THE FADING FALLEN ● Bucky Barnes X OC ● 18+ ● ENGLISH [COMPLETE]

Chapter 64

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Before he had the chance to catch up with her, Emilia was swallowed by the noisily celebrating crowd of a bit more than 80 guests.

The sun was completely gone now and the band on stage just turned silent to take a little break.

"What have you done now?"

Sam, who was a little worried about his friend not getting his head ripped off after the clear announcement earlier, wanted to make sure everything was okay.

He could just see Emilia vanishing among the people with a rather energetic stride. Now his hand was on Bucky's shoulder, who let his gaze wander searchingly over the crowd in front of him.

The moment he spotted the purple glass leaves of the trinket, he just wanted to follow behind and simply hold her. He wanted to tell her she was right. 

In fact, he really just wished to kiss and never let her go. For he suddenly realized what it was supposed to mean that Emilia was wearing his gift. Visible for everyone.

But what puzzled him were her words. What did she mean by having no choice?

That she walked away therefore made him a little uneasy. At Sam's teasing comment, however, the suppressed anger in him spoke up.

"Why is it always my fault?"

Grumbling, he squirmed out from under the hand on his shoulder and tucked his own unnervingly into his jeans pockets.

"Because usually it is always you."

Bucky threw a put-upon grin at the confident face beside him before looking over the people again. Sam realized it was really getting to his friend and struck more forgiving tones.

"Come on, Buck. How about you two bullheads just talk to each other for once?"

"What do you think I just tried? She ditched me, remember?"

Exasperated, he turned away and walked toward the dock followed by Sam. Silently, they strolled a few yards down the small harbor.

"You know, Sam. Sometimes I think it's just not meant to be... No wonder. After all I've done..."

With a raised eyebrow, he looked at Bucky from the side. Almost shocked at the latter's downcast words, he stopped in front of the small pier.

"You can't believe that yourself! First of all: stop with this self-pity bullshit. How often do I actually have to tell you to get up your ass? There's one last person who probably wasn't in your little notebook."

His gaze from the floor now fixed on Sam, you could see the unspoken question. For Bucky didn't know when he might mean.

"Jeez, Buck..."

Rolling his eyes, Sam turned to the Mississippi and looked out at the still water.

"I'm talking about you. If you've helped all the others, it's time you start helping the hell out yourself. Otherwise, things will never work out with both of you."

Smirking, he looked at Bucky and gestured toward the crowd with a quick movement of his head.

"You two are as thick as thieves. Bonny and Clyde. Or like ying and yang for all I care, if that's what you prefer. But either way, if you think she's avoiding you because she might doubt you belong together, then convince the damn hell out of her. You are both such stubborn asses. Even I can see that you guys are meant to be."

Looking back across the river reflecting with colored lights, Sam finished his little speech contentedly with a mixture of singing and murmuring.

"Don't you know that there ain't no mountain high enough. Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough. To keep me from getting to you, baby..."