Chapter 14:
Her feet were heavy as she left the airport two weeks later, after bidding her parents goodbye. The temptation to leave with them was too high as they offered to pay for a return ticket for her. But she couldn't leave now, not with a chance of Bucky's return. But she silently promised herself that if he didn't return within a month, she would take up the offer. There was no reason to stay in America if Bucky wasn't here.
It had been a good two weeks. Her parents had made sure she didn't have a moment to dwell on the absents of Bucky as they went sightseeing around Washington DC, even though most of the places they saw had become second nature to Charley. They had put off their flight home and extra week, just to make sure Charley was alright. Although she suspected a part of it was because they wanted to witness Bucky's return to make sure he really wasn't dangerous. Which was laughable really.
She felt like she had convinced them enough that Bucky was safe, however. Their visit to the Smithsonian definitely helped. The rows and rows of information about James Buchanan Barnes' heroic sacrifice was enough to make anyone like him.
Her parents parted with a hug with a small promise that Charley would call more. As she walked back to the car she realized she was going to go back to an empty apartment for the first time in weeks.
The car ride back home seemed quieter, despite Avril Lavigne being played loudly.
At her apartment building, she slowly walked up the stairs leading to her apartment. The journey up the stairs was longer than she ever remembered them being, she was half asleep by the time she reached the top, using the banister to practically pull herself up. Pulling out her keys she swung her apartment door open, lazily. She smiled proudly when she saw the immaculate, clean state of the room (all to her mother's credit of course). Everything was tucked away in its place and she could actually see the floor.
She threw her keys down on the side, looking around for something to do.
Her heart practically stopped, when she saw the fully open fire escape window, letting the cold September air in.
It wasn't like Charley to leave it open. She rarely touched that window and with summer coming to an end and the bitter weather beginning to take place, Charley doubted she would have opened it. Especially not as wide as it was.
Out of impulse she grabbed the nearest thing she could find. Taking off her Trainer and clutching it in her hand, steadily walking through the apartment and freezing where she stood.
"Is there anyone there?" Charley called out, inwardly shouted at herself, realizing that was probably the worst thing to do when in a situation where someone is in your house. Movies where characters had shouted out the same thing, resulting in their immediate death ,came to mind.
There was a clang from the kitchen causing Charley's grip on the shoe to tighten as her heart rate sped up at worryingly fast pace.
Her eyes were trained on the door as a shadow appeared first. Instinctively she lobbed the shoe at the intruder, closing her eyes upon impact but when she heard the soft 'ow' followed by a breathy laugh. She finally peeked her eyes open.
Bucky was standing there. In one hand he was holding a frying pan and at his feet was her shoe and a bottle of oil, which she had obviously hit.
"We have to work on your self-defence," Bucky groaned, putting the frying pan on the side counter and rubbing his arm, taking a step forward. Charley's heart doubled in take at the sight of him, so shocked that her legs had lost the ability to move. After Bucky was done rubbing his arm, he finally looked up at her.
A deafening silence followed as Bucky scratched the back of his head, awkwardly. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other before Charley found the use of her legs, suddenly launching herself at him and entwining her arms around him.
An awkward second past where he stood there motionless before she felt the feel of both his arms engulf her small form. Despite wearing a woolly t-shirt she could feel the metal arm make contact with her lower back as he clutched onto her. She tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder. The smell of soil and dust hitting her nose but she didn't dare pull away in case this was a badly misunderstood dream.
"I'm sorry I left," Bucky said. If he wasn't mere centimeter away from her, she would have missed it, "I know I probably could have handled the situation a little better"
Charley pulled away, "Too right you could have," She looked him up and down, taking him in. The scruff around his chin had grown and he looked as if he hadn't taken care of his hair either. She reached up and let a hand fall through it. Bucky was staring at her, piercingly and she suddenly realized their close proximity, pulling away Sharply, "I'm angry at you, you know"
"I know," Bucky nodded "Which is why I was going to cook you something, but I forgot how the modern day oven works"
"Food doesn't fix everything"
Bucky scrunched up his nose in debate, "Actually, it does with you"
"True," She reasoned, finding it difficult to argue with his logic no matter how much she wanted to. Bucky turned to go back into the kitchen when Charley said, "Are you back for good?"
Bucky nodded, "If you still want me."
