Thank you to my lovely readers for their thoughtful reviews/comments. Here's the next little chapter!

Just a minor trigger warning; some slight mentions of sexual harassment and period-typical sexism. Mentions of abuse. Also major PTSD and some war flashbacks.

Fourth of July Heatwave

Bucky's attention was piqued after hearing a key turn in the door. He looked up from his newspaper which he had been reading in the kitchen at the small two-person table just as Lucy came barging into their second-story apartment.

"I know I'm late, but I brought dinner!" She said in a sing-song voice as she carried a few different containers that she had gotten from a diner on the way home from work, "Hope you're hungry. I got lasagna." She dumped all her bags in a huff at the door as she carried in the lasagna to the kitchen.

"Little hot to be turning on the oven, don't you think?" Bucky asked as he looked up from his newspaper as his wife came into their small kitchen.

Lucy wrinkled her nose in distaste, clearly not having thought about the heat that would be generated in the already sweltering weather. Bucky was sitting in the kitchen in only a white undershirt, feeling the sweat drip down his back in large droplets.

"Would you like to go out instead?" Lucy asked as she walked right past him without giving him a kiss, much to his dismay. She headed straight for the icebox, opening it up and standing in front of it so the cool air would hit her skin, "I can put the lasagna away for another night?"

Bucky shook his head, thinking they would just have to move to the porch while it was cooking. Thankfully, the sun had just gone down so the weather had finally started to get a little cooler. Only, it was still sticky hot and the humidity was through the roof. It didn't help that fact that city days like this were far worse than in the country. All the concrete and cement held the heat in, warming New York from its very core.

Bucky hadn't even gone into work that day, not only because of the holiday but also because the gym had been too hot to even step foot in. He set his paper down to give Lucy his attention, "We can stay here,"

Bucky didn't want to leave now, not when she had just gotten home after being away for the entire day of running around doing errands. "Just have a quiet Fourth of July in." He added, looking at how her tiny foot wrapped around the calf of her leg as she stood teetering and peering into their fridge.

Lucy turned from the icebox after having revelled in its coolness. "That's today already?" She asked in sadness.

"It's today." He confirmed. Lucy's eyes were drawn to the newspaper he had been reading. On the front page, a large black and white picture of Steve stared back. "Remembering Captain America," read the bolded headline.

Bucky watched as her eyes went to the rather liberal glass of scotch he had been nursing. He also knew how Lucy immediately noticed how his eyes were also rimmed red, showing he had been crying throughout the day.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart." She said softly, her mood sinking, "I know today is hard." Lucy closed the icebox and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, and immediately he felt a little better.

She was a little sticky from the sweat but still managed to smell sweet. Bucky's hand went up to her arm that was wrapped around him, holding her steady as she kissed his head. He was unable to say anything, fearing his voice would crack if he uttered a single word.

"I'm gonna pour myself a glass of something too. Maybe we can set aside a beer to toast for him while we sit on the porch? I know you two liked to drink and listen to the ball games on the radio during summer nights like this." Lucy suggested gently. Bucky nearly welled up in tears yet again from how sweet she was.

He cleared his voice before he spoke, worried it would crack once the words fell through, "No need to make a big fuss." He didn't want to appear emotional in front of her.

"Buck, he was your best friend. A fuss is needed. I say tomorrow we head down to his memorial and leave some flowers."

"You can if you want." The truth was that he hadn't made it down to Steve's memorial downtown. He had wanted to, but stopped at the little Brooklyn apartment America's favourite hero had lived in instead. Another family was there, dwelling in the same place where his best friend once had. He could recall countless times going up those brick stairs, to the little apartment shared by Steve and his mother. Sarah Rogers would always have something cooking, eager to feed both Steve and Bucky so they would grow big and strong.

Bucky had broken down in the streets after recalling all the memories that took place there. It broke his heart in pieces to know that some other family lived there now. Seeing new people inhabiting the building only cemented Steve was gone and he was never coming back.

"You're coming too." Lucy insisted, "I think it'll be good for you."

Bucky swallowed more of his drink, gulping it down quickly, "We'll see." The burning in the back of his throat helped keep his tears at bay.

Lucy moved from behind him back to the kitchen counter, not wanting to fight him on the matter at the moment. As she glided across the chipped linoleum and turned on the oven, Bucky's eyes were suddenly drawn to her figure as she moved gracefully across the floor. He had always noticed how she walked silently, almost making no noise at all. He figured it was from trying to remain as quiet as possible after growing up in an abusive household before being adopted by the Lees. By not making noise, there was less chance she would be noticed and get into trouble for something.

