Five Times When and One Time When
ONE
A loud knocking woke Bucky up from the restless nap he had fallen into. Groaning while running his right hand over his face the knock sounded again. Bucky slowly rises from the floor and cautiously makes his way to the door. He reaches for combat knife he keeps hidden by the entryway and peers through the peep hole.
On the other side of the door is a young woman Bucky can’t recall knowing. He leaves the chain on and opens the door. The young woman smiles up at him and before he can even open his mouth to ask ‘what the hell do you want?’ she raises a flower vase with dainty faded blue forget me nots and lavender roses.
“Good afternoon! I am your across the hall neighbor, my name’s Jude. Well actually it’s Judith but Jude is what I prefer. Anyway, I got you a welcome present! Um… yeah… so here you go.” She says pushing the vase closer to the opening between them, a blush creeping up her neck and dusting her cheeks.
The two of them stare at one another, the silence stretching over them and very quickly becoming too much for red haired young woman. Her smile starts to falter and her resolve is clearly faltering. Bucky notices and once again before he can get a word out, Jude bends down quickly and places the simple vase down on his doorstep. She straightens out and has taken two steps backwards towards the apartment across the hall.
“Please enjoy the flowers, I know how dreary these apartments can be. Especially when you still haven’t unpacked fully. And umm … yeah. Bye now.” She stutters out and swiftly enters her own apartment and closes the door.
Bucky at a loss of what to do or how to react to his new neighbor just undoes the chain, opens his door and picks up his new vase. After he locks up and puts his knife back in its hiding place, he looks around his undecorated and plain apartment. She was right, these apartments are dreary. He sighs to himself and decides the flowers would look best on his windowsill. He places them gently on the sill and smiles for the first time since he moved in.
TWO
It’s been a few months since Jude and Bucky first met and during those months the two found each other gravitating ever closer to the other. Jude would even go so far as to say that the surly super soldier and her were friends. Though that title was hard won, unless of course your name was Yori in which case it came surprisingly quickly (much to Jude chagrin). Bucky would also reluctantly agree to that statement, he found that Jude was a much-needed addition to his daily routine.
When Jude had finally figured out who Bucky truly was, he was prepared to lose his new found acquaintance and he almost fell back into his old ways of cutting and running, but he was met with an easy smile and a shrug instead of what he feared. She had figured it out after three weeks and had promised not to tell anyone, so long as he promised to buy dinner. Bucky was shocked at how relieved he was but was even more so at how hopeful it made him. He ended up buying them pizza.
Another thing that Jude figured out was Bucky’s birthday, this she learned through excessive internet researching because Bucky refused to tell her. When March 6th finally rolled around, she had a plan. She knew that Bucky had liked his welcome present and had since kept a variety of flowers and plants on his windowsill. With this knowledge she decided to get him a more exotic flower to add to his growing collection, but she also wanted to get him something meaningful so down the internet rabbit hole she went. She concluded that a Sword Lily would be the perfect balance of meaningful and exotic.
The beautiful red flower sat peacefully in the equally red pot the florist had helped Jude pick out. Bucky was due back from his therapy session soon and Jude was eager to give him his present. ‘It’s not everyday someone turns 106 you know’ she thought to herself with a small smile.
Twenty minutes later Jude found herself knocking on Bucky’s door just as she had all those months ago, except this time he unchains the door and lets her in. She happily shoves his present into his open arms and shouts “HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU OLD BASTARD!!!” to which he just rolls his eyes and heads to the windowsill.
“How did you find out today is my birthday?”
“Captain America online exhibit. I must say it was very informative. We should go visit in person someday.” Jude replies with a sly grin.
Bucky just looks at her like she grew a second head and deadpans “No thanks.”
“You’re no fun.” She deadpans right back before going over to his sill and moving the sword lily to the center. “There it looks better in the center. Do you like it?”
“I do, what kind of flower is it?”
“Oh, I thought you would never ask! So it’s called a sword lily and they were given to gladiators to represent strength and bravery. I thought it would be perfect for you, because well that’s what I think when I think about you.” Jude explained simply and matter of factly. Her sly grin morphed into a small shy smile, she continued “I really wanted you to like it and I wanted it to be meaningful. I don’t think I could ever look at one now and not think about you.” Jude reached out and gently caressed the red petals.
Bucky’s breath caught in his throat and he didn’t know why. He took a moment to just take in Jude and his new housemate before clearing his throat. “Thank you, I really do um… I really … it’s perfect.” He stutters out quietly. Jude turns to him her smile now beaming, she launches herself at him, he catches her quickly and lets out a small chuckle at her antics.
“Awesome! Now let’s have some cake!” she exclaims as he lets her go and heads to the kitchen.
THREE
Bucky’s phone goes off, he glances down and sees it Jude calling. He answers immediately. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Hey Bucky Deer, um yeah I’m fine, quick question. Did you know that there is a flower called a bombsite plant?” she asks.
