Harper hurriedly hit the "Send" button on the old flip phone, chewing her lower lip nervously. It had admittedly taken longer than the hour she had asked James to wait for her to make the call. To her relief, he answered almost immediately.
"Harper?"
"Hey, hun," she greeted. "Sorry I'm late. It took longer than expected to figure some things out, but I think I've got it."
"Doll, wait. I shouldn't have asked you to just drop everything like that," James interrupted. She could hear the regret and apology in his voice. "I had no right. I haven't been part of your life for nearly a year. You've moved, you're back in school…"
"James, I didn't take it that way. Look, I've already done my field hours this semester, and I think I can work it out with school to finish the semester online. Consider this the first time my cluster headaches have ever benefited me."
"But you shouldn't…"
"Hun," Harper cut him off firmly. "Can I confess something?"
"Of course," he replied in a way that sounded like he was trying to reassure her, but he couldn't quite keep his insecurity out of his voice. She couldn't help but smile.
"I don't want to sound negative, and I'm not saying this to be hurtful. So are you positive I can speak frankly?"
He hummed and said, "I want your honesty."
"Okay," she agreed. Harper took a slow, steadying sigh. "Alright, so here are things the way I see it. Firstly, I've missed you, James. So much. A lot has happened, and I would feel better seeing you, to know for myself that you're okay. Some assurance, you know? But more than that… from what I know, from what you said…"
She trailed off, unsure of how to finish her thought in a way that was delicate and conscientious of his feelings. James gave her a moment before saying, "Darlin', you don't need to protect me. This has all been a lot. I know I must have caused you a lot of pain. It's okay not to be your usual considerate self."
"That's… not my style," Harper replied fondly. "Hun, you said yourself that there's no telling when things will be sorted and you'll be able to come back. And maybe I was reading between the lines, but there seemed to be an implied, 'if' you can come back. I think we need to have a pretty serious conversation and I would much rather do it in person. We need to be honest and realistic with each other. If that makes any sense?"
There was a long silence. Finally, James replied, "It does, Harper. You're right."
The young woman frowned, picking up on his hurt and sadness easily. "James, are you alright?"
"Yeah," he breathed. "I suppose that I had been looking at things with some misguided optimism."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know, doll. I guess what I'm saying is that I wasn't thinking anything further than wanting – needing – to see you."
Silence filled the space between them again. Slowly, tears stinging her eyes, Harper muttered, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I feel like I've catalyzed a break up that I don't think either of us wants. Neither of us wants that, right?"
"I want you as much today as I did when I last saw you in Bucharest."
"Me too."
"Then not all is lost," assured the former soldier. "You're right; we do finally need complete honesty between us, especially because of the way things are now. We'll figure it out, Harper. Okay?"
"Okay," she replied feebly, blinking back tears in a bid for them not to fall.
"Please don't cry, darlin'."
A watery laugh tumbled from her lips. How could anyone know her so well? "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Harper glanced nervously at her travel partner. She really didn't do well around people she didn't know if she wasn't acting in a professional capacity. Something about having her social work or behavioral health hats on filled her with a confidence and strength that she just couldn't muster when she was being plain old Harper. It didn't help that the woman she was with was a striking eastern European beauty with enormous power at her literal fingertips.
The pair sat at a small table in a food court at bustling Logan Airport in Boston, counting down the moments until their flight to London. They hadn't spoken much aside from brief, hushed introductions and small talk. Harper had no idea what to say to her.
"How old are you?" the brunette blurted before cringing at her own awkwardness.
Wanda laughed and answered, "Just turned 19."
"I thought you looked young," Harper muttered, trying to ignore the burn of embarrassment on her cheeks.
The other woman smiled fondly. "I'm the baby of our little crew. But Steve, Sam, Natasha, Clint… they're the best people I know. I regret not being able to get to know your Bucky better."
Harper looked around furtively before lowering her voice, "Should we be talking so openly?"
"It's fine as long as we don't say too much. People don't pay attention in loud, busy places. And anyway, I can make them forget or think about something else." The witch waved her glowing red fingertips playfully.
The older woman cleared her throat uncomfortably and asked, "Do you know… Bucky at all?"
"A little. He isn't much of a talker, and we didn't have much time in Germany. We fought together. He's a force to be reckoned with in a fight."
Harper ran her index finger along the rim of her to-go cup absently. "You know, it's so bizarre to think of him that way. I mean, I obviously know now who he is and what he's capable of, but that just doesn't jive with the absolutely gentle, kind man I know."
Wanda shrugged. "Just because he's good at it, doesn't mean he likes it."
"True," the brunette allowed with a small, ironic smile. She had seen time after time how much he hated his abilities and what they had allowed him to do.
"Everything alright?" the redhead asked. "If I was travelling to go see my boyfriend after being apart, I'd be a little more enthusiastic."
