𝓗𝓮𝓻𝓸

New Life

Not a moment went by where you didn't cross his mind, Bucky was captured by Hydra once again, but he didn't blame you, he never would. He couldn't help but feel lonely without you though, his next attempt to escape would be done alone. He knew you got away, he saw you run, but every time the door to the experimentation room opened, his heart rate would pick up a bit until he realized every guard came back empty handed. When the final guard walked in with Zola, they both glared at Bucky, he only returned a smirk knowing that he had set you free. Even though he was in that god forsaken chair again, he couldn't help but feel proud at what the two of you had accomplished, if only one of you could escape, he was glad it was you, and would put you before him a million times over if it meant you'd be safe.

He was broken from his thoughts when a guard slapped him across the face. "You think this is funny Mr. Barnes? You took my experiment before I was finished with it!" Zola yelled.

Bucky glared at him, "her!" He gritted through his teeth, correcting Zola. He was appalled that he didn't even see you for what you were, in Zola's eyes you were nothing more than an experiment, a lab rat.

"Of course you would see her's as a life of worth, I assume you think the same about yourself?" Zola snickered, disgusted by the fact that Bucky even spoke to him.

"She got out didn't she? Must be worth something if you had your whole building chasing after her." Bucky stated with confidence, only to be slapped once again by the guard.

"I still needed her powers! You think we won't find her?! She couldn't have gone far Mr. Barnes. Once she's back in our clutches, you will be the one to kill her. She will be your first mission." Zola explained to Bucky, he only laughed in response. "I don't see what's so funny Barnes."

"What's funny is you think you're getting her back. She's gone, and you'll never find her."

Zola knew Bucky was right, be he wasn't about to let him win this. "Start the procedure. This time, thirty minutes. If he doesn't make it, then we will bring him back to try again." Zola said to the guards, venom laced in his tone.

Bucky's eyes widened, but he would go through this torture if it meant you would still be safe. The procedure began and he watched his memories leave him once again as he screamed out in pain. Memories of his family, memories of Steve, of the war, and now even memories of you. All disappearing after they flashed before his eyes. After 30 minutes the procedure was finished and the guards through him in the cell. Zola stood at the cell door to see his work one last time before tomorrow. "Sweet dreams Mr. Barnes." he said in a sarcastic tone.

"Should I know who that is?"

A wicked smile grew on Zola's face, it had finally worked. "No one of importance. Sleep now soldier, tomorrow we begin your training, then you will be put in your cryo tube." With that, the cell door was closed and Bucky looked around the cell. He couldn't help but feel like someone else was supposed to be there with him, that someone was you. After the feeling washed over him, he rested against the wall. He knew this wasn't where he wanted to be, but didn't know where he was to begin with, or where he'd rather be. After that thought he closed his eyes and began to prepare himself for whatever torture was to come tomorrow.

~~

Weeks passed and there was still no sign of Bucky. You began to look for a way to make some money to live comfortably. Months went by, you had been hired at a news stand as well as a diner, but there was still no sign of Bucky. You continued to hold strong though, he promised he would come for you. Seasons changed and the years went on, you began to lose hope that he was even alive anymore. You couldn't live in his apartment anymore, much like his mother, you couldn't stand the thought of being there without him.

It's been seventy years, your appearance didn't change much, you looked as though you were in your early twenties, you were of Asgard after all. You could be thousands of years old and still look thirty. You got a new waitressing job and new apartment in New York. Not a day went by where you didn't think about Bucky, how you wished you never got shot and ruined the escape. You wondered if he was still alive, if he escaped and went on the run. You hoped if he did, then the two of you would cross paths some day. You always wore he dog tag, it gave you a sense of comfort, it made you feel like he was still with you, watching over you, protecting you.

In the span of seventy years you saw a lot of changes. A man named Tony Stark had revealed himself as Iron Man. A man named Bruce Banner had suffered a horrible lab accident after trying to replicate Abrahams serum. You learned about Shield and what they stood for, but the one thing that caught your attention the most was when they pulled a man out of the ice. Captain America, Steve Rogers, Bucky's best friend. You couldn't believe it, Steve was alive after all this time.

One day while you were waiting on tables at the cafe you worked at, you saw him. Your heart skipped a beat, this was Bucky's best friend, and he thought he was dead. Walking over to his table you began to feel your hands tremble. You gave your most convincing smile to appear confident for the man. "Hello sir, what can I get for you today?" You asked, voice slightly shaky.

Steve looked up at you from his menu and gave you as small smile. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it once again and quickly turned back to his menu for a second, looking slightly confused. "You know miss, I'm actually not sure." He said, nervously laughing. He had only been found in the ice about a month ago, so many things were still very new to him. "Any suggestions?" He asked with a shy smile.

You smiled back at him and stood closer to him to look over the menu with him. "Well if you're looking for food we make some pretty delicious sandwiches, you can get them toasted too, we also have scones which are kinda like muffins, oh and we got muffins too! And if you're looking for drinks we got espresso, coffee, tea..." You paused, looking over to him seeing he was slightly confused but still had that same shy smile, "I'm so sorry. I'm rambling aren't I?" You said nervously as you pulled your hair behind your ear.

"No, it's fine! I actually spent half my time here trying to figure out what a scone was." He nervously laughed. "I think I'll just take a coffee and I'll try a scone." He looked up at you and smiled again.

"Alright, I'll be right out with your order." Just as you told him that, another waitress came over so you could clock out for the day, you hadn't realized your shift was over. You turned back to Steve to explain what was about to happen, "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize my day was over. This is Leslie, she's going to be taking over for me." You explained.

"Nice to meet you Leslie." He said smiling at her, she walked away to go get the order in. He turned back to you and brushed his hand over yours, "so since you're shift is over, would you mind joining me?" He asked, you hesitated for a moment and he began to worry "I mean, you don't have to. I just... It's just that... It's just me and I haven't had the chance to meet anyone yet and I -"

"I'd love to, let me just go clock out." You told him sweetly, as well as effectively cutting him off. He smiled at you and let go of your hand, forgetting he was actually holding it in the first place. This was your chance to meet Steve, maybe learn more about Bucky, maybe even talk to him about Bucky. Plus, Steve was easy on the eyes, and you still needed a friend as well. After you clocked out you left your apron behind the counter and placed an order in for yourself so Steve wouldn't be the only one eating. You nervously walked back over to Steve's table and sat down, this would be an interesting meal.