we're only getting older || Bucky Barnes || ✔️

Part 5

Surprisingly, he decided to take the Cap's advice.

He guessed that was another thing Steve and Sam had in common: they gave really good advice that they themselves were incapable of following.

Sam volunteered to come with him and while Bucky was grateful for the support (though he would never say that to his face), he knew it was something he had to do alone. Sam still insisted that he drive Bucky to the Assisted Living Center, claiming Bucky was the worst driver since the invention of the automobile. Bucky did not protest, the number of motorcycles and cars he had crashed and smashed his fist into to pull out the steering wheel speaking for themselves.

The drive to the Care Center was silent, something Bucky had not grown to expect from Sam. A part of him missed Sam's endless blabber until he realized that Sam was probably keeping silent since he understood that what Bucky was about to do was probably one of the most intimidating things he had to do, which was saying a lot.

At least that's what he thought before Sam spoke up and said, "So are your sisters like you or are they actually nice people?"

"I don't remember," Bucky said tensely, staring out the window.

"Alright, Emo Soldier." Sam looked over at him in the passenger seat, taking in his tense stance. "We're almost there, so relax, will you?"

Hearing that they were almost there had the exact opposite effect of relaxing him, but Sam probably knew that because the man was out to get him.

Once they were parked, Bucky took in a breath before using his one hand to help him out of the car. His other arm remained safely in a metal box in the trunk.

He was just about to shut the door of the car when Sam said, "Hey, man, I just want you to know that whatever happens... you still got me, alright?"

Taken aback by Sam's honesty, Bucky, ever the emotional whiz, responded with an eloquent, "Uh, sure..."

He shut the door of the car and almost turned to leave until sense struck him. Sam drove him here because he wanted to be there for him. Sam asked about his past to help him move forward.

Pulling the car handle, he opened the door a smidge, peered in and said, "Thanks. You got me too."

***

Walking into the nursing home felt easier after that, since Bucky knew he would always have someone to go back to.

The front desk had a grand welcome sign and a teenage girl playing on her phone while chewing a piece of gum. "Welcome to Rose Bloom Memory Care and Assisted Living," the girl drawled out, her eyes not leaving her phone, "If you or a loved one are planning on transitioning into our lovely care and services one of our staff members will be with you shortly."

"I'm, uh, here to visit someone."

"Name?" the girl asked, absentmindedly blowing a pink bubble while typing rapidly on her small screen.

He said the first name the popped into his head, "Bella Barnes."

The gum popped. "Who?"

"Um... Isabelle Barnes?" He wondered if Bella was short for Isabelle or Isabella... or if it was even short for anything.

"Yeah, I don't know anyone by that name, dude. Maybe go check out the other—"

"Jamie?" Despite the chaos and the music playing in the lobby, everything fell silent in his ears, everything except for the one name—his name.

A memory came flooding in that he hadn't remembered before:

Little Julia Elizabeth Barnes had trouble pronouncing 'Js' when she was just starting to say words. So Jeanette Isabelle became "Bella", Jessie Rebecca became "Becca", and James Buchanan became "Bucky."