Forever (Bucky Barnes x Reader)
Summary: The promise of forever had wrecked you once. Bucky hadnโt thought that forever was possible for him, but he wants itโฆwith you. If youโll have him.ย
A/N: This is my first one-shot and I had so much fun writing this! Please comment and reblog! ๐
Warnings: Mild Swearing, Angst
Banner by: @uzmacchiato
Your hands flew up to block the stack of photographs that flew towards you and almost hit your face, the prints drifting in the air before falling at your feet in the penthouse apartment.ย
You sighed sharply, annoyed with the fact that you had just had pictures flung towards you, and annoyed at the woman who had tossed them at you, as she furiously marched back and forth through the apartment.ย
You rested your hands on your sides just before the woman hissed at you.ย
โYou, are unbelievable!โ
You rolled your eyes at the client, not wanting to go back and forth with the woman any further, as you had been for the past fifteen minutes.ย
โMโam, the proof is in the pictures-โ
โPictures that were forged! That you forged!โ
You pinched the bridge of your nose, your frustration growing by the minute. The woman continued her furious marching back and forth, shaking her head.ย
โYou just put them together, somehow,โ she desperately claimed. โBecause you couldnโt find anything worth reporting and needed the money.โ
The woman came to a strong halt in front of you, paying no mind to the pictures that her heels pressed into.ย
โYouโre wrong,โ she said, a bit of uncertainty in her tone, and her eyes glossy as she glared at you. โYou need to follow him again.โ
Another sigh left your lips as you looked at the woman, a softer one this time around.ย
This was one of the hardest parts of the job. The part you hated. Clients hire you to find out whateverโs happening with their spouse or partner, only to be unprepared for the results. Sometimes, your clients could patch things up, and work their way through whatever it was they were going through. Sometimes, it was easy for the couple to part ways- as easy as it could be anyway-with no strings attached.ย
But in this case, marriage was involved. And in her particular case, you didnโt think there was any hope of her and her husband working things out. If they had eventually decided to rekindle, it would be through monitored phone calls and weekly visitations.ย
But you doubted her relationship even had a chance of surviving, though.ย
You were willing to bet on it.ย
You felt for the woman. The same as you did for the same cases-which were many- that ended in the same way. It was hard having see the woman stand before you, tears threatening to spill over, as she wished with everything she had, that you were wrong.ย
But you knew that deep down, she knew you were right. And that the pictures she had launched at you in denial, were very much real.ย
You reached down to pick up one of the candid photos, regret filling you. The particular photo had been the dealbreaker, and had proven your previous theory of the clientโs situation, one that you had formed weeks ago.ย
โLook,โ you began, trying to let the woman down as easily as you could. โI know itโs not easy to hear. And Itโs likely the worst shit youโve ever had to hear or find out.โ
The client averted her gaze, refusing to meet your eyes. But you had a job to do, the job that she paid you for.ย
Or at least, paid you half for.ย
โItโs likely this has been going on for months. And instead of using the last ounce of dignity he had left to come clean, he decided to be a piece of shit, and paid someone to deal with his problems. The only way these rich assholes know how to get through life.โ
The womanโs teary eyes fell to you after you said this, and you had taken in the luxury apartment you were standing in at the moment, as well as the womanโs expensive attire, which had probably cost more money than you had ever come across.ย
โNo offense...โ
The woman let out a light chuckle, not one that was humorous, but one that harbored defeat.ย
โNone takenโฆโ she admitted, a few of the tears that had been held in her eyes finally spilling over. She was able to keep her composure though, before ultimately sitting on the floor, her eyes skimming through the photos that were scattered around.ย
โI knew itโฆโ she whispered to herself. โDeep down, I knew it. He wants to run away with his mistress and makes arrangements to have me killedโฆโ
You felt yourself frown a bit as you watched the woman come to terms with what she knew, and a sense of familiarity hit you. You had felt for her.ย
You were her at one point.ย
