Hello friends! I hope you're all staying safe and healthy!
I actually kinda hate this chapter, so I apologize if you do too. I'm getting kinda bored with the London storyline, but obviously, I can't just take them right back to the base without leading into it some way.
There are only a few chapters left, unfortunately :( It kills me to see this coming to end.
Chapter XLVI
It had taken Bucky a while to find Steve. Too long, as he thought about his vixen of a wife who was likely waiting for him in their hotel bedroom. He sighed when he realized she had probably left to go find Hilda or Peggy after he had taken so damn long to get some protection.
Wandering aimlessly for Steve, Bucky finally found him in the pub they had been in several nights before. Due to it being so early, many of the chairs were still on the tables upturned, signaling they weren't quite ready for patrons.
From the small amount of light beaming in from the windows, he could see the dust floating around in the air, the tiny particles catching on the faint sunbeams that shined through. There was the lingering scent of liquor surrounding him as soon as he walked in. The bottom of his shoes were sticky from walking on the spilled alcohol that had gathered on the floor over time.
The place looked a little more run-down than it had the last time they were there. No doubt, it was from the excessive amount of eager soldiers who had come and gone to drink their fill while they were on leave. Not to mention, the bar brawl must have taken its toll.
As Bucky approached the broad-shouldered man at the bar, he noticed how the bartender glared at him as he came forward. The man had an uneasy look in his eyes as he polished his glassware, clearly having recognized both him and Steve from the fight almost a week before.
As Bucky walked up to Steve, he noticed how he was still in his uniform from their meeting earlier. Steve had wanted Bucky to come with him, and as they got to the secret mission room, it was clear why. Steve, Howard, and Peggy had established an elite team called the Howling Commandos, and they wanted Bucky to join the ranks.
In a past life, he would have said yes immediately. Of course he would follow his oldest and best friend into battle. But now… Now, he wasn't so sure. Every time he thought of leaving Lucy his heart broke a little more. He wouldn't just be a soldier anymore fighting Nazis, but an elite force member in the thick of the fighting with Hydra. It was riskier, and a hell of a lot more dangerous.
Half of him wanted to go, and the other half wanted to take Lucy by the hand and say fuck it all and run, abandoning the whole damn war. But he knew his duty, just like how she knew hers. Still, it didn't make leaving any easier.
Bucky patted Steve on the shoulder as he arrived at his side. The man stiffened and then only smiled as he saw his old friend. He looked tired, and his smile didn't reach all the way to his eyes but it was clear he tried to put on a good show.
Steve barked out a small laugh as his eyes settled on Bucky, taking in his civilian clothes and the way his hair had been cut as well as his freshly shaved face, "You got out alive! I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Not for another couple days, at least." He took a sip of his beer, causing the amber liquid to slosh around in his pint, "Did the warden release you for good behaviour or something?"
"Somethin' like that," Bucky chuckled and then shrugged,. "Can you really blame me for not making many social calls? I've been showin' my wife a good time!"
"That's what you're calling it now, is it?"
"Watch it, punk." Bucky threatened lowly, but a grin in the corner of his lips betrayed him.
Steve smiled and only shook his head. It was still odd for Bucky to see him in his new supersoldier body, courtesy of the United States government. The man was so large he could hardly walk through a door, and for once the dames were paying the attention to him that he deserved.
He was still a bumbling idiot, of course. He had no idea how to talk to them; but it was something, at least. He seemed blind to every girl though, only having eyes for a certain emotionally unavailable special agent. Bucky wondered if Lucy would be able to talk to Peggy, to possibly soften her up. After all, Lucy had been just as apprehensive about the idea of love. Bucky had gotten lucky that he was smooth enough to charm her enough to soften her hard exterior. Steve had never been quite so suave though and would need all the help he could get.
As Bucky placed his grey wool coat over the back of the barstool, Steve looked him over with a frown. His eyes were glimmering though, and for a second, Bucky saw his old friend as he sat down beside him.
Not Captain America, ready to lead the Howling Commandos into battle, but Steve Rogers. The skinny kid from Brooklyn, the one who used to lead him into the most brutal of fights against Tommy Susa and George Caraway in the abandoned trenches of construction sites when they were ten. The Steve Rogers who attempted to take on the school bully in the parking lot of their high school after he had wrongly grabbed a handful of Kara Levy's behind without her consent.
Bucky had already mentioned he would follow that Steve Rogers—his oldest friend, not some star-spangled, beefed-up, lab rat, who wore too-tight of spandex.
It was good to see that despite the new body, Steve remained himself. From the mischievous look in his blue-green eyes and the half shit-eating grin he had on his lips, it was clear he stayed the same.
"I'm honestly surprised you've gotten out looking as good as you do. I expected more battle wounds." Steve teased as Bucky settled in his seat beside him. Steve's eyes flashed to the red mark of lipstick on Bucky's collar. He looked a little more disheveled than he had at the meeting as well, but the smile on his face and the energy he radiated told Steve that perhaps his less than the perfect state was welcomed, and he actually preferred it that way.
Bucky sunk into his chair, running a hand through his hair as he chuckled lowly. He had a genuine smile on his face that Steve wasn't sure he had ever really seen. Perhaps in a few moments of sheer joy at Coney Island in their boyhood, or when the Dodgers won the World Series, or at Rebecca's dance recital. Never about a girl, though.
"The bruises and bite marks are well hidden under my clothes. Trust me, I have my fair share of 'em." He assured Steve, thinking he would blush at his crude words.
Steve didn't though, he only wrinkled his nose and yanked at Bucky's collar, where he could see a purple love bite forming underneath. "Bite marks? Jesus, Buck." Bucky laughed and shoved him off, fixing his collar back up.
"Oh, don't worry. I retaliated with some of my own. That woman hasn't walked out unscathed either. I showed her who was boss in the end."
"You showed her who was the boss?" Steve cocked a curious eyebrow. It was a blatant lie. Both Bucky and Steve knew that Lucy was in charge of their bedroom life… Or really, at any point. "Now I know you're full of shit, Barnes."
"Okay, okay," Bucky rolled his eyes. "You're right." He said with a sigh, "There's no taming that one," he gestured at the bartender, attempting to wave him over for a drink. The man ignored Bucky though, continuing to polish his glassware without a single care in the world.
The pretty barmaid who had been trying to flirt with Steve earlier made her way over to the two friends. She was a dainty little thing with honey-golden curls which bounced each step she took. She had pink cheeks, and a sweet smile and was a little too overly friendly to Steve when he had first come in.
As she came over to Bucky, Steve noticed how he didn't even give her a second glance, even though long ago she would have been exactly his type. Instead, Bucky quickly gave her his order, politely thanked her, and didn't even give her a once over as she walked away.
Steve should have been surprised, but he wasn't. Bucky had never been a sleaze, but he definitely had always liked the girls a little too much. It had gotten him into trouble before, but ever since he had met Lucy, Steve had noticed something in Bucky changed. He had figured he would always have been a bachelor, but clearly, it just took the right woman to make him want to settle down.
