Chapter 19
Bucky's had been feeling lighter all week. The thought that in a couple of months, he would not be prepping for missions but tending to his farm and his wife. The morning after his and Oakleigh's conversation Bucky had called Shuri, to see if the option for him to come back was still on the table.
He could hear the smile in the young girl's voice and he could not help but smile too when she said, "It's about time."
He had always been the one to break up fights, mainly Steve's. He joined the war because what the heck else was he to do, it's what every able-bodied guy his age was doing. He wanted to do that, after Pearl Harbour, he wanted to defend his family and his country. He just did not think that commitment was going to last almost 100 years. It was time to step away, and he was getting to do that with his girl.
"Hey Steve, can I talk to you?" Bucky asked him after training.
The blonde looked him over, "Sure."
They started walking the running track.
"O and I have been talking the last little bit. We want to move to Wakanda, indefinitely, I'm done, man. I've done enough fighting for a dozen lifetimes."
Steve nodded looking down at his shoe. "You know I've felt guilty ever since I pulled you outta there. I was always more of a fighter than you were, even before the transformation. You deserve this Buck, no question about that. After this next week, I will make sure you aren't put on the team for any more missions."
"You know you could come with us." Steve smiled.
"I'm still catching up from my 70-year nap." He joked. "Give me another decade or two and I'll come join you at the farm."
"I'll hold you to that." Bucky pulled Steve into a hug.
Not that he thought Steve would have a bad reaction to him leaving or anything like that. Bucky thought he could be mad he was leaving their fight, or sad because this wouldn't be the first time he was leaving him, though falling from the train wasn't his fault.
"Did you want to tell the rest of the team or should I?"
"I know O is off telling Romanoff and Wanda. So I figured I would tell the
rest today at the briefing." She nodded.
"I'll let you do that then, I can only imagine all the old man retirement jokes you are about to get."
Bucky rolled his eyes to the sky, "Moving day can not come fast enough."
.
"You aren't mad?" Oakleigh asked the girls.
Wanda shook her head looking down, she was happy for the couple they had been through so much, and they deserved a break.
"I think if we were all in our perspective 80s we'd also be getting the hell out of here," Natasha told her. "I heard Barnes has a whole property to himself out there. Tell him to start building more homes on it, I have a feeling within the next 30 years we'll all start showing up, leaving the ass-kicking to the recruits."
Oakleigh leaned in giving both girls a big hug. "I'm going to miss you guys."
"We'll come visit and I'm sure you'll want to resurface every once and a while to come see us."
She would, the relationships she made here were really important to her and she did not want them to fade away because she moved to a different country.
"This does call for a going away party though," Canada smirked.
Natasha laughed, "You know Tony is going to throw one. Any excuse for drinking and loud music."
"I'm sure he'll be happy to shoo Bucky out of here too."
"I don't know about that." Natasha smirked, "I think he's grown kind of fond of him, through you. Seeing Barns in love, I think it changed a lot of our preconceived ideas about him. Showed us a side we had never seen before."
"If you say so." Oakleigh teased. "So, I'm thinking one last shopping trip before I go?"
Wanda squealed and jumped up, Natasha smiled, "We've taught you well. When the boys leave for the mission tomorrow, we'll head into the city."
"Does Steve know yet?"
"Bucky's out there telling him right now. I'm kind of hoping he'd come with us, but I don't see that happening at least not yet. He has too big a heart and the fight hasn't gone completely out of him yet. But I told Bucky, give him 3 years, he'll be begging to come stay with us."
"I've been watching him, he's definitely growing tired. I think once you and Barnes lead the way, Steve will see that stepping away isn't always a bad thing. Especially when you get to be with those you love."
"Well, he loves you." Oakleigh tested the spy. "You ever think about letting that play out?"
"Maybe in another lifetime, Wakanda."
All three of them nodded dreaming of a different time, a future version of themselves.
"Until then, I wouldn't mind a round in the gym if you are up for it?"
The spy smiled, "Be prepared to limp away regretting your decision."
"Lord."
.
Bucky had been in the briefing room all morning, up and out of bed before Oakleigh. He kissed her on the forehead and dressed, meeting Steve and Sam in the elevator.
"This one's going to be simple, a nice in and out."
Sam scoffed, "That'll be nice, don't get much of them around here anymore."
"You thought the Avengers was all about catching cat burglars and helping old ladies across the street?" Bucky mocked.
"No, because my first mission apart of this team was to bring in your psych ass."
Bucky rolled his eyes, and Steve smiled. Sam had been eager to join him in the fight against SHEILD/HYDRA. The "pilot" didn't know exactly what he had signed up for but he had been by his side ever since, always willing to fight for the little guy.