Thankfully though, minus the murder attempt.ย
And you could guess that her marriage hadnโt always been at this point. Who would ever get married if it had started this way?ย
And with that in mind, you offered what you could.ย
โLook, Iโm sorry. But,โ you reluctantly started. โI would get on the phone with the police, right now, if I were you andโฆโ you paused, a sigh leaving you. โItโs hard. It will be, but it gets better. Eventuallyโฆโ
You could visibly see your words resonated with her, and she wiped the tears that covered her cheeks, and quickly stood.ย
โI wonโt keep you any longer. Here,โ she walked over the large coffee table where her bag purse sat, pulling out a pen and a checkbook. She scribbled on a page, before ripping it off and politely handing it to you.ย
โThank you,โ she said, wiping away the rest of the tears. โAnd Iโm sorry about the pictures.โ
You nodded, assuring her that it was okay, surprised that it was the only way she had lashed out.ย
You could call the case successful, as you left the womanโs apartment. The client had been searching for answers, and you delivered. You could call it successful, but it didnโt make it any less disheartening. No matter how much you had gotten paid.ย
And it didnโt make each case that was similar to this one sting any less for you.ย
The buzz of your phone has stolen your attention for a moment, and you stopped with a smile before pulling it out of your back pocket to read what you knew was a text from the person who always made your face light up.ย
Bucky:
Hey. Are we still on for tonight?
The text made you smile grow even wider, and took your mind off the memory that threatened to ruin your night. Excitement rang through you as you answered the text, along with determination to figure out why your boyfriend had been acting weird all week.
And tonight, you finally mightโve figured out why.ย
You:
Duh. Iโll be back home in an hour ; )
You let out a laugh at Buckyโs attempt and miserable fail to send a smiley face in reply to your message, noting the age joke you would have to make to him later.ย
Bucky had been acting weird lately.ย
Very weird.ย
He didnโt think that you noticed his change in behavior, but you wouldโve had to be blind not to notice.ย
The two of you had missed each other all week, with Bucky either on back to back missions, or you swamped with cases. This was the first time all week the two of you had had any time to spend together, and you were soaking up every second of it.ย
โHa-Ha, very funny,โ Bucky said in a dry tone, a crooked smile on his lips. โYou're hilarious. Really.โ
You dodged the cheese puff that had been weakly tossed at you by Bucky as he planted himself on the couch next to you, a giggle leaving your lips.ย
โIโm sorry, but I had to,โ you said, your laugh cutting through your sentence. โBut gotta admit-that was a good one.โ
Bucky paused, a small smirk forming.ย
โYeah,โ he said, nodding. โThat was pretty good.โย
Your laughter faded, and so did his, but his smile remained as he locked eyes with you. He looked at you, really looked at you, and there was silence. It wasnโt an awkward silence, it was warm-a comfortable one. Bucky leaned in and his lips met yours, soft but firmly. The kiss lasted all but a few seconds, but it left you breathless.ย
You could feel the lingering smile that was left on Buckyโs lips as he pulled away, his eyes still on you.ย
โIโve been wanting to do that all week.โ
Bucky stayed closer than usual, and justโฆstared at you. He looked like he was in a daze, or dream as his deep blue eyes gazed right at you, eyes tracing your face. His smile never once left his lips, and you were starting to grow concerned, when he finally spoke.ย
โI love youโฆโ
That was exactly what you were talking about.ย
That was weird.ย
You had heard the three words from him hundreds of times, but this one, like many other ones this week, had soundedโฆoff.ย
You squinted in confusion, speaking.ย
โUhโฆI love you tooโฆ?
Your words seemed to have no effect though, as Bucky continued to simplyโฆstare at you. He must have not realized how long he was staring, or that he was staring in the first place, and when you called his name, a few times at that, he seemed to snap out of the daze he was in.ย
โSorry,โ he said, as he shook his head. โUh-What were we doing before I got completely distracted?โ
Your eyebrows furrowed, confused, but you brushed the moment off. You stole a few glances at Bucky throughout the night, and ultimately decided to let it go. Until later onโฆ
โSoโฆโ Bucky paused, a question at his lips. โWhy is it called The Office, if they barely ever do any work?