It didn't go unnoticed by Bucky in the way his friend was quiet, almost as though he was studying him. Steve looked at Bucky's face, his eyes flickered to different areas, almost as though he was inspecting him to make sure he was alright. A feeling of discomfort washed over Bucky and just when he was about to speak up and ask what was wrong Steve voiced his opinion.
"Lucy, is uhh…" Steve was careful to choose his next words. Bucky's eyebrow shot up, wondering just what he was trying to get at. With an uncomfortable sigh, Steve rubbed the back of his neck, "She's a little… Intense, is all."
"Yeah, you've got that right. She's somethin', that's for sure." The blonde barmaid returned, placing Bucky's beer in front of him and leaning forward on the bar top. She fluttered her eyelashes a little bit and gave him a sweet smile, just as she did with Steve before Bucky came in. Steve's eyes flashed to her cleavage for only a single second because he was attempting to be a gentleman, be he noted how she placed it on full display for Bucky to see. Bucky's eyes didn't drift down though, causing even more shock to well inside of Steve.
"Can I get you anything else?" She asked in a sweet tone. Bucky still didn't even try to peer down at her breasts that she was practically inviting him to look at.
"I think we're fine for now. Thank you." He replied politely, not paying her much attention. It was clear the girl wasn't used to not getting more attention. She frowned a little bit, her lips getting all pouty.
"If you need anything at all," The barmaid touched his arm and bit the bottom of her pink lip; a sure sign of flirting that was so obvious even Steve could pick up on it, "Give me a shout,"
Bucky only said thank you again. Steve's eyebrows were raised at the strange interaction. Bucky didn't even notice though and took a sip of his beer.
"She really must be somethin', in order for you to completely dismiss that pretty blonde who was just flirting with you," Steve added, his eyes trailing back to the woman.
She would have been exactly Bucy's type back in the day: pretty, blonde, and easy. But even after the first time Bucky had met Lucy in New York, Steve could notice a change in him. He was more apprehensive about just going out with dames for fun. For months, he didn't want to see anyone, and only until he realized the war was imminent did he start to go back to his skirt-chasing ways.
Bucky frowned at Steve's words, his brows furrowing together before he took another drink, "Was she? I, uhh, didn't really even pay attention."
"I know," Steve laughed, "You're so doll-dizzy it's made you blind."
"Who woulda ever thought?" Bucky snorted, his eyes trained on his pint. He recalled how the last time he was in London he had ended up naked in a strange dame's bed after a night of fun. It seemed so long ago that Bucky questioned whether or not it had even happened, or if it was just something he had cooked up in his brain.
As he looked back at Steve, Bucky noticed how he was almost inspecting him, as though he were trying to make sure it was really him and not some imposter. Bucky had a lazy grin on his lips as he thought back to his girl. He rarely found himself thinking of anything but her in the last few months he had known her. Even when he thought she had been lost to the waterfall in Norway, he still thought of her every second of every day, no matter how painful it was, and how much he tried to forget.
"Where is she anyway? I thought you two would be joined at the hip for the next ten days." Steve questioned, not thinking he would have gotten a chance to see Bucky alone for at least a little while.
"More like joined at the pelvis," Bucky chuckled and Steve wrinkled his nose in disgust. He swallowed another mouthful of his beer and tried to wash the gross taste in his mouth as he thought of two of his closest friends getting busy with one another. Bucky then sighed then scratched the back of his neck, "I think she might be a little mad at me, actually."
He looked over to Steve, who was staring at him intently, waiting to tell him what the problem was. He was looking at him with his full attention, waiting for Bucky to speak, "Not mad, per se," He corrected and crossed his arms, "More annoyed than anything. I mentioned something about havin' babies with her and she's not anywhere near ready for that."
"Well yeah, of course! I mean, we're in the middle of a war! Knocking her up would be a terrible idea!" Steve licked his lips, "Are you even ready for that?"
"I know that, obviously! And no! I'm not ready either! I wanna be married for at least another three years or so before we start trying." They would both be thirty at that point. It was ancient by most people's standards to start having children, especially when his Ma had him at nineteen, but the war put a halt on a lot of things. Bucky licked his lips, trying to formulate a thought, "The thing is I don't know if she'll ever be ready."
"Lots can happen in three years, I wouldn't worry about it too much." Steve tried to assure him, gripping his shoulder comfortingly. He didn't know what else to say in a situation such as this.
Bucky had to agree with what Steve said, though. He could try to soften her up to the idea over time, and perhaps she would eventually see babies weren't something to be terrified over. It would take lots of convincing though, but perhaps one day he would be able to convince her.
Trying to give Steve a small smile to the best of his ability, his expression fell as something dawned on him. Rubbing his face with his hands, Bucky stated in horror, "She's also gonna skin me alive if it happens by accident." He couldn't imagine the reaction of Lucy if he accidentally got her pregnant. He was sure there would be lots of screaming, then yelling, and then crying after she had gotten all her anger out.
The truth was that he almost hoped it would happen. He was torn between wanting her out of harm's way and having to leave the army due to a pregnancy but also knowing she loved her job, and was honoured to serve. Plus, it would mean they wouldn't see each other again until the war was over. That alone was a large possibility if Bucky joined the Howling Commandos, but he didn't want to think about that.
As Bucky paled as he thought about Lucy's rage upon learning she was pregnant, Steve realized he likely wasn't exaggerating Lucy's reaction. She didn't strike him as the most motherly of people, and he imagined she would be quite irate should it happen, "Geez, better make sure it doesn't happen then. You're using…precautions, right?"
Bucky paled, looking down at his drink and refusing to meet Steve's eyes, "More or less," He lied. He couldn't tell him that they had never used protection, knowing the look of disappointment that would settle on Steve's face.
"More or less? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bucky recalled how when his father was alive, he had to sit both him and Steve down for the talk. To the young boys' horror, they discovered how babies were made, and how they weren't just left on the doorstep for the parents to find as they had believed before learning about intercourse.
A few years later, when they both started taking an interest in girls, Bucky's father had left a packet of rubbers on his bedside table without saying a word. If his mother had found out she would have beat them both like runted mules, not believing in premarital sex. But George Barnes knew it was better to be prepared in the case that abstinence went out the door.
Bucky paled as hell realized he was going to have to explain to Saint Steven what was happening, "Just…More or less. Definitely a bigger emphasis on less." He said embarrassingly, clearing his throat of a lump that had become stuck.
"The—," Steve paused, his cheeks turning red as he realized his volume. He hushed down, whispering angrily, "The pull-out method never works! Just take all those Irish Catholics with twelve kids as an example!" He shook his head in disappointment, "Jesus Christ! You two are really pieces of work, ya know that? You should always be using a rubber."
"You wouldn't happen to have any on you, would ya?" Bucky scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. He knew it was a long shot that Steve would have any, but he figured he could ask anyway just in case. Most men had some on them, in the case they passed by a town whose women were offering their bodies for money. Bucky, of course, never partook in such actions. He always believed a real man didn't have to pay for sex.