Bucky sighs and runs his hand through his hair before responding.
“Judith… it’s 4 am, why are you awake?”
“Why are you?” she quips.
“That’s not the point, why are you up?”
“Couldn’t sleep, wound up on Wikipedia, and here we are. So did you know?”
“You are ridiculous go to bed.”
“I’m going to get you one, the more common name for them are summer lilacs and they are quite pretty, apparently they would grow all over bombsites during World War 2. That’s why I thought you may have heard or even seen them.”
“Doll, put the internet away and go to sleep.”
“Okay, okay will do after I find a florist that can get us some. They look very pretty.” She hangs up before he can tell her to order them tomorrow.
He shakes his head and looks over at this little garden. It has taken over his entire living room sill and has started to take over the kitchen counter and the smaller sill. At this rate he may even need to use his fire escape. The sword lily remains the main attraction, on its left are a fresh batch of forget me nots and lavender roses (also courtesy of Jude), on its right a few wildflowers and baby’s breath he pilfered from a farmers’ market that was closing down for the day. The kitchen counter and the windowsill housing fresh herbs from the same market. He can’t look at any of his garden without thinking about his sleep deprived across the hall neighbor.
FOUR
It’s been a few weeks since Bucky’s failed “date” and subsequent avoidance of his favorite restaurant. A few weeks since his failure to tell Yori the truth about his son. It’s been a few weeks since the Flag Smashers and their leader Karli Morgenthau went underground. A few weeks since John Walker defiled Steve’s legacy and killed the Flag Smasher named Nico. A few weeks since Bucky seen or spoken to Sam or his no longer court appointed therapist Dr. Raynor.
The only person Bucky has allowed to see or speak to him is Jude, not that he is doing much talking. He is more withdrawn than when they first met. To say Jude was worried was an understatement, but there is very little she could do to break Bucky out of his self-imposed exile.
Bucky’s new routine was as follows: Don’t sleep, barely eat, training, avoiding Yori, more training, neglecting his garden, grunt at Jude when she tries to engage in conversation, brood, finally apologize for being rude to Jude and make sure she returns to her apartment safely.
And then it happens, Bucky gets the call from Sam, Karli and the Flag Smashers are on the move and he is ready. Or so he thought. He heads down the hall and knocks on Jude’s door. He can’t leave without saying goodbye to her, not again.
The door opens to reveal a bleary-eyed Jude, she reaches up and rubs the sleep out of her eye.
“Hey Bucky Deer, what’s up?” she lets out a yawn and finally takes in his form. She notices he is geared up and takes in his serious expression, she stands a bit straighter and gives Bucky her full attention.
“The Flag Smashers have been spotted… I’m heading out now. Promise me you’ll stay inside and make sure everything is locked up. Don’t answer the door for anyone got it.” He states, his eyes are intense and broker no room for argument. Jude nods her head and grabs his left hand before he can run off and save the world.
“I have something for you, wait here.” She turns to go into her apartment.
“Doll… I have to go, I”
“I know! Please just, just a second” she looks back at him with a wild look in her green eyes. Bucky sighs “Be quick.”
She nods again and rushes into her living room. She returns with a small silver pouch. She grabs his hand again and places the pouch in it.
“I got this for you, it’s for good luck and protection. I … I mean I know it’s probably stupid but I … last time you left and I couldn’t stop thinking … promise you’ll come back, safe and sound. Please and take this with you.” Jude looks up at him and tightens her grip on him. Bucky takes the pouch and tucks it into his jackets’ inner pocket.
“I promise I’ll come back. And I’m sorry about just leaving last time, I never intended to get involved with Sam or the Flag Smashers, it just spiraled out of control.”
Jude bites her lower lip and heaves a small but mighty sigh. “I know, you have some really shitty luck. Hence the Artemis Herb I just gave you; you clearly need something to counteract it.”
Despite the situation and himself, Bucky couldn’t help but to huff out a laugh. “Thank you, I’ll make sure to keep it on me. I’ll see you when this is all over.”
“You better, stay safe.” She says quietly.
“I will.”
Bucky without thinking it through, wraps his arms around her and presses a quick kiss to her temple. He steps back and heads down the hall, his hand patting his jacket pocket to feel for his new good luck charm, once confident it won’t disappear on him, he is ready to save the world one more time.
FIVE
Bucky returned safe and sound just as he promised he would. Jude’s relief was palpable and so was Bucky’s. After the Flag Smashers were dealt with and Sam officially took up Steve’s mantle and legacy, Bucky and Jude fell back into their old routine with the exception of a few weekend trips down to Delacroix to stay with Sam and his family.
Sam and Jude caught on like a house on fire, especially when it came to making fun of Bucky. Sam has taken to calling him ‘Bucky Deer’ and Jude started to relentlessly ask him about the ‘Hobbit’ and his opinion on ‘Wizards vs Sorcerers’.
