Summary: After his programming is removed, Natasha secretly visits Bucky in Wakanda. They rediscover each other as they are torn between love and promises.
Characters: Bucky x Natasha
A/N: I posted Chapter 8-10 on WattPad and Ao3 so please excuse as I now posted them on here! Sorry it’s been so long! Get ready for some major action and some heartbreak in the next update! I do have a ko-fi if you want to stay updated! https://ko-fi.com/rebelwriting
MASTERLIST
The blonde in Natasha's hair had all but faded away, the length now past her shoulders. Strands gently lashed her face as they drove through the chilled Norwegian landscape. Yelena was behind the wheel of the jeep, Natasha next to her with Bucky in the backseat, wearing the new arm that T'challa and Shuri had gifted him.
The ride had been thick with silence and tension. Nerves were squeezing Natasha's chest as she thought of the betrayal Steve would feel. Only a few minutes away laid the safe house the others had been staying at, tucked away in the picturesque hills of Norway.
Yelena could see the anxiety written on both of their faces, stealing glances whenever she could. Never the one to savor the silence, she itched to break the building suspense.
"So let me get this straight," She kept her eyes on the winding road, "Rodgers has been Mr. Metal-Arm over here best friend since Hitler was around and has been your most loyal friend since Barton, correct?"
Neither Natasha nor Bucky said a word, only grimly nodding. Yelena continued.
"And he doesn't know that the Winter Solider trained us in the Red Room, let alone that you two snuck around, disobeying orders and falling in love," rolling her eyes at the sickening sentiment, turning her attention squarely onto Natasha, "And you kept your mouth shut as he continued to believe that his best friend was dead when you knew not only he was alive but what he was forced to become."
Natasha looked out her window, unwilling to respond as her stomach turned. Yelena's gaze now met Bucky's.
"And you, programming now removed and remembering everything, have still decided to keep the relationship a secret from him even though you have had your chances to tell him."
Bucky's jaw twitched, mouth set in a frown. Yelena rolled her shoulders back, letting out an unamused laugh.
"Whew, this is going to be fun; glad I have a front row seat."
"Could you not?" Natasha demanded, "I've been dreading this conversation for years."
"That's only made it worse."
Natasha couldn't deny the truth in Yelena's words. If anyone held the blame in this situation, it was herself. Guilt swept over her, but it was a hard habit to break for a spy—keeping secrets. Holding what you held dear close to your chest was the best way to protect yourself.
The weathered red cottage appeared in the distance, gray skies hanging overhead. A familiar figure sat upon the front steps, awaiting their arrival. Natasha looked to James over her shoulder, his eyes already upon her. He gave her a small smile of reassurance, but it did little to calm her nerves.
Steve stood as they pull into the gravel driveway. His hands settled at his hips as they always did when something was eating away at him.
Yelena scoffed, "You can feel the self-righteous emanating from here."
Nails bit into Natasha's palms, finally looking at Yelena, "I know this is moot, but please be on your best behavior. We are going to need their help."
She simply shrugged as the three of them hopped out of the jeep. Steve didn't wait as he descended upon them.
"I thought we were done with secrets, Natasha. I thought we had trust in one another. Then this one," he nodded to Yelena, her arms crossed with annoyance, "shows up weeks after you disappeared, telling me that you're in Wakanda with Bucky because apparently you two have a long history I knew nothing about! Why would either of you keep something like this from me?"
Bucky stepped forward as Steve's voice grew louder, "Steve, listen—"
"I'm tempted not to."
Natasha had only seen Steve's anger boil over a handful of times. It was never a pleasant sight.
"I understand your upset."
"That's a mild way to put it."
Something with Natasha snapped.
"Enough! I'm sorry we kept it from you. I'm sorry I kept it from you, but I owe you no explanation for my past, from a time where I didn't even know you. James and I are fully grown adults and can make our own decisions, a luxury we have not always had," She reeled herself back in, "That's why we are here. The Red Room is back, if it was ever truly gone, and we need your help, Sam's help, Wanda's help destroying it once and for all."
"If it's so important to you, then why were you hiding in Wakanda?" Steve questioned, his face unreadable. He wasn't pulling any punches.
