Burning Heart - Bucky Barnes x Reader

Part 2

1,564 words

Waking up on the morning of the 'move', so to speak, your nerves were skyrocketed. Almost everything in your one bedroom apartment was gone, despite the few belongings you needed to bring with you to the military base, and, of course, your journal. It was where it always rested, atop the small windowsill where your small chair sat. That was where you spent most of your time after all - writing in your journal until you found something else to do, which you would admit was remarkably rare.

Your stomach was twisting and turning, and your heart racing whilst you hopped in the shower. You made sure to shower quickly, and once you were finished, you dressed in a blouse and a pencil skirt with semi-high heels. You decided on light makeup with red lipstick and curled your hair. You barely recall Betsy informing you that your nurse's uniform would be laid on your bed, washed and ironed for you once you made it to the military base. She told you everything would be provided despite your sleepwear, undergarments, and other private necessities.

You had a bit of extra money from selling your belongings: your mattress, your bed frame, your dresser, your refrigerator, your couch, and your tv, and you didn't have any food left for the day since you were leaving, so you decided to go out for breakfast. You packed your remaining possessions into a briefcase, including your journal, and headed out, feeling sad but glad that you were leaving the home you'd had for so long. You were starting a new life, and you could only hope it would lead you to your dream.

The bell jingled softly as you entered the small Brooklyn diner and a few heads turned towards you before resuming their original positions. Your heels clicked against the floor as you headed over to an empty barstool. You smiled softly as the waitress neared you and you let your eyes skim over the standing menu for the special. You nodded to yourself and made sure your legs were closed underneath the bar.

"Morning, Sugar!" The older waitress greeted you kindly and walked over to stand in front of you. "What can I get ya?"

You smiled at her kindness and looked at her nametag. Margie. Probably a preferred nickname, short for Margaret. You placed your left hand on your lap under the bar and pointed to the standing menu with your right. Her eyes followed your nimble fingers as you tapped the laminated paper a couple of times, notifying her of what you wanted.

"The special?"

You nodded and pointed to your throat, mouthing the words 'can't speak' to inform her. You figured it would just be easier on her if she knew. It would help clarify things and she would know if she came back around to check on you.

She nodded and offered an overly sweet smile but you appreciated the gesture nevertheless. "Sure, hon. You want something to drink with that? Coffee, tea, maybe a smoothie?"

You put one finger up and mouthed 'coffee, black' and she nodded.

"Be back in a jiffy." She disappeared, leaving you feeling warm and fuzzy because of how she treated you. What a wonderful way to start your day! Most people talked about you and your muteness thinking you couldn't hear them but you could hear them loud and clear. It was a bonus to your condition. If you couldn't talk, you could hear, and very well at that.

Margie came back with your order a few minutes later and told you that she would check on you regularly in case you needed anything else, considering there wasn't really a way of calling her over. You mouthed a thank you and she nodded.

"Sure thing, Sugar."

You ate fairly quickly, knowing that a taxi, paid for by your boss, Betsy, would be waiting in front of your apartment building soon. It would take you to the military base where there would be another nurse, Nancy, waiting for you. She would stay with you for about a week, maybe less until you figured everything out.

You felt confident about this job because you had straight As in college and every professor told you that you were a natural. That your first gig would feel like you'd been a nurse for years. You took the compliments and praise with you everywhere you went because it helped you remain positive about getting a job. It must have been the right idea because look where it landed you!

You stood from the barstool and waved when Margie turned towards you. She bid you a kind farewell and you smiled as you left the small diner. You would hopefully be back there if you were ever allowed to leave the military base.

You headed back to your apartment complex and waited outside. The familiar yellow vehicle pulled up to the sidewalk and you smiled. The man in the front seat exited the car and popped the trunk upon seeing your briefcase. You smiled before walking around and placing your limited belongings inside. He opened the door for you and you made sure to tuck your skirt behind you as you stepped inside.

He got in and began driving you to your new home and your work. You swallowed your nerves as the city rushed past you, and you saw the same small man getting beat up in yet another alleyway, and that's when you realized that this was the best thing to happen to you in a very long time. That's when you knew everything would change, and for the better.

The military base wasn't quite what you expected, but once the taxi parked and you stepped out, you knew it was going to be perfect. Even if you couldn't be the one training, you would get to watch the young men train for war, and imagine it was you. You sighed and shook your head, knowing you would never be able to fight on the front lines, but a girl can dream.

Once you grabbed your briefcase from the trunk and the taxi drove off, a young girl, about the same age as you, maybe younger, jogged over to you. You offered a kind smile as she trotted over.

"You must be (Y/N)!" You nodded and her cheery voice brought a bashful smile to your face. "I'm Nancy!" She offered her hand for you to shake and you felt your smile reach your eyes when you took her hand. "It's so nice to meet you! I heard you can't speak"

You nodded slowly and she frowned but only for a few seconds. It seemed as if when she frowned it only ever lasted a few seconds before a bright smile replaced it.

"I think it's wonderful that you're not letting that stop you from doing anything!" She smiled and patted your shoulder before grabbing your hand and pulling you with her. "Now come on! Let's get you settled in!"

Nancy was extremely kind and energetic but you liked that about her. Hopefully, it didn't become annoying. But you didn't see that happening anytime soon. She bunked in the same room as you, along with two other nurses whom you didn't appreciate as much.

Bridget was sassy, bossy, and seemed to despise you when you attempted to introduce yourself, and Kathleen was almost like her sidekick, sporting the same snobby attitude with a few aspects of her own. At least you knew two other nurses who you liked. Betsy and Nancy were probably going to be your closest friends.

There were only five nurses on the military base - Betsy, Nancy Bridget, Kathleen and yourself - but there were others who were close by and easy to contact in case more hands were needed. But that wasn't too common. You all worked in the same large tent but in different sections. Bridget and Kathleen worked in the vaccination section, and you and Nancy worked in the battle wound section.

 But your situation was sort of like Betsy's because of how well you did in college. It was like you had already gotten a promotion, but instead of receiving it, you just started at a higher level than the others. Your main job was with Nancy working on fatal and superficial wounds, but occasionally you would do last minute and required surgeries alongside Betsy.

"Work starts in about ten minutes so why don't you get changed? We work in the same department so we can head on over together once you're ready." Nancy smiled and gestured toward your uniform with a smile. She already donned hers and yours looked identical. You nodded and smiled, grabbing the hanger the camouflage-green, two-piece uniform rested on, and headed to the bathroom you shared with your three 'roommates'.

The uniform fit perfectly, with enough space for you to move around and you departed the bathroom with your discarded clothing in your hands. You folded your barely-worn outfit and placed it into your briefcase before turning to Nancy, who was smiling at you.

"Shall we go?"

You nodded and followed her out the tent, with a nervous lump growing in your throat. You could only hope your first day would go well because if it didn't, it might be the end of your job and your life.