As Bucky stared at Lucy he noticed she was wearing a new dress. He looked up at her and how her hair was falling out of its updo in pieces. Little strands fell in front of her face, looking dishevelled but still perfect at the same time. The little dress was white with floral print, with a nice and airy skirt that fell just below her caves. He liked the front bit of the dress too, seeing how it displayed her cleavage nicely.

She was tan from the summer sun, with little freckles peppering her nose and making her look more youthful. Looking at her almost immediately made him feel better, focusing on the sweet angel that was putting dinner in the oven for him.

"You look nice." He told her as he finished his glass of scotch, "Pretty." Bucky added for good measure, making her smile a little.

"I feel like I've sweat more today than I had the whole year," She rolled her eyes as she turned to face him, her hands on the back of the counter as she leaned against it. "I probably smell like a pigsty. The bus was so awful. There were too many people on it and we were stuffed like a can of sardines against one another. You could just feel the heat radiating off of everyone."

Bucky upturned his nose at the prospect of getting on a crowded city bus on a day like today, "Still look nice enough to me." He assured her, making her expression soften again.

"You're too sweet. Thank you." She said as she returned to the icebox, opening the door again so the coolness could overcome her heated temperature. "Y'know, I heard that the Robinson's got a central air unit. Maybe something to look into?"

Bucky shook his head as he stared at his empty glass, hating he had to be the bearer of bad news, "A little too out of our budget, doll."

"Ugh," Lucy huffed in frustration, looking devastated, "It's just so hot! You can't tell me you haven't been cooking here all day!" She complained.

"Oh, I have. I've had to change my clothes at least twice. We just can't afford it, sweetheart." It broke his heart to say those words to her. Especially since he knew she came from a certain lifestyle and wasn't used to hearing the word 'no' when it came to money. Every time Bucky said it, he wondered if it would just create regret in her mind about marrying him. She could have a much different life with a far more successful man.

"I guess you're right." Lucy said with a sigh as she turned around to get plates from the cupboard so she could set the table, "It was just a nice thought." He could see how her spirits were dampened a little and his heart suddenly shuttered.

"A very nice thought. I'd do just about anything to cool down right now," He agreed with her, wondering how much money he would have to make in order to get her that central air unit by the next summer.

Lucy suggested with a raised brow, "You could take a cold shower?" Her arms across against her chest casually.

"That doesn't seem appealing." Bucky frowned as he thought about it. He didn't particularly like the idea of just standing in the shower, getting cool, only to exit and immediately get hot again.

A glimmer of trouble sparkled in her eyes, "I could take one with you?" Her seductive tone implied what they would be doing in the shower and immediately Bucky's mood changed.

"Suddenly it's very appealing!" Bucky perked up as soon as she mentioned it.

"One-track mind." Lucy shook her head in disapproval at her husband's perversion as she kissed his cheek as she walked by him again, planning on going to their small living room where they kept their liquor cabinet.

"Hey, hey, pretty lady. Where do you think you're goin'?" Bucky scolded her, gently grabbing onto her hand as she walked by.

She blinked innocently a couple of times in confusion, "To get a drink."

Bucky smirked, a low chuckle escaping his sorely neglected lips, "I don't recall getting a kiss hello when you walked in."

Lucy smiled widely, "Well, why didn't you just say so?" She eagerly leaned down to gently mould her lips to his. At first, it was just a feather-light graze, two lips just barely touching.

As a pit in his lower belly began to get ignited with flames, a need for her grew and grew. He gently pulled her bottom lip between his teeth. A mood shifted from pure innocence to something filthier. Suddenly, it was no longer just gentle lips touching as the pillow of her bottom lip softly was held against his.

His tongue made its way into her mouth, making her let out a little moan which practically drove him to insanity. Nothing sounded as good as the little noises she made under his careful administrations as he played her body like an instrument. It was the sweetest sound in the world to hear his wife's little desperate gasps, her pleasured moans, her wanton cries of desire as she said his name over and over like a prayer.

His hands tangled in her messy hair as their mouths opened to one another. Heat radiated off their sweaty bodies, but neither of them cared. They stayed in the dim kitchen light as the outside world settled into darkness, kissing each other like it was the first time they had ever experienced it.

Bucky's arms were suddenly around Lucy's waist, holding her tightly in encouragement to get closer. His trousers were tight as blood flowed to his lower body. His dick had been partially hard from the moment she walked in with her cleavage on display for him and her cheeks flushed from the warm weather.