Buckyโs question had you letting out a laugh as you comfortably sat under his arm as it rested on your shoulders, the sitcom running in the background.ย
โWell, thatโs the point,โ you laughed, Buckyโs face only making the sounds of laughter louder. โItโs more of a comedy than a realistic office show.โ
โHuh,โ Bucky whispered to himself at your explanation, and the way his brows furrowed told you he still didnโt quite get the concept. โAnyway, enough of thatโฆโ
Bucky reached for the remote and shut the tv off, and stood up heading for the kitchen, but not before pulling you along with him.ย
โHey! I was watching that!โ
Bucky chuckled at your protest, and you had tons of questions as to why whatever just happened happened, but paused when Bucky had finally stopped pulling you when you reached the dining table, and you spotted two familiar containers of a desert you loved.ย
Your eyes went wide as they fell to Buckyโs blue ones.ย
โShut. up.โ
Buckyโs brows furrowed at your words.ย
โI didnโt say anything-โฆโ
โNo, I mean,โ you pointed to the dining table. โYou can only get this cheesecake downtownโฆโ
Your eyes fell to Buckyโs again.ย
โYeah, I-uh, made the stop on the way home.โ
โAnd we couldnโt eat these in the living room while watching the office becauseโฆ?โ
Bucky seemed to scramble to say something, before he actually did utter something that sounded made up.ย
โWell,โ he threw his hand up. โWeโre already in the kitchen, soโฆโ
You opened your mouth to speak once more when Bucky was leading you away again, closer to the table this time, and stopped you right in front of the container of cheesecake. He handed you a fork before getting one for himself, and pulled a chair out for you.
You reluctantly lowered yourself in the chair across from Bucky, a wave of confusion hitting you.ย
This was exactly what you were talking about.ย
This was weird.ย
Bucky was acting off. You could no longer brush off his bizarre behavior, and this showed when you set your fork down, brows furrowing at your boyfriend, curiosity filling you.ย
And Bucky had noticed.ย
โWhat..?โ
You continued your stance as you sat back in your chair, your head tilting to the side, determined. Bucky looked visibly confused at the sudden change in your demeanor, and in his confusion, he mimicked your stance.ย
โYouโre being weird.โ
โYou started it.โ
You could tell that Bucky had been at a loss for words, and scrambled to say something.ย
โI-I thought that was your favorite thing about me.โ
โYeahโฆโ you dragged out, your brows still furrowed. โBut youโre acting weirder than usual. More than Iโm comfortable with.โ
โUhโฆโ Bucky once again scrambled to say something, before eventually reaching for his fork and digging into the cheesecake in front of him. โHow was workโฆ?โ
You glanced around, confused at Buckyโs decision to stonewall your question. You had a feeling that simply asking what was going on would get you nowhere, so you thought youโd humor him.ย
For now, anyway.ย
ย โUhโฆwell, it was a typical case. He was cheating, of course. They had married young and in the end they despised each otherโฆand he tried to have her murdered.โ
Bucky started right at you, stunned and startled by what you had just said.ย
โHuh..โ
โYeah,โ you sighed, finally digging into the cheesecake in front of you, vaguely noticing the way Bucky had sat up at the action, eyes focusing on you. โI just think itโs sad. The murder attempt and the cheating of course, butโฆ I just think itโs sad to think they hadnโt started out that way. The relationship, I mean. They were headed for disaster from the moment they said โI doโโฆโ
You took another bite of your cheesecake, and once again vaguely noticed a reaction from Bucky, as he suddenly stopped eating.ย
โUh, wh-what do you mean?โ
You took Buckyโs question in, and paused for a moment, poking at your cake.ย
You knew exactly what you meant.ย
โWell,โ you sighed, shrugging. โI just think thatโฆmarriage is where good-great- relationships go to die.โ
โUm, wh-what do you mean?โ
Bucky asked in the same tone he had previously, a mix of both anxious and shocked, as if he was caught off guard by your words.ย
โI mean, it sells you a fairytale and in the end, you just end up hating each other. The same person you wouldโve done anything forโฆyou end up wanting to be as far away as possible from.โ
โBut they donโtโฆall end up that way, right?โ Bucky asked, letting out a shaky little laugh as he scratched the back of his neck. โI mean, people still get marriedโฆright?
