Disclaimer: Do not own anything recognizable, just this plot idea/prompt – Thanks!

"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 021: James "Bucky" Barnes

Sequel to: "December" (Chapter 4)

Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier/Civil War

Prompt: Dance

Chapter Warnings: not a lot of dialogue

Author's Note:

Song(s) Used: "Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)" by Frank Sinatra

KH*BB*KH*BB

The months following his return to Kagome's were peaceful and filled Bucky with contentment. They were emotions he never expected to feel, let alone experience thanks to his involvement with Hydra. Thankfully, that part of his life was over and he could start anew, with someone who accepted him and stood by his side.

Kagome had been a godsend. With her naturally cheerful and friendly personality, she lit up his once-bleak existence. She was sunshine, generosity, and all things good in his life. Bucky didn't honestly know what he would do without her. She was understanding and listened to him when he just needed to air out his demons. The nightmares didn't help either. He'd killed so many under Hydra's rule. Their faces and screams would haunt him for eternity.

Howard Stark and his wife most of all.

Bucky shuddered despite the summer heat. He was currently near the barn, working on his motorcycle. He didn't use it very often – only on the rare trips to the market for small errands – but keeping maintenance kept his hands and thoughts busy with mindless work. Having insomnia wasn't a walk in the park. But it was either sleep and be plagued with horrid memories full of blood and death or stay awake and hope to keep such scarring images at bay.

The string of music caught his attention, and Bucky perked his ears to listen. Kagome always played songs while she was cooking or cleaning. It never failed to amuse him when she'd also burst into song and, sometimes, dance when she didn't think he was looking. She was a joy to listen to; her English was superb, though she would start singing in Japanese when she was doing something particularly consuming.

Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words):

"Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like"

The singer sounded familiar, though Bucky couldn't place the name or the face. His voice was smooth and distinct, however. Enjoyable.

The ex-soldier closed his eyes, letting the music seep into his veins. The song definitely spoke to him on an instinctual level. He wanted to hear more.

"On a-Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me"

Suddenly, he was jerked up into a standing position. His eyes snapped open, and his hands instantly closed around the one who grabbed him, but he didn't squeeze or attack. The last person he would ever physically hurt was Kagome. She was too important to him.

Her amethyst eyes were sparkling, and the grin she sported could only be described as cheeky. "Dance with me," she implored, happy and full of that sunshine he adored.

Bucky hesitated. "I don't…"

"It's okay! I'll lead." Beaming, she did just that.

"Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for"

Bucky felt a bit disgruntled. The lyrics were hitting a little too close to home. He understood he already wasn't the most emotionally available guy. He had… issues. Lots of issues, in fact. Ones he may never be able to share with another human being – aside from Kagome, of course. No therapist would be able to fix what Hydra had broken inside him.

But that didn't mean he had no feelings whatsoever. He did. And all of them, the softest, most tender parts of him belonged to the petite, raven haired beauty currently in his arms.

The million dollar question, however, was: How did a guy so screwed up like him keep a relationship with a woman like her from going up in flames?

"All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you"

His mind abruptly stalled as the lyrics played through his mind over and over. Love? Was he in love with Kagome? He knew he wanted to hopefully spend the rest of his life with her – but in a romantic sense? They could just end up being each other's companion, best friends even, but as a spouse?

Was that possible?

"Bucky, pay attention," Kagome lightly scolded when they stumbled a little. His mind was racing with his sudden revelations. How could he pay attention to dancing when he had imploded his own world?

"… Sorry," he replied in a low voice. "I was… thinking."

She blinked, curious. "What were you thinking about?"

"[instrumental-first verse]

Fill my heart with song
Let me sing for ever more"

"I'll tell you later," he muttered. While the thought of being in love frightened him on a level he'd never dreamed possible, a wave of calm washed over his senses. His relationship with Kagome couldn't be defined with simple words or terms. They just were.

Obviously, they cared about each other. Bucky would do anything to protect Kagome, even kill again. And Kagome, he knew, could defend herself. She had faced her own enemies and demons when she was just fifteen years old. She'd seen combat, blood, and dealt death blows. Her physical body was even trapped in a form of stasis, like his. They understood each other in ways others could not.

It made sense he'd fall in love with her. Hell, he wouldn't be surprised if he'd fallen for her the first time they'd met in 1991. It would explain so much, especially when his first memories to return had been about her and not Steve Rogers.

"You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true"

Kagome hummed with the music, her body swaying to the rhythm. Bucky's arms held her securely, his metal hand and arm especially gentle and careful. He practically cradled her against his solid frame. Not counting the slight stumble from earlier, he moved with graceful instinct. The ex-soldier definitely had known how to dance before Hydra had gotten their hands on him.

Good. She liked to dance, and wanted more moments like this one. Throughout her entire life – which was admittedly long – she didn't have many opportunities to indulge the hobby. Now, with Bucky, she could probably get away with a dance or two every day.

The guy was such a softie, at least when it came to her. And she loved every second of it.

"In other words, in other words
I love [3 piano notes] you."

The song came to an end, and Bucky reluctantly let Kagome go. When she smiled brightly at him, he shifted on his feet, uncomfortable.

"Thank you for the dance, Bucky," she said.

"Welcome," he replied. The word came out a little clipped, but it was mostly due to his raging emotions. He could call himself emotionally constipated, but was he honestly so dense he couldn't figure out he was in love?

But hell… He really wanted to tell her. From day one, he'd known being with her was right. But could he? Should he?

Kagome cocked her head to the side, like a curious puppy. "So, what were you thinking about earlier?" she inquired.

If he'd had the emotional capacity, he would've seriously twitched at the question. It was only natural she would ask, but he wasn't prepared in any way or form to answer.

Instead, his face was its usual stoic expression, maybe a little overly bland to not make her suspicious. "I'll… tell you tonight, Kagome." Now, why the hell did he say that? It was like chopping off his nose to spite his face. Now, no matter what, he was practically obligated to tell her about his feelings. Damn.

Kagome smiled. "Okay," she said, "sounds good. I'll go back inside to finish dinner then. I'll call you when it's ready. We're having your favorite!" When he nodded once in acknowledgement, she turned and went back into the house she shared with him. The music was turned up a notch, but the sound was muffled under the roar of his thoughts and mental recriminations.

"Stupid," he muttered about himself. Bucky closed his eyes, taking a single deep breath to center his chaotic emotions. He needed to get a grip.

His eyes suddenly snapped open. "Frank Sinatra." That was the singer's name. No wonder the voice and song were familiar. He had listened to Sinatra before, a lifetime ago. The man had always managed to pull his heartstrings, and today was no different.

A smirk curved the corner of his lip. And, as he listened to Kagome belt out lyrics about pure love and finding one's soul mate, he grinned.

"I'm going to tell her," he vowed. "Tonight." Bucky was going to tell her he loved her.

Thank you to everyone who followed, reviewed, and added this story to their favorites list! :)

Well, here's the next installment. Tell me what you think at the bottom! :D

Have an awesome week!

XOXO,

Celestial Law