Charley smiled. Of course she still wanted him, "And you're not going to leave again"
He shrugged, "I shouldn't be."
"Promise?"
She saw Bucky's shoulders visibly slump. "I can't promise that," Bucky sighed, slowly turning around, "If I had to choose to save you and your family or running away. It's an easy choice"
"Don't play that card with me. You don't get to 'protect' me" Charley said fiercely, air quoting the word 'protect'. She raised her voice, "Next time you could at least take me with you, or tell me where you're going. I've been worried to death wondering where you are. If Hydra had gotten you I would have no idea. Do you know what that's like?"
Bucky groaned, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration "You don't know what it's like to be on the run. Constantly looking over your shoulder. I hate this life. I hate myself. I hate it and you're the only good thing that's come out of it and I don't expect you to know what it's like because I wouldn't wish that on you. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, let alone you", Bucky stepped back, trying to take control of his voice that had risen to equally match Charley's "I'm sorry if I'm concerned about your safety. You just don't know how to protect yourself out there!"
"I don't need protecting," She insisted again. Standing up straighter. She had to go slightly on her tip toes to reach even Bucky's shoulders, before realizing she looked like an idiot and fell back down flat on her feet. Bucky gave her a look as Charley raised her voice, "I don't!"
He rose an eyebrow a slight smirk appearing on his lips as he said simply, "You just threw a shoe at me…"
"That stunned you. It would have given myself time to get out. It's a good tactic"
Bucky started to laugh. The corners of his mouth curving up to create wrinkles under his eyes as he had to hold his stomach, tilting his head back. His laugh always made a joyous feeling spread through Charley, but this one in particular sparked something within her. The tension in the room faded. Perhaps it was because she hadn't heard it for a while and forgot how much she missed the sound.
"What were you even doing this whole time?"
"I was trying to find leads on Hydra"
"Bucky!"
"I didn't get far!" Bucky raised his hand defensively.
Charley's eyes widened "You can't just go looking for Hydra. What if they found you and got you again?" The thought alone made Charley feel sick in the stomach as the possibilities began to run through her mind, "They could have wiped you again". Once again the image of Peggy's faded eyes appeared before her. Completely blank. That could have been Bucky with her.
"I didn't get close enough," Bucky admitted. He slumped down onto a dinning chair, which she was glad to see was now completely accessible due to the limited mess on her floor now, "It was a dead end. I shouldn't have done it, I know that. But I realized I was putting you in danger being here. You and your family and Hydra was the reason. I had to find them before I came back"
At the mention of her family, Charley felt a string being pulled at her heart. But now wasn't the time to think about them. Bucky was finally in front of her and even though she was pissed at him, it meant she wouldn't be alone when she was feeling so lonely.
She grabbed the chair beside him and took a seat next to him, curling her legs up on the chair so her head balanced on her knee, wrapping her arms around them.
"Why did you come back then if you didn't find them?"
Bucky scrunched his nose up, "I guess I missed you. Maybe…"
She gave a small laugh but instantly turned serious again, "Going after Hydra is not going to solve anything," She said, her arm stretching out on the table. She stopped when her hand and his almost touched, a centimeter gap between them, "Leave that to people like Captain America… who I actually saw the other day"
This sparked an interest in Bucky as he looked up with eyebrows raised "You did?"
"Yeah, I saw him in the reception at Peggy's retirement home," She leant forward as if she was about to tell and incredible secret, "And he actually smiled at him. Captain America noticed my exists for a few seconds." Charley flicked her hair back that had grown in the recent weeks and was now at a more flick able length, reaching down to her shoulders, "We connected, ya' know"
"You sound like you have a crush on Steve" Bucky mumbled, his right hand scratching at her table with interest.
"Who doesn't have a crush on Captain America?" Charley daydreamed, dramatically resting her head on her hands and looking as if she was seeing the sunset. When she looked back at Bucky she saw his glum expression and quickly nudged his shoulder, "Nah, he's not my type" she said, "Although if we're going by what my dad says. He thinks Captain America is everyone's type"
"So, if hypothetically Steve wanted to go out on a date with a random civilian and that just so happened to be you. What would you say?" he wasn't looking at her but rather taking a keen interest of his metal hand which he was flexing in and out as a distraction. If she didn't know any better she would say he was jealous.