โYeah. First timers. Cause they donโt know any better,โ your tone dripping with obviousness. โIf you ask me, theyโre doomed right from the proposal.โ
โHow soโฆ?โ Bucky asked, another shaky laugh leaving him.ย
โYou know, the ones that are so predictable. Like at a famous landmark, like the Statue of Liberty, or the Eiffel Tower,โ you started, and Bucky leaned in seeming more interested in the particular conversation. โOr the typical hiding the ring in a champagne glass, or a cakeโฆโ
Right at that moment, you noticed that Bucky had frozen. It was just enough that you had noticed it, his cheeks flushing a bit and a strained smile on his lips.ย
โIn aโฆcake?โ He repeated, his voice a little higher than normal.ย
You arched your brow slightly in response to his bizarre behavior, but kept going.ย
โYeah, it's just so clicheโฆโ
Your eyes didnโt leave Buckyโs face when you spoke, and you watched as he sat up in his chair, clearing his throat. He picked up his fork and began to poke at his cake, his eyes flicking up and darting back down, occasionally stealing a look at the cheesecake that sat in front you.ย
And you just couldnโt brush it off.ย
โOkay, what is going on with you?โ
Buckyโs gaze shot up to meet yours, and you thought you had sensed a bit of panic in his gaze, but it quickly evaporated as he changed his expression and smiled, one you thought was forced.ย
โNothing,โ he shrugged, holding a smile.
You kept your gaze on him for a couple seconds, wanting to understand what was going on because you were sure that something was going on. But the only way you would get answers were through your questions that Bucky seemed to not want to answer. And with that in mind, you brushed off another unusual moment, something that was happening too often now.ย
โOkayโฆ,โ you dragged out in a questioning tone, picking up your fork. โIโll take your word for it then, I guessโฆโ
Just before you could take another dig at the cake that sat before you, Bucky reached across the table, quickly swapping your cheesecake with his own.ย
โHey!,โ you called out, throwing your hands up. โWhy would you-?โ
โI just thought youโd like mine better. Tastes better.โ
Your brows furrowed at him.ย
โBut arenโt they the same-?โ
Bucky wasted no time before digging into the cheesecake, your cheesecake. He dug his fork into the cake and when he brought it to his mouth, he chewed once or twice, and the third time his chewing came to a sharp halt, and he looked as if he had jolted a bit.ย
Your brows furrowed even further if possible, and when Bucky came to the realization that you were watching him, he presented that same forced smile, stiff to the point of awkwardness, his eyes reflecting a kind of tension.ย
โOkayโฆ?โ You said, finally taking another bite.ย
You wanted to inquire forward, but the way that Bucky had brushed the matter off only made you feel as though nothing really had been going on, and that you had even imagined the moment.ย
But it didnโt stop the questioning looks you gave your boyfriend for the remainder of the night.ย
ย 6 Months Ago ~
Buckyโs POV:
Bucky didnโt mean to stare for as long as had been. But he just couldnโt help it. It had become a habit he had no interest or intention of breaking anytime soon.ย
He couldnโt take his eyes off you as he watched you try -and fail- to balance the spoon on your nose, chuckling at you as you swore that youโd get it on the next try.
