Chapter 11 – back in the day
The boys where both in Bucky's apartment, Sam was sprawled out on Bucky couch watching the game on TV. Bucky was stood in the kitchen tidying up, a usual thing he did when ever Sam was around. When ever Sam came over to watch the game, his favourite thing to do was mess up Bucky's apartment it seemed. Usually it would of bothered him but not tonight, Bucky was putting away the dishes with a smile on his face. Sam watched him as he wondered around the kitchen smiling to himself, it was an odd sight for Sam to see, almost scary. "Why are you smiling like that?" He finally asked not being able to watch any longer. Bucky looked over at Sam and shrugged.
"I'm not smiling like anything" He said trying his best to suppress his smile.
Sam sat up and rolled his eyes. "Right" He said in a sarcastic tone. Bucky shook his head knowing what was coming. Sam rested his elbow on the side of the couch and rested his chin in his hand, he smiled at Bucky. "So hows Lucky?" He asked with a grin on his face, he batted his eyelashes like a girl waiting for gossip.
Bucky rolled his eyes at his friends constant need to be a pain in his ass. "You saw her yourself this morning... stop looking at me like that" He snapped at his friend who was now laughing.
"It's so weird to see you alone, I thought you to where glued at the hip" He joked.
Bucky lent against the kitchen counter and folded his arms. "What's going on with you? we're just friends" He stated in a matter of fact tone trying his best to act casual. Of course Bucky thought about her constantly but he'd grown attached and he'd told himself time and time again it was because they where the same, nothing else. She needed a friend and he was there for her, he didn't understand why people had such a hard time understanding that.
Sam bit back a smile knowing he was getting Bucky flustered. "I didn't say you were anything more" He said with a smug expression before laughing quietly.
Bucky threw him an annoyed look. "Shut up" He muttered. He pushed himself off the counter and grabbed some more items of the side and placed them back in there rightful homes trying his best to ignore Sam's comments.
Sam wasn't going to let the joke die there, he stood up and began to walk over to the kitchen, he watched as his friend cleared the kitchen in his usual OCD like manner and smirked again. "I spoke to Wanda before" He said in a teasing tone grabbing Bucky's attention.
Bucky closed his eyes and sighed before turning to Sam. "She told you" He said bluntly.
Sam burst out laughing at the look on Bucky's face. "You... you are a dark horse Buck" He said pointing at him.
Bucky couldn't help but smile at the thought of what he had planned for Lucky "It's just for fun" He insisted suddenly feeling flustered.
Sam winked. "I bet".
"I think it will cheer her up. She has been working so hard these past couple of weeks she deserves a night off" He told his friend honestly, Sam couldn't stop smiling at Bucky and it was beginning to annoy him. "Stop looking at me like that" Bucky snapped.
Sam walked over to Bucky and wrapped his arms around him much to Bucky's dismay. "How sweet" He sang, Bucky stood with his arms by his side trying not to smile at the idiot clinging on to him. "I think you like her" He sang again this time pulling Bucky into a friendly head lock.
It was all to easy for Bucky to push Sam off but that didn't stop Sam trying to wrestle with his buddy in the kitchen. "get off me" Bucky laughed.
Sam grabbed him again. "Bucky's going on a date" He teased.
Bucky gave up the fight and shook his head. "I swear I will break your arm" He joked. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Sam let go of Bucky.
"Bucky open up, it's me" Lucky soft voice called from the other side of the door. Bucky suddenly looked nervous and Sam smiled from ear to ear.
"Does she know?" He whispered in an excited tone while looking at Bucky who was quick to shush him.
"No shut up" He whispered back with a frown. Sam made his way to his door unlocking it and pulling it open for her.
She looked surprised when she saw Sam o the other side of the door she was only expecting Bucky to be home. "Hi, oh hey Sam" She said in a friendly tone. Sam smiled at her a little to much.
"What's up Lucky charms" He greeted, She smiled at him lightly wondering what had gotten into him and brushed past him walking into the apartment that had become like her second home. Bucky stood in the kitchen and smiled faintly at her, his heart began to speed up at the thought of the plan he was now doubting. "Excited for tonight?" Sam asked grabbing her attention again.
Lucky frowned and cocked her head at Sam "Not the word I'd use" She dead panned.
Sam winked. "I'm sure you'll have a good time" He told her, she held back the urge to ask if there was something wrong,she didn't have time to deal with him she was already mentally preparing herself for tonight's torture. "Well I can't stay got somewhere to be but enjoy your session" Sam spoke as he backed out of the room leaving just Lucky and Bucky alone. Bucky faced away from her shaking his head at Sam's inability to stay cool.
Lucky stared at the doorway for a second completely confused. "Thanks" She muttered quietly. She turned back to Bucky who was still facing away from her. "Was he acting strange?" She asked as she walked over to his couch to sit.
Bucky suddenly felt nervous, this was a bad idea he thought to himself thinking about what he had spoken to Wanda about earlier. He gulped at turned to look at her now trying his best to look normal. "I don't know... it's Sam he is always pretty strange... He is a strange man" Bucky blabbered awkwardly. "Drink?" He asked quickly not waiting for her to answer before walking away from her and back into the kitchen.
Lucky stood awkwardly looking over at Bucky who was making himself busy so he purposely didn't have to look at her. "Bucky?" she asked in a soft voice, he didn't turn to her just hummed to let her know he was listening. Lucky felt nervous she'd been thinking about the hug from his morning and how she'd held onto him for a long time. She thought maybe she was starting to get a bit too comfortable around him. "This morning you just left, did I do something?" She asked in a quite voice.