Sam continued his rant, "Get in, get all the intell, blow up the place and get out. Just another Thursday on the job."
"My last job."
"Come again?"
While Sam annoyed the fuck out of him, he was the second closed person on the team to him. Bucky wanted to tell him about his departure before he told the rest in their meeting.
"Oakleigh and I are moving to Wakanda. I am leaving the team, this will be my last mission."
Instead of some smart-ass comment, Sam smiled softly, "Good for you man."
"Thanks, Sam."
As Steve predicted, there were a lot of retirement jokes from Tony and a heartfelt "You deserve it" from Banner and Pepper. All and all his moving day was so close and all Bucky wanted was to wake up and be in Wakanda, with Oakleigh snuggled in his arms.
"Alright everyone, go get your bags, wheels up in 20," Steve said to dismiss the group.
It would just be the three of them, Steve, Bucky and Sam. They were kind of like their own version of the Howling commandos.
"O?" Bucky wanted to say goodbye to her before they left but she wasn't in their bed when he got back.
He would check the kitchen and a couple of other places for her on his way out. Otherwise, he may just have to be satisfied by a quick text until he gets back tonight.
Bucky went into the bathroom to wash his face and grab his dog tags off the counter when something caught his eye. Doing a double take Bucky walked over to the trash can.
What was that? It looked like one of those new diabetes blood sugar strips he had seen when he had taken Steve to the hospital once. Once this white strip was blue on one half, he had seen something like this before, but he couldn't figure it out. Until he did and it sent his heart racing, Oakleigh and their girls had been watching a movie a couple of months back.
A young girl in a hoodie, striped shirt, and a round belly. She had waved a pregnancy test around at her mother, yelling and crying. That is where he had seen something like that before.
Blue, what the fuck did blue mean? Was Oakleigh pregnant? Were they going to have a baby? A thousand insecurities rushed forward and worry for Oakleigh. Pregnancy was exciting but scary in their time, medicine wasn't as advanced, people lost a lot more babies and it was common for women to die of childbirth.
That had to be improved upon right? Especially in Wakanda. Bucky had seen all the tools Shuri had in her lab alone, surly they knew how to keep a pregnant women and baby alive and healthy, right? A baby. Bucky had thought about it, of course, he had. Not now, but back before the war. He would get a job, meet a nice enough girl and have babies with her.
Maybe a year ago, Bucky could have said having a baby was the dumbest thing they could possibly do. But in Wakanda, maybe the idea was not so outlandish, Maybe.
"Oakleigh?" Still no answer.
Grabbing his go bag, Bucky started to jog around the compound. His heart and mind still racing. He needed to see Oakleigh before he left, after about ten minutes Bucky stopped dead in his tracks. FRIDAY.
"Friday, do you know where Oakleigh is?"
"She, Wanada and agent Romanoff left for the mall thirty minutes ago Sargent."
Right, he knew about that. "Thank you."
Pulling out his phone, Bucky dialled her number twice and it rang until it went to voice mail.
"Buck, let's go," Steve said walking passed him, his own bag slung over his shoulder.
Bucky clenched his jaw taking a deep breath through his nose. Breathe, Just Breathe. He'd have to talk with her once he was back. Putting his game face on, for the last time, Bucky entered the mission jet, sliding into his usual seat.
"Ready to go Tin Man?"
"Ready."
.
All three girls were laying out on the deck, and enjoying each other's company. They knew it could be a while before they were able to do this again, well besides the big party Tony had already started planning.
"You are going to love it there in Wakanda. Beautiful landscapes and it's so peaceful, and quiet. While their Military and Labs have more teachers than Stark could even dream of their village is simple. Not Brooklyn by any means but definitely something special."
"Bucky always talks about it. Said he never would have left if it weren't for a big purple guy and a raccoon. Or something like that. The intergalactic war still is a mind trip to me."
"Hey, we were there and yes there was a talking raccoon and he had a tree friend. Space is weird dude."
"I guess."
"Hey, Tony."
"Get up, Barnes was attacked on the mission, they are landing in six minutes."
All three women shot up.
"What happened?" Natasha asked.
"I don't have the whole story yet, Sam called me 10 minutes ago telling Banner to get ready."
"How is he?"
Tony paused, "Alive."
They all rushed into the elevator, They wanted to be outside when the jet landed. Bruce was already there with a bag ready to start treating Bucky on the move.
"What do you know?" Oakleigh asked Bruce, looking at his supplies.
"No much more than you. Blood loss and possibly some cracked ribs, a concussion. I'm prepared for anything."
"Ok."
They wouldn't be able to see the jet until it landed, the bottom of the ship made with the tech to go invisible. And with the minimal sound, there was no warning until they touched down in front of them.