Moments with you were soโฆpeaceful. Enjoyably chaotic at times, butโฆpeaceful. Bucky was used to the chaos of missions, the fight or flight decisions that came with it, and at times he could never really separate his home life from them. He could never shut his mind off or stop it from running, with thoughts and memories of his past.ย
But with you-when he was with you, there was quiet. You were the calm in his storm, a storm that had been brewing for years, a storm he thought would only and could only get worse.ย
But somehow, you made it better.ย
With you, he wasnโt simply survivingโฆhe was living. With you he could justโฆlet go.ย
His slight awkwardness and his inability to adjust to the modern world hadnโt thrown you off, at all. Instead, you had embraced it, a joke in your mind for every time he had done something to assure he had grown up in different times. And this only drew you to him even more, because it had been a deep contrast between you and the other women who had ghosted him after the second-or even first-date.ย
And as he kept his gaze on you, just enamoured, the familiar feeling hit him. A feeling he had been feeling more often than not lately.ย
It was something he had never felt before, something that was new to him.ย
It was the urge, the deep desire to just want toโฆstay.ย
The word had plagued his thoughts for about a year now, but he knew it about a few months in. Instantly.ย
Marriage.ย
It was something that he tried to push out of his mind every time it came to him. Bucky didnโt think he deserved it-a future with you, one that sounded like heaven on earth. He didnโt think he deserved it-not after everything heโd done, and all the pain he had caused others with his past as the Winter Soldier. The guilt still ate him alive, and he had let go of the possibility a long time ago.ย
But how could he not have hope again when you -the girl of his dreams- stood right in front of him? Sometimes he daydreamed about what married life would be like with you-probably not too far off from what it was now.ย
The lazy mornings, your confusing-but intriguing- tv shows you had forced him to watch with youโฆif there was a possibility that this life with you could be foreverโฆ
He wanted that. And there was no doubt about it.ย
He had no idea what marriage looked like, but he was willing to figure it out together.ย
Buckyโs heart sank a bit though, as he thought back to the first-and last- time he had mentioned something about marriage.ย
โDo you ever think aboutโฆmarriage? Not like, now, but justโฆin general. Like is it something youโdโฆconsider? Againโฆ?โ
The two of you were only a few months into your relationship, so Bucky could see why it was a weird question. But marriage was a further step that couples took, and it was something he never saw himself doing but meeting you, falling for you and feeling the way he did was never something he saw himself in either.ย
He had wanted to ask for some time, but had held off on it, because he couldnโt predict how you would react due to yourโฆunforeseen past and bad experience with marriage. Something Bucky knew was a sore spot for you.ย
Bucky could tell that you had been caught off guard by the question, evident by the way you had choked on the coffee you had been sipping on, instantly making Bucky feel guilty.ย
โIโm sorry,โ Bucky shook his head as he scrambled to apologize, guiltily. โSorry, that I brought it up, I didnโt mean to make you-uncomfortable. Just, never mind-โ
โNo, itโs-itโs okay,โ you assured him, wiping the coffee that had dropped down your chin. โWe can talk about it.โ
Bucky noticed the way your body language had changed all of a sudden, your face taut as you sighed.ย ย
โUmโฆwell, I donโt know if Iโd try again. My first one was a shit show, but it hadnโt always been. I made the decision to get married because I thought things would get better than what it was andโฆit just ended up blowing up in my face,โ you shrugged, your gaze focused on the coffee in your mug.ย
Bucky could feel the shift in your mood, and he reached over to place his hand over yours. You acknowledged him, forcing a smile.ย
โI just thinkโฆwhy try to change it if itโs fine-great-the way it is?โ
Bucky took your answer in, nodding.ย
โYeahโฆyeah, I get that. Makes senseโฆโ
The truth was that it did make sense to Bucky, butโฆhe couldnโt lie and say that he wasnโt a bit bummed by your answer.ย
He could tell that your first marriage had left you shaken and changed something in you. He didnโt think he would be able to stop himself from doing somethingโฆunpleasant to the guy you had exchanged vows with before, so he didnโt like to think about it too much.ย
He hadnโt wanted to push you, or force you to accept something you didnโt think you were ready for, so he never inquired further or brought up the word again.ย
But the fact still remained-that he did want that future with you.ย
So what ifโฆthe two of you could get it right this time?
