Chapter 6 - Found At Last
Steve woke up in the hotel room, the mid-morning European sun shining through the windows and warming his face. He looked around him in confusion, as he didn't remember going to bed last night. All he remembered was the ferry, and the fire, and the explosion… and the man that had saved him. Getting out of bed, Nat came out of the bathroom and saw that Cap was awake.
"Hey, you're alive." she said as she came over to him, placing a hand on his forehead. "Any pain, headaches, anything?" she asked. Steve shook his head.
"No, I'm fine. Guess I just needed some sleep." he replied. "That explosion really did a number on me." Nat nodded.
"Good to hear you're feeling better. My assignment is in 30 minutes, so I've gotta go. Take care of yourself and I'll see you in a couple hours." Nat rustled his hair and made for the door, and Steve smiled back at her as she left. Finally being alone, Steve ran a hand through his hair, letting everything that had happened last night sink in. A man had rescued him… he was talking to him… he had the most beautiful way with words… he needed to see him again, he needed to find him, and to thank him for saving his life. He had last seen him on the beach. Maybe he'd be there again? Making up his mind, Cap got dressed and headed for the beach, knowing it was a long shot but secretly praying that he was there again…
Steve began his long walk down the mountain trail and along the narrow beach. It was a relatively slim line of rocks, shells and sand that stretched across the bottom of the cliffs, leading into the water and surrounded by shrubbery. The end of the beach where he had ended up was pretty secluded, and there were no people here as it was, so Cap had space to think. As he walked along to the place he had ended up the previous night, he thought back to the voice of his mysterious rescuer. That man had only spoken a few words, but there was something so beautiful about them. They glimmered with such relatable truth that Cap wanted to listen to him talk and talk and for him to never shut his mouth.
That voice… he thought to himself. I can't get it out of my head… He picked up a small pebble and threw it up and down, catching it in one hand. Suddenly, as he walked past a piece of cliff that was sticking out from the side and blocking part of his path, he saw something. It was a person, who seemed to have washed up on the shore. Cap immediately dropped the pebble and ran over to the person to see if they were alright.
Steve came up to the washed-up figure, noticing that it was a man.
"Hey." said Cap as he knelt down and shook the man. "You ok, buddy?" he asked. Slowly, the man's eyes began to flicker open, and he looked around in bewilderment. Cap noticed the man was in slight distress and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Woah, steady there, you're alright." he said. Cap looked out to sea and wondered how this newcomer could have ended up here. Was he on the ferry last night and he had missed him?
Bucky's vision began to clear and the person who woke him up came into view. His heart immediately began to race faster as he saw just exactly who it was. It was Steve! He was here! Bucky couldn't believe it. His eyes were bright-eyed but his face was still with amazement, not wanting to weird him out with a sudden smile appearing out of nowhere.
"You ok, buddy? Nothing broken, nothing bruised?" he asked. Bucky shook his head. Cap looked at this strange new person who seemed to have come out of nowhere; he must have been shipwrecked last night. There was something oddly… familiar about him… it was the eyes. Suddenly, something clicked. "Pardon me, but… have we met before?" Steve asked, and Bucky wanted to nod. He truly did, but it would have made no sense. If Steve knew who he really was, all would be lost. Hating himself for it, he shook his head. "My bad, then. What's your name?" he asked.
Bucky went to answer his question, having every intent of sharing his personal nickname with the man he loved, but when he moved his lips to speak, all that happened was a flood of painful memories of what had happened the previous day coming back to him, and his face fell. Steve raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?" he asked, and Bucky pressed a flat palm to his chest twice. "You can't speak?" Bucky shook his head, and Steve's face froze. "Oh." he said. Then I guess he couldn't be who I thought… His mind echoed to him. Still, he couldn't just abandon this guy, he looked like he could use some help. His hair was covered in sand and one of his sleeves was missing. "Did… did you… were you shipwrecked last night? From the ferry?" Cap asked, and not wanting to lie, Bucky waved his hand in a 'more or less' signal. Cap nodded. "Well, since I failed to save you, I guess that means I owe you a debt." Bucky didn't think Steve owed him anything. True, he had saved his life, but he could save his life a million times and leave Steve debt-free for good.
"Would you like to come back with me? I have a room up at the inn, I'm sure I could you set you up there." Bucky smiled and nodded, attempting to get on his feet but stumbling forwards as he did so, last nights events catching up to him and weakening his tired body. Bucky tumbled forward, only to be caught by Steve. "Woah, easy there." he said, catching Bucky under his arms as he fell forward. The Winter Soldier threw his arms around Steve's neck to support himself, and Steve chuckled. The storm must have really knocked him out. "Woah, you must've really been through something." he said as the two stared into each other's eyes, their faces only inches apart. "Come on. Let's get you settled." Steve said as he slipped an arm under Bucky's shoulder and helped him walk back to town. Bucky couldn't help but smile the first genuine smile he had experienced in years. Here he was, in the arms of the man he loved, away from HYDRA, and able to enjoy every minute of it, even if he couldn't express his feelings in words.
An hour later, Steve had checked Bucky into a room at the inn, and told him he'd be back to see if he was ok later that evening. Bucky had had a chance to clean himself up and really think about his situation. It wasn't until he had gotten out of the shower that he had noticed his new, real arm for the first time. He had moved it all around to really feel the connection he had lost so many years ago. He had ran his right hand down the new flesh; it was real skin alright. That Witch had done a damn fine job. The new arm was probably the best thing to have come out of the deal, as Steve would have instantly known that he was the Winter Soldier he had fought on the train without it, and he'd never trust him. He took a moment to really appreciate having his arm back. Ever since he had fell from train during his mission in the 107th, he'd suffered phantom pains, phantom itches, and had yearned to crack the knuckles in his fingers to relive stress. The metal arm HYDRA gave him worked exactly like a real arm, but no touch was felt. It was a prosthetic, an astounding piece of machinery but a false one nonetheless. Bucky missed the limb he had lost, and now he had it back. Even though the Witch had made the transformation as painful as possible, he was silently grateful.
