Chapter 17
Star groaned when her alarm went off, exhausted from turbulent sleep and noticed her right hand was hurting when she tried to rub her eyes. She looked at her bruised knuckles in confusion, trying to remember how she hurt her hand. She tried to scooch away from Bucky to go to the bathroom but he just pulled her closer and mumbled into her hair.
Star sighed "Bucky, I really need to pee and it's almost time to get up."
He finally relented and she went to use the bathroom and take a shower.
When she came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel she saw Bucky looking at his phone and her mouth fell open.
She sat next to him and gently touched the bruises "Jamie? What happened to your eye? Did you get into a fight?"
Bucky chuckled "No, that's all you, slugger." and smirked at her
She hid her face "What? I did that? Ohmygod! I'm so sorry Jamie, you seem to get caught up in my worst moments."
Bucky smiled at her "Your worst is better than the best day without you. I'm good with it." He pulled the sheet off of her head "Today should be a good day. The attorneys are going to wrap up their cases and then we wait for the jury. It'll all be over soon."
She kissed him softly "I can't wait to go back to my life. I've really missed my horses. With 8 or 12 months training we all should be back in shape to show. Hopefully."
Bucky deflated a little, what if she didn't need him anymore, once the trial was over and John was gone for good. "Have you got everything all worked out for when you can go home? Back to the Pierce estate?
She shook her head "Ugh, I've always hated that house. My father made it feel like a prison. I think I have a good idea for repurposing it but I'm still working out the details.
No, I'm gonna go back to my house and work at my stable, without anyone looking over my shoulder or telling me what to do, I want to get my life back and leave this mess behind.
Bucky nodded sadly "After everything you've been through, that makes sense. You lost all your freedom and autonomy so it seems natural that you want to get that back."
Y/N leaned up and kissed his chin "Hey, Jamie." He looked in her eyes "You realize that you are a big part of what I want to take back. My house is pretty big. Not a mansion but 4 bedrooms and an office, pool and all that. It's right next to the stable so heaven.
It'll take a bit to get some of my programs back up and running but I'll get it there."
She looked at the clock and then pushed on his arm "It's time to get moving. It's already 6 and we need to be there at 8 so get your ass in the shower."
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Once they were at court the closing arguments didn't include anything new or game changing and the jury went to deliberate.
Before they had even left the parking lot her attorneys phone rang and they were called back. He told Star that was a good sign and Bucky held her hand as they walked back.
The verdict was more than she could have asked for, John was found guilty on all counts of rape, abuse and everything else he had done to her. The sentencing hearing was in 2 weeks and the trial regarding his political crimes was scheduled for next month.
John Walker's carefully crafted life was falling apart in front of his eyes and he couldn't do anything about any of it. To add insult to injury he saw that dirty biker kissing his now ex wife in the middle of the courtroom.
John swore and threw some names at Star but she just laughed "You have no power over me John. Our unfortunate association is done and you are nothing but a sad little man that's going away." She blew him a kiss and left with Bucky.
That evening, Tony insisted on taking everyone out to celebrate. They went to one of the best restaurants in the city and closed the place down. They didn't leave until after 3am and the only one who was sober was Happy, since he was the driver.
Y/N and Bucky were attached at the hip, each feeling nervous about what comes next and unwilling to let go of the other.
When they arrived back at Stark tower, Bucky had to help Star keep upright until they made it to her rooms. Once inside he propped her up against the door and kissed her deeply, only pulling away when he needed to breathe. He looked at her with heart eyes until he realized something, then looked away and picked her up to carry to her room.
Star never stopped kissing and nibbling on his neck, pulling his hair which made him groan. He set her gently on the bed, then tried to pull away but she wasn't having it.
"Jamie" she whined "Please, stay. I need you."
"I'm just going to get you some water and pain killers, or you'll regret it in the morning."
He returned and coaxed her to take the pills and drink the water.
She laid back down and pulled him with her, grabbing at his shirt to remove it.
Bucky sighed and stopped her gently "You need to get some sleep doll, we can't do this right now."
Star looked up at him and slurred "But, why. I thought you wanted me. I thought-" her eyes filled with tears.
He shushed her softly "No, Star. I do want you honey but not like this. I want you to remember every detail and you're too drunk right now. I promise I'm yours, for as long as you want me but I don't want our first time back together to be when you can't consent and won't remember. I'll still be here in the morning if you still interested and up for it." He took his jeans off and climbed into bed with her only to realize she was already passed out.
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Star woke with a groan, quickly moving her arm to cover her eyes even though the room was pretty dark. The smell of coffee and bacon hit her and her stomach clenched, making her bolt to the bathroom to empty it.
When she was empty she brushed her teeth then wandered out to the kitchen. Bucky was over the stove making bacon and eggs.
"There's my morning Star, how are you feeling?" He asked cheerfully, offering a mug of coffee.
Star growled as she accepted "How can you be so bright eyed and cheerful after all you drank last night."
He chuckled "I didn't drink near as much as you did and I have some crazy high tolerance after the military and my profession as a dirty biker." He looked at her, smirking.
"I don't remember much after we arrived at the restaurant. Tony kept ordering round after round and, yeah. That's I-" she paled, "I'm gonna be sick" and ran to the bathroom.
Bucky took the food off of the stove and hurried after her but the door was locked "You ok Star?"
"Yeah" she yelped "I'll be out in a few."
Star held in the tears until she heard him walk away and could let them out. She remembered bits of last night, most importantly how she threw herself at him and he turned her down. His explanation was fuzzy but the bottom line was that he didn't want her. All the loving words and actions drained from her memory and all she could see or feel was the rejection. She was a fool for thinking he would still want her after everything, convincing herself that he helped her out of guilt but would be leaving her behind soon since John was out of the way.
When her stomach stopped heaving she brushed her teeth again, washed her face and went back to the kitchen.
"Are you ok sweetheart? Do you want to try to eat something?"
Star nodded without saying anything and swallowed down as much food as ahe could stand. Once she finished she just sat there sipping her coffee.
"Hey, Star did I say something? Are younsure you're ok?"
She tried not to look at him but he cupped her cheek and felt the tears on her cheek "Why are you crying baby? Please let me help."
She spoke so softly he almost didn't hear her "you dont have to stay."
He looked at her confused "But I want to stay. Unless you want me to go."
She shrugged "Well, the trial is over and John is going away for awhile and I'm going to move back home. You shouldn't stay with me out of guilt."
"What? Baby, I told you I want to be with you. Forever. I meant that when I said it 3 years ago and I meant it yesterday. You don't be rid of me so easily."
He pulled her into him. "I'll tell you every single day if it'll convince you. I love you Star and want to spend the rest of my life with you."
She looked up at him with tear filled eyes "You sure you won't get tired of my insecurities?"
"Positive but I also plan to help assuage your insecurity by always being here for you." He kissed her on the nose "Promise.
Now, don't we have some packing to do, so we can go home?"