Just Him&I: In Universe of Cruelty

Part 35

The spring wind gently blew through my hair, warmly touching the delicate skin of my face. I squinted slightly, inhaling the scent of pine branches, sweet blueberries, green grass, and... his perfume with hints of tobacco and whiskey. His presence was hard to miss, with the characteristic crunching of branches under heavy steps and the rustling of leaves—no one would have missed it, not even a deaf person. Our little tourist retreat, hidden in the quiet forests of northeastern Romania, was located somewhere here. The air was incredibly clean, and nature simply amazed with its beauty, leaving you breathless. I remembered when we first met here with James, so I decided not to break tradition and spend the upcoming months in this wonderful place. The shootings and killings had really worn us down, so it was only fair to go somewhere far for a "honeymoon."

— Te aud!* — I turned my face 180 degrees, hoping to see him. But before me stood a dog with gray, smooth fur and the sweetest expression on its face.

— Jess, what are you doing here? You should be at home. — I gently patted her on the ear, the spot she liked most, and smiled brightly. She was the same dog that tried to steal food the first time I visited after the fight with James. When we came home to pack our things, we saw her by our entrance, and my conscience wouldn't let me leave the dog outside. So Bucky had to accept and get used to the new member of our small but very friendly family. Although he wasn't thrilled about her, I could see how his eyes lit up when he went out in the morning to walk her.

I took a step back, and Jess happily wagged her tail as if smiling at me in response. She immediately darted deeper into the forest, and I laughed loudly, watching her disappear into the trees.

Someone tall grabbed me by the waist and lifted me into their arms, pressing me to them so quickly that I didn't understand what was happening. When it finally dawned on me, I prepared to elbow the attacker, but he stopped me, and I met a pair of blue-gray eyes. I exhaled in relief, lowering my elbow, and showing my white teeth as I smiled even more.

— Dar tu nu mă auzi!** — he rasped, pressing me harder to him, squeezing my ribs between his fingers.

— I could smell your perfume, actually! — I wrapped my arms around his neck and left a weightless kiss on his neck.

— But you couldn't figure out where I was. Don't play with me! — he hinted at my kiss, and he liked it immensely. I knew this, which is why I teased him.

— It's not fair; you and Jess are in cahoots, confusing me, — I said thoughtfully — I'm not playing with you, it seems. — I smiled and descended to the ground from his arms.

— Do you think they'll manage on their own? — I asked, looking for Jess, who needed to be fed.

— Well, they used to manage somehow. Besides, Steve tells me everything's fine with them, I'd even say it's great. And you need to be protected, stea*** — he took my hand and kissed the top of my head, while winking at me as our gazes met. I saw a few wrinkles that appeared as he smiled and closed my eyes, inhaling the fresh air. He pulled me by the hand toward the house; it was already getting dark outside. Several stars appeared in the sky, and I could already see the outline of the crescent moon.

James easily picked me up in his arms, walking straight ahead.

— James, I can walk myself! — I lightly hit his shoulder, but he didn't pay any attention to me.

— Well, first of all, I need some physical exercise. And secondly, I'm Bucky, I've told you this several times. — It really irritated him when I called him James instead of Bucky. Although I liked seeing how he got nervous and angry. I never thought we'd be together. More likely, that little girl who wanted to protect the big soldier from pain, putting her life on the line. I'm even glad things turned out this way. As they say: "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger"? I don't care, I'm not good with quotes. I live in the moment now, I don't care about the past or the future. I feel how he gently wraps his strong arms around my skinny legs. And he's happy, like a little child.

Our story is just beginning. And if it ends soon, I will find it in every universe just for that one smile and glance in my direction.

With love, Maria Berest!

— I hear you* —
— But you don't hear!** —
— star*** —