𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒. ( 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 ) ✓

xii. WHERE I WANT TO BE

You had noticed that recently Bucky wasn't as happy. Although the two of you were in a great relationship and Bucky was now a decent friend to the rest of the team you knew something was wrong. There were several moments when you would all be having a conversation and you would catch Bucky's smile fade and you could tell he'd tuned out of the conversation. Or sometimes when you had days off, he'd walk around the city for hours and not return until late. You got the feeling that he didn't want to be around anymore.

So when the day came when you landed in Romania for a mission with the rest of the team, you knew what you had to do. "Bucky and (Y/N) can take the east corridor on the top floor." Steve directed and Bucky sent you a thin lipped smile.

Just as the two of you were going to exit the jet, you tugged on Bucky's arm to hold him back. "Hey, I wanted to... I-"

"What is it, doll?"

You inhaled sharply and tried to avoid eye contact. "I know you want to leave. Leave the Avengers tower or just the country and I don't want to... I don't want to stop you. So I'm telling you now that I'm giving you the chance to go back to your safe house and I won't tell anyone and I won't try and find you. I just w-want you to be happy," Your voice began to break and Bucky's eyes fluttered shut, knowing that every word about him was true. " So if you want to go. You can go. I'll go clear the floor and when I get back, if you're not here, I'll understand."

You turned on your heel quickly wiping a tear and proceeded to walk into the building despite Bucky calling your name.

-

"Buck and (Y/N) is your floor clear?" Steve called over the intercom as you returned to the jet. When there was no response from Bucky, you knew he'd left and most likely ditched his earpiece.

You entered the jet and leaned back on the door, rubbing at your forehead.

"Rough mission?" Bucky's voice sounded and your eyes snapped open in suprise. "You stayed?" He opened his arms and the two of you shared a hug.

"You were right, I did want to leave. It just never felt like I was fitting in with the others but then I realised that the reason I could never go was you. I wouldn't be as happy elsewhere as I am with you."

He pressed a kiss on your forehead and the sensation of his warm lips made you smile against his

"I'm already close enough to where I want to be."