Till The End

Chapter 16

*Bucky*

My eyes spring open and Steve's eyes are fixed on me, running over me like he's reading a book. But there's a twinge to his face. A sparkle in his eyes that is dark.

"Ste?" I manage to whisper.

He shakes his head and refuses to look anywhere else but at me. I glance down and all I can see is splatters of blood on the pavement. My hands instantly grab out to Kitty, checking over her for injuries. Nothing.

"Kitty, are you hurt?" I quiz.

"It's me, Buck." Steve whispers.

Slipping my arms around Kitty, I gently push her out of the way as Steve sways on his feet like he's about to pass out. Slipping my hands under his arms, he falls his back onto my chest. Sitting down, I lie Steve in my lap with his head against my stomach. His wide eyes are stuck on me, a small smile on his parted lips as he looks upside down at me.

"No. Ste. Please. Stay awake for me." I beg.

Steve places his hands on his side, his face twitching as his body turns pale and his skin clammy.

"Kitty, get help!" I shout.

I stare down at Steve, his eyelids fluttering like they do when he's really tired or he's bribing me for something. Leaning down, I place my forehead on his and my fingers trail along his jaw line. I love the feel of his breath on my skin. Showing that he's beside me.

"I'm f-fine Buck." Steve mumbles.

"Please, Ste. You're going to be fine."

I watch his chest rise and fall, hoping and praying it will never stop. Brushing my palm against his cheek, Steve keeps his eyes fixed on me. He slowly raises a hand, the blood dripping down his fingertips and he runs his fingers along a strand of my long hair. Looking up more, his finger traces my top lip and he smiles.

"I love you, Bucky. Remember that." He states.

"Always. I love you too, Stevie. We're together." I remind him.

Leaning forward, I kiss him lightly and then pull back at the bitter taste of blood.

"You took a bullet for me." I point out.

"You're worth taking a bullet for." He replies, a trickle of blood falling from his parted lips.

"Why do you have to be such a hero, punk?" I scold, wiping the blood trickling from his lips away with the back of my hand.

Steve laughs, but it turns into a coughing fit that causes blood to splutter out. I slip my hand down and rub my thumb over his cheeks.

"Jerk." Steve spits.

"Please stay awake. Stay awake for me, Ste." I beg, tears falling down my cheeks.

Staring down, tears trickle from Steve's eyes and fall down the side of his cheeks from where his head is resting on my stomach. He raises a hand, using his fingers to wipe away the tears that land on my lips, mixing it with his pulsing blood.

"Stop crying, Buck. It's over now. They can't hurt you anymore then-then this." He mutters.

"This hurts me. You're going to fine. I promise you'll be fine. I'm not going to loose you." I argue.

Steve keeps his palm on my cheek, leaving a sticky handprint. His breathing slows down, his chest no longer rising. I feel his breath on my skin. Then it stops. Steve's hand slips from my cheek, but I wrap my hand over his and hold it in place.

"Ste...Stevie...please wake up...wake up...please." I beg, tears streaming down my face.

I shake him gently in my arms, but his body is limp and his head rolls against my chest. I hold him as tight as possible. Clutching him with all my might.