Bucky managed to wash his clothes that were drenched in sea-salt in the shower and hang them over the edge of the bathtub for them to dry, into which he changed once they were, although he now no longer needed the gloves and ditched the charred jacket. Bucky took a look at himself in the mirror, his hands resting on the countertop, and thought hard about his situation.
Ok… He thought to himself. You get this arm for three days. Before time's up, you need to get Steve to admit he loves you… and you can't say anything in the process. It was only then that he realised how utterly unfair this deal was. Three days was not enough time to form a relationship, or even a strong friendship. But Zemo had proved that somewhat wrong. If Zemo was that kind, surely Captain America himself would be.
Bucky thought that even though he couldn't speak, he could still write. Searching through the nightstand drawer, he found a complementary mini notebook and pen. Maybe he could explain his situation? Surely Steve would think he was crazy. However, Bucky didn't have time to consider his options as words suddenly began to form on the page of the notepad. Fiery letters began to write themselves on the page, spelling out,
'NO TELLING'
In purple and red flames. Bucky looked at the page in horror. This Witch was everywhere. He immediately tore the page out and crumpled it, wanting to crush every thought of that witch from his mind. Placing the notepad in his pocket for further use, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Bucky went to the door and opened it slightly, then completely when he saw that it was Steve.
"Hey, comrade." he said with a smile, and Bucky smiled back. "You feeling okay?" Bucky's face brightened and he took out the notebook, where he scribbled
'Yes, thanks again for everything'
On the paper. Cap chuckled.
"Any time. Hey, I'm heading down to the bar downstairs. Care to join?" Bucky nodded and the two made for the elevator. "So," Steve began "if I may ask, how come you don't talk? Is it an anxiety thing, or… I'm sorry, I'm probably being too personal." Bucky's face fell slightly, remembering the pain from the night before.
I sold it to a Witch… he wanted to say, but he knew that would sound crazy. Wanting to answer Steve's question, he drew a little 'x' over his throat with his finger, trying to demonstrate that he was physically incapable. Steve nodded. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Bucky shook his head and wrote
'It's fine'
On his notepad, and Steve breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator doors opened to the bar level. The two made for a booth in the corner, where a small bubble of awkward tension began to form around them, as what they were destined for was going to be a very much one sided conversation… if even that. Their awkwardness was spared however when Nat came into the room, and sat down beside Cap.
"Hey, big guy." she greeted "Currently on my lunch break. How'd you go today, you feeling better?"
"Much better.'' Steve replied. "Oh, you haven't met… oh I'm so sorry, I just realised I haven't learned your name yet." Steve admitted with embarrassment. Bucky waved his hand in a way that meant 'all good', and scrawled his name on the notepad.
"Bucky…" Steve read. "I like that. Suits you." he said, which made Bucky's stomach disappear into a swarm of butterflies.
"Our friend here shy?" asked Nat, looking between both Steve and the newcomer.
"Hey." Cap replied. "He can't talk…" he whispered into her ear, and Nat looked slightly shocked before ashamed.
"Oh, I'm sorry." she said as she saw Bucky's hard as stone facial expression. "I get too confident sometimes, think I own the place. Don't mind me." Nat blushed, realising she must have hurt Bucky's feelings in some way. Cap, sensing the tension, tried to change the subject.
"So..." He began "Did you know I was pulled from a shipwreck the other day?" Bucky's face froze. Should he tell him? No… Steve's face had fell when he realised Bucky couldn't talk, and he had spoke to him the night he had saved him. You just had to open your mouth, didn't you… Bucky cursed himself.
"It was amazing!" Steve continued. "One minute, I was caught in this explosion, then the next minute I'm fine, someone had pulled me to shore. I don't know where they are, but as soon as I find them I'm gonna thank them for saving my life. I wonder where they are." He said.
Try right across the table… Bucky thought.
"Don't believe a word of it, Bucky. I promise you, Steve is off his rocker."
"I'm telling you Nat, they were real, I'm gonna find that guy." he said out loud. And I'm gonna marry him… he thought to himself.
"So. How are the three of us gonna spend our day?" asked Nat, however her question was quickly answered when a man at the bar stool got up and addressed the bar's inhabitants in German.
"What did he say?" asked Cap, and Bucky almost laughed at what the man had said.
"Town dancing this evening." Nat translated, her face lighting up. "Oh my god, we are so going to that." she said.
"Nat, you know I don't dance." said Steve, remembering his final promise to Peggy. If he was going to dance with anyone, it would be her; he owed it to his old best friend. They definitely weren't in love, but they had become like siblings to each other during the war, and Steve missed the moments they had shared. Nat saw the look on Steve's face and placed a hand gently under his chin.
"Hey." she said. "She'd want you to have fun." Steve smiled at Nat, and agreed to come along, but didn't promise to dance.
"So, Buck," Steve turned to Bucky, giving him his own nickname. Bucky loved it. "Whadd'ya say? You coming?" he asked, and Bucky blushed slightly and looked a little embarrassed, before writing,
'Why not'
On his notepad.
"Well alrighty then." Steve said, and the three left the bar. Outside, people were helping set up the town square with string lights and lanterns, (this town really liked doing that, the trio thought) while a small band warmed up. Two people on ladders were hanging up a banner that read 'FESTIVAL NIGHT DANCING', and Steve thought it was adorable. The trio walked around town square, Steve and Nat talking and Bucky displaying his reactions in writing. Eventually, Natasha had to head back to work, and Cap and Bucky were left together.
