Title: Reason to Live
Rating: PG-13/T
Originally posted: 22nd January 2022
Originally written for: Val_Creative
Characters/Pairings: Bucky/Nat
Notes: for Seasons of Drabbles Exchange, Winter 2022 at Dreamwidth and AO3.
Back-to-back, sword arms ready, the enemy outnumbered them four-to-one.
"If this is how I go out, can't think of a better person to go with."
There was a smirk in Natalia's voice when she replied; "You say the sweetest things, James, but I don't think it's our time."
"They beg to differ," he said of the snarling gang surrounding them.
The ensuing fight was epic.
Natalia was a blur of sword arm and red hair that immediately flew free of her hood.
James tried to keep up, but in the end, dispatched only three to her four, the last HYDRA knight choosing to flee rather than die by cold steel.
"Damn it! He'll bring reinforcements."
Natalia wiped blood from her cheek, looking to the horizon.
"I don't think he'll need to." She pointed to the incoming wave on horseback.
James cursed under his breath when even Natalia looked shaken.
"Maybe this is how we go out."
She looked at him, he met her gaze, their arms reached out to grab each other, lips crashing together, kissing like their lives depended on it.
When they parted, James looked determined.
"To hell with this," he declared, readying his sword. "I'm gonna live."