"C'mere." Bucky breathily requested as he tried to lift her into him so she was straddling his lower body as he sat in his chair. His hands ran up the skirt of her dress. It was too hot to wear pantyhose, so he was greeted with the feeling of Lucy's soft bare thighs.

Open-mouthed kisses did nothing to help diffuse the tension. Instead, it only grew like a flame that had gasoline poured into it. Their teeth clashed as he guided the kiss into some more desperate and passionate.

"Buck—," She gasped as his mouth found its way to her tender throat. He nipped at her skin, hard enough to make her hiss, but still soft enough so it wouldn't hurt. He held her hips under her dress, his fingers playing with the satin waistband of her underwear.

He held his grip on her hips bones tight as she began to grind into him. He could feel the wetness of her panties marking up his trousers, leaving a mark where he was hard underneath, straining painfully against his zipper.

"Just like that, doll." He said breathlessly, continuing to hold her hips as he dragged her against him. Lucy let out a small little gasp as he continued to mark up her delicate neck as she tossed her head back.

Her arms were wrapped around his shoulders tightly. He swallowed one of her moans as he harshly attached his mouth to hers yet again, teeth once again clashing one another.

Bucky's fingers played with her panties again under her skirt. Her hands caressed his face gently as he held her tight. She ground her hips against him again, making his hiss as he took a sharp breath. Tossing his head back in pleasure from the friction of Lucy grinding against him, he felt her gentle lips nibble at his neck.

She continued to rock against him, the heat between them building and building. Bucky could feel the sweat dripping down the back of his neck, but he hardly gave it a second thought as they continued to make out like desperate teenagers in their kitchen.

Lucy giggled as he grabbed her face and began kissing her madly again, tongues meeting halfway and teeth clashing. He licked the inside of her mouth and he knew she could likely taste the scotch still on his tongue.

Just as Bucky was about to undo his zipper and slip his pants down enough to get his cock out of its tight confines, Lucy finally pulled away.

Bucky looked at her a little forlorn, blinking in surprise and horror at his awful tease of a wife.

"I'm gonna go get that drink," She whispered, putting her fingers to his lips to stop him from kissing her anymore. They would just get all frustrated and desperate and become too hot to do anything too physical. Nothing was worse than sweaty bodies sticking to one another after trying to make love in the sweltering heat. "Give you a minute to cool off."

"Impossible doll, you made me hard as a rock." Bucky ran a hand through his hair as he tried to catch his breath as she stood up from his lap. There was a dampness on his trousers, and he had to adjust himself to get more comfortable.

"I meant from the weather, James." She giggled as he slapped her ass, the sound of his hand against her echoing as she walked into the other room.

"Still wanna take that shower, sweetheart?" He called after her as she disappeared. He felt like a cold shower was exactly what he needed to calm down. Although, now he didn't want to.

It took Lucy a moment to respond. Bucky could hear the sound of the decanter opening, "Depends. You gonna make it worth my while?" She had a playfulness in her voice which made his heart skip a little beat.

"I was planning on it." He promised her with a smirk as she sauntered back into the kitchen. She had a glass of her own in her delicate hand.

"Tell me," Lucy demanded as she placed the lasagna in the oven. The air in the kitchen was hot from the heated appliance, but also from the growing tension between the two young lovers.

A smirk grew on his lips, realizing she wanted to play as much as he did, "I was gonna get on my knees."

"And?" Her eyebrow cocked up curiously, a troublesome glimmer reflected in her deep hazel eyes. Her pupils were blown wide in anticipation, her chest still rising and falling heavily from what they had just been doing.

"And fuck you with my tongue until you were making a mess all over my face." His low voice nearly made her shiver.

"God, you are such a bad man." She giggled as she came forward to him, leaning down to kiss him again.

"A bad man who wants to do bad things to you." His eyes were glued to her as bent down, her lips mere centimetres away from his. As he tried to capture them, she moved away, a smirk on her face from the obvious tease.

"It's too hot in here, let's go get some air." She suggested, looking smug as could be.

Bucky groaned and tossed his head back, "Goddamn it woman, you are going to kill me." He grabbed her hand and kissed it as she made her way past him. Her hand slipped from his grasp as she walked away, throwing him a mischievous look before going out the front door to head to the porch.

He got up slowly, stickier than he had been a few minutes before they had started kissing. He grimaced at the feeling as hot air from the oven radiated through the closed space. He made sure all the windows were open before getting another drink and joining Lucy outside.