Everyone ran forward as the door started to lower. Steve and Sam already had Bucky between them, making their way down the ramp. Bucky's head was lulling to the side, his hair matted and all three of them were stained with blood.
Oakleigh felt bile rise in her throat, he looked really bad. But he was a supersoldier, right? Hydra made him nearly invincible. He would be okay, Bruce would make sure of that.
"He's lots litres of blood, he's been in and out the last 30 minutes of our ride. He keeps calling out for you." Steve told the groups.
Baby, baby, baby. Bucky had muttered as he passed out on the jet. He had started a little out of it but deteriorated as they travelled. His super healing was trying to patch him up from the inside out while Sam kept applying presser and pads on the outside.
They rushed into the elevator, once they were inside Oakleigh stepped in front of her husband, hands reaching up to lift his downturned face.
"James?"
She could see his eyes moving behind his lids but he did not open his eyes. Oakleigh gently returned his chin to his chest, stepping out of the way when the elevator doors opened.
"I need to get a line in his arm and start him on fluids. Take those lap lads off so I can take a look at the injury."
While Bruce grabbed things and worked, the group stood back, Sam jumping in to help where he could. He had been in the army and knew a thing or two about triage.
"What happened?" Oakleigh asked Steve. "Bucky said this was nothing to worry about."
"It was. There were hostels there but it's like Bucky's brain was somewhere else. He was taking down a group in the front and someone snuck up on him."
"How is that possible?" No one snuck up on Bucky, he was a goddamn super solder.
"I don't know. He's never chatty on coms but when I called out to him as we made our way in, he asked me to repeat myself. He wasn't locked in."
"Baby." His voice was a little slurred, but Oakleigh moved toward him. She rested her hand on his shoulder, avoiding all the work Bruce was doing on his abdomen.
"Hi, it's ok. You're back home." Bucky's hand reached out and flattened, spanning over her stomach.
Oakleigh took his hand in hers, assuming he was trying to reach out for her. His blue eyes fluttered open to drop closed again. Bucky groaned, forehead frowning as he kept trying to engage and wake himself up.
"Sargent Barnes, where does it hurt?" Bruce asked him, raising his voice.
With a slight tilt of his head, Bucky gestured toward his stomach.
"Does your head hurt?"
"No." He answered, voice weak.
"I think you have a cracked rib and a punctured lung. Obviously a laceration on your lower abdomen."
"O?"
"She's Here."
Oakleigh tightened her hold on his hand. Steve stepped up behind her, rubbing her back.
"You're going to be ok Buck. Hang in there."
He groaned shaking his head. His breathing laboured and rough but he was still breathing, that was all they cared about.
"I need to patch up his lung, you all need to get out. Except for you Sam, I could use your help."
Sam took off his heavy gear and went to wash his hands, "You got it."
Oakleigh kissed Bucky's hand placing it back on the bed, She wasn't helpful here, she needed to make space for Sam. But man did walking away hurt, especially when Bucky's fingers flexed like he was reaching out for her.
Steve wrapped his arm around her, "He's going to be ok."
"If he wasn't a super soldier, he wouldn't be."
"He wouldn't be here if he wasn't, no way he survived a fall into a snow-covered ravine."
Oakleigh nodded, that was true, Bucky had been through a worse situation than this. It's not like he was going to die, he wasn't. But it still didn't stop her mind from going there. Not now, not when they had a new life waiting for them in Wakanda. Not when they were so close to getting out.
"I know, I know. He's been hurt enough Steve, he doesn't deserve things."
"No." Steve agreed, "He doesn't."
As soon as Bruce and Sam felt satisfied with their work, they allowed Steve and Oakleigh back in. Bucky was currently out, but they would stay and sit with him as long as they let him rest.
"I don't want you to feel abandoned Steve."
The blonde looked over the bed at her, noting her pursed lips. "I am happy for you both, O. I know if I wanted to drop everything and move with you now I could. I am just not ready for that, not yet."
"I understand that. It can't be easy to walk away after all this time."
"I hope you don't hate me for saying this. You know Peggy had to step down at some point too right? I don't want you to feel guilty for stepping away because it feels like a betrayal to her. Peggy loved you, she wasn't you to do what makes you happy."
"I know she does. When I look at you and Buck, I'm so goddamn happy you have each other. I hate myself for being jealous of it sometimes, wishing Peggy were here with me."
"I think that's only natural Steve. I feel guilt for having Bucky sometimes because I know you would give anything to have Peggy here with you."
Oakleigh swallowed, "I know Nat keeps pushing you toward other girls, but you know she has real feelings for you, right?"
Steve sighed, "I know."
