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: 1.8k

A/N: This is it!! The last chapter before the epilogue. Oh, my goodness, this fic has been a journey. Literally and figuratively. I love these characters and I have loved imagining their travels. I hope you're excited to see where they end up. I appreciate all of you who have offered your support and love and comments. It means the world to me. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. I adore you all!! <3

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"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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As the pair of you exited the cafe, Bucky attempted to straighten the tie that was now loosening with how often he played with it. Seeing that you had noticed, he tried not to fidget.

"May I?" you asked, gesturing toward the tie.

Hesitating a moment, he then nodded and lifted his chin. Expecting you to do what he couldn't—tighten the tie with both hands— he was surprised when instead you pulled the tie free from its knot and slipped it from the collar. Your nimble fingers lingered a fraction of a second on his shirt as you undid the top button and Bucky finally felt like he could breathe again.

Holding the tie, you then seemed to realize the intimate nature of the act and looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me. You looked very handsome in it and you still do without it, I just hate to see you uncomfortable for my sake. I can re-tie it if you want. Now or...later."

Now feeling relief, Bucky cringed at the idea. "I'd rather just abandon the practice entirely."

A laugh burst from you, causing Bucky to chuckle along.

"And thank you," he said softly.

"My pleasure," you replied. "I can keep this for you, if you'd like."

Bucky nodded and you slipped the tie into your bag for safe keeping.

Strolling through Amsterdam was gorgeous and enjoyable, conversation flowing between you with barely a moment of silence. Your walk brought you through a crowd and in order to not lose each other, you looped your arm in Bucky's and after the crowd had passed you still didn't let go. Bucky didn't mind in the slightest. You shared the bits of Dutch that you had learned and attempted to teach the phrases to Bucky. He did his best, but the many vowels seemed to trip and fall from his tongue clumsily. The blunders led to good-natured laughter from you, quickening Bucky's heartbeat.

The more time he spent with you the more at ease he felt. Not once did he feel like you were taking pity on him or uncomfortable about his disability. Your touch on his arm, soft look in your eyes, and what seemed like an affectionate smile all endeared you to him all the more. He never wanted to say goodbye. Turning a corner, it looked like there was a small grassy area up ahead with a gathering of people. Someone seemed to wave at the two of you and when you returned it, he finally understood and his heart sank. The walk had been in the direction of somewhere you had to be. Your afternoon together was over.

Stopping a few yards away, you turned to him and bit your lip.

"So...do you want to be my date to the wedding, Bucky?" you asked, awaiting his answer as you still held fast to his arm.

Surprised, Bucky looked up at the group of people and now noticed the couple who seemed to be at the center of the gathering.

"I...the wedding you're here for is today?" he asked, feeling a little ambushed.

"Yes, it is. And I'd love for you to be my plus one, but if you're not comfortable, I understand. I wanted to ask earlier, but I thought it might be too soon," you spoke softly.

It was at that moment that Bucky caught the eye of a blonde girl with braids and he searched his mind for why she looked so familiar.

"Hanna," he finally uttered when it dawned on him. She helped Bucky find you.

"What?" you asked, then following his gaze. "You know Hanna?"

Widening his gaze, Bucky then looked at the faces, recognizing a few more. The Australians from Greece. That guy from Kentucky.

"Is this..." he hesitated, then putting the pieces together. "Are they all backpackers?"

Finally making the connection yourself, you let out a smile. "Yeah. A lot of them. Tawny and Gunter met while traveling and had a lot of friends in common, so when he popped the question they just decided to have the ceremony here and get the word out that everyone was invited. I guess I'm not surprised that you would have crossed paths with some of them, too."

When Hanna waved and Bucky returned it, he felt a spark of almost...belonging. All of these threads and the lives that had touched one another's were now intertwining with his as well. Not since his army days had Bucky felt this sense of a family, by chance and by choice. Still in awe, Bucky met your gaze and nodded with a smile.

"I'd love to be your date. Thank you, Y/N."

The ceremony was short and sweet with elements of both the bride's and groom's cultures included. There was a small luncheon afterward and everyone mingled, getting caught up on each other's lives since they last parted. Bucky found himself included in multiple conversations and for once, he felt right at home. You remained by his side most of the evening but even when you stepped away, he found himself searching for your gaze often and it was always returned as you both shared a smile.

A warmth of comfort and happiness seemed to have grown within Bucky from the moment you asked for that hug. The spark on the beach he felt weeks before seemed to have only grown since then, with every look and touch between you feeding the flame. As you returned to Bucky's side, your fingers slipped easily between his and you leaned into him. A live band began to play and a makeshift dance floor was cleared on the grass. Couples congregated and began to sway to the music.

