You've Got Me... Always || Bucky Barnes

Chapter 17

I walk through my dad's place, careful to not be caught and arrested. I pack some of my clothes and belongings that I want with me.

I find my dad sitting in his home office. He looks so frail. Steve really did a number on him. I slowly step inside and carefully sit down my bag by the door.

"Hey, dad."

"Riley! Sweetheart. How--?"

"Steve busted us out. Clint and Scott are taking the plea deal. Sam, Steve, and I are doing our own things." I take a few steps closer. "Ross told me about what happened. I am so sorry, dad."

"We will figure this out, kiddo." He says pulling me into a hug.

"How are you doing?"

"Weak. Taking it easy." He says, adjusting in his seat. "I am so glad you are here. I hate that we got this far."

"Me too, dad. How's Rhodey?"

"Good. Working on using his legs again. He doesn't blame you." I nod. "He doesn't blame any of you."

"We are supposed to be a team. Things go wrong. You can't expect plans to go smoothly."

"You're right. I heard Zemo was in custody again. T'Challa brought him in."

"Good. He deserves to be locked up."

"Barnes is still a wanted man." I react.

"What? He had nothing to do with-- Dad! Why is everyone so hard up about this?"

"Riley, you know why. He has done a lot of bad things, regardless of why."

"Dad, he isn't a heartless killer. He is living with what he did, and trust me when I say it kills him everyday." I start getting hot. "Besides, we all have done bad things at one point or another and we weren't brainwashed!" It feels like it is getting hotter and I start pulling at the collar of my jacket. "Why is it so hot in here?" I ask as I unzip my jacket.

"I don't know what you mean, it's cold." My dad answers. "What the hell is that?"

"What?" He walks back up to me and grabs the metal from around my neck. Bucky's dog tags. I grab them from my dad's hands and tuck them into my shirt. "You-- you--" He stumbles and falls into a near by chair.

"Dad, calm down. Please." I reach out to steady him.

"No!" He pushed my hands away. "His dog tags?"

"Dad--"

"You can't be serious?! You see what he and his friend did to me?"

"Steve is our friend, too!"

"The moment he didn't tell me about my parents, he stopped be my friend."

"Dad, please before something happens to you."

"Maybe it should. Look at this mess!"

"Dad, please."

"Are you happy?" He asks, calm. Calm Tony is a scary Tony.

"Happy about all of this? No. Why would I?"

"Not. What. I. Meant." I just look down. "I can't. You need to leave. Leave before I call Ross to come." He threatens.

"You seriously would do that to me? I'm your daughter."

"I don't have a daughter."

Tears on the verge of falling from my eyes, I just nod.

"At least you have Happy to keep you company. I'd hate for you to die alone."