Grow old-older, in his case,-together? It was something he was hopeful about, and if there was a chance-any chance- that you were willing to spend the rest of your life with himโฆ
He just had to take it.ย
It was just a matter of how, though.ย
You couldnโt stop smiling to yourself as you waved the old couple goodbye, putting away the container of cookies the sweet old woman insisted you take.ย
This had been one of the better cases, one you didnโt normally take, but you decided you would humor the elderly couple. They had hired you to investigate their son, who they had suspected was planning on throwing them a surprise anniversary party.ย
You had beenโฆpuzzled, at first. You had explained to them that your services werenโt typically used for situations like theirs, but you had to admit, they had gotten to you. Convinced you, somehow.ย
There was something about the couple that just made youโฆthink.ย
And think you did, for hours, as you sat at your desk at your agency.ย ย
You thought about how adorable the old couple was, from how the husband still heartwarmingly still pulled the chair for his wife to sit in, to how they finished each otherโs sentences. You couldnโt help but to notice the pictures that had hung on the walls, older and newer. The couple had been madly in love. And you didnโt know how but, you could tell that nothing had changed between them.ย
They were still the same couple that they were in those pictures, their love having not faltered.ย
And it just made you think about your own relationship.ย
The word had plagued your thoughts for a while now.ย
Marriage.ย
You had been through it before, and it chewed your previous relationship up and spit it out. You had no idea that the outcome would have been what it was. It seemed impossible at the time.ย
All you knew was that you were in love, and after you got marriedโฆit was almost as if the love was never there.ย
A few years after that disaster, you had met Bucky. Someone who you could confidently say was the man of your dreams.ย
Marriage was something couples used to progress in their relationship, something to take it a step further. It wasnโt required, though, and you thought that relationships could thrive even without a marriage.ย
And that was exactly your point.ย
What you had with Bucky was amazing. Something you had never experienced before, not even in your first marriage. No oneโs relationship was perfect, but to you, yours and Buckyโs was perfect.ย
Why the hell would you do anything to change that?
But on the other hand, something you thought about at times wasโฆ
What if?
Sometimes you thought about it. What forever would look like with Buckyโฆand it sounded like heaven on earth. and if Bucky had ever asked you to spend forever with himโฆyou would want to. More than anything.ย
But the truth wasโฆthat you were afraid.ย
The what ifโs didnโt only apply to whether you and Bucky could get it right but what ifโฆyou couldnโt?
What ifโฆmarriage ruined everything? What if you ended up hating the person you loved the most?
The possibility scared you more than anything.ย
But it also didnโt make sense. A world where you couldnโt stand Bucky. You were perfect for each other.ย
So the decision you had to make was clearโฆ
If Bucky had asked you to spend forever with himโฆwere you willing to take the chance? The chance of possibly losing what you two had, something that was special? Were you willing to make a bet on love?
The question rang in your mind for hours on end, and you were barely able to get any work done.ย
And it wasnโt long before you felt it.ย
The floor had started shaking beneath you, and it wasnโt long after until your desk had begun to do the same. In the same moment, you thought you had heard screaming and the rush of footsteps, but they sounded muffled- far, but close enough so that you could hear.ย
The commotion had caused you and a few of your colleagues to rise from your desks, curious. No one had to say anything, though some did, but it was apparent that everyone wanted to know what was going on.ย
Just as you were about to investigate, you both felt and heard the impact that had caused the windows to shatter, shards flying, screams and panic ensuing.ย
Yourself and a few others flew, with nothing but the ground to break your fall. Your body began to ache from the impact, but you had no time to even suffer from the pain when you felt the violent rumble of the floor.ย
You had no time to process what was happening, and before you knew itโฆ
ย You were falling.ย
You felt a rush of air as you fell through the floor, and the impact of landing had been worse than the first, your ears left ringing and vision a bit blurry. You had hit the ground, hard, and it left you breathless. You were grateful that you could move though, and you stood shakily, your body in pain. You couldnโt see much, though, and you had soon realized it wasnโt due to your vision, which was close to clearing up.ย
As you glanced around, you had just taken in how dark it was. And after shuffling around in the small space that had just seemed to be surrounded by rocks, you had soon realized that you were trapped.ย
Rubble had boxed you in the enclosed space, and panic had begun to set in. You used all the strength you had to try to move a rock, any rock, to create a pathway, You yelled out in hopes that someone, anyone, would hear you, and had almost given up hope when no one seemed to answer you.ย
You were stuck for all of ten minutes, when you finally did hear an answer -your name- and the sound of rushing footsteps as they came closer.ย
ย And you would have recognized the voice anywhere.