Bucky froze from what he was doing and turned to her. "What, no of course not" he said quickly shutting down her theory.
"I just thought we-" she began but he cut her off.
"No. You didn't do anything I just had to go speak to someone that's all" He told her honestly. He felt bad for leaving her like that, he kicked himself for not handling it better.
She looked up at him and smiled. "So we're okay?" She asked.
He smiled at her. "Of cours-" he was cut off by Wanda bursting through the door of his apartment.
"Sorry I'm late" she called as she threw her coat onto his counter top.
Lucky pried her eyes away from Bucky and looked over to Wanda dreading the session. "It's fine. So what fresh hell am I going to visit tonight?" She asked in a disheartened voice as she plonked down on the sofa. Wanda smiled and sat in the chair across from her as usual.
"Don't worry I've got somewhere special planned" Wanda said with a smile. Lucky felt Bucky sit next to her ready to go along with her to what ever horrid memory she had waiting. She smiled faintly thankful to have him by her side. Lucky and Bucky both felt the presence of Wanda's magic in there heads, they both began to fade away until they heard her voice again. "Open" She whispered.
Lucky opened her eyes and frowned she didn't recognise where she was. She stood on a crowded street, there was something odd about the way everyone was dressed. The smells, the music in the background everything was different.
She furrowed her brow in confusion not recognising the memory "Where am I?" She said out loud turning around to find Wanda who was usually stood behind her.
"Wanda?" She asked in a confused voice turning to see she was alone, She spun in a full circle "Bucky?" She said in a more panicked voice. The street was crowded and no one seemed to notice her. She nervously began to walk and looked down when she felt the click of high heels on the floor. "What is this?" She asked herself looking down, she was dressed in a red knee length dress and black heels. She frowned at the outfit and was utterly confused, this wasn't like any memory she'd had before. Her heart began to race, fear slowly started to creep in.
"You look lost" A semi familiar voice called out startling Lucky, She looked up and her eyes widened at the man stood in front of her. "Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes at your service" Bucky said with a smile. He looked different, the first thing she noticed is how young he looked, the second was the crooked smile he wore and the third was the uniform. The stunningly smart uniform, the long beige jacket wrapped around his body with a brown belt pulled tightly around the waist. He wasn't as big as she was used to seeing, in good shape but his arms and shoulders weren't as bulky. He laughed lightly as she stared at him for a good minute taking in his appearance.
She smiled but still looked confused. "Bucky?" She asked in amazement unsure if it was actually him or her mind playing tricks on her.
He smiled showing his crooked teeth, a lot different from the perfectly straight smile she was used to seeing now. "In the flesh doll" He said with a wink. His New York accent was a lot stronger than she was used to.
She laughed and covered her face at his response, it was so un like him "Oh my god" she laughed into her hands, He stood smiling at her almost feeling proud. "You look so different but the same I..." She pulled her hands away from her face and shook her head, she wore the biggest smile. "This is amazing. What did you do?" She asked taking another moment to look him up and down. His hair was short on the sides and longer on top, similar to how he wore it now. She noticed how different he looked clean shaven, so young so innocent, his eyes seemed brighter than she'd ever seen them.
Bucky took a small step closer to her "What's a pretty dame like yourself doin' in a place like this all alone?" He asked in a flirty tone gesturing with his eyes to the street they where stood in.
Her mouth dropped opened in shock, the Bucky she knew was a man of little words she could never of imagined him using a pick up line. She managed to stop herself from nervously laughing at his unexpected comment. "Oh wow does that line usually work?" she asked in a sarcastic tone, looking at the man she knew but hardly recognised.
He held his hand out to her, she looked at in and noticed it was human. This was Bucky before what ever happened to him happened. Her eyes softened slightly looking at his hand, she slowly looked back up at him. "Why don't you come with me and find out beautiful" He offered in the same flirty tone he'd used before.
She laughed and took hold of his hand. "Well, who am I to say no to James Barnes, gods gift to woman" She said still wearing an amazed smiled.
He pulled her closer to him and they began to walk down the busy street, she suddenly realised where they where. New york in the 40s, the people, the music and the sites all amazingly different to how she saw New York today. She couldn't get rid of the smile plastered on her face as she took it all in "Wow this is amazing" she marvelled looking around. Bucky smiled in amusement watching her face light up every time she saw something 'old fashioned'. As they walked a few people shouted to Bucky, he waved and smiled, this was after all one of his memories.
Lucky noticed Bucky was wearing a smile of his own, it was carefree a totally different smile than the one she saw today. "Does everyone know you?" she asked as another man shouted Bucky's name.
He shrugged "I'm a pretty popular guy" He said in a cocky tone as he flashed her a cheeky boyish grin.
She shook her head, he was playing his part well she almost couldn't believe this is what he used to be like. "So cocky young Bucky. I think I prefer the other you better" Lucky joke rolling her eyes at him.
Bucky placed his hand over his heart "You're breakin' my heart doll you haven't even given me a chance" He told her with a smirk.
Lucky rolled her eyes. "Were are we going Sergeant Barnes?" She asked deciding to herself to lean into the sort of role play game.
Bucky came to a stop and turned to her, she did the same now facing him. "Well darlin' here's the thing" He began in a soft but serious voice. He took her hand and held it in both of his, she bit back a smile trying not to break character. "I'm leaving tomorrow for the war so I thought we could make tonight a special one" He told her trying to fight back a smile himself.
She let out a short laugh and pulled her hand from him. "Wow" She said causing him to laugh, she narrowed her eyes at the younger version of her friend. "I thought you where a gentleman" She said referring back to the story he'd told her when they had been on the run.
