looks at me then, really looks at me, and for a moment, I see the Bucky I know so well—the man who's fought tooth and nail to find redemption. His eyes soften, and he reaches across the table to cup my face in his hands, his thumb brushing my cheek.

"I love you too," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "I just... I want this to be over. I want to come back to you and make this right."

I nod, feeling the sting of tears behind my eyes, but I don't let them fall. "You will," I tell him, my voice steadier than I feel. "You'll come back to me."

---

The day of the battle arrives, and everything feels too quiet, like the world is holding its breath. Sam, now donning the mantle of Captain America, leads the charge, and Bucky is right there by his side. I watch from a safe location, my heart hammering in my chest, knowing there's nothing I can do but wait. Every instinct I have is screaming at me to stay close to Bucky, to protect him in whatever way I can, but I know this fight is something he has to face.

From my vantage point, I can see the chaos unfolding. The Flag Smashers have fortified themselves in a building downtown, their forces spread out like a net, ready to ensnare anyone who comes too close. But Sam and Bucky are relentless. Sam takes to the sky, his new wings cutting through the air with precision, while Bucky moves on the ground, every movement calculated and deadly.

I clutch my phone tightly, watching through the feed as Bucky fights his way through the crowd, his Vibranium arm a blur of motion as he disarms and disables the Flag Smashers without hesitation. But this isn't the Winter Soldier. This is Bucky Barnes—fighting to protect, to save.

"Please be safe," I whisper, though I know he can't hear me. My hands shake as I watch the battle unfold, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

Sam swoops in, using his shield to knock a Flag Smasher off their feet, but it's Bucky who catches my eye. He's different today—focused, determined in a way I haven't seen in a long time. It's as if this fight means more than just survival; it's about proving something to himself, about showing the world that he is more than his past.

---

As the battle rages on, Bucky's actions stand out. He doesn't fight like the others. While the rest of the team is focused on neutralizing the enemy, Bucky's focus is elsewhere—on saving lives. He moves through the battlefield with a purpose, pulling civilians out of harm's way, guiding them to safety with an intensity that makes my heart swell with pride.

At one point, a building starts to crumble, debris falling from above, and without hesitation, Bucky dives in. His Vibranium arm deflects the falling rubble, protecting a family trapped beneath the wreckage. He lifts the debris with a strength I've seen him use countless times, but this time, there's no anger behind it. Just determination. He pulls the family to safety, guiding them to a secure area before returning to the fight without so much as a second thought.

Tears sting my eyes as I watch him. This is the man I love. The man who's fought so hard to be more than what he was made to be.

The battle continues to intensify, and I lose sight of him for a moment, my heart racing as I search the screen for any sign of him. Then I see him again, this time facing off with one of the Flag Smashers. But instead of fighting, he's talking to them. I can't hear what he's saying, but I can see the tension in his body, the way his shoulders relax slightly as he gestures to the rubble around them.

The Flag Smasher hesitates, clearly confused by Bucky's approach. And then, in a move that takes me by surprise, Bucky extends his hand. The Flag Smasher stares at him, uncertainty flickering in their eyes, before reluctantly taking his hand. Bucky pulls them to their feet, nodding before leading them to safety.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my heart swelling with pride. He's not just fighting for himself anymore. He's fighting for a world where people like him—and like Karli—can choose to be something more. Something better.

As the battle begins to wind down, I see Bucky standing in the middle of the chaos, his chest heaving as he surveys the damage. He looks tired, but there's a calmness in his expression that I haven't seen before. The battle may be over, but something inside him has changed.

He's found his peace.

---

As the fighting dies down, Sam lands beside Bucky, his shield gleaming in the fading light. They exchange a look, one that says more than words ever could. They've made it through another battle—together. Sam claps Bucky on the shoulder, and I watch as Bucky offers him a small, tired smile. It's a quiet moment, but it speaks volumes.

Finally, Bucky turns and walks toward the area where I'm standing, his eyes locking onto mine. My heart skips a beat as I see the exhaustion in his face, but also the relief. He made it through.

When he reaches me, I can't hold back any longer. I rush to him, wrapping my arms around him as tightly as I can. He pulls me close, resting his chin on top of my head as he lets out a long, shaky breath.

"You did it," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You saved them."

He nods, but I can feel the weight of the battle still lingering in his body. "It wasn't just me," he says quietly, his voice hoarse. "But... thank you."

I pull back slightly, looking up at him. There's so much I want to say, so much I've been holding back. And now, in this moment, I know it's time.

"I have something to tell you, Bucky," I say, my voice trembling. His eyes search mine, concern flickering across his face.

"What is it?" he asks, his hands tightening around mine.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the words sitting heavily on my chest. "I'm pregnant."

For a moment, everything goes still. Bucky's eyes widen, and I can see the shock written across his face. He stares at me, as if he's trying to process what I've just said, and then, slowly, a look of joy begins to spread across his features.

"We're... we're going to have a baby?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, tears brimming in my eyes as I smile up at him. "Yes, Bucky. We're going to be parents."

His expression softens, and before I know it, he's pulling me into his arms again, holding me so tightly it's as if he's afraid I'll slip away. "I don't know what I did to deserve this," he murmurs against my hair, his voice breaking slightly. "But... thank you."

I close my eyes, resting my head against his chest, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like everything is going to be okay.