"Mother hated bad manners, especially in adults. But, to be more specific, in women." Bucky recalled
The group of Avengers sat in the large patio, roasting marshmallows and asking Steve and Bucky questions about life before and during the war. Surprisingly, Bucky was enjoying this moment.
"Was there ever a girl your mother didn't like?" Peter asked.
Bucky grabbed a graham cracker and a small piece of chocolate and began to build his s'more. "Yep, her name was Dolores. But, I called her Dot." Steve chuckled "I hated her." Bucky quickly looked at Steve and everyone laughed. Steve never admitted or let anyone around him say the word hate, in ANY tense. Meaning he REALLY didn't like her. "Really, why?" Steve shrugged "She was rude, didn't like when we hung out." "No one liked when we hung out besides our parents and my sister. No one even liked you, punk." Steve's jaw dropped "Jerk." he muttered, Bucky laughed.
Seeing Bucky smile and laugh and joke around was new to everyone. It had been a long time since he saw, heard, or thought of something to be laughed at. Being able to share the happy part of his past made him loosen up and realize that he could be himself again....with or without the main source of it all. But, something always ruined his happiness. Only this time, not for long.
"Rumor has it, you were a loverboy. Did you ever try to settle down with anyone?" Sam questioned after everyone stopped laughing.
Bucky smiles at the memory of her. "I did. Her name was Elise. Nobody knew this, but she helped us in the war sometimes. She was an amazing fighter."
"What happened?" Clint asked
Steve looked over at Bucky, Bucky's smile drops quicker than it formed...
FLASHBACK
The Howling Commandos were defeating another Hydra building in Austria. The group had split up leaving Steve, Bucky and Elise.
The building was halfway cleared when the trio were surrounded by Hydra soldiers and one minute to get out before the bombs went off. Elise helped clear a path for them to get out but made up a different plan on her own...
"Alright, I'll hold the door-" " I got it." Bucky looks worried "No, I got it. Run and I'll be right behind-" " Bucky, go!" she opens the door and pushes them out. "Guys, 3 seconds! Get away from the build-"
Loud explosions go off and the building begins to fall. " BUCKY! COME ON!" Steve pulls him off the ground and runs. Both, with tears in their eyes. but they have to keep going. for her.
Present
"Bucky?" Natasha worriedly said.
"Our plan worked. Get in, plant the bombs and to get out. I told her I would hold the door open and Steve and her would run. I said that I'd be right behind them. But she was too stubborn." he chuckles with tears in his eyes. "I don't know if she's dead or if Hydra has her. But, I hope she's okay. Wherever she is."
At that moment, Nick and his unfortunate-fortunate timing appears, as if he'd been listening for the story to end.
"Barnes, you have... a visitor.'
He looks over at a smiling Steve, curiously. Steve looks at Bucky and nods to the door.
"Hi, James." he looks at the door and freezes.
" Elise..."
Bucky gets up and walks over to her.
" I thought you died." he said, tears falling from his eyes.
" For a moment, I wish I did. Then Steve found me and told me you were alive. I had to go to Wakanda first. But, I also wanted to surprise you here." she smiled, and also had teary eyes.
He smiled back "What you did was stupid." she giggles and nods " I know."
They hug and eventually Bucky leads her over to his chair, they sit and Bucky introduces Elise to the team.
Overall, it was a long night of them catching up...