Bucky cocked his head to the side and looked her up and down "Sorry doll I've just never seen a pretty girl like you and it's hard to contain myself around you" He told her smoothly.
She felt her cheeks burning she knew they'd turned red. She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Oh my god is this actually what you where like?" She asked looking back up at him.
He laughed lightly "Not what you where expecting?" He asked in his usual deeper voice she was used to hearing, she shook her head with a smile. "I'll stop" He told her now dropping the accent completely. "I'm still showing you around though" He told her with a small smile.
He turned to carry on walking and she giggled pulling on his arm slightly. "No please stay in character, I like it. It fits in with where we are" She told him with a small smile. Lucky had so many questions she'd wanted to ask Bucky about how things used to be, and she said herself she'd pay to see him in his younger days. She knew she was in for a fun night.
Bucky smiled and immediately turned on the 'old Bucky' charm. "Anythin' for you cutie" He said grabbing her around her waist and pulling her closer to him as they walked. For the first time in a long time Bucky felt almost weightless, being in his old body again it almost felt like the winter soldier in him didn't exist. He decided as long as he felt like this he would have as much fun as possible before returning to his harsh reality.
Little by little Lucky could feel his hand slipping down her back, she caught him smiling out of the corner of her eye, he wondered how far she'd let 'old Bucky' go.
In a bold move his hand slipped down until it was resting on her ass "Bucky!" She squealed slapping his hand away.
He flashed the crooked smile at her again. "Sorry doll, hand slipped" she shook her head at the obvious lie and the both laughed as they carried on their walk to old time New York. A fun night indeed she thought to herself.
Sam sat alone in the canteen of the avengers HQ building, he'd been working out and had decided to take a break and grab a bite. He scrolled through his phone until his attention was broke by a stack of paper being dropped in front of him. He jumped and looked up seeing Agent Hill stood next to him. "What's this?" he asked as he grabbed the top piece of paper scanning over it.
"The parents of the missing child case you're working. Appealing for anyone with any information" She told him. Sam looked at the pictures of the heartbroken family and shook his head.
"God it's so sad" He whispered before dropping the paper. He'd been mad at himself recently for not being able to find the children.
"While we look into HYDRA we still need you to work this Wilson" She told him.
Sam sighed, he'd been trying his best but with everything that was going on around them sometime it felt like there was no time. Seeing the family's had reminded him of what his mission was. "Bucky's head ain't in it, he spends all his time with Lucky trying to help her" Sam mumbled.
Agent Hill nodded "And she is progressing with him by her side, I don't think it would be a wise move to separate them at this point" She pointed out.
Sam nodded agreeing. "I'll work it alone I don't mind" He told her with a smile.
Her eyebrows shot up 0"Oh don't worry I found a replacement" She told him. Sam frowned and turned around when he heard the voice.
"Hey guys" Peter called out walking into the canteen with a sweet smile on his face.
"Oh my god" Sam groaned leaning his head back in his chair.
Peter laughed "Nope just me spiderman … well Peter Parker actually" he awkwardly corrected himself. Agent Hill bit back a smile at the look on Sam's face.
He shot her an annoyed look. "Really?" he asked.
The agent smiled. "Play nice kids" She said before walking hastily out of the canteen leaving Sam alone with the minor.
Peter stood in front of Sam's table with a smile on his face. The last time he'd seen him was at Tony's funeral and they hadn't spoken much then, Sam still hadn't fully gotten over what happened in Germany that time. "Hey Sam I'm really excited to be working the case with you, I know you and Bucky are like brothers but I think together we can-" Peter froze when Sam interrupted him.
"Time out" Sam mumbled.
"Sorry I'm talking to much again aren't I" Peter asked with a cheeky smile remembering the first thing Sam ever said to him.
Sam shook his head. "No, I mean time out, you're like six. Go sit on that chair over there for five minutes" He said nodding over to a chair at the other side of the canteen. He was shocked when Peter nodded and did as he said. He shook his head at the young man "That kids a problem" he muttered under his breath. "Hey spiderman.. That was a joke" He called over already hating the fact they had to work the mission together.
They had stumbled across a fun fair, well Lucky knew it was no accident this was after all Bucky's memory, he knew it was here. Lucky was stood with her hand over her mouth trying to hide her laughter. She was watching Bucky with a large hammer in his hands next to a high striker machine. Bucky slammed the hammer down failing to ring the bell for the second time in a row, He huffed his cheeks slightly red from slamming the hammer down. She giggled and dropped her hand from her mouth. "Are you failing this on purpose to make me feel bad for you?" Lucky asked with a smile.
Bucky turned to her holding the hammer with both hands "I asked Wanda to make me like I used to be, no super serum. Just a regular young guy" He told her with a shy smile sounding slightly tired from using the heavy hammer.
She looked surprised. "Really?" she asked, she'd assumed he was failing on purpose not actually because he wasn't strong enough.
He nodded and grinned slightly at her reaction "Hang on, I got it this time" He told her, he turned to the machine again and raised the hammed above his head and threw it down with everything he had in him, he forgot what it was like not to have super strength, he wondered how he ever managed. When the hammer collided with the metal the bell rang. "Yes" He shouted in genuine happiness, Lucky couldn't help but laugh at how carefree he was. Bucky dropped the hammer on the ground and turned to the man standing next to the game who was holding out a stuffed bear. Bucky took it and thanked the man and then turned to Lucky who was already blushing. He winked at her and held out the cute bear "For my lady" He said in a flirty tone.
She accepted it and hugged it tightly against her chest. "It's so cute, thank you Bucky" She said softly, she looked down at the fluffy stuffed bear and felt her cheeks burning, no one had ever won her a prize before, not that she could remember anyway.
