We arrived back at the camp in a couple days with the rest of the soldiers. The rest of the camp lined up as we walked up. I stood with Steve as everyone cheered. I looked up as Colonel Philips walked up to us with his usual angry scowl.
"Uh oh." I said to myself as Bucky looked down at me concerned. We stopped as Steve walked up to him. His usual calm demeanor. Philips looked at him, then back down to me. I nodded realizing I was going to get chewed out later. I quickly moved over to Peggy. She rubbed her hand on my arm excitedly as she looked down at me.
"Follow me and we'll debrief." The colonel said quickly as he turned to me. I nodded quickly and followed behind. I stood and talked with him about everything that had happened. The test. The advance weapons. Every little detail I could. I could hear the crowd cheer behind me. I turned around as I looked into the crowd. Everyone was so proud for Steve.
I scanned the crowd as one single face stood out to me. Bucky turned around and our eyes locked. I sure I was carrying a goofy grin on my face. He smiled at me softly before turning back Steve as they both celebrated.
✪✪✪
My eyes fluttered open as I woke back up in Shield. I didn't want to be back. I would've stayed there if I could have. I sat up slowly as my head began to spin. Going back and forth was doing some damage. I heard the door open to the room and looked over. Fury stood there with his usual glare.
"What you got for me, Black?" He asked sternly. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and leaned onto my arms.
"Hydra has the tesseract." I said simply.
We both walked through the halls as I explained the weapons they were using. What happened with the other inmates they took. Everything was feeling like I had walked into my own nightmare. Fury nodded before turning in front of me.
"How much longer do you need?" He asked. I looked away trying to think. Honestly, I think I could've been done now. I could go back, get myself sent somewhere else and no longer have to phase back and forth. I was enjoying my time there though. I was glad I got to see Bucky again.
"Another week, maybe two." I said quickly. Fury glared at me for a second before nodding his head. He could probably tell I was lying.
"Fine." He said simply before walking off.
✪✪✪
Bucky and Steve sat in the crowded bar in London. They were discharged after everything that had happened. They were enjoying the little bit of piece before heading back into the war. Bucky took a shot as Steve looked around the room. Steve was slowly recruiting his friends to help him join the fight against Hydra.
"You ready to follow Captain American into the jaws of death?" Steve asked Bucky. Bucky scoffed as he took another sip of his drink.
"Hell no." He said simply. Steve looked at him a little hurt until Bucky continued, "That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb not to run away from a fight. I following him."
Steve smiled as he pat Bucky on the back. He knew Bucky would always stay by his side. The two sat silently as they continued their drinks. The entire bar suddenly went silent. Steve and Bucky turned around as Peggy walked into the room. She looked beautiful in her red dress. Steve couldn't help but get a little nervous.
Peggy walked over and began to talk with Steve. Bucky watched the entire interaction however he couldn't take his eyes off of Peggy.
"You don't like music?" Bucky said to Peggy, his soft smirk landing on his face. Peggy not once looked away from Steve. Bucky sighed as Peggy quickly blew him off. He realized he wasn't the top dog anymore with Steve around. Peggy walked off as Bucky turned to Steve.
"I'm invisible." Bucky said quickly, 'I'm turning into you."
Steve chuckled a bit before patting Bucky on the back.
"Maybe she's got a friend." Steve said as he walked back to the bar. Bucky laughed as he looked down at the ground. Once again the bar fell a little silent. Bucky looked over at the staircase to the bar. Layla stopped at the end of the stairs as her eyes shifted around the bar. Bucky couldn't help but feel a bit nervous seeing her. She was looking beautiful in the blue dress she was wearing.
Bucky quickly grabbed Steve's shoulder, forcing him to turn back around. Steve looked over and noticed Layla as well. He nodded his head, slightly impressed she cleaned up so well.
"I think I found the friend." Bucky said quietly.
