Mine (Bucky Barnes)

Twenty-Eight

Aaaaand we've reached the chapter with the prologue! I've included extra bits, so it's not just another copy-pasted chapter that's exactly the same. In face, it's about twice as long as most of my chapters. Enjoy the back-to-back uploads! <3 Artie

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Two years after the fall of Hydra...

"Mirjana, you still with me?"

She shook away the daydream she was in the middle of and refocused on his voice. "Back to the full name, eh James?"

"You weren't listening. Are you okay? I know you're nervous the closer we get to the end..." his sentence trailed off. Mirjana nodded and let out a sigh.

"Of course I'm nervous, Bucky. Hydra could still be out there looking for us, and I don't want them to know. Who knows what they will do? They're half-"

"Shhh, hold on." Bucky puts his arm out to protect her. They had spent a better part of the morning in their cramped bedroom, reading and occasionally speaking softly to each other. It was how most days were spent, when Bucky wasn't out working. Seeing him on alert instantly made Mirjana shoot up.

"What is it?" she asked nervously. Though fully clothed in one of his large shirts and a pair of sleep shorts, she covered herself with the thin blanket they slept with each night.

"Someone's coming inside. Stay in here," he ordered, moving closer to the door that led to the rest of their home.

"No! I'm coming in with you," she insisted.

He let out a sigh. "I'll only be a moment. It only sounds like one person."

"Be safe," she whispered as he crawled off the bed. Two steps in and a man in a mostly blue outfit stood in the doorway. His eyes grew wide when he caught sight of Bucky and Mirjana.

"Bucky. I, uh, I didn't think you'd have someone else with you," the man spoke.

Mirjana leaned over in the bed to see around Bucky's massive shoulders. She recognized the stranger as none other than Captain America. Her eyes met her partner's in confusion, but he seemed to be less surprised at the new presence.

"Steve. What are you doing here?" Bucky answered.

"I'm glad to hear you remember me." The massive blonde perked up at the thought. "I've been looking for you, trying to bring you home. And now there's a warrant out for your arrest. We need to leave now, before someone comes to arrest you. I'm afraid you'll have to leave your friend-"

"No." Bucky's voice was firm. "She stays with me."

Steve shook his head. "Listen, I'm happy to hear that you've, er, found someone, but I think she'll be better off going back home, bud."

"Her home is with me," Bucky seethed. As they spoke, Mirjana heard what sounded like  footsteps on the roof. She reached out her hand to grab hold of his attention, but Bucky was just out of her reach.

"Buck, you have to let her go."

"No. This isn't up for debate. I-she-we're a package deal," Bucky did his best to explain. "I didn't do whatever I'm being accused of. We've been here in Bucharest for months. I don't do that stuff anymore."

"I believe you, but there are others-"

Once again Steve was interrupted, but this time by the shattering of their living room window. Bucky stood back against the bed, one arm slipped back to reassure himself that Mirjana was still there, still safe. Steve raised his shield to deflect bullets that were shot into the room. Mirjana let out a scream as Bucky covered her body with his, the useful metal arm blocking his head from stray bullets.