"Maybe when you all retire and join us in Wakanda, you'll be in the same place, you and her."
"Maybe."
"If you do I'll stop making sex jokes about me, you and Bucky."
Steve snorted, "No you won't."
"Yeah, probably not."
.
From her cot next to Bucky's bed, Oakleigh looked up at the high plain white ceilings. Steve had left a little over an hour ago, she was to text him when Bucky woke up, which would be at some point during the night or early morning. His lung was already on the mend and his stomach had healed on it's own.
The ribs would probably take the longest to mend, and for him that meant around three or four days, hardly something to gripe over.
"As far as last missions go, this sure was eventful." Oakleigh muttered, "You know your impeccable fighting skills are kind of the only reason I keep you around and don't complain about missions, like other wives, because usually you aren't the one left bleeding and in an ER."
"Can't win every time," Bucky muttered in reply.
Oakleigh bolted upright, "Hey."
"Hi."
"Should I go wake up Banner or are you doing ok?"
Bucky moved his body slightly testing things out, "Nothing a couple days of taking it easy won't fix."
"Good." Oakleigh nodded, "When you are a hundred percent you have a closet to pack up."
"I'll get right on it. What was the damage?"
"Cracked ribs, Punctured lung and a major cut to your stomach. You lost a lot of blood."Oakleigh walked over to his bed slowly. "Steve said you seemed distracted."
His gaze flicked down to her stomach and back up. "I found something in our apartment, I went to talk to you about it but you girls had already left."
Found something? "What did you find?"
"Pregnancy test."
Oakleigh's eyes fluttered shut, hands coming up in a prayer position over her lips. Shit, this was her fault.
"It was an ovulation test. It checks to see what my levels are, if you are ovulating it means you can get pregnant during that window, if not, you have a harder time conceiving."
"So, you aren't pregnant?"
"No. I'm not." Oakleigh huffed sitting on the bed beside Bucky's hip. "After all the talk of Wakanda and things settling down, it just got to be thinking about other things. I only took the test to see if it was possible for me to even have a baby. I would have asked Bruce but I didn't want to risk anyone finding out and commenting on it. I was going to talk to you about it later, once we were settled."
"The strip was blue. What does that mean?"
Oakleigh looked down into her lap, "It means that if we wanted to, we could carry a baby. And I'm not even saying that's what I want or what you want. just with everything that has been taken from us, I just wanted to know if it was still an option."
"Ok." Bucky rubbed his thumb over her knee.
"Ok." Oakleigh bit her lip. "I'm sorry you got hurt, I saw you had called a couple of times. I tried to call you back but your phone was already turned off. I didn't mean to distract you."
"It was my own fault, not keeping myself on mission. I know better."
Bucky looked back down at her stomach. "And I do want to talk about that possibly, once we're settled."
"Once we're settled." She smiled.
.
Bucky's head was nestled between her soft legs, his tongue working her over. He had been monopolizing her time all morning. Starting with a kiss to her shoulder that slowly turned into nipps and licks up to her jaw.
Both his hands were cupped under her gripping her ass, his fingers pressing into her heated flesh. His hands directed her hips pulling her down onto his face.
Oakleigh's left hand was playing with her nipples, her right extended to play in his locks. Tightening when something felt overly good and massaging his head when was able to relax.
Oakleigh always felt like she had to rush, to get to the end and experience that release. Bucky taught her a long time ago that he much more enjoyed the slow build. He was a bit sadistic with it at times, building her up and bringing her back down until he was satisfied that she was trembling under him.
Oakleigh's breath hitched and she felt Bucky smile against her. She shook her head against the pillow, cocky little shit. She whimpered and she withered and in the end, she did come on his mouth, Her body curled upward toward him, her muscles locking as she held her breath.
Bucky sucked her clit into his mouth, triggering a second orgasm. He sucked until she completely detached and slipped into the pleasure.
He rose over her body so he could watch her wither. Her eyes were rolled back and her head slowly rolled from one side to another as she surrendered to the storm going on inside her.
He was smiling down at her softly when she came to. She tilted her chin up and pushed her lips out, he brought himself closer, bringing her lips down on his. Oakleigh hummed into the kiss.
"I love you."
Oakleigh nodded, "I love you."
Bucky placed his metal arm above them nestled into the pillows. His other hand explored her body, gripping, squeezing twisting. Pulling reactions from Oakleigh as much as possible, when he felt like she as more dropped into her body Bucky settled himself between her legs, swollen cock head bumping into her thighs.
Oakleigh's hand snacked down in between them to grip him. Bucky jerked forward as she pumped him a couple times before leading him to her. Bucky dropped his forehead to hers, both of them looking between their bodies as he fucked into her, nice and steady.