โBucky?โ
The footsteps sounded like theyโd stopped right above you, and you heard your name again, confirming who you were talking to.ย
โBucky, Iโm trapped! I-I canโt get out!โ
โHang on! Iโm gonna pull you out!โ
Not long after, you heard the movement of some rubble above you, debris falling past your head and hitting the ground. You could hear Bucky straining as he pushed rubble aside, and soon after, light had peeked through a crack above you. You heard more straining from Bucky and with a final yank and heave, you watched as Bucky pushed aside a large piece of rubble, leaving a gap just large enough so that you could slip through.ย
โGive me your hand!โ
You could see much better now, and you climbed on top of some uneven rubble so you could reach Buckyโs hand that was extended out to you. You were up and on even ground in an instant, Bucky pulling you up and out of the gap with ease.ย
โAre you alright?โ Concern leaked through Buckyโs tone, and his hands quickly moved to your face, his metal one cooler against your face as he checked for any marks, gently holding your face.ย
โIโm fine,โ you said, taking notice of the concern on Buckyโs face. โJust a little bruised, but Iโm fine. I promise.โ
Bucky glanced over your face, letting go of a breath that you didnโt know he was holding in and your face, tension leaving him when he believed you.ย
You ran your eyes over Bucky, taking notice of the tear in his jacket, and the bruise that had been forming just above his brow, sweat dripping down his forehead. And you wasted no time in asking what was going on.ย
โAre you okay? What is going on? What the hell just happened?โ
โSam and I were tracking a target and things got messyโฆand the building ended up being collateral,โ he admitted. โI rushed in the second I realized the place was hit. I didnโt know if you were still insideโฆโ
You felt the weight of Buckyโs words, overwhelmed at the fact that he had been willing to risk his life for you. There was a moment of silence, before Bucky cleared his throat, speaking.
โUh-We should probably get the hell out of here. The rest of this place could come down at any minute...โ
It felt like a journey trying to get out of the crumbling building. You both moved quickly, and you followed closely behind Bucky as he led you down the path he came, Bucky occasionally offering his hand to pull you up or through the rubble in your path, something that had no doubt been easier for him due to his enhanced abilities.ย
You and Bucky hadnโt exchanged more than a few words in a while, and you stole glances at him as you walked side by side now, and you could tell that he had been doing the same with you by the way your eyes had met every now and then.ย
Even as you and Bucky made your way out and through the damaged rubble to escape the crumbling building that threatened to fall at any moment, it wasnโt what was on your mind.ย
Your mind was clouded with the thoughts you had been having all day, the same one you had had before you were in this mess. Bucky looked the same way. It looked as though he wanted to say something, but just chose to keep stealing glances at you.ย
The silence between you was thick, and it only seemed to be getting worse. You thought maybe you should say something, anything, but Bucky had beat you to it. You stopped just a few feet ahead of Bucky, confused, as he came to a sharp halt.ย
Bucky stood still for a moment, his eyes closed as he took short deliberate breaths. And about a second later, he opened his eyes, staring straight at you.ย
โI canโt do this anymoreโฆโ
Your brows furrowed at him.ย
โWhat are you talking about? Why did we stop?โ
Your question seemed to fall on deaf ears as Bucky turned with his back to you and paced around for a moment, before turning to face you again. He ran his tongue over his lips before he locked eyes with you.ย
โHypotheticallyโฆif someone were to, say, ask you a really big questionโฆwhat would your answer be?