She was leaning against the wooden porch railing, her hips against it as she peered out onto the noisy Brooklyn street. Their neighbourhood wasn't the best, and Bucky never let her walk home from the subway or bus stop alone after dark if she had a late class.

He didn't do it because Lucy couldn't handle herself. He was well aware she could. Only, she shouldn't have to. After one time she came home in a huff and angry tears in her eyes, explaining how some man had grabbed her behind as she was walking home, Bucky was nearly ready to go out and beat the guy to a bloody pulp when Lucy told him she handled it. A knee to the groin and a twist of the wrist, nearly breaking it while he had been on his knees was enough to get the man to apologize and promise never to treat women as an object ever again.

But still, even despite her handling herself, Lucy was scared. She was shaken up and went straight to bed with angry tears in her eyes, not wanting to be touched for the rest of the night as she laid curled on her side.

She didn't like feeling weak or scared, and likely her own frustrations of being a woman in a man's world and feeling powerless to make any changes was what made her so upset.

Bucky walked fifteen minutes to the closest stop after that. Sometimes in the winter, he would bring her hot cocoa and warmer mittens, since she always managed to forget hers. They would trek through the snow together, catching snowflakes on their tongues, and her laughing as she pushed him into a snowbank. They would have to sit by the fireplace in blankets with warm socks on their toes after braving such cold. With all the lights off the only brightness coming from the yellow flames in front of them, it was one of his favourite things to kiss her head as he held her close under the heavy duvet they stole off of their bed.

Bucky found himself wishing for those winter months again as he felt the warm July breeze hit him. He saw how Lucy took in the scene in front of her, the wind catching the little strands of her hair. Her skirt was ruffled ever so slightly, twisting around her legs as the breeze picked up.

She stared out into the dark streets and heard children hollering as they played, waiting for the Fourth of July festivities to begin. A few of them held the lids of garbage cans in their hands, pretending to be Captain America.

Several of them called out what heroes they wanted to be. Dum Dum Dugan was a popular choice and amidst the names and Lucy could have sworn she heard one little girl say she wanted to be Agent Peggy Carter — making her grin widely at the mention of one of her closest friends. It wasn't until she heard someone want to be Sergeant Barnes that she picked up, peering over the edge of the porch rails. The little ones had dirt on their faces, scraped knees to go with their cherry cherub cheeks.

"Look!" She smiled down at the playing children, "They're pretending to be us."

Bucky came over to watch, closing up behind her so he could trap her with his arms as he put them on either side of the rail in front of her. He placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder, his one arm wrapped around her waist and pulling her in so she was pressed against his chest.

His stomach dropped a little when he saw the young boy pretending to be Steve with a toothy grin. Still, Bucky watched on and remembered when they used to play 'war' on unfinished construction sites with some of the other neighbourhood kids.

"Cute," He said as he saw them wailing in one another with wooden guns and sticks and anything else they could turn into a pretend weapon. Little rascals, he thought to himself, and wondered if he and Lucy would ever have a little one down there playing with the local kids.

The neighbourhood was extra lively that evening, despite the fact it was so hot. It was too much to be indoors, so mostly everyone had made their way out at some point. Cars honked, people laughed, and babies were crying. The city that never slept was a little more rowdy than usual due to the looming holiday.

Lucy looked down at the young boy pretending to be Steve, giving a rousing speech with the help of his sidekick, Sergeant Bucky Barnes.

Bucky blew a huff at the scene below him, mumbling about how he was never a sidekick. Lucy chuckled and then turned so she faced him.

He could feel her eyes studying him to make sure he was alright. His eyes were still rimmed with red from earlier, and he was still a little shaky from all the tears that had been shed. She did say anything though, only pursed her lips together and gently touched his face, her thumb brushing along his scruffy cheek.

Lucy grabbed her glass of scotch, holding it up in preparation, "We should toast him,"

Bucky was quiet as he nodded in agreement. He didn't need to visit Steve's memorial or toast him or any of those things. Although, he was sure it would likely help with closure in the long run. He figured Lucy needed it too, and it was her way of coping.

He grabbed his glass, the ice already melted and watering it down. He raised it up as Lucy rose her glass.

"To Steve," Her quiet voice cracked a little as she spoke, her heart heavy as her own eyes held tears that threatened to spill over. Bucky couldn't say anything, in fear he would break down in tears once more. He swallowed a lump forming in his throat, threatening to suffocate him.

