Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes Imagines

7. Steve - You Came Back

"Two weeks is a long time," you murmured against his chest, your arms tightening around him like that would stop him from leaving.

"I know," Steve sighed, pressing his lips to your forehead, "But it'll go by quickly for you, you'll see. Bucky will be here to annoy you, if that makes you feel better."

"He always does" You chuckled slightly, leaning back to smile up at him. "Don't do anything stupid, okay? I need you to come back to me."

He laughed, "I promise."

You got on your toes to press your lips to his, wrapping your arms around his neck. He kissed you back without hesitation, but sooner than you would have like he pulled back, a small smile on his lips. You were really going to miss that for the next couple of weeks.

"I'll be back before you know it," he grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes. You'd both miss each other quite a bit, and you could see it in his face now. But that's what came with being an agent - missions came and sometimes they would last for a while. You both understood that, and decided to be in a relationship anyway. 

You nodded, smiling back as you hugged him a last time before he left, shutting the door behind him. You stared at the door, murmuring to yourself, "He'll be back. He'll be back."

"It's been months Y/N. It's been so many damn months and you're still sulking here, not going on with your life. I'm sick of it! And now you think you're just going to resign?"

You didn't even flinch when Natasha said this to you, just closing your eyes and sighing. She didn't get it. No one did, except maybe Bucky. He was going through the same pain that you were, maybe even worse.

Truth was, the entire team was in a slump. Steve hadn't been on a solo mission, but your team wasn't with him either - his unit came back without him. Bucky and Sam went to look for him despite Fury's direct orders not to, and Natasha had to literally hold you back from following them. When they came back with no trace of anything, you had given up hope. You didn't know if he was dead or alive, and you didn't even want to think about it - but after several months and nothing numbing the pain, you had to get out. 

"I'm sorry," you muttered, standing up and facing her, though you thought you probably looked more hurt than angry like you had intended, "But I need you to back off, Natasha. I've made my decision."

Her angry expression dropped slightly when she realized you were serious. She folded her arms, "Are you actually leaving SHIELD?"

You rubbed your arm, nodding. "I can't do it anymore, Nat. There's a constant reminder everywhere I go that's he's gone...and you're right, I need to move on. I can't do that here."

"You're one of our best agents, Y/N," Natasha sighed, "Maybe just take some time off-"

"Please don't make this harder on me," You said quietly, biting your lip to hold in tears, "I can't be here anymore Natasha. I've given up."

She opened her mouth to protest but decided against it, just leaning against the table and looking upset. She had lost a friend too when Steve disappeared, but she knew enough about how stubborn you are. Nothing would change your mind.

"You have to be the one to tell Bucky. You're all he has now," she said as you were leaving. You stopped by the door, barely turning back to reply.

"I know."

"I don't blame you," Bucky finally said, meeting your eyes, "But you shouldn't go through this alone. Where will you even go?"