"Will you dance with me, Bucky?" you asked sweetly.

A small jolt of nerves ran through him, memories of his past flickering in his mind when he had last held a girl in his arms. Plural. There wasn't the slightest hesitation in your asking, though, so Bucky nodded and allowed you to lead him onto the dance floor. Clasping your hand in his, you looped your other arm around his neck and began to sway, not seeming to notice the lack of an appendage wrapped around your waist. Bucky held your gaze and couldn't help but smile.

"I stayed with friends in London," you spoke suddenly, seeming to explain yourself without context. "When you lost my trail, I wasn't staying in a hostel. I was with friends."

"Oh," Bucky replied, wondering what prompted your confession.

"I do have a question, though," you inquired. Slipping your hand onto the nape of his neck and caressing just below his hairline, the small act gave Bucky pleasurable goosebumps.

"Ask away."

You smiled coyly, looking up through your lashes. "What did you write on the wall outside of Abbey Road Studios?"

Throwing his head back in laughter, Bucky then met your gaze. He let out a sigh first before closing his eyes and searching his mind, also gathering the courage to share words that had come to mean so much to him. Nervously, he began to mutter the lyrics as the tune slowly fell from his lips.

"I have never known

The likes of this, I've been alone

And I have missed things

And kept out of sight

But other girls were never quite like this..."

Bucky hummed the next few notes before opening his eyes, relieved to see a tender look upon your face. He was surprised as you sang the last few lines of the lyrics and near the end he joined in.

"Falling, yes I am falling

And she keeps calling

Me back again."

Feeling the heat in his cheeks, Bucky struggled to meet your eye but a soft hand cupped his cheek then, urging him to look your way until he finally did.

"That's a good choice. I love it," you uttered in response, smiling sweetly. " 'I've Just Seen A Face' is one of my favorite Beatles songs, too."

Bucky felt the electricity between you, feeling your arm loop back around his neck as you pulled him closer until your foreheads touched. Nearly overwhelmed in this moment, Bucky finally unleashed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue all evening and he knew if he didn't ask, it would drive him mad.

"Can...can I kiss you?" he asked hesitantly.

Watching a hint of surprise pass over your features, he ached to pluck the words out of the air and swallow them again, until you showed him that sweet smile with a nod of your head.

"Yes. Please do."

Tilting his head, Bucky leaned in as your lips met his, sending sparks throughout his entire body. The kiss was tame with only a few moments of your mouths meeting but it was everything Bucky hoped it would be. Shuddering out a breath, he kept you close as his eyes fluttered open. You pressed another sweet kiss to his lips before pulling away, only to rest your head on his shoulder as you swayed to the music. Bucky couldn't think of a moment in his life more perfect than this, holding you in a way he never thought he could.

As the song ended, you raised your head to meet Bucky's eye with playful grin teasing at your lips.

"What do you think of Vienna?" you asked out of the blue.

Brow furrowing a short moment, Bucky said the first thing that came to mind. "I've heard it's beautiful there. Definitely on my list."

"Yeah? Mine, too. I haven't seen enough of Austria," you said thoughtfully. "Where are you headed next?"

Truthfully, he had no idea. Bucky hadn't been able to think further ahead than this day where he would get the chance to meet you. Everything beyond was uncertain.

"Um...I don't know. Vienna is beautiful this time of year, I've heard," he teased, awaiting reaction. "You?"

"Hm...I could definitely use some cool, mountain air soon. Maybe we could actually sit together on the train this time," you joked as Bucky's pulse spiked at the thought. He hoped this really was a genuine offer since your use of the word "we" had his heart skipping a beat.

"We should look into it, maybe," he said. Bucky tried to maintain this cool facade while in reality he was close to jumping out of his skin in excitement.

"Okay," you agreed, biting your lip while smiling. "I could ask Tawny and Gunter about their experience there. Shall we?"

Bucky hated to lose your warmth against him but as you extended your hand, offering a chance for a future that included making plans together, he didn't have the slightest hesitation before he threaded his fingers with yours. As much as Bucky enjoyed traveling solo, he couldn't help but feel a rekindled spark of adventure as he imagined wandering the globe, but no longer alone. It was time for a new beginning with the girl he had traveled the world to find. 

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So???? How adorable are they together?? *swoon* Bit of a surprise that the wedding was that day but I couldn't give up the chance to have the two of them dancing before a first kiss. :) And then plans to travel together?? Literally the dream. *heart eyes* I'd LOVE to hear what your thoughts are on this final chapter!! And there's still the epilogue coming next week! I do love a good epilogue. :D Thank you all for the love and support. Your comments honestly have kept me going in rough times. I appreciate you. <3