It saddened him that often the women weren't professional whores, and were only doing it due to the difficult situation the war had put them in. Most of them were desperate and scared, offering the only thing they had of value to put food on their family's table. He tried to look away whenever he passed by them from town to town, not wanting to see them with their starving babies, willing to do anything at all to fill their bellies.
A shiver went down his spine as he thought about it, and Bucky quickly tried to push the mental image of it out of his head.
There was silence between the two friends for a moment. Steve leaned back and cocked his head, wondering why Bucky would even bother asking until he rolled his eyes, sighing as he gave in, "I have some back in the room."
Bucky's eyes nearly popped out of his head, never thinking he would have actually had any. As a large smile appeared on his face and as he was about to demand why on earth he had any, Steve cut him off, "It's good to be prepared!"
"But why do you have some?!" Bucky demanded, "What about waiting for the right person and all that bullshit?"
"It's not bullshit! You married Lucy! You of all people should know it's not bullshit!" Steve sighed again, his hand going back to scratch his neck. The tips of his ears turned pink as he swallowed thickly, "There were a couple USO girls who volunteered to show me the ropes. I swear it wasn't whores." He promised him, a look of shame appearing on his face. "The girls were, uhh… Very willing participants."
Upon hearing that Bucky blinked a couple times in shock. A large smile spread across his face, stretching almost over its entire width. Her stomach flipped as he proudly grabbed Steve's face in his hands. The Captain's eyes widened in horror when he realized what was happening. Bucky couldn't stop grinning as he held Steve tightly.
"Don't!" Steve pointed at him accusingly, a glare on his face, "Just don't even say anything!"
"You son of a bitch!" Bucky kissed his forehead and lovingly slapped his cheek. He muffled up his hair, causing Steve to shove him off, although he let out a small laugh. Steve gently fixed his blonde locks, setting them back into place. "I'm like a proud father! They grow up so fast!" Bucky doubted if he ever was a father he would never have that conversation, but yanking Steve's chain didn't hurt anyone.
Steve groaned and begged him to stop. He took several large gulps of his beer as he tried to forget that the conversation they were having was currently taking place.
Bucky should have known that as soon as he got his new body that women would be throwing themselves at him. It wasn't like Steve was a virgin by choice back when he was a smaller man. It's just dames weren't exactly lining up to get into bed with a man they might accidentally kill if they got on top.
There had been one gal who had fancied Steve back in their early adulthood. They were about nineteen or so and he had caught the eye of Betty Donahue. She was a quiet and quaint girl who was equally as awkward as Steve. Bucky had pressured him to ask her on a date. They had only gone on one, with Bucky and a date of his own as company, and the two of them barely spoke at all the entire night.
Leaning back and cocking his head smugly, Bucky grinned and asked, "So, how did it feel?"
He listened earnestly as he was prepared to hear about his friend's first time. Steve only blushed at Bucky's words and rolled his eyes.
"Uhhh, wet?" Steve cringed, his face had a look of discomfort cross over it. Bucky knew he shouldn't be teasing him, but it was too much fun doing it, "I wasn't expecting all the fluids and noises to come along with it," He answered bashfully, crimson red returning to his cheeks.
"That only happens if you're doing it right," Bucky assured him with a raised brow. Steve shuttered at the thought. Once again, he was remarkably uncomfortable with the conversation they were having, "I'm honestly surprised Lucy and my neighbours haven't come pounding on our door asking us to quiet down yet."
"I didn't need to know that," Steve had a sour taste in his mouth again. He attempted to wash it out, downing more of the bitter ale that sat before him on the sticky bar top.
Steve heard the sound of someone sweeping the floor behind him. His ears picked up on every small detail of the bar. Like how the table squeaked against the stone floor, causing his hair on the back of his neck to stand up. Besides the stench of liquor that lingered in the air, there was also a particular smell of dust. It hung in the air, and Steve thought back to how he would have likely been in an asthma fit had he not been experimented on.
While Steve picked up on small things like that, Bucky only noticed the larger picture. Like how Steve's eye twitched ever so slightly as the taboo topic they were discussing. It wasn't the most gentlemanly of conversations, and he felt like a young man again, discussing such things with a perverse fascination. As Bucky observed Steve's reaction he chuckled. He had his own drink in hand, taking more of it in his mouth. He tasted the tang of the amber coloured liquid on his tongue, feeling it course down his throat. He missed just having a casual beer with his friend and goofing off.
As he watched as Steve's ears turned from a vibrant pink back to his normal colour, Bucky sighed, "Steve, I gotta tell ya," He licked his lips and wondered how to best put it. Steve leaned forward to listen to whatever wisdom Bucky was attempting to bestow upon him, "I've had sex with quite a few women—,"
"Christ, Buck! Humble down, would ya?" Stave begged him, knowing what he was getting at. He groaned again at the situation. He also wondered what Lucy would have thought if she had been there to hear how her husband was speaking. Undoubtedly, she would have yanked him out the bar by the ear like a naughty child if she heard such things.
Bucky only pursed his lips at Steve's words. He took another drink and tried his best to get his point across, "Nothing compares to the first time you do it with the woman you love."
Steve's demeanor softened as he heard that. His shoulders sunk as he realized Bucky wasn't joking around anymore. He was being serious, as he saw his genuine expression and how he looked down at the hand that clutched his beer, noting the gold band on his second last finger.
"You were right about the whole 'right partner' thing. She's it." Bucky spoke genuinely, sighing a little to show he was done teasing, "I know I gave you a hard time for it, but you were right. She's it for me. And I want to join you and the other Howling Commandos, I really do. It's just… I didn't even know how to bring it up to her." He shook his head, peeling at some of the chipped paint on the bar top.
"So, you haven't told her?"
"Nah, we had a nice day. And I have plans for later," He snorted as he rubbed a hand over his smooth cheek, "I bought champagne for this evening. Can you believe that?" He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "But I'll tell her. Just not right now. I want her to be happy for the next little bit."
Steve understood, not wanting to put pressure on Bucky. Bucky knew that Lucy would eventually understand, but it didn't mean she wouldn't be hurt. Also, he still wasn't sure he even wanted to be a part of it all.
As he thought about all the possibilities of what could happen, each scenario running through his head, "Steve, if anything happens to me..." Bucky began seriously, refusing to meet his friend's eye and could only look forward. His eyes took in everything but Steve. He had a sudden fascination with a peeling label on a whiskey bottle, choosing to fixate on it rather than the blue-eyed, kicked puppy, beside him.
"Buck, don't talk like that—,"
"I'm serious. If anything happens to me, I need you to take care of her," He spoke solemnly, his heart hurting in his chest as he thought about it. The idea of leaving her alone killed him more than anything, and Bucky had to swallow a lump in his throat as he thought about it. He felt as though he were about to be sick the more he dwelled on the topic.
Steve's fists balled up. He was clenching them so hard they began to turn white, "Stop saying that! Nothing is going to happen to you. I won't let it!" He promised, his voice even and determined.
The darker haired man tried his best to give a small smile, "You don't know that, just promise me you'll do it." He let out a frustrated breath, "I just need you to promise me. Promise me the two of you will take care of one another." He took a moment and let out a shaky sigh, "I can't stand the idea of her being a widow," Bucky cringed as he thought about it. He hated that she would wear black for him and weep. He hated knowing there was a possibility that he would be the cause of some of her heartache. He also hated the idea that she would be left alone with no one to comfort her… Well, besides Steve, and Daniel.
