I rolled over when I felt the feather-light touch of lips on my shoulder and smiled. "Morning, handsome."

"Morning, gorgeous," Bucky propped his head in his hand so he could stare down at me, that innocent smile dancing in the corner of his lips. "How'd we sleep?"

"Only woke up once when you started mumbling in Russian, but you settled down when I put my hand on your chest. I was going to kiss you but didn't want to risk it. So…" I straddled his waist and pinned him down as I stole a kiss. "God, Buck. Anybody ever tell you even your morning breath is sexy?"

He laughed. "You really know how to build a guy's ego, baby doll."

"Hmm," I purred, running my fingers down his chest. "It's not your ego I want right now."

He pretended to be insulted as he adjusted under me. "Is that all I am to you? A piece of meat?"

"Of course not." I shimmied out of my shorts. "I totally respect you for your mind."

"Really?" He moaned as I slipped my hand between us and undid the single button on his ugly boxer shorts. "You promise?"

"Promise," I answered as I lowered myself onto him completely and began the slow ride to oblivion.

He let out an animalistic growl as I increased in speed, digging his fingers into my skin. I laughed, enjoying having so much control over such a powerful man and continued to push us forward until it felt like I was ready to break.

"Dammit, Des," he snarled, losing his sense of restraint as he pushed me onto the bed and took charged.

"Control freak," I teased before losing the ability to speak. I grabbed his shoulders and yanked him down for a kiss just as stars exploded behind my eyes. Screaming his name as everything became a blanket of primal abandon, I felt him fill me as he let out a grunting curse before going still.

He fell beside me, smiling as he looked over. "I love your wake-up calls."

"What about my afternoon delights?" I teased, pushing his hair out of his eyes. "And my water conservation efforts?"

He laughed as he got out of bed. "I love everything about you. Even your morning breath."

I propped myself up and watched him get ready for a shower. "Everything? Really?"

"You tell me. You're the empath." He leaned over the edge of our new bed and kissed my forehead before continuing.

I sat up and stretched. "But I never tried to feel you before."

He paused to shoot me a surprised look. "Never? Really?"

I nodded. "Yep. You said to stay out of your head, so I did."

He pulled me to my feet and gave me a deep kiss. "Anytime you wanna peek inside my head, you're welcome to it. I trust you, doll."

As he got into the shower, I considered his comment. It hadn't really occurred to me after our first conversation to revisit his concerns about my empathic abilities. I suppose I assumed his stance hadn't changed so why bother.

Now, he was giving me the freedom look inside his feelings, showing a level of trust I'd never encountered before. Slowly, almost like I was opening an unexpected gift I wanted to savor, I reached out to him. There were still so many levels of pain and regret I knew we'd always be working through for both of us, but there was also this beautiful white light of complete and total love that connected me to a single name and image: Me.

I knew instantly that he really did love me. Even after he'd seen my pain and been hurt by me using his, he still had so much love in his heart it brought tears to my eyes. Feeling what he felt for the first time, I knew I'd never doubt anything he said again. He loved me. He really did.

I pulled off my camisole and joined him in the shower. We laughed and played in the water until we looked like two prunes. Finally getting out, we toweled each other off before ending up in bed again. Naked and tangled in each other's limbs, I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"What's so funny?" He asked as he stroked my hair.

I shrugged. "Just happy."

"That makes two of us, doll." He chuckled. "Wish I'd kept the other arm a little while longer. That way I could always have a hand on you."

I rolled my eyes. "Baby, you do just fine with the one."

Two weeks back in Wakanda passed quickly but happily. We continued working in our pasts, helping each other move through the painful memories that made us who we were and shared ourselves completely. I spoke with Shuri multiple times and she was certain they'd be able to find a use for me somewhere in the capital. Bucky and I agreed that staying in the village was where we were meant to be, though, so we were still working out some of the bugs on that front.

Life seemed so perfect. Since the day we stepped back on the stealth jet and returned, it'd been like a walking dream. I had a man who truly loved me, friends who were dear to me, and a life I knew was worth living. Of course, I gave up a comfortable job in New York, but Stark would understand. Hadn't be signed away his empire for love?

