Characters: Bucky, reader, Steve.

Summary: After a traumatic injury and honorable discharge from the military, Bucky Barnes finds himself wanting to travel and get lost in some of the most iconic cities of the world. One night he stumbles upon a girl who sparks something inside him and he finds himself following in her footsteps. How far will he go to find her and what will he discover about himself along the way?

Warnings: Some strong language.

Song Inspiration: "Amsterdam" by Gregory Alan Isakov

Word Count: 2.5k

A/N: Will he or won't he??? We're about to find out if Bucky will show up in Amsterdam!! That's one of my dream cities that I hope to visit. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter! Thank you for all your comments and support! I adore you all! <3

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Amsterdam, May 2014

Tugging at his starched collar for the tenth time in a minute, Bucky took another deep breath and stared up at the supposed street names that just looked like a jumble of letters to him. Dutch was definitely a new challenge. Looking down at the piece of paper in his hands, he tried to decipher the directions given by the man at the hostel where he was staying.

Two rights and a left...

He tried to commit the directions to memory, hoping to look a little less lost and tourist-like. Although he was definitely both those things. Bucky stuffed the paper in his pocket and straightened his tie the best he could. He debated back and forth as he dressed for this...date? Meeting? Something. Tie or no tie? It had been much too long since he had worn anything other than jeans and a threadbare t-shirt with a jacket over the top. Constant travel helped to simplify a person's life, especially when it came to wardrobe.

Bucky wanted to dress up for the occasion, though. He was wearing a pair of black slacks with his button-up shirt and the tie made possible with the help of the Swedish tourist down the hall. Bucky couldn't tighten the tie with just one arm. Another new challenge to overcome.

Running fingers through his hair and feeling a bit exposed without his ever-present cap, Bucky kept walking in what he hoped was the right direction. His feet took him toward the canal with boats of every size and color floating by. Bicyclists were everywhere as well with only a few rare cars in sight. This city had a different way of being and Bucky kind of liked it. Language challenges aside, of course.

Buck was still in awe of how he found himself in the Netherlands at all. Two weeks previous, he was wandering the Scottish Highlands and getting lost in tiny villages with funny names when he decided to give Steve a call. Bucky was still mourning the loss of his notebook and letters over a week before. After unexpectedly falling asleep on the train, he nearly missed his stop and only made it to the platform seconds before the doors closed but in his hurried exit, he somehow dropped them. His stomach twisted to think of those letters falling into a stranger's hands, but he had to put it out of his mind before he lost it completely.

The next day, he bought a new notebook and jotted down what he could remember about his travels. Bucky was mostly saddened that he might forget the details of so many incredible places. The stickers were gone, too, along with any trace of her. Resigned as he was that it was time to let her and his search of her go, he still hoped to have a small remnant of the mysterious Y/N.

That phone call to Steve changed everything, though. After his best friend picked up the phone, Bucky hardly got a word in before he heard an earful about a package Steve had received only a day before. Bucky listened with his jaw on the floor as Steve told him about the girl who had found his letters on the train and had mailed them, along with a letter of her own. Not just any girl. Y/N. Impossible as it might seem, the universe had nudged you and Bucky together yet again only to have missed the opportunity.

Bucky was near speechless at your proposition to meet in Amsterdam. He was more than a little embarrassed that you had read the letters but was humbled by how gracious you were about the whole strange situation. He pictured you dancing behind the flames of a bonfire that night without a care in the world and then remembered seeing you for the last time as you walked out the hostel door in Greece. Bucky made Steve read the letter to him over and over, still in disbelief. The itinerary you offered as proof did indeed match Bucky's travels and the letters but even without all that, he knew. Despite his inability to believe it in his head, his heart knew that you were meant to find the letters. It was all just...incredible.

Steve's advice was, of course, that Bucky should without a doubt meet you. The stars were aligning and you seemed amazing, all Bucky had to do was show up. And yet...he was hesitant. Not because he didn't want to meet you, that was the furthest from the truth, but it did feel like a lot of pressure. Even in his wildest dreams when he was actively searching for you from country to country, Bucky still never imagined you two actually meeting. All he could think was that reality would only be a disappointment. On your part, not his. He knew how lovely you were, and now saw how thoughtful and kind you were through your letter and your actions.

