Steve and Bucky slide into the gray SUV. Sam picked it. A normal car.
They drive for almost half an hour to get to the city. Then, they keep going. To the broken down neighborhood. As they continue on, Bucky becomes curious as to why they are in this place.
And Steve turns. A small, dim, and crooked looking store lays directly ahead. Painted a forest green, it seems to leak colour and life into the surroundings. Despite the windows being cracked and the siding peeling, the place looks cheery.
"I'll be at Sharon's. Should I come back in like an hour?" Steve questions. Bucky nods quickly, already opening his door.
The glass door triggers a small and almost unnoticeable tinkle above Bucky's head. He glances up and spots a tiny wind chime decorated with blue birds swinging on it's nail. He looks back down and is swallowed by deep brown eyes.
She is sitting behind her small counter, a hardcover open in front of her. "Hi, I'm Ella! Do you want me to show you around?" He allows his better judgement to overcome his fears and nods slightly.
The store resembles a small labyrinth of green, zigzagging to climb the walls and cover the ceiling. A humid and sleepy feeling rests in the air, thickening the quiet sound of familiar music.
The tan skinned girl stands, setting To Kill A Mockingbird aside. She brushes fallen hair out of her eyes as she turns the music up. A faint memory of Clint singing terribly pops into his head as she speaks again, "I don't like missing any of the words. Now what were you looking for today?"
"I don't really know." Bucky admits. "That's quite alright. Do you prefer flowers or something else?" She laughs.
"I like flowers, I guess." Bucky whispers. "Ok! I have something to show you." She turns sharply and heads in another direction. Bucky follows hesitantly.
As she goes, a new song rings through the muggy barriers of vegetation. "Run, girl! Run for those hills, babe! Let go of the dark days. Let go of the world." Ella sings along with the deep voiced male. She starts dancing as she goes, looking a little foolish, but delightful.
Bucky thinks of the swing daancing he remembers, and how robotic and dull it feels compared to the woman here.
She is laughing as she jumps and twirls, her long curly hair whipping through the air. She looks so radiant and free that Bucky wants to freeze the moment and hold it close.
YOU ARE READING
Falling To Earth | b. barnes
FanfictionThe story of a man trying to recover. He has to let go of his demons so she can let go of hers. She just wants to watch the stars. They just want to be free.