"HM," Charley thought, "probably tell him to sod off. I've already got a super soldier at home to worry about"
This seemed to brighten Bucky's mood as he smiled softly and looked up from his hand, leaving it motionless on the table. It was Charley's turn to suddenly nervously pick at the table as a question came to her mind.
"You didn't happen to find any other girls on this Hydra search of yours?"
"Jealous, doll face?" Bucky perked an eyebrow up, smirking.
"No, jealousy usually occurs after I find out there was another girl," she laughed before realizing what he said and her face fell seriously, "Did you just call me doll face?"
"I figured it was something my past self would have done, thought i'd try it," When he noticed Charley's mouth scrunched up in disgust he gave a shaky laugh, "What?"
"No, no to pet names, I'm afraid."
"What's wrong with pet names, darlin'?" Bucky placed emphasis on the 'darlin'', smirking as he teased her.
"They're so cringe worthy."
"Whatever you say, sweetheart."
"Stop" Charley stared deadpan as Bucky continued.
"Babe, sweet cheeks, honey, pumpkin-" he continued to list them whilst Charley's stare moulded into a glare, but it only caused Bucky's smirk to widen "sugar lips, muffin-"
"Did you just call me a muffin," Charley's eyes widened in horror, "Rude."
"Do you want me to start in different languages?" he teased "сладкий пирог, красивая, безумно красивая"
She pouted and gave a groan in response, lifting her head and then dramatically dropping it back down to rest on her knee in defeat, "This is so unfair, because that actually sounds really sexy and I know you're saying the most cringe worthy names to me"
"ты самый красивый человек, которого я когда-либо встречал" he smirked as Charley's frown deepened.
"What did you say?" to Charley's annoyance Bucky shrugged and simply chuckled which only provoked Charley further, "don't make me google translate that"
"I said the apartment's too clean and I don't like it"
"I love it. Everything is so organized," Charley looked around. She doubted that was what Bucky really said as he changed the subject way too smoothly, but nevertheless she was glad because it gave her a chance to gloat about the cleanliness of her apartment. It looked completely different. All the magazines crowding the table had been tidied away in draws. Before, It had gotten to the point where her apartment was so messy that she didn't even realize half her floor was wooden rather than carpet. The furniture, Bucky had broken, was now completely gone and there was a bag in the corner of rubbish Charley had decided to chuck out, knowing she would never use them. She almost had a heart attack, though, when her mum was about to put the water gun in there. She had to be quick to snatch it away from her and explain. "How can you not like it?"
"It's not very Charley-like"
"I take that as a high insult" Charley gasped, placing a hand on her chest where her heart was in mock pain, "Look, it's going to last for about a week before I begin to make it messy again because there is way too much responsibility in keeping an apartment clean, so treasure how it is now."
"Do you want me to go get a camera or something, we can frame the picture?" His voice dripping with sarcasm.
"ha-ha" She laughed. Their conversation drew to a close and Charley looked around for something to do. She was starving. Most of her day had been dedicated to getting her parents packed and taking them to the airport. There wasn't much time to eat and now her stomach was beginning to feel the effects "I'm glad you're back" She said earnestly "I missed you"
Bucky smiled "Missed you too, doll face"
Charley grinned and moved closer, wrapping her arms around him. He responded, keeping his metal arm resting on the table. She was so small that his other arm cocooned her. As he rested his chin on her head, she snuggled closer, the contact comforting.
"Are you still planning on cooking?" Charley broke away from the hug, looking through the doorway to her kitchen to see he had pots and pans out everywhere, which made her nice clean kitchen look like a tip again, "Wow, you're insistent on making this place a mess again. I admire your determination."
He shrugged, "I just don't like it so clean. When I came through the window I thought I had gotten the wrong apartment. This just isn't you."
"Thank you for appreciating me for my messiness and all" Charley placed her hands together in a mock prayer but broke away when she was laughing so hard "so what are we eating?"
Bucky took one look back in the kitchen or more specifically at the stove and narrowed his eyes as if trying to figure out how to work it again. To his credit, it had been a full two weeks since she had taught him anything about the modern cooker. He considered it for a moment longer, shaking his head, before looking back at her, "I was thinking we could order pizza"
"Perfect," Charley jumped up and reached for her phone to order her usual of one pepperoni and one regular.
