CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

HER WRISTS WERE BOUND, GUARDS flanking either side of her with their guns in their hands. She knew she was dangerous, she knew that if she wanted to she could take them both out without hesitancy, but Celeste also knew that if she did anything wrong that Bucky was going to be killed and she was going to lose him forever. That was a thought that Celeste couldn't bare. She knew that she had been sent on this earth to protect him, to be his guardian angel, but she could only do so much. She wasn't supposed to fall in love with him but she did and now she was risking her life to make sure he lived the way that he wanted.

They walked down the long hallway. Celeste stared at the ground, watching her feet be placed one after the other, white tiles flying by with every step that she took. Her blonde hair fell in her face, nose scrunching up at the smell. She'd never felt so filthy in her life. Dried blood covered her body, dirt was still mangled within her hair. All she wanted was a shower, cold or hot, it didn't matter, she just wanted to scrub her skin raw. When they came to a sudden stop, Celeste looked up.

Celeste turned her head to the side, looking in through the window that allowed her to see Bucky. Tears welled in her eyes and it took everything in her not to jerk away from the guards and run towards him. She watched impatiently as the guard pulled out a key, unlocking the door. He pushed it open and turned towards Celeste. She was expecting rules to come flying from his mouth, but he said nothing. Instead he nodded towards the other guard who quickly moved and unbound her wrists. She pulled her hands in front of her, gently rubbing at the red mark that now surrounded them. Celeste glanced between the two guards careful to stay alert as she approached the door. Once she was in the room all the way, the door slammed closed behind her and the sound of it being locked echoed through the quiet room.

     Celeste stood there for a moment. Her mouth suddenly ran dry and fear coursed through her body. What if they did something to him? What if he didn't remember her? Taking a careful step forwards she whispered his name. "Bucky?"

Bucky immediately turned towards the sound. He knew that voice. He knew it like the back of his hand. He loved that voice oh so much. For a moment he was scared to look. He couldn't help but wonder if he was hallucinating, if this was all a dream and she wasn't really there because if she wasn't really there he would possibly lose his mind. He'd been so worried about her, he'd fought so many guards begging them to let him see her because she was the only thing that mattered and he couldn't stand the thought of these assholes laying their hands on her. Finally, he turned his head. When his eyes landed on her his heart leapt in his chest. His feet moved before he could process what was happening and the next thing he knew he was pulling her close, holding onto her for dear life and squeezing his eyes shut as he felt himself relax in her embrace.

     "Are you okay?" Bucky asked, pulling away from her and placing his hands on either side of her face. He brushed the hair away from her face, eyes searching her body for any cuts and bruises and wincing every time he found one. "Did they hurt you? I swear to God if they laid a single damn hand on you I will personally kill every single one of them."

     Celeste shook her head, hands coming up to grab his wrists. "No. No, they didn't hurt me. I'm okay. I'm just glad to see you." She leaned into his embrace, closing her eyes for a moment as her shoulders relaxed. "I couldn't stand it, being away from you. I had to know that you were alright. I had to."

     Bucky stared at her for a moment, eyes meeting hers. He could feel the regret forming in his chest. "What did you do?"

     "Bucky." Celeste softly said, reaching a hand up to cup his cheek. "I did what I had to."

     "What does that mean, Cel?" Bucky asked her, hands lowering from her face. He could feel the angry tears form in his eyes as he watched saddened tears form in hers. "Angel, talk to me."

     Celeste sniffled, laughing a sad laugh. "I love you. I love you so much even though I shouldn't. I was sent here to protect you, to keep you safe. I plan on doing just that." Celeste looked at him, really looked at him. Her heart seemed to shatter in her chest because a part of her knew that this was going to be the last time that she saw him. She smiled at him, a blinding beautiful smile. "It's going to be okay."

     "Celeste." Bucky shook his head. "Celeste, what did you do?"

     "I made a deal with the devil."

     The door opened up making the two turn to look in the direction. Arnim Zola stood there, holding up his wrist and tapping on the watch that was wrapped around it. Celeste nodded her head, watching as the door closed once more. Bucky clenched his jaw. "No."

     "Bucky―︎"

     "No. I won't let you."

     "Bucky, it's too late. I already have."

     He felt a pain in his chest at her words. "I'm not worth saving."

     "You're worth it to me." Celeste took a step closer to him, looking up and meeting his eyes. "No one has ever made me feel the way that I do about you. I'm not human, but you made me feel like I was. You're the first person that's made me feel normal in a very very long time. I will never forget that. I will never forget you."

     "Why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?" Bucky whispered.

     A tear fell down her cheek as she softly said back, "Because I am."

     Bucky shook his head, jaw clenching before he placed his forehead against hers. His eyes closed as did hers. The sound of the door opening again told them that their time was up. That this was the end. "I'll never forget you, angel."

     "I hope not." Celeste pulled away, looking at him once more. Bucky stared back and immediately he cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers. Celeste closed her eyes as she leaned into the kiss. The moment was ripped away when footsteps approached them. Celeste pulled away and smiled at him. "I'll see you soon, James." With that her wrists were bound and she was pulled from the room, holding back her tears until Bucky was out of sight and then she let them fall one after the other.