Final Call (An Avengers Soulmark Fanfic)

Losing My Religion

A/N: Time for Bucky's POV! Be sure to tell me what you think below!

Bucky ran a hand through his hair as he stretched out in the time worn recliner that sat in the corner of he and Steve's apartment living room while Steve sat up on the couch, his sketch pad out, his pencil scribbling away.

He didn't have to ask to know who his soulmate was sketching- no doubt their third- the very woman who had been rejecting him for close to two weeks now. Knowing who she was to them made the rejection sting leagues more than it had before, but he pushed through it- his emotions were a tangle, but he could still feel the stern determination that had filled him when he asked Steve to get him an in with her this morning.

He had never been so determined as he was then- had never wanted a girl as bad as her, even if he was hesitant to notice such an attitude in himself. He wasn't supposed to be like that- he was supposed to be going on brief meaningless dates to pass the time- to distract him from their troubles. He was not in a state of mind to become enamoured with a girl- not when he could be called on by his country to serve in the war effort at any time.

How would Stevie function while he was gone? The punk got into a dozen fights a week with Bucky there, what would he get up to if he was gone? Not to mention it was getting cooler in preparation for winter and Stevie always got sick this time of year.

It's only September and he's gotten a cold three times since last month alone!

Bucky released his lower lip from beneath his teeth, sweeping his hand down to run over his face, shielding his eyes from the droll popcorn ceilings.

Not to mention Ms. Sarah's anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks. He couldn't leave Steve alone for that.

But what choice did he have? More and more of the guys he knew around the neighborhood were being drafted, almost by the minute, or so it seemed at least.

But would Steve really be alone now that he had met Persephone?

He scratched his bearded stubble, his other arm wrapping around his waist to sit along his right side where her name sat, etched into his skin with a delicate, flowery hand.

She had taken to him well, or at least seemed to- though he could admit he wouldn't really know as he seemed to be the only person brave enough to approach her in the neighborhood.

Some of the people he had asked about her had grimaced, others had balked, as if she inspired fear in them- but that couldn't be right, even those had gone on to explain that they had never introduced themselves to her or even seen her interact with others.

He wanted to know her like he knew Steve- no, he wanted to know more than that, he wanted to taste her beneath his lips and hear her scream out his name.

He loved Steve, but with all of his physical concerns he had never inspired those thoughts. It pained him- made him disgusted with himself. How could he claim to love Steve if he didn't want him like that?

It was silent except for the sound of creasing paper and dulling pencil lead as Steve worked.

Eventually his blond soulmate looked up with a cocked brow and a sigh at him.

"We have her address, Buck. If she's bothering you so much why don't you get up and walk up a floor and knock on her door?"

He released a breath and glanced away, "I... "

Steve rolled his eyes and cocked his head over to the kitchen table where the pie Bucky's mother had dropped off earlier sat.

His mom made it a point to drop off anything fattening she got her hands on to them- or really, to Steve.