They gently touched glasses, and while she only took a small sip of her scotch, Lucy watched as Bucky tossed his head back and finished the rest of his. He winced at the burn at the end but knew it was worth it when he felt his head swim a little more from the liquor. Ever since he got back from the war, he couldn't get drunk like how he used to. But still, if he drank enough liquor quickly he could achieve a slight buzz.

"You okay?" Lucy asked him, this time a lot quieter and sombre. Her eyes flashed to his empty glass, hers still barely touched.

"I'll be fine." He assured her, his tone harsh and quiet, warning her not to pry too much more. Lucy dropped it with a small nod, knowing how he didn't often like to discuss his feelings.

On her tippy toes, Lucy gently pressed a kiss to Bucky's cheek, making a small smile form on his lips from her tenderness. It made him feel better just slightly, to know that despite not having one of his best friends around anymore, his other one was standing right in front of him.

"Help me set the table?" She requested, knowing it would be time to eat soon. Given the fact Bucky's stomach just let out a growl, it was well past the time to do so.

"Turning me into a housewife?" Bucky shook his head in disapproval. He always complained about doing the minimum but went well beyond it each time anyway. But like most men, he had to make voice his complaints first when it came to household chores.

Lucy's eyebrows raised from the challenge he was presenting her, "Fine, if you don't want to, you can just eat straight off the table." She replied with snark, not wanting to hear his complaints. "But I'll be eating off a plate like a civilized person and not like some wild man raised by monkeys."

"Are you comparing me to Tarzan?" He asked as he cocked his head at the slight insult.

"I didn't explicitly say that. I implied it." She quipped back, a little more playfulness in her accusing tone.

"I can be a wild man if you'd like." Bucky took her hips in his hands as he nipped at her neck, "Me likes woman. Wants woman to make food." He grunted teasingly, causing Lucy to let out a little laugh.

"Woman will leave man if he keeps acting this way." She threatened, although from her light tone he had a feeling she was joking. Good thing too, because he would be a mess without her in his life.

"Woman makes monkey man sad." Bucky pouted, laying it on thick for her. His lips were downturned dramatically, causing her to smirk at his silly expression and pinch his pouty lips until he shoved her off him with a laugh.

"Ohhh, boo-woo! Serves you right!" She laughed lightly, her mood shifting, "You know, if you got a loincloth you'd fit the role perfectly." Lucy eyed him up and down with a cocked eyebrow, just imagining what he would look like.

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" He teased and bit her shoulder playfully as he forced her back into his arms.

"Probably. I don't think I'd mind too much coming home to see my lover mostly naked for me." Lucy bit her lip as she looked him up and down.

"In your dreams, you pervert." Bucky teased her before gently pinching her and making her squeal. "Wicked woman," He criticized her as they made their way back into the apartment, "I'm more than just a sex object, ya know!"

"Oh really? I couldn't tell the difference. You're just always so eager to spread your legs for me." She shot back smartly, making him shake his head at her witty comeback. That woman was as sharp as a tack.

"Think you're getting confused with yourself there, dollface." He teased back as they made their way into the kitchen. Lucy placed her glass in the sink as she checked on the lasagna. Bucky took the plates she had already set out and began to put them in their spots.

They moved quietly, a slight sense of tension between them after flirting for so long. He knew it would result in them taking that shower eventually, and he was sure that loving his wife would be the highlight of a rough day. It was the perfect opportunity to channel his frustrations into something else, pushing the harsh day to the back of his mind.

Bucky and Lucy were the type of couple that didn't mind comfortable silences. They didn't have to talk all the time, despite the fact Lucy could be a little chatterbox when she wanted to be. Silence fell over them as contentment filled the room until Lucy broke the quiet as she let out a little hum.

As she made her way over with the cutlery, Bucky smiled for a moment. Their simple little life was peaceful. He fell more in love with her with each second in those quiet moments as he heard Lucy hum their song.

For a moment, with her being so near and her presence comforting, he thought he would be okay.

In fact, because of her, he knew he would be okay. Maybe not tomorrow, or even the next couple of months. But eventually, he would be.

Beyond Lucy's soft humming silence continued to fill the kitchen as they moved around one another. Bucky took a deep exhale as he felt himself finally relax and not be as tense as he was earlier.

Thankfully, Lucy tended to be a good distraction and kept his thoughts from drifting to dark places. Bucky watched her as she made her way to the table where he was placing the cutlery in their spots. His eyes were still drawn to her, and he noticed she still had a little smile on the corner of her mouth from earlier.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, their moment of content was over.

A scream of a loud whistle rang outside, a burst of red light flooding their apartment, and finally, there was a booming echo of a bomb that shattered his peaceful world.

