Chapter Text
"You haven't aged a day."
Brooklyn, 1942.
You sniffed, wiping your eyes on your sleeve. Steve slipped his hand in yours, and squeezed it softly. Bucky gave you a sad smile and you felt like your heart was breaking into a million pieces. One of your best friends was leaving, leaving to go off to war, and you didn’t know if he was going to come back-alive.
“It’s not goodbye, (Y/N),” Bucky said softly, and hugged you tightly. He nodded at Steve, squeezing his shoulder.You pressed a cheek against his forehead, and he walked away slowly. Steve held onto you with all the strength in his frail body, watching your best friend for several years walk away.
Present
Rain pattered onto your umbrella as you walked down the street. You inhaled deeply as the aroma of coffee, tea, and sweets filled your nose. The door dinged open and you smiled at the owner.
“Ah, Ms. (L/N)!” Mr. Bert greeted warmly, dusting his hands off on his apron. “I’ll get started on your order!” he disappeared into the back of the cafe before you could say thank you.
You sat down at your regular table, and your eyes had wandered around the familiar place. Nothing much had changed since the early 40’s, except for the owners. The tea had remained warm and herby, the biscuits soft and gooey, and the memories you made there remained pleasant. A small sigh escaped your lips, and there was an aching feeling in your stomach. you thought, and the aching feeling grew.
You were interrupted by the clinking of a cup on the table. Your eyes shot up to see the kind smile of Mr. Bert. “Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Bert,” you said gratefully, and the older man squeezed your shoulder gently.
Anything for you, (Y/N),” and he bowed comically at you, while you let out a giggle. He left you to drink your tea as he moved to the back again. You sipped your tea, and the door creaked open. You didn’t really pay it any attention, until you heard the customers’ voices.
“Just like I remember it, what about you, Buck?” a familiar voice asked. You stiffened in your chair and your mind started to whirl. Sure, you had heard Captain America was back in business, but you had supposed it had been a replacement. Not, not Steve. And by the sound of it, Bucky too.
You turned around slowly in your chair, and you let out a little gasp. It caught the attention of the two men, and their eyes flitted towards you. They let out a gasp of their own, and Steve’s eyes widened. “(Y/N)?” Bucky got out, the man’s voice more hard than you remembered.
That was the only invitation you needed. Leaping out of your chair, you hugged them tightly. Their arms encircled you just as tightly as yours had. A few hot tears trickled down your face, and you pulled away. “Steve,” you got out. “You’re a lot bigger than I remembered.” you let out a giggle, and Bucky laughed.
“Guess I am a bit bigger.” Steve’s voice was the same and you marveled at his hulking build. He pressed a kiss on your forehead, wrapping an arm around your waist. Your eyes drifted over to Bucky, who just starred at you, his mouth wide open.
“You haven’t aged a day,” Bucky got out, his voice hoarse. There was a gleam in your eyes, and you could feel the lump in your throat get bigger.
You kissed his cheek gently, a few more tears running down your cheeks. The aching feeling that had been in your stomach since the 40’s melted, as you drew the men closer to you. You were finally home.