Although Bucky had learned to like the French professor, he hated the thought of Daniel trying to console her once he was gone. Something about it just didn't sit right with him. After all, Bucky had been the one to swoop in when Lucy thought he was dead. Who was to say Daniel wouldn't do the same?
Bucky knew it was just insecurity playing with his brain, but the idea of her being with something else who wasn't him killed him.
"I promise," Steve said carefully, his eyes drifting downward at his glass, "But I don't need to, because you're always gonna come back to her, right?" A beat passed, "And to me. I'd be a mess without you."
"Sure, punk. Whatever you say," Bucky let out a small chortle. He often forgot that even though Steve looked like he was a hulking mass of perfect supersoldier, he was still the emotional little man he knew back in Brooklyn.
With a reassuring, shit-eating grin, Steve promised him, "I'll take care of her like she was my own wife," He looked far too smug about the opportunity to do so. Bucky knew he was just teasing him, but it still made his blood boil.
"Like hell you will! Just cause' you're a stud now, doesn't mean you can cozy on up to Lucy. If you start pulling moves on my wife and inappropriately comforting her after my unfortunate demise, I will resurrect myself just to beat the shit out of you!
"Noted," Steve patted his shoulder, gripping him a little tightly in a form of affection. "Just... Be careful, alright? Because we need you, okay Buck?"
"Okay," Was all he agreed, "I'll try." Bucky swallowed a lump in his throat, trying to rid himself of the choking feeling that had developed. His stomach had dropped during that conversation, and his heart had hurt beyond belief.
"Cause you gotta grow old together. You gotta have babies in three or so years, and drive each other up the wall."
"Please," Bucky snorted, "We'll drive each other up the wall far sooner than in three years," He promised him, "I give it three months."
"Three weeks is more like it," Steve countered with a small laugh. Bucky had to agree that was far more accurate, knowing their history and how they were constantly a pain in the ass to the other. Bucky laughed as he thought about it. They were such opposites, it almost seemed unlikely they were together. But to him, it just made sense.
Sighing in admittance and defeat, knowing he was a goner, Bucky could only admit, "Shit, Steve," He paused to rub his chin, "I just love that broad so much,"
"I know." He licked his lips, "And you're always gonna come back to her. I promise."
Bucky wanted to tell him not to make promises he couldn't keep, but he bit his lip instead. To many others, their coupling probably seemed like a shock. But no one knew their relationship like they did. It could be angry, rash, and fiery. But it could also be passionate, loving, comforting, and gentle. Only they knew each other as they did. The fact they didn't make sense to anyone else didn't matter.
As Bucky began thinking about it, he smiled to himself ever so slightly. He realized that even though it had been less than an hour since he had seen Lucy, he already missed her. He groaned internally as he wondered when he became that guy, and when the hell he became so soft for a woman.
As he thought about it, he twisted his pint glass around in his hands. He looked down at it with a lazy grin on his lips, and Steve's eyes followed where Bucky's were aimed.
Steve chuckled as the light caught on the little gold band on Bucky's fourth finger on his left hand. "I can't get used to seein' you wear that thing,"
Bucky looked down at it and wrinkled his nose, "Yup." He nodded before taking a sip of his drink. "It kinda suits me, huh? Being a married man and all is nice. Did ever think you'd see the day, Stevie?" Bucky grinned wider.
"Never in a million years." Steve only cocked his head and then let out a snicker, "I'm sure the gals in Brooklyn will be heartbroken."
"Oh, undoubtedly," Bucky replied cockily before letting out a small laugh as he and Steve made eye contact they smirked between sipping more of their beers. "With Lucy being adopted by the Lee's and all, do you think there'll be something in the paper about it once we get back?"
"Probably," Steve sighed, "Many devastated dames will be reading it. They'll probably be screaming and crying all about it, I'm sure."
Bucky only barked out a laugh at the thought. He shook his head at the preposterous thought, "I think I might be a trophy husband! Can you believe that?"
"Yeah, she's got so much money you probably won't have to work a day in your life. All you gotta do is have dinner ready by 5 o'clock, take care of all the cleaning and the children, and make sure you spread your legs when she wants it, and you should be set for life." Steve teased, implying he would be a housewife.
Bucky sighed jokingly, "That's the dream, innit?" He laughed at their own conversation, hoping no one could hear it as they goofed around further with one another, "But I think I should establish with her from the get-go that I'm not just a baby-making factory. I have dreams of my own too, beyond just being a caregiver."
"Too bad that just went out the window, friend. She should probably be wearing the suits now, and you the dresses." Steve snorted.
"Alright, alright, shut up. Now you're scaring me." Bucky licked his lips, "Plus, I don't think we'll see a dime of that money. I think it's all going to her younger sister. Lucy will be going back to teaching classes and the university and I'll, ummm…. figure something out." There was no way he was going to be a housewife. But he also didn't expect Lucy to be one either. They had a very equal partnership, and both wanted what was best for the other.
Just as Bucky was about to bring up possibly career options, the bell attached to the bar's door rang out. Rowdy men stepped forth, bringing mud on their boots and causing the barmaid to sigh, since she had just mopped the floor.
Both Steve and Bucky turned around to be met with family voices. The boisterous sound of a Boston man's accent filled the air, and Dum Dum Dugan stepped forward into the pub. At his flank, much to Bucky's surprise was Gilbert Whitney, Howard Stark, and Daniel — an unlikely group of companions should he had ever seen one.
Dum Dum laughed loudly as he saw the pub's other two patrons sitting at their bar stools.
"Holy shit!" Dugan laughed as he saw Bucky, "I'll be damned. As I live and breathe, if it isn't James Buchanan Barnes, in the flesh! Never thought I'd ever see you again, you lucky son of a bitch." He wrapped his arm around him to give him a rowdy embrace, "How'd you make it out alive, huh?" He messed up his hair, causing Bucky to scowl and then try to fix it back up, "And looking' so pretty, too? Is this all for me?"
"He's been showin' his wife a good time," Steve answered for Bucky, an eyebrow raised as he repeated what he had said to him when he first entered the pub.
"I bet," Dugan chuckled and shook his head, "How's the honeymoon so far?"
"Pretty damn good if I do say so myself,"
"No kidding," Howard laughed as he perched himself on the other side of Steve, "Look at the smile on your face. You're practically grinning ear to ear! I'd be in a good mood as well if I was getting laid as much as you were," He cocked his eyebrows, "Kinda makes me regret I didn't book the room next to you,"
"Trust me," Gilbert didn't even wait for the bartender to come over. He helped himself to a crystal glass and whipped out a flask he had stored in his shirt pocket, "Speaking from experience, it's not that great of a show. Lasts a couple minutes tops," Whitney teased, causing Bucky to roll his eyes. He recalled back to the farmhouse when his team had the unfortunate luck of hearing Lucy and Bucky making the bedrock upstairs.