Bucky and Jude were currently in the process of settling in after one such weekend, when there is a knock-on Bucky’s door. He tenses, glances over at Jude who was fussing over his not so little garden, noticing her complete ease and lack of any trepidation, he slowly makes his way to the door, grabs his trusty combat knife and checks the peep hole.
There is a delivery man on the other side, though man is an overstatement, he looks more like a teenager, he is holding a bouquet of flowers. Before Bucky could say anything, he hears Jude giggling to herself in the living room. He opens the door and raising a brow, “Can I help you?” he asks.
“Are you Sergeant Barnes?” the boy asks.
“Depends, why are you looking for him?” Bucky asks with a glare.
“I have a delivery of flowers for him. Why else would I be here?” the delivery boy responds in kind.
Bucky grunts in reply, he stashes his knife before snatching the bouquet from the boy. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome have a nice day.” the boy deadpans before turning and leaving.
The giggling from the living room had not ceased during the entire exchange. Bucky sighs and examines his bouquet. It contains a few light pink roses, purple irises, and two brilliant morning glories. He takes his newest additions into the kitchen to put them into the vase Jude gifted to him almost a year ago. Once the flowers are settled, he brings them to Jude.
“What’s the occasion and where should these go?” Bucky asks.
Jude’s giggles finally stop. She smiles up at him, she takes the vase and places it on his coffee table. “No occasion, can’t a girl get her friend flowers?”
“Hmm sure she can, but you don’t do anything without it having some kind of meaning.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Sure you don’t. What do you want for dinner?”
“Dinner… dinner… how about that new Italian place? The one a few blocks over.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Perfect, I’m going to run to my place and change and then we can go!” Jude states before heading out the door.
Bucky glances at his new assortment of flowers and grabs his phone, he knows there is more to these flowers, there always is. He looks up the light pink roses first, according to the internet (which is never wrong) they mean admiration. Next are the morning glories, they stand for affection and unrequited love. Lastly are the irises, the site states that these could mean ‘your friendship’s means so much to me’, ‘I am burning with love’, pure hearts and hope.
Before he can process what he just read, the door opens up. Jude pops her head in and says “I’m ready to go when you are Bucky Deer.” She smiles at him and in that moment, he thinks ‘I am burning with love too’.
“I’m ready let’s go” he makes his way over to her and after locking up he reaches down and takes her hand in his. “Hey Doll?” he says, she hums and looks up at him. “You want to go steady?”
“Yes.”
ONE
It’s been a year since Bucky asked Jude to ‘go steady’ with him, and they could not be happier. Except they could, which is why Bucky has planned a very special night for Jude. The night started off with Bucky picking up Jude with a simple orange rose. The meaning of which Jude immediately looked up on her phone, (this is of course a game the two have played with one another ever since Jude’s declaration of her true feelings a year ago), she smiles and kisses his cheek. “It’s lovely thank you.”
Once they get to the restaurant and are seated, the waiter comes with their wine and two more roses, this time one is a pale coral and the other a brilliant red. Jude’s smile grows and she reaches for Bucky’s hands across the table.
“What are you up to Sergeant Barnes?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
After dinner Bucky takes Jude to an old-fashioned dance hall. They spend the next few hours putting the other couples to shame on the dance floor. Once Jude had her fill of dancing she demanded dessert, which Bucky was all too happy to oblige. They found a quaint little bakery a few blocks from the dance hall, with their sweet tooth’s satisfied they made their way back to their apartment building.
“This was wonderful Bucky Deer.” Jude says as they enter the building.
“Night’s not over yet Doll. I have one more surprise for you.”
“Oh you do?” she asked intrigued.
“I do, meet me by the door to the roof top in ten minutes.” He replied slyly.
“The roof?! Wha…” she exclaimed.
“Yes, the roof, now go.” Bucky interrupted her before she could protest the number of stairs she will have to walk. She groans but complies. Bucky smirks at her retreating form. He heads to his apartment to get two very important pieces of tonight’s biggest surprise.
Ten minutes fly by, Bucky walks up the last steps and see Jude waiting. “Alright what’s the surprise?” she asks excitedly.
“Close your eyes.” He tells her, with a small eye roll she does just that. Bucky takes her hand and opens the door. He tugs her through and places her in the center of roof. Once he has her settled, he reaches into his jacket and takes out a single white rose and a small black ring box.
“Alright, open your eyes.” Jude does so, slowly, the first thing she sees is a wall of flowers. Bright red spider flowers, fragrant orange blossoms, creeping English ivy, and pale common myrtles. Before she can look up their meanings, Bucky steps in front of her and gives her the single white rose. She takes it and lets out a gasp when she sees the ring box in Bucky’s left hand. He smiles and gets down on one knee, he opens the box to reveal a beautiful sliver ring with flowers engraved on both sides.
“Jude, will you marry me?”
“Yes! Of course, of course I’ll marry you.”