He shot her a cheeky crooked smile, she was becoming more used to this Bucky. "Like it's new owner" He told her with a wink, she rolled her eyes and he laughed linking his arm through her as they carried on walking through the fair.
Lucky looked up at Bucky as they walked "So is Wanda here, hiding somewhere I bet you had to pay her to watch this right?" she asked with a smile.
He shook his head. "No she has tuned out completely. I didn't think she'd want to spend the evening watch me flirt with you in old time New York" He told her with a smirk.
Lucky laughed "I think she'd find it entertaining the lord knows I am" She told him honestly. To Lucky it didn't feel like she was standing with Bucky at all, sure he looked similar and all but it wasn't Bucky, not to her anyway.
The street they where walking down now was filled with people dancing and singing. They where celebrating the night before the men had to leave, it was a sight to see almost like a history book had come to life.
Lucky watched in amazement as men and woman where kissing in the street like none else was watching, people dancing with strangers and most importantly everyone was laughing and having a good time. Bucky pulled Lucky to a stop and turned her to face him. "So be honest. How am I doin' doll. D'ya think I have a chance of a second date?" He asked in his flirty voice, he bit his lip in a flirtatious fashion waiting for her response.
She pressed her lips together in a tight smile "I thought you where going to war tomorrow Sergeant?" She asked while giggled.
He pulled her hand up and rested it on his heart, a signature James Barnes move. "If you agree to a second date I have a reason not to die" He told her in an overly dramatic voice. She couldn't help but laugh "The trenches get lonely at night without a pretty dame to think about" He said in low voice now wearing a little pout on his lips.
She rolled her eyes again. "Then yes James Barnes, I'll go on a second date. Only to save your life though" She told him pulling her hand away from his chest.
He fake celebrated. "Yes" He whispered, she shook her head and laughed at the careless young flirt. Suddenly Bucky heard something, his smile faded and he groaned in frustration. Lucky looked worried for a second. "God damn it not tonight" He whispered shaking his head a little.
She cocked her head at his sudden attitude change. "What's wrong?" she asked sounding concerned.
He sighed and began to walk over to an ally, she frowned and quickly followed him. "A memory coming through I didn't want for tonight … excuse me, just a minute" He turned and made sure she stayed where she was at the edge of the ally, her eyes followed him as he jogged down an ally. A big guy was fighting with a smaller guy. Bucky grabbed the large man and pulled him off the smaller man kicking him as he ran off. "Pick on someone your own size" Bucky called out loudly after the man.
The man ran past Lucky without giving her a second look. She looked back as she watched Bucky interact with his memory, she couldn't help but smile a little at the sweet act of him protecting the little guy. Bucky held his arm out to Steve, he remembered this moment like it was yesterday, he couldn't help but smile at the memory of his friend. "Some time's I think you like getting punched" Bucky said out loud remembering that's what he said to him that night.
Lucky watched but couldn't hear the two as they spoke, they talked for about five minutes, there conversation ended with a hug. Bucky was smiling as he walked back to his date for the night. "Who was that kid?" Lucky asked her curiosity getting the better of her.
Bucky laughed finding it funny how she didn't recognise him. "Stevie Rogers or as you know him Captain America" He told her.
Her mouth dropped open as her eyes darted back to the smaller man who was now wading his way through a crowd of people. "What?" She asked in pure shock. "No way... That's what he looked like before the Serum" She said out loud to herself.
Bucky nodded. "Yup he was a tiny little thing. Look at him now he's probably on his way to try signing up for the army again, little punk" He laughed and shook his head at the happy memory.
Lucky smiled and turned to Bucky, in this moment she admired him. She watched him watch Steve walk away and couldn't help the way her heart fluttered at the site of the friendship. He'd always been a protector she realised. "Wow, you used to look out for him" She stated.
He nodded and turned his attention back to her remembering the reason he was here. It was just a memory after all he told himself, not the real Steve. "All the damn time, he was always gettin' into fights I had to finish off. We were best friends since, always I guess. He's like my brother" He told her.
She smiled. "That is so sweet" she said softly.
"What can I say I'm a sweet guy" He said suddenly channelling his youthful persona again.
Her eyes softened. "It must of been hard when he decided to leave" She said quietly.
Bucky shook his head and grabbed her by the hand. "That's not for tonight darlin'. Tonight is you're first hand look at the life of young Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes" He told her as he began pulling her in the direction of where ever they where heading next.
She laughed. "I'm delighted" She said as he walked her down the street. Both of them wearing big smiles on there faces enjoying the innocents of the night.
Bucky walked her to an outdoor bar, it was packed with people but no one seemed to care, no one managed to bump into her as Bucky had his arm around her and pulled her close to him protecting her from the crowd. She still couldn't get over how different it was here. "Everything looks so different. Considering there is a war going on everyone seems so happy. Look they are actually dancing in the street" She pointed to the road next to the bar at the men and woman dancing with each other.
He laughed quietly. "Why wouldn't we be happy. We're alive aren't we?" He asked loudly over the music with a crooked smile.
"It's so simple" she whispered. Bucky lead her to the bar and let go of her knowing no one would bump into her here. She lent with her back on the bar and watched the scene in front of her. "I kind of wish I could stay here" She said as she marvelled at the dancing going on in front of her.
"I have that effect on woman" He boasted.
She shot him a fake annoyed look and slapped his chest. "Shut up" She groaned.