"Gentleman, please," Daniel groaned, paling at the conversation, "That's my ex-fiancé we're talking about here. The only thing that literally kept me alive during hell on earth," Bucky pretend
"Yeah, have some respect! Otherwise, I'll kick all your sorry asses." Bucky promised them. He didn't mind a little bit of teasing, but as soon as it became lewd and raunchy, he drew the line. "And it was more than a couple minutes!" He defended himself to Whitney, who only shrugged with a smirk.
"Leave it to Lucy to do it herself first," Steve smirked, knowing that a royal kick in the ass would have occurred had she heard the topic of conversation.
"Speaking of our Lucy dearest, how are you managing now that your past lover is now wedded and bedded for good?" Howard turned to Daniel to ask, attempting to stir the pot even more between the two of them. That's just how Howard was though — he was a shit starter. He liked to cause strife and trouble just for the fun of it. He picked his battles well enough though, knowing his tampering would never do any serious damage.
Bucky's stomach lurched at Howard's words though. Guilt flooded him yet again, as he thought back to what Daniel experienced in the extermination camp he had been in. After going through something like that, Bucky could have never been the bigger man, stepping aside for someone else she had fallen in love with.
"Alright." Daniel shrugged, "I was in a state of continuous drunkenness for about two days, but now I've accepted it. Her happiness is my happiness." He responded like a true prince. He nodded to Bucky who only nodded back at him. They weren't friends, but they were friendly enough, and there was mutual respect between the two of them.
Bucky had to hand it to Daniel. He was a good sport about it and clearly loved Lucy with all his heart if he was willing to put his own needs aside for her own.
Daniel quickly ordered a drink as the bartender walked over. As soon as it was poured, Daniel downed it quickly. He winced from the burn in his throat, but quickly ordered another one, once again causing guilt to fill Bucky.
Some of the guilt lessened though when Daniel smiled, "Besides, she could have ended up with someone worse." He shrugged then gave a small smirk. "Coulda ended up with you instead, Stark." He teased.
"Ah, yes, my favourite fantasy." Howard sighed dreamily as he thought about it, a lazy grin on his lips, "I must admit though, I've always had the hots for her. But since she's been married and now is completely unavailable, I think I might just be in love with her,"
Bucky only shook his head, wondering why his friends were such royal pains in the ass. He only dipped his beer more and tried to ignore them, rolling his eyes, "You had your shot, Stark."
"But really, how's married life? You two driving each other crazy yet?" Dugan intervened, putting a stop at the back and forth banter. He figured if it continued down the road it was going, Bucky would be forced to fight someone at some point. Light-hearted teasing was welcomed, but crude inappropriateness was not.
"Married life is nice," Bucky answered and scratched the back of his neck, "I don't want to think about what's going to happen in ten days, but I'm enjoying the time we have."
"Have you thought about what you're gonna tell Phillips when you get back?" Whitney asked curiously, his voice low almost in a warning.
Shit. He hadn't even thought about that. He wondered if Phillips would transfer Lucy upon learning they had wed. Even married nurses and soldiers could barely be posted in the same country, let alone at the same base.
"Haven't thought about it yet," Bucky admitted. He knew if he became a Howling Commando, it would allow him certain liberties that weren't available to the other regular run of the mill soldiers. He could perhaps even argue to keep Lucy at the same base so she could continue doing her work. After all, she wouldn't be his commanding officer if he was a Howlie. He'd no longer be under her service, and perhaps they would continue to live in the same general vicinity. There would undoubtedly be some restrictions, though. And perhaps, even some more solid repercussions than just as a slap on the hand, "Think I can keep it a secret?"
"Probably. But you might find yourself in more trouble if you don't come clean. I wouldn't risk it," Steve answered, "I might have some pull in making sure she doesn't get transferred."
The bell on the bar's entrance rang out again, suggesting another patron had walked into the bar. No one looked up until they heard the click of heels against the hardwood of the floor. Bucky's gaze shot up immediately, only to see a sweet little thing standing by the door.
Her cheeks were pink from the cold weather, her hands grasped at her clutch in front of her as she walked forward. The woman offered him a smile as soon as they made contact, sending his heart into a fit of unstable palpations.
The woman was noticed by everyone else, and suddenly the dark-haired Billionaire had a large toothy grin on his face.
"Ahh, Lucy!" Howard smiled kindly and gestured for her to come forward, "I hadn't expected you to grace us with your presence." He licked his lips as he looked her up and down, "What an unpleasant surprise to see you clothed," Howard frowned, "I had been imagining you were up in bed, naked. The thought alone made me wanna go up there and seduce you myself." He looked her over once again, almost predatorily, but also in a way that Lucy knew he was trying to be funny. He always had a weakness for married women. Howard has seen them as a personal challenge.
"Howard?" Lucy smiled back, but her voice was in a low warning.
"Yes, my love?" He smiled back
"Knock it off, before you get the ass whopping of your life." She threatened.
Howard turned to Bucky, looking as though he had hearts reflecting in his eyes as he spoke of his wife, "God, how do you take it when she bosses you around like that?" He asked him, nearly groaning as he leered at Lucy, "I'm in love with you, you know that? Please leave your husband for me?"
"Howard," Lucy threatened again.
"You gonna order him to beat me up a little?" Howard winked, gesturing to Bucky yet again, "As I said, I love seeing you get bossy. Love it more if we were in a bedroom too," He was purposefully trying to get under both Bucky and Lucy's skin. He wanted to see who would break first.
Lucy made the first strike, slapping Howard across the face, light enough that it wouldn't leave a mark, but hard enough for it to echo throughout the room. He blinked a couple times in shock, his hand going to where she struck him "I still love you," He promised her.
She brought her knee up to his groin, making contact and causing him to bend over and clutch at his family jewels. He groaned in pain, tears welling in his eyes as he sank to the floor. The men around Howard hissed in pain but laughed at Lucy's reaction to the sexual harassment.
"Now, why would get him to do it when I can handle you myself?" She tsked, "Takes all the fun out of it," She asked Howard with a smug smirk as she clutched his chin as he was situated on the floor still, forcing him to look up at her, "Don't harass women, Howard."
"Noted," Howard choked out in pain, his face reddened, "God, you're amazing. Mother my children, please?" He begged her, painting himself as a bit of a masochist.
"Can you even have any after that?" Bucky chuckled, but slightly cringed at the sight of Howard on his knees. It made her want to grab at himself to shield his most precious assets as well.
He was incredibly proud of Lucy though, abet the violence was unnecessary, but something told him that Howard and Lucy's friendship had always been that way. Bucky was proud she didn't take any nonsense, and that she stood up for herself.
The entire time Bucky had been leaning against the bar, not planning on intervening. He had a lazy smirk on his face as he watched Lucy help Howard off the ground and lovingly pat his face. He asked her if she would kiss him better and Lucy only gave him another threatening glare, making Howard cringe and shy away like a scared animal.
When finally Howard could walk, Lucy turned to Bucky with a large smile, her hair whipping around. "Hi Buck," She said sweetly, as though she hadn't just kneed some man in the groin.
