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

Chapter 65

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Madripoor, late summer 2024

The heat was almost unbearable. Even after the downpour that evening.

Despite the pot plants, which created a pleasant atmosphere spread throughout the old warehouse, Emilia couldn't live without a little bit of luxury.

Suppressing her guilty conscience about the not quite environmentally friendly state-of-the-art air conditioning, she allowed herself to recover a little from the events of two weeks ago.

In Madripoor, the Winter Soldier's reputation was still feared. But even he was not immortal. The fact that Bucky was eventually fully rehabilitated and pardoned had no effect on that.

Sam stood up for him. Likewise for Emilia, whose efforts against Karli and the Flag Smashers weren't unnoticed.

They wanted to do something about the injustice in the world. So the American government, in consultation with Southeast Asia, decided to let Bucky and Emilia continue operating in Madripoor.

It lent itself to both of them. Not only because of the inconspicuous appearance of their residence from the outside, but also due to her many contacts. Indeed, her last personality had left a certain impression in some dark corners of the city.

That Emilia actually wanted to leave this behind for good became apparent after only a few months. Not least with what had happened almost two weeks ago.

Since then, the frightening images of the actually harmless operation have haunted her dreams and never left.

In order not to run the risk of falling into a deep sleep, Emilia set the temperature in the bedroom so low that after a short time she would jump out of bed on her own.

Then also she would be awake again in time when Bucky came back.

But since the drug smuggler they were currently chasing usually only showed himself at night, this wouldn't happen before midnight.

Anxious about him paying the petty criminal a quick visit today and seeing who he was meeting with, she settled into bed. Actually, she had insisted on going with him. But Bucky's vehement objection and the lack of sleep the last few days were getting in the way. She was just tired and exhausted.

Like a little bundle, Emilia rolled onto her belly, tucked her hands under the cover of the cooling pillow, and slid her leg across the salmon-colored silk.

To distract herself from the bad thoughts, she dug up some of the carefree memories of the past year. A year in which her happiness grew steadily with each passing day.

The one or other extensive discussion with Bucky was included in it. Because usually such ended in a pleasant way. And if it didn't, it never took more than a day for their two stubborn heads to calm down.

One of her favorite moments was at the very beginning in Delacroix, shortly after the obstacle-filled misunderstanding between her and Bucky had finally been resolved.

Emilia was immersed in the colorful pictures of the evening, the delicious smell of Sarah's jambalaya, as well as the boisterous music-soaked atmosphere - and Bucky's embrace that night.

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Standing at the end of the small pier, they could hear the distant voices of the remaining guests from Carlo's birthday party.

With his arms wrapped around her waist, Bucky leaned toward the white railing. Emilia snuggled into his warm body while her hands rested on his forearms. Although it was only early September, the Mississippi River was already getting chilly fairly quickly at night.