He laughed. He paused for a second watching her, she looked beautiful in the dress Bucky told Wanda to dress her for the occasion, he should of known she'd choose red not that he was complaining the dress looked amazing on her. Her lips where painted bright red and her eyelashes coated in mascara, she looked stunning. He bit his lip and smiled as he watched her eyes follow the dancers. "Want to dance?" He asked finally knowing that when he was younger that's what they would of done next.
She turned to him and shook her head quickly. "No" She said in a certain voice, she didn't remember much about herself but she knew for sure when it came to dancing she had two left feet.
He laughed and took her by the hand pulling her away from the bar, even without the super strength she was still like a rag doll to him. "I'll take that as a yes" He said with a cheeky smile ignoring her protest.
Bucky pulled her into an empty space, they where surrounded by hundreds of people dancing. Not one person looking there way but she still felt her cheeks flush red in embarrassment. He smiled and pulled her hands up and rested them on his shoulders. She was staring down at her feet already in anticipation of the dance. He let out a soft chuckle before he placed both hands on her waist. She bit her lip to stop herself smiling as she stared down at the floor. He slowly began to move her around, she felt like a rag doll in his arms but she noticed he knew what he was doing. She followed his feet as they danced in circles to the time of the music. Once she got the hang of it she dared to look up at him and away from her feet. "You can dance" She said not being able to hide her surprise. The man she knew was full of secrets.
He smiled at her "Can't expect me to get by on my good looks alone I also had to learn some moves to impress the ladies oh an also some amazing pick up lines" He told her wiggling his eye brows.
She began to relax as he danced with her, he was good at taking the lead. "Please oh please use a classic James Barnes pick up line on me" She begged with a grin on her face.
He pressed his lips together to top himself smiling and shook his head. "No can do beautiful cos' you're expecting' it" He told her, she pouted dramaticly and he laughed. He suddenly spun her around and pressed his chest against her back as they swayed to the music. He lent down slightly pressing his cheek to the top of her head. I'll tell you somethin' though, I happen to know a guy that really likes you and if I wasn't so shy I'd tell you who he was" He whispered in her ear.
Her mouth dropped open as he pulled away from her grinning ear to ear. "Oh wow and did that ever work?" She asked trying to hold back her laughter. His flirtatious voice had sent a shiver down her spine, he effortlessly spun her back around so they where facing again, he placed his hands back on her waist.
He winked at her all of a sudden feeling very confident in his old skin "You tell me darlin" he said with a flirty smile.
She b laughed lightly and looked down at their feet as they dance, she smiled as she followed his feet with hers. "You're quite amazing at this you know" She said quietly before looking back up and meeting his blue gaze.
"Ain't so bad yourself" he said with a smirk. She blushed and looked down, he pretended not to notice. He slowly released her pulling his arms away. She stopped and looked at him confused. "How bout' I grab you a drink?" He asked with a smile.
She smiled and nodded "Sure" She said quietly.
"You just hang back and look pretty" He told her with a wink before disappearing into a crowd. She stood there with a smile on her face and let out a little laugh as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. This was the most fun night out she'd ever had, that she could remember anyway.
She stood swaying to the old timely music waiting for the younger more cocky version of her friend to come back to her. "Hi there beautiful you got a band aid?" A voice asked from behind her, she turned around and saw another solider stood there looking at her. He was tall and had short blond hair and wore the same uniform Bucky did.
Her eyes softened. "I don't, I'm sorry" She said to the tall blond man.
He sighed and pouted his lip "Aw man, I hurt my knee real bad fallin' for you" He told her, her mouth dropped open to laugh. Before she had a chance to respond to the man she felt a warm hand around her wrist pulling her away from the man forcefully. Bucky pulled her so hard she crashed into his body, he wrapped his arm around her protectively and glared at the man.
"Get your own pal" He called to the blonde man, Lucky didn't see the reaction on the poor soldiers face, Bucky pulled her away completely before she had a chance.
She bit her lip and looked up at him, she noticed he didn't have any drinks meaning he ditched the bar when he saw the man talking to her, she smiled at the thought of him being jealous. "You're a possessive man Sergeant. Are you worried I thought his pick up line was better than yours?" She asked teasingly.
He rolled his eyes and turned to face her grabbing her by the waist and swaying her side to side in time with the music. "Yeah right, he wishes" He mumbled.
She laughed and placed her hands on his shoulders. "You do realise this is all in your head right? and you don't have to stare at the poor man like you're about to kill him" She told him in an amused tone after noticing him look over her shoulders every now and again at the man.
She turned slightly so he'd focus on her instead, he now couldn't see the man. "It doesn't matter if where in my head or not, I'd still kick his ass to look good in front of you if this was a real date back in the day" He told her with a confident smile.
She smiled at the thought of men fighting over her, it was unbelievably old fashioned and outdated yet somehow she loved the idea of it. "And I bet I'd be oh so impressed you came to rescue me from that man's wondering eyes that I'd just fall into your arms" She said with a smile.
He looked at her with a fake serious expression and nodded. "Oh yeah you would of fallen for me in seconds" He agreed.
Lucky spotted the blonde man staring at her over Bucky's shoulder and bit her lip. This wasn't real after all she thought to herself, and besides she did want the full James Barnes experience. She bit into her lip a little more suppressing the urge to laugh. She looked up at Bucky "He's still watching me you know. I'm pretty sure he is trying to undress me with his eyes" Lucky whispered in a fake concerned tone.
Bucky smiled knowing exactly what she was unto. "Well I can't have someone looking at my woman now can I" He asked rhetorically with a smile. He loosened his grip on her a little and turned around spotting the man immediately. The blonde man was smirking knowing he'd gotten under Bucky's skin. "Hey pal keep your eyes to yourself" Bucky shouted over to him aggressively.
