I Let My Soldier Go

My entry for BeautifulBlues's second one shot contest.

2249 Words.

|||Modern Day|||

You sat in the hospital, your husband, James Buchanan Barnes, laying on a hospital bed. You held his hand in yours. He was asleep at the moment. You stared at his peaceful, wrinkled face. You thought about what a charmer he had been when you had met back in the 40's. That had been long ago. He had been healthy. He wasn't the same man anymore. Now he was fighting a brain tumor, and you knew that he wasn't going to come back from this war-not like he had years ago.

|||1943|||

You stood in your family's small Brooklyn apartment. You were in the small room that you shared with your two sisters. You were expecting your boyfriend, Bucky, to pick you up any minute. He was going to take you out dancing. You nervously straightened the locket he had given you the night before. He had told you that he loved you and gave it to you. You couldn't help but love the man, even if he was a flirt sometimes. You were wearing your favorite dress. It was (Y/F/C). Bucky said that it looked perfect on you. Just then, your younger sister, Nancy (if that's your name, change it to Jane), came in.

"He's here, (Y/N)."

"Thanks, sis. Tell him I'll be right out. Don't bug him too much." Your sister rolled her eyes and left the room. You turned back to the mirror and put on red lipstick. You checked your hair again for the 5th time in the last 3 minutes. You knew you were ready. You walked out and saw Bucky talking to your mother and father, his back to you. Your father smiled when he saw you, which caused Bucky to turn and look at you. He stared at you, his eyes wide. You gave him a big smile. He turned back to your parents.

"I'll have her back by 10." They nodded, smiling at both of you. He took your arm and escorted you outside.

"You look fantastic, doll." You were about to return the complement when you realized what he was wearing-a military uniform. Your eyes grew wide as you silently stared at him.

"Buck, what are you wearing?" He froze and turned to look at you.

"A uniform. I...I enlisted, (Y/N)." Your stomach dropped.

"What? Why?" You ask quickly.

"They need men to go fight the Nazis, (Y/N). I had to." He keeps walking, but you make him stop.

"Bucky, when are you leaving?" He sighs.

"Tomorrow." He says quietly. "I was gonna tell you, darlin'. I promise, I was, but I didn't want you to get upset. I wanted this to be one last happy night that we can share together before I leave. What do ya say? Will you give me one last happy night with you that I can always remember?" He stares into your (E/C) eyes with his bright blue ones.

"Anything for you, Buck." You take his arm again.

"That's what I wanted to hear, doll. Now, lets go have some fun." You two start walking again.

Bucky took you out to see a movie, then he took you to your favorite dance hall. As you were dancing, a song that you two had always loved, "I'll Never Smile Again" started to play, but this time as you two danced to it, it felt realistic. After you two had danced for a while, and you both felt winded, he got you two some drinks, and you sat together at a table.

"I'm gonna miss you so much, (Y/N)." Said Bucky, suddenly.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Bucky." You then noticed a blonde girl over at the bar making eyes at Bucky. You death glared over at her. He was your man, and even if he was leaving tomorrow, he would still be yours. She ignored you and kept staring at Bucky. He finally noticed and gave her a small smile before turning back to you. He saw you giving her the death glare and laughed. It snapped you out of your evil staring trance.