"I wasn't hiding," Natasha swallowed her pride, "I can handle a lot, but I am human, after all. I can be overwhelmed, unsure how to handle a task at hand when it seems too daunting, so I curled into what felt like warmth and comfort. To soak in a moment of happiness, unsure if I would ever be able to again."
Steve's unrelenting stare wandered to Bucky's. For a moment, they held a silent conversation. Sam and Wanda had made their way out to the porch, their faces grim. The wind began to pick up. The salt from the sea, stinging their eyes. Steve's arms relaxed to his side, turning back towards the cottage.
"The safe house is incredibly small, so find whatever room you can. We'll speak more later."
Steve disappeared behind the front door, Sam right behind him, leaving Wanda to study the trio in front of her. Her gaze moved slowly between Natasha and Bucky, giving her friend a modest but genuine smile before entering the cottage.
Steve wasn't joking when he said the safe house was small. Only four rooms made up the space. A kitchen, bathroom, a tiny bedroom, and cramped living space. It looked as though nothing inside had been touched in the past decade. Cobwebs connected the copper pots that hung on the wall, moth-eaten blankets laid across the couch, dust on every surface.
"Don't suppose there are any hotels nearby." Yelena moaned.
"Haven't gone soft, have you?" Natasha teased, doing her best to lighten the mood.
"Feel free to pick up a rag and clean." Steve scoffed, heading down the long hall towards to back patio.
Frustrated, Natasha took a step to follow him, but Bucky gently grabbed her wrist before she could go any further. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Let me talk to him." He offered.
Cheeks red, Natasha silently agreed.
The view from the patio was serene. A full, unobstructed view of the rolling hills of the countryside. The tiny lights of the town in the far distance. The sound of crashing waves from the other side of the cottage. Steve sat on a deck chair that had seen better days, taking it all in. He knew Bucky was standing a few feet behind him, taking in the same scene.
"How long have you remembered your relationship with Natasha?"
Bucky audibly sighed, taking the seat next to Steve.
"Not until Shuri was able to do her work, sort everything out."
"So Shuri knew as well?"
Bucky lowered his gaze, a smile passing over his face, "Yeah, she was very eager to have us reconnect," His face fell, "She knew we needed each other."
Steve leaned forward, making his friend look at him, "Why?"
"It's the exact reason why you brought Natalia with you to Wakanda in the first place. What I'm currently going through, she has already been through."
Steve brows furrowed, "Natalia? And you let her call you James?"
Bucky waved it off with a smile, "It's hard to explain."
"But why hide it from me? Especially Natasha. She's had years. Did she think I would be angry?"
"Based on what just happened? Yeah, she probably did."
Taking another look at the view in the distance, Bucky rubbed his chin, trying his best to form his feelings into words. Describing how he felt about the Black Widow was never easy. He felt Steve's gaze still upon him as he began to explain.
"What you need to understand about Natalia and myself is that we were each other's only light during our darkest time. We share a trauma that not many can fully understand and is not easy to share with others. That's why she has held our relationship so close to her chest. Steve, it might take you a while to comprehend, but I have never loved anyone as wholly as I love Natalia, and I will always find my way back to her. I will always be her light no matter how dark it gets."
He saw movement behind Steve's eyes as he thought it over. After a long moment, he sat back, settling into the deck chair. Bucky allowed himself to relax, finally taking in a breath.
Steve smirked as he sighed, "It is going to take a while for my brain to fully comprehend, but there is one thing I know for certain, and that's that you two deserve happiness. It's long been overdue."
Bucky nodded his appreciation. Steve's gaze fell upon Bucky's left side.
"Nice arm, by the way. A decent upgrade."
Natasha sat at the kitchen counter with Yelena, sipping the tea Wanda had brewed for them. Her chest twisted and pounded, occasionally taking a glance out the back window at the two men on the patio. It had been twenty minutes since Bucky had gone to talk to Steve, and she had only grown more nervous with each passing minute.
"So the glowing red light coming out of your hands, you can blow shit up with it and fly around?"
Natasha paid little attention to Yelena's conversation with Wanda as they got to know one another.