The blonde man was now smiling at Bucky. "Who you callin pal little man?" He asked mocking Bucky's size. The man was taller and more muscular that him but that didn't stop Bucky. Bucky let go of Lucky completely and turned around to face the man. The blonde began to slowly walk over to the duo "Why don't I show the lady what a real man looks like?" The blonde asked looking over at Lucky with a smirk on his face.
Bucky smiled and took a step closer, Lucky gasped and grabbed his arm. "I was joking Bucky, you don't have to actually fight" She whispered suddenly regretting the decision. More and more people had gone quite and turned towards the drama. Lucky bit her lip and brought her hand up to cover part of her face.
Bucky laughed as he slowly walked over to the blonde. "A real man, you ain't talkin' bout' yourself there, are ya buddy?" He asked in a cocky tone. People in the crowd laughed causing the blonde man to become more annoyed.
The blonde man gritted his teeth. "Punk" He growled as he lunged forward and grabbed Bucky by the collar of his jacket. The two of them wrestled with each other for a while, the crowd where all screaming and cheering them on. Lucky covered her eyes once she saw the taller man punch Bucky in the face sending him to the floor. The blonde man got on top of him delivering another blow to his face. Bucky managed to roll over and get him off him, he punched the larger man. The two soldiers rolled around the floor hitting each other, it was unclear who the winner was, with the amount of blood on each of their faces there was no winner. Just two young men fighting over a woman, standard stuff. Lucky stood with her hands covering her face, she kept telling herself it wasn't real but for some reason it didn't make her feel any better. Suddenly an older man appeared from the crowd, when he stood above the men everyone in the crowd went quite.
"Break it up you two there's a war goin on don't kill each other before ya get there" The older man yelled. He grabbed the blonde by the back of his jacket and lifted him from the floor and pushing him back slightly. Judging by what he was wearing Lucky assumed he was of a high rank. Bucky got up of the floor and fixed his jacket brushing the dirt off it casually.
He put both his hands on his chest "Sorry but this guy had his eyes on my woman what was I supposed to do?" Bucky asked in an innocent tone acting like he had no part in it.
The man glared at him knowing he wasn't innocent in this. "Behave yourself" He warned, Bucky smirked and nodded at the man. "Get outta here, both of ya'" The older man ordered looking at the pair of cut up soldiers.
Bucky was laughing to himself as he slowly walked back to Lucky, he'd missed his youth and he didn't realise it until this moment, the rush of adrenalin after a street brawl was second to none.
Lucky ran over to meet him half way "Oh my god are you okay?" She asked suddenly feeling bad. He laughed and nodded, she grabbed his face and turned him to look at her. "Bucky look at me, you're bleeding" She pointed out sounding slightly worried, she remembered when she went back in her memory's, thing actually hurt.
He scrunched his nose up and brought a hand up to his bloody mouth. "I forgot about the physical pain aspect of all of this, kinda hurts without the serum" He admitted still with a shadow of a smile on his lips. "Don't worry doll. I'd take a million punches to the face to defend your honour" He told her with a wink, she rolled her eyes at the typical young Bucky comment.
"My hero" Her tone was sarcastic.
Bucky walked over to a quite spot and lent against a wall. His lip was bleeding and he had a nasty cut underneath his eye, bright red blood began to run down his cheek."Anything for you doll, gimme a hand?" He asked as he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. Lucky smiled and took it from his hands, she delicately pressed it on the cut under his eye keeping slight pressure on it to stop the bleeding. "You have an angels touch I feel better already" He said in a low flirty voice.
She laughed lightly. "Young Bucky has a lot to say for himself doesn't he?" She teased.
Bucky smiled showing off his crooked teeth again "Oh yeah, he's real chatty" He agreed, she smiled and pressed the fabric to his lip adding more pressure than she did on the previous cut "Ouch" Bucky mumbled through the fabric.
She smiled and pulled the fabric away from his face and stuffed it back into his breast pocket. "I think you'll live Sergeant, thank you for defending my honour" She said in a soft voice batting her eyelashes at him.
"Like I said a million punches for you babe" He said with a wink.
She sighed and rested one hand on his chest. Bucky looked down at her hand and back up to her eyes with a smirk. Her smile faded into an over the top sad expression "Oh Sergeant Barnes it's such a shame you're shipping out tomorrow" She complained with a fake pout on her face.
Bucky resisted the urge to laugh, he was trying to stay in character for her. "And why is that gorgeous?" He asked raising one of his eyebrows.
She sighed and looked away in a dramatic fashion. She closed her eyes and placed her hand over her mouth as if she was going to cry. Bucky stood smiling at her awful attempt at acting. She took a deep breath and turned back to face him "I'll miss you, who will be here to protect me from all these men while your gone?" She asked with a sad almost puppy dog expression on her face.
Bucky closed his eyes and placed his hand on his heart. "You're killin' me" He told her, she smiled. He opened his eyes and grabbed her hand with his and pulled her closer to him "I might just have to abandon the war and run away with you instead" He told her in a low voice lowering his head slightly.
Her eyes lit up "You'd do that for me?" she asked looking up into his bright blue eyes.
Bucky bit his lip and nodded slowly. "Can't think of a single thing I wouldn't do for you my lady" His voice sounding more seductive now. She looked up at his bright blue eyes that where staring down at her, his defined jawline flexing as he smiled, his pink lips that..
Lucky quickly broke the eye contact and looked away as she felt herself turning red. She shook her head at laughed to herself, her brain snapped her back to reality."Alright Casanova" She mumbled letting go of him.
