Battle Scars (A Bucky Barnes Fanfic)

Seventeen

I catch Steve watching the news report on the events in Lagos from a month ago. I pause, wondering what they are saying about it.

"11 Wakandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos, Nigeria, last month. The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred." a news anchor says.

The screen shows some videos of what happened then shows the Wakandan king T'Chaka speaking.

"Our people's blood is spilled on foreign soil." King T'Chaka says, "Not only because of the actions of criminals, but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent, is no victory at all."

"The Wakanda king went on to..." the anchor says before Steve turns it off.

We share a look as the sound drifts toward us from another room.

"They are operating outside and above the international law. Because that's the reality, if we don't respond to acts like these." a second news anchor says.

Wanda is sitting on her bed, watching the news on her TV.

"What legal authority does an enhanced individual like Wanda Maximoff have to operate in Nigeri -" the news anchor says

The TV turns off. Steve sets the remote down and leans on the door frame. I stand next to him, arms also folded.

"It's my fault," Wanda says from her spot.

"That's not true," Steve says.

"Turn the TV back on. They're being very specific."

"I should've clocked that bomb vest long before you had to deal with it."

He walks over. I follow, standing nearby.

"Rumlow said "Bucky" and... all of a sudden I was a 16-year-old kid again, in Brooklyn," Steve says as he walks over and sits beside Wanda. I smile softly, wishing I could tell him the truth about Bucky.

"And people died." he continues "It's on me."

"It's on both of us," Wanda tells him.

"This job... we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time... maybe nobody gets saved."

"It was just a rough situation. All we ever can do is our best," I say. They both look at me with small smiles.

Vision materializes through the wall. Wanda starts. I roll my eyes at him.

"Vis!" Wanda exclaims "We talked about this."

I raise my eyebrow at this, she's younger than me, maybe 17 or 18. Regardless of what he is, he still shouldn't be doing that.

"Yes, but the door was open, so I assumed that..." Vision trails off.

He gestures at the door and stops. I look at Wanda and Steve, raising my eyebrow again.

"Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr. Stark was arriving." Vision says.

"Thank you." Steve says, "We'll be right down."

"I'll... use the door." Vision says and heads to the door but turns back "Oh, and apparently, he's brought a guest."