Blue || Bucky Barnes

60. I'm Kidding

Over the couple weeks they've been at the new facility Leia has been spending some time with Sam. He's been catching her up on all the monumental pop culture moments that she's missed out on over the years. He introduces her to lots of TV shows and movies and for the most part she loves them. Some not so much but Sam insisted they were iconic, must watches. Leia took quite a liking to the movie, Mamma Mia, they'd watched as a group. Sam told her all about how it's what's called a jukebox musical and that the songs are from an actual artist. She looks into ABBA and listens to a bunch of their other stuff too. Sam shows her a plethora of other artists and songs and though she's very overwhelmed he has good taste.

Sam shows her Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, although she's heard some of their stuff before in Romania, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Prince, Earth, Wind & Fire, Led Zepplin, Michael Jackson, Sam Smith, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Harry Styles and so so many more. Sam lends her his iPod which has hundreds of different songs on it and she finds herself listening day in, day out, learning the words and listening to the melodies.

Leia hears the intercom buzz spiking her attention.
"There's a delivery at the door, would someone please let them in and instruct them to the living room." Tony requests.
"On it." Steve replies and she goes back to her music.

Suddenly Leia hears a loud crash coming from downstairs. She leaves the iPod on her and Bucky's bed and runs into the living area. There's a big machine holding an enormous package, lowering it slowly into the corner of the room.
"What happened?!" Leia asks Steve who's currently instructing the man in the machine where to place the package.
"Nothing just a little slip." He shrugs it off and Leia quirks her eyebrow puzzled.
The package is successfully placed down on the ground and the small crane machine backs up.
"Will you unbox whatever that is while I see this man out." Steve asks.
"Okay." Leia nods grabbing a knife from the kitchen.

She uses the knife to pry open the crate  and pulls the sides down. Inside stands a gorgeous grand piano. Tony! Leia rolls her eyes. She removes the rest of the packaging lifting its weight so she can wheel it out. Leia pushes the casing aside and moves the instrument into the right spot. It's final position in the corner of the room looking out the tall windows over the compound.

She runs her fingers over the sleek, shiny surface and flips up the cover placing the stand up. Leia pulls the stool out intrigued and sits down. Flipping up the lid that covers the keys she pulls the plastic off the broach. It's beautiful.
The white keys contrast so nicely with the shiny black ones. Leia lets her fingers fall delicately over the keys and she presses down gently. The notes that come out are crisp and sharp. She can see the inner workings of the grand piano and it's utterly fascinating. She plays a light tune and watches the mechanics carefully with a smile.
"I didn't know you could play." Bucky's voice makes her jump. Leia looks up and sees his eyes on her watching her movements.
She feels her cheeks flush scarlet. "I was somewhere in Italy in 1943. They had a small piano in the kitchen on the base, don't ask me why. But I learnt."
Bucky smiles standing beside the piano. "Play something." He quietly requests.
She opens her mouth to respond but Steve walks back into the room.
"Maybe later Buck, I don't even know if I'm allowed to touch this." She stands up suddenly feeling very self conscious and embarrassed.
"Okay." He smiles grabbing her hand in his metal one. She smiles as the coolness makes contact with her flesh.

"Oh it's a piano!" Steve exclaims.
"Yup. Buck will you help me take the box to the recycling?" Leia asks and he nods quickly.
They collect up the crate pieces and transport it away. But Leia can't help but think of the sleek instrument she left behind. It's really beautiful. Of course Tony had some spare money to spend on one.

Leia's mind is stuck on the instrument and she so badly wants to go to it but she doesn't want to play in front of anyone. It's a personal thing. So when everyone goes their separate ways after dinner Leia washes her hands quickly and sits down at the grand instrument.
She pulls her iPod out and presses play listening to the chords of the song. She wracks her brain trying to remember the different chords she learnt way back when. With such delicate fingers she plays the tune softly. Leia feels herself getting lost in the melody. Her eyes close and she strokes the keys gently and presses the pedals. The beautiful song slowly comes to a close and she lingers on the last note for a moment. Leia opens her eyes and looks out the window over the dark night. It's peaceful, serene. But the serenity's broken when she hears claps. Leia whips her head to the side and sees everyone sitting on the couch watching her.
"That was fantastic." Bucky praises her. Everyone nods their heads in agreement. Leia buries her face in her hands, embarrassed beyond words.