No Time to Die - Bucky Barnes

Chapter 25

The sun is just peeking over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow across the training field below. The sky is awash in warm shades of pink and orange, the kind that makes the air feel thick with the promise of a slow, unhurried day. You shift in your chair, trying to find a more comfortable spot for your back, and the fabric creaks in response. The chill of the early morning is still in the air, but it's balanced by the warmth of the rising sun.

Across from you, Bucky sits quietly, lazy drawing patterns on your legs that are resting on his. He's relaxed, more than you've seen him in a while, with his head leaning back against the backrest, and a half-smile plays on his lips. His metal arm glints softly in the morning light, a contrast to the casual way he has his other arm draped over your knee. His gaze skimmed over the words in today's newspaper. There's a sense of peace between you two, like words would only disrupt the gentle rhythm of the morning.

You take a drag of your cigarette, letting the smoke swirl lazily through the air before the breeze carries it away. The book in your other hand is dog-eared and worn, but you haven't turned a page in some time. Instead, you couldn't help but stare at your soldier sitting in overly large, overly expensive chairs.

"Why am I getting major deja vu with a mix of childhood trauma?" Tony opens the balcony doors, you feel the warm air from the inside a drastic change from the crisp early spring morning air. " It's my teenage years all over again." He huffs as he flops in one of the remaining chairs. Fanning his face dramatically.

Steve followed him out, his expression far more serious as he pulled out a chair and took a seat beside him. He wore that slightly concerned look, the one that made his forehead crease just enough to make him look older than he was.

"Come on, Tony, be serious," Steve said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of concern. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, casting a long glance in Tony's direction and then back at you and Bucky.

"Cap, I am being serious. All that's missing is my hangover and a lecture and it will be like I'm 17 again." Tony leans further back in his chair, pulling out his own pack of cigarettes, mainly untouched. The crease between Steve's brows deepened as he shot a stern look in Bucky's direction. "Bucky, I thought you quit smoking."

Bucky rolled his eyes, already holding a lighter in one hand and another cigarette in the other. He let out a huff of frustration. "I did back when it was killing me," he muttered. But Steve's expression did not budge. "Come on, Steve, just let me have this. It's not like it can kill me. You know with the whole super soldier stuff" With Bucky not being a morning person he continues to argue with Steve about the topic. "And the stuff that Peter gave me. The candy smoke thing, it tastes like ass and not the good kind if you know what I mean." Bucky sends a wink your way. You can feel the blood flowing to your cheeks. You try to cover the blush and the little smile tugging at your lips but you failed to do so.

But you quickly composed yourself sensing that they did not join you outside for a leisure chat. "So what's the real reason you guys came out here? Cause I know it's not for Tony to live his childhood again nor for you," -you say motioning over to Steve -" to scold Bucky for smoking. So out with it."

For a moment, nobody speaks. Finally, Steve clears his throat. "We're here because... well, because we were able to capture one of Sin's followers." A shiver runs through your spine at the mention of her name. You feel the end is near and your powers have nothing to do with the electric feeling deep within your bones.

"And it's worse than before," Tony adds, a rare darkness clouding his eyes. Your heart sinks knowing that it has something to do with the numerous children the team has been saving. He slides a Manila folder over the patio table and you don't hesitate to open it and read inside. Even though you should've hesitated or probably have never even opened it up. You let out a gasp but couldn't take your eyes off the pages.