"Hiya pige," He smiled back at her, casually leaning against the bar, "You gonna come over here and give me a smooch or what?"
Lucy smiled and then practically leaped over to him, crashing her lips on his. Uncaring they were in public, he gripped her tightly. Lucy's lips moulded with his and she tangled her hands in his hair.
"That's my girl," Bucky mumbled against her lips, making her giggle.
She opened her mouth more to him, brushing her tongue against the tops of his teeth. He lifted her enough so her feet were off the ground as they kissed, their bodies pressed right up against one another. As soon as Lucy tried to bite his bottom lip Bucky pulled away finally, still aware they were in front of their friends.
"Mrs. Barnes we are in public!" Bucky scolded teasingly. Steve tried not to roll his eyes at the annoying way his two friends were acting, but he couldn't blame them for it.
"That was nice for me." Dugan sighed as he spoke with a cherub smile, gesturing between the two of them, "I made that happen," He bragged with a wink to the rest of their crew. "Yup, would have still been as clueless as could be if it weren't for me sticking my nose where it don't belong and meddling."
Steve snorted, shaking his head to himself, and almost wishing Dugan hadn't intervened when it appeared to him that Lucy's behaviour wasn't even recognizable. Daniel only pretended to clean his glasses on his shirt, peering away from the scene of affection. Whitney made a gagging noise and pretended to vomit in his mouth and Howard was the only one who didn't bother averting his eyes, and instead only watched on with a smug grin.
"Well, why don't we take it somewhere less public then?" Lucy flirtatiously suggested while biting her lip and then pulling on Bucky's tie.
Bucky's eyes rolled back in his head and he turned to Steve and admitted, "God, I love my wife."
"I can see that very clearly. In fact," Steve looked around and noticed how they were earning quite a few stares, "I think everyone can see it."
Bucky finished his beer quickly as Lucy was grinning like the devil after she let go of his tie. She had her hand in his as she was dragging him out the door. "Duty calls, gents." He cocked his head and grinned.
"Try to be careful with him?" Steve pleaded with Lucy.
"No promises." She smirked, sending him a wink as they ran out the door, laughing and clutching each other's hands tightly. As they walked away, they both had large grins on their lips, a look of happiness and joy present on their faces as they sauntered away.
As they left, Steve only turned to Dugan with a scowl on his face. Dugan looked like the cat who ate the canary, smug as he could be at the scene he just witnessed.
"You ruined them!" Steve only accusingly hissed, further scowling at the Boston man, who only let out another boisterous laugh and slapped Steve against the shoulder and told him he'd get him another drink.
On the last morning of their London leave, Bucky awoke early. Partially from a nightmare, the other reason from feeling Lucy's hair tickling his chin.
Reaching for his nightstand table, he could see that it was just past five am. No light was shining through the curtains, and he could hear the patter of heavy rain hitting the window panes.
His arm was wrapped around Lucy's body as they shared the small hotel bed. Her head rested on his chest, and he could see her heavy breath rising and falling as she laid asleep.
Shadows moved throughout the room, and he saw the way the rain fell through the curtain, the droplets moving past the panes and streaking down. Thunder rumbled, bringing him back to the bombing that had happened a few days before where they had to go to a shelter again.
Hilda had thankfully made friends in the short time she and Lucy had been separated. The older woman and her young grandson who she had become acquainted with invited Lucy, Bucky, Steve, and Hilda to all bunk with them. They spent the raid drinking tea and talking about the war efforts.
Hilda had been apprehensive about leaving Lucy's side to go to New York. She had left the day before, with tears streaming down her face. She and Lucy had embraced tightly, not wanting to part ways. Bucky couldn't hear what Lucy spoke to her as they clutched one another, but when they pulled away Hilda could only nod in agreeance.
As Lucy and Bucky took a taxi back to the hotel, she didn't let him see the tears she tried to conceal as she peered out the vehicle's window. He could hear her soft sniffing and noted the way her hand went to her face to wipe her tears.
All Bucky could do was hold her other hand, placing a kiss on the back of it as he tried to comfort her. Since then she had been disheartened, especially when she realized they only had that night left together.
They had done all they set out to do in their time off, though. They dined, drank wine, and perhaps too many glasses of scotch. They had put to good use the champagne he ordered to go to their room, and Bucky had made good on all his promises that he had whispered in her ears at the cinema. He had poured it over her soft skin only to lick it off of her, the bubbly liquid sweet and sticky on his tongue.
After the champagne fiasco, Bucky had pulled her into him from behind, bending her over to fulfill the other part of his promise as well. He whispered into her ear, telling her that he loved her, but how he was going to fuck her like he didn't.
They made love — a lot. Each time was something different, either being sweet and slow, taking their time with one another. Other times that lovemaking turned into sheer animalistic fucking, unable to get enough of one another as they violently wanted to be consumed by the other. They left bruises and marks on one another, but neither of them cared. They just liked having something that proved ownership beyond the small gold bands on their fingers.
They danced as well, in the music halls, but also in the comfort of solitude by themselves. They swayed to the soft music in their room, kissing gently. In the halls though, there was no time for slow sways, it was fast twists and turns, and laughing until their stomachs hurt and their feet ached. Their ears pounded from the loud music of trumpets and piano as they were able to pretend they didn't have to go back to war.
The rest of the time spent was being wrapped up in one another. Softly dozing off, pressing sweet kisses to one another, and just listening to their heartbeats in the darkened rooms.
Although, even after all that, he hadn't spent as much time with her as he wanted, due to him agreeing with Steve to join the Commandos and having mandatory strategy meetings.
He hadn't told her yet…
He didn't know how he would do it. But he supposed that morning he would have to.
He watched her naked body rise and fall with each breath she took. Bucky brushed some stray tendrils of her brunette hair out of her face, revealing her sleeping peacefully. He didn't know how long he stared at her, never wanting that moment to end.
He promised himself that joining the Commandos was the right thing. Every effort Steve made would bring them closer to the end of the war, to ensure they could go home and start their life together.
Bucky tried to imagine what life in Brooklyn would be like. He wanted to think about how she would look during the first snowfall, and how he would race outside to pile some up into a ball in his hands before she even noticed he was gone.
He'd bring it in the house, only to throw it in her face so he could see how she got all red with anger. Immediately regretting his decision, she would chase him back outside, both of them still in their nightclothes, and tackle him to the ground until he got a face full of the fresh powder as well.
They'd lay there as he cried out in surrender, laughing until their bellies were sore. They'd kiss on the ground, their skin prickled with the cold as the neighbours shook their heads in disapproval at the crazy kids.
He thought about drinking their morning coffee with one another and holding hands as they'd read the morning papers. All he wanted was to have quiet moments like that, where they didn't need to say anything or talk but wanted to be close to one another anyway.
He wanted to surprise her during one of her lectures, sneaking in the back of the hall and grabbing a seat, just sitting there with a coy smile on his face as he listened to her teaching. He tried to picture what she would look like, with her hair in a low bun and pieces falling out. Of how she would look in those kitten heels he loved so much, and a green pleated skirt with a blouse tucked in.
