Till The End

Chapter 23

Reaching the beach, Kitty races to the sea. There's no one on the section of the beach that we are on. The sand brushes between my toes and scratches at my skin. Lying down the towels on the sand, I shove Bucky and he falls backwards, glaring at me. Sprinting down the sand, I grab Kitty into my arms and drop her into the sea.

I'm suddenly pushed forward and I land face first in the sea. Spluttering out the salt water, I sit down in the sea in my swimming shorts and look up at Bucky smirking, wearing his red shorts with his toned abs and his metal arm on show.

"Oh, it's on, Barnes." I threaten.

"Come on, Rogers."

Standing up, I step back as Bucky tries to push me again. Kitty races towards him and he's momentarily distracted. The second he places Kitty on the sand, I push Bucky and he falls onto his back. I sit on top of him, a knee either side of his waist. Pinning his arms over his head, I remember the last time we were in this position. The first time Bucky kissed me.

"Do you remember this?" He asks.

"Yes." I smile.

Bucky leans up, pressing his lips against mine and I can taste the sea salt from my lips on his. I pull back when I feel sand being thrown onto my feet. Kicking gently, I glance over my shoulder to see Kitty kneeling and covering my feet in sand.

"Hiding your feet!" She announces, giggling.

I chuckle as Bucky kisses me again, slipping his hands around my neck. Kitty throws more sand on my feet and I stand up suddenly. Whisking Kitty off her feet, I throw her upside down over my shoulders so her face is against the back of my legs. She laughs loudly and screams, kicking and punching me. Chuckling at her weak effort, I place her down in the sand on her back and start to cover her in the scratchy gold. Kitty squeals as I bury her in the sand.

Leaving Kitty in the sand, I trudge back up to Bucky and sit beside him. Leaning back on my hands, I watch Kitty splashing in the sea and her building sandcastles.

Bucky fidgets, lying on his back and resting his head in my lap. Raising one hand, I brush back his long jet black hair. There's a cut on his bottom lip and I run my hand lightly across it.

"Does it hurt?" I ask.

"No." He replies.

Raising my head, I watch Kitty race into the sea and then run back out as it chases her. Bucky lifts his hand and clasps it with mine, lacing our fingers together. He turns his head, following my eye line to watch Kitty.

"I still can't believe you punched Natasha." I whisper.

"Well, I did. I didn't want to but she just sort of got in my way." He admits.

I smile, glancing down at him. Bucky continues to stare at Kitty, so I take the opportunity to watch him. His face is loose, a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes. When he turns his head back, I force my eyes away.

"I know you're watching me, Ste." He announces.

Bucky smirks, squeezing my hand tighter.

"You're blushing." He points out, grinning.

I shake my head.

After a while, Bucky falls asleep, curled into a ball next to me on the towel. Me and Kitty are sat on the sand, using a bucket and some water to build a castle. Kitty grabs the blue small flag, that Bucky brought from the small town around the corner, and pushes it into the top of the castle.

"Stevie, can we hide Bucky in sand?" Kitty asks.

I glance back at Bucky lying fast asleep. He looks so cute. I look back at Kitty to see a huge grin on her face.