When Bucky returned to the Avengers Tower a month after his departure, he knew what to expect, or at least he thought he did. He expected to return to the same tower, with Anastasia in bed, Nick getting on his case and everyone else expressing their concerns and sympathy for him.
However, when he entered 'Anastasia's' room and found it empty, that image went down the drain and he panicked.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.?!" he called, trying to swallow his rapidly rising fear, "where's Ana?"
A tense moment later, the A.I. responded, "Doctor Volkov had awoken four weeks ago, sir. She has since returned to her apartment."
At first he didn't register what had been said. It went into his ear, but he wasn't processing it at all. Once he did, it took him another long minute to come to terms with it.
He bolted outside and into the elevator, punching the buttons and impatiently waited for the damn elevator to go up. He was pacing and rubbing his hands together, attempting to calm himself down.
His Anastasia was awake.
It seemed too good to be true. He tried not to get too excited, fearing this may be a crude, despicable prank played by Tony, but he knew he had failed when he felt his heart swell in his chest. Excitement and anxiety rushed through him and he could barely keep still for one moment.
The anticipated 'ding' rang through the elevator, and as soon as the doors opened, Bucky rushed inside. The apartment was empty, but it had clearly been tampered with. Everything was cleaned and organised to perfection. Bucky sucked in a breath and quietly searched the apartment, looking for the familiar face he hadn't seen in a month.
Her room was the last place he checked because it reminded him too much of her and her intoxicating scent was fading from it, as if she was fading from this world. However, when he entered, the scent overwhelmed him.
And there she was, sitting on her bed, reading.
Bucky just stood there, letting himself truly acknowledge the fact that she's back. She certainly looked healthier than ever; the colour had slightly returned to her skin though she had always been quite pale, her cheeks were full now, her lips were a luscious cherry red and although he couldn't see it, he could imagine what her eyes looked like. How could he ever forget that?
A smile made its way onto his face. She was alright. She was safe. Words couldn't describe the joy he felt.
"Ana?" he whispered, but it was loud enough for Anastasia to hear. Her attention drifted from the book to him, and as soon as their eyes locked, her face lit up immediately.
"Bucky?" she exclaimed. She climbed off her bed and ran up to embrace him tightly.
Bucky didn't react at first, but after a few seconds of shock, he returned her embrace tightly, resting his head on hers and just cherishing the feeling of having her in his arms again. Tears prickled his eyes; he missed her warmth and her touch dearly.
"You're back." he whispered, never wanting to let her go. She felt so real, he was afraid that she would disappear if he pulled away.
"So are you." she pointed out in a hushed voice, causing Bucky to chuckle.
When he finally did get the courage to release her from what seemed to be a death grip, he kept his arms on her shoulders and he stared at her once more, making sure to study her eyes.
It was still as spectacular as ever.
Though it was small, Bucky could see a hint of darkness in them. They lost their vibrancy and it was clear to him that something was off. However, he thought it was merely just the recent awakening.
He leaned down to kiss her lips, an action he was unable to do for months, and it felt like kissing her for the first time again; not at the party, but under that mistletoe... as awkward as that was. Fireworks exploded and a warmth that he hadn't felt in a while rushed back to him.
Everything was perfect once again.
➳ ➳ ➳ ➳ ➳ ➳ ➳
"Bucky..." Anastasia almost whined, reluctantly following her boyfriend as he dragged her to a hall where there were to be performances.
"You'll love it, come on." Bucky urged, grasping Anastasia's hand tightly as he dragged her towards the large space. They managed to get the best seats in the house and Bucky spent all week preparing for this special night. It was their first date since Anastasia's recovery, so in a way, it was just as important as the first date.
They found their seats; a V.I.P. balcony - thanks to Tony... again - and sat down, waiting for the show to start. It seemed Bucky was more eager than Anastasia, which was a first. Anastasia seemed a little distracted, but then again, the places was filled to the brim with people and it was a fact that Anastasia doesn't do well with crowds or people in general.