He'd stare at her long legs as she turned around to write something on the blackboard, the chalk coating her hands and accidentally leaving marks on her dark skirt for her to find later. He'd watch her light up as she talked about her field, exploring something-or-another about some lost artifact she had uncovered, or the art she had helped keep from the Nazi's grasp during the war.
He loved to see her passionate about what she did. And he couldn't wait to ambush her after her class, sauntering down to the front of it all her students had left. She would have her hands on her hips as she looked at him with a cocked eyebrow and Bucy's would be in his pockets.
'What are you doin' here?' She'd ask.
'What? I can't visit my wife at her work?' He'd ask with a cocky smirk before grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in for a deep kiss.
'You're here for trouble, huh?'
'That alright with you, professor?'
He could picture her shivering at the sound of him calling her professor. He knew her panties would be wet from the boost to her power complex, and he'd use it to his advantage. He'd capture her lips in a kiss again, and she would try to push him away.
Lucy would say that they shouldn't be doing that, given she had another lecture in twenty minutes, and any of her students could walk in. But he'd continue to kiss her hungrily, finally pushing her against the desk and hoisting her legs around him.
He'd kiss her until she couldn't breathe, their tongues slicked against one another as they battled in a fit of passion. She would finally give in as he would sink to his knees, removing the panties from her and putting them in his pocket to keep as a souvenir for later. Bucky would then put his head under her skirt so he could feast on her sweet cunt until she came on his mouth, leaving him to lap up her essence as it dripped down his chin.
He thought about the quiet nights they'd have in a storm. About how they could eat dinner in candlelight after the power went out. They'd fight about who had to do the dishes, and eventually, the dishes would be forgotten as he carried her to the bedroom with her legs wrapped around his torso as they kissed madly in the dark. His neighbour downstairs would hit their ceiling with a broomstick to get them quiet down when the bed began squeaking, but they'd never actually listen.
Bucky tried to imagine what it would be like for them to paint a baby's nursery together. He was sure Lucy would take some of the colour on her finger and paint his face with it, sticking her tongue out at him like the troublesome woman she was.
No doubt, she would get all huffy the moment he'd try to do it back to her; but he'd eventually get her back by dipping his hands in the paint and grabbing her behind so there were two giant handprints on it.
She wouldn't be angry though, because they were painting in only their underclothes to avoid ruining some of their nicer items. She would be in a pair of cotton panties and one of his old shirts, which her little baby bump would show though; and him in a white undershirt and boxer shorts.
He'd come up behind her as she continued painting, kissing up her neck as she ordered him to get back to work. He'd slide his hand under his shirt that she was wearing, only to draw a little smiley face on her belly with the leftover paint he'd have on his fingers.
As Bucky thought about the life they could have together, a smile plastered itself on his face. He wanted it all with her— the good and bad. He wanted Lucy at her best moments and at her worst, as well as everything in between.
He only hoped the damn war would be over soon. Bucky couldn't stand the idea of being ripped away from his wife as soon as they got back to base. But he knew their reunion would be just as sweet once it was all finished.
He sure as hell hoped Steve knew what he was doing. Bucky didn't want to be away from his wife longer than he had to be. The idea of not watching her fall asleep in his arms every night killed him a little and made his heart ache.
As he watched her peaceful doze into dreamland, he gently trailed his fingers up and down her bare shoulders. Wherever he gently brushed them, goosebumps followed. He thought back to the night before they had shared with one another.
It was their last night, and they spent the majority of it making slow, heated, passionate, love. He remembered how she had clawed at the flesh of his back as he forced himself inside her. Her sweet moans and Ahh ahhh ahh's sounded throughout the room as their sweaty bodies moulded together in a perfect union until he spilled himself inside her and coated her walls, marking her like a brand, until it leaked out.
The rubbers they had gotten from Steve were completely forgotten about. The first couple of times they did it after they had retrieved them and remembered their precarious situation Bucky ended up fucking himself into his fist until his pearlescent seed painted her stomach.
After that, Lucy just didn't care where he finished. I wanna feel you, she begged when he was about to slip on a rubber the next round they had. He wasn't about to argue with that, as whatever his lady wanted was what she was gonna get.
They didn't fall asleep directly after their session of passion ended. They stayed up talking softly, and eventually, Lucy had moved to the window, lighting up a cigarette and blowing the smoke out into the night after as tears glistened on her cheeks as the reality of it being their last night together sunk in.
All Bucky could do was make his way over to her and bury his face in her soft, sweet-smelling, hair as he held from behind as she continued smoking.
He didn't show that his eyes were wet from tears either, attempting to be strong for her as he pepped sweet kisses all the way up her neck and he whispered over and over how much he adored her. How much he obsessed over her. How much he longed for her. How much he absolutely and completely loved her.
They finally ended up in bed and Lucy drifted to sleep. For a time, Bucky slept as well but was awoken from his nightmares as he felt like he was suffocating.
Watching her helped. Seeing her so calmly resting in his embrace as he drew small circles on her shoulder allowed him peace.
The room was quiet except for a small snore she let out even now and then. The rain continued to tickle down the window, and a soft thunder echoed. The air was chilly, as it was still winter. It was the first time Bucky even experienced rain in the colder months instead of snow. He assumed some snow was mixed in with the droplets, but he was too peaceful to notice.
Lucy's body on top of his kept him warm, and he knew his arms wrapped around her shoulders, and the duvet cover over her also helped lock the heat in for herself. Dried sweat made his body feel gross, and he knew they'd have the shower before they left. Luckily enough, they'd probably get in early so they could get most of the warm water. He had no doubt he'd take his time in there though, wanting to love her once more against the white tiled walls.
As he thought about it, he felt his groin twitch against her. Sighing to himself, Bucky tried to keep his thoughts pure, but it was difficult the woman on top of him laid naked and pressed against his skin.
He suppressed such thoughts though and tried to remember instead what his favourite moments of their furlough had been. It had gone too quickly for his liking, almost as though it passed in a blink of an eye. He supposed this was the hardest part about marrying her…
Having to say goodbye.
Bucky tightly closed his eyes as he thought about it. He could hear the rain on the window, the wind rustling it, and the low thunder. He could feel Lucy's soft, warm, breath on his neck and for a second he pretended as though they would have to leave.
As he thought how each moment brought them closer to the end of the magical two weeks they had, the more broken-hearted he became. A hollowed pit began to form in Bucky's stomach as he thought about it all coming to a close.
His eyes once again filled with unspilled tears. They never streamed down his cheeks though; he refused to let them fall. Instead, he only bit the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw blood. He held Lucy a little tighter, never wanting to let her go. Instead, he tried to memorize what it felt to have her body pressed against his as she was in a deep slumber.
Unaware of how tightly he was actually holding her, he accidentally jostled her slightly. With sleepy eyes, Lucy awoke with slow blinks. As soon as her eyes fluttered open, his heart just about stopped as a lump formed in his throat.
"Hi," She sighed quietly, her eyes closing again.
"Hey," He said back, his arm going behind his head so he can watch her more comfortably.