The apartment shook with the explosion, and before he could even think, Bucky grabbed Lucy's wrist harshly, making her scream. He yanked her to the ground under the table and threw himself onto her to protect her from the falling explosions.

The explosion never came though, even though he was sure it was there. His entire body shook like he suddenly was freezing, and it was partially from fear and shock of being attacked by the German's in his own home. Immediately he was taken back, and instead of being underneath his table in the kitchen, Bucky was back in Italy held up in a foxhole with earth raining down on him as another shell fell on the men held up beside him.

As he held Lucy tightly, he couldn't hear her speaking over his mumbling and telling her they needed to stay down. He knew what was going on in his head made no sense. Why would Lucy be in a foxhole with him? Why were the Germans attacking them? Wasn't the war over?

Bucky continued to shake as he held her, unable to hear her voice over the memory of what a man sounded like as they died.

Finally, after what felt like years, Lucy's gentle touch brought him back to reality. Her hand was on his arm as she laid underneath him, her wide eyes scared and staring up at him. They weren't in Italy at all; they were in their kitchen underneath the table taking shelter.

Lucy's hand gripped his gently, looking softly at him. Her hazel eyes calmed him down, and he could hear her whispering something as he gripped onto reality once more. Amidst the bombs, she was like a beacon of light, pulling him from the darkness and back to safety.

"Bucky, it's okay." She urged him, her hair now completely out of its updo, having fallen from when he violently threw her to the ground, "They're just fireworks." Lucy promised softly.

Bucky winced and covered his ears as they stayed crouching under the table. He shut his eyes tightly and rocked back and forth, trying to keep himself from being taken back to the war.

He could have sworn the fireworks were bombs. He was so positive that that's what they were. His ears rang with the screams of the men he had known. Scared to open his eyes and see blood everywhere, he kept them firmly shut as he cowered under the table.

Lucy touched him gently again, tears in her eyes. Bucky looked at her dishevelled state and suddenly he was very aware of what he had done to her.

He had tossed her onto the floor like it was nothing. Of course, he did so to protect her, but still, Bucky had fear in his eyes as he tried to take in her appearance. Her hair was messy, her dress ruffled after she had been thrown to the ground.

"Did-did I hurt you?" Bucky stuttered as he asked her, concern dripping from his voice as he gripped her shoulders as she sat on her knees. He was so scared at that moment, fear causing his heart to shudder at the prospect of hurting her. He'd rather cut off his own hand before purposefully causing her pain.

Lucy shook her head vigorously, "No, just scared me, that's all." She hid her wrist behind her back, not wanting him to see the bruise already forming on her pale skin.

"Lucy, I'm so sorry." Bucky gasped in horror, tears welling in his eyes at the thought of hurting her, "I don't know what came over me. One minute we were here and suddenly the next we're back in Italy and I just wanted to protect you, I promise I'd never hurt you —," He rambled quickly, taking shallow breaths like he was drowning until more fireworks went off.

Red, blue, and green light leaked into their apartment, giving it a sinister look and making everything seem dangerous. Bucky's stomach sank, and he felt like he was about to throw up. Not only had he hurt his wife, but he kept slipping back into the memories of the war. It was like he was drowning, barely able to breathe as he tried to keep his grasp on what was real.

Every time he closed his eyes, he could see it all. He saw his friends die, he heard men screaming, he remembered what it felt like to take the dog tags off his dismembered friend's corpse. He could even smell the blood, burning his nostrils as he tried to take even breaths in and out.

Bucky was covering his ears again as the scream of fireworks rang out again. He closed his eyes once more, wincing at every loud bang. He wanted to scream at it to stop, a fear, unlike anything he had ever experienced settling in as an invisible enemy waged war on his home.

Bucky was shaking like a leaf under the table, whimpering and scared. It broke Lucy's heart to see it, and she bit back tears to see how horribly he had been affected by the war. She imagined lots of wives were having a similar scenario with their husbands at that moment.

Lucy's gentle touch finally coaxed him out of his nightmare. With her soft whispers in his ears and her gentle hands calming him, he was able to open his eyes while there was a break between the fireworks.

She was staring down at him in a way that made him feel pathetic like he was broken. Concern dripped from her voice as she coaxed him out from under the table like he was nothing more than a small, shaking dog.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He cried as tears fell down his face without him even realizing it. Lucy made him back up against the kitchen counter, both of them sitting on the floor.

"Don't apologize," She told him, "You were just trying to protect me." Her throat felt like it was tightening as she choked back tears. He hadn't even hesitated to throw his body on top of hers when he thought the fireworks had been bombs.