✪✪✪
I looked around the bar nervously. It was so crowded with the soldiers and random girls they invited in. I felt completely out of place here. I hate public settings, even worse I felt ridiculous in this dress. Peggy told me to come but I couldn't see her anywhere. I scanned the room some more before my eyes landed on a pair of familiar blues.
Bucky stood with Steve as they both stared. Steve held a big smile on his face nodded slowly as Bucky looked shocked. I quickly moved around the room clutching my bag tightly. I walked up to Steve and Bucky and smiled.
"Hello, boys." I said awkwardly. Steve shook his head and smiled before bringing me into a hug.
"Layla, you look amazing." He said as he pulled away. I smiled brightly as my eyes shifted towards Bucky. He stood there stiff as a board.
"You seem to be adjusting well back into civilian life, James." I said. Bucky nodded his head slowly before clearing his throat. He stayed silent for a while before finally answering.
"uh, yeah-yeah. Its been good..." He stuttered his words. I watched as Steve quickly nudged his friends arm. He turned to him looking at him confused. It seemed to help wake Bucky up as he shifted again. He placed his hands into his pockets quickly. Steve just looked at us awkwardly before finally breaking the silence.
"I'm going to go talk to Peggy real fast." He said quickly as he began to walk away.
"Wait, you still owe me a drink." I yelled back.
"Next time!" he yelled. He gave me a smile before nodding his head. I watched as he did the same thing I did with him and Peggy. He motioned me forward before mouthing the word 'talk' and turning back around. I scoffed as a smile landed on my face.
Bucky seemed to notice it too. I looked over at him as he watched Steve walk away. His eyes peered down at me and a smile landed on his face.
"So you want a drink?" He asked casually.
"Oh god yes." I sighed. He let out a soft chuckle. I patted his arm before we both walked to the bar.
We sat at the bar the entire night together. Just swapping stories. He told me about his family, his sister. I told him about mine. I kept careful making sure I didn't accidently leak anything about not actually living in this timeline. I would just listen to him talk, sharing stories of his life with Steve, the entire time he held the beautiful childish grin.
"So when do you head back?" I asked. We had left the bar and walked through the streets of London. It was dark and quiet, different then how it seemed during the day. Our footsteps echoed the quiet town as we both walked slowly.
"In a week. They're letting us enjoy some time off before going back in." Bucky said. He turned to me. His eyes locked with mine as he let out a small smile. We both stopped suddenly as we arrived to my apartment. I looked up the staircase leading to the door before looking back at him. I shifted nervously. I didn't want this night to end. I didn't want to go to sleep and wake up back in Shield.
"I have to ask," I finally spoke as I moved closer to Bucky, "How did you even remember me back at the Hydra base."
Bucky adjusted his stance as dug his hands into his pockets. His usual smirk landing on his face.
"I didn't stop thinking about you since we first met. The beautiful girl in the brown coat that turned me down for a drink." He answered. I felt the heat begin to rise in my face. He was thinking about me just as much as I was him. I let out a soft chuckle.
"Well I guess I made up for it tonight." I said sarcastically. He nodded his head before turning his face away from me.
"I told myself when I was stuck in that Hydra base...if I ever got out," He let out a small sigh, "I was going to do everything I could to find you again." He stared back down, his blue eyes locking with me. I couldn't help but carry a smile on my face. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and slowly wrapped them around my waist. I felt my breath speed up as his eyes shifted around my face.
A small smile appeared as he pulled me in closer. I just couldn't stop my self from staring at his lips. They were slightly parted. I wanted to know if they felt as soft as they looked. Then I got my answer. Bucky moved his face slowly down, setting his lips onto mine. I took a sharp breath as we kissed. Yup, his lips we're definitely softer then they looked. The kiss deepened before we pulled away slowly.
"Worth the Hydra torture." He chuckled. I smiled as my eyes shifted back to his. I didn't want this moment to end. I didn't want to leave but I had to. I pulled away as my hand slowly left his. He just stood and watched as I walked up the staircase.
"See you tomorrow, Soldier." I said before opening the door and closing it behind me.