"It's early," Lucy yawned sleepily. Her voice was tired and her bones were stiff, but she was so warm and comfortable as she rested on him that she didn't want to move. "You should be sleeping,"
"So should you," He retorted, letting out a snort. "You're gonna be grumpy for the rest of the day now,"
"Hmmm," Lucy hummed and yawned again, "I'm always grumpy," Her eyes closed again and she was breathing deeply once more.
Bucky barked out a small laugh, agreeing with her. She wasn't the warmest and friendly of people, but with him she usually was. To him, she was sweet, caring, and loving. Perhaps, he was one of the few people in her life who she could truly be like that with.
For a moment he thought she had fallen back to sleep. Contentedness spread over him as he inhaled her hair again, the sweetness of her shampoo hitting his nose.
"Why are you up so early?" She asked him finally, her groggy voice cutting through the quiet of the room.
"Couldn't sleep." Was all he could answer with. Bucky didn't want to waste the precious time they had left together unconscious. Besides, he didn't want any more nightmares.
She sighed a soft " 'M sorry," before placing a kiss over his heart, causing a shiver to run down Bucky's spine.
"Lucy..." He licked his lips, his voice shaking a little as he spoke her name. Her gaze shot up to look at him, knowing what he had to say was important if he wasn't using a silly nickname, "I need to talk to you about something."
Letting out a harsh exhale, she knew what was coming. Lucy nodded in agreeance before her expression softened, "Kiss first?"
Bucky happily obliged. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and placed his mouth to hers. What started out as a slow, calculated, kiss had turned into something more. The fire was fed and their passions arose as his hands tangled in her hair, and hers in his. Ignoring their morning breath, their tongues caressed one another, the thick muscles meeting tentatively as they touched.
Lucy gasped a little into their kiss when his tongue licked her teeth and she opened up more for him. He moaned into her mouth, wanting to feel her more. His hands moved from her hair to down her shoulders, his touch feather-light and they found themselves trailing up and down her body as she laid on top of him.
Open-mouthed kisses breathed more passion into the flames of which burned deep inside them. Their bodies ignited in the small hours of the morning, awoken with life and a burning desire. Lucy shivered as he kissed her with even more gusto, administrating more of his efforts into it.
Bucky could feel his cock twitch against her once more, seeking to be buried in her warmth again. There was nothing he wanted more than to flip Lucy onto her back and settle on top of her, his leg spreading her soft thighs. More blood pumped down south as he thought about sinking into her awaiting, tight, little heat until she was moaning his name. The thought alone caused his heart to beat faster.
But he knew he needed to address important matters. Their wrestle in between the sheets could wait until after — that is, as long as she wasn't too angry at him.
Pulling away from her and immediately regretting it, Bucky's eyes burned into hers. Her lips were pink and swollen from his harsh kiss, and she looked flustered on top of him. He wondered if she wanted him as much as he did her. He was almost tempted to brush his fingers along the apex of her parted thighs to find out, but he decided against it.
"You sure know how to kiss a woman, Barnes," Lucy smirked, heat rising to her face as they pulled away. She could still feel his hot breath against her cheek, making her want to capture his lips again.
Bucky chuckled and ran a hand through his wild chocolate locks, "Practice,"
"Those gals probably just went weak in the knees after you kissed them like that," She bit her pouty bottom lip, making him want to take it in his mouth all over again.
He shrugged, "Wouldn't know. The other gals don't matter much anymore,"
Lucy smiled at that. She liked hearing how he was hers, and hers alone.
She sighed and ran a hand through his hair and nuzzled into him. Their foreheads rested against one another as she breathed him in. He held her a little tighter, wanting to remember the contours of her body against his.
"So, you gonna fess up and tell me what's been weighing you down this entire time?" Lucy cocked a brow. Although she didn't quite seem as sleepy in her voice, the kiss having woken her up, Bucky could still see in her eyes that she was tired.
"I—…." His voice tightened. How did you tell your wife that you were volunteering to fight in a more dangerous part of the war? "Lucy, I umm…" I'm going with Steve and his team to fight Hydra. I don't know when I'll be back. But I'm doing it for you — because I love you, and because I want this damn thing to be over finally so we can have all of our lives together, and not just two weeks.
His voice caught, wondering what exactly he should say. "I love you." Was all he settled on. Bucky's voice cracked a little as tears formed in his eyes again, threatening to spill over once more.
Lucy's eyes softened as she looked down and laced a gentle kiss on his waiting lips. He closed his eyes and hoped to burn it into his memory, so he'd never forget the feeling of them no matter what happened to him.
"I know," She whispered, "And I know what you're going to say. Peggy told me about the Howling Commandos within the first couple of days we were here." A beat passes and nothing is said. "You accepted it, didn't you?"
His heart shuttered a little as she spoke. His voice shook again and he wondered how she had figured it out so quickly. She had taken him a little by surprise that she already knew, "Yeah," He answered with a whisper. "I did,"
"I knew you would." She let out a little snort, her hand running through her messy hair in the darkened room.
"How?" He frowned. Bucky hadn't even known himself if he was going to accept. He struggled with it for days, wondering what he should do. No matter what he chose, he knew it would be dangerous. But definitely going with Steve was the worse of the two options.
"Because you wouldn't be the man I married if you didn't," Was all Lucy could answer with. She couldn't say any more in the fears that she would reveal too much emotion and he would be more hesitant to go. It broke her heart though, knowing what was in store for them and how long it would be until she saw him. Lucy hadn't felt a pain like that in a long time, and she wondered how much more hurt she could sustain in her life.
"I meant what I said last night, doll." He promised her, "It doesn't change anything,"
"I know." She breathed in a shaky inhale. She tried to keep her breaths even, not wanting to suddenly burst out into tears.
"I'll come back to you." It was bad luck to say it; he knew that. But he had to promise her that. He just had to.
"You better," She pressed her face against his, peppering sweet kisses on his skin as she shook slightly. Once again, tears returned but she refused to let him see it, "If you don't, you can bet your ass I'll find you in the next life. You're never going to be able to get rid of me."
"I'm counting on it, pigeon." He chuckled and rested further back on his pillow, his head underneath his head to prop him up more, "Any final requests of me on our last morning?"
"Mmmm," She hummed as she thought about it for a moment, "Just one…" Lucy licked her lips and then peered down at him, a mixture longing and sadness in her eyes, "Kiss me again?"
Bucky smiled, brushing some fallen hair out of her face, "You don't even have to ask." He said before capturing her lips once more, a feeling of unrequited, eternal love forming deep in their chests, never to be extinguished.
The lesson of this chapter is always wrap it before you tap it, folks. Safe and consensual sex is always a must. And if you sexually harass a lady, a kick to the nards is always well deserved lol.
I kinda admit, I enjoyed writing the smut in the last few chapters. Your kind words made me realize perhaps I'm not the worst at it. But I didn't want to include any more, so I just added some little sexy moments instead.
The life Bucky was picturing with Lucy in Brooklyn is a little sneak peek into my little one-shots series that will be included once I begin the sequel…Which, I'm not wanting to blow my own horn or anything, but all my ideas so far regarding the sequel are awesome!
Thank you for reading,
-A
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