Hey everyone! So, yes, I am back and I have FINALLY decided on my next series. As I am a huge Captain America fan, I decided to focus on that. My favourite character has got to be Bucky, so it really was a no brainer to make him the main love interest for my own character (apologies if that isn't your cup of tea!)
SO, this story will start off just after Cap runs away from SHIELD and meets Nick Fury and though eventually it will follow the Winter Soldier and Avengers: AoU, the majority of the chapters will be set in the past and once the story is set in the present, there will be a number of flashbacks which are crucial for my character's history and development (again, apologies if this isn't your thing).
This is the first time I've ever written something that skips from present to the past, and has a lot of flashbacks so I hope I do it justice and I look forward to any reviews!
The first chapter is deliberately short but after that, they will get longer!
On with the show!
…..
April 17th 2012, SHIELD headquarters, New York City.
Once Nick Fury had managed to convince Steve Rogers to return to SHIELD headquarters, he breathed a deep sigh of relief. The last thing they needed was a culture-shocked Captain America disappearing on them. He could just imagine trying to explain that one to Pierce. 'Yeah, we defrosted him. He ran away.' That would go down well.
Oblivious to the thoughts in the director's head, Steve followed silently behind, taking the time to actually look around. His head was spinning from the modern technology surrounding him. He was even more perplexed at the number of women wearing trousers and combat boots, identical to the men. Had times really changed that much that it was common for women to now fight on the front line? The only two women he'd ever seen fight along with the men had been incredible exceptions back in his day. He thought of Peggy, his heart clenching painfully as he remembered that even out in the camps, she was always in her skirt and heels, hair impeccably in place. Only once did he ever see her in trousers. Inevitably, thinking of her made him think of the others- his Howling Commandos, Howard Stark…Bucky and Beth. Blinking fiercely as his eyes misted over, he almost missed the glance sent over Fury's shoulder.
"You okay Cap?" he asked, a rare tone of concern in his voice.
Steve wanted to say yes, but his head began to spin further instead, forcing his hand to shoot out and press against the wall in a desperate bid to stay standing. The voices of his past kept whispering in his mind, each one reminding him of what he'd sacrificed, what he'd never get back. The weight of his sorrow made his body feel too heavy for his legs and he dropped to his knees, uncaring that a small crowd had gathered, watching him like he was an animal caged in a zoo. He wanted to beg them to leave him alone, but his mouth struggled to form the words. The world began to blur, the whispers in his head coming thicker and faster until he wanted to scream for them to leave him alone. He didn't know if his heart could take the pain, his hand shooting up to his chest as if he was ready to rip it out himself and end it. Suddenly, one of the voices came to him louder and clearer than the others, as if the person was standing in the room with him.
"Oh my god. Steve!"
The clarity of the voice collided with the ghosts in his mind and he wanted to sob. He was sure this was some sick form of torture, subtle reminders of what he'd lost constantly hitting him until he went mad. He felt a bitter laugh brewing in his chest. Bucky always said he was the crazy one and the voices along with imagining he could hear her in front of him made him begin to think maybe his best friend had a valid point. Struggling to breathe under the intensity of his grief, he looked up to prove to himself that he was just imagining her.
"It can't be." He murmured as he heard the voice once more.
Closing his eyes, he found himself unable to hold back his tears, cringing as they began to slide down his face. So lost in his sorrow, he failed to see the person trying to part the crowd, calling out to him repeatedly.
"Steve! Steve, look at me dam you!" the voice called again.
His eyes snapped open, looking at the crowd in confusion. He was in disbelief; that was definitely something she would never have said to him, however, years of Bucky's influence had changed that, turning her into quite the smart mouth in the last years.
The crowd in front of him finally parted and his eyes landed on a petite woman as familiar to him as his own reflection. The second his azure blue eyes connected with the identical ones he last saw falling into the ocean, his mind fell silent before shutting down completely. Unable to fight it, his vision finally turned black and he crumpled to the floor. He managed to stay conscious long enough to see her drop down next to him, tears rolling down her face as shaking hands cradled his face. As he finally lost his battle with consciousness, his lips parted and he whispered a single word.
"Beth..."