โWhat?โ You were beyond confused, your eyes wide as you looked at Bucky. You didnโt understand what could have been so important in a moment like this.ย
There was silence again. And you watched and heard as Bucky sighed.ย
โโฆI donโt have a speech or anything prepared, butโฆโ
Bucky looked at the ground, sighing, and locked eyes with you once again.ย
โThereโs a lot about me thatโsโฆcomplicated. Messed up, evenโฆbut youโฆyou just make sense. Like somehow, youโre the one thing that fits when nothing else does.โ
His words touched you, and you couldnโt help the small smile that tugged at your lips.ย
โI had let go of the prospect of a future a long time ago. It wasnโt like a door that had just closed- it was like a door that had been incinerated and burnt to ash. And there was nothing left to walk through. But then I met youโฆand that door just reappeared. Solid. Like it had never been goneโฆ
You felt yourself freeze where you stood as you finally caught on, taking in Buckyโs words. You could have been wrong butโฆwas Bucky proposing?
โIโve been trying to do this all week,โ Bucky pulled out a small box from his pocket, fiddling with it. โI tried to find the right words, and the right momentโฆand I have this ring that still has cake in it and itโs chipped from when I bit into it. Never mind that, though, -itโs a long storyโฆโ
Though confused at his words, you couldnโt help the light laugh that had left you at Buckyโs babbling.ย
โI guess what I want to say isโฆI love you, Y/N. God, I love you.โ
Bucky drew himself closer to you.ย
โYouโre the best damn thing thatโs happened to me in a long time and what we haveโฆI donโt ever want to let it goโฆโ
Bucky sighed, his eyes still locked on yours.ย
โI know youโve been through a lot. And I know it didnโt go the way you had planned the first time around, and Iโm not asking you to pretend that it didnโt happen. I donโt know what the future holds, but I do know that when I think about foreverโฆmy foreverโฆthere isnโt a world that exists where youโre not in it.โ
You watched as Bucky furrowed his brows, perplexed.ย
โHuh,โ he whispered to himself, a small frown on his lips. โI guess I did have a speechโฆโ
You and Bucky were left in silence. You were deep in thought, justโฆstaring ahead.ย
This was Bucky. Your Bucky. And as he stood before you confessing his love to you, words that rang true for you as well, babbling about things that you probably would never understand, the same question that had plagued your thoughts came to you againโฆ
Were you willing to make a bet on love?
You didnโt have to ponder much to come up with an answer, and soon enough, your decision was clear.ย
You thought to yourselfโฆ
That there wasnโt a world where you could ever hate Bucky Barnes.ย
With the thought in mind, you bit back a smile, your eyes glancing at Bucky again.ย
โWas that a proposalโฆ?โ You asked the question you already knew the answer to, and you watched as Bucky came to a realization.
โShit-yeah. Yes-shit, I forgot to ask,โ Bucky shook his head, and your loud sounds of laughter echoed off the rubble. He got down on one knee, holding out the box to you. โY/Nโฆwill you marry me?โ
Without a word, you pressed your lips against Buckyโs, the action catching him off guard. A smile tugged at the corner of your mouth as you deepened the kiss, and it said a million words that you didnโt have to say out loud.ย
Buckyโs lips had held a smile similar to yours when you both pulled away, a question at his lips.ย
โUmโฆwas that a yes, or-?โ
โYes, Bucky! Yes, Iโll marry you!โ
A relieved smile had painted Buckyโs face as he slipped the ring on your finger, and as he did, you couldnโt help the excitement and contentment that ran through you, as you thought about what forever with Bucky would look like.ย
โSoโฆwhat were you saying about there being cake in the ringโฆ?โ
โOh-uhโฆIโll explain as soon as we get out of hereโฆโ