"Energy manipulation," Wanda answered.
"Badass," Yelena replied as the back door opened.
Natasha shot to her feet. All eyes were on them as they walked up the hallway. The muscles inside her relaxed as she saw a smile on both their faces, Steve giving Bucky a friendly slap on the back as though everything was normal. Their faces faltered the slightest as they joined the group in the kitchen. Steve's gaze met Natasha's, giving her a reassuring nod that they would be alright.
As usual, it was Yelena who broke the silence, "So, the Red Room, let's burn it to the ground."
Tag List: @tvjunkie22 @harduy @shanetoo @doralupin01 @alphaaddict
Summary: After his programming is removed, Natasha secretly visits Bucky in Wakanda. They rediscover each other as they are torn between love and promises.
Characters: Bucky x Natasha
A/N: I posted Chapter 8-10 on WattPad and Ao3 so please excuse as I now posted them on here! Sorry it’s been so long! I do have a ko-fi if you want to stay updated! https://ko-fi.com/rebelwriting
MASTERLIST
Natasha had stayed. For two weeks, she lived a life she had only dreamt of, with James right by her side. On a quiet piece of land, she awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and her love cooking in the other room, the smell of sweet herbs and spices filling their small space. Since her arrival, she had started to help James with chores around the farm. Her favorite being the time she spent with the chickens. After a few days, they had stopped pecking her, even allowing her to pet them.
Shuri would check in on them every few days, always with a smirk of satisfaction on her face. Natasha found herself growing fond of it. But despite it all, there was a nagging in her chest, never letting her feel settled. It was Yelena, Steve, the people she left behind, and the promises unkept.
She pushed those thoughts aside as she saw James standing over the counter, prepping her small plate of food. His hair in a low bun and beard freshly trimmed, he looked like a dream. Her presence pulled his attention, his lips turning into a small smile as he took in her still disheveled hair from the night before. Natasha slowly approached him, letting him soak in the sight. She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek before she moved to his lips. She could see the heat rise in his cheeks.
Slowly pulling away, James nodded to the food, "Eggs and bacon...for energy."
He grabbed his plate and headed outside. Natasha called after him, "Energy for the farm or for the bed?" She teased.
He looked over his shoulder with a smirk, "A bit of both."
Outside, the warm breeze swept across Natasha's skin, waking her up for the day ahead. The two of them sat together, enjoying each other's presence as they watched the sun rise above the horizon. As they finished their breakfast, James took her plate, giving her a kiss on the forehead as they got ready for the day's work.
She grabbed the linen apron that hung in the kitchen and tied it around her waist, filling one of the pockets with feed for the chickens. James headed towards the goats, and she headed towards the coop.
"Come and get it, chickies." She called to them.
The chickens chirped with excitement as she threw the food in their direction. As they ate, she cleaned the coop and collected the eggs. Half she would keep for herself and James. The other half would go to the usual group of kids that hung around the farm to share with their families.
The sun started rising higher in the sky, and the kids gathered up in the large tree overlooking the farm. They hung on the branches, watching James move barrels of hay one-handed. She stopped for a moment just to watch. Shaking her head, Natasha laughed inwardly. Only a few weeks ago, she was doing the only thing she ever knew how to do; being the Black Widow. And now, there was nothing but peace and domestication. Something within her skin itched as her smile faltered. Natasha turned away and head back towards to cabin, but James had already seen.
Natasha was sitting on the bed, facing the light streaming through the window when he entered.
"Natalia." His voice was barely more than a whisper.
She looked towards him, smiling. James would never get over how stunning she was. The sharpness in her cheekbones, her gentle lips, how her eyes could either shine or throw daggers depending on her mood. But when she smiled at him, the light illuminating her face, he could tell something was missing.
He moved to be by her side, but voices arose from outside. The kids were calling to someone in the distance. Sensing Natasha needed space, he went to see who their visitor was, but it wasn't just one visitor. Making their way through the rolling hills were four figures. He recognized the two in the center immediately, Shuri and T'challa. To Shuri's right was a woman about the same height, her blond hair braided on the top of her head. Even in the distance, something felt familiar about her, but he could not place it. On the other side of T'challa was a sight that made his heart drop. It was Okoye carrying a metal box, just big enough to hold an arm.