Bucky laughed "Oh my god. You like young Bucky, just admit it" He joked.
She shook her head and bit back a laugh. Young Bucky was different, she never would of imagined him to be like this. "He is a lot different from the man I know" she told him honestly. She stood still for a moment before looking at him again, he was now stood leaning on the wall with his hands in his pockets. "This is fun, maybe next time we should get Wanda to send us somewhere else?" She suggested.
He sighed and pulled a face. "I think between us our good memories are limited doll" He told her.
Her smile dropped. "Oh yeah" she mumbled.
Bucky pushed himself off the wall and took her hand again, she looked up at him and couldn't help but smile at his adorable crooked teeth. "Wanna stay a bit longer, I could show you my place?" He asked in a flirty playful tone.
She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry Sergeant. This has been nice but I think I wanna see the other Bucky now" she told him patting him gently on the chest.
Bucky gasped "So there's another man, I should of known that's why you haven't fallen in love with me yet. It all makes sense now" He said dramatic looking up to the sky.
She giggled. "Don't be like that Sergeant I had a really good time I just don't think the time is right for us" She told him.
Bucky looked back down at her trying his best to look disappointed, it was hard when she was looking up at him smiling. "Just answer this one question to ease my breaking heart" He said slowly, she nodded trying her best to stop smiling. "what does he have I don't?" Bucky asked.
She took a deep breath in and widened her eyes. "A metal arm and stubble" She said nodding to herself.
Bucky scoffed. "Sounds like a creep to me, you could do better" He told her.
Lucky narrowed her eyes at him. "No he's alright... pretty bad ass actually, you remind me off him a little" She said.
He smirked. "Is he handsome like me?" Bucky asked.
She reached up and touched his hairless chin "A little more rugged, more manly... talks less" She told him with a wink.
Bucky laughed and shook his head slowly. "You're breakin' my heart" He told her. "Well, this is where I say goodnight to you lovely lady. It has been an honour to entertain you tonight, I am a Lucky man" Bucky said placing his hand over his heart.
She smiled "I have had a wonderful time, good luck with the war and everything" She joked.
Bucky winked one last time. "I'll win it just for you" he bragged, He took one last look at her in her old time clothes and smiled. "Wanda we're ready" He said in his normal voice.
Suddenly the pair where back in the apartment. Lucky looked around to find Wanda, she was already stood by Bucky's front door. "Don't let Fury know I did that" She warned with a small smile on her lips.
Bucky smiled warmly at her. "Thanks Wanda" He said, she smiled and slipped through the door leaving them alone in Bucky's home.
Lucky still wore the biggest smile as she sat there on the sofa. She finally looked at Bucky, her Bucky, the one with messy hair and stubble. "That was amazing, you planned all of that?" She asked in a surprised yet soft voice.
Bucky nodded "Glad you liked it" He said in a quite deep voice.
She laughed at the change in him. It was hard to believe they where the same person. "40s Bucky was something else... you really where something else back then" She said remembering it was actually him all along. Her smile faded a little when she remembered the reason her personality had changed, she felt her heart sink a little. He'd gone back to his happier memory's for her, it meant the world to her. "Thank you for that. It was nice of you and I really liked it" she told him sincerely.
He smiled again. "You said you wanted to see, I hope it's everything you hoped it would be" He told her.
She smiled. "I didn't think you'd remember that and I didn't think for a second you'd actually get Wanda to send us back in time so you could take me out as your old self that was insane" She said still in disbelief at what she'd seen.
He laughed at her enthusiasm and felt happy seeing her smile. "We didn't go anywhere that happened in my head remember" He said tapping the side of his head with his metal fingers.
She scrunched her nose and looked down at her outfit, it was so different than what she felt like she was wearing five minutes ago. "It felt so real" she mused.
He nodded looking down at himself feeling the same way. "I know" He mumbled. "Felt strange being that man again, so carefree and … yano human arms" he said extending his metal arm out in front of him.
She giggled and turned to face him a little more on the sofa. "He was a bit too cocky for my liking, could only take him in small doses. He seemed like he was over compensating a little" She teased.
He raised his eye brow and turned his body to face hers. "Oh really?" He asked.
She nodded with a smile "Yeah he was acting like he had something to prove oh and don't even get me started on how much that boy talks" She complained rolling her eyes for dramatic effect.
He pretended to look offended "Maybe he just wanted to impress you" He argued.
She smiled "He did" she reassured him.
He looked surprised for a second. "Really? Well I'm sure he'd be happy knowing you had a good night" He said softly.
She smiled and reached her hands out grabbing his metal hand with it. She smiled down at the vibranium in her hands and gently ran her thumbs over it. "I prefer you like this" She said quietly as her fingers glided over his cold fingers.
Bucky swallowed harshly as he watched her. "Seriously, messy hair, messy brain and metal arm over a clean cut young soldier?" He said trying to play it off as a joke.
She smiled and looked up meeting his gaze, he wasn't smiling he looked more nervous and serious now. "Yes I do" she said quietly. They stared at each other for a few seconds, Bucky could hear his own heart beat it was so fast. Suddenly she shook her head a little and let his hand fall from hers. He couldn't hide his disappointed look "I better go back to my apartment. It's late and I need to do laundry" She stammered as she quickly stood up from the sofa.
Bucky stood and crossed his arms over his body to resit the urge to grab her hand again. "Yeah sure I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked trying his best to sound casual.
She nodded over enthusiastically "Yes of course" She said trying her best to do the same ignoring the moment they just shared.
Lucky grabbed her bag and scurried towards the door. "Call me if you need me okay?" He told her in a soft voice.