The phone call was cut short because the military is like that, but Steve made Bucky promise that he would call back the next day at a certain time. What Bucky expected when he made the call was for Steve to continue to persuade him to meet you, but what he didn't foresee was how his best friend had spent the previous 24 hours getting approval for a 5-day leave so he could see Bucky in person. He was floored and excited, but also a little nervous. It had been a long time since he'd seen Steve, but soon all worries were forgotten. Two days later, they met in Dublin for a tearful reunion and a celebratory pint at the pub.

"I know you're nervous, Buck," Steve spoke before taking a sip of his Guinness, "but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I think you should jump on it. She sounds amazing. What kind of person would go through the trouble of mailing someone else's letters? She's one in a million, pal. And she deserves an answer."

Bucky considered that, nervously playing with the coaster his beer sat upon. "I know. I want to, I just...I don't wanna disappoint her."

Steve scoffed at that. Not meaning to sound insensitive, he clapped his friend on the shoulder before he met his eye. "You know that's not gonna happen. She already knows you, Buck. That's the same man that I know coming through in those letters. She's heard the good and the bad and she wants to know more. Doesn't that tell you something? This could be really good for you, no matter what the outcome. And you deserve that."

Still a little resistant, Bucky finally responded with a nod. Steve let it go for the time being and allowed them to just catch up as friends. But after four days of walking tours, more pints, and seeing the sights, he nudged Bucky even harder on the last day before Steve flew out. He even forced Bucky to get some much needed new clothes. Finally confident enough that he was ready and onboard with the plan, Steve watched Bucky buy a plane ticket to Amsterdam. Whether or not he got on the flight was up to him. The best friends parted ways with a tight hug and a promise to keep better in touch until they'd be in the same city back home.

Two weeks later, Bucky nervously arrived in Amsterdam with a flicker of hope inside him. Steve had returned the letters to Bucky, along with the one written by you and at that point, the paper was near falling apart from how often he held it in his hand and read it. He loved your penmanship and how you signed your name, tracing every loop with his fingertips. The letter was tucked into his pants pocket as he turned a corner and came upon a cafe. Carefully pulling it out to double check the name and address, he took a deep breath. He had arrived at the right place.

Bucky folded the letter and slipped it back in his pocket as he glanced around, searching for the time. He was a few minutes early. Feeling jittery, he wondered if he should find a table or remain standing. Could you have already arrived? Attempting to casual search the sea of faces in the outdoor seating area, he was fairly certain you were not among them. Another tug on his collar and Bucky slowly took in his surroundings. Cafè de Jaren was a popular spot for what seemed to be both tourists and locals. He was squinting at the sandwich board menu on the sidewalk that was written in Dutch when he heard a voice behind him.

"Sergeant Barnes?"

Startling at the use of his rank and name, Bucky straightened and slowly turned to see...you. Finally, after months of searching and missed chances and pure happenstance, you were finally standing before Bucky looking just as beautiful as he remembered. Dressed in a simple but elegant summer dress and a light sweater with your hair swept back, you looked every bit like the angel Bucky envisioned that night on the beach.

Breaking out of his stupor, Bucky finally stammered a reply. "H—hi."

"Hi," you replied with a smile that seemed to brighten the already sunny day. "I'm Y/N."

"I—I know. I mean," Bucky stammered, smiling nervously. "It's nice to finally meet you. Officially. And please, call me Bucky."

You nodded at that. "JBB. Middle Name?" you guessed.

"Yeah," he beamed, then correcting himself. "I mean, no. Kinda, it's James Buchanan, but...yeah. I go by Bucky."

"Okay," you replied with a grin, followed by a short awkward moment. "Could I...and you can absolutely decline, but...can I give you a hug?"

Bucky's brain short-circuited. "Uh..."

"It just feels like we know each other too well for a formal handshake and I'm a hugger, so..." you offered with a shrug. "But it's okay."

"No! I...yes. I'd love a hug," Bucky thawed, offering you a wide smile at your kindness and honest nature.

Stepping forward gingerly, Bucky approached just as you did and he sighed against you as your arms wrapped around him. Right arm looped across your back, Bucky felt himself relax in your embrace, feeling more at ease than he had been in a long time. His nose caught a whiff of what might have been your shampoo: something flowery with a hint of citrus. It was absolute heaven.

When you finally let go, you stepped back and exhaled a sigh. "Thank you. I needed that," you admitted, unashamed.