"Shit."
James flinched at the sudden sound of Natasha's voice. Her mouth twitched to the side, "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."
But any lingering sign of amusement vanished as they looked back to the figures growing nearer. James took a step closer, trying to figure out who the blond braided woman was, when the realization hit him hard. He spun towards Natasha, "Is that who I think it is?"
From her eyes to her mouth, sharpness had settled back into Natasha's face. As though she had already put her black catsuit back on.
"Yes."
"How does she know—"
The four of them had closed the distance before he could finish his sentence. None of them looked pleased. Not even Shuri. Natasha's nails bit into her palms, the tension growing thicker each passing second.
Yelena stared at them for a moment, taking in the entire scene before her, "What in the cottage core fuck is this?" she finally scoffed.
"I don't even know what that means," Natasha answered with the same bite in her tone.
Yelena shook her head, "You seemed to be taking your sweet time, Natasha. So I thought I would stop by and check in, only to see you playing little house on the prairie," she took a moment to look James up and down. The first time she had seen him since the red room, "You're missing an arm, soldier."
James' mouth pulled tight, "Yelena," he nodded, "as observant as ever."
Yelena was keeping her demeanor calm, but Natasha could see the anger boiling beneath the surface. She couldn't blame her for it. Taking off her apron, she took a step closer, "Yelena, I'm sorry, I simply needed a break from it all."
"How wonderful. You took a breather while there are people's lives on the line, little girl's lives on the line. Must be nice."
James stepped in, his brows furrowed in confusion as he looked to Natasha, "Natalia," both of them ignoring Yelena's groan of disgust in the background, "What is she talking about."
Yelena's annoyance was growing more visible as she threw her hands in the air, "Oh, so you never even told him."
Natasha tried to defend herself, "I was planning on telling him."
"When? When you grew all wrinkled in your rocking chairs?"
"How did you even find us?" James questioned.
"Mr. America."
"Captain America." James and Natasha both shot back.
"Who gives a shit!" Yelena shouted. She took a moment as her voice echoed, stepping away to collect herself.
James' eyes fell on the box that Okoye placed on the ground. He had forgotten that the three of them were still standing there. He swallowed hard as his eyes met T'challa's.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"I think it would be best if you discussed that with Agent Romanoff."
He turned to Natasha, but her gaze was still settled on the younger widow, "Yelena, what did you do." Her voice was calm, but he could tell she was scared. He could always read her emotions better than anyone else.
Yelena shrugged, "Don't worry, he doesn't know the details of your relationship...yet. Though he's not an idiot, so I'm sure he has figured it out by now. I found him and simply told him it was urgent that I find you and that you were coming here to talk to the soldier."
"James Buchanan Barnes." James corrected her.
She simply waved him off, "Anyway, he got me in touch with Shuri over here, and now here we are. So now the question is are you staying or going?"
The question hung in the air.
James' voice was softer than ever. He reached for Natasha's hand, "Natalia."
"I'm going to throw up." Yelena chided.
Natasha rolled her eyes, "Can you give us a moment to discuss this, please."
She didn't give Yelena time to answer as she turned towards the cabin, James right on her heels. As soon as they entered through the door, he was on top of her with questions.
"What was that all about? Since when have you been in contact with Yelena? What aren't you telling me?"
"There's a new red room!" Natasha shouted over him.
He froze as his stomach sank, his voice thick "What?"
Natasha took a seat, rubbing a hand down her face, "Yelena left me a note one day, so I went to go find her. Anya had hired her to kill me because she's forming a new red room, the Dark Room, and wanted me out of the way. She wanted my help to destroy it and wanted me to get your help as well."
"Of course I'll help." He answered without a second thought.
Natasha squeezed her eyes as hard as she could. It was the answer she was dreading. He was just as much of a victim of the red room as she was. She rose to meet his gaze, "James, I can't have you do that. You've found a life you deserve here. A life away from the fight."
Sadness reached his eyes, "There are some things that are more important. This is more important."
"And what happens if Ross reaches you?"
