Chapter Text
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𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯．．．
Velika dismounted her horse and landed in the black sand. Her hair blew wildly in the breeze, her skirt billowing around her legs as well. She smiled as Bucky slid off beside her, a breath of amazement leaving him.
The Ocean at the Edge of the World was just as beautiful as she had remembered, if not more. The crystalline blue ocean reflected the setting sun, which painted the sky all sorts of fiery colors. The black sand was warm from the heat of the sun.
"You weren't joking," Bucky whispered, eyes wide. He looked out at the ocean to where it disappeared into the horizon. "It's gorgeous."
"I know. I had never been here before the war, but it was the perfect spot to camp for a few days." Velika took the horse's reins from him, leading them down the beach to the tidal pools, which held fresh water for them to drink from.
Bucky followed her, eyes trained on the ocean. His hair was tied in a low bun, but a few stray pieces framed his face from where they'd fallen out.
"Once I get the horses settled, we can watch the sunset and wait for the stars to come out." Velika tied the horses to a post, petting their muzzles. They snuffled at her and bent their heads to drink from the pools.
Bucky pulled the packs from the horses and swung them over his shoulder. She reached for his hand and twined her fingers with his, starting back down the beach.
"This really is a beautiful place," Bucky said wistfully.
"Just wait until the sun goes down and the stars come out." Velika smiled and tugged him closer to the water. They stopped and rolled out a blanket. She slipped her shoes off and ran to the water's edge, her hair flying behind her. She slowed and let the waves wash over her feet and she smiled broadly.
Bucky wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He swayed her slightly, smiling as she laughed. "Your eyes are the same color as the water."
"My eyes are a lighter blue, darling. The water is turquoise. Or cerulean." Velika leaned back against his chest, looking up at him with an amused smile.
"You think so?" Bucky mused, glancing between the water and her eyes. "Yeah, I think you're right." He leaned down and kissed her gently, bringing a hand up to cup her cheek.
Velika laid a hand over his, pulling back after a moment. "You know, this was where I realized I was in love with you."
"Really?"
"Mhmm. During the war, when we camped here. I sat on the shore and stared at the stars. And I just knew." She turned back to look at the horizon.
"Remember that cove in the Caribbean we found?" He asked, resting his chin on her shoulder. The water washed over their feet, conforming around their ankles without care and greeting them like old friends.
"The one where I dragged you into the water in our underwear?" Velika rested her hands on his where they were wrapped around her waist.
"That's where I knew. Steve and I were out there to clear the base you and I reconned. It was while you were gone and I was missin' you like crazy. He and I just talked for hours and suddenly I just knew ." Bucky hummed in her ear, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"I love you," Velika said.
"I love you, too," Bucky whispered.
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The stars eventually began to fill the sky, twinkling brightly like they were laughing. The horizon entirely disappeared as the reflection on the Ocean made it nearly indistinguishable of where the sky ended and water began. It was still impossible to make any sort of constellation, but that didn't stop them from trying. A dolphin. A rose. A bunny with the moon.
Velika laid with her head on Bucky's chest, curled into his side. He rubbed circles on her hip with his thumb, other arm folded under his head. She sat up, rifling through the bags quietly.
"Whatcha doin', doll?" Bucky asked, rolling onto his side to watch her.
"There's a legend about this Ocean and I figured we could put it to the test while we're out here." Velika drew a marker and flat stone out with a smile.
"I'm intrigued." Bucky propped his head up with his elbow with a lopsided grin.
"Legend has it, Fate herself made this Ocean. If two lovers write their initials on either side of a stone and throw it as far as they can into the Ocean, the stars will tell them if Fate decrees they should be together. Legend says that every star in this sky were created by lovers casting stones in. A new star will join the sky if the lovers are meant to be." Velika explains, shifting to her knees. She writes her initials - V. D. K. - onto the stone and holds them out to Bucky.
Bucky took the marker and stone, turning it over to write J. B. B. by the light of the full moon. He got to his feet, helping her up and walking with her down to the water's edge.
"Would you like to throw it?" He asked, tucking the marker into his pocket.
"You do the honors, baby." She responded, stepping back to give him space.
Bucky brought his arm back and threw the stone as far as he could. The surface of the Ocean was barely disturbed.
Velika wrapped her arms around his torso, laying her head on his chest. His arms fell around her waist, resting his chin on the top of her head.
The Ocean's waves were steady, like Bucky's heartbeat. She watched the sky, waiting to see if the legends were true. The stars twinkled back at her, winking and blinking like they were excited.
Velika grinned suddenly and pulled him down to kiss her. She stood on her toes, throwing her arms around his neck to hold him tight. He smiled into the kiss.
A new Star sparkled brilliantly above them, reflecting in the Ocean.
𝓞𝓬𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