Half an hour later they were settled onto the couch, a slice of pizza in each of Charley's hands as she switched between her regular and pepperoni slice whilst Bucky dusted his hands off only just finishing his first slice. The TV was switched on in the background, an episode of friends playing.
"I don't know when I'm going to see them again," Charley admitted, finishing the pepperoni slice.
"Your parents?"
"My whole family. I mean I can skype them but it's not the same-"
"Can't you book a plane ticket to get over there?" He suggested, readjusting himself on the couch to look at her.
"I can't afford it and my parents offered but I can't just up and leave. I've taken so much time off work these past two weeks I don't think Aiden will let me have another one" Charley stared glumly at her pizza, suddenly not feeling as hungry anymore "I don't know why I'm getting so upset over it, I've spent the last year away from them."
Not knowing any words that could possibly comfort her, Bucky placed his uneaten pizza back in the box and shuffled upwards so that he was directly next to her and wrapped his metal arm around her, "If you want to move back there, don't let me stop you. It's your family"
"I don't want to move back there. I like it here," She liked it here when Bucky was with her. Other than that it pretty much sucks, she thought, but didn't say that knowing he would feel some sort of responsibility for her not going back to England, "I'm glad you're here. I didn't want to be alone. I'd gotten so use to the apartment having people in it"
"I'm not going anywhere. I promise"
"Not until some other person recognizes you, anyway…"
"Charley" Bucky stressed.
"I know, I know" She closed her eyes wanting to savour this moment, with her in his arms and also Bucky was surprisingly comfortable to lay on despite his metal arm, "I just want to know your safe. When I went to see Peggy she had a memory relapse and it just got me thinking, I don't know what I would do if you ever forgot about me. Just if you ever need to go off again, stay in contact with me. I don't know how, just do, and for goodness sake, don't forget me."
Bucky didn't respond but she felt the nodding of his head as her own head was tucked under his. The movement was a comfort to her, knowing that they had at least reached some agreement that she wouldn't be left in the dark like this time.
She fell asleep in that position. Bucky hadn't realized until the end of the friends episode, when she was gently breathing and he pulled back a bit of her hair to see her eyes shut, peacefully. She had a habit of falling asleep on him and whilst he would be happy to spend the night watching over her, he really was tired and he couldn't trust himself not to fall asleep. For her own safety, he knew she couldn't stay there.
As carefully as he could he slid out, away from her, and gently rested her down on the sofa, cringing when her eyes flickered and he expected her to open them. After a minute of wondering if she was going to wake up, she settled back down again. Bucky went back to what he had been doing and reached under her legs to pick her up, bridal style and as cautiously as he could, he carried her into her bedroom.
Despite the rest of the house being clean her bedroom was clearly an exception. The bed sheets were messily over the place which made it easy for him to place her on the bed and effectively pull the sheets up around her.
"Night, doll," he smiled.
He couldn't help but chuckle when Charley let out a groan. "don't call me that," she said as she turned on her side and snuggled into her pillow.
Bucky was still smiling when he went back into the living room and fell onto the couch, thinking of Charley as he fell into the most peaceful sleep he had had in weeks.
A/N thank you so so much for all these wonderful reviews. I was so surprised by how many there were just know they all made my day and I'm sorry for not updating sooner :D
Jessenia22: thanks so much, I'm glad you're liking the OC! Hope
Bitch Ate My cupcake: aha, thanks so much for the review, sorry this one took so long to update but I hope it's as good as the others. A kiss may or may not happen next chapter… I feel it's time.
Imperfection: thanks for the review!
KnightOwl247: aww thanks. Seriously, that gave me so much reassurance you don't understand. Whenever I'm writing anything I tend to feel like it's crap but thanks so much. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the others! And it's my pleasure giving you a sleeping Bucky.
Kris: Thanks for the review. Your update is here! :D (ps. Sorry for taking over a week)
Artemis7448: See I always wondered why hydra never went after Peggy. I always had a headcanon that the winter soldier was sent to kill her because why wouldn't she have been a target? She was part founder of S.H.I.E.L.D., I'm pretty sure she had some enemies. Good theory :D
Guest: Thanks so much!
Bad Dancer: Sorry for taking so long to update. Your review made my day. I hope you enjoy this chappy as much as the rest! :D
Estelle Lumene: haha, I feel Charley's dad's love for Captain America is very relatable lol. Thanks for the review!
Lizziecats: replied on PM because your review was so lovely :D