She forced a smile at him she nodded again "Yeah I will, sorry.. bye" she said quickly disappearing out of his apartment.
Bucky stood staring at the door for a minute before dropping down onto the sofa. He let out a deep sigh and tried to figure out what just happened. He closed his eyes and ran his hand through his messy hair. He was annoyed at himself but didn't fully understand why. He looked over at the door again and bit his lip wondering if he should go over to her place to check if she was okay.
He wondered why she'd leave so abrupt, was it him he thought to himself. He wondered if this had been to much, if he had been to much in the memory. He groaned loudly in frustration and got up from the sofa he didn't want to end the night so abruptly, he knew he'd get no sleep if he didn't at least check she was okay.
He walked slowly to her apartment, every step he took his brain screamed at him to turn around. She obviously left for a reason his brain argued as he ignored it and carried on walking. When he reached her door he took a deep breath before knocking. Only seconds later the door opened, like she had been stood next to it. She look flustered, her cheeks where tinted pink. "Hey, did I forget something at your place?" She asked quietly.
Bucky froze for a second wondering what the hell he was doing here. He smiled awkwardly and shook his head suddenly regretting not listening to his brain. "No I did, did I do something wrong?" He blurted out not being able to mask his paranoia. She was taken back, she hadn't expected him to follow her back home. "Was it the whole memory thing?" He asked wearing a worried expression.
She furrowed her brow slightly and shook her head "What?" She questioned suddenly feeling bad.
He hand slid through his hair "I should of asked you before I took you into my head I'm sorry" he rambled.
Her eyes softened and she took a step forward into the hall. "Bucky" she whispered shaking her head.
"It was selfish I just thought you've been working hard lately with trying to remember I thought you'd want a day off but... I don't know Lucky I'm sorry" He kept rambling awkwardly. She stared at him for a minute, she didn't have a good enough reason for leaving so quickly. She felt strange suddenly so she thought it was best to leave. "You just left. We were laughing and then you just left, I needed to check I hadn't done something" He told her finally letting out a deep sigh.
She smiled at him reassuringly and stepped forward to wrap her arms around his neck and pulled him down to hug her. "You worry to much I'm fine, I just felt weird suddenly I don't know" She mumbled into his shoulder.
He pulled away from the hug slightly to look at her. "Your head?" he asked in a concerned voice, she shrugged "A memory?" He added.
She sighed frustrated she couldn't answer the question. "I don't know honestly" she mumbled, she looked up into his worried eyes and smiled. "Thank you for checking on me Bucky, I bet young Bucky wouldn't of come after me" She joked trying to lighten the mood.
Bucky smiled flashing his perfectly straight teeth. "Hey doll I'm goin to win a war for you, that not enough?" He asked in a thicker accent.
She laughed and shook her head, it was even weirder when he spoke like that and looked like the now Bucky. "Sorry Sergeant I already told you I prefer the other one, metal arm and all" She said quietly with a small smile, she dropped her arms from his shoulders and smiled sweetly at her best friend.
A sudden urge came over Bucky something so strong he couldn't physically ignore. He grabbed lucky from her waist and pulled her closer to him, he lent down and pressed his lips against hers. He kissed her slowly, she was shocked for a second before relaxing against his lips. Bucky's eyes suddenly shot open and he pulled away from her, she looked confused if not hurt from his sudden movement.
"I'm sorry" He stammered, shocking himself. Lucky gazed at him with soft eyes, she swallowed harshly and reached up placing one hand on either side of his face and slowly pulled him down to kiss him again. This time she took the lead. She reached for his arms and guided them to her waist, he followed her lead and wrapped them tightly around her. His lips softly moved against hers, slowly they enjoyed the feeling of each other for the first time.
Lucky slowly caressed his cheek and moved her hand up to his hair running her delicate fingers through it slowly, Bucky felt like his whole body had been lit up from the inside, he hadn't been touched like this in a long time.
She pushed her body against his, he felt almost embarrassed at his lack of control as he moaned against her lips and pulled her so tight there was no space left in-between them. She gasped a little as his metal hand slowly travelled down to her lower back pressing into her firmly, She gently pulled his hair urging him to carry on loving the feeling of his touch. He gently pushed her back until she was pinned against her door frame and lent down further to kiss her neck, she murmured his name as his gently sucked on the smooth skin of her neck. Her hands fell from his hair and travelled down to his chest digging her fingers into him. "Bucky" She whispered in a blissful tone loving the feeling of his hungry lips on her skin. He travelled back up meeting his mouth against hers, he hummed against her lips before pulling away to look at the beautiful woman in front of him.
When he saw the look on her face his heart suddenly dropped. "Tom?" She gasped, with a terrified look on her face. Bucky was stunned, her eyes rolled back and she slid down the door frame, Bucky knelt quickly catching her. She'd passed out, she began to shake violently in his arms. His eyes widened in panic as he lead her on the floor keeping his hands tightly on her arms to control the fit she was having, holding her down so she didn't hit her head.
"Lucky!" He shouted thinking somehow it would wake her. She was unresponsive and still violently shaking under his grip. "Someone help" Bucky screamed looking up into the empty halls of their apartment block. He looked back down and her fitting was seemingly getting worse. He felt the prick of tears in his eyes seeing her like this. "Wanda, Sam help!" He cried now feeling desperate as he tried to blink back tears.
Notes. Fluffy and dramatic I know, I was thinking due to all the triggers ect in this story maybe I should up the rating to M.
Also I hope you are enjoying this story, I write this in my spare time as I work on my actual book, it gives my brain a rest. If you like the story feel free to share the love, I love hearing your feedback and ideas.
Merci