"You have a boyfriend?" Harper asked before cringing at her own rudeness again. "Sorry, poor attempt at deflection. I don't mean to pry."
"I do, kinda," Wanda nodded. "It's complex. Not unlike your own situation, actually, except I'm the fugitive."
"And you're both still trying to make it work?"
The other woman gave a single, head tilted nod, eyes rolling upward in thought. "Yeah, basically. We could both live off the grid if we wanted. It's just… complicated."
"I am excited," Harper said firmly. "I've thought of seeing James again every day for over nine months. But I'm also worried. We're currently living extremely different lives. And I can't help but think about what it will mean if he has to stay in hiding. After the Accords, everyone knows his face. If his name can't be cleared… what life could we really have together?
"But I also don't want to give up. I love him, and I was happier sharing my life with him than I could have ever imagined being. And he shouldn't have to deal with any more pain or loneliness, least of all because of me."
"Don't call it quits too soon," Wanda advised. "None of us have any idea what's going to happen. With time and some political work, we could all be cleared and go back to our lives. We've barely gotten to the other side of all this, so give it some time."
"I know," the older woman lamented, hands scrubbing roughly at her face. She paused for a moment, tightening the hold on her emotions and fatigue. More composed, she said, "And I do apologize. I know that your life is complex because of all the same reasons, and I'm harping on as if James is the only one affected."
"You don't need to apologize," the ex-Avenger shook her head. "He has had it the worst. By far. Plus, you barely know any of the rest of us. It's okay that your focus is zeroed in on him."
A small smile turned Harper's lips. "Thank you."
"Anyway, please tell me you brought a change of clothes and some makeup in your carryon so that you can primp once you meet up with Steve."
"Huh?"
"You can't reunite with your man like this!" Wanda declared, gesticulating at Harper's jeans, oversized sweatshirt, and very minimally made up face. "You need to get off that plan looking so hot that he won't be able to do anything but keep you up all night, jet lag be damned."
"Wanda!" Harper exclaimed, cheeks aflame once more.
"Oh come on," the redhead smiled slyly. "I've seen that specimen of a man. If I was in your shoes, I'd want be sure I could successfully tempt him to pound me into his mattress after all this time."
"Oh my god," the brunette squeaked, shielding her face with her hands as if they could keep the embarrassment at bay.
The younger woman laughed freely, and Harper couldn't help but think that she was really growing fond of her, despite all of the discomfort she caused.
Bucky waited anxiously in the field where Steve and Harper were due to land. He was surprised to find that he was nervous and once again feeling insecure. What would she think of the absence of his left arm? His long hair? His beard? Had he changed since going into cryo? Had she? Would she still love him outside of their little bubble in Bucharest? The former soldier sighed, wishing he could harness all of his old confidence.
It was both all too soon and a painstakingly long wait later when the discreet quinjet popped through the barrier and into sight. He watched as Steve expertly landed the aircraft, enjoying the winds kicked out across the field from its propellers. Bucky was loving Wakanda, but it was admittedly damn hot. He thought for a moment about how that may not be pleasant for Harper's more temperate comfort levels, but the thoughts were short-lived as the engines cut. He strode across the field toward the jet, heart hammering in his chest.
The door to the jet opened and the ramp extended, touching down into the grass softly. Steve strode down first before turning, seeing if the other occupant of the jet needed a hand. Bucky's mind went blank, and he couldn't help the slight drop to his jaw.
It had only been a few weeks of his consciousness away from Harper, but it felt like so much longer. Seeing her again, he was flooded with emotion. She was beautiful before, but now… She looked somehow healthier. Like being away from the toxicity of her life in Bucharest had done her so much good. Her face was more openly happy, her demeanor lighter. Her skin glowed and she held herself with more confidence. Her attire certainly spoke of this. She wore high waisted black skinny jeans that gleamed with two vertical rows of buttons at the top. A couple inches of skin were visible below a simple black crop top. Unlike the others he had seen her don in the past, this one was structured, fitting to her bust and lending a tasteful, teasing peak of some cleavage. Over that, she wore a loose fitting copper colored knit, which did a lot to camouflage the outfit that otherwise would have been revealing by her standards. She wore simple black ankle boots, and her face was neutrally made up, but she screamed confidence and sex appeal.
He watched as Harper bent at the knee, lowering the bags she was carrying to the ground before striding quickly toward him. He met her in his own haste, arm wrapping around her tightly. He had seldom felt the loss of his metal arm, but he did in that moment, wishing he could encompass her fully in his hold. Her arms held him back just as tightly, and he buried his nose in her hair for a moment, breathing in the smell he had been sorely missing.
