To Start Anew

The cool gentle sea breeze felt soothing and relaxing as you leaned against the rail of the balcony. The sun was beginning to set over the Mediterranean Sea, coloring the sky in beautiful hues of pink, orange, and purple as they clashed with the blue of the sea and peppered with puffy white clouds. The scenery in front of you look just like a painting.

Closing your eyes, you relished the peaceful atmosphere and relaxed your muscles, feeling the breeze tickle and cool your heated skin.

It was the last evening of your honeymoon, and you were saddened at the fact. Your time in paradise was over and it was time to head off back to the real world. Back to the world of fighting bad guys and saying the world from annihilation. It was a rewarding job, being an Avenger but sometimes you just wanted to get away from it all.

A few seconds passed as you were stuck in your little fantasy before you felt two strong arms wrapping around your body, pulling you back against a strong wall of naked chest. The contrast of warn flesh and cool metal made a shiver run down your spine.

"What are you thinking about, doll?" The beautiful raspy voice behind you made another shiver run down your spine.

"It's nothing." You sighed softly, feeling Bucky's chin rest against your shoulder. His scruff tickling your exposed skin. "Just that...this is our last sunset here in paradise."

Bucky let out a hum in agreement. You two have been on your honeymoon for three weeks, and honestly, it didn't feel like it was long enough.

"I wish we didn't have to go back." Bucky brushed his lips behind your ear and down your neck, making you let out a soft moan.

"Yeah. It's so beautiful here. It's like living in a completely different world. There is no danger, no saving the world, no threat of the unknown. Nothing to worry about."

Bucky's arms tightened around you, he let out another hum in agreement. He didn't want to leave either. He finally felt at peace. He finally felt like he could take a deep breath and exhale.

A part of him did not want to go back to that world. To being an Avenger. Sure, he was happy that he was finally accepted among the team and that they trusted him to fight along their side. But, he was tired of fighting. He was tired of risking his life.

He wanted a way out. He wanted to get a chance at a simple life. A life that he was meant to have. He wanted to live, and to grow old. He wanted to look back and relish at the fact that he had lived for himself and accomplished his goals. He was tired of living for others. He wanted to live for himself.

You both stood their quietly, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

"What are you thinking?" This time you asked him.

"About getting a second chance at life." You turned around in his arms, looking up at his saddened expression. Cupping his cheeks, you ran your thumbs against the fine wrinkles.

"I don't want to fight anymore. I know I owe the world a great debt for what I've done. But, I'm tired. I just want to live without having to risk my life."

You nodded your head in agreement. "I know. I'm tired, too."

You both stood there for a moment, lost in thought.

"What if we retired?" You sudden asked.

"Retire?"

"Yeah. We are allowed to retire, you know. And you don't owe the world a damn thing. You were a prisoner of war, forced to do the dirty work for the evilest organization in existence. If anything, the world owes you compassion and support."