"I'm so sorry," He rocked back and forth nervously while his back was against the counter. He didn't want her to look at him with sadness in her eyes like that, gazing at him like he was broken.

"Stop it. Don't say you're sorry again. It was just a mistake."

"I hurt you." He didn't miss the bruise on her wrist, and the other one that would be on her arm later. There would likely be some of her hip as well from where she had fallen on the floor. Bucky felt vomit choke in the back of his throat and tears formed larger in his eyes as he was further reminded that he had caused her pain.

"No, you didn't." She promised him softly, brushing his sweaty hair out of his face. He gripped her shoulders painfully tight as more fireworks exploded in the sky above them.

Bucky's eyes snapped shut again, and just when he finally felt like he was about to scream, there was a muffled silence. All he could hear was his heavy breathing, and the slight remnants of what could have been the fireworks going off were replaced with his heart quickly beating.

His eyes shot open to see the woman he loved in front of him on her knees. Lucy's hair falling out of its style, her dress a mess, tears running down her face and bruises covering her arms. But beyond that, what made him cry even more was how she had taken both her hands as she faced him, and covered his ears so he couldn't hear anything.

Suddenly, he was calmer. His eyes caught on her mouth as she said 'Just keep your eyes on me.'

And that's what he did. Lucy only moved once to turn off the oven. But beyond that, she kept her hands glued over his ears so he couldn't hear the explosions that were occurring right outside their house.

'Keep looking at me.' She told him. Her voice was still muffled as she kept her hands firmly covering Bucky's ears.

For a while they just stayed like that, sitting on the floor of their kitchen, sweat dripping down the back of their necks. Red, blue, green, and yellow light reflected through the dark windows on Lucy's saddened face. It shadowed her bone structure, making her features look even sharper.

After a little bit, it was enough to distract Bucky from being taken back to the war. He noticed how Lucy winced with each explosion as well, and he wondered if she was remembering their time in Europe just like he was.

Sure, she never really fought in any battles. But still, she saw death wherever she went. His hands brushed against her waist, where he knew a scar laid under her dress on her lower stomach. A jagged white line tainted her porcelain skin, a reminder from a piece of shrapnel that had embedded itself in her skin after an explosion.

She was being strong for him, despite the fact she was remembering all the horrors just as much as he was.

Bucky covered her ears with his hands as well, and her expression softened as her eyes shook with tears. They leaned in together in the darkness of the kitchen, their foreheads touching gently.

They stayed like that until it was over. He had stopped shaking after feeling her comforting touch. Bucky could distract himself enough to forget the piled up dead bodies of his friends. Even the smell somehow came back to him, and it was like he was still over there fighting.

His left arm ached, serving as a reminder from the train accident he had been in. He had nearly died, and it landed him in a hospital bed in London for months after he had been found. It took him months to relearn how to hold a pen in his hand again. And while he had been in a sickbed trying to gain his strength, his best friend had died in a plane crash, and his wife had miscarried their baby he hadn't even known about.

All the war brought was suffering. And even though it was over, he knew at that moment that he and Lucy would never be free from it.

When no fireworks had gone off for some time, Lucy gently let her hands fall. He allowed his to drop as well, his left one placed above her breast to feel her quickly beating heart to remind him that she was there, alive — they were both alive and nothing had happened to them.

"I'm so sorry, Lucy." He told her, out of breath like he had just run a marathon. Lucy got to get feet, scrambling to get some water for his hoarse voice. He stayed on the floor, crumpled up on a pathetic mess as she shot forth to care for him.

Lucy gave him the glass, which he eagerly accepted. He downed it all quickly, not even taking time to breathe as he swallowed it all in large gulps. He was parched after such a stressful ordeal, almost feeling like he had spent weeks in the Sahara.

As he set the glass on the floor, he noticed how Lucy wouldn't look at him. She was crying into her hands, trying hard to stifle the noise.

Ah, hell honey." Bucky huffed in horror, seeing his wife's wet cheeks, "I didn't mean to make you cry." He wanted to reach out and touch her, but was scared of hurting her again, "I'm so sorry." He told her, shaking his head in disbelief. He couldn't believe how easy it had been to take him apart and bring back the worst part of his life, "I, umm, I should go stay at my Ma's tonight. I don't wanna hurt you again. And a wife should never have to see her husband like this."

Lucy's hands shot out to grab him, stopping him from getting to his feet. "No!" She gasped through her tears as she begged, "Stay, please. Don't leave me."