On autopilot, his fingers moved upward, burying themselves in her hair and serving as an anchor to guide her head back. With access to her lips, he took them in a deep, fervent kiss. He cherished the feel of her full lips moving against his, savored her taste washing across his tongue when he took her mouth. Her fingers ghosted across his cheek before her palm rested there, her thumb stroking lovingly across his skin.
Finally, the polite part of himself that he had relegated to the back of his mind came forward, aware that Steve was still there. With immense effort, Bucky pulled away. He couldn't help but place one last brief peck on her lips before separating to a more socially acceptable distance.
Lamely, he greeted, "Hey, doll."
She laughed, a sound that had his heart thundering again. "Hey."
Turning to Steve, Bucky gave him an apologetic smile. "Good trip?"
Steve nodded, fighting to keep his teasing grin off his face. "Wanda made the drop off right on time and has since arrived with Natasha. No issues on this end, either."
"Good," Bucky nodded. Seeing Harper turning to retrieve her bags, he hastened to her side, taking the larger of the two onto his own shoulder. She mentioned her thanks as she picked up the remaining bag, and he noticed with satisfaction that she had yet to stop smiling.
"C'mon," he prompted. "I'll show you where I've been staying."
Harper nodded her agreement. Steve looked between them subtly before his eyes landed on the brunet once more. "I'm sticking around until tomorrow night. See you in the morning?"
Bucky nodded his agreement and the two friends shared a look. Steve moved in for a friendly hug, clapping the former soldier on the back. As he did so, in a voice only their enhanced hearing would be able to pick up, he muttered, "She sure is a pretty one, Buck. Have fun tonight."
Bucky chuckled, not able to muster an ounce of embarrassment. No use denying that he certainly intended to have a night most enjoyable.
Bucky helped Harper get settled in the small, one room hut he had been gifted next to the goat farm where he was laboring. They made small talk about her travels before settling at the small dining room table, glasses of water in front of them.
"You hungry?"
"Not especially," Harper shook her head. "My internal clock is all kinds of messed up."
"You're on Boston time now," Bucky nodded. "Can I finally, belatedly, hear about your good news?"
The young woman nodded and said, "Yeah, definitely. This is so far after the fact now, but I am sorry that I didn't tell you I was doing this as I was doing it. Honestly, I didn't think it was going to pan out, and I didn't want to have to own up to the failure I was sure would happen."
"Harper, I'm in no position to hold any level of secrecy against you," Bucky smiled wryly.
"I don't really see it that way, but…" Harper shrugged. "So our last winter together in Bucharest, after our fight, I applied to a doctoral program for psychology in Boston. I ended up getting accepted, and then it took me a while to figure out the money and how to get back to the States. But long story short, I was able to work out all the loans and finances and shit, and was able to bundle my travel and moving expenses into one of my student loans. Add that in with the Christmas present you gave me, and I was en route back to Boston."
"That's amazing, doll," Bucky beamed. "So… you'll be a doctor?"
"Yeah," she giggled, a grin splitting her lips.
"And now you're settled back home in Boston, busting ass at school?"
Harper nodded again. "School and field work, yeah. I'm also on an advanced track since I already worked so many years as an LSW. So it should only take me four years rather than five to finish the program. Then taking the licensure test and… but yeah. Shit is finally happening."
"I'm happy for you, doll," he replied earnestly.
They talked for a while about her program, the classes she was taking, and the field placement she'd worked at for most of that school year. It was easy conversation, just as it had always been with her. After a while, blue eyes began roaming her face. He was still engaged with what she was saying, but couldn't quite ignore how very pretty she was. Her espresso locks were shorter now, just grazing her collarbone. He noticed even more how much she was glowing with good health. Her face was neutrally made up, her lips painted an attractive berry color. Her eyes were especially beautiful, the upper lash line outlined smoothly in black.
His eyes travelled downward, tracing the column of her neck down to the exposed skin of her chest. He admired the swell of her breasts, cupped beautifully by the form fitting top. At some point during the conversation, Harper had shed the knit, leaving more of her skin bare to his gaze. He wished he could see below her bust, but contented himself with observing the way her dark locks fell over her shoulders.
"So just a few more years until I can call you Dr. Montgomery?" he asked with a smile.
"Technically speaking," Harper laughed again. "But I would hope we're over formalities."
"What if I wanted to call you Doctor?" he asked suggestively. "At least some of the time?"
The brunette flushed lightly, picking up on the change in tone easily. "You don't think that would be a little odd?"
"You tell me, Doctor."
"A little weird," she nodded, blush darkening. Then she lifted a brow and added, "But maybe I could get used to it?"
A/N: Thank you so much for all of the continued support! Seeing that folks are still interested in this story has been super motivating. Also, following up on the last note, I think for the most part I won't be replying to reviews anymore. Time and interest don't seem to be there for it. Also, just a little forewarning that next chapter starts with a hit of spice, because it wouldn't be Harper and Bucky's story without some of that. Thank you all again for reading!