I was finally at a place where I always wanted to be, which was why when I noticed King T'Challa and his entourage arrive in the village, I felt sick. After only two weeks, the real world had come to steal our happily ever after away.

Glued to the doorway of our now shared home, I watched as the case as placed in front of Bucky. When it opened, I turned and went into our room and began packing my bags for what I knew was going to be a long time away.

"Des!" Bucky called when he came back inside after what felt like a lifetime.

"In the bedroom," I called back, continuing to pack. When he entered, I didn't turn to look at him when I asked, "How long do we have?"

"Not long." He walked over and embraced me from behind, planting kisses on the back of my head. "I'm so sorry, doll."

"Don't you dare apologize." I forced a smile as I turned to face him. "It's going to be fine. Unless you're breaking up with me. Then I'm gonna be really pissed."

He stroked my cheek. "Never. You're my best girl."
I rolled my eyes. "Damn right. I'm your only girl."

"Sure are." He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my ring finger. "And after this is all over, I'm gonna make sure I'm your only guy. For the rest of our lives."

Even though I tried to keep my playful demeanor, tears rolled down my cheeks. "Then you better get back quick before somebody snatches me up. I hear I'm a catch."

"Sure are, doll." He held me close. "Promise you won't even know I'm gone."

After packing, we boarded the transport to the capital with King T'Challa and his personal guard, Okoye. As she and Bucky talked about the upcoming battle, I watched the king stare across his lands with a look of profound sadness on his face.

"Your Highness," I said, easing over to him.

He forced a smile as he looked down at me. "It's good to see you again, She-wolf. I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to celebrate your return."

"No problem." We stood in silence for a long time before I worked up the courage to ask, "It's going to be bad, isn't it?"

"I fear the worst any of us have ever seen." The sadness in his eyes deepened, causing me to bite my lip to keep from reaching out and hugging him. "The nightmare is upon us."

"But nightmares end, T'Challa." I rested my hand on his shoulder. "And sometimes we're better for them."
He nodded as he turned away. "I pray you're right, She-wolf. For all our sakes."

I rejoined Bucky a few minutes before the transport entered the city. Seeing the line of people being prepared to evacuate, I felt an overwhelming sense of silent dread rolling through crowds.

"They're scared," I said softly, before turning to King T'Challa. "I'll help with get everyone to safety and try to keep them calm."

He nodded. "Thank you, She-wolf. My people appreciate your strength."

Before I climbed down, I felt Bucky take my hand. I looked up at him, trying to be strong even though it felt like I was losing him. Before I could stop myself, I jumped into his arms and kissed him.

"I love you, doll," he whispered as he held me.

"Love you too, Bucky." I stroked his cheek. "Hurry up and come back to me, please."

He smiled as he let me go. "I will. I promise."

I looked over at Steve as he entered my room at the compound. Forcing a smile, I chirped, "Hey, nomad."

"Des." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "So, Nat says you've been hiding out in here. Wanna talk about it?"

I rolled my eyes. "Nat needs to shut her big, stupid mouth. I'm fine and I don't want to talk about it. He's coming back, Steve. He promised he would."

He stood up. "All right. Well, if you need to talk."

"I know. Thank you." As he left, I stared out the window. "I know you're out there, Bucky. I just- I just need to be strong again. For both of us."

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Broken. I know you have a lot of choices for Bucky/OC fanfic so I'm glad you choose this one (Sorry. Channeling my inner Scott Lang there). I enjoyed writing this a whole bunch so if you have the time or inclination, please let me a review. Good or bad, I love hearing what y'all think of my work.

I also publish on Wattpad so if that's your site of choice, check me out there too. I keep a low profile so you really have to know where to look. Gwenking39465 is my username. Also, if you want to read something else I've done check out my AC: Syndicate story intitled Wheel of Time. The sequel will be out shortly too. It's long, but fun too.

Have a great week and hope to hear from you.

Thanks! GK