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't have to see me like this." He couldn't help but let out another choked sob as she climbed onto his lap.

"For better or for worse, right?" She whispered as he wrapped his arms tightly around her so he was holding her against his body. Her arms went underneath his, keeping his body firmly held against hers in comfort.

"Yeah," He choked through his voice crack, trying to control his tears again. He didn't deserve this woman. "I'm sorry I scared you. I'm so sorry, Lucy. You know I'd rather die than hurt you, right?" He said into her shoulder as they continued to hold one another. He didn't deserve her.

She pulled back from their tight, suffocating hug, only to stare at his grey-blue eyes with her red-shot hazel ones.

"Oh, Buck." She sighed and pressed her forehead to his again, "I know, baby. I know." Her lips tenderly touched his face.

When she pulled away, she looked distraught and sad, "My father… When he was alive he used to do the same thing. It just reminded me a bit of him, that's all. I thought that maybe I would be taken back to the war too… But I wasn't. I was fifteen again, in Queens." While Bucky had been taken back to Europe, seeing his friends die and helpless to do anything but watch, Lucy was taken back to her home.

The home before she lived with the Lee's, the one where she was beaten and ridiculed. The home where her father used to get so drunk that he would tell her that he wished she was never born. The home where she had to watch as her father took a gun to her mother, and then turned it on himself.

Bucky's stomach dropped when he heard that. He looked at her in horror and once again felt like he was going to be sick. He couldn't believe he was the culprit for causing her so much sadness.

Lucy then sniffed, wiping her tears away, "My father used to do the same thing..." She paused sadly, "He was in the Great War. Used to hide under the table whenever there was a loud clap of thunder and fireworks."

Lucy leaned forward, shaking her head as she took his face in her delicate hands, "He had shell shock too. I used to think that was the reason why he hit us and not because he was just a no-good drunk. He used to tell me I'd marry someone just like him... I didn't wanna believe it."

"You think I'm like him?" Bucky's voice was hoarse. He wanted to die at that moment, hating himself so much for causing her so much pain. He couldn't believe he had hurt her so badly.

Lucy shook her head softly, "You're nothing like him." She promised, holding his face so he kept looking her in the eye, "You threw yourself on top of me when you thought there were bombs. My father would have just pushed me out of the way, and let them get me first."

Bucky frowned, "But I hurt you?"

Lucy swallowed a tightening feeling in her throat, "No, you didn't. You protected me. You thought we were going to die, and you made sure I was safe first. You are nothing like my father." Her eyes were shaky with tears again, "You are absolutely nothing like him. And I worried my entire life that perhaps my father would be right and I would end up with someone like him. I didn't think I could ever be loved by someone like you. I thought I was destined to end up like my mother, in a horrible, loveless marriage with an abuser. And then I found you and —,"

Bucky cut her off with a kiss, not letting her think that way. He pressed his lips against her desperately, tasting her tears. He wrapped her arms around her tighter, letting her sink into his strong grasp.

"You deserve a hell of a lot better than me." He said as he pulled away.

Lucy looked at him with her large doe eyes and shook her head, "Don't ever say that. You're such a good man, James Barnes." She gently kissed his face, sighing wistfully as he took her in his arms, "Such a good man." She repeated as he held her even tighter, not planning on letting her go for even a second.

"I love you." Bucky told her firmly "I love you so much, Lucy." He said into her shoulder, his voice muffled as he held her tightly against him.

Lucy pulled away from him, peering down into his red-rimmed blue eyes, "Do you wanna move to the bedroom? Just lie down and hold one another?"

Bucky had an idea, noticing that it wasn't so hot as they stayed on the floor against the linoleum. "Why don't we stay here instead?" He proposed, figuring he could grab some pillows from the living room chesterfield and make a comfy spot for them, "It's not so warm on the floor,"

Lucy chuckled, noticed that the heat was actually comfortable from where they sat. While she looked at him, she nodded softly in agreement. She let him take her fully to the ground, laying down on the hard surface, and she curled up on his chest and felt his heart beating quickly under his skin.

For a moment, it was only them in the entire world. Time stopped, and while nothing was okay, and they were lying on the floor of their kitchen, and Bucky was content. He was alright to just be there with her and exist.

So the sequel is making some progress. It's still very rough, but I'm hoping it will be worth it. I'll be posting another couple chapters in this little one shot series in the mean time, just to keep sharp.

Thanks for the read,

-A

As always, I'd so very much appreciate the support. Drop a review/comment, follow/favourite, and all that good stuff!