Bucky Barnes imagines

Proud

A/N: Hi everybody! After a long, long, LONG time... I have finally returned to writing. :) It has been a long journey from me offline, but I am proud to say that I have finally graduated from college! Woo hoo! This fic is a little self-indulgent, but i thought it would be a good way to kick off my return to writing! I hope you enjoy! I've missed you all!  Also, the ending is a little awful so I apologize lol.

-M <3
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My heart thudded heavily in my chest, my breathing short and shaky as the sound of cheering entered my ears. Bright lights flooded my vision as I exited the short tunnel into the stadium, but my vision adjusted quickly to find the rather large venue filled to the brim with people.

Friends, family, lovers....

Everyone was here to celebrate with us. And what a magnificent occasion it was. After a lengthy five years, I had finally reached the end of my college journey. The moment I had pressed submit on my final assignment for one of my required courses had been one of the most freeing ones of my whole life. The urge to both laugh and cry had hit me all at once, and I celebrated in quite an exciting manner with the love of my life.

Bucky. God, I loved that man more than he would ever know.  To be quite honest, I did not know if I would have even reached the end of my program without his support. 5 am coffee runs, continuous attempts to make me laugh when my papers drove me to tears, encouraging texts on the days of my in person finals... his support was endless. I could not have ever wished for a more perfect partner.

The joy of finally completing college had slightly dimmed when Bucky had told me two weeks ago that he was scheduled to be out of the country on a mission the week of my commencement ceremony. The heartache in his eyes nearly saddened me more than the fact that he wouldn't be there at all. He had truly wanted to be there as much as I did. That warmed my heart just as much as him being there.

But still, my heart remained hopeful. My eyes carefully scanned the overwhelming number of people in the confined space, trying to identify the man that I loved amongst them. But my hope slowly depleted as the seconds passed by, unable to find him. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I found my seat, waiting patiently as the ceremony began.

My nerves as I walked across the stage to accept my diploma turned into happiness, finally having accomplished one of the hardest adventures of my life. My next steps post graduation were uncertain, but there was no need to worry about that for now. The only thing I knew was that I would have Bucky by my side. There was no need to worry about the future with that in mind.

Following a few last parting words from our university's president, we were released from the stadium. With a few parting goodbyes to my close friends, I emerged from the tunnel to where the crowd waited to greet their graduates. I watched with a small smile as all my peers met with their families, the sound of laughter and the sight of smiles filling the space. With one last look, I turned to make my way back to my car to make my drive home. But the feeling of arms around my waist caused me to stop, my heart nearly stopping in my chest as I heard an all too familiar chuckle from behind me.

« You weren't really going to leave without saying goodbye, were you? » Becky's voice was soft but raspy in my ear, and a smile grew across my lips before I turned around.

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, letting out a watery laugh as I embraced him tightly. « I can't believe you made it. »

« I wouldn't miss it for the world, doll. » Bucky mused softly, kissing the top of my head. « I also threatened to kick Sam's ass if he didn't get us back in time. »

« You're too mean to him, you know. » I shake my head with a grin, pulling back to look at him fully. «But just this once, I'm glad you added a little pressure. I'm so happy to see you. »

« I'm so happy that I made it back in time. » Bucky cupped my face gently in his hands, his smile bright as he gazed down at me. « I'm so proud of you, baby. You did it! »

« I did it. » I repeated softly, my eyes pricking with tears slightly at his words. « I did it. »

Bucky leaned in to kiss me, just a gentle brush of his lips against mine before pulling away, letting his forehead rest against mine. « Let's go celebrate you properly, shall we? »

« What did you have in mind? » I inquired with a laugh, taking his hand in mine as we walked towards my car to make our journey to wherever our next destination would be.

« Just you wait, Y/N. » Bucky chuckled, kissing the side of my head. « It's a surprise worthy of a college graduate. »