The room dimmed, and the show began. Anastasia immediately relaxed when the first act commenced; a classical piano and violin duet piece. The soothing music rang through the echoey walls, intensifying the sounds created.
"It's lovely..." Anastasia murmured, transfixed like she always was during these performances.
Bucky couldn't agree more.
It was like a switch. These shows always seemed to calm Anastasia down like magic, and watching the change was surreal. Her shoulders were slumped, her lips were curled into a lazy smile and for once, she wasn't stiff or rigid. She was relaxed, free. She wasn't Doctor Volkov, she was Anastasia. Just Anastasia.
When the next few acts passed, Bucky noticed Anastasia growing slightly restless. She inched closer to him and a worried look made its way to her face.
"Hey, is something wrong?" asked Bucky, clearly concerned. Anastasia shook her head, but the fear in her eyes told him otherwise.
"Ana?" he cupped her face, forcing her to look into his eyes. She was absolutely terrified; her lips were wobbling and her entire body began to tremble.
"I-I'm fine..." she breathed, closing her eyes, "I'm fine."
Bucky knew she wasn't fine at all, but for now, she seemed to have calmed down. He reluctantly let go of her, but kept his hold on her hand.
The rest of the show went by without an incident. Bucky was afraid that he may have imagined it, but he was certain he didn't. It felt too real to be an illusion.
Anastasia seemed gleeful by the end of it all though. There were no traces of the horror Bucky saw earlier, no traces of her small breakdown, and the thought of it disappearing so quickly scared Bucky. Something like that just doesn't go away in a snap, it takes time.
However, Bucky didn't want to ruin the night. Tonight, he didn't want anything about HYDRA, or the Avengers, or S.H.I.E.L.D., he simply wanted it to be just the two of them. They were finally free for once in this god forsaken life, and he wasn't going to let it slip out of his fingers so easily.
As they walked down the street, the exact same one as their first official date, Anastasia said, "this reminds me of our first date."
Bucky nodded, thinking the exact same thing. "Hopefully it doesn't rain this time."
Anastasia laughed and shook her head. "It wasn't that bad last time... was it?"
"Of course not doll!" Bucky quickly exclaimed, "just... I prefer not to get soaked this time around."
Anastasia laughed again and Bucky couldn't help but smile. She was an absolute angel and she stayed with him. She continued to be with a broken murderer like him, and even after all the things she had been through she still stayed by his side.
But he couldn't help but think of why she stayed. Surely after the hell he had indirectly put her through she wouldn't want anything to do with him. Why? Why did she stay?
"Hey... Ana?" Bucky stopped in his tracks.
"Hm?" Anastasia, who had walked slightly ahead, paused and turned to him, her exquisite eyes shining with curiosity and worry.
"Why... Why do you stay with me?" Bucky questioned quietly, so quietly he didn't think she heard it.
"... because I love you." There was no hesitation or uncertainty to the answer. Her voice didn't have any hint of shyness or softness to them, they were firm, confident. "I love you, James."
It was a short, simple answer that really didn't even answer his question properly, but Bucky found his heart beating faster than ever. Sometimes all he needed was a reminder of that fact, the fact that this incredible woman loved him.
Anastasia stepped closer to him and lifted her hand to caress his cheek. Her fingers gently wiped the tears he didn't even realise fell away. She gave him a smile, not a big bright one, but a sincere one.
She stood on the tip of her toes and pressed her lips against his, conveying her feelings in a small yet meaningful kiss. When she pulled away though, Bucky placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her close again, this time kissing her like he needed her touch to survive in this wretched Earth.
And he did. He needed her. He needed her like he needed oxygen, because she was not only the woman he loved, but she also had a large portion of his will to live, his will to continue. Without her he was a lost soul, desperately trying to tighten his grip on reality and this sinful life he had lived. With her, he was free. She kept him sane, she kept him from walking down a dark road.
Those months without her had been the most difficult part of his life after everything that HYDRA did to him, after what HYDRA made him do. He didn't want to let her go again. He never wanted to spend another moment without her.
He was sure now, more than he had ever been in his life. He was sure that she was the one person he wanted to spend his life with.
She was the one.