Honeysuckle
Bucky sat on a hard pew with his arms crossed over his chest. He forced his mind to concentrate on his thoughts and remembered the first time he saw you.
*
“You’re gonna like her,” Steve told Bucky as he opened the door to the facility. “Don’t get fooled by her pretty face, she’s as dangerous as a snake.”
Bucky puffed out a laugh as he followed Steve into the kitchen. When Steve opened the door a thick, grey smoke billowed up from the stove. They couldn’t see much, but they heard you cough. Steve swung the window open and the smoke gradually disappeared.
“Thanks.” You smiled, fanning your face with your hand. “Mixed up Celsius and Fahrenheit. Hey, you’re the new guy!” You beamed when you saw Bucky. “Wanna eat some burnt cake? I made it for you,” you snickered, pushing the evil-looking cake forward.
“It would be rude to say no, Buck., Steve teased his friend while he was examining you as if he were a doctor. You wanted to roll your eyes, Steve was always so protective of you.
“Stop it, Steve. I’m fine, stop trying to kiss me.” You pulled away from him, a cheeky smirk on your face.
“I-I’m n-I wasn-” he stuttered, his eyes wide open.
“Oh no, I broke him.” you said with an air of false concern before you burst out laughing. “Calm down or you’re going to have a stroke, old man.”
Bucky watched the exchange with a smile on his face, his brows slightly furrowed. Steve shot you an annoyed glance. You pressed a kiss to his cheek and chuckled when he looked at you with a soft smile.
“Beautiful women always had that effect on him,” Bucky said.
Bucky’s eyes closed slowly as the impact of the words registered in his brain. He didn’t know why he said that out loud. When he opened his eyes again, he saw you looking at him with a wide grin.
“You think I’m beautiful? I like your friend, Steve. We’re keeping him.” You nudged your elbow into Bucky’s side. “See you later, Barnes.”
Bucky watched you disappear into the hallway, a smile lingering on his lips. Steve cleared his throat, catching Bucky’s attention.
“I know that look. Don’t try anything stupid,” Steve warned with his trademark stupid grin.
*
“Are you okay?” Steve asked Bucky who was smiling alone.
He sat down next to Bucky on the pew and looked up at the altar. It was covered with candles and different kinds of flowers. Soon people would join them and stare at Bucky with disdain and he wasn’t sure he could bear that. He played nervously with the program.
“Fine,” Bucky muttered before he raised his head to look at his friend. “I’m scared," he admitted.
“I know.” Steve slung his arm over Bucky’s shoulders and gave him a light squeeze. “Everything will be alright, pal. Why were you smiling?”
Bucky took a deep breath before answering. “I was thinking about her. The first time we met.”
“You mean when she baked you a cake and almost burned the whole place down?” Steve said with a soft chuckle and Bucky nodded pensively.
“You have the flowers?” Bucky tried to change the subject. Steve nodded, he had a few branches of honeysuckle in his hand. “Good.”
Bucky took the white and yellow flowers from Steve’s hand. He closed his eyes as he inhaled deeply to savour the sweet, intoxicating scent. His mind went back to you again.
*
Bucky was standing on the flat roof of the compound, looking around him with a deep crease between his brows. The roof was usually bare and plain, but that night it was covered with climbing roses, honeysuckle, bougainvillea and ivy vines.
“You like it?” He jumped at the sound of your voice. “Tony lost a bet, he has to pander to my every whim.”
“And you asked him to redecorate the roof?” Bucky gestured to the plants.
“You spend most of your time up here.” You took a few steps closer and hunched over the railing. “Thought it wouldn’t hurt to make it nice.” You gave him a warm smile.
His frown deepened, he couldn’t understand why someone would do something nice for him.
“But if you liked it better before I’ll ask Tony to remove everything," you quickly added when you saw the look on his face.
“I love it. You did this for me?” he chuckled, trying to hide his nervousness.
You rolled your eyes. “Of course I did it for you, Buck. No one else comes up here.”
Bucky looked at you, his heart swelled with joy. God knows he would have loved to wrap his arms around you and kiss you, but he had to take it slow. He didn’t want to scare you away, he still struggled with his own demons.
A warm summer wind blew across the roof bringing along a sweet, flowery smell that made you both straighten up.
“Honeysuckle," you whispered, loving the smell of the drifting fragrant.
“It’s what heaven must smell like.” He nodded and turned his head to look at you.
*
Bucky was alone with the suit Steve brought him earlier. He unzipped the cover and looked at it. He put the all-black suit on and took a good look at himself in the mirror. The black satin and dark border shimmered under the soft lights. He removed the glove that usually concealed his metal hand.
Slowly, he took a small branch of honeysuckle and carefully placed it into the outer breast pocket of his suit. The yellow and white flowers contrasted nicely with his dark outfit. He found himself smiling, the flowers made him feel closer to you.
*
Bucky was wearing his gear, he had been assigned to a new mission. He was in the kitchen, checking his pistol when you approached him.
“You’ll be gone for a while?”
“Yeah, I’m not looking forward to spending three weeks alone with Sam.”
“He’s still giving you the cold shoulder?” You gave him a lopsided smile.
Bucky put the pistol back in its holster and sighed. “I don’t know what to do, honestly it’s going to be a tough mission.”
You slid a small branch of honeysuckle into the top pocket of his jacket. “You can do this. I believe in you.” He looked at you with a small smile.
Gathering your courage, you pecked his lips and quickly left the room. Bucky blinked slowly, his fingers running across his lips. They were still warm, he wasn’t dreaming.
*
“It’s time.” Sam entered the room, disturbing Bucky’s train of thoughts. “You’re ready?”
Bucky swallowed thickly, his heart pounding in his chest. His breathing hitched so he took a deep breath. Sam moved closer to him and awkwardly patted his back, trying to be nice.
“It’s going to be fine.”
“I can do this.” Bucky nodded firmly.
Together they walked back to the church. Bucky’s legs felt like jelly and his knees trembled with each step. When he entered, everyone turned to look at him. He saw the way they all looked at him, as if he had done nothing in his life to deserve someone like you.
He tried to focus on something else.
*
Bucky left the quinjet and made a beeline for the facility. He had been dating you for a while, but when you told him you loved him, Bucky froze. He was unable to say the words, he never thought anyone would want to hear them in the first place.
You had given him a genuine smile and told him it was alright, that he could take his time. And now, he was ready.
He pushed the door open and climbed the steps to the landing next to the kitchen. You were going to the training room. Bucky practically jogged to catch up with you. He put one hand on your shoulder and turned you to face him.
Surprised, you let out a small happy gasp at the sight of your boyfriend before his mouth came down onto yours. You laced your fingers behind his head and sighed into the kiss. He left quick, nibbling kisses to your lips as he pulled back.
“I love you, doll.”
*
Bucky was standing in front of everyone, the faint scent of honeysuckle gave him the strength to face them. The double doors opened again and Bucky felt his heart jackhammering in his chest.
There you were, clad in a beautiful white muslin dress, holding a bouquet of roses, lilies and honeysuckle. He stared at you with his mouth agape, forgetting everyone else. His anxiety left him as you walked slowly towards him.
“Hey, handsome.” You winked as you finally stood next to him.
“You are gorgeous.” He blinked slowly, completely stunned. Your laugh made him smile.
“I went from beautiful to gorgeous? I am definitely keeping you.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he whispered as the priest started the ceremony.