"Me, too," Bucky replied, hoping his cheeks didn't look as warm as they felt.

"So...shall we order and sit down?" you offered, stepping toward the cafe's entrance.

Bucky agreed, following close behind.

With drinks and a pastry each in hand, the two of you found a table outside and settled in. Attempting to start a conversation, you both began speaking at the same time.

"I'm sorry about—"

"I'm really glad that—"

Laughing at the newness of your meeting and the slight awkwardness of the moment, you both urged the other person to speak.

"Go ahead," you offered.

"No, really, you first," Bucky insisted.

Smiling, you began. "I'm really glad you came. I wasn't sure you would."

"I wasn't sure, either," he admitted, shifting in his seat with another tug on his collar. "I wanted to, I swear, I just..."

"I know. It's a lot to process. Thank you for taking the chance," you said with a soft smile.

Bucky grinned. "And thank you for not yelling at me for stalking you," he blurted, then hiding his expression behind his drink.

You burst out laughing, causing Bucky's heart to flutter in his chest. God, you were beautiful.

"Well, I'm glad you did," you replied, catching his eye. "That part in one of your letters, when you talked about meeting people at certain times in your life? That it can just be a small moment but it stays with you? Yeah. I have absolutely felt that."

"Yeah?" Bucky asked, still a bit embarrassed that you had read all his words.

"Mmhmm. Like this moment right now. It feels...significant," you said knowingly, causing Bucky to catch a glimmer in your eye.

Glancing around the cafe and the beautiful city beyond, Bucky's gaze finally rested on you. "Hmm. It does feel memorable already," he said with a smile. "I'm glad it was you who found my letters."

"Me too," you admitted, tearing off a piece of your croissant. "It seems that the universe was determined for our paths to cross again. Sometimes you have to take the time to just listen.

You aimed a conspiratorial grin at Bucky, sending his pulse racing as he sipped his drink. The two of you spent the next hour or so, making easy conversation about your shared experiences with travel and other destinations you had in mind. Bucky still had another few weeks before he planned to head home and he intended to make the most of it. You had another two weeks before reality beckoned.

"Where is home?" you asked. "If you don't mind my asking..."

Bucky shook his head, swallowing the last of his pastry and washing it down with coffee. "Not at all. Steve and I are both from Brooklyn. We grew up together and enlisted together. After this deployment, he'll be headed home and I'll meet him there."

You were silent a moment so when Bucky looked up to see why, your mouth was slightly open in surprise.

"What?"

Seeming to recover, you replied. "I...you're a New Yorker?"

"Yeah, technically, but we like to keep a body of water between us and the rest of 'em'," he teased, then even more perplexed at your puzzled expression as he leaned forward. "What is it?"

"It's just...of all the places in the world..." you trailed off in disbelief before a smile stretched across your face. "I'm part of 'the rest of 'em' . I live in the Village and work Uptown."

Bucky's jaw dropped then, scooting forward in his chair. "Holy shit. How..." he began, then chastising himself. "Sorry, I—"

Letting out a giggle, you placed your hand on his that was resting on the table. "No need to apologize, I can appreciate some colorful language. This is definitely a 'holy shit' moment, Bucky."

He grinned at that, noticing how your hand still hadn't left his. "Wow. I just...how is it possible that we lived in the same city for...I don't know how long and we finally meet in Europe? That's..."

"...unbelievable," you finished, giving his hand a squeeze. "But it's true."

Still reeling from this information, Bucky looked down at the empty dishes on the table and then up at you, hesitant to end your afternoon together. Perhaps thinking the same, you withdrew your hand reluctantly and stacked the china neatly for the server to take.

"Would you like to take a stroll through the city?" you offered, sounding hopeful.

Relieved, Bucky exhaled and met your eye with a smile. "I'd love to." 

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Part 7>>>>

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So???? How sweet was their reunion?? Of course he would be super nervous but his best friend, the adorable Steve Rogers came to is aid. Hanging around Dublin with those two sounds amazing! And sometimes you just need a little push from your bestie. ;) Amsterdam sounds incredible and I do hope to visit in the near future! And how about that bit of destiny that they happen to live near each other?? Ugh, it's meant to be. I'm ready to hear how their stroll goes, how about you? I'd love to hear from you!! Any and all feedback is appreciated. I adore you all. <3