Silence stretched between them. Two stubborn fighters waiting to see who would win. James brought her closer to him.
"Natalia, moya lyubov', I am finally free to make my own choices, yes?"
She lightly touched his beard, "Yes, but—"
He cut her off, a hand on her shoulder, "Then I choose to do this. For me, for you, for all of them. The ones who got out those who didn't."
Natasha searched his face. There was nothing but warmth and determination. Her heart aching, she closed her eyes and silently nodded. James brought her even closer, bring his forehead to hers.
"Then let's end this. Together. And then we will go from there."
There was no more argument to be had. Natasha could not live with herself if she let Anya continue, and she knew James felt the exact same. This is what they did. They were raised, engineered to be fighters. The only difference now was they were both finally free to choose what they were fighting for. And for Natasha, that gave her the same peace of mind that any quiet farm could.
"Okay." She said with a smile, hoping to cut the tension.
James smiled back, "Besides, I look forward to seeing the improvements Shuri made to my arm."
Natasha raised a brow, "So am I."
"Down girl." James teased.
Together, they exited the cabin, only for Yelena to be waiting just outside. Her nose was wrinkled in disgust, "You two are really gross."
Natasha rolled her eyes, but James ignored the comment, "So where are we headed?"
Yelena was already walking back towards Shuri and T'challa when she answered, "To pick up the quinjet and its occupants."
Natasha looked to the horizon as the sun started to lower, hoping she would see a sunset in Wakanda once more.
Tag List: @tvjunkie22 @harduy @shanetoo @doralupin01 @alphaaddict
Summary: After his programming is removed, Natasha secretly visits Bucky in Wakanda. They rediscover each other as they are torn between love and promises.
Characters: Bucky x Natasha
A/N: I posted Chapter 8-10 on WattPad and Ao3 so please excuse as I now posted them on here! Sorry it’s been so long! I do have a ko-fi if you want to stay updated! https://ko-fi.com/rebelwriting
MASTERLIST
By the time Natasha had made her way through the rolling hills of Wakanda, the sun had begun to descend behind the mountain tops, coating the sky in an orange glow. Shuri had welcomed her when the jet arrived but quickly pointed her in the right direction, sensing she had no time to waste. Natasha had hoped that this moment would have been nothing but joy. But, instead, she felt shame for what she was about to ask him to do. She tried to come up with a way to ask him to rejoin the fight, but no matter how she phrased it in her head, it felt like a betrayal.
Smoke from a chimney appeared a few hundred feet in front of her, pulling her out of her thoughts. A cabin soon appeared from behind a hill as she continued to walk, followed by an outline of a man. She stopped where she was, just to watch for a moment. He was tossing food to the chickens and goats behind the cabin. She was close enough to see the faint smile on his lips as the animals gathered around him. The left side of his body was still wrapped up in a blue sash. The moment the food was gone, they dispersed across the grounds. James removed the cross-body bag from his side and made his way to the front of what Natasha assumed to be his home. He had nestled down with a mug in his only hand, admiring the sunset, when Natasha decided it was the right time to approach.
It only took a few more seconds for James to see her walking towards him. Slowly standing up, he looked at her, not with a sense of surprise, but of relief like she had finally come home. They both stood still for a moment, soaking in the sight of each other. His hair and clothes were grimier from the laborious work of farming. Still, it brought the smallest of smiles to Natasha's face. James swiftly closed the gap between them, wrapping his one arm around her waist, bringing her in as close as possible. Natasha brought her hands to his face, guiding his lips to hers. Everything around them faded away for a bit as they embraced each other. James only pulled away to bring his forehead to hers, "What brings you here?"
At the moment, there was nothing for her to ask of him except to just be with her, "You." She responded in a whisper.
He immediately lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He brought her into the cabin as the sunset behind them. In the darkness, they rediscovered every inch of each other as many times as they could. It had felt like a lifetime, but yet like no time had passed. They melted into a familiar rhythm from years before, and afterward, as they both caught their breath, they fell asleep in the warmth of each other's arms. For once, there was no worry of getting caught, and neither of them has ever slept better.
Natasha lazily opened her eyes as the sun came streaming into the window. The sound of the chickens and the smell of coffee from the other room told her good morning. She sat up, wearing nothing but the smooth sheet wrapped around her. She took in the sights surrounding her. The room was small but cozy with not much in it besides the bed, a nightstand, a small dresser, and a desk in the corner where she spotted what looked like some handmade cards. Curious, she made her way over to the desk and picked up one of the cards. It seemed to of been made by a child. A picture was drawn on the front of a one-armed man doing some sort of farm work while kids watched from a nearby tree. Inside of the card, the words' Welcome White Wolf' was written across the paper. Looking at the others, they all had some kind of drawing of James around the farm or hanging out with a group of kids. It filled Natasha with a warm pride and relief. At that moment, she knew she couldn't ask him to leave, and she was beginning to question whether she wanted to go either.
"Breakfast is ready."
Natasha looked up to see James in the open doorway. By the look on his face, she suspected that he had been standing there for a while, watching her look through the drawings. "Sorry," She apologized as she put down the card in her hand, "I didn't mean to snoop, just curious."
James charmfully grinned, "It's okay. A group of kids likes to visit me while I work a few times a week. They gave me those shortly after I moved into here."
She raised an eyebrow at him, "Am I allowed to watch you work today?"
"Of course," He replied with a laugh, "Though I'm not sure how much work I'll be able to get done."
Natasha gave me a mischievous smirk as she made her way towards him and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Keeping one hand on the sheet around her, she caressed his beard that had only gotten thicker since she last saw him, "I like it." She said with another kiss on his lips.
James had to bite his lip from going any further, "Your breakfast is getting cold," He nodded his head towards the dresser on the other side of the room, "Shuri left some clothes for you in the bottom drawer."
She looked at the dresser and back to him with confusion. James shrugged as he went to leave, "I don't know, she's a genius."
Natasha dressed in a casual black sundress with tropical green florals covering it. She noted to herself to ask Shuri if she could keep it. The bedroom went right into the kitchen, where she found a wood-burning stove, an icebox, and some small counter space on one side, and a small wooden table with two chairs on the other side. There was a tiny living space between the kitchen and entryway that included a small loveseat and a loaded-up bookcase. She took a seat at the kitchen table as James handed her a cup of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs, "I like the dress." He said as he looked at it up and down.
She sat up with delight and pulled the fabric of the dress out so he could get a better look. She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as he sat down across from her, "What's so funny?" He asked with a confused smile.
Looking down at her plate of food, Natasha shook her head, still with a grin on her face, "Nothing, it's just... I've never felt so normal in my entire life, and to be honest, I don't hate it."
"You want to feed the chickens?" He abruptly asked, enjoying the baffled look on Natasha's face.
"Will they peck me?"
"Yes."
Natasha's laugh was more genuine than had been in a long time, and Jame's felt his whole soul lift at the sight of her smile.
There was nothing extraordinary about their day, which is what made it so special. It was quiet, calm, and peaceful. James showed her how to feed the goats and chickens in the morning. They seemed to take quite a liking to her. In the afternoon, she found an old, beaten copy of Pride and Prejudice on the bookshelf. She read it underneath the tree near the cabin, occasionally glancing up to watch James collect straw together. A nearby farmer visited a couple hours later to bring James some fresh lamb meat in exchange for a basket of eggs from the chickens.
As James began to work on dinner, Natasha sat on the bench outside, watching the sun as it started to lower in the sky. She told Yelena that she would come here to ask for James' help, but now she realized she came here because she was too tired to fight. Too tired to face another Red Room, the new enemies, and new deadly missions. James could see the exhaustion written on her face as he bent down in front of her, placing her plate of food next to her. His hand on her cheek, "Natalia, stay. Stay with me." He said softly.
Tears were forming in the corner of her eyes. She knew there were promises she had made, people were counting on her, but right here, right now, there was only one correct answer, "Okay." She replied, bringing their lips together.
Tag List: @tvjunkie22 @harduy @shanetoo @doralupin01 @alphaaddict
In exciting news, I finished the first draft of my witchy, new adult fantasy novel! If